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

[snerkler]

Yeah. I’m researching the various grey import sites and try to pick the most reliable one. I saw a topic about it so will read that first.

In the old days I ordered from a shop in Hongkong (forget the name ) and that went well.

So I guess if and when I buy something new I will buy it grey. Saves a lot and as it seems that I will start over again with all my stuff, the more I save the more I buy extra . I saved up already . In the market for a new body and at least 2 lenses if Fuji doesn’t have an amazing xt-6.

This weekend I have a canon lended to me so I will check that out too.

I’m curious about that one too. According to reviews they are close (D6M3)

I feel like a child making a list for Santa. Al those dreams and wishes

But seriously. It’s a big decision. Lots of money so I want to take a well informed decision. So I’m taking my time.

I’d only buy from Panamoz now. I recently had a bad experience with Cotswolds, and e-infinity warranty repairs aren’t done in the UK (last time I checked).

Panamoz usually offer you a lower price than their advertised one if you ask them what their best price is.

 

[robj20]

I’d only buy from Panamoz now. I recently had a bad experience with Cotswolds, and e-infinity warranty repairs aren’t done in the UK (last time I checked).

Panamoz usually offer you a lower price than their advertised one if you ask them what their best price is.

I don't think it's worth worrying about taking £30 difference at the minute I think. Well worth it for the better service. I generally use Panamoz for bodies and E-Infinity for lenses.

 

[snerkler]

I don't think it's worth worrying about taking £30 difference at the minute I think. Well worth it for the better service. I generally use Panamoz for bodies and E-Infinity for lenses.

Well I’ve been offered gear with much more than £30 off the advertised price, but even £30 would be welcome and better in my pocket than theirs

 

[MittyKitty]

Panamoz > E-Infinity > Cotswold Cameras.
Used them all and that's the order id place trust in.

I’m from outside UK. Live in EU
No problems with customs ? ( not up to speeds about details regarding ordering yet )

 

[snerkler]

I’m from outside UK. Live in EU
No problems with customs ? ( not up to speeds about details regarding ordering yet )

I'd check where warranty repairs are carried out, I know in the UK Panamoz and Cotswolds repair in the UK but e-infinity go back to Hong Kong (last time I checked) but it might be different in your country

 

[nog]

I don’t think there is much doubt that Panamoz gtee and service is the class leader but, depending how risk averse you are, it may be worth checking other sites
Eg
Sony A7R VI :
Panamoz £3450 delivered - will probably discount £50 maybe £100? when asked
Cameriz £2835 delivered

Cameriz delivery takes about 2 weeks, Panamoz often less than a week

 

[snerkler]

I don’t think there is much doubt that Panamoz gtee and service is the class leader but, depending how risk averse you are, it may be worth checking other sites
Eg
Sony A7R VI :
Panamoz £3450 delivered - will probably discount £50 maybe £100? when asked
Cameriz £2835 delivered

Cameriz delivery takes about 2 weeks, Panamoz often less than a week

I've never heard of them, but......

 

[trevjm]

I used Cameriz last month for a Sony A1 II. It took 12 days from placement of order to delivery and was well worth the wait. DHL kept me informed of progress once the package was in their system. I currently have a Sony 100-400 and 1.4 TC on order with them. They are certainly worth considering.

 

[nog]

I have used Cameriz last month for a Sony A1 II. It took 12 days from placement of order to delivery and was well worth the wait. DHL kept me informed of progress once the package was in their system. I currently have a Sony 100-400 and 1.4 TC on order with them at the moment. They are certainly worth considering.

I’ve had a couple of lenses and the A7R 6 from them, all delivered in 12 to 14 days with Fedex. Seems to take 2 or 3 days to “despatch” then another couple of days for Fedex to pick up the parcel. No issues so far, hopefully Cameriz will be ok if any issues with the kit but stuff is pretty reliable nowadays- as I touch wood

 

[gman]

This is the camera I'm probably going to go with (coming from an aging D5300). I'd like the a7rVI but it's a little out of reach. It'll be a grey import too.

Yeah. I’m researching the various grey import sites and try to pick the most reliable one. I saw a topic about it so will read that first.

In the old days I ordered from a shop in Hongkong (forget the name ) and that went well.

So I guess if and when I buy something new I will buy it grey. Saves a lot and as it seems that I will start over again with all my stuff, the more I save the more I buy extra . I saved up already . In the market for a new body and at least 2 lenses if Fuji doesn’t have an amazing xt-6.

