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

Q2 seems to lag but maybe this isn't a big deal for reasons including almost any kit is arguably good enough now and also because judging by what I've seen online over the years some Leica users have been blowing their highlights to bits and not caring for years :D

And as no one can take a joke these days that last bit is just in fun :D but there are a lot of Leica shots about with large areas blown :D

It does look a nice camera though and I'm a bit surprised that Sony hasn't improved the RX1 line to fully compete, maybe the RX1 line sells well enough despite arguably being thrashed by the Leica in some areas or maybe there's just not enough money in this market sector for Sony to try really hard to beat Leica.

After using RX100m3 which I found really fiddly and didn't get along with I am not keen on RX1 series.

I am tempted by the Q2, might even pick one up when there are used ones around. If it works out might even sell my 24GM and use it as the replacement.

I think Sony will keep it going at a slow pace. We might see another one with the A7RIV.
I am surprised the variable AA filter tech didn't make it's way into the A7RIII
 
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I am tempted by the Q2, might even pick one up when there are used ones around. If it works out might even sell my 24GM and use it as the replacement.

Doesn't the Q1 interest you?

I don't know how significant the changes are compared to the Q2 but there'll probably be a few bargain Q1's for sale.

28mm is too wide for me these days, I know there's inbuilt the crop thingy which could be useful as long as a massive full resolution print isn't needed but the 28mm lens is still a thing to have to get over, for me. And I still have a phobia over fixed lens cameras and the possibly remote possibility of dust bunnies.
 
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Doesn't the Q1 interest you?

I don't know how significant the changes are compared to the Q2 but there'll probably be a few bargain Q1's for sale.

28mm is too wide for me these days, I know there's inbuilt the crop thingy which could be useful as long as a massive full resolution print isn't needed but the 28mm lens is still a thing to have to get over, for me. And I still have a phobia over fixed lens cameras and the possibly remote possibility of dust bunnies.

nah 24mp is meh ;)
Also sensor wasn't all that good.
 
Hey guys, quick question for you A7iii owners - if you could swap your A7iii for an A7riii for no cost, would you? Assuming all else is equal.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I underestimated the secondhand value of my A7iii so I’d probably have to pay some money on top.

I have a UK A7iii with the kit lens (both mint) and a Sony UK 3-year warranty. What’s it worth?

I am developing an itch...
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I underestimated the secondhand value of my A7iii so I’d probably have to pay some money on top.

I have a UK A7iii with the kit lens (both mint) and a Sony UK 3-year warranty. What’s it worth?

I am developing an itch...

about £1,350 for camera and £150-£170 for the glass.
 
As Jon mentioned the value varies. If you want a quick sale your are looking at £1500 for both as a kit. If you are happy to wait a bit longer then your can get couple hundred more.
 
I'd buy pink market for the right price :ROFLMAO:

My hopes of the A7RII were stomped on recently, couldn't shift my gear and well, life things on top, meant I couldn't chase the one I was eyeing. I could have opted for an A7II but it would have felt such a let down in a way. Still keeping options open though. Is the A7II really much worse than the newer models in terms of IQ and ISO performance? ... asking for a friend ..
 
I'd buy pink market for the right price :ROFLMAO:

My hopes of the A7RII were stomped on recently, couldn't shift my gear and well, life things on top, meant I couldn't chase the one I was eyeing. I could have opted for an A7II but it would have felt such a let down in a way. Still keeping options open though. Is the A7II really much worse than the newer models in terms of IQ and ISO performance? ... asking for a friend ..
The sensor in A7/II is the one from A99 which is really old. You simply gain about 1/3rd stop advantage due to lack of SLT.
A7II is one of the worst updates IMO, on the same level as 6D2.
TBH I much rather just buy an A99 and make use of the cheaper excellent Minolta glass and better AF :p
 
The sensor in A7/II is the one from A99 which is really old. You simply gain about 1/3rd stop advantage due to lack of SLT.
A7II is one of the worst updates IMO, on the same level as 6D2.
TBH I much rather just buy an A99 and make use of the cheaper excellent Minolta glass and better AF :p

Hmmm, that's what I thought. I'll stay M43 for now then :D there's too much for me to miss unless there's a serious advantage, the 7RII had the res and ISO performance at least. Maybe I should just wait for the 7III to drop a little more and re-spark that interest
 
Hmmm, that's what I thought. I'll stay M43 for now then :D there's too much for me to miss unless there's a serious advantage, the 7RII had the res and ISO performance at least. Maybe I should just wait for the 7III to drop a little more and re-spark that interest

Well it all depends on what your are after.

