maitani
Well-known
still on the fence going the A7 route, any experieces from actual users, now that thw launch hype has settled?
a7 after the hype
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AusDLK
Famous Photographer
I have an a7 and an M mount adapter coming today. I have a Typ240 that have (yet) to fall in love with. I'm curious to find out what I think of it.
Vobluda
Well-known
I like it very much. I would prefer two things different - finder at the far left side of the camera like nex 6/7 and longer battery life. Manual Focusing via adapter both peaking and magnifiying is more than fine.
Kiyoshi
Convicted Film Addict.
Wide-open focusing through the EVF at f/2 and f/1.5 (35 cron and 50 summarit) is horrible. My eyes/vision are perfect, the EVF just sucks. That's my only complaint with this camera....although poor focus was expected when compared to an optical viewfinder, i didn't expect this much difficulty! :bang:
AusDLK
Famous Photographer
I disagree that the EVF and manual focusing is "horrible" -- but it is difficult at times. I guess it is just the way focus peaking works but sometimes I simply do not see any red contrast shimmers. I am using the more expensive Fotodiox M mount adapter and the MS-Optical 50mm Sonnetar lens so I have to do manual focus hunting.
This is not a deal killer for me but it is a disappointment.
This is not a deal killer for me but it is a disappointment.
K14
Well-known
Does anyone know if you can use a power adaptor as a power source for long exposures? I'm still on full-frame film just for the fact I don't need batteries for a 1-2 hour exposure. 😀
cz23
Well-known
I sent my A7 back due to an electrical problem. But I think I would have returned it anyway.
I shot with it for a week and then shot again with my Nex 7, and I really didn't see the value in the A7. No question the files are better, as is the LCD, viewfinder, and high ISO performance. But a comparable native lens system would have been $4K+. For the way I present online and the size I print, I just couldn't see it.
Plus, there are several things I prefer about the Nex 7, especially the form factor, size and weight. It's such a nimble camera for street shooting, in particular for one-handed work. And I definitely prefer the Nex EVF placement.
Maybe I'll reconsider later, but for now I'm fine with the Nex 7.
John
I shot with it for a week and then shot again with my Nex 7, and I really didn't see the value in the A7. No question the files are better, as is the LCD, viewfinder, and high ISO performance. But a comparable native lens system would have been $4K+. For the way I present online and the size I print, I just couldn't see it.
Plus, there are several things I prefer about the Nex 7, especially the form factor, size and weight. It's such a nimble camera for street shooting, in particular for one-handed work. And I definitely prefer the Nex EVF placement.
Maybe I'll reconsider later, but for now I'm fine with the Nex 7.
John
peter_n
Veteran
I too am a NEX-7 user and attended the PhotoPlus Expo in NYC to use the A7 and A7R (and get my NEX sensor cleaned for free by Sony 🙂) and then used an A7R later on in the month when they were released. After attending the Expo I thought I was going to buy the A7R because it's clearly a game changer but after some consideration realized that what I use color for the NEX-7 was more than adequate at least for the time being.
Sony releases a lot of cameras and numerous successive models. The A7/A7R are just the first of many that will arrive in the next year or two. They'll fix the shutter and fine-tune the various other little issues and then it might be worth getting. In the meanwhile the frenzy seems to continue on the more tech oriented forums but it's mostly not worth reading.
You might like to review what Roger Cicala has to say about these bodies, as usual his view is firmly grounded in the practicalities of the situation.
Sony releases a lot of cameras and numerous successive models. The A7/A7R are just the first of many that will arrive in the next year or two. They'll fix the shutter and fine-tune the various other little issues and then it might be worth getting. In the meanwhile the frenzy seems to continue on the more tech oriented forums but it's mostly not worth reading.
You might like to review what Roger Cicala has to say about these bodies, as usual his view is firmly grounded in the practicalities of the situation.
behyer
Member
I've been using a NEX-7 for over a year and have some nice lenses for it. I've been very happy with the camera and the results it's given me. So I was skeptical about whether or not I needed a FF camera. But seeing the samples from other photographers, with the A7r, I decided to take the plunge.
I have four lenses that will cover the sensor, a Zuiko 28/2, the Sony-Zeiss 55/1.8, a Leica 90/2 Summicron-M (pre-asph) and a Contax Zeiss 135/2.8. The amount of detail across the frame, with any of the above lenses, is just stunning. The NEX-7, especially with the 24/1.8, focuses faster and is easy to handle—for street scenes it is superior, so I'm keeping it. (Sold my NEX-6 backup camera, though.) But I will be shooting with the A7r as my primary camera from now on.
