sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Well, it may cause some marital trouble as one lame excuse for spending oodles of cash on a Leica has evaporated. But I have a hard time believing that anybody really bought a M9 or up because he needed a FF substitute to his Nex 5...
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
It was the concept that killed Contax by keeping a undecided position on AF for another decade...
And FF sensors would have quite the same issues as film - the one issue a EVIL would not have is having to shift the focus screen and prism, but that is a matter of the camera type rather than image gathering module.
Most notably, film/sensor plane focusing does not go along with advanced floating element/internal focusing lenses, which limits its applicability to ancient or low grade/low speed primes - this by itself is pretty lethal, as the markets for high end expensive bodies and low end cheap lenses will barely overlap...
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
If it turns out this can cope with a 25mm wide angle lens in an acceptable way, I might be interested. I have no need to go wider.
And if it doesn't work out I'll stick with my Ricoh GXR-M and save up for a Heliar Super-wide 4.5/15mm
.
And if it doesn't work out I'll stick with my Ricoh GXR-M and save up for a Heliar Super-wide 4.5/15mm
.
I was able to look at this camera at Photoplus on Saturday. It was not my thing at all. I personally didn't like the feel of the body, the placement of controls, the size, or the shutter (feel not sound). The 35mm f/2.8 seemed nice though. It should be awesome for those who end up gelling with it. It felt good to leave the Expo without wanting anything.
Dralowid
Michael
Focus peaking is excellent. There are occasions where it can't quite make up its mind but they are similar to those that are tough with a rangefinder. Dull misty scenes for example. Low light seems OK however.
It also seems to give up when the depth of field is virtually zero, for example in macro larger than life size (60mm Elmarit) and with monster teles (560 Telyt) but then what would you expect?
(There may be some user error coming in to play here)
I would be interested in hearing how it behaves with very large apertures at close distances.
f16sunshine
Moderator
The original question was more about image quality with those lenses tested. Rather than focus ability.
How well can you really asses IQ on the rear LCD preview?
It's just a small in camera Jpeg.
uhoh7
Veteran
Actually few products have increased awareness of Leica amoung the masses like the Sony Nex-5.
It's latest gateway drug to RF in general, for many many people.
The usual progression: Oh, let me try an old SLR lens on this thing (nex-5). Hmmm, that's pretty cool. Let's get some more great SLR lenses. Hmmm these things are heavy.....whats the smallest, lightest? Rangerfinder, what the hell is that?
Several thousands of dollars later: crop, crop crop OMG crop! I do not want crop!
How much are those friggin Leicas?
This process of course horrifies the Old Guard, and they pull out lawn hoses, spray all over newbies and their toy sonys.
In reality, it's good for eveyone. Lens prices are way up from 2000, it's true, but they are not up since release of nex-5.
A7r more likely to stabilize current prices than cause big jumps. Those lenses which really don't like the sony A7r may actually fall in used price--and there will be a bunch. Biogons will drop in price, I predict.
early stage nex- inspired RF lens addiction
aeturnum
Established
Does the focus peaking require magnifying part of the frame (a'la the R1-x), or can it be done with the full FOV? Is the focus peaking as good as previous models?
uhoh7
Veteran
Good Question. Had to jump on twitter for this one. According to thecamerastore, and Brian Smith, peaking does NOT require magnification.
As is the case with current nex.
Steve Huff says it's the best implementation of FP so far from Sony
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Glad to see there will be an underwater housing. I chose MFT system for underwater photography for its size over DSLR based system. It would be really awesome if I can bring a tiny full frame system down there.
eleskin
Well-known
Focus peaking improvements compared
Focus peaking improvements compared
When I compare what I tested to my Nex 5n, I can clearly say it is a MASSIVE improvement with the A7 R. I am talking Noctilux territory here. I own the f1.0 version of the Noctilux that I have used on my M8, Nex5n, Fuji XPro 1 and most recently at the Expo, the A7. The new Sony nailed focus rapidly with extreme accuracy. I can say at f1.0, that is the benchmark stress test for how good Sony's technology and software is and it passes with flying colors. I want this camera BECAUSE I own a Noctilux and feel that no other camera can do this, even the M240!!!
Focus peaking improvements compared
When I compare what I tested to my Nex 5n, I can clearly say it is a MASSIVE improvement with the A7 R. I am talking Noctilux territory here. I own the f1.0 version of the Noctilux that I have used on my M8, Nex5n, Fuji XPro 1 and most recently at the Expo, the A7. The new Sony nailed focus rapidly with extreme accuracy. I can say at f1.0, that is the benchmark stress test for how good Sony's technology and software is and it passes with flying colors. I want this camera BECAUSE I own a Noctilux and feel that no other camera can do this, even the M240!!!
eleskin
Well-known
Did not visit Leica booth at all!
Did not visit Leica booth at all!
