Roger Hicks
Veteran
Well, I'm looking at both, and at the D800, for pack shots and similar illustrations where I can't use my M9. Then again I'm looking at (and currently trying) an M typ 240 as well: this afternoon I was using a Vivitar Series 1 90-180/4.5 Flat Field on it. It's a question of finding a camera that does what I want, to fill in the gaps left by the M9.
Cheers,
R.
rbsinto
Well-known
Now that the Df has been released, I am seriously considering it as my introduction to digital, which I've avoided up to now.
What's not to love about it?
It has the analog controls I love, 16 megapixels, more than enough for my photographic needs, and 39 focusing spots, which is 38 more than I have now.
And a blank focusing screen just like the ones that I use in all my manual focus film cameras. After manual focusing on blanks and blank grids for over thirty years, I'm quite able to do it without that annoying split prism screen.
And the price? People say its too high based on what you're getting, but I've not already spent 42 zillion dollars upgrading Digital bodies every six months for the last fifteen years like many others, so $2,700.00 for the body isn't so bad.
And I've also got a small mountain of manual focus Nikkor primes and zooms as well as Nikon-mount third party lenses that I love, so for me, if I do take the plunge it will undoubtedly be with Nikon, and likely this body.
What's not to love about it?
It has the analog controls I love, 16 megapixels, more than enough for my photographic needs, and 39 focusing spots, which is 38 more than I have now.
And a blank focusing screen just like the ones that I use in all my manual focus film cameras. After manual focusing on blanks and blank grids for over thirty years, I'm quite able to do it without that annoying split prism screen.
And the price? People say its too high based on what you're getting, but I've not already spent 42 zillion dollars upgrading Digital bodies every six months for the last fifteen years like many others, so $2,700.00 for the body isn't so bad.
And I've also got a small mountain of manual focus Nikkor primes and zooms as well as Nikon-mount third party lenses that I love, so for me, if I do take the plunge it will undoubtedly be with Nikon, and likely this body.
JuJu
Well-known
I'd take both if cost is not a concern 
If I have to choose between these two I'd pick Sony, since I already have a D600. And I can use an A7 or A7R for all of my orphan lenses.
If I have to choose between these two I'd pick Sony, since I already have a D600. And I can use an A7 or A7R for all of my orphan lenses.
ryan00013
Member
Df of A7r
Df of A7r
For my needs/wants:
The Nikon Df:
1. is too large/heavy
2. has no MF aid (I'm still perplexed by the lack of a split prism)
3. can't use Leica M glass
The Sony A7/r
1. has no OVF
2. lacks manual dials for shutter speed & aperture
3. native mount lenses are slow, expensive, large, and limited selection
I acknowledge that there are absolutely many great qualities to the Df and A7r. However, they just aren't for me. I'll be waiting for a Fuji X-Pro2 within the next 6-12 months. (It will have weather sealed body, improved EVF & LCD, same or better AF & processor as X-E2).
Df of A7r
For my needs/wants:
The Nikon Df:
1. is too large/heavy
2. has no MF aid (I'm still perplexed by the lack of a split prism)
3. can't use Leica M glass
The Sony A7/r
1. has no OVF
2. lacks manual dials for shutter speed & aperture
3. native mount lenses are slow, expensive, large, and limited selection
I acknowledge that there are absolutely many great qualities to the Df and A7r. However, they just aren't for me. I'll be waiting for a Fuji X-Pro2 within the next 6-12 months. (It will have weather sealed body, improved EVF & LCD, same or better AF & processor as X-E2).
bwcolor
Veteran
I ordered the A7r a few minutes after it was available on Amazon. Yesterday, I cancelled the order. I want faster autofocus, but I don't want a mirror. I also want an electronic first shutter, or global shutter. I'm thinking that something will be out that meets these requirements next year.... (I'm not holding my breath on finding a FF global shutter.)
leicapixie
Well-known
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137875
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137875
The Nikon Df is a bold step.
It fits all my Nikkor lenses, plus one special Asahi Takumar.
I would first have to test MF on the screen.
Most AF screens are a liability.
The Sony allows use of my few M-lenses.
I could use all my Canon,Fuji,Nikkor,Minolta,Pentax,Sigma lenses.
The Nikon "may" be too heavy and large for me.
I have hated EVF on all i've used or tested..
The price of both, make it less needed.