The size and capabilities of the system just seems vastly superior to pretty much anything else. I have a small Thule backpack (that is within overhead compartment specs, 14x9x22), and I carry the following:
A7r with 55/1.8
NEX-7 with 24/1.8
3 additional lenses, the aforementioned 28/2, 90/2 and 135/2.8
5 Lee Seven5 filters, hood and adapter
A Giottos tripod (not a mini, it opens to 64 inches, and it's NOT strapped to the outside, it's inside the pack)
Extra batteries and cards, and more filters
I also shoot a good bit of video, and the A7r does that pretty well (1080p at 24 or 60fps). It also has manual audio level controls, a big improvement over the NEX-7.
Anyway, you can see some early shots from the A7r and compare to my work with the NEX-7 here:
http://behyer.tumblr.com
I have four lenses that will cover the sensor, a Zuiko 28/2, the Sony-Zeiss 55/1.8, a Leica 90/2 Summicron-M (pre-asph) and a Contax Zeiss 135/2.8. The amount of detail across the frame, with any of the above lenses, is just stunning. The NEX-7, especially with the 24/1.8, focuses faster and is easy to handle—for street scenes it is superior, so I'm keeping it. (Sold my NEX-6 backup camera, though.) But I will be shooting with the A7r as my primary camera from now on.
The size and capabilities of the system just seems vastly superior to pretty much anything else. I have a small Thule backpack (that is within overhead compartment specs, 14x9x22), and I carry the following:
A7r with 55/1.8
NEX-7 with 24/1.8
3 additional lenses, the aforementioned 28/2, 90/2 and 135/2.8
5 Lee Seven5 filters, hood and adapter
A Giottos tripod (not a mini, it opens to 64 inches, and it's NOT strapped to the outside, it's inside the pack)
Extra batteries and cards, and more filters
I also shoot a good bit of video, and the A7r does that pretty well (1080p at 24 or 60fps). It also has manual audio level controls, a big improvement over the NEX-7.
Anyway, you can see some early shots from the A7r and compare to my work with the NEX-7 here:
http://behyer.tumblr.com
GaryLH
Veteran
When I was shooting a lot w/ the Nex 5n.. A trick I used was raw+Jpg. Set the camera to b&w mode and focusing peaking color to yellow. The peaking strength to medium or low (depends on your taste in terms of faster or more precise). The yellow on b&w is pretty easy to detect. Since u have a raw data file, your photo sw will acquire the raw color info.
If your eyesight is good, u should not need to magnify. Mine is bad so I need to use the mag function.
Gary
aeturnum
Established
I'm about 2000 shots into the A7. Got it as a high-ISO 'back' for my M lenses (and whatever else I get an adapter for). IQ seems pretty great so far, though it can be hard to nail focus. However, I disagree it's harder at 'wide' f-stops, I find it much easier than when the DOF is large. Critical focus can be slow when you're up at f/5.6 or f/8. Personally, I think focus peaking can be compared to an inaccurate, full viewfinder, RF patch. It's not always going to get you critical focus, but you see focus information across the entire FOV. I also find the EVF to be excellent for my needs.
I had an M9, and for its 'sweet spot' of ISO 640 and below, I like it better. However, the A7 has amazing high ISO and the price is right. I'm very happy with it and expect I'll be holding on to it for the foreseeable future. FYI, I generally shoot with a 'standard' set of primes: voigtlander 35mm f/1.4, Leica Noctilux 50mm v2, voigtlander 75mm f/1.8 (I've also used a Hassleblad X-Pan 45mm f/4 with mixed results).
I had an M9, and for its 'sweet spot' of ISO 640 and below, I like it better. However, the A7 has amazing high ISO and the price is right. I'm very happy with it and expect I'll be holding on to it for the foreseeable future. FYI, I generally shoot with a 'standard' set of primes: voigtlander 35mm f/1.4, Leica Noctilux 50mm v2, voigtlander 75mm f/1.8 (I've also used a Hassleblad X-Pan 45mm f/4 with mixed results).
cosmonaut
Well-known
I really like it. The image quality is as good as my D800. Auto focus is nice, focus peaking works well. I use a Voightlander 40mm on it and the images are crisp. I think it's a winner. Yes I would buy again.
The battery life is really an issue. I would strongly suggest the grip. A collapsable lens fits but after looking closely the shutter curtain might hit the lens when its collapsed, use at your own risk.
thompsonks
Well-known
I got an A7 to use as a high-ISO backup to M9. Beware of hype about A7/r working well with M lenses. I pixel-peeped a dozen of my and my friends' lenses in the 28-50mm range and found that only a few covered the corners without smearing or tinting (checking from widest aperture to f4).
