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

nandbytes said:
Sony's poor support is the reason I got rid of the A1, I'm glad I did.
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And then you bought another Sony body. That makes zero sense. You seem to have an almost hatred for Sony why would you just not buy something else?
 
f/2.8 said:
And then you bought another Sony body. That makes zero sense.
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yes a cheaper one that is more affordable to replace or fix if needed without Sony's help.
f/2.8 said:
You seem to have an almost hatred for Sony why would you just not buy something else?
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Lenses mostly.
The other brands are catching up.... but as @snerkler said Z8 is a brick. And Nikon's support in the UK is no good anyway.... probably worst than Sony's in some cases.
I'd be pretty happy with canon R5/ii but they haven't quite got the lenses I'd want, especially telephoto ones.
But even then canon lens alternatives for the Sony ones I use are either larger or not quite the same.
 
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nandbytes said:
yes a cheaper one that is more affordable to replace or fix if needed without Sony's help.


Lenses mostly.
The other brands are catching up.... but as @snerkler said Z8 is a brick. And Nikon's support in the UK is no good anyway.... probably worst than Sony's in some cases.
I'd be pretty happy with canon R5/ii but they haven't quite got the lenses I'd want, especially telephoto ones.
But even then canon lens alternatives for the Sony ones I use are either larger or not quite the same.
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So basically what you are saying is that even with your way over the top gurning about Sony they are still a way better option than anything else that is available at the moment. :ROFLMAO:

Some of your recent posts read more like something you would see on a conspiracy nut forum than a photography forum. Concentrate on the positives and leave the negative talk for the film section.
 
f/2.8 said:
Some of your recent posts read more like something you would see on a conspiracy nut forum than a photography forum. Concentrate on the positives and leave the negative talk for the film section.
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An alternative would be to see them as an expression of great frustration about something that should be much better than it is.
 
ancient_mariner said:
An alternative would be to see them as an expression of great frustration about something that should be much better than it is.
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And yet nobody else is able to do better or he would have switched to something else.

Why should it be better when the other brands are worse?
 
Being a bit better - as it currently is - doesn't matter if you feel that by making a small change, Sony could be much better than they already are. Particularly if that change made what you wanted to do a lot better.

I can quite understand the annoyance, even though it doesn't affect me.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Being a bit better - as it currently is - doesn't matter if you feel that by making a small change, Sony could be much better than they already are. Particularly if that change made what you wanted to do a lot better.

I can quite understand the annoyance, even though it doesn't affect me.
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We will have to disagree there.

I find the over negativity bizarre some of it comes across completely unhinged.
 
ancient_mariner said:
An alternative would be to see them as an expression of great frustration about something that should be much better than it is.
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Yup. Some things I obsess over and some thing don't matter to me. We all have our priorities and things that really catch our eye for good or bad but even when we're ranting about the bad on balance there may not be a clearly better option.
 
f/2.8 said:
So basically what you are saying is that even with your way over the top gurning about Sony they are still a way better option than anything else that is available at the moment. :ROFLMAO:

Some of your recent posts read more like something you would see on a conspiracy nut forum than a photography forum. Concentrate on the positives and leave the negative talk for the film section.
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And you come across like you think sony is perfect or you don't like technology to advance or get better.

@ancient_mariner perfectly captured how I felt, thank you. could not say it better myself.

f/2.8 said:
We will have to disagree there.

I find the over negativity bizarre some of it comes across completely unhinged.
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Unfortunately Sony don't pay me to go around singing their praises and how beautifully crafted their cameras and lenses are.
So I speak about things they need to improve upon and get better because their cameras are not perfect, far from it.
if Sony start paying me or sending me free gear, I will happily go around being "over positive".
 
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nandbytes said:
And you come across like you think sony is perfect or you don't like technology to advance or get better.

@ancient_mariner perfectly captured how I felt, thank you. could not say it better myself.



Unfortunately Sony don't pay me to go around singing their praises and how beautifully crafted their cameras and lenses are.
So I speak about things they need to improve upon and get better because their cameras are not perfect, far from it.
if Sony start paying me or sending me free gear, I will happily go around being "over positive".
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I haven’t said anything either way.