I will wait to see what Pentax and Canon do..
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137875
The Nikon Df is a bold step.
It fits all my Nikkor lenses, plus one special Asahi Takumar.
I would first have to test MF on the screen.
Most AF screens are a liability.
The Sony allows use of my few M-lenses.
I could use all my Canon,Fuji,Nikkor,Minolta,Pentax,Sigma lenses.
The Nikon "may" be too heavy and large for me.
I have hated EVF on all i've used or tested..
The price of both, make it less needed.
I will wait to see what Pentax and Canon do..
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Yesterday I was able to handle and test a Sony A7r and the Nikon Df.
When they announced the A7r I was very excited and curious about it; and of course, when the Nikon Df was announced officially, I was even more so --until I saw the price tag.
The Nikon Df is very nice to handle --the heft was just right, too--, and the live view very helpful, but I find it a bit cumbersome to manually change from live view to the optical finder. Too many dials and buttons, which are sure to slow you down, probably even more so than actually shooting film.
Regardless, it was a nice experience. However, the price tag is a tad too rich for my blood. Definitely sticking to my Canon 5D (the original one), which definitely feels less gadgety, and far far far more simple.
The Sony A7r was very very very very disappointing. The viewfinder made me dizzy, and I'm not one who gets motion sickness. The build was borderline meh, almost uncomfortable. The lens(es) felt cheap. Sony needs to learn a few things from Panasonic and Fuji.
I'm sitting these two out. Until, probably, when they hit the under- $600 resale mark.
When they announced the A7r I was very excited and curious about it; and of course, when the Nikon Df was announced officially, I was even more so --until I saw the price tag.
The Nikon Df is very nice to handle --the heft was just right, too--, and the live view very helpful, but I find it a bit cumbersome to manually change from live view to the optical finder. Too many dials and buttons, which are sure to slow you down, probably even more so than actually shooting film.
Regardless, it was a nice experience. However, the price tag is a tad too rich for my blood. Definitely sticking to my Canon 5D (the original one), which definitely feels less gadgety, and far far far more simple.
The Sony A7r was very very very very disappointing. The viewfinder made me dizzy, and I'm not one who gets motion sickness. The build was borderline meh, almost uncomfortable. The lens(es) felt cheap. Sony needs to learn a few things from Panasonic and Fuji.
I'm sitting these two out. Until, probably, when they hit the under- $600 resale mark.
Michalm
Well-known
I feel the other way around when handling both nex 7 and Fuji's ,nex 7 felt like solid small brick and Fuji's like thin fragile can. I have heard a7 and a7r are made better than nex7
Lss
Well-known
Sony.
The Nikon DF is probably a very nice DSLR for Nikon (D)SLR users. But the Sony is interesting to many that aren't in that camp.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I was at the GF's place today looking at a little black cheap portable radio that she's had for years and I couldn't work out why it suddenly looked so familiar.
Then it dawned on me ... it was a Sony and in the late afternoon light I almost mistook it for an A7.
Then it dawned on me ... it was a Sony and in the late afternoon light I almost mistook it for an A7.
Addy101
Well-known
I was at the GF's place today looking at a little black cheap portable radio that she's had for years and I couldn't work out why it suddenly looked so familiar.
Then it dawned on me ... it was a Sony and in the late afternoon light I almost mistook it for an A7.
Who said Sony isn't consistent. I take it you go for the Sony A7 to match your girlfriends radio? I don't think Nikon ever made a radio.
uhoh7
Veteran
I was at the GF's place today looking at a little black cheap portable radio that she's had for years and I couldn't work out why it suddenly looked so familiar.
Then it dawned on me ... it was a Sony and in the late afternoon light I almost mistook it for an A7.
I wonder if she hung out to see the live release back in the day?
maybe it replaced:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Truetone-Radio.jpg
Dirk
Privatier
Sony A7/R for me. Can use all of my myriad SLR lenses, inluding my Nikkors and both of my RF lenses (I only have a 35 and a 50), plus it looks to be less bulky than the DF. The lack of a split-image screen for the DF was the nail in the coffin, for me.
dmc
Bessa Driver
Two words: D4 Sensor
Nikon Df, all the way.
'nuff said.
Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner
Nikon Df, all the way.
'nuff said.
Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner
Godfrey
somewhat colored
By sheer chance, the Sony rep was at the store today when I stopped in to buy "yet-another-G**D**-bag" ... I'll spare you my disgust with having to purchase another camera bag.
Sorry if I use the E-M1 as a basis of comparison ...
The Sony guy was there with the A7 (and I think the A7r but I didn't bother to hunt that one up after I played with the A7). It's small, it's light. The viewfinder is good (not quite as good as the E-M1, but quite good). The controls are, um, a bit simplistic and clumsy compared to the E-M1. The menus are Sony stuff, which is quite different from Oly stuff. With a 35mm lens on it, it handles ok. The A7 build feels good, not quite the superb tank like feel of the E-M1 but good enough ... I understand the A7r feels better and is more robustly built. The shutter is pretty loud (not quite an Nikon FM2 but close), the responsiveness is good if not up to the Oly standard. The body worked all right with the slightly larger zoom lens on it but I'd want a grip with it for larger, heavier lenses. No image stabilization in the body .. you get used to having that quickly and it is missed when gone.
Of course, I didn't have a Leica-R to Sony E mount adapter to try out my Summilux-R 50 on it, but my feeling is that one of these bodies with a Novoflex adapter would make a good replacement for a Leica R body, keeping the original format. I'd want the grip for anything longer than the 90mm for sure.
Overall, I'd say that aside from all the hubbub and stuff in the equipment forums, the A7 and A7r seem like a decent pair of cameras and a nice opportunity for those of us with high quality, orphaned SLR lenses.
Yet Another Fine Camera to consider if you have the money, time, and attention span. ;-)
G
Sorry if I use the E-M1 as a basis of comparison ...
The Sony guy was there with the A7 (and I think the A7r but I didn't bother to hunt that one up after I played with the A7). It's small, it's light. The viewfinder is good (not quite as good as the E-M1, but quite good). The controls are, um, a bit simplistic and clumsy compared to the E-M1. The menus are Sony stuff, which is quite different from Oly stuff. With a 35mm lens on it, it handles ok. The A7 build feels good, not quite the superb tank like feel of the E-M1 but good enough ... I understand the A7r feels better and is more robustly built. The shutter is pretty loud (not quite an Nikon FM2 but close), the responsiveness is good if not up to the Oly standard. The body worked all right with the slightly larger zoom lens on it but I'd want a grip with it for larger, heavier lenses. No image stabilization in the body .. you get used to having that quickly and it is missed when gone.
Of course, I didn't have a Leica-R to Sony E mount adapter to try out my Summilux-R 50 on it, but my feeling is that one of these bodies with a Novoflex adapter would make a good replacement for a Leica R body, keeping the original format. I'd want the grip for anything longer than the 90mm for sure.
Overall, I'd say that aside from all the hubbub and stuff in the equipment forums, the A7 and A7r seem like a decent pair of cameras and a nice opportunity for those of us with high quality, orphaned SLR lenses.
Yet Another Fine Camera to consider if you have the money, time, and attention span. ;-)
G
Travis L.
Registered Userino
Df without question
Spanik
Well-known
I'd say none of both, but a reflex will always win it for me. There is such a thing as too small, too light as well.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Df without a doubt.
I don't know why, none of the Sony camera ever appeal to me at all.
Yes, I've hold them in person.
The only Sony camera that won't be able to pass up is a ~$200 A900, because I have a few Maxxum lenses that I can use with it. And it'll complement my Maxxum 9 nicely.
I don't know why, none of the Sony camera ever appeal to me at all.
Yes, I've hold them in person.
The only Sony camera that won't be able to pass up is a ~$200 A900, because I have a few Maxxum lenses that I can use with it. And it'll complement my Maxxum 9 nicely.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
The DF is "too big?" Did everyone's hands atrophy in the past five years?
I'd much rather USE the DF, with the optical viewfinder, and 'real' controls. But, i'm not in love with the (only) 16MP yield — not in 2013/14. D4 or not.
So, if i have to buy one or the other, it would probably be the A7r, and i'll just have to deal with using a camera that feels like a 'device,' rather than a camera.
I'd much rather USE the DF, with the optical viewfinder, and 'real' controls. But, i'm not in love with the (only) 16MP yield — not in 2013/14. D4 or not.
So, if i have to buy one or the other, it would probably be the A7r, and i'll just have to deal with using a camera that feels like a 'device,' rather than a camera.