I made a thread on dpreview saying how disappointed I was with A7ii when it came out. I got ripped to shreds for it because all that people cared about was IBIS in a big body. I care for neither (would have just stayed with a-mount if I did instead of buying into A7) so felt like Sony was bringing out useless updates for more money

Since you don't care about AF-C etc it may still work nicely for you. The sensor is still better than any m43 sensor I know of. If ISO performance is one of the most important factors then look into A7S/ii.
 
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Well it all depends on what your are after.

I made a thread on dpreview saying how disappointed I was with A7ii when it came out. I got ripped to shreds for it because all that people cared about was IBIS in a big body. I care for neither (would have just stayed with a-mount if I did instead of buying into A7) so felt like Sony was bringing out useless updates for more money

Since you don't care about AF-C etc it may still work nicely for you. The sensor is still better than any m43 sensor I know of. If ISO performance is one of the most important factors then look into A7S/ii.

Well of course the sensor is better than any M43, but then so is any APSC or FF sensor from that past decade! The very reason I stay with M43 is for the better-than-any-other format IBIS, and the budget friendliness of the system overall. I could point to the G9 and with confidence say there isn't a camera as good on the market for 'stills' all-round apart from sensor snobbery, but that's another story ... A system like that should be hailed and praised, not p***ed on as it has been lately, sadly. Anyway ... I definitely do not care about AF-C, but I'm not 'upgrading' unless I'm certain I'd get MUCH better ISO performance [M43 is actually pretty good, it's just not AS good and of course I'd like better] DR, and of course the shallow DOF possibilities. Basically, the A7II only offers me better ISO with s***tier IBIS, no touch screen, a much worse menu system and giving up one of my favorite lenses ever! so it's all a juggle ... for the actual council house shooter

Where the A7RII was attractive for the high FF res that I've had in the past, but in a mirrorless form, but with IBIS and definitely no-holds-barred ISO performance and some other bells in the mix.
 
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I'd buy pink market for the right price :ROFLMAO:

My hopes of the A7RII were stomped on recently, couldn't shift my gear and well, life things on top, meant I couldn't chase the one I was eyeing. I could have opted for an A7II but it would have felt such a let down in a way. Still keeping options open though. Is the A7II really much worse than the newer models in terms of IQ and ISO performance? ... asking for a friend ..

A7II still has a very good full frame sensor imo. It handles iso well, has ibis and focus system is OK. Its not an a9 though but imo worth the asking price you see it for used these days.

Personally I think you need to think about the glass and not so much about the camera.
 
A7II still has a very good full frame sensor imo. It handles iso well, has ibis and focus system is OK. Its not an a9 though but imo worth the asking price you see it for used these days.

Personally I think you need to think about the glass and not so much about the camera.
This, I had an original A7 and took it to Disneyland with the family. May be a cheap old camera but it did the job perfectly. If the A7ii is better than it’ll be a decent camera. It’s hard not to compare to the newer models I guess, but those older cameras are still pretty decent.
 
Well of course the sensor is better than any M43...

Keith, as you may know I've been with MFT since almost day one with the GF1 and later with the G1, GX7, G7, GX80 and GX9. I like these cameras because they're small and light and the image quality is useable up to and including the max with care and of course the lenses are small, cheap and light and useable from wide open so what's not to like? :D I can't see myself giving up on MFT any time soon.

Comparing them to my first gen A7, the A7 files are just gorgeous at low ISO's and even more useable at ISO 25,600 than MFT files and of course all files can be tweaked and resized for final output to make them look even better. The difference in dynamic range is obvious, IMO, I don't know or care what the bench tests say the difference is in stops or half stops, all I do know is that it should be immediately obvious that you've got more latitude to use when protecting the highlights and boosting the shadows.

I originally went mirrorless to save bulk and weight and also for less attention grabbing kit and it was only after buying into mirrorless that I realised that I liked the things that came with it such as the in view histogram, focus aids and all the rest and it was later still when I realised that I liked using old film lenses and IMO FF mirrorless is the best thing to use old lenses on. The drawbacks going to mirrorless FF include increased size and weight for some of the lenses (but some are still very compact like the 28mm f2, 35mm f2.8 and 55mm f1.8) and the AF is relatively slow when compared to the almost instant lock on and shoot experience we get with MFT. Having said that the A7 in one shot mode is easily good enough for scenic and slow moving stuff and with face detect it's fast enough for people shots for me at the moment :D

You'll have to have a long hard think. If you are interested in an A7 mk1 or 2 I could let you have some raws to process or I'm sure you can Google your way to some on line somewhere. Good luck choosing a way forward.
 
