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

ancient_mariner said:
I have an unexpected new toy - Sigma ART 35 f1.2. If you thought the 50 f1.2 GM was a big ol' lump, this kicks that lens into touch. If the weather isn't utterly impossible I'll be trying it around Blenheim tomorrow.
Click to expand...
That was a bargain buy, I was sorely tempted but I already have the 35GM and would more than likely to look to sell it on, so felt it's better going to someone that'd use it for a while.

I'm glad it went to someone in this forum
 
ancient_mariner said:
I have an unexpected new toy - Sigma ART 35 f1.2. If you thought the 50 f1.2 GM was a big ol' lump, this kicks that lens into touch. If the weather isn't utterly impossible I'll be trying it around Blenheim tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Tomorrow is looking a bit rubbish for us. I've an appointment Thursday 10am though but free after & all day Friday to myself so hopefully some walking & shooting time :) Weekend forecast isn't currently too bad either..... /fingers crossed

I might do some film/Fuji shooting though... I've never used the X100f for what I call 'dedicated' sunrise etc shooting. I've also not fired any 35mm frames off for a while. Plus, I've just bought some 120 B&W for that Voigtlander Bessa Folder that I bought for display a while ago..... So I want to give that a test out. Going for the 4.5x6 mask though as 9x6 only gives 8 shots a roll :ROFLMAO:
 
Any A1 shooters out there got recommendation for cheap shutter release?

Having already rebought the same bloody pixel one from the old Sony a-mount plastic block plug onto the Sony e-mount micro USB, it now seems I need another one for Sony A1 now the micro isb is dropped.

Ideally I’d like to just replace the cable - the remote works fine, just need the 3.5mm to USB-C cable, but presumably there’s more to it than that? Anyone have any experience?
 
the_accidental said:
What’s your use case?

There are various apps etc out there that will emulate the Bluetooth remote (I made my own, a page or two back for the Apple Watch but I’ve not released it, there are others out there for iOS/android though).
Click to expand...
Mainly for astro, but I much prefer a physical cable, often don’t want to be draining my iPhone battery when I’m out in the wilderness. Plus, given I’ve already got a perfectly good one, I’m hoping someone else has trialled a 3.5mm to usb-c cable and found it successful
 
Tricky01 said:
Any A1 shooters out there got recommendation for cheap shutter release?

Having already rebought the same bloody pixel one from the old Sony a-mount plastic block plug onto the Sony e-mount micro USB, it now seems I need another one for Sony A1 now the micro isb is dropped.

Ideally I’d like to just replace the cable - the remote works fine, just need the 3.5mm to USB-C cable, but presumably there’s more to it than that? Anyone have any experience?
Click to expand...
I use one of these

 
Tricky01 said:
Mainly for astro, but I much prefer a physical cable, often don’t want to be draining my iPhone battery when I’m out in the wilderness. Plus, given I’ve already got a perfectly good one, I’m hoping someone else has trialled a 3.5mm to usb-c cable and found it successful
Click to expand...

snerkler said:
I use one of these

Click to expand...

I use something very, very similar for night skies. Although tbh, depending on light pollution, I'll sometimes just go to 30 seconds and use the built in interval timer because it's easier :ROFLMAO:
 
Ok, I’m an idiot, I found the hidden port on the A1 to use my current remote! Cute it gets its own tiny hatch, but annoying it’s hidden by my l-plate!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9287.jpeg
    IMG_9287.jpeg
    103.6 KB · Views: 15
So, siggy 35 f1.2.

Nice lens, but that aperture ring is SO annoying, the way it rotated un-noticed. AF is a bit noisy and fussy after the GM50, but no worse than other 3rd party lenses and better than some. Still working through yesterday's pics, but I think it's a good pairing with the 50.
 
Last edited:
ancient_mariner said:
So, siggy 35 f1.2.

