The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

I have waited a long time for this. In fact, we've waited a long time for this!!

2006 | I'd just fitted the 1700 x-flow engine that I built & took the Escort for a test drive down to Cheddar Gorge with Katie-May strapped in the front seat! Took this on my Fujifilm S9500 when I really was taking 'snapshots' & didn't really have a clue what I was doing - it was basically a digital camera to me back then for photos of the kids etc


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by Lee, on Flickr

In 2009 I fitted a 2.1 engine with a 5 speed gearbox. About 6 months later I took the car off the road as it was rotten...... Fast forward 6 years to 2015 & she was back on the road. I'd divorced in the meantime & swapped a few jobs & it wasn't until I was moving in with my girlfriend a few years back that I found the above 2006 photo (which is framed) & decided that one day, one day, I would drag us all out & we'd re-shoot that 'then' photo 'now' :) Well, that took a while for timing & finding the actual time itself & the weather to all play ball but on Sunday morning we managed it!!

14 years between the two images :) I'm so happy with this right now :)


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by Lee, on Flickr
Great story.
Love the car...
 
With 1.4x there is no noticeable drop in IQ or AF.

If 300mm is all you need this is the best option. There is no sharp, fast 300mm lens option.

Thank you - didn't realise how expensive they are, but like you said - its pretty much the only option!
 
Our girls would rather sit at home on their playstations or out with their friends, it is difficult to get them to spend any time with us outside of the house with us never mind trying to photograph them.

a problem a lot of parents face. my parents have the same issue with getting my teenage brothers out of the house.
 
I have waited a long time for this. In fact, we've waited a long time for this!!

2006 | I'd just fitted the 1700 x-flow engine that I built & took the Escort for a test drive down to Cheddar Gorge with Katie-May strapped in the front seat! Took this on my Fujifilm S9500 when I really was taking 'snapshots' & didn't really have a clue what I was doing - it was basically a digital camera to me back then for photos of the kids etc


***
by Lee, on Flickr

In 2009 I fitted a 2.1 engine with a 5 speed gearbox. About 6 months later I took the car off the road as it was rotten...... Fast forward 6 years to 2015 & she was back on the road. I'd divorced in the meantime & swapped a few jobs & it wasn't until I was moving in with my girlfriend a few years back that I found the above 2006 photo (which is framed) & decided that one day, one day, I would drag us all out & we'd re-shoot that 'then' photo 'now' :) Well, that took a while for timing & finding the actual time itself & the weather to all play ball but on Sunday morning we managed it!!

14 years between the two images :) I'm so happy with this right now :)


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by Lee, on Flickr
The first car I navigated in was a Mk1 Mexico. Memories revived!
 
Sensational

That’s some time waiting! Great story and loving the motor! More pics needed!

Thanks guys. Really really happy we managed to get off our a** and get it done!

Nice story and a great car.

We have a little spot that we go to for a photograph every year usually. Every year it gets more difficult to talk our daughters into it. We haven't got this year and I donlt think it will happen now.

Our girls would rather sit at home on their playstations or out with their friends, it is difficult to get them to spend any time with us outside of the house with us never mind trying to photograph them.

Corona hasn't helped and maybe we will get to go next year.

Prefer the wheels on the first photo btw.

You do need to talk them into it! My boy is 14 and will go out easily for walks, out with the camera etc My daughter at 16 is okay once we manage to actually get her outside! :ROFLMAO:

RS alloys had to be polished. The Mexico steels just need to be washed ;)
 
Anyone used/tried the 1.4x TC on the 70-200 GM?

Becomes F4 and 280mm? how decent is the IQ and focus speed - does it drop a lot?

will be for outdoor sports where a little bit more focal length is needed.
You won't be disappointed there is next to no loss in either .

Rob
 
I have waited a long time for this. In fact, we've waited a long time for this!!