Usually at the Photo Expo Plus I visit and test the Leica offerings. This time I had no interest. I spent two hours playing with the A7r within sight of the Leica booth near by. Funny how I had my Noctilux on the Sony and aimed it at the Leica area testing it's focus. Almost like a gunsight blowing away any chance I would buy an M240. Interesting how the Sony A7 area was positioned right across from Leica. I wonder how that happened?
Did not visit Leica booth at all!
Usually at the Photo Expo Plus I visit and test the Leica offerings. This time I had no interest. I spent two hours playing with the A7r within sight of the Leica booth near by. Funny how I had my Noctilux on the Sony and aimed it at the Leica area testing it's focus. Almost like a gunsight blowing away any chance I would buy an M240. Interesting how the Sony A7 area was positioned right across from Leica. I wonder how that happened?
raid
Dad Photographer
This is good to know. The better new cameras get, the more everyone benefits.
uhoh7
Veteran
gustav is out of control!
2014 standard issue NSA Berlin.
2014 standard issue NSA Berlin.
peter_n
Veteran
The best thing about my visit to the Sony booth was that I got my NEX-7 sensor cleaned for free!
I liked the A7R; a slightly different feel to the NEX-7 with a fatter but shallower grip, but if you already use Sony cameras you'll have no trouble adjusting. As you can see from the pic below with an A7 it's not much bigger than the NEX-7 beside it.
I'll be getting one but only after several months as I'm not an early adopter, I'll let it shake out. I was over at the Leica booth and talked to the rep from Allendale NJ about how disappointed I was with the M digitals. I'm still happily using my M film cameras but it looks like Sony for color for me, my two small Sony cameras have been incredibly durable and reliable, just like the Leica M film bodies actually.
I liked the A7R; a slightly different feel to the NEX-7 with a fatter but shallower grip, but if you already use Sony cameras you'll have no trouble adjusting. As you can see from the pic below with an A7 it's not much bigger than the NEX-7 beside it.
I'll be getting one but only after several months as I'm not an early adopter, I'll let it shake out. I was over at the Leica booth and talked to the rep from Allendale NJ about how disappointed I was with the M digitals. I'm still happily using my M film cameras but it looks like Sony for color for me, my two small Sony cameras have been incredibly durable and reliable, just like the Leica M film bodies actually.
Last edited:
aeturnum
Established
Good Question. Had to jump on twitter for this one. According to thecamerastore, and Brian Smith, peaking does NOT require magnification.
As is the case with current nex.
Steve Huff says it's the best implementation of FP so far from Sony
Thanks for the info! Full frame focus peeking makes this camera a lot more interesting to me.
eleskin
Well-known
Allentown NJ?
Allentown NJ?
I believe Leica is in Allendale NJ. I live i Allentown Pennsylvania.
Allentown NJ?
I believe Leica is in Allendale NJ. I live i Allentown Pennsylvania.
peter_n
Veteran
Thanks for the correction! I'll edit the post above. I'm a Brit so I should be able to remember anything with "dale" in it...
uhoh7
Veteran
tn1krr posted this over at another site, where it's hard to find stuff, interesting enough I'll post it here
"A7R hands-on impression from a Nex-7 user"
"Just visited a local trade show, the Digiexpo where Sony had the new FF E mount cameras on display. since it was midday in friday the place was not too crowded and I got to play with the 7R maybe closer to half an hour. So here's some hands on impressions from a Nex-7 (referred as N7 in this text) user, no pictures as it was not possible to use my own memory card
- A7 feels better and nicer when holding it, for a few different reasons. There grip is better than on N7, about as nice as my N7 is with Jim Buchanan's Grip. The control wheels have solid click to them so no more accidental aperture or exposure compensation changes some people had with N7
- the EVF improvements are very clear. Sony stand was quite dark yet the EVF did not show color noise and contrast and optical improvement were easy to see. Much more OVF like than the one in N7. When I first grapped the A7R the EVF had some lag/tearing, but when I dialled the aperture etc to my liking the EVF response was very nice and did not see any lag on it
- most customization issues from N7 are history. The customizable buttons in A7(R)have much more stuff one can assign to them, for example optical stabilization on/off, peaking level etc. can be assigned to quick controls. Did not even touch Fn menus yet that have a lot of stuff assignable too, but with the 2 user-definable custom shoot profiles available in the mode dial and other configurability improvements I'm quite positive one can configure the camera in a way that Menu does not need to be accessed on everyday usage
- back button AF from N7 is still there and there may be even more flexibility with it (did not try and figure everything in the settings), but I managed to configure the A7R for my normal usage mode of "hold back AF/MF button to AF". There is also menu item "Pre AF" that could mean that the constant hunting some (most?) of us hate can likely be disabled
- AF. The A7R was equipped with the 28-70 A7 kit lens for some reason and they did not seem to have other glass there and the AF did not really impress me. There was hunting and AF speed was nothing to write home about. That lens obviously is not fast focusing. AS we know from APS-C cameras the lens has a big effect on the AF speed; my 16-70 focuses way faster than my SEL50 does. I'm ready to believe that FE Zeisses focus even significantly faster, but the "blazing fast" some revievers claim is propably exaggeration and for sports or similar the LA-EA4 + A mount glass is the way to go
- the nice Sony representative encouraged me to test my Metabones Mark III Smart Adapter + Canon 100/2.8L IS that I had with me. Works just as nice as with my N7, I did get the impression that AF might be slightly faster than with N7 but really cannot be sure until I get to test them side by side. There was a few more interested people around when I tested the adapter/lens and they were clearly impressed that one could fully use Canon glass. The Sony dude joked that maybe I want to stay on their stand for the day with the adapter and lens; I said sure but I'm taking the camera home with me in the evening in that case. No deal
- asked about delivery schedules and they said they are still on track for mid November so in about 2 weeks I should have my A7R and 35/2.8 and 55/1.8
All in all I liked the camera a lot. I'm quite down to earth when it comes to claims about AF speed we're seen and I never expected the A7R to AF like a D600. To me the superb 36 MP FF sensor+ a huge list of usability improvements over N7 is what I want and it seems that is gonna be delivered. I went to Nikon stand just the see the other 36 MP FF camera there is and was more convinced than ever that the possible portability and EVF of A7R + 35/2.8 is the way to go for me."
