[News} Sony’s a7S Full-Frame Camera Realises a New World of Imaging Expression

[kei1309]

I would not recommend A7 series for any photography indoors AND where motion CANNOT be controlled, just stick with a DSLR and you will not be disappointed.

Yup. For newbies who can't control their gear well enough yeah, not advisable.

As long as you think it can't, it can't. Heck, i use Manual Focusing for almost every shot i take, as well as event photography.

Don't give excuses for not being able to maximize your gear

 

[dniwkh]

hi guys..im planning to get an A7s maybe around Nov/Dec time..would like to know more about the AF performance...i know its not its strong point..but im mainly shooting event like AD..could the AF survive at indoor with subject in normal walking speed??

I am using the A7s with 55mm. Shooting at F1.8, my experience is single shot might work but AF tracking is poor. Basically, the AF is fast and you hope to shoot before the subject moves from the focal plane.

If you are thinking of CAF and using burst mode, A7S sucks.

 

[achewlim]

the AF is really that bad?? my subjects most likely wont be running around like kids..just normal walking speed also cmi??
i wont be totally rely on a7s as my main camera because i still have my a99 and i would be using it mainly, a7s probably gonna serve as my second/backup body because i sold my a850 not long ago..

 

[tplongsg]

the AF is really that bad?? my subjects most likely wont be running around like kids..just normal walking speed also cmi??
i wont be totally rely on a7s as my main camera because i still have my a99 and i would be using it mainly, a7s probably gonna serve as my second/backup body because i sold my a850 not long ago..

If you want good AF, attach your A mount lenses with LA-EA4 on A7s.

 

[obfuscate]

Yup. For newbies who can't control their gear well enough yeah, not advisable.

As long as you think it can't, it can't. Heck, i use Manual Focusing for almost every shot i take, as well as event photography.

Don't give excuses for not being able to maximize your gear

Try shooting at f1.4 indoors with bad light using the A7s on MF vs a 5DMk3 on AF, I know which I will get better results 100% of the time.

 

[kei1309]

Try shooting at f1.4 indoors with bad light using the A7s on MF vs a 5DMk3 on AF, I know which I will get better results 100% of the time.

Well, that's you

 

[obfuscate]

Well, that's you

So it's not the same for you? Or maybe you are conveniently missing the point?

 

[silvermoon1407]

So it's not the same for you? Or maybe you are conveniently missing the point?

U are not comparing apples to apples. These are two different systems with two different strengths. In low light, given that u can lock on af faster with the 5d3, if u r shooting at iso 3200 or higher, u are not going to get as usable images as u would with the A7S, with the f1.4 lens if it exists. The a7 series af is not as bad in low light as one would feel if u are competent in using the camera. If i can af at iso 12800 with the 24-70mm f4 lens with the a7 at a low light indoor dance recital, I'm sure the A7S with any lens can do better. Not to mention the A7S is a cheaper camera than the 5d3

 

[obfuscate]

U are not comparing apples to apples. These are two different systems with two different strengths. In low light, given that u can lock on af faster with the 5d3, if u r shooting at iso 3200 or higher, u are not going to get as usable images as u would with the A7S, with the f1.4 lens if it exists. The a7 series af is not as bad in low light as one would free if u are competent in using the camera. If i can af at iso 12800 with the 24-70mm f4 lens with the a7 at a low light indoor dance recital, I'm sure the A7S with any lens can do better. Not to mention the A7S is a cheaper camera.

The issue here is whether the AF of the A7 series is sufficient for specific siutations where there lighting is not optimum. The key ingredient to the AF of the A7 series is contrast. Low light with some contrast on the subject matter will help, but the contrast will not always be on the area where the focus is needed. So depending on the lighting situation, you could get the shots you want with AF, but it is always the case. There are workarounds, and rightfully suggested that experience counts. One could always anticipate the focus point or apply their knowledge of DOF to figure out what and where an image will be sharp.

However, I question the idea that manual focus can always overcome the weakness of the AF of the A7 series, regardless of the level of experience. Experience can help under certain conditions, but these conditions generally limit the moment or opportunity. At the end of the day, a better AF system always wins.

 

[silvermoon1407]

The issue here is whether the AF of the A7 series is sufficient for specific siutations where there lighting is not optimum. The key ingredient to the AF of the A7 series is contrast. Low light with some contrast on the subject matter will help, but the contrast will not always be on the area where the focus is needed. So depending on the lighting situation, you could get the shots you want with AF, but it is always the case. There are workarounds, and rightfully suggested that experience counts. One could always anticipate the focus point or apply their knowledge of DOF to figure out what and where an image will be sharp.

However, I question the idea that manual focus can always overcome the weakness of the AF of the A7 series, regardless of the level of experience. Experience can help under certain conditions, but these conditions generally limit the moment or opportunity. At the end of the day, a better AF system always wins.