This weekend I have a canon lended to me so I will check that out too.

I’m curious about that one too. According to reviews they are close (D6M3)

I feel like a child making a list for Santa. Al those dreams and wishes

But seriously. It’s a big decision. Lots of money so I want to take a well informed decision. So I’m taking my time.

I just got an A7V from Cotswolds Cameras after lots of pondering (link here). I kept asking myself if it was worth spending two grand for a camera and lens and trying to think of when I'd actually use it, but I think that's was because my bulky D810 setup was putting me off carrying it around casually.

I've not regretted buying it and paired it with Sony's FE 40mm f/2.5g, which has dual focusing motors so it can keep up with the A7V's blazing fast AF and what an AF system it is. I thought my old A9 was fast! It's a nice compact and lightweight combination, so it will be ideal for walking around with and this was a major box I wanted to tick. I did think about the A7RVI, but as I like to do panoramic and exposure blends and don't really crop aggressively, then I probably don't need a 67MP sensor and the extra strain on my editing computer.

 

[pmac]

I just got an A7V from Cotswolds Cameras after lots of pondering (link here). I kept asking myself if it was worth spending two grand for a camera and lens and trying to think of when I'd actually use it, but I think that's was because my bulky D810 setup was putting me off carrying it around casually.

I've not regretted buying it and paired it with Sony's FE 40mm f/2.5g, which has dual focusing motors so it can keep up with the A7V's blazing fast AF and what an AF system it is. I thought my old A9 was fast! It's a nice compact and lightweight combination, so it will be ideal for walking around with and this was a major box I wanted to tick. I did think about the A7RVI, but as I like to do panoramic and exposure blends and don't really crop aggressively, then I probably don't need a 67MP sensor and the extra strain on my editing computer.

Yeah lightroom with a7v files is slow enough on my m1 MacBook Pro. The brenizer method image I posted a few days ago crashed my computer twice before I had to remove about half the images to get it to work without crashing.
The a7riv would mean a serious computer upgrade for me… hell I need one for the a7v even.

 

[woof woof]

I just got an A7V from Cotswolds Cameras after lots of pondering (link here). I kept asking myself if it was worth spending two grand for a camera and lens and trying to think of when I'd actually use it, but I think that's was because my bulky D810 setup was putting me off carrying it around casually.

I've not regretted buying it and paired it with Sony's FE 40mm f/2.5g, which has dual focusing motors so it can keep up with the A7V's blazing fast AF and what an AF system it is. I thought my old A9 was fast! It's a nice compact and lightweight combination, so it will be ideal for walking around with and this was a major box I wanted to tick. I did think about the A7RVI, but as I like to do panoramic and exposure blends and don't really crop aggressively, then I probably don't need a 67MP sensor and the extra strain on my editing computer.

The Sony 40mm f2.5 is a favourite of mine and I also have the similar 25mm f2.8 G. When I'm not carrying much else I take my A7cII and 40mm and also my A7III and 24mm, it saves changing lenses while out. My man maths tells me the two Sony's are only a smidgin heavier than my old Canon 5D and Sigma 50mm f1.4.

While I'm here. A7cII and 40mm f2.5.





And a 40mm panorama.

 

[woof woof]

Yeah lightroom with a7v files is slow enough on my m1 MacBook Pro. The brenizer method image I posted a few days ago crashed my computer twice before I had to remove about half the images to get it to work without crashing.
The a7riv would mean a serious computer upgrade for me… hell I need one for the a7v even.

Do you ever reduce the photo size before stitching?

I usually don't but have done sometimes as I don't need a massive picture other than for the joys of diving in and looking around a picture and if I can avoid that what is still a large picture made up of reduced size pictures is really enough.

 

[snerkler]

Yeah lightroom with a7v files is slow enough on my m1 MacBook Pro. The brenizer method image I posted a few days ago crashed my computer twice before I had to remove about half the images to get it to work without crashing.
The a7riv would mean a serious computer upgrade for me… hell I need one for the a7v even.

That's odd, I have the M1 Macbook Pro and lightroma nd photoshop are very fast for me, and that's with 50 megapixel files. What RAM do you have?

 

[pmac]

That's odd, I have the M1 Macbook Pro and lightroma nd photoshop are very fast for me, and that's with 50 megapixel files. What RAM do you have?

Do you ever reduce the photo size before stitching?

I usually don't but have done sometimes as I don't need a massive picture other than for the joys of diving in and looking around a picture and if I can avoid that what is still a large picture made up of reduced size pictures is really enough.

just the standard 16gb with the 14 inch .
I now really on use LR CC and it can take a while for images to render fully, seem slightly better since the last update but other time can take 3-4 seconds for me to get the full detail.
the ram is nearly always running at about 12gb used regardless of what I do and often maxes, I've factory reset 2 months ago and cleared the HD with little improvement(this could also be why the render quicker)
that image was made of nearly 60 tiff images and it had a meltdown and crashed LR, I reduced it to 32 I think and it still struggled.

 

[Bletch]

panoramic and exposure blends and don't really crop aggressively, then I probably don't need a 67MP sensor and the extra strain on my editing computer.

Oh! You've got an editing computer You just reminded me of my other big purchase I need to make - my system is older than my D5300...struggles a bit with 4k video & gaming. I'm patiently waiting on the next round of GTX cards to come out but the 2 year gap between the 5xxx & the 6xxx doesn't look likely anymore. Bummer but nevermind, perhaps it will allow me to save even more as I'll need a ton of memory for it. (Still thinking of the V rather than the R VI - unless there's more price drops just after Christmas??)

 

[snerkler]

just the standard 16gb with the 14 inch .
I now really on use LR CC and it can take a while for images to render fully, seem slightly better since the last update but other time can take 3-4 seconds for me to get the full detail.
the ram is nearly always running at about 12gb used regardless of what I do and often maxes, I've factory reset 2 months ago and cleared the HD with little improvement(this could also be why the render quicker)
that image was made of nearly 60 tiff images and it had a meltdown and crashed LR, I reduced it to 32 I think and it still struggled.

Ahh right, yeah 16GB RAM isn't really enough for LR these days. I know Adobe recommend 16GB but it's not enough when batch processing and other heavy duty tasks, I think 32GB is the new minimum. I've got 64GB which was the most I could get at the time so I've still got plenty of breathing room, however with the increasing "AI" processing it's only a matter of time before 64GB isn't enough and I'l be needing 128GB. The think is the latest MBP's with decent spec are crazy expensive. They've always been expensive but now to get something better than I have you're looking at £5k or more

 

[pmac]

Ahh right, yeah 16GB RAM isn't really enough for LR these days. I know Adobe recommend 16GB but it's not enough when batch processing and other heavy duty tasks, I think 32GB is the new minimum. I've got 64GB which was the most I could get at the time so I've still got plenty of breathing room, however with the increasing "AI" processing it's only a matter of time before 64GB isn't enough and I'l be needing 128GB. The think is the latest MBP's with decent spec are crazy expensive. They've always been expensive but now to get something better than I have you're looking at £5k or more

I regret not buying one in China this year. They haven’t had the price increases we saw this year due to the price of parts increasing, which made the old 2/300 price saving far more.
I may order one before we go next year as I’m not sure I would have enough to wait on a custom spec being made.

 

[snerkler]

I regret not buying one in China this year. They haven’t had the price increases we saw this year due to the price of parts increasing, which made the old 2/300 price saving far more.
I may order one before we go next year as I’m not sure I would have enough to wait on a custom spec being made.

I didn't know we'd had a price increase this year, I've just spec'd one up going one level up on each aspect over what I have now and the price is bonkers, looks like I could be forced back to windows in the future

And I've just noticed they want £8k for a laptop and they even have a cheek to say the power adapter isn't inlcuded

 

[pmac]

I didn't know we'd had a price increase this year, I've just spec'd one up going one level up on each aspect over what I have now and the price is bonkers, looks like I could be forced back to windows in the future

And I've just noticed they want £8k for a laptop and they even have a cheek to say the power adapter isn't inlcuded

View attachment 491555

that price is bonkers

yeah a base pro went down for a year or so, it was 1799 and went to 1599 its back to 1999.
china prices have risen now, base model is 1750, but I can get 20% back on tax (1400 after tax back)

up it to 32gb ram and its 2.4k In uk but would only cost me 1.7k after tax in china... criminal

 

[Stephen L]

that price is bonkers

yeah a base pro went down for a year or so, it was 1799 and went to 1599 its back to 1999.
china prices have risen now, base model is 1750, but I can get 20% back on tax (1400 after tax back)

up it to 32gb ram and its 2.4k In uk but would only cost me 1.7k after tax in china... criminal

Apparently it's all down to the shortage of chips and memory because of all the massive data centres being built everywhere.

 

[pmac]

Apparently it's all down to the shortage of chips and memory because of all the massive data centres being built everywhere.