The extremit stuff you have posted recently has been way over the top. Are you okay?
 
f/2.8 said:
I haven’t said anything either way.

The extremit stuff you have posted recently has been way over the top.
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didn't mean to be over the top though i guess I argued my corner more than i usually do.

f/2.8 said:
Are you okay?
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unfortunately I am not and haven't been for a while but getting better. Hence I was not posting much on here or anywhere else.
 
Want to get my niece a small compact camera to take photos when we go to HK and don't want to give her my old Canon from 20 years ago (sentimental, dead battery, uses compact flash).

Want something that uses SD card and it's bloody hard to find something under around the £150 mark!

It is easier buying a entry level Andriod phone.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Want to get my niece a small compact camera to take photos when we go to HK and don't want to give her my old Canon from 20 years ago (sentimental, dead battery, uses compact flash).
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A quick search on Amazon using the phrase "compact camera" brings up several quite interesting looking options in the £25 to £75 range.

Remember: you generally have 30 days in which to test and, if necessary, return them for a full refund.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Want to get my niece a small compact camera to take photos when we go to HK and don't want to give her my old Canon from 20 years ago (sentimental, dead battery, uses compact flash).

Want something that uses SD card and it's bloody hard to find something under around the £150 mark!

It is easier buying a entry level Andriod phone.
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I've just got back off holiday and I went cameraless for the first time in years, well I say cameraless I obviously took my iPhone. I knew we weren't leaving the hotel though so the phone did the job for the typical holiday snapshots. The raw output isn't actually 'that' bad, and they've got better at the fake background blur stuff, but clearly still no subsitutue for a 'proper' camera.
 
nandbytes said:
didn't mean to be over the top though i guess I argued my corner more than i usually do.



unfortunately I am not and haven't been for a while but getting better. Hence I was not posting much on here or anywhere else.
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Sorry to hear you've not been well, glad to hear you're on the mend (y)

I feel your pain regarding the Sony downsides, whilst these things are trivial in the grand scheme of things they can get under your skin. I've had a rant or two in the past when I has issues with Nikon, I think we can all get to the end of our tether sometimes and an sometimes lose sight of the positives.
 
snerkler said:
I've just got back off holiday and I went cameraless for the first time in years, well I say cameraless I obviously took my iPhone. I knew we weren't leaving the hotel though so the phone did the job for the typical holiday snapshots. The raw output isn't actually 'that' bad, and they've got better at the fake background blur stuff, but clearly still no subsitutue for a 'proper' camera.
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When it comes to holidays if it’s a family holiday type thing I think a phone will do the job grand. If it’s somewhere special maybe bring the camera.

The last time I brought a camera on a family holiday we got friendly with two couples in the bar who were both newly engaged and I ended up doing engagement sessions with both of them which as I am sure you can imagine didn’t go down well with the wife :ROFLMAO:

Must have cursed them both one of them split up a few days after getting back from holiday and the other a few months down the line. Was raging about the second one as they were planning on getting married in Santorini and wanted us to photograph their wedding.
 
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snerkler said:
I've just got back off holiday and I went cameraless for the first time in years, well I say cameraless I obviously took my iPhone. I knew we weren't leaving the hotel though so the phone did the job for the typical holiday snapshots. The raw output isn't actually 'that' bad, and they've got better at the fake background blur stuff, but clearly still no subsitutue for a 'proper' camera.
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At minimum I’ll have my x100vi, it’s why I got it. I don’t take my Sony out anymore.
 
Raymond Lin said:
At minimum I’ll have my x100vi, it’s why I got it. I don’t take my Sony out anymore.
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I tend to do more landscape type stuff when away so I don’t the x100’s wide enough for me. I’ve often contemplated the Ricoh but I’m not sure I’d use it much.
 
f/2.8 said:
I am sorry to hear that man, thought something must be up as you didn't seem yourself. Hope things get better for you soon.
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thanks man, things are on the mend and finally getting help. As you will know NHS lists are long but its getting there.

snerkler said:
Sorry to hear you've not been well, glad to hear you're on the mend (y)

