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

Nice :) We had a sunny walk yesterday with a detour on route to the local retail park with the dog! Actually found a few small waterfall cascades in the local (urban) stream! Who would have thought!
Cool (y)
 
I might not bother.

It's just a thought as like everyone else part of all this for me is the gear as well as taking and looking at pictures. I'll be 60 in May (good Gosh, getting old) and I'll be receiving a company pension so I just thought I'd buy me and Mrs WW a present to mark the occasions (me being 60 and a nice little pension coming in every week) but she's not bothered about anything at all. I did think she'd like a new computer or a new phone but she says not so a meal out will do here (actually, if we can eat out by then) and that leaves me so I was just thinking about a new camera.

I probably wont bother, I'll probably wait until my A7 dies. I suppose it's a 1st world problem, just looking to buy stuff we don't really need because we can but it is a hobby I get a lot of pleasure from.


Could this be one of those, hmm, dangerous 'women' occasions when no actually means yes? haha
 
Is it possible to have an exposure meter on the screen instead of just a readout? I know you can show it by scrolling through the different displays but I’d like it as a bar at the bottom?
 
Is it possible to have an exposure meter on the screen instead of just a readout? I know you can show it by scrolling through the different displays but I’d like it as a bar at the bottom?

shows all the time in the EVF but I guess you mean on the LCD live view?
Doesn't look like it, you are stuck with just a readout unless you switch to the "setting only" display.
 
shows all the time in the EVF but I guess you mean on the LCD live view?
Doesn't look like it, you are stuck with just a readout unless you switch to the "setting only" display.
Ah, I never use the EVF, only shoot from the rear LCD screen.
 
Is it possible to have an exposure meter on the screen instead of just a readout? I know you can show it by scrolling through the different displays but I’d like it as a bar at the bottom?
I’m the same, can’t get my head around why they have it in the EVF but not LCD. Some camera manufacturer’s decisions baffle me (not just Sony)
I am the opposite, I use EVF for most things.
Sony is possibly one of the worst brands for shooting with LCD screens only, EVF on the other hand is really good.
I prefer the EVF for the stability and reduced camera shake but also so that you can see properly, looking on the LCD in daylight you never see the picture properly. I’d like it if they made an EVF for a left eye shooter though ;)

Why are Sony any worse than anyone else fir shooting with the LCD.
 
I am the opposite, I use EVF for most things.
Sony is possibly one of the worst brands for shooting with LCD screens only, EVF on the other hand is really good.
Are they I use the LCD most of the time as well, doesn't seem to have an impact on my photos compared to the EVF.
 
Are they I use the LCD most of the time as well, doesn't seem to have an impact on my photos compared to the EVF.

Well Sony's LCDs are from the last century and poorly implemented to non-existent touch screen (unless you buy the A1 for £6.5k which isn't available yet).
Most if not all other brands have better LCD implantation than Sony.

EVF really helps in maintaining better stability.... kinda handholding 101, you know press the camera against you face, hold your breath and squeeze the shutter almost like pulling a gun trigger.
Its not that one cannot get stable shots with LCDs just that using EVF or OVF for that matter is more stable especially when you are stretching the shutter speeds. Also better for tracking action, panning, day light shooting, better quality etc etc. And if you use heavy telephotos (100-400, 200-600 etc) handholding using the LCD is kinda not possible.
 
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Could this be one of those, hmm, dangerous 'women' occasions when no actually means yes? haha

:D

I don't think so. She doesn't even like jewellery so what to buy her? She uses her exercise bike nearly every day and it was only a cheap one so I thought she might like a better one but the answer was again... No. She has just about everything but some things are more bargain end than luxury. What do you give the woman who has everything? Drum Roll.... Penicillin!

:D
 
Well Sony's LCDs are from the last century and poorly implemented to non-existent touch screen (unless you buy the A1 for £6.5k which isn't available yet).
Most if not all other brands have better LCD implantation than Sony.