Nice lens, but that aperture ring is DO annoying, the way it rotated un-noticed. AF is a bit noisy and fussy after the GM50, but no worse than other 3rd party lenses and better than some. Still working through yesterday's pics, but I think it's a good pairing with the 50.
Click to expand...
I've found this with all my GM lenses, I wish the lock worked wherever you set it to rather than just between auto and manual.
 
f/2.8 said:
Prices have definitely went up in the last couple of years. The job has changed a lot in the same time frame though in terms of the work most need, to put into marketing.
Click to expand...

And it's only going to change so much more over the coming years, I really think people will start wanting their photos a lot quicker than most currently deliver. I shot around 50 weddings this year (crazy looking back at a thread I made in 2017... Here)

It's been a good year and it's come pretty easy to be honest, like @f/2.8 no real show stoppers this year, but at the same time created some of my favourite work and pushed my own work towards the end of the year. Photographing an outside ceremony (No ambient light) in October 31st at 5.30pm was definitely a test! Delivered every wedding in 4 weeks which is something I'm very keen to continue.

I delivered 60 galleries, totalling 24710 photos.

This year is slightly quieter year which I'm kind of happy about, I shot barely anything personally other than a few trips to Brands and a couple of family outing and that really has to change as the kids will soon not be interested. That little girl in my avatar turns 10 next week! I've also started a little side hustle that I want to grow a bit and put some effort into that isn't photography related.

Gear wise for 2025, maybe a 85mm and that's probably about it. The A9ii's are still doing the job and see no reason to replace them.
 
T_J_G said:
I shot around 50 weddings this year (crazy looking back at a thread I made in 2017... Here)
Click to expand...

Great to look back and see where we've come from! You've got a beautiful website, but I'm interested in how come you provide all digital copies for download? Is that something you've always done, or a recent development - and if so, did it make any changes to the number of bookings you had? I'd have thought prints are a key extra revenue stream, or do you find them not worth the fuss / people don't buy them anymore?
 
A few from the Sigma 35 f1.2 on NYD. I like the rendering of this lens, and there's a gentleness and softness that enhances 'people' shots, even though it's a super-sharp lens - not at all crunchy like Sony lenses tend to be.

Classic subject separation at f1.2

Neverland-3 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

Probably => 100% at full size, from the top left corner.

Neverland-7 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

Take Me Peter!

Neverland-8 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

f14 after the aperture ring got moved :rolleyes:

Neverland-9 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

f4 (not 14) a bit later as it kept moving.
Neverland-14 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

Back to f1.2 for the chapel interior.

Neverland-16 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

I think f1.2 lenses could become addictive.
 
Last edited:
ancient_mariner said:
A few from the Sigma 35 f1.2 on NYD. I like the rendering of this lens, and there's a gentleness and softness that enhances 'people' shots, even though it's a super-sharp lens - not at all crunchy like Sony lenses tend to be.

Classic subject separation at f1.2

Neverland-3 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

Probably => 100% at full size, from the top left corner.

Neverland-7 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

Take Me Peter!

Neverland-8 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

f14 after the aperture ring got moved :rolleyes:

Neverland-9 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

f4 (not 14) a bit later as it kept moving.
Neverland-14 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

Back to f1.2 for the chapel interior.

Neverland-16 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr

I think f1.2 lenses could become addictive.
Click to expand...
Great shots, and I have to agree it’s looking like an excellent lens.
Can I ask what the issue is with the aperture ring? Is it just free spinning instead of clicked? Apologies if it’s been mentioned before, I’m gradually preferring 35mm over 50mm and am considering a wide aperture 35mm prime.
Many thanks
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
Great shots, and I have to agree it’s looking like an excellent lens.
Can I ask what the issue is with the aperture ring? Is it just free spinning instead of clicked? Apologies if it’s been mentioned before, I’m gradually preferring 35mm over 50mm and am considering a wide aperture 35mm prime.
Many thanks
Click to expand...

