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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Sony A7r : The Downsizing Saga
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12/07/2014 02:12:42 AM · #1
Well, I've taken the plunge. I'm tired of schlepping a 45-lb backpack around, I'm tired of the weight of those monster FF dSLRs in my hands, I'm getting old I guess. So Penny and I acquired a Sony A7r mirrorless full-frame body and a Zeiss 24-70mm f/4 Sony lens for it. And wow. Just... WOW. Wonderful camera, and so much more compact. Incredible detail and crispness. Played around indoors tonight over a game of Farkle, got this at ISO 3200, 70mm, f/4 and 1/125 sec. Early quickie wide interiors showed great AWB and wonderful color rendering...



More to come I'm sure. Who else has Sony A7/7r experiences to share?
12/07/2014 02:19:59 AM · #2
Wow, great to see that! I'm going to get an A7S soon, but mainly for video shoots since that little devil has super video features. Of course I'll use it for night shots, but I won't get any of Sony lenses since for video I don't need autofocus and I have plenty of manual Nikon lenses I can use with A7S.
12/07/2014 02:25:39 AM · #3
some technical details of that very fine portrait? just to take our minds off our own less and less schlepp worthy cameras?
12/07/2014 02:39:38 AM · #4
details in the info field... iso 3200, f/4, 1/125...
12/07/2014 02:56:55 AM · #5
I'm also considering the move to a Sony A7, but I'm thinking of the A7s rather than A7r. I've been hanging around with a pro who has recently downgraded (for his travel photography work at least) and now he just carries both the A7r and A7s with him. The low light capabilities of the A7s are amazing. He said to me that the A7s may well have cured his gear acquisition problem, as he's found it to be just what he needs.

This one was shot at 32,000 ISO (yep, not ISO 3,200, ISO 32,000).

My only problem I LOVE my D800/SIgma 35mm combination and I can't imagine giving it up - even though it's a very heavy combination for walking around with.
12/07/2014 03:14:53 AM · #6
thanks. any post processing Bear?
12/07/2014 03:21:17 AM · #7
Out of curiosity, I looked it up on Sony's website.
Here's the Sony website link for the a7R for others who might want to know more about the camera and others in Sony's lineup...

Message edited by author 2014-12-07 03:21:52.
12/07/2014 03:36:36 AM · #8
Welcome to the club Bear, if you get a prime lens, do get the 55mm, it's simply incredible. I get two of these cameras each with a prime attached into one small shoulder bag, no weight at all.
12/07/2014 04:43:55 AM · #9
Coincidently i was just talking to salmiakki about this last night. I'm also another Sony A7 convert. I picked one up last week along with a Leica 75mm f2/5 Summarit in exchange for most of my Fuji gear (i've kept the Fuji XE-1though). I really did enjoy the Fuji gear very much and shot about 20 weddings with it this year but there was just a couple of niggles with it. The main upside of them was the low weight and the lenses were fantastic as was the RAW files to work with but the autofocus was a bit of a pain. Not usually a problem as i far prefer manual focus but manually focussing the Fuji lenses on the Fuji cameras just wasn't that enjoyable really so i started looking at cameras that were better in that regard and came across the Sony A7's. So i've decided to give all manual focus weddings a shot from next year. I don't think it should be too much of a problem - i've shot over 50 weddings now so have a good feel of how i work.

Using the Sony A7 in this was has been even better than expected. Manual focus with my Zeiss 35mm f/2 ZM and my new Leica 75mm is utterly joyous and so easy. What i do is have the Creative style set to a high contrast black and white and the focus peaking on mid level red and it's a lovely way to work. I've kept some of my favourite manual focus Nikon mount lenses such as the Nikon 28mm f/2.8 ais and the Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 SL-II and they seem great on it as well. I've also got a couple of old Soviet Jupiter lenses - the 50mm f/2 and the 85mm f/2 and they are also nice to play with - lousy build but a nice vintage feel.

