Sony A7 + Film M Camera Combo

[CameraQuest]

While the A7 + M9 combo has been touted on RFF,

it strikes me that a film M body (any film M, any manufacturer)

plus an A7 offers some very interesting advantages.

among them

1) film images and a traditional RF VF is a much different experience than digital

2) a $1900 A7 is incredibly more affordable than a $7500 M240 plus EVF

3) the ability of using the film M's lenses on the A7 plus all of the shooter's SLR lenses - yay for versatility

4) combining both types of cameras to suit the situation / subject may not be a bad way to go

Stephen

 

[kxl]

I absolutely agree, assuming one is willing to forego the "RF experience" for digital.

I pair my M mount body (ZI) with a NEX6; granted not a full frame digi body and much less than 36mp, but each lens allows me 2 different AOV's. I may yet buy an A7(r) in the future.

Oh, and the versatility of the NEX allows me to bring along my "franken-rig" for macro shots --using adapters, a focusing helicoid, extender and a reversed enlarger lens (EL-Nikkor 50/2.8).

 

[MikeDimit]

But that is obvious. I think that was the Sony marketing point - to offer an advanced small, powerful camera to use with your lens and eventually, after half to one year, to buy new special lens designed for her. After all it is difficult to sell brand new camera today .

 

[segedi]

My daily kits, depending on mood or if I have film to use up in a particular body:
Monochrom + M3, 35/50mm lenses
Monochrom + GXR, 25/50mm lenses
Today I had the GXR with 25mm and a Canon EOS Élan 7 with 50mm Nikon AIS and focus confirm adapter.

To the Stephen's point, I do enjoy M film camera with a digital M capable camera as well. The new Sony's would make and interesting pairing with an M.

 

[aeturnum]

I bought an A7 specifically to be able to use the same lenses on my ZI and my digital body.

 

[maddoc]

That would be what I intend to do when my stock of E6 / C41 films (135) is gone. From what I have read / heard the A7 coupled with the new CV adapter (that allows closer focusing than 0.7m) sounds like a good alternative to use 35 Summilux pre-ASPH and 40mm M-Rokkor at their true field of view without spending an arm and leg for short-lived electronics.

 

[Sunti]

This is where I'm heading.

 

[judsonzhao]

I have a ZI ZM, planning on a A7, however the lens could be a problem, especially wide angle lenses.. so choose your lenses carefully, you will be happy with any RF film cameras then

 

[lam]

This is my setup currently;
Main two rigs:
- Sony A7R + HVL-60am flash
- Contax G2 28/45/90 (28 pending use on A7R depending how well "Lens Compensation" app handles it)
- Techart V2 Contax G to Sony E AF Adapter

and I have a Leica CL with Rokkor 40/2 and my Pentax ME Super, Olympus OM with 1 or 2 lenses each to mess with too.

Plans are to get the Sony battery/vertical grip, and the native Zeiss 24-70 f4 zoom for work. Ability to use all my lenses as they were intended (well aside from perhaps the G 28) on a "film SLR size full frame -- whatever you wanna call it" is extremely satisfying.

 

[Honus]

Like Gabor said, using M-Mount lenses on a full-frame digital camera at a (relatively) reasonable cost is a positive development. The more choices the better.

 

[_lou_]

Ability to use all my lenses as they were intended [...] is extremely satisfying.

I couldn't agree more. I bought a full frame DSLR for the sake of using it with my collection of Takumars, and have made numerous pictures that I enjoy. I look forward to being able to do the same with my CV lenses.

 

[uhoh7]

A7 + M film is great option, for sure. BTW New A7 is 1700 for body.

But let's be clear, there's a big difference between M240 + A7 and M9 + A7.

like 3k or more, and M240 is a less attractive combo anyway, since it's worse with wides and the 28 cron and 50 lux signature lenses.

Open box A7 at adorama right now: 1550. I just bought an M9 in perfect condition with new sensor and mainboard, 5k clicks, for 3500. On the daylit street or in the backpack for landscapes, I don't think the M9 can be beat by anything today....well maybe the monochrome is in the mix, I can't speak to that, but it's beside the point in this discussion.

However, the A7 rules the roost over any M in two areas: after sunset and with longer lenses. The tele thing speaks for itself--and of course it can AF etc.

But the A7--not R, I submit, is unmatched today as a low light platform with the proper lens set:
CVs:
21
35
50

nFDs
85
135

you know the speeds.

The sony will focus circles around any RF in dim light. It's like broad daylight in that finder.

With high speeds, moving the camera a tiny bit can kill you, so trying to put the RF patch on the edge where you want the focus and then moving back, well it's no comparison. Sony image quality in dim conditions is far superior.

But when the sun's up, the M9 is breathtaking with any number of lenses, and the sonys are not there--though they can make wonderful photos.

That film M is maybe not quite as cheap as it sounds either. You shoot it alot and unless you are BW and scanning, which takes alot of time and setup, well that and some beer money will get you close to an M9 today.

But film is film and it looks fantastic and if you love it you should shoot it.