Sony A7 /A7r hand on video at TheCameraStoreTV

[CK Dexter Haven]

I've been on the 'no thanks' side of the NEX fence, because i just don't like the way Sony designed the cameras. They feel like 'electronic devices' and not so much like cameras. This A7 might bring things closer toward what feels like a 'photographic tool' instead of a capture device. Still, though, i'd rather have something that looks like a Fuji XPro1 (or Contax G2, to be honest).

I love the specs on the A7, so even though i don't like the aesthetics of the thing, it'll just be something i 'get over,' like when i had to buy a Pentax 67.... Still, i don't quite understand how a company like Sony could go so far with development and engineering and not take the last step toward making it beautiful. It would be 'fine,' except the viewfinder clump seems like it was just stuck on, without regard to the rest of the body.... Oh, well.

Glad, also, that this is giving a 'thump' to Leica. I'm not sure i agree, though, that this will drive Leica lens sales. How many people are going to spend $4k on a Leica lens to stick on a $2000 Sony body to focus manually? No matter how good the Leica glass may be, it isn't going to be significantly better than the lenses designed for this camera... which have Auto focus. I can see the camera tech bloggers getting geeked up for it, but not 'real people,' and not real pros.

Two negatives for me:
• I still don't like EVFs. If i'm shooting 'life' i want to view life, and not see it through a tv screen.
• These lenses are too costly. A 50mm lens shouldn't run a grand. Especially at 1.8. $500, tops. I guess i'll use my Jupiter-3 for a while..... And, i really want a 35/2, not a 2.8. How large would it have to be? How is it that Contax could make an AF 35/2 in a quite small package?

 

[cosmonaut]

Leica users are a dedicated crowd. This will do nothing for them but for others, like me, that can't justify the kind of money a Leica demands it will do wonders.
But I doubt I will be going after the a7 as I am happy with my current line up. I'll stick it out until the next A mount full frame is out to replace my a99. But for now I have barley broke it in.

 

[uhoh7]

1958!

 

[hausen]

Man I am already on the list for an A7r. Can use all of my favourite lens options on one FF body that is similar in size to my RX-1. Sign me up. 28/50 Summicron, Leica PC 28/ 2.8R, Zeiss 15/2.8 ZF.2. Just need a longer prime and I am set. Maybe even ditch the Leica PC and get the Canon 24TSE.

 

[uhoh7]

oh oh oh yes

I have this lens 🙂

BTW: that is some serious camera porn. not ugly. gaffers tape to "sony". I predict aftermarket stick on logos for that spot. note hawks close focus adapter with helicoid.
They should have used the fonts from the sr-2.

 

[literiter]

This is one digital camera I am interested in. The special part for me is the fact that I can use other glass on it as well as it's own.

But.....I'm definitely gonna wait this thing out for a while. I have a feeling that the only way we'll see the bugs and faults will be to give it a year or two in the hands of serious photographers.

 

[Addy101]

I really tried to like the Sonys when I still owned Leitz optics. I really had no probs getting around the ergonomics of the NEX line. Focus peaking was a treat. But what ultimately pushed me away was THE LOUSY COLOUR!!! If they fixed that maybe I'd consider....

😱 😕 :bang:
You've gotta be kidding. My Sony cameras run circles around my Canon cameras re. color. It really is great with Minolta G glass, both jpeg and RAW. Just Adobe is lousy, it seems it tries to turn my Sony's into a Canon camera.... Don't like Sony colors? Dump Lightroom/Photoshop!

Anyway, I'm tempted, €1499,- for a FF camera, that's cheap 😀

 

[cpc]

Sony cameras have much more accurate color than Canon and Nikon. Very easy to test with a color chart. But most people seem to prefer pleasantly cooked color instead of accurate.

 

[YYV_146]

I've been on the 'no thanks' side of the NEX fence, because i just don't like the way Sony designed the cameras. They feel like 'electronic devices' and not so much like cameras. This A7 might bring things closer toward what feels like a 'photographic tool' instead of a capture device. Still, though, i'd rather have something that looks like a Fuji XPro1 (or Contax G2, to be honest).

I love the specs on the A7, so even though i don't like the aesthetics of the thing, it'll just be something i 'get over,' like when i had to buy a Pentax 67.... Still, i don't quite understand how a company like Sony could go so far with development and engineering and not take the last step toward making it beautiful. It would be 'fine,' except the viewfinder clump seems like it was just stuck on, without regard to the rest of the body.... Oh, well.

Glad, also, that this is giving a 'thump' to Leica. I'm not sure i agree, though, that this will drive Leica lens sales. How many people are going to spend $4k on a Leica lens to stick on a $2000 Sony body to focus manually? No matter how good the Leica glass may be, it isn't going to be significantly better than the lenses designed for this camera... which have Auto focus. I can see the camera tech bloggers getting geeked up for it, but not 'real people,' and not real pros.

Two negatives for me:
• I still don't like EVFs. If i'm shooting 'life' i want to view life, and not see it through a tv screen.
• These lenses are too costly. A 50mm lens shouldn't run a grand. Especially at 1.8. $500, tops. I guess i'll use my Jupiter-3 for a while..... And, i really want a 35/2, not a 2.8. How large would it have to be? How is it that Contax could make an AF 35/2 in a quite small package?