I was disappointed with 28 Cron, 35 Cron v4, 35 Lux FLE, and ZM 50 Sonnar-C – which happen to be my stable of favored lenses. It does work well with the clumsy 35 Nokton f1.2, and with 35 and 50 pre-aspherical Luxes and the modern 50 2.8 Elmar; and especially well with the 40 Summicron, which will be my standard lens for it when I can use focus peaking and magnified manual focusing. F2 is plenty of speed, with high ISO capbilities.
I'm also 'auditioning' the Zeiss FE 35 as an autofocus lens. It's a very sharp and contrasty, if somewhat boring, modern lens. A good performer, capable of resolving pores, wrinkles, and nose hairs – though with its small aperture and tacky plastic build, it seems over-priced. Its AF is quick on A7. Also, if you do street shooting you can set it manually for shutter speed and aperture, and let Auto-ISO take care of the exposure. IMO anything under 3200 looks OK in terms of noise.
Overall, a mixed bag – fine with some M lenses, especially my favorite 40 Cron, and probably fine with its own 35 for AF. I've adapted pretty well to EVF, which I guess is the way of the future (with further improvements).
Finally, comparing files: As good as or better than M9, and they don't seem to need as much post-processing. Better color and tonal gradations than X100s, which was my previous backup for M9 when needing higher ISOs.
I was disappointed with 28 Cron, 35 Cron v4, 35 Lux FLE, and ZM 50 Sonnar-C – which happen to be my stable of favored lenses. It does work well with the clumsy 35 Nokton f1.2, and with 35 and 50 pre-aspherical Luxes and the modern 50 2.8 Elmar; and especially well with the 40 Summicron, which will be my standard lens for it when I can use focus peaking and magnified manual focusing. F2 is plenty of speed, with high ISO capbilities.
I'm also 'auditioning' the Zeiss FE 35 as an autofocus lens. It's a very sharp and contrasty, if somewhat boring, modern lens. A good performer, capable of resolving pores, wrinkles, and nose hairs – though with its small aperture and tacky plastic build, it seems over-priced. Its AF is quick on A7. Also, if you do street shooting you can set it manually for shutter speed and aperture, and let Auto-ISO take care of the exposure. IMO anything under 3200 looks OK in terms of noise.
Overall, a mixed bag – fine with some M lenses, especially my favorite 40 Cron, and probably fine with its own 35 for AF. I've adapted pretty well to EVF, which I guess is the way of the future (with further improvements).
Finally, comparing files: As good as or better than M9, and they don't seem to need as much post-processing. Better color and tonal gradations than X100s, which was my previous backup for M9 when needing higher ISOs.
Pablito
coco frío
what specifically was disappointing?
uhoh7
Veteran
A7+M9 is fantastic combo. What one can't do the other excels at.
Just think of it as one killer 5k camera, the MA97. 😉
You can take half or the whole thing--it's still smaller than a D4 + zoomy thingy 🙂
Just think of it as one killer 5k camera, the MA97. 😉
You can take half or the whole thing--it's still smaller than a D4 + zoomy thingy 🙂
thompsonks
Well-known
@ Pablito: Just what I said: smearing and tonal shifts in the corners at widest aperture to f4.
Checked them by photographing a brick wall and magnifying the corners; also by shooting gray card, setting mid-gray with LR eyedropper, and checking RGB in corners. With A7, it's always the Blue channel that measures too high. (From what folks have posted, I think Red channel too, with A7r?)
I'm 100% with uhoh: I wasn't attracted to the M240, so I agree this is one half of the best camera, and it cost only as much as I felt like spending until there's further evolution of light & handy cameras with FF sensor and quality lenses.
If I had an D800e instead of an M9, I'd want an A7r – and might say just the same thing about the 'DA8007er.'
Checked them by photographing a brick wall and magnifying the corners; also by shooting gray card, setting mid-gray with LR eyedropper, and checking RGB in corners. With A7, it's always the Blue channel that measures too high. (From what folks have posted, I think Red channel too, with A7r?)
I'm 100% with uhoh: I wasn't attracted to the M240, so I agree this is one half of the best camera, and it cost only as much as I felt like spending until there's further evolution of light & handy cameras with FF sensor and quality lenses.
If I had an D800e instead of an M9, I'd want an A7r – and might say just the same thing about the 'DA8007er.'
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