The lens is large and heavy (IIRC more than 1kg) and when handling it's easy to apply enough force to overcome the resistance of the ring without noticing. The ring has distinct soft click-stops, which would be enough on a lighter lens. I'll probably just put a piece of tape on to hold it in the auto position.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
Great shots, and I have to agree it’s looking like an excellent lens.
Can I ask what the issue is with the aperture ring? Is it just free spinning instead of clicked? Apologies if it’s been mentioned before, I’m gradually preferring 35mm over 50mm and am considering a wide aperture 35mm prime.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
I can't comment on the Sigma 35mm but on every lens I own with an aperture ring even when set to clicked the aperture ring can still move without you knowing such as when taking your camera out of the bag, picking the camera up etc. I've even accidentally moved it when zooming on my 70-200mm, I can't tell you how many times I've shot at f3.2 rather than f2.8 as I've not noticed the aperture ring had moved :headbang: As I mentioned above I wish you could lock it in to a specific aperture, I can't imagine it's that difficult to do :thinking:
 
ancient_mariner said:
The lens is large and heavy (IIRC more than 1kg) and when handling it's easy to apply enough force to overcome the resistance of the ring without noticing. The ring has distinct soft click-stops, which would be enough on a lighter lens. I'll probably just put a piece of tape on to hold it in the auto position.
Click to expand...
As I've just mentioned it still happens onl ighter lenses such as the 35mm GM. Does the Sigma not have a lock at all then? I must admit even if the lens is set to auto I've knocked the aperture via the control dial on the camera :headbang: :LOL:
 
It's never been a problem for me with Nikon Ai manual lenses, but there generally the ring is at the base of the lens, and they are small and light.

No lock on the lens that I could see.
 
Last edited:
I wonder why no-one makes a lens with a kinda sprung bayonet type action for the aperture ring. So to adjust you’d pull it forward/back then turn, and it’d spring back into the setting.

I reckon we’ve found a gap in the market here, could be a way for one of the new lens manufacturers to differentiate ;-)

As above though, somehow the issue isn’t there on my Nikkors or indeed my x100 when I had it.
 
Tricky01 said:
Great to look back and see where we've come from! You've got a beautiful website, but I'm interested in how come you provide all digital copies for download? Is that something you've always done, or a recent development - and if so, did it make any changes to the number of bookings you had? I'd have thought prints are a key extra revenue stream, or do you find them not worth the fuss / people don't buy them anymore?
Click to expand...
Most wedding photographers in the U.K include digitals in all packages.

That’s not to say that prints still play a part. Just under 50% of our couples buy an album. Last year we made just over 8k profit from sales of prints and printed items via our online gallery. Although they tend to be bought by guests and family members rather than the couple. We could probably do more in terms of prints etc. but it kind of looks after itself and isn’t any hassle as is. TJG may have a different approach than us though, there are plenty of U.K wedding photographers making much more than we do from prints products sold through their gallery provider.
 
Last edited:
T_J_G said:
And it's only going to change so much more over the coming years, I really think people will start wanting their photos a lot quicker than most currently deliver. I shot around 50 weddings this year (crazy looking back at a thread I made in 2017... Here)

It's been a good year and it's come pretty easy to be honest, like @f/2.8 no real show stoppers this year, but at the same time created some of my favourite work and pushed my own work towards the end of the year. Photographing an outside ceremony (No ambient light) in October 31st at 5.30pm was definitely a test! Delivered every wedding in 4 weeks which is something I'm very keen to continue.

I delivered 60 galleries, totalling 24710 photos.

This year is slightly quieter year which I'm kind of happy about, I shot barely anything personally other than a few trips to Brands and a couple of family outing and that really has to change as the kids will soon not be interested. That little girl in my avatar turns 10 next week! I've also started a little side hustle that I want to grow a bit and put some effort into that isn't photography related.

Gear wise for 2025, maybe a 85mm and that's probably about it. The A9ii's are still doing the job and see no reason to replace them.
Click to expand...