Yeah and It’s only going to get worse.
The ssd I bought last year is more than double the price now

 

[gman]

Oh! You've got an editing computer You just reminded me of my other big purchase I need to make - my system is older than my D5300...struggles a bit with 4k video & gaming. I'm patiently waiting on the next round of GTX cards to come out but the 2 year gap between the 5xxx & the 6xxx doesn't look likely anymore. Bummer but nevermind, perhaps it will allow me to save even more as I'll need a ton of memory for it. (Still thinking of the V rather than the R VI - unless there's more price drops just after Christmas??)

Ah, I was being a little loose there! lol I originally spec'd it for gaming, in particular VR, because I knew it would therefore also be suitable for editing. I've got a powerful laptop now, but unlike the desktop that has 32GB of DDR4 ram the laptop only has 16GB, although it's DDR5. However, I have noticed that 16GB is barely coping. Even 32GB on the desktop gets hoovered up when doing panos, or if opening LR Classic & PS at the same time. If RAM comes down in price I'll upgrade both, but I can't see that happening.

Both the desktop and the laptop have RTX5070's (the laptop is obviously the laptop version) and can deal with pretty much anything I throw at them. But I always choose my desktop due to the 34" super widescreen, it makes editing so much easier than a 16" laptop screen, but for trips away the laptop is a beast.

I suppose it would depend if there are extra features that the RVI has over the V (other than the massive sensor) that you would critically need?

 

[robj20]

Yeah and It’s only going to get worse.
The ssd I bought last year is more than double the price now

Earliest forecast for any cheaper prices is 2030, few Chinese factories coming online.

The issue is the whole world rely on ASML the only company in the world to make the machine capable of producing the chips. The Chinese factories will be using a lesser technology but 90% of the performance for 50% of the cost is surely a win for everyone.

Anyone interested this is a great video and really shows why we have such a shortage at the minute.

View: https://youtu.be/MiUHjLxm3V0?is=2g7Q8bxxvsa_pDEM

 

[woof woof]

As it's quiet. Two from today, A7III and 28mm f2.8.

Redcar vertical pier. No attempt to correct those perspectives here, distortion is welcome



I don't think you're allowed to go up it, or at least I wasn't allowed last time I tried because of antisocial behaviour.

Beach and windfarm view with a family eating ice creams. They know how to live

 

[Bletch]

I suppose it would depend if there are extra features that the RVI has over the V (other than the massive sensor) that you would critically need?

I will be comparing them some more as the months go by. Bit worried about taking a new camera to India for Holi festival though...maybe, just maybe my D5300 can hold out a little longer.

 

[Bletch]

And I've just noticed they want £8k for a laptop and they even have a cheek to say the power adapter isn't inlcuded

Don't fuss over the power adaptor - check the small print, might include a holiday for two in the Bahamas or similar

 

[Stephen L]

As it's quiet. Two from today, A7III and 28mm f2.8.

Redcar vertical pier. No attempt to correct those perspectives here, distortion is welcome

View attachment 491613

I don't think you're allowed to go up it, or at least I wasn't allowed last time I tried because of antisocial behaviour.

Beach and windfarm view with a family eating ice creams. They know how to live

View attachment 491614

Love the beach scene. Just wondering ... is it a candidate for a high-key treatment, just to see what it looks like? (I've never tried that on anything myself, but you've put me in mind for it!)

 

[LeeRatters]

Love the beach scene. Just wondering ... is it a candidate for a high-key treatment, just to see what it looks like? (I've never tried that on anything myself, but you've put me in mind for it!)

Oh no...... You can't ask Alan to do bright "James Popsys" style skies!

 

[woof woof]

Love the beach scene. Just wondering ... is it a candidate for a high-key treatment, just to see what it looks like? (I've never tried that on anything myself, but you've put me in mind for it!)

As you can see the lighting is quite poor, and I'd I've already done more than my usual processing on both those pictures so the old saying about polishing a you know what comes to mind. I just don't think these are good enough to warrant any more processing due to the lighting.

Oh no...... You can't ask Alan to do bright "James Popsys" style skies!

Well quite. I watched his explanation of what he does and why and I can see the reason he does it but here there is no real interesting focal point to highlight in the beach scene as I used a 24mm and was quite a way away so blowing the colour and detail in the sky to force focus on the non existent foreground thing, as he does, isn't really on.