I wonder why Sony don't sort this out. They obviously have the know how. I'd never use it but I'm sure a cutting edge set up would be popular and would be one less thing to bash Sony about. Strange that they're so far behind what they could do.
 
Why are Sony any worse than anyone else fir shooting with the LCD.

As mentioned above poor resolution, laggy, no touch operation let alone no touch to track.
Most other brands have nicer LCDs on their camera with better implementation for using it.
 
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Anyway...

What would YOU rather have?

A 35mm f2 apo or a 50mm f2 apo.

Or would you rather have an f1.2?

If so, 35mm f1.2 or 50mm f1.2?
 
I wonder why Sony don't sort this out. They obviously have the know how. I'd never use it but I'm sure a cutting edge set up would be popular and would be one less thing to bash Sony about. Strange that they're so far behind what they could do.

feel like a cost cutting exercise, spend a little bit extra on sensor and EVFs and what nots and cut the corner with LCD as it not a deal breaker for most people.
 
The apo lenses are nice though, well, the 50mm f2 is and I expect the 35mm to be very nice too.
 
The apo lenses are nice though, well, the 50mm f2 is and I expect the 35mm to be very nice too.

hmmm.... I am sure they are optical marvels but one of the reasons I'd buy a MF is for the size benefit and I can retain that while having f1.2 apertures which for AF lenses end up being huge (like sigma art 35mm f1.2)
lenses like 35mm f1.8 and 50/55mm f1.8 are plenty good and small with AF.
All in all I do not see much benefit in buying APO voigtlander lenses. May be if I was shooting 100mp I'd see more of the benefit but at the moment I don't.
 
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hmmm.... I am sure they are optical marvels but one of the reasons I'd buy a MF is for the size benefit and I can retain that while having f1.2 apertures which for AF lenses end up being huge (like sigma art 35mm f1.2)
lenses like 35mm f1.8 and 50/55mm f1.8 are plenty good and small with AF.
All in all I do not see much benefit in buying APO voigtlander lenses. May be if I was shooting 100mp I'd see more of the benefit but at the moment I don't.

I've never tried an apo lens before but I think that Voigtlander 50mm f2 apo has to be tried and the files looked at to be appreciated. I think it really is something special, even on my 24mp A7 I've never used a lens quite like it.

I wouldn't say that the Voigtlander f1.2's are optical marvels. I think they're more of an acquired taste or specialist option as optically they are arguably, relatively, not very good in some respects. Not if you want sharpness across the frame and into the corners or very good close focus performance anyway. They are IMO more just relatively compact and superbly made manual lenses which are possibly at their best when taking pictures of things in the middle distance.

I probably wont get the 35mm f2 apo and I probably wont bother with either the 35 or 50mm f1.2's. I do keep thinking about swapping my 40mm f1.2 for the 50mm f1.2 as 40mm seems neither here nor there. I know some people see 40mm as an attractive option but I'm not so sure, for me it does the obvious and falls in between 35 and 50mm FoV.
 
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Anyway...

What would YOU rather have?

A 35mm f2 apo or a 50mm f2 apo.

Or would you rather have an f1.2?

If so, 35mm f1.2 or 50mm f1.2?

I used to be a fan of the standard 50 but the 35mm F2 on the RX1r swayed me and I've found it a useful focal length for general use.
 
Well Sony's LCDs are from the last century and poorly implemented to non-existent touch screen (unless you buy the A1 for £6.5k which isn't available yet).
Most if not all other brands have better LCD implantation than Sony.

EVF really helps in maintaining better stability.... kinda handholding 101, you know press the camera against you face, hold your breath and squeeze the shutter almost like pulling a gun trigger.
Its not that one cannot get stable shots with LCDs just that using EVF or OVF for that matter is more stable especially when you are stretching the shutter speeds. Also better for tracking action, panning, day light shooting, better quality etc etc. And if you use heavy telephotos (100-400, 200-600 etc) handholding using the LCD is kinda not possible.
I'll take your word for it. Like I say I use the LCD the majority of the time and have no issues. I don't see why you would need a better LCD, sure it's nice to have bells and whistles but it shows you the image you're taking what more do you need, it's not a mobile phone and needs to take part in the silly resolution war, I mean it's a 3" display it doesn't need to be 8k.