I spent a lot more than $4k on glass for the NEX-7...Hard-core adapter enthusiasts have their own circles, which may not involve forums at all. I know people who buy dozens of Contax, Konica and Leica lenses for a single NEX or Fuji body, worth well over 20x the price of the camera. Once you get to know your cameras and lenses well enough, AF isn't even desired. MF with peaking is both accurate and fast.

I won't argue about the EVF, people have their own preferences, but the 55mm f1.8, judging from the availble samples, is easily one of the best 50mm primes in the market, perhaps outresolved only by modern Leica glass. The $400 Canon 50mm f1.4 is not nearly as nice, neither is the Nikon 50mm f1.8G.

 

[TennesseJones]

Seems an interesting camera...
Can I ask a dumb question: how good is the EVF viewfinder likely to be? Viewfinder is the thing for me with Leica.

 

[cosmonaut]

Seems an interesting camera...
Can I ask a dumb question: how good is the EVF viewfinder likely to be? Viewfinder is the thing for me with Leica.

If it's like my a99 which I assume it will be shooting in low light will be far easier than an optical finder. As well as a live histogram to help with exposure.

 

[uhoh7]

from phillip_pj over at fm:

"Smart move to fit a 1/8000s pro level shutter for the intended audience to head off the RX1 complaints of 'where is the ND filter' when using f1.4 optics.

for carsten and Vern, a piece my MR who got a play pre-release:

'For some photographers (myself included) putting Leica M mount lenses on the Sony A7R may be reason enough to break out a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne and celebrate. Using an M to E adapter (I have a Metabones), virtually every Leica M lenses that I own works well on the A7R. Some of the ultra-wide and very wides do vignette, so be aware of this. There is no software correction for this, because we're mixing and matching. With other systems where the lens and camera are from the same company there's a lot of magic that can be done in firmware.

I had neither the time nor the full selection of lenses to test in detail what works and what doesn't, but I think it fair to say that most retrofocus design Leica M lenses will work on the A7R. When you consider that this camera has a high resolution EVF, focus peaking, intelligent Auto-ISO – so manual aperture lenses can be used in a semi-automated manner, and of course a 36 Megapixel sensor, this is hot stuff indeed.

In my opinion, anyone who owns a set of (or even a few) high quality M series Leica optics should seriously look at the Sony A7R. They make for a killer combination, and the Sony costs less then a third of an M240 camera. Just test that the lenses that you plan on using work as you expect before taking the plunge.'

I also loved the beardy hipster in the SAR video who seemed to be experiencing focus magnification for the first time, reading fine print on a distant sign...he seemed not to believe what he was seeing...priceless."

Basically, it's the new Sony Leica. 🙂

 

[regularchickens]

I had neither the time nor the full selection of lenses to test in detail what works and what doesn't, but I think it fair to say that most retrofocus design Leica M lenses will work on the A7R. When you consider that this camera has a high resolution EVF, focus peaking, intelligent Auto-ISO – so manual aperture lenses can be used in a semi-automated manner, and of course a 36 Megapixel sensor, this is hot stuff indeed.

I'll be in my bunk.

 

[goffer]

Pre-ordered the 7r... let's see which one stays, the M-E or the 7r.

 

[crsantin]

While I find the camera interesting, it has quite possibly the worst sounding shutter I have ever heard, so much so that I probably couldn't own one and use it. Yes, that horrendous shutter would be enough to stop me from owning the camera.

 

[hausen]

I am first on the list at my local shop for A7r.

 

[uhoh7]

While I find the camera interesting, it has quite possibly the worst sounding shutter I have ever heard, so much so that I probably couldn't own one and use it. Yes, that horrendous shutter would be enough to stop me from owning the camera.

Really? You've seen one in person?

You think you know what it sounds like from youtube?

 

[liamC]

• These lenses are too costly. A 50mm lens shouldn't run a grand. Especially at 1.8. $500, tops. I guess i'll use my Jupiter-3 for a while..... And, i really want a 35/2, not a 2.8. How large would it have to be? How is it that Contax could make an AF 35/2 in a quite small package?

the 50 summicron cost more at f2. zeiss sonnar 50 1.8 for a grand is not bad. especially sonnar standard lens is a rare thing now days.
As for the 35, obviously they decided to release the 2.8 first but don't be surprised if f2 and 1.4 are on their roadmap.
I dont like evf, but does Leica's rf justifies 3,4 times the cost?

 

[liamC]

While I find the camera interesting, it has quite possibly the worst sounding shutter I have ever heard, so much so that I probably couldn't own one and use it. Yes, that horrendous shutter would be enough to stop me from owning the camera.

maybe a problem is a church, but out on the street noise is all that big of the problem.
In fact leica is not that quiet. Rolleiflex's leaf shutter is much quieter and my Kodak retina is always inaudible.

 

[Monochrom]

:O.....why did sony stuck on top the a7 that hump!

🙁