Ok lor. Buy d810 lor. Gd af. Or even better the d4s. If u dun mind crop, buy 7d2. Then when the successor for 1dx comes out, buy that. Nobody will question your ability to af in lowlight

 

[achewlim]

If you want good AF, attach your A mount lenses with LA-EA4 on A7s.

ya..i would probably only get 1 FE lens for the time being as i already have 2470/50/135/70200 for a-mount..im gonna use them with LA-EA4 on a7s most of the time..like i said..im not shooting fast actions stuff..just reasonably normal walking pace at most..and i dont really use continuous AF often....if i can foresee some fast actions are coming..i can always use my dslr..a7s would act as my second camera most of the time..to take some weight off my shoulders as well as save my time for keep changing lenses here n there..

since sony did not launch any new FF for amount/FE mount..i guess there arent many choices for me now..lol..i tried my fren's A7 with 2470 F/4..not super fast AF for sure..but i can live with it..how does a7s AF compare to that??comparable?

 

[obfuscate]

Ok lor. Buy d810 lor. Gd af. Or even better the d4s. If u dun mind crop, buy 7d2. Then when the successor for 1dx comes out, buy that. Nobody will question your ability to af in lowlight

I think you are mistaken. I don't need good AF which is why I use the A7s. Half the time it is MF and the other half is AF.

 

[Edlet]

The issue here is whether the AF of the A7 series is sufficient for specific siutations where there lighting is not optimum. The key ingredient to the AF of the A7 series is contrast. Low light with some contrast on the subject matter will help, but the contrast will not always be on the area where the focus is needed.

I will be honest here. The A7's AF is bad at low light, it hunts, focuses slowly and it will frustrate you.
If I had to use the A7 in a restaurant in the evening, It would be MF or with LA-EA4 adapter.

On the other hand, the A7's AF in daylight is very good. I use the tracking focus on my running kids and the hit rate is about 60-70%, which to me is quite an achievement considering my A99's hit rate is just slightly higher.

 

[T3rmite]

I will be honest here. The A7's AF is bad at low light, it hunts, focuses slowly and it will frustrate you.
If I had to use the A7 in a restaurant in the evening, It would be MF or with LA-EA4 adapter.

On the other hand, the A7's AF in daylight is very good. I use the tracking focus on my running kids and the hit rate is about 60-70%, which to me is quite an achievement considering my A99's hit rate is just slightly higher.

I also agree on the A7's AF capability in low light is bad.
Had to work around that by using MF. But I still love the fact its a FF in a very portable body and ability to use tons of interesting lens with a simple adapter.

http://www.leica-boss.com/2014/03/the-switch-7-stages-of-moving-from-canon-to-the-sony-a7r/ This article kinds of explained how felt over time with the A7

 

[dniwkh]

u guys talking abt a7 or a7s? my a7s can lock focus in dimmer light than my d800 35mmf1.4. it is just slow but at least it will lock

 

[N-user]

u guys talking abt a7 or a7s? my a7s can lock focus in dimmer light than my d800 35mmf1.4. it is just slow but at least it will lock

yap totally agree.... that is why if need faster AF.... think got to go DSLR??? :embrass:

 

[Edlet]

u guys talking abt a7 or a7s? my a7s can lock focus in dimmer light than my d800 35mmf1.4. it is just slow but at least it will lock

Was referring to A7 for poor AF in low light.

Saw in several reviews that A7s can AF in low light very well.
I have not tried the A7s, but guess the reviews on its good low light AF ability is true since you have tried it and it works.

Apparently, the A7s's AF sensors are a few stops better than the A7.

 

[dniwkh]

a7s focusing is pretty fast for mirrorless with my 55mm. even in indoor light. i thought the single af is useable for walking subject. it is just the caf cannot make it

the only time it get really slow is when u focus in close to pitch darkness. it can af even at night turning off all the lights which is very remarkable.... i guess it will really help if i ever decide to shoot northern lights again

 

[yevin227]

Hi guys, recently just bought an A7S with a 2470 f/4 lens. Thinking of getting a prime lens (50mm?) and a wide angle lens to expand my lens collection; but undecided whether to invest my money into a pure FE mount system by getting an FE55 f/1.8 or possibly invest in another system (Any reccomendations?) and an adapter?

Thanks for the input everyone!!

 

[Oshkosh]

Hi guys, recently just bought an A7S with a 2470 f/4 lens. Thinking of getting a prime lens (50mm?) and a wide angle lens to expand my lens collection; but undecided whether to invest my money into a pure FE mount system by getting an FE55 f/1.8 or possibly invest in another system (Any reccomendations?) and an adapter?

Thanks for the input everyone!!

Why isn't there anyone selling A7S in BnS? Am so close to pull the trigger for a brand new. Can share how much you got the the cam? Or anyone?