Yeah for sure couples expectations around photo delivery is definitely going to change. What happens in the states is also a good steer in terms of what will happen here and with so many wedding photographers using A.I for editing, expectations from couples are now that images should be delivered within a couple of weeks.

A.I can do that though pretty easily. You can cull and edit a wedding within a couple of hours. There are already wedding photographers in the U.K offering a 1 week turnaround time. We have always averaged 3-4 weeks even in years where we have had 70 plus weddings. I could easy do a 1 week turnaround with A.I.
 
Last edited:
ancient_mariner said:
The lens is large and heavy (IIRC more than 1kg) and when handling it's easy to apply enough force to overcome the resistance of the ring without noticing. The ring has distinct soft click-stops, which would be enough on a lighter lens. I'll probably just put a piece of tape on to hold it in the auto position.
Click to expand...
snerkler said:
I can't comment on the Sigma 35mm but on every lens I own with an aperture ring even when set to clicked the aperture ring can still move without you knowing such as when taking your camera out of the bag, picking the camera up etc. I've even accidentally moved it when zooming on my 70-200mm, I can't tell you how many times I've shot at f3.2 rather than f2.8 as I've not noticed the aperture ring had moved :headbang: As I mentioned above I wish you could lock it in to a specific aperture, I can't imagine it's that difficult to do :thinking:
Click to expand...
Hi, many thanks for the quick replies, wow I didn’t realise the weight of the lens, I’ll have to handle a couple of the 35mm primes next time I’m in park cameras or LCE.
That would be ideal if the aperture could be locked especially on the GMs too or as mentioned a bayonet type movement. I can definitely imagine the frustration of thinking your shooting at x aperture only to find out it’s moved.
Can the aperture ring be disabled at all so your just adjusting in camera instead? But then i guess it takes away the enjoyment of the aperture ring which I’ve always found an appealing extra.
 
the_accidental said:
I wonder why no-one makes a lens with a kinda sprung bayonet type action for the aperture ring. So to adjust you’d pull it forward/back then turn, and it’d spring back into the setting.
Click to expand...
Someone did.

I've owned a couple of lenses with such a system but that was in the '60s or early '70s and I can't remember the brand. The aperture ring was pulled back to unlock and sprang into the detent when released. If I recall correctly, they had silver and black serated rings for aperture setting.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
Hi, many thanks for the quick replies, wow I didn’t realise the weight of the lens, I’ll have to handle a couple of the 35mm primes next time I’m in park cameras or LCE.
Click to expand...

This lens is unusually heavy, and something like a Samyang 35 f1.4 at 645g is quite a bit smaller and lighter. Even the Sony GM50 f1.2 at 780g is smaller and lighter.

As for the aperture ring, I'll likely find a small transparent stick or a piece of clear tape and use that to lock it in place. I don't use aperture rings on electronic cameras, and that's why I was unaware it had turned.
 
Zebra rings were a feature of Carl Zeiss (and CZ Jena) lenses of about that era. Some from then had pre-set apertures before auto indexing lenses were a thing - Helios did the same. I've both a Helios 44 (58mm) and a CZJ 135mm in M42 mount with this setup - useful on a converted analogue body to compose and focus wide open then quickly stop down to the correct aperture without having to look at the lens. And useful when converted to mirrorless to limit the smallest aperture and use it to dial in the desired shutter speed.
 
Tricky01 said:
Great to look back and see where we've come from! You've got a beautiful website, but I'm interested in how come you provide all digital copies for download? Is that something you've always done, or a recent development - and if so, did it make any changes to the number of bookings you had? I'd have thought prints are a key extra revenue stream, or do you find them not worth the fuss / people don't buy them anymore?
Click to expand...

Thats the expectation these days, people are printing less and want stuff for phones/tablets. I’ve always done it this way so nothing to compare against.

I still make money in print and albums but this is why the price is kind of front loaded so print sales/albums are bonuses.