Here's a recent shot with the extremely cheap Jupiter-9 85mm f/2…



and a recent property shot with the Voigtlander 20mm…



I like how the camera feels and haven't had any ergonomics problems really - some of the buttons are bit weirdly placed but i'll get used to that. One thing that isn't so great is the loudness of the shutter - it's actually a lovely shutter sound but may be a bit much for weddings. I'm planning on getting an A7s in the new year to pair it with and the silent shutter, along with the high iso, is one of the main attractions. Two (or three) Sony's with nice prime lenses will suit me for a wedding kit. The Zeiss 35mm and the Leica 75mm pair really well together and i've got the 20mm and 28mm for wider. What i'm next looking for is a fast 24mm - there are so many lens options with these cameras as with adaptors you can pretty much use anything on them. Having the Leica has kind of spooled me though but i doubt i can justify the 5 grand for the Leica 24mm f/1.4!

Message edited by author 2014-12-07 06:14:27.
12/07/2014 05:11:43 AM · #10
Robert, glad you have dipped your toes in on this. I already gave up all the schlepping when I moved to the X100s and have enjoyed it immensely especially now as we are travelling full time. However lately I have just started thinking about interchangeable again and have started looking at these so I will be interested in your journey. Something you said to me last year stuck in my mind when you mumbled "you just can't get away from the physics" and so I keep perusing the FFs.
12/07/2014 05:45:37 AM · #11
Welcome to the future Bear
12/07/2014 07:27:45 AM · #12
I really fancy the new 16-35 zeiss lens, it's a bit pricy but looks to be a winner.
12/07/2014 09:04:21 AM · #13
Not ready to jump ship completely from my Nikons, but I love what I can do with my Sony a6000. When I switch, that's where I'll likely go.
12/07/2014 09:25:12 AM · #14
Wondering what the lens selection is like for the Sony?
12/07/2014 09:37:01 AM · #15
Originally posted by rooum:

... there are so many lens options with these cameras as with adaptors you can pretty much use anything on them.
12/07/2014 09:42:02 AM · #16
Originally posted by Garry:

Wondering what the lens selection is like for the Sony?


IMO it's the worst and best part of the story. They a few and very pricy. But considering that I'll use it mainly for video (the A7S) you can mount with adapters almost every of lenses. So for the ones who are not very interested in auto focus it's like being in a toy shop a few days before Christmas :)
12/07/2014 09:57:11 AM · #17
Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by Garry:

Wondering what the lens selection is like for the Sony?


IMO it's the worst and best part of the story. They a few and very pricy. But considering that I'll use it mainly for video (the A7S) you can mount with adapters almost every of lenses. So for the ones who are not very interested in auto focus it's like being in a toy shop a few days before Christmas :)


Yes indeed, for manual focus there are a huge amount of options. Leica m mount are the obvious choice due to a good size match although there are some problems with some of the wider m lenses so it's a case of some research to get then best fit. This is mostly with the A7R though. That huge sensor is very unforgiving. Less problems on the A7 and I'm happy with my 35mm Zeiss m mount on it. The A7s has no problems at all reportedly.

There are also companies like Samyang/Rockinon who are adding Sony FE mounts to some of their full frame lenses although they are quite big and heavy I'd imagine. Also, there are interesting Chinese companies like Mitakon who have a Sony FE mount 50mm f/0.95 which looks very interesting indeed.
12/07/2014 10:42:04 AM · #18
I think you'll enjoy the Sony. Great camera and hard to beat in low light. Enjoy!

Steve Huff, a Leica guy, really thinks highly of the A7s and your model A7r is even nicer.

Steve Huff Photography

Message edited by author 2014-12-07 10:42:19.
12/07/2014 10:51:13 AM · #19
Originally posted by rooum:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by Garry:

Wondering what the lens selection is like for the Sony?


IMO it's the worst and best part of the story. They a few and very pricy. But considering that I'll use it mainly for video (the A7S) you can mount with adapters almost every of lenses. So for the ones who are not very interested in auto focus it's like being in a toy shop a few days before Christmas :)


Yes indeed, for manual focus there are a huge amount of options. Leica m mount are the obvious choice due to a good size match although there are some problems with some of the wider m lenses so it's a case of some research to get then best fit. This is mostly with the A7R though. That huge sensor is very unforgiving. Less problems on the A7 and I'm happy with my 35mm Zeiss m mount on it. The A7s has no problems at all reportedly.

