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

For me, often shooting fast moving small people (my son and friends) the AF on the CII means I get shots I wouldn’t on other/older cameras - that makes it worth it for me. I’m not sure how an A7V would improve on the AF though, or if it did it might be marginal.

Adding more compute does indeed let you do more, faster readout etc and FPS could feed into combining frames in the way a modern iphone does. Higher resolution on the sensor can let you “distort” the image more computationally and still end up with a good final resolution - in turn that lets you have more freedom in lens design (as you can correct more).

There’s also other software stuff - native HDR output on the new Hasselblad, Sony’s thing is “all the features” and that’s something they don’t have…
 
Musicman said:
Not sure if this is worth a PSA here, but my eye had been caught by the new Viltrox 14mm f/4 AF lens; it’s lightweight, compact, the reviews have been positive and also cheap enough to take a risk on - only £190, reduced to £180 for an introductory period.

I’ve been after an ultrawide FE rectilinear for a while , so I put one in my basket on Amazon at the end of last month resolved to check out after payday, then was rather disappointed a few days ago to find it was no longer available. Perhaps they had not been able to keep up with demand, I thought.

Anyhow, my disappointment turned to delight today when it transpired the lens is available again on Prime Day special offer for only £152!

Order placed, it should be delivered in about a week.
Click to expand...

Update - I got to take the 14mm out for an afternoon before the heavens opened last week

Especially for what it cost me, I'm very happy with the lens - it has very few vices and I have no complaints.

Colour and contrast are fine. No profiles available yet, so there're is a little wavy distortion that is mostly controlled with a +3 manual correction. Vignetting is noticeable, but again that can largely be mitigated without too much difficulty. Sharpness is good into the corners and AF works well enough for a lens this wide (which is to say it doesn't have a lot of work to do).

The thing is light and will take up little space and weight in my camera bag to be ready for the odd occasions I need it, such as building interiors. I'm sure the Sony and Sigma 14mm lenses are technically far superior, but I don't need f/1.4 and they would be way too big and heavy to carry around for an off-chance I need to go wider than 24mm.

Anyhow, a few samples, with varying levels of polish applied in PP.


The Robin Hood by Rob Telford, on Flickr


Queensmere by Rob Telford, on Flickr


103-107 Collingwood Road by Rob Telford, on Flickr


London General Ee95 by Rob Telford, on Flickr


London General WHV74 by Rob Telford, on Flickr


London General SEe277 by Rob Telford, on Flickr
 
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snerkler said:
I think generally there'll always be minor improvements as they'll improve the processing to help reduce noise, improve DR and colours etc. How perceivable these will be is anyone's guess and the differences won't be blatantly obvious.

I do think we've hit a plateau with the current sensors, I can't see any major improvements except computational. I think the next step for Sony will be to improve the global shutter to try and get noise, DR etc to match the current stacked sensors. If and when we'll see a revolutionary step in sensor design such as organic sensors I've not idea, I think it's fair to day not anytime soon.
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For years I've thought that thr IQ is good enough but I'm always pleased to see improvements. I'd like to see more improvements in DR and I'll be happy to see improvements in the readout speed or see global shutter filter down so that there are no drawbacks to using the electronic shutter. Another nice thing would be if they could somehow make dust bunnies a non issue or at least less of an issue. Sigmas idea of a glass panel seemed a good move but I don't know how effective it was.
 
My first walk for nearly 5 weeks after catching flu or something. Shame there was no sky. A7cII and that Sony 40mm f2.5.

Just after the service, they're grabbing the flags to take to the next service in the town square.

DSC00696.jpg

I think I fed every squirrel there is.

DSC00707.jpg

Just the scene.

DSC00710.jpg
 
After not bothering with my film era lenses for quite a while I now have an urge to use them again. That'll have to wait until we get beck from Thailand. Two lenses have been in my mind, the Minolta Rokkor 50mm f1.4 MD and the Rokkor 50mm f1.7 MC MK3.

One taken with the MC f1.7 MK3.

DSC06474.JPG

I toyed with the idea of taking a Voigtlander to Thailand but MF-ing on a non photography holiday seems a bit selfish so I'll take the Sony 40mm.
 
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I'm a bit disappointed in these A7III/A7cII batteries. I have 4, I charged three and only one went to 100%. I'll charge the other and see how it does another time. Given the price I expected better performance. My old A7 batteries seemed to stay in good condition and went to 100% for longer than these seem to have lasted.
 
woof woof said:
I'm a bit disappointed in these A7III/A7cII batteries. I have 4, I charged three and only one went to 100%. I'll charge the other and see how it does another time. Given the price I expected better performance. My old A7 batteries seemed to stay in good condition and went to 100% for longer than these seem to have lasted.
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The batteries should always charge to 100% if in good condition, how old are they? There's so many factors affecting battery life, AF, screen and EVF brightness, screen and EVF resolution, IBIS etc etc. If I spend a day at Donington or Silverstone etc then I can go through 3 batteries in my A1.
 