I feel your pain regarding the Sony downsides, whilst these things are trivial in the grand scheme of things they can get under your skin. I've had a rant or two in the past when I has issues with Nikon, I think we can all get to the end of our tether sometimes and an sometimes lose sight of the positives.
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Thanks.
that's true, most cameras these days will take great picture and I do really enjoy using my A7RV in the grand scheme of things.
If the darn TC work with my 500mm f5.6, life would that little bit nicer. :ROFLMAO:
 
snerkler said:
I've just got back off holiday and I went cameraless for the first time in years, well I say cameraless I obviously took my iPhone. I knew we weren't leaving the hotel though so the phone did the job for the typical holiday snapshots. The raw output isn't actually 'that' bad, and they've got better at the fake background blur stuff, but clearly still no subsitutue for a 'proper' camera.
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my wife's iphone 16 pro is really good for holiday snaps. best "camera" we have bought in a while for this purpose. it was her birthday gift from me.

I personally mostly just carry Sony 20-70mm on A7RV (will eventually replace with A7CR). Can handhold down to 2s so I leave the tripod at home too now.
I can happily crop 2x and get up to 140mm FoV. Not to mention lens focusses down to 0.4x magnification too.
 
jonneymendoza said:
My Sony A1 is in for repair now. Ideally want it repaired and sorted before I go Sicily in Easter...
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Turnaround for mine was about 1 week.
nandbytes said:
my wife's iphone 16 pro is really good for holiday snaps. best "camera" we have bought in a while for this purpose. it was her birthday gift from me.

I personally mostly just carry Sony 20-70mm on A7RV (will eventually replace with A7CR). Can handhold down to 2s so I leave the tripod at home too now.
I can happily crop 2x and get up to 140mm FoV. Not to mention lens focusses down to 0.4x magnification too.
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I couldn’t even be bothered to take that setup, not even the A7RV with 10-20mm pz.

It’s the 16 Pro I have, having the high res UWA as well now has helped, previously it was only the ‘standard’ lens that was 48mp, the UWA was only 12mp on the 15 pro.
 
snerkler said:
Turnaround for mine was about 1 week.

I couldn’t even be bothered to take that setup, not even the A7RV with 10-20mm pz.

It’s the 16 Pro I have, having the high res UWA as well now has helped, previously it was only the ‘standard’ lens that was 48mp, the UWA was only 12mp on the 15 pro.
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That Is good to hear.

But from what they told me today, they said they may take average a week time to look at what the issue is and then go From there
 
jonneymendoza said:
That Is good to hear.

But from what they told me today, they said they may take average a week time to look at what the issue is and then go From there
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I emailed them and said I’d got an upcoming shoot that I needed the camera back for (giving them the date). They said they couldn’t guarantee it but would do their best, but as I said they got it back to me within about 1 week.
 
I personally mostly just carry Sony 20-70mm on A7RV (will eventually replace with A7CR). Can handhold down to 2s so I leave the tripod at home too now.
I can happily crop 2x and get up to 140mm FoV. Not to mention lens focusses down to 0.4x magnification too.
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I find myself thinking about this option lately, to cut weight and keep range after a return of some pretty severe back issues. Swap my Cii for a CR and the big 35-150 for something like the 20-70 and cropping. Obviously 70f4 nothing like the look of a 150/2.8 mind. I do have a 75/1.8 prime though.

Do you have any samples online of shots with the 20-70 cropped down?
 
the_accidental said:
I find myself thinking about this option lately, to cut weight and keep range after a return of some pretty severe back issues. Swap my Cii for a CR and the big 35-150 for something like the 20-70 and cropping. Obviously 70f4 nothing like the look of a 150/2.8 mind. I do have a 75/1.8 prime though.

Do you have any samples online of shots with the 20-70 cropped down?
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I don't have any large crops, but if you search 20-70mm on my flickr stream you will see some shots I've taken with it.

This is about the biggest crop I've found, it's 20mp down from 50mp.

A1_08361 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
 
I haven't been on holiday since Singapore in 2019 but will have two this year. We're off to Holland for a mini break and later in the year Thailand. I'll take my A7III I suppose but I do still prefer the handling of the original. I'll probably take my 40mm or the 35mm f1.8.

Feel better soon Nandbytes :D
 
Will anyone be attempting to photograph the partial eclipse today? Good luck if you do.
 