2006 | I'd just fitted the 1700 x-flow engine that I built & took the Escort for a test drive down to Cheddar Gorge with Katie-May strapped in the front seat! Took this on my Fujifilm S9500 when I really was taking 'snapshots' & didn't really have a clue what I was doing - it was basically a digital camera to me back then for photos of the kids etc


***
by Lee, on Flickr

In 2009 I fitted a 2.1 engine with a 5 speed gearbox. About 6 months later I took the car off the road as it was rotten...... Fast forward 6 years to 2015 & she was back on the road. I'd divorced in the meantime & swapped a few jobs & it wasn't until I was moving in with my girlfriend a few years back that I found the above 2006 photo (which is framed) & decided that one day, one day, I would drag us all out & we'd re-shoot that 'then' photo 'now' :) Well, that took a while for timing & finding the actual time itself & the weather to all play ball but on Sunday morning we managed it!!

14 years between the two images :) I'm so happy with this right now :)


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by Lee, on Flickr

Awesome, and your parking has got better!
 
my samyang 75mm f1.8 just arrived and it has quite a lot of dust in in.
its bought new from camera centre cardiff.

optically its not bad but there is lot more dust that I'd expect from a new lens. i'd normally accept the odd spec or two but looking through it in the sun makes it seem like its sprinkled with dust inside :(
 
my samyang 75mm f1.8 just arrived and it has quite a lot of dust in in.
its bought new from camera centre cardiff.

optically its not bad but there is lot more dust that I'd expect from a new lens. i'd normally accept the odd spec or two but looking through it in the sun makes it seem like its sprinkled with dust inside :(


That is a shame- Personally I'd ask for a refund or another lens without dust :(
 
My Nikon 28mm f2.8 ai-s arrived and it's a very good lens. It seems sharp enough from f2.8 and the only thing I can see to criticise is that there's vignetting at wide apertures but not too much and pretty much what I expected. The close focusing is impressive though as is performance at f2.8 but I think it has close focus correction. It should work well with a close up filter too. It'll be interesting to see how the Sony f2 compares to this, it's due this afternoon.

Just on the old Nikon. I've watched some go on evil bay for amounts I see as over the top. I got mine delivered from one of the usual sellers for less than the last one I was watching on evil bay went for before postage was taken into account. I think maybe people get carried away bidding sometimes.

Ken Rockwell has a nice page on it if anyone is interested.


Anyway. I'm happy enough with the old Nikon and when the Sony f2 arrives that's it, I'll have everything I want and I can stop buying lenses except maybe a 12-24mm at some point.
 
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tamrons UK pricing really annoys me (half the reason I don't feel like buying from them)
$550 in US
£650 in UK

no other brand manufacturer does that. take sigma for instance with the new 85mm art
$1199 in US
£999 in UK
Yeah I agree, which is why most people buy Tamron from e-inifinity, Panamoz are always way off on pricing, too close to UK prices.
 
my samyang 75mm f1.8 just arrived and it has quite a lot of dust in in.
its bought new from camera centre cardiff.

optically its not bad but there is lot more dust that I'd expect from a new lens. i'd normally accept the odd spec or two but looking through it in the sun makes it seem like its sprinkled with dust inside :(

I had the same thing with the first 45 I ordered from them they sent a replacement as soon as they got it back.
 
That's unusual though, typically they are £70-100 more in my experience on lenses. 17-28 £759 vs £619
Yeah, just noticed that.
When I bought my 200-600 panamoz were £150 dearer than e-infinity.
When I asked panamoz to price match, they wouldn't, but gave me another £100 off.
 
Yeah, just noticed that.
When I bought my 200-600 panamoz were £150 dearer than e-infinity.
When I asked panamoz to price match, they wouldn't, but gave me another £100 off.
I think the 17-28 is under priced, that's probably why there's so many listed on ebay at £699, people are buying them and reselling.
 
