Official Sony A7 or A7r discussion thread (Season II)

[ricleo]

congrats on your purchase. my take on some of your questions

1. Comparing with my rx1, the A7 seems to have more noise at similar high ISO? Infact id say colour signatures are more pleasing on my rx1 as well.. Dunno if it's the Contax g lens and if my 55fe will be better. - Agree. i wasn't too satisfied with the A7's high iso performance, which was one of the reasons y i upgraded to the A7r

2. How does the 35mm FE compare to rx1? Aperture 2 vs 2.8 is a given but how about sharpness and micro contrast? Keep debating whether to get it but seems little sense.
can't answer you there, but i felt it wasn't worth it to pay 1k for a F2.8 35mm lens. went for the sigma 30mm F2.8 instead at 200+. Aps-c but covers 80% of full frame sensor

3. Anyway to get around the 1/60 shutter speed default for A mode?
use M mode with auto iso?

4. What's the best legacy wide angle choice available now? Is CV21mm ultron any good?
the leica WATE. CV21 is not bad actually

Got my A7 for about 2 weeks and still waiting for my 55FE to be delivered.

Currently using Contax G45 for test shots and have a few questions hope you guys can chip in?

1. Comparing with my rx1, the A7 seems to have more noise at similar high ISO? Infact id say colour signatures are more pleasing on my rx1 as well.. Dunno if it's the Contax g lens and if my 55fe will be better.

2. How does the 35mm FE compare to rx1? Aperture 2 vs 2.8 is a given but how about sharpness and micro contrast? Keep debating whether to get it but seems little sense.

3. Anyway to get around the 1/60 shutter speed default for A mode?

4. What's the best legacy wide angle choice available now? Is CV21mm ultron any good?

Thanks in advance folks

 

[ZoomZ]

You might want to read this review for noise comparison. Review compares with different cameras including RX1-R and not RX1 though:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/camera-reviews/sony/a7r/#IQC

Got my A7 for about 2 weeks and still waiting for my 55FE to be delivered.

Currently using Contax G45 for test shots and have a few questions hope you guys can chip in?

1. Comparing with my rx1, the A7 seems to have more noise at similar high ISO? Infact id say colour signatures are more pleasing on my rx1 as well.. Dunno if it's the Contax g lens and if my 55fe will be better.

2. How does the 35mm FE compare to rx1? Aperture 2 vs 2.8 is a given but how about sharpness and micro contrast? Keep debating whether to get it but seems little sense.

3. Anyway to get around the 1/60 shutter speed default for A mode?

4. What's the best legacy wide angle choice available now? Is CV21mm ultron any good?

Thanks in advance folks

 

[guseliz]

Agree. i wasn't too satisfied with the A7's high iso performance, which was one of the reasons y i upgraded to the A7r

is the iso performance better in A7r vs A7?

 

[ricleo]

is the iso performance better in A7r vs A7?

doesn't sound logical but yes... from what i see in my a7r images vs a7 images, the high iso noise on the a7r is more fine grain.

 

[ZoomZ]

As said, read this:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/camera-reviews/sony/a7r/#IQC

is the iso performance better in A7r vs A7?

 

[genocide]

hi guys, finally got my a7r last week, just nice for the CNY event, currently using the 35mm voightlander nokton, i'll have to say coming from 5mk3 user, focus manual can be challenging.

nevertheless I am very happy with my new toy.

 

[kei1309]

hi guys, finally got my a7r last week, just nice for the CNY event, currently using the 35mm voightlander nokton, i'll have to say coming from 5mk3 user, focus manual can be challenging.

nevertheless I am very happy with my new toy.

remember to set the custom buttons to activate the MF Assist when you're using MF lenses

 

[tplongsg]

not too bad la...its the low end ones that keep getting replacements. look at the A77 and A99, nex 6 7 nex7. no replacements for so long.

canon and nikon are as guilty of outing cameras at the lower end fast and furious kekeke

Yup. It's a non issue to me.

 

[tsammyc]

1. Comparing with my rx1, the A7 seems to have more noise at similar high ISO? Infact id say colour signatures are more pleasing on my rx1 as well.. Dunno if it's the Contax g lens and if my 55fe will be better.

2. How does the 35mm FE compare to rx1? Aperture 2 vs 2.8 is a given but how about sharpness and micro contrast? Keep debating whether to get it but seems little sense.

I don't have the G45, but am using the G90 on the A7r with the Deo Tech AF adapter. The Contax lenses are excellent lenses, but I do realise that the G90 cannot resolve 36MP so it's possible that the G45 cannot either. The 55FE definitely can, so you should see a difference in sharpness at 100%.

Similarly, I think the 35FE is an amazing lens. It too easily resolves 36MP and weighs just 120g. I have the Zeiss 35/2 Biogon, which is one of the sharpest RF lenses out there, but it's no comparison to the 35FE on the A7r. The weight makes the A7r/35FE feel as light as a RX1, whereas with the Biogon the lens is so heavy that the camera points down when I sling it around my neck. If you shoot at 35mm, I would recommend the lens.

I think the FE prime lenses are keepers because they are extraordinarily sharp and well corrected and worth their price. As Sony FF mirror less bodies improve, the FE lenses will be good investments for the future. The adapted lenses all either have issues in the corners, are too heavy and manual focus. Also, you have DMF. With the FE lenses and DMF, I find that I can nail the focus with AF for general shots and quickly switch to DMF for getting critical focus e.g., one eyeball sharp. As for professