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

Not shared a photo in a while, but was having fun with one of my vintage* lenses the other day, and I think it's fun to share shots from odd lenses.. this was the Minolta 500mm F8 reflex AF via the LA-EA5 at Slimbridge the other day.

Flamingos are good colours anyway, but there's just something about the colour from any of my Minolta lenses, they love a pink or blue (IMO).


*somehow I balk at calling anything with autofocus vintage... but it's a 35 year old lens. So it's younger than me, maybe not vintage...hmmm.

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I don't want the bulk and weight and in my mind smaller kit gets less attention in public. If someone made an f1.2 or f1.4 AF lens just a bit bigger than the E mount Voigtlanders with similar optical quality I'd have one but I'm just not comfortable with todays bigger lenses.
 
LeeRatters said:
We must differ then. I've met and become friends with some lovely people I've met through photography.
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I’d agree, I met a lovely man and his son yesterday, the son was 11 and has been shooting motorsport (mainly Superbikes) with a Canon 5Dii and 100-400 for the last 3 years, completely self taught, his dad didn’t know one end of the camera from the other but supported his son and took him all over the country. I’m meeting them again today to give them a whole pile of photography books/magazines that I was about the freecycle. It was great to meet a kid who was so into photography at an early age.
 
woof woof said:
I like these reviews...

phillipreeve.net

Review: Sigma 35mm 1.2 DG Art II - phillipreeve.net

In 2019 Sigma was the first to release a 35mm 1.2 fullframe lens with AF. In 2025 they released this updated Sigma 35mm 1.2 DG Art II.
phillipreeve.net phillipreeve.net

It's too much of a honker for me though.
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I had Sigma's 35mm f/1.4 ART for my A6000 and loved that lens, so this f/1.2 would be very tempting. But it's so close to the current 40mm focal length and goes against me wanting a lighter setup that it's probably not an option for me either. I also had Sony's 35mm f/1.4 for my A9 and used it a lot, so it seems ~35mm is the focal range I'm happiest with.

But still, f/1.2 with Sony's AF system.... tempting.
 
robj20 said:
Same I generally don't like other people, not in a nasty way I'd just rather not interact with people full stop.
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I'll chat with nice people but not everyone wants to chat nicely and a nice interaction can turn in a heartbeat.

LeeRatters said:
We must differ then. I've met and become friends with some lovely people I've met through photography.
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I'm happy for you Lee but maybe we live in different worlds. I go out hoping all goes smoothly and if someone nice comes up to me I'll chat if the vibes are good but where I am and where I'm pointing the camera matters. You'll almost certainly have seen Middlesbrough on the news recently, naughty people and burning cars and all, and might even have seen my cctv footage as it's been on every tv channel and just about every Youtube commentators channel too. If you've seen any of this you might be able to understand why I'm not looking for attention when I'm out in many parts of Cleveland including the hills and defibately including "The Lines" also known as "The black path" where I've taken a lot of pictures. Somewhere further away like Staithes or Whitby or even some closer places like Roseberry Topping are different but sadly my local area just isn't always safe. I love the place but you have to be aware of your surroundings and who may approach you and why.

Mrs WW wouldn't go to some places before the latest antics and her list of no go areas is only getting longer. When she's away, as she is now as she's looking after her mam, I'll go anywhere but I know the area, the issues and the signs to watch for. To borrow and change a line from "Training day"... "Do you want to go home or do you want to go to hospital?" I'm not being dramatic or antisocial, just realistic and practical. Sorry, but I didn't like your comment about us differing as to me you're getting close to implying I'm something I'm not. I can be as caring and nice and friendly and chatty as anyone but I'm also routinely on guard and with good sensible practical reason.
 
I'm someone that likes to keep themselves to themselves but happy to have a chat if someone comes over to me.
 
gman said:
I had Sigma's 35mm f/1.4 ART for my A6000 and loved that lens, so this f/1.2 would be very tempting. But it's so close to the current 40mm focal length and goes against me wanting a lighter setup that it's probably not an option for me either. I also had Sony's 35mm f/1.4 for my A9 and used it a lot, so it seems ~35mm is the focal range I'm happiest with.

But still, f/1.2 with Sony's AF system.... tempting.
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When I'm out with a wide aperture lens I do take wide aperture pictures but for the sake of compactness I'll give that up and use a f2,5 lens. After years with wide aperture lenses and looking at the results the differences in dof become more obvious for me at something like f2.2 and smaller. Wider than that the dof differences are less obvious to me and the differences between f1.2 and f2 are mostly vsible in bokeh ball size.

 
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OK, it's not much of a photograph, but ... since the river is now getting closer to its normal level, and seeing as this is literally a 2 minute walk from the back gate, I wanted to test out my hand-hold capabilities combined with the IBIS of the A7Cii.
This is the result. Taken with the Viltrox 26mm (my favourite lens so far), this was hand-held at 1 second. Just about acceptable, to my eyes.

Queen's Rock by Stephen Lee, on Flickr
 
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woof woof said:
I'll chat with nice people but not everyone wants to chat nicely and a nice interaction can turn in a heartbeat.



I'm happy for you Lee but maybe we live in different worlds. I go out hoping all goes smoothly and if someone nice comes up to me I'll chat if the vibes are good but where I am and where I'm pointing the camera matters. You'll almost certainly have seen Middlesbrough on the news recently, naughty people and burning cars and all, and might even have seen my cctv footage as it's been on every tv channel and just about every Youtube commentators channel too. If you've seen any of this you might be able to understand why I'm not looking for attention when I'm out in many parts of Cleveland including the hills and defibately including "The Lines" also known as "The black path" where I've taken a lot of pictures. Somewhere further away like Staithes or Whitby or even some closer places like Roseberry Topping are different but sadly my local area just isn't always safe. I love the place but you have to be aware of your surroundings and who may approach you and why.

Mrs WW wouldn't go to some places before the latest antics and her list of no go areas is only getting longer. When she's away, as she is now as she's looking after her mam, I'll go anywhere but I know the area, the issues and the signs to watch for. To borrow and change a line from "Training day"... "Do you want to go home or do you want to go to hospital?" I'm not being dramatic or antisocial, just realistic and practical. Sorry, but I didn't like your comment about us differing as to me you're getting close to implying I'm something I'm not. I can be as caring and nice and friendly and chatty as anyone but I'm also routinely on guard and with good sensible practical reason.
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I can appreciate the caution, especially when we are carrying expensive gear around. Glasgow has turned into a bit of a hole these days and it is becoming less of a case of "good and bad parts", but more a case of "good or bad people" in any area, even the nice ones. The nicer outer suburbs here are still ok, so I can also appreciate those living in villages or places where the wider area is safe, so you can be more trusting.

I had an encounter whilst taking this photo with my son. There was a guy who was acting strangely and hovering around looking at us. He then came in close behind us, so I turned and faced up to him before he got too close, but it turned out he was just trying to get past and it was fairly tight. I think he was a little lost and was nervous to pass us so closely. I didn't say anything to him, just faced him the whole time to show I was ready and whilst it turned out to be harmless on this occasion I'll still not take the risk of being jumped from behind, especially when out with my son. It's a shame it's come to this.
 
gman said:
I can appreciate the caution, especially when we are carrying expensive gear around. Glasgow has turned into a bit of a hole these days and it is becoming less of a case of "good and bad parts", but more a case of "good or bad people" in any area, even the nice ones. The nicer outer suburbs here are still ok, so I can also appreciate those living in villages or places where the wider area is safe, so you can be more trusting.

I had an encounter whilst taking this photo with my son. There was a guy who was acting strangely and hovering around looking at us. He then came in close behind us, so I turned and faced up to him before he got too close, but it turned out he was just trying to get past and it was fairly tight. I think he was a little lost and was nervous to pass us so closely. I didn't say anything to him, just faced him the whole time to show I was ready and whilst it turned out to be harmless on this occasion I'll still not take the risk of being jumped from behind, especially when out with my son. It's a shame it's come to this.
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Not recently but in my life I've been attacked by gangs 3 times, been stabbed with darts (stabbing people with darts was a thing once), been hit with various things including having a bat broken over my head, had an air weapon put to my face, had a confrontation and fight outside my back door, had a confrontation in my driveway plus the time I posted about on this site when Mrs WW was assaulted and racially abused when we were on The Lines just yards from home and I've detained people twice until the police arrived and had to deal with the consequences so I hope people can understand why unless it's someone I know I don't want to attract attention and at least initially treat anyone who approaches me as a potential threat.

I've routinely carried something which could in extreme situations be used for a different purpose to which it was designed in two places, Harehills in Leeds and sadly the area around where I live. I've never used these items but I have had to bring them into show to let me go home rather than to the hospital. I wish all this wasn't the case and I hope we can vote or socially evolve our way out of this mess.

Anyway. Back to photography.
 
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woof woof said:
I'll chat with nice people but not everyone wants to chat nicely and a nice interaction can turn in a heartbeat.



I'm happy for you Lee but maybe we live in different worlds. I go out hoping all goes smoothly and if someone nice comes up to me I'll chat if the vibes are good but where I am and where I'm pointing the camera matters. You'll almost certainly have seen Middlesbrough on the news recently, naughty people and burning cars and all, and might even have seen my cctv footage as it's been on every tv channel and just about every Youtube commentators channel too. If you've seen any of this you might be able to understand why I'm not looking for attention when I'm out in many parts of Cleveland including the hills and defibately including "The Lines" also known as "The black path" where I've taken a lot of pictures. Somewhere further away like Staithes or Whitby or even some closer places like Roseberry Topping are different but sadly my local area just isn't always safe. I love the place but you have to be aware of your surroundings and who may approach you and why.

Mrs WW wouldn't go to some places before the latest antics and her list of no go areas is only getting longer. When she's away, as she is now as she's looking after her mam, I'll go anywhere but I know the area, the issues and the signs to watch for. To borrow and change a line from "Training day"... "Do you want to go home or do you want to go to hospital?" I'm not being dramatic or antisocial, just realistic and practical. Sorry, but I didn't like your comment about us differing as to me you're getting close to implying I'm something I'm not. I can be as caring and nice and friendly and chatty as anyone but I'm also routinely on guard and with good sensible practical reason.
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I'm not implying anything whatsoever. It's how you take things.

I was in Bath yesterday, chatting to people with cameras (and dogs)
When on holiday in Cornwall, I had several conversations with people in some of the coastal villages about the 124G.
That's just two recent happenings. I've got several 'friends' now who I bump into and say hello to in Bristol harbourside area & Bath all of whom I've met by us approaching each other & starting a conversation. I've also met people at popular sunrise/sunset locations locally who I've gone on to add on Instagram and connect with and meet again.

It's what you make it.

My local area I live in is Knowle West in Bristol - a snippet of Wiki for you just so you don't think I live in a posh Cotswold village.....

The closure of the Imperial Tobacco factory at nearby Hartcliffe in 1990 meant the loss of 5,000 jobs and an estimated further 20,000 jobs in service and supporting industries throughout South Bristol. A House of Commons report noted that this had a seriously negative effect on the area as many people in Knowle West and neighbouring areas lost the opportunity for "manual and semi-skilled employment". The Independent in 1995 noted high drug use and associated crime and reported on the establishment of Knowle West Against Drugs, led by local parents concerned about these problems. In 2006, BBC News said "Knowle West has more than its share of social problems. The highest number of kids in care of any council ward in Bristol. The lowest number of young people with any qualifications (under half). A major petty crime problem, drug addiction, and add to that people are fed up with bad housing." Shawnie, a 2006 novel by social worker Ed Trewavas, written from the point of view of a 13-year-old girl living in Knowle West, documents some of the deprivation he encountered in his work. One of the novel's characters "describes Knowle West ... as a 's*** hole' populated by 'yokels, cider-heads, junkies, dole-scammers, slappers and failed wide boys, all interbreeding and nicking their cruddy possessions off of each other in some giant, dismal rota.'"

The Guardian in 2007 reported "Fed up with the media's view of their community as a hub for drug use, crime and antisocial behaviour, the residents of one of Britain's most notorious housing estates decided to fight back." The article noted that projects such as Knowle West Media were having a positive impact, "Those kids coming out of the media centre aren't the criminals and layabouts everyone expects from Knowle West; they're film-makers, photographers and designers." According to police statistics the levels of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Knowle West are above average for England and Wales, with 241 crimes and ASB incidents reported in June 2011. A 2007 report for the Community Foundation Network, looking at the work of voluntary sector groups, found that three-quarters of the super output areas in Filwood ward are amongst the 10% most deprived in England. The report also found a strong sense of community within the area with "a history of community activity"
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Have a good day (y)
 
Couldn't find the 18-35mm on the size comparison list, which is a combo I've got at home on the D810 now (well my son does) so went with the 17-35mm instead just to get a feel for how the Sigma 35mm 1.2 II would seem on the A7V.

Left, my current 40mm setup, middle is the Sigma and right is the D810 combo. That Sigma is a big beast of a lens.


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gman said:
Couldn't find the 18-35mm on the size comparison list, which is a combo I've got at home on the D810 now (well my son does) so went with the 17-35mm instead just to get a feel for how the Sigma 35mm 1.2 II would seem on the A7V.

Left, my current 40mm setup, middle is the Sigma and right is the D810 combo. That Sigma is a big beast of a lens.


View attachment 491919
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I'd happily drop ⅓ of a stop for the size and weight of the 35GM.
 
LeeRatters said:
I'd happily drop ⅓ of a stop for the size and weight of the 35GM.
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It's for exactly this reason I still occasionally contemplate swapping my 50mm f1.2 for the f1.4, I'd love to try the f1.4 side by side as when I tried the f1.2 alongside the Samyang 50mmf1.4 FE II the f1.2 stopped down to f1.4 still produced softer bokeh than the Sammy.
 
Can't believe it but I'm really thinking of ditching full frame for an OM3 system, I can't decide if I'd miss the low light capabilities though. The actual camera doesn't seem any smaller but the lenses definitely are.
 
robj20 said:
Can't believe it but I'm really thinking of ditching full frame for an OM3 system, I can't decide if I'd miss the low light capabilities though. The actual camera doesn't seem any smaller but the lenses definitely are.
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I’m currently running both systems. With the smaller Sony lenses, especially Viltrox, as you say there’s not a vast amount of difference, but as you get into the longer zooms so the extra weight and bulk of the Sony becomes apparent. Still not sure whether to sell all my Oly stuff.
 
Stephen L said:
I’m currently running both systems. With the smaller Sony lenses, especially Viltrox, as you say there’s not a vast amount of difference, but as you get into the longer zooms so the extra weight and bulk of the Sony becomes apparent. Still not sure whether to sell all my Oly stuff.
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Id be looking at the 14-45 f2.8 I think it is, Vs my 20-70f4, but also use the 35f1.4 in the evenings.
What's the EVF like on the om cameras, I've grown to dislike the one on my A7C and rarely use it these days.
 
snerkler said:
It's for exactly this reason I still occasionally contemplate swapping my 50mm f1.2 for the f1.4, I'd love to try the f1.4 side by side as when I tried the f1.2 alongside the Samyang 50mmf1.4 FE II the f1.2 stopped down to f1.4 still produced softer bokeh than the Sammy.
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The thing is, if they weren't side by side same scene comparisons, would you like the f/1.4 images....?

I think you probably would.
 
robj20 said:
Can't believe it but I'm really thinking of ditching full frame for an OM3 system, I can't decide if I'd miss the low light capabilities though. The actual camera doesn't seem any smaller but the lenses definitely are.
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Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Here's my take:-

M4/3 is fantastic, if you go for the higher end lenses and bodies the build quality is top drawer, and of all the cameras and systems I've had I would have the least worries taking Olympus out into adverse weather. Also, Olympus have some very neat features such as live ND and live composite, and I truly find it baffling that other manufacturers have not adopted these.

Now why I didn't stick with m4/3? It's the image quality. M4/3 IQ is great, however it's not as good as full frame, not just in areas such as detail and noise, but overall rendering. Full frame gives more depth, and just more pleasing to the eye rendering (imo). There's also something with m4/3 that I can't quite explain, but a lot of images kind of look too sharp. I'm not talking detail but the edges look too crisp somehow and not as pleasing. It's really hard to explain.

Now the image quality thing is a bit nit picky granted as it is still very good, but the pull for m4/3 for me was the size and weight. With the lenses I use the weight advantage of m4/3 is much smaller now and so it's harder to justify the reduction in image quality. Add to this my love of wide aperture lenses and m4/3 no longer made sense for me. The only lens that I used where m4/3 still has a significant weight advantage was the Panny 100-400mm, to get an 800mm lens on Sony is more than double the weight and size. Even the 200-600mm is over double the weight

Screenshot 2026-08-31 at 18.48.56.jpg
 
LeeRatters said:
The thing is, if they weren't side by side same scene comparisons, would you like the f/1.4 images....?

I think you probably would.
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I'm sure I would, and probably wouldn't notice a difference if not side by side, however that's the rational side of my brain talking and the irrational side usually wins out :ROFLMAO:
 
gman said:
Couldn't find the 18-35mm on the size comparison list, which is a combo I've got at home on the D810 now (well my son does) so went with the 17-35mm instead just to get a feel for how the Sigma 35mm 1.2 II would seem on the A7V.

Left, my current 40mm setup, middle is the Sigma and right is the D810 combo. That Sigma is a big beast of a lens.