There are also companies like Samyang/Rockinon who are adding Sony FE mounts to some of their full frame lenses although they are quite big and heavy I'd imagine. Also, there are interesting Chinese companies like Mitakon who have a Sony FE mount 50mm f/0.95 which looks very interesting indeed.


Have you ever tried the Mitakon? When I started thinking about buying the A7S I found that lens I had heard before and wow, I said to myself that I really want that one!

I'll ask you more about old lenses ;)
12/07/2014 11:21:13 AM · #20
Sony's new FF mirrorless model, the Alphs 7-II is hitting the stores this week, I believe. Basically the same as the A7 but with 5-axis image stablization and better autofocus. The in body image stablization makes manual focusing easier as it stabilizes the viewfinder image, especially important when the VF image is enlarged, and of course, makes all of your lenses stablized. One other important difference tween the older and newer models is the mark II now has minimum shutter speed of 1/8000 so you can use your really fast glass wide open in outdoor bright light without a ND filter. Hopefully the mark I will come down in price considerably
12/07/2014 11:33:57 AM · #21
Very cool.

I never really looked at the A7R, but I considered the A7 vs. the X-E2. Overall liked the Fuji a bit better but there are times I would't mind having full frame.
12/07/2014 11:53:34 AM · #22
Read you can use the NEX 10 - 18mm on this guy. 10 mm on a FF must be quite fun!
12/07/2014 11:58:57 AM · #23
I've been using the Sony RX1 - just wow indeed. I totally know what you're feeling. Awesome isn't it?
12/07/2014 12:23:35 PM · #24
Originally posted by Cory:

I've been using the Sony RX1 - just wow indeed. I totally know what you're feeling. Awesome isn't it?


So you jumped from the Fuji X100s to the RX1? Nice!

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

Sony's new FF mirrorless model, the Alphs 7-II is hitting the stores this week, I believe. Basically the same as the A7 but with 5-axis image stablization and better autofocus. The in body image stablization makes manual focusing easier as it stabilizes the viewfinder image, especially important when the VF image is enlarged, and of course, makes all of your lenses stablized. One other important difference tween the older and newer models is the mark II now has minimum shutter speed of 1/8000 so you can use your really fast glass wide open in outdoor bright light without a ND filter. Hopefully the mark I will come down in price considerably


My Sony A7 has a shutter speed of 1/8000. Perhaps the mark 2 is even faster?? I am kind of considering the mark 2 but i think for my low light requirements (not that static) the high ISO of the A7s is probably a better fit. I'm sure the mark 1 will come down in price a lot as you say. It's come down quite a bit already.

Originally posted by Alexkc:


Have you ever tried the Mitakon? When I started thinking about buying the A7S I found that lens I had heard before and wow, I said to myself that I really want that one!

I'll ask you more about old lenses ;)


I haven't seen one but i'm intrigued. Steve Huff gave it a good review and it looks well made. It also come in a lovely case so that's cool! It's got that extreme fast glass swirly bokah so it's probably a bit tricky to use. It's on my list of possible lenses to get down the line but first i want another body then a fast 24mm then i might go for a very fast 50mm for very low light. I imagine that with the A7s and a f/0.95 you could shoot in a coal mine.
12/07/2014 12:37:19 PM · #25
Originally posted by rooum:

Originally posted by Cory:

I've been using the Sony RX1 - just wow indeed. I totally know what you're feeling. Awesome isn't it?


So you jumped from the Fuji X100s to the RX1? Nice!



Just a trade out for a while... It's a tricky beast to use, lots of opportunity to f*&# up the image. But when you get it right? Oh, god, it's sooooo good. That T* f/2.0 Zeiss 35mm lens alone is a miracle of engineering. So, anyway, my friend bought it, kinda hates it, and I think she might like the Fuji better. We're discussing a trade deal, and determining if it would be a good move for both of us. I think I'm sold.
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