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I'd buy pink market for the right price :ROFLMAO:

My hopes of the A7RII were stomped on recently, couldn't shift my gear and well, life things on top, meant I couldn't chase the one I was eyeing. I could have opted for an A7II but it would have felt such a let down in a way. Still keeping options open though. Is the A7II really much worse than the newer models in terms of IQ and ISO performance? ... asking for a friend ..

I don't think the ISO is a match at higher levels but IQ shouldn't be a concern.

I still use the original A7 - Does the job perfectly well & has done for 4/5 years for me.

I've just bought my boy an A6000 & Samyang 12/2 (we're getting into astro/night skies & he wants to photograph through his telescope) It was suggested I upgrade & give him my A7. But by the time you budget in a full frame astro lens for him, the A7iii for me, extra batteries, changing my editing programs/going Adobe subscription..... It's going to be over £2k Which isn't a problem as such, but what am I going to benefit from it.....?? Not much really aside from better high ISO....
 
A7II still has a very good full frame sensor imo. It handles iso well, has ibis and focus system is OK. Its not an a9 though but imo worth the asking price you see it for used these days.

Personally I think you need to think about the glass and not so much about the camera.

It's actually a couple of the primes that attract me mostly, the 85 1.8 looks like my ideal kind of lens, and something cheap and cheerful for anything else.

I don't think the ISO is a match at higher levels but IQ shouldn't be a concern.

I still use the original A7 - Does the job perfectly well & has done for 4/5 years for me.

I've just bought my boy an A6000 & Samyang 12/2 (we're getting into astro/night skies & he wants to photograph through his telescope) It was suggested I upgrade & give him my A7. But by the time you budget in a full frame astro lens for him, the A7iii for me, extra batteries, changing my editing programs/going Adobe subscription..... It's going to be over £2k Which isn't a problem as such, but what am I going to benefit from it.....?? Not much really aside from better high ISO....

I think the A7III being so bloody good is what makes the others seem poor by comparison, it can feel you're missing out on a lot, but it is indeed end results that matter the most. I keep meaning to have a proper go at astro photography too, I'm just too lazy about it!

Keith, as you may know I've been with MFT since almost day one with the GF1 and later with the G1, GX7, G7, GX80 and GX9. I like these cameras because they're small and light and the image quality is useable up to and including the max with care and of course the lenses are small, cheap and light and useable from wide open so what's not to like? :D I can't see myself giving up on MFT any time soon.

Comparing them to my first gen A7, the A7 files are just gorgeous at low ISO's and even more useable at ISO 25,600 than MFT files and of course all files can be tweaked and resized for final output to make them look even better. The difference in dynamic range is obvious, IMO, I don't know or care what the bench tests say the difference is in stops or half stops, all I do know is that it should be immediately obvious that you've got more latitude to use when protecting the highlights and boosting the shadows.

I originally went mirrorless to save bulk and weight and also for less attention grabbing kit and it was only after buying into mirrorless that I realised that I liked the things that came with it such as the in view histogram, focus aids and all the rest and it was later still when I realised that I liked using old film lenses and IMO FF mirrorless is the best thing to use old lenses on. The drawbacks going to mirrorless FF include increased size and weight for some of the lenses (but some are still very compact like the 28mm f2, 35mm f2.8 and 55mm f1.8) and the AF is relatively slow when compared to the almost instant lock on and shoot experience we get with MFT. Having said that the A7 in one shot mode is easily good enough for scenic and slow moving stuff and with face detect it's fast enough for people shots for me at the moment :D

You'll have to have a long hard think. If you are interested in an A7 mk1 or 2 I could let you have some raws to process or I'm sure you can Google your way to some on line somewhere. Good luck choosing a way forward.

If I could swing it I'd love to do similar to you, keep my M43 gear and have a FF ML on side and mostly for that purpose too, for old MF lenses, to use them as they were intended on the larger sensor. I might be able to do just that soon enough, then I wouldn't be so concerned as I wouldn't actually be losing anything. I know I do rant aloud a bit, maybe I just need to get it out of the system :D but there's method to the madness ... somehow! And it's more a loud pondering, trying to figure ways to swing it
 
If you’re going to use primes, why are you so bothered with ibis? Probably the last feature on the list for me as primes normally negate the need imo.