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3569058
"A7R hands-on impression from a Nex-7 user"
"Just visited a local trade show, the Digiexpo where Sony had the new FF E mount cameras on display. since it was midday in friday the place was not too crowded and I got to play with the 7R maybe closer to half an hour. So here's some hands on impressions from a Nex-7 (referred as N7 in this text) user, no pictures as it was not possible to use my own memory card
- A7 feels better and nicer when holding it, for a few different reasons. There grip is better than on N7, about as nice as my N7 is with Jim Buchanan's Grip. The control wheels have solid click to them so no more accidental aperture or exposure compensation changes some people had with N7
- the EVF improvements are very clear. Sony stand was quite dark yet the EVF did not show color noise and contrast and optical improvement were easy to see. Much more OVF like than the one in N7. When I first grapped the A7R the EVF had some lag/tearing, but when I dialled the aperture etc to my liking the EVF response was very nice and did not see any lag on it
- most customization issues from N7 are history. The customizable buttons in A7(R)have much more stuff one can assign to them, for example optical stabilization on/off, peaking level etc. can be assigned to quick controls. Did not even touch Fn menus yet that have a lot of stuff assignable too, but with the 2 user-definable custom shoot profiles available in the mode dial and other configurability improvements I'm quite positive one can configure the camera in a way that Menu does not need to be accessed on everyday usage
- back button AF from N7 is still there and there may be even more flexibility with it (did not try and figure everything in the settings), but I managed to configure the A7R for my normal usage mode of "hold back AF/MF button to AF". There is also menu item "Pre AF" that could mean that the constant hunting some (most?) of us hate can likely be disabled
- AF. The A7R was equipped with the 28-70 A7 kit lens for some reason and they did not seem to have other glass there and the AF did not really impress me. There was hunting and AF speed was nothing to write home about. That lens obviously is not fast focusing. AS we know from APS-C cameras the lens has a big effect on the AF speed; my 16-70 focuses way faster than my SEL50 does. I'm ready to believe that FE Zeisses focus even significantly faster, but the "blazing fast" some revievers claim is propably exaggeration and for sports or similar the LA-EA4 + A mount glass is the way to go
- the nice Sony representative encouraged me to test my Metabones Mark III Smart Adapter + Canon 100/2.8L IS that I had with me. Works just as nice as with my N7, I did get the impression that AF might be slightly faster than with N7 but really cannot be sure until I get to test them side by side. There was a few more interested people around when I tested the adapter/lens and they were clearly impressed that one could fully use Canon glass. The Sony dude joked that maybe I want to stay on their stand for the day with the adapter and lens; I said sure but I'm taking the camera home with me in the evening in that case. No deal
- asked about delivery schedules and they said they are still on track for mid November so in about 2 weeks I should have my A7R and 35/2.8 and 55/1.8
All in all I liked the camera a lot. I'm quite down to earth when it comes to claims about AF speed we're seen and I never expected the A7R to AF like a D600. To me the superb 36 MP FF sensor+ a huge list of usability improvements over N7 is what I want and it seems that is gonna be delivered. I went to Nikon stand just the see the other 36 MP FF camera there is and was more convinced than ever that the possible portability and EVF of A7R + 35/2.8 is the way to go for me."
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3569058
uhoh7
Veteran
Brian says ZM 18 razor to the edges:
http://youtu.be/UJYLZlr3ra8
And....grab a beer for this, everything you will ever want to know about the A7 menus and buttons, by Ralf
http://youtu.be/mMQES0u-9Bw
http://youtu.be/UJYLZlr3ra8
And....grab a beer for this, everything you will ever want to know about the A7 menus and buttons, by Ralf
http://youtu.be/mMQES0u-9Bw