You say no touch to track, I don't use it on mine but I'm sure you can assign touch to AF-C.
 
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I'll take your word for it. Like I say I use the LCD the majority of the time and have no issues. I don't see why you would need a better LCD, sure it's nice to have bells and whistles but it shows you the image you're taking what more do you need, it's not a mobile phone and needs to take part in the silly resolution war, I mean it's a 3" display it doesn't need to be 8k.

You say no touch to track, I don't use it on mine but I'm sure you can assign touch to AF-C.


Agree with this, I use the lcd probably around 80% of the time but as its just for basic framing the image quality etc. doesn't really bother me although it would be nice if it was better,
 
I used to be a fan of the standard 50 but the 35mm F2 on the RX1r swayed me and I've found it a useful focal length for general use.


None I prefer the My 24mm f1.4 for general use :)

Les
 
I'll take your word for it. Like I say I use the LCD the majority of the time and have no issues. I don't see why you would need a better LCD, sure it's nice to have bells and whistles but it shows you the image you're taking what more do you need, it's not a mobile phone and needs to take part in the silly resolution war, I mean it's a 3" display it doesn't need to be 8k.

You say no touch to track, I don't use it on mine but I'm sure you can assign touch to AF-C.

Sony and every other brand are trying to incorporate better EVFs in thier body to get as close to OVF as possible. They do that for a reason rather than just spec sheet props.
The better sharpness, dynamic range, lag free shooting is very helpful in composing and getting your pictures.
If you are happy with the LCD then that's fine I am not trying to change your mind but there are benefits to having access to better live view displays whether that's EVF or LCD.

Let me know how you touch to AF-C if it's possible I haven't figured it out on Sony yet.

I use the lcd a lot more than the evf. Helps when directing people.

I can see how that's very useful for your profession. No debates there but you must have really hated using Nikon and thier live view :ROFLMAO:
 
LCD for me mainly especially on the tripod. Which of mainly is too.

Evf handheld most of the time.

Same here, but sometimes it I am shooting a high dynamic range scene I look through the EVF just as a final check before clicking the shutter. Shows the highlights and shadow areas better.
Before someone suggests yes I know there is a histogram and I can read it too.

If I am shooting people I do use LCD 50% of the time, as mentioned above it's easier to direct them that way and also compose from different angles.

I'm not against LCDs, I use LCDs when it makes more sense to do so. I don't make it a point to use one or the other. just use whatever makes sense for a situation. For me EVF makes more sense majority of the time.
 
Well Sony's LCDs are from the last century and poorly implemented to non-existent touch screen (unless you buy the A1 for £6.5k which isn't available yet).
Most if not all other brands have better LCD implantation than Sony.

EVF really helps in maintaining better stability.... kinda handholding 101, you know press the camera against you face, hold your breath and squeeze the shutter almost like pulling a gun trigger.
Its not that one cannot get stable shots with LCDs just that using EVF or OVF for that matter is more stable especially when you are stretching the shutter speeds. Also better for tracking action, panning, day light shooting, better quality etc etc. And if you use heavy telephotos (100-400, 200-600 etc) handholding using the LCD is kinda not possible.
I don't understand why Sony don't increase the resolution of the LCD tbh, the A1 is still 'only' 1440000 dots. That being said, I've never had an issue with thee LCD. I don't se touchscreen as I end up changing something with my nose when using the EVF. I wish they'd improve the EVF's though, resolution is fine it's the subtle kind of rainbow effect you get when half pressing the shutter or pressing the focus button.
LCD for me mainly especially on the tripod. Which of mainly is too.