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snerkler said:
It's for exactly this reason I still occasionally contemplate swapping my 50mm f1.2 for the f1.4, I'd love to try the f1.4 side by side as when I tried the f1.2 alongside the Samyang 50mmf1.4 FE II the f1.2 stopped down to f1.4 still produced softer bokeh than the Sammy.
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I’ve not checked but Im guessing it will be similar in size and weight to the Sony 50 1.2.
It’s a beast of a lens for a single focal length, but I never find it too heavy or uncomfortable.( I carried it daily for 4/5 h a day in 38oC for two weeks including Disney)

I had the chance to buy either the 1.2 or 1.4 at cheaper prices used and knew I couldn’t have lived with myself if I bought the 1.4
again the difference is likely not that large. But from everything I’ve seen it’s more noticeable than the 35 in the video just posted.
Its a lens I can never see myself letting go off.
 
pmac said:
I’ve not checked but Im guessing it will be similar in size and weight to the Sony 50 1.2.
It’s a beast of a lens for a single focal length, but I never find it too heavy or uncomfortable.( I carried it daily for 4/5 h a day in 38oC for two weeks including Disney)

I had the chance to buy either the 1.2 or 1.4 at cheaper prices used and knew I couldn’t have lived with myself if I bought the 1.4
again the difference is likely not that large. But from everything I’ve seen it’s more noticeable than the 35 in the video just posted.
Its a lens I can never see myself letting go off.
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The Sigma 35mm f1.2 II is actually 23g lighter than the 50mm f1.2GM, a bit thinner but a bit longer. I don't actually use my 50mm f1.2 that much which is one of the main reasons I've kept it, if it was more of an everyday lens then the weight may be more prohibitive.
 
snerkler said:
The Sigma 35mm f1.2 II is actually 23g lighter than the 50mm f1.2GM, a bit thinner but a bit longer. I don't actually use my 50mm f1.2 that much which is one of the main reasons I've kept it, if it was more of an everyday lens then the weight may be more prohibitive.
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It’s all that’s been on my camera since I got it . The 20 was used a small amount in China and when I took my daughter out to get some seascapes.
The 28-75 has been made redundant, I’m going to sell it most likely as I also think the ridiculous sharpness from the 50 has killed it for me
 
Stephen L said:
I’m currently running both systems. With the smaller Sony lenses, especially Viltrox, as you say there’s not a vast amount of difference, but as you get into the longer zooms so the extra weight and bulk of the Sony becomes apparent. Still not sure whether to sell all my Oly stuff.
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robj20 said:
Id be looking at the 14-45 f2.8 I think it is, Vs my 20-70f4, but also use the 35f1.4 in the evenings.
What's the EVF like on the om cameras, I've grown to dislike the one on my A7C and rarely use it these days.
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I have the 12-45 f4 and it’s an excellent lens. Sharper than the 12-40 f2.8, but obviously aperture-compromised. I have the OM5ii which has a decent enogh viewfinder, perhaps a tad larger than the A7Cii, but I finf both adequate. The OM3, which I have owned, has a larger finder, but the OM1 is larger again. But then, the bodies are getting large …
I agree entirely with @snerkler about image quality. The Sony files seem “easier” to process somehow.
The trouble with the lens sizing is a proportional one. I find that both the A7Cii and the OM5ii far better suited to primes than zooms. For that reason the only zoom I have for the Sony is the 20-70, although even that can be uncomfortable due to the small gap between the side of the lens and the body where my knuckles go! The OM is more cohesive with its lenses. With the Sony, ergonomically the lenses seem to have been designed regardless of what they sit on.
 
LeeRatters said:
I'd happily drop ⅓ of a stop for the size and weight of the 35GM.
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If you are referring to the Sony 35mm f/1.4 compared to the Sigma 35mm f/1.2, then I would probably agree. I'm sure I've read that Sony intentionally restrict AF speed on 3rd party lenses, if that's true then that, along with all that extra glass to shift, could also be something to consider.

The Sony 1.4 size doesn't look all that bad when compared below, it actually looks quite nicely proportioned, but it would have to replace my current 40mm as the focal lengths are too close. I've only just bought the 40mm, so can't help but wonder if I should have put more thought into it. f2.5 isn't too bad as the A7V seems to handle low light and higher ISO pretty good, but gaining almost 2 stops with the 35mm is rather tempting.

I'm actually finding the small footprint of the A7V + 40mm a little more difficult to get used to than I thought I would. It doesn't quite feel natural when I go to hold the lens, if you know what I mean. Almost as if it's a little unbalanced because usually it's the lens that creates the support and not the camera, so you need something to grip. But small size was the priority, so I should give it a chance, besides, the 35mm will still be around for a while.


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