One reasons I do pictures like this is that seeing any detail and blue in the sky and any contrast in the scene generally is a rarity here so diluting the colour and contrast and detail in the sky would be a shame. There are some shadows in the scene but they're weak and I've had to process the sky and beach separately to stop myself deleting both pictures as a waste of time. TBH I nearly didn't bother taking any pictures.

If you ignore the sky over the beach and look at the beach and the vertical pier picture you can maybe get an idea of how drab the scene was in reality.

 

[Stephen L]

As you can see the lighting is quite poor, and I'd I've already done more than my usual processing on both those pictures so the old saying about polishing a you know what comes to mind. I just don't think these are good enough to warrant any more processing due to the lighting.

Well quite. I watched his explanation of what he does and why and I can see the reason he does it but here there is no real interesting focal point to highlight in the beach screne as I used a 24mm and was quite a way away so blowing the colour and detail in the sky to force focus on the non existent foreground thing, as he does, isn't really on.

One reasons I do pictures like this is that seeing any detail and blue in the sky and any contrast in the scene generally is a rarity here so diluting the colour and contrast and detail in the sky would be a shame. There are some shadows in the scene but they're weak and I've had to process the sky and beach separately to stop myself deleting both pictures as a waste of time. TBH I nearly didn't bother taking any pictures.

You're quite right, I certainly knew that taking it as far as a Popsys was out of the question. I was just wondering, but I do like it the way it is. You would lose the turbines, anyway, which add interest in themselves. I'll crawl back to my kennel ...

 

[woof woof]

You're quite right, I certainly knew that taking it as far as a Popsys was out of the question. I was just wondering, but I do like it the way it is. You would lose the turbines, anyway, which add interest in themselves. I'll crawl back to my kennel ...

No, it's a good suggestion and I have done that with some pictures but I just don't think it'd suit these two. With better lighting and contrast the vertical pier one in particular could maybe suit that sort of processing but trying it with these would mean sliders to the max and honestly I just don't think they deserve it or would suit it due to the conditions at the time.

 

[Stephen L]

I was only referring to the beach scene anyway. Should have been clearer in my suggestion.

 

[woof woof]

I was only referring to the beach scene anyway. Should have been clearer in my suggestion.

If you want to try I'll send you a file... but honestly polishing these to make them more interesting and striking is probably beyond me.

I really only went to take the pier shot as I want to use this lens more and I took a similar shot a few years back with my A7 and Nippon Kogaku 24mm f2.8 and it turned out really well. Conditions stopped me bettering it today though. The beach shot was just a while I'm here as I liked the family walking along eating ice creams. It'd have been a better shot with a longer lens but 24mm is all I had.

This is the earlier picture and IMO more striking. Today I had a better camera and a better lens but poor conditions.

 

[snerkler]

I've never heard of him. TBH I don't really know any togs, except Rankin (because he did the TV show), Ansel Adams (because someone on here mentioned them) and that annoying american street photographer that shoves his camera in people's faces as they walk by. Oh, I've heard of David Bailey.

 

[woof woof]

I've never heard of him. TBH I don't really know any togs, except Rankin (because he did the TV show), Ansel Adams (because someone on here mentioned them) and that annoying american street photographer that shoves his camera in people's faces as they walk by. Oh, I've heard of David Bailey.

I used to quite like James's vids but TBH I find his processing a bit meh as I do like some detail and colour in skies, because so often there isn't any. I stopped watching him. I think his style suits scenes better when there's a main point of interest, dialling everything else back does make the main subject stand out more, I do see that.

 

[LeeRatters]

I've never heard of him. TBH I don't really know any togs, except Rankin (because he did the TV show), Ansel Adams (because someone on here mentioned them) and that annoying american street photographer that shoves his camera in people's faces as they walk by. Oh, I've heard of David Bailey.

Trevor Wisecup?

Saying that. There are quite a few who get much closer and push things much further that I ever would!

 

[snerkler]

Trevor Wisecup?

Saying that. There are quite a few who get much closer and push things much further that I ever would!

Not heard of him either

It was Bruce Gilden I was thinking of. I couldn't remember his name so I googled controversial american street photographer and he was the first hit

 

[Stephen L]

If you want to try I'll send you a file... but honestly polishing these to make them more interesting and striking is probably beyond me.

Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass. Although I still think it's a cracking shot ...

 

[LeeRatters]

Not heard of him either

It was Bruce Gilden I was thinking of. I couldn't remember his name so I googled controversial american street photographer and he was the first hit

There are a few. Up close and use flash too!!