Evf handheld most of the time.
Yep, I use the LCD for tripod use. That being said I do sometimes check in the EVF to see the picture better, often in daylight the image on the LCD looks too dark but when you look in the EVF it's fine. I wonder if one day they'll be able to make screens that don't lose contrast or get washed out by sunlight?
 
EVF for me too-, wildlife is hard to get right using the LCD screen just don't cut it for me :)

Les
 
I can see how that's very useful for your profession. No debates there but you must have really hated using Nikon and thier live view :ROFLMAO:

The bad old days :ROFLMAO:

I never used the lcd when I shot Nikon at all until they introduced the tilt screen then I would use it very occasionally when shooting low to the ground etc. as it wasn't really usable. When I switched to Sony obviously being able to use the lcd was a big advantage. It has become pretty much second nature now and I much prefer it, makes it so much easier to keep people engaged, make them laugh, make them feel emotional etc. Now days when I use the evf it is more because I am wanting to hide behind the camera.

I say now days even though I can't work at the moment due to restrictions :ROFLMAO:
 
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The bad old days :ROFLMAO:

I never used the lcd when I shot Nikon at all until they introduced the tilt screen then I would use it very occasionally when shooting low to the ground etc. as it wasn't really usable. When I switched to Sony obviously being able to use the lcd was a big advantage. It has become pretty much second nature now and I much prefer it, makes it so much easier to keep people engaged, make them laugh, make them feel emotional etc. Now days when I use the evf it is more because I am wanting to hide behind the camera.

funnily enough even though I am here on side of the EVF I bought the Sony SLTs back in the days because it had good live view AF. I initially got it for good AF in video but soon released it was great in general because I could shoot various compositions and angle without being limited. But Sony A99/A77 series has the best articulating screen on the back and they still do. The ones on A7 bodies and even A9 or A1 is crap in comparison.

I don't understand why Sony don't increase the resolution of the LCD tbh, the A1 is still 'only' 1440000 dots. That being said, I've never had an issue with thee LCD. I don't se touchscreen as I end up changing something with my nose when using the EVF. I wish they'd improve the EVF's though, resolution is fine it's the subtle kind of rainbow effect you get when half pressing the shutter or pressing the focus button.

not just about the resolution though, colours don't look as vibrant and its dynamic range is obviously not very good especially compared to the EVF. then there is lack touchscreen. And if you have used the Sony a99/A77 you know how good those articulating screens were, none of the e-mount bodies have that. all in all not a great experience imo.
 
:D

I don't think so. She doesn't even like jewellery so what to buy her? She uses her exercise bike nearly every day and it was only a cheap one so I thought she might like a better one but the answer was again... No. She has just about everything but some things are more bargain end than luxury. What do you give the woman who has everything? Drum Roll.... Penicillin!

:D
My wife’s the same. So I treat her by letting her go into as many charity shops as she wants. Last of the big spenders, me! :p
 
funnily enough even though I am here on side of the EVF I bought the Sony SLTs back in the days because it had good live view AF. I initially got it for good AF in video but soon released it was great in general because I could shoot various compositions and angle without being limited. But Sony A99/A77 series has the best articulating screen on the back and they still do. The ones on A7 bodies and even A9 or A1 is crap in comparison.



not just about the resolution though, colours don't look as vibrant and its dynamic range is obviously not very good especially compared to the EVF. then there is lack touchscreen. And if you have used the Sony a99/A77 you know how good those articulating screens were, none of the e-mount bodies have that. all in all not a great experience imo.

None of that matters for me really. Especially stuff like the colours etc. I know what it will look like once it’s on the computer.
 
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I used to be a fan of the standard 50 but the 35mm F2 on the RX1r swayed me and I've found it a useful focal length for general use.

Yup.

I'm the same. At one time a 50mm f1.4 was just about permanently on my DSLR but these days I like 35mm more for general walking about with.
 
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