I had the same thing with the first 45 I ordered from them they sent a replacement as soon as they got it back.
Co-incidentally my 45mm has just arrived from them. It's fine. As is the 24mm which arrived this morning from MPB ... (GAS has struck twice in the same place. Or 3 times if you take the small matter of the A7R into consideration) :p
 
my samyang 75mm f1.8 just arrived and it has quite a lot of dust in in.
its bought new from camera centre cardiff.

optically its not bad but there is lot more dust that I'd expect from a new lens. i'd normally accept the odd spec or two but looking through it in the sun makes it seem like its sprinkled with dust inside :(
Why would you accept any dust. I'd imagine these lens companies have dust free areas to assemble cameras.
 
Why would you accept any dust. I'd imagine these lens companies have dust free areas to assemble cameras.

most lenses will have dust in them. Samyang is particularly worst, so a spec or two isn't end of the world especially if I have won the optical lottery and got a good copy of it.
 
I had the same thing with the first 45 I ordered from them they sent a replacement as soon as they got it back.

yeah they have accepted my return no problems
I will send it back immediately hopefully the next copy will be better!
 
My Nikon 28mm f2.8 ai-s arrived and it's a very good lens. It seems sharp enough from f2.8 and the only thing I can see to criticise is that there's vignetting at wide apertures but not too much and pretty much what I expected. The close focusing is impressive though as is performance at f2.8 but I think it has close focus correction. It should work well with a close up filter too. It'll be interesting to see how the Sony f2 compares to this, it's due this afternoon.

Just on the old Nikon. I've watched some go on evil bay for amounts I see as over the top. I got mine delivered from one of the usual sellers for less than the last one I was watching on evil bay went for before postage was taken into account. I think maybe people get carried away bidding sometimes.

Ken Rockwell has a nice page on it if anyone is interested.


Anyway. I'm happy enough with the old Nikon and when the Sony f2 arrives that's it, I'll have everything I want and I can stop buying lenses except maybe a 12-24mm at some point.
The 28 CRC is meant to be excellent, certainly for its era. I suspect it will be less sharp in the centre, but better at the edges than the FE28, and with a smoother rendering.

Enjoy your lenses.
 
Get out and shoot and report back!
Did quick tests this lunchtime, definitely a keeper. Wide open I’d say it’s a smidge softer than the Sony 85mm f1.8 (although I need to check that it’s not just perception due to DOF) but both are plenty sharp for me. Focus appears very fast, and it’s deadly accurate. Bearing in mind light was only ‘ok’ I’d say rendering is beautiful, very creamy bokeh. On the whole the lens reminds me of my Old Sigma 85mm f1.4 EX but sharper.

Weight didn’t feel as bad as I thought it would and is actually pretty well balanced on the A7R IV. Build quality seems top notch, and the only niggle is there’s only just enough room for between the lens and grip and have scuffed my knuckles a couple of times, but this is an issue with Sony’s bodies rather than the lens.

I’ll post a couple of examples up when I’m back home, but they’re nothing special ;)
 
Co-incidentally my 45mm has just arrived from them. It's fine. As is the 24mm which arrived this morning from MPB ... (GAS has struck twice in the same place. Or 3 times if you take the small matter of the A7R into consideration) :p

interested in your thoughts on the45
 
My Sony 28mm f2 came. Looking at the comparison sites I could see that it's a smidgin smaller than the 35mm f1.8 but placed side by side in hand it's appreciably smaller. The image quality looks ok, there's vignetting and it's a bit soft at f2 but acceptable and sharp when stopped down. One little disappointment is the close focus distance isn't anything outstanding and certainly longer than the old Nikon 28mm f2.8. I'll see how the Sony does with a close up filter and I'll have a look at the bokeh from these two 28's and see how they compare.

I thought I'd save a few pennies and buy used. The one I got was at a reasonable price and with its caps and hood and in its box. It seems to be in good condition apart from a few minor scuff marks on the focus ring.
 
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