LeeRatters said:
Probably still be quicker than trying to get a prescription from the doctors... :rolleyes:
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They are a nightmare here at the moment. Needed to see my G.P recently and was told the earliest they could do was just over 3 weeks and that was for emergency appointments only. In the end I paid £180 to go private instead arrived at the private surgery and surprise surprise I had paid £180 to see my own doctor. Apparently my local G.P’s are now only doing 2 days NHS so that they can do 3 days a week private. NHS is a complete shambles.
 
It's a shame and disgrace but I'd advise anyone waiting to at least look into going private as the costs aren't always that bad considering it can save a lot of worry. When I was having heart palpitations the NHS gave me a long lead for an appointment but going private got a doctor off a golfing break. It was basically a question of when did I want to be seen.
 
woof woof said:
It's a shame and disgrace but I'd advise anyone waiting to at least look into going private as the costs aren't always that bad considering it can save a lot of worry. When I was having heart palpitations the NHS gave me a long lead for an appointment but going private got a doctor off a golfing break. It was basically a question of when did I want to be seen.
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Definitely a difference in waiting times I was seen next day.
 
I think I’m an exception to the norm, my GP’s really good and usually get you in pretty quick, often the same day. You have to fill an e-consult form online first and then they call you back. Recently I got in to see them the next day and then had an ECG and various other blood tests later that week. I’m then having a 24 ECG fitted next Monday. I can’t fault them, been excellent.
 
snerkler said:
I think I’m an exception to the norm, my GP’s really good and usually get you in pretty quick, often the same day. You have to fill an e-consult form online first and then they call you back. Recently I got in to see them the next day and then had an ECG and various other blood tests later that week. I’m then having a 24 ECG fitted next Monday. I can’t fault them, been excellent.
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Ours is extremely busy, there is a 6 week waiting list for non emergency telephone appointments. There are no face to face appointments for non emergency appointments and haven't been for over a year.

It is pretty maddening they spent 10 million on a fancy new GP surgery instead of spending on more staff. I am supposed to have a check up every 6 months it's been over 18 months since the last one, Doesn't help that the G.P's are only doing a 2 day week either. It is nuts that they are allowed to spend 3 days of the week working in a private surgery a couple of miles up the road.

Average turnaround time to get a response from their online system is 10 days. I phoned last week took 6 hours and 328 attempts to get through on the phone.

Prescriptions are also a nightmare I take 18 tablets a day with 3 different drugs all on repeat prescription. To get a repeat you have to phone them and leave a message on their dedicated prescription line and it takes about 4 days for them to issue the prescription, then takes another 2-3 days to be sent to the chemist. Lots of times recently the doctor has forgot to sign the prescription causing further delays as you then have to start from scratch.

Not sure if this will happen or not but there has been a lot of chat recently that from next year they will be doing no face to face appointments and only video calls will be available. 10 million on the new surgery was well spent. Haven't been able to see my own doctor in about 3 years usually just get a locum.
 
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the_accidental said:
I find myself thinking about this option lately, to cut weight and keep range after a return of some pretty severe back issues. Swap my Cii for a CR and the big 35-150 for something like the 20-70 and cropping. Obviously 70f4 nothing like the look of a 150/2.8 mind. I do have a 75/1.8 prime though.

Do you have any samples online of shots with the 20-70 cropped down?
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I do but will share tomorrow night.
I'm at my parents so don't have access to my laptop

Definitely no where as good as 150mm f2.8 on FF. But it's a bit like using a m43 body and in good light for holiday shots its more than enough for us.
 
f/2.8 said:
They are a nightmare here at the moment. Needed to see my G.P recently and was told the earliest they could do was just over 3 weeks and that was for emergency appointments only. In the end I paid £180 to go private instead arrived at the private surgery and surprise surprise I had paid £180 to see my own doctor. Apparently my local G.P’s are now only doing 2 days NHS so that they can do 3 days a week private. NHS is a complete shambles.
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My GP isn't that bad but getting any specialist help after the GP is impossible.
6 months for a appointment to get checked by a specialist at a hospital.

Tbh I'm considering just forking out for private insurance longer term. We can't afford private treatment otherwise.

The worst part is situation is said to be getting worst instead of improving. So what chance do we have :facepalm:
 
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