The couple get a gallery with minimal restrictions but guests get another version that can’t be downloaded from for free.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
Can the aperture ring be disabled at all so your just adjusting in camera instead? But then i guess it takes away the enjoyment of the aperture ring which I’ve always found an appealing extra.
Click to expand...
Yes it can, and you can lock it in that position too but you can still knock the camera dial without noticing, although this wouldn't happen if you moved the zoom/focus ring like you can on the aperture ring.

I still prefer to use the aperture ring and just blame myself for not noticing/paying attention, after all it's there marked on the lens barrel and also in the EVF ;)
 
T_J_G said:
The couple get a gallery with minimal restrictions but guests get another version that can’t be downloaded from for free.
Click to expand...

We did that for a while but found guests were rarely happy to pay for digitals and didn’t sell many prints either. Also found that couples were sending the files direct to guests or letting them use their login.

Once we let guests download for free as well we seen a massive uplift in sales of printed products.
 
f/2.8 said:
Have seen that before from memory it was to do with what products were put on the car.
Click to expand...
It's not had anything put on it for ages :exit:. My car was similar but not quite as interesting.


IMG_9298.jpg
 
f/2.8 said:
We did that for a while but found guests were rarely happy to pay for digitals and didn’t sell many prints either. Also found that couples were sending the files direct to guests or letting them use their login.

Once we let guests download for free as well we seen a massive uplift in sales of printed products.
Click to expand...

This actually makes more sense and something to consider, thanks.
 
Much praise for the Sony 85mm f1.4...

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens Review by ePhotozine: “outstanding performance” | sonyalpharumors

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens Review by ePhotozine (Click here). This is their conclusion: The new lens sits comfortably at the top of the tree, unfortunately so does the price, so the new Sony is for those who want the outstanding performance and can meet the cost. This could be excellent value as
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com

"The new lens sits comfortably at the top of the tree, unfortunately so does the price, so the new Sony is for those who want the outstanding performance and can meet the cost. This could be excellent value as the lens will last for many years. The previous design has lasted in the marketplace for the past seven years and is still a great lens. This makes the cost per year much more viable. For top performance and hard professional use, the new lens could be the one of choice. Value is not just about price and includes a myriad of other factors.
The original lens was an Editor’s Choice in 2016 and the new lens can now join it as an Editor’s Choice in 2024."

My bold and I think that is a bold claim. Depends on what they mean by "many" I suppose. I do have electronic devices which have lasted over 40 years but I think most have needed some fettling in that time. Lenses which I do believe will last for many years are manual primes :D as there's no electronics to crumble away and no ribbon cables or connectors to degrade and fail.
 
Last edited:
woof woof said:
Much praise for the Sony 85mm f1.4...

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens Review by ePhotozine: “outstanding performance” | sonyalpharumors

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens Review by ePhotozine (Click here). This is their conclusion: The new lens sits comfortably at the top of the tree, unfortunately so does the price, so the new Sony is for those who want the outstanding performance and can meet the cost. This could be excellent value as
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com

"The new lens sits comfortably at the top of the tree, unfortunately so does the price, so the new Sony is for those who want the outstanding performance and can meet the cost. This could be excellent value as the lens will last for many years. The previous design has lasted in the marketplace for the past seven years and is still a great lens. This makes the cost per year much more viable. For top performance and hard professional use, the new lens could be the one of choice. Value is not just about price and includes a myriad of other factors.
The original lens was an Editor’s Choice in 2016 and the new lens can now join it as an Editor’s Choice in 2024."

By bold and I think that is a bold claim. Depends on what they mean by "many" I suppose. I do have electronic devices which have lasted over 40 years but I think most have needed some fettling in that time. Lenses which I do believe will last for many years are manual primes :D as there's no electronics to crumble away and no ribbon cables or connectors to degrade and fail.
Click to expand...

Many years could be 10 years of professional use. I suspect a current lens used by a wedding tog for 5 years now will shoot more frames than one used by a pro for 40 years with a film camera.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top