Still like the look of an A7Rii to buddy up with mine. See what happens later in the year. Silly things like the joystick and different batteries put me off, but funds will have the final say no doubt.

They really need to sort out the colour of the focus box. Struggling to see the bugger all day yesterday again.
 
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If you’re going to use primes, why are you so bothered with ibis? Probably the last feature on the list for me as primes normally negate the need imo.

Still like the look of an A7Rii to buddy up with mine. See what happens later in the year. Silly things like the joystick and different batteries put me off, but funds will have the final say no doubt.

They really need to sort out the colour of the focus box. Struggling to see the bugger all day yesterday again.

Have you ever used a 200-300mm MF prime? IBIS is excellent in aiding framing and getting steadier shots. Even for short primes it's beneficial, and once you're used to it you definitely miss it when it's not there. I don't see how primes should be any different to a zoom regarding IBIS either way. Canon have a bunch of primes with OIS

tried them today and said offers were for the show only :confused:. did expect that to be honest though

This will make you a bit sick but someone just sold that lens on a local site for €450, I was tempted to buy it myself without even owning a Sony camera. That's just over £380!
 
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Have you ever used a 200-300mm MF prime? IBIS is excellent in aiding framing and getting steadier shots. Even for short primes it's beneficial, and once you're used to it you definitely miss it when it's not there. I don't see how primes should be any different to a zoom regarding IBIS either way. Canon have a bunch of primes with OIS

Nearly said that would be the only exception, but primes in that bracket are pretty specialist. I wouldn’t want to use one tbh. Zooms with os in that fl are more common place surely.[L
 
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Seems to be out of stock in the cheaper places and nothing going used[emoji20] .

Clifton even said they had a back order since nov.

Got a week before I’m away to get one, or I could prob pick one up in China cheaper but will have no warranty at all
 
Nearly said that would be the only exception, but primes in that bracket are pretty specialist. I wouldn’t want to use one tbh. Zooms with os in that fl are more common place surely.[L

But the point is, I do want to use lenses in that range ;) And I like having IBIS for any lens I attach, I do a lot of macro too using old primes - sometimes reversing or adding macro attachments, IBIS can help a lot there for steadier composition too as things can get pretty erratic when focusing very close.


Yup! The seller says he only bought it to use for one job while his G-master lens was in for repair now doesn't need it, wanted a quick sale. He had no problem shifting it as you can imagine
 
Yup! The seller says he only bought it to use for one job while his G-master lens was in for repair now doesn't need it, wanted a quick sale. He had no problem shifting it as you can imagine

you should have bought it and sold it to someone here for a bargain price ;)
There are so many looking for this lens. I put it up here at a small discount and no one wanted it at the time. so I ended up selling on ebay for more money.
 
you should have bought it and sold it to someone here for a bargain price ;)
There are so many looking for this lens. I put it up here at a small discount and no one wanted it at the time. so I ended up selling on ebay for more money.

Honestly I thought on it but it was gone by time I decided. I could have sold it at profit and then sold my gear cheaper than I was trying to, would have gotten me a step closer to that A7rii. I always just miss out on these deals though, the other week someone sold a G9 for €600 on the same site. And these are guys with good clean sales feedback
 
I did taunt myself at the photography show with the 135 GM. Ironically, I shot a chap trying out the 400 GM, which was the previous sharpest lens tested in that review posted last week, until the 135 replaced it at the top. Looks perfect but not the best tests really.
 
Just got back from Paris... I really did enjoy using my 24-105mm. I am glad to have swapped my tamron 28-75mm for it.

I am still processing the images... but instead of posting the obvious shots... lets me try posting the less obvious shots ;)

both shot @105mm

ASA08567.jpg


ASA08514.jpg
 
Just got back from Paris... I really did enjoy using my 24-105mm. I am glad to have swapped my tamron 28-75mm for it.

I am still processing the images... but instead of posting the obvious shots... lets me try posting the less obvious shots ;)

both shot @105mm

ASA08567.jpg


ASA08514.jpg

See much action?
 
Just got back from Paris... I really did enjoy using my 24-105mm. I am glad to have swapped my tamron 28-75mm for it.

I am still processing the images... but instead of posting the obvious shots... lets me try posting the less obvious shots ;)

both shot @105mm

ASA08567.jpg


ASA08514.jpg


I really like these, but I'm going to be cheeky and say - a bit over exposed? more so on the first
 
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