I got the A7III in July 2024 and bought an extra battery, I bought the A7cII and an extra battery in September. Since then they've been mixed up so I don't know what I bought when. Hopefully the two that don't go to 100% are the oldest. I did try draining and cycling the batteries again but I got the same result, 90 odd % but not 100%. The A7III is with a friend at the moment, I take a look at the battery when I get back from Thailand. I don't expect batteries to last forever but I'm a bit surprised that at best the two failing ones have retained full capacity for less than 18 months. Maybe 18 months to retain 100% is good performance?
 
The original NP-FW50 battery I got with my a6500 isn’t very good. The same when I had the a6000. That battery dies after a couple of years. Just light use. Obviously smaller batteries the your cameras.
I found third party batteries seem better for me and last longer.
But, as all cameras there’s good and bad. I do love my little a6500
 
woof woof said:
I'm a bit disappointed in these A7III/A7cII batteries. I have 4, I charged three and only one went to 100%. I'll charge the other and see how it does another time. Given the price I expected better performance. My old A7 batteries seemed to stay in good condition and went to 100% for longer than these seem to have lasted.
Click to expand...

This happens a lot with these batteries they need a refresh. Drain them to zero and recharge again and they will go to 100%.

In future don't allow batteries to sit fully charged for long periods of time. Batteries are also best swapped out at around 10%.
 
f/2.8 said:
This happens a lot with these batteries they need a refresh. Drain them to zero and recharge again and they will go to 100%.

In future don't allow batteries to sit fully charged for long periods of time. Batteries are also best swapped out at around 10%.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid they didn't.
 
f/2.8 said:
This happens a lot with these batteries they need a refresh. Drain them to zero and recharge again and they will go to 100%.

In future don't allow batteries to sit fully charged for long periods of time. Batteries are also best swapped out at around 10%.
Click to expand...
That does nothing to a lithium ion battery, they have no memory effect. Draining them to 0% is about the worst intentional thing you can do to them as well. Perfect conditions are to use them between 20 - 80%.
Long term storage keep them partially discharged around 70%.
 
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nandbytes said:
Are you using a Sony charger?
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No. I didn't know they did them.

Tried in camera and in a 3rd part charger. In both one battery goes to 100%, two only 90 odd %. I'll check the 4th later.

If I keep these cameras until the batteries need replacing I might look at 3rd party ones but I thought these cameras were more resistant to 3rd party batteries. Can 3rd party batteries be used?
 
woof woof said:
No. I didn't know they did them.

Tried in camera and in a 3rd part charger. In both one battery goes to 100%, two only 90 odd %. I'll check the 4th later.

If I keep these cameras until the batteries need replacing I might look at 3rd party ones but I thought these cameras were more resistant to 3rd party batteries. Can 3rd party batteries be used?
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Yeah your can get Sony version of the charger that I find do get my batteries to 100% unlike the 3rd party one I normally use.

You can use 3rd party batteries and these days you can get ones that you can even charge directly via. USB-C port on the battery itself without needing a charger.

Eg:
www.kentfaith.co.uk

Sony FZ100 Battery | Kentfaith UK

K&F Concept NP-FZ100 battery charger with type C charging has 2600mAh powerful capacity and can always record beautiful sceneries.
www.kentfaith.co.uk www.kentfaith.co.uk

But I haven't used these myself.
 
woof woof said:
I got the A7III in July 2024 and bought an extra battery, I bought the A7cII and an extra battery in September. Since then they've been mixed up so I don't know what I bought when. Hopefully the two that don't go to 100% are the oldest. I did try draining and cycling the batteries again but I got the same result, 90 odd % but not 100%. The A7III is with a friend at the moment, I take a look at the battery when I get back from Thailand. I don't expect batteries to last forever but I'm a bit surprised that at best the two failing ones have retained full capacity for less than 18 months. Maybe 18 months to retain 100% is good performance?
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woof woof said:
No. I didn't know they did them.

Tried in camera and in a 3rd part charger. In both one battery goes to 100%, two only 90 odd %. I'll check the 4th later.

If I keep these cameras until the batteries need replacing I might look at 3rd party ones but I thought these cameras were more resistant to 3rd party batteries. Can 3rd party batteries be used?
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My battery that came with the A1 still charges to 100%, as do my other two which I believe are a couple of years old. I only use the Sony external charger that came with the camera.
 
robj20 said:
That does nothing to a lithium ion battery, they have no memory effect. Draining them to 0% is about the worst intentional thing you can do to them as well. Perfect conditions are too use then between 20 - 80%.
Long term stage keep them partially discharged around 70%.
Click to expand...

I have about 60 odd NP-FZ100 Sony batteries so no offence but your talking nonsense. What I suggested doing is exactly what Sony told me to do when I queried why newish batteries weren't charging to 100% and has been working for me for years.

You do you though.

Charger used makes no difference by the way as have seen people mention that. A good quality third party charger will do just as good a job as the oem Sony chargers, the cheap tat might be different but I don't have any of those. The 4 Sony chargers I have work exactly the same as the 3 third party chargers I have and that includes the newer BC-ZD1 and the pro Sony NPA-MQZ1K.
 
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Yeah my A7C battery charges in camera to 100% no problem.
If you have one get a multi meter on it, fully charged is about 4.2V, completely flat is 3V. Healthy vintage is 3.7V.
 
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woof woof said:
I'm a bit disappointed in these A7III/A7cII batteries. I have 4, I charged three and only one went to 100%. I'll charge the other and see how it does another time. Given the price I expected better performance. My old A7 batteries seemed to stay in good condition and went to 100% for longer than these seem to have lasted.
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I wonder if this will solve your battery issues ?

New firmware updates for the Sony A7cII, A7cR, ZV-E1 and ZV-E10II | sonyalpharumors

Benefits and Improvements Fixes an issue where the battery level warning or “Battery exhausted.” message may still appear even after charging Fixes an issue where the camera may fail to power on after turning the power OFF during a USB streaming connection Improves the operational stability of...
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com
 
Sootchucker said:
I wonder if this will solve your battery issues ?

New firmware updates for the Sony A7cII, A7cR, ZV-E1 and ZV-E10II | sonyalpharumors

Benefits and Improvements Fixes an issue where the battery level warning or “Battery exhausted.” message may still appear even after charging Fixes an issue where the camera may fail to power on after turning the power OFF during a USB streaming connection Improves the operational stability of...
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com
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Thanks for that.

I'm in Thailand at the moment so I'll take a look when I get home but on the negative side all the batteries are Sony and all did originally go to 100% so I'd expect them to behave the same regardless of any setup or firmware, but you never know.
 
Interesting, tempting...

New Voigtländer APO-LANTHAR 28mm F2 Aspherical E-mount lens released | sonyalpharumors

Cosina announced the new Voigtländer APO-LANTHAR 28mm F2 Aspherical E-mount lens (product page here). The lens will start to ship out in December. Sony E-mount compatible Equipped with electronic contacts, the lens usage status is reflected in the Exif information of the shooting data. It also...
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com

Ps. 14:30 here and I don't think I can eat again in my lifetime.
 
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I've been wondering if, after 7 years, it's time to consider changing up from the A7III to the IV. A quick look at Park cameras shows they have 16 used A7IV bodies in stock and only 3 A7III bodies. Is it just that people bought the IV as the latest thing, then promptly traded up when the next thing came along, or does the IV suck a bit compared to the III for the relative cost? I can also get a grey IV brand new for less than a boxed in good condition used version.

Just to say, I'm in no hurry to change, but was more than a little puzzled.
 
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ancient_mariner said:
I've been wondering if, after 7 years, it's time to consider changing up from the A7III to the IV. A quick look at Park cameras shows they have 16 used A7IV bodies in stock and only 3 A7III bodies. Is it just that people bought the IV as the latest thing, then promptly traded up when the next thing came along, or does the IV suck a bit compared to the III for the relative cost? I can also get a grey IV brand new for less than a boxed in good condition used version.

Just to say, I'm in no hurry to change, but was more than a little puzzled.
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I don’t know why there’s more IV’s but the IV is clearly a better camera than the III.

What’s the reason for wanting an upgrade? It could be worth waiting as the V is imminent and might mean an influx of more IV’s.
 
I'm obsessed with the rear screen at the moment. Which ones have the new tilting and swivelling screens?
 
snerkler said:
What’s the reason for wanting an upgrade? It could be worth waiting as the V is imminent and might mean an influx of more IV’s.
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Slightly better AF, viewfinder, sensor and just a newer body. After all, my camera is 8 years old now (bought used).
 
ancient_mariner said:
I've been wondering if, after 7 years, it's time to consider changing up from the A7III to the IV. A quick look at Park cameras shows they have 16 used A7IV bodies in stock and only 3 A7III bodies. Is it just that people bought the IV as the latest thing, then promptly traded up when the next thing came along, or does the IV suck a bit compared to the III for the relative cost? I can also get a grey IV brand new for less than a boxed in good condition used version.

Just to say, I'm in no hurry to change, but was more than a little puzzled.
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A7iv is definitely a better camera. I bought it at release and didn't regret it one bit.
A7iii to A7iv you get a good bit of resolution, massive AF upgrade and better ergo/EVF/build etc

At this point though I'd wait see what the A7v has to offer. Even if you don't need/ want wherever it has to offer it'll drive the price down
 
ancient_mariner said:
Slightly better AF, viewfinder, sensor and just a newer body. After all, my camera is 8 years old now (bought used).
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Ahh the new camera itch ;) I think you'll find the IV a worthy upgrade.

I don't know whether I'll ever upgrade now, after handling the A1 II I prefer the ergonomics of mine and I don't think there's enough of an upgrade to warrant the poorer (for me) ergonomics. I hope they don't make the grips even bulkier in future, if they go down the Z8 route I'll definitely not upgrade, that thing felt like a brick.
 
@ancient_mariner. I am just about to sell my back up a7iv, ultra low shutter count if you’re interested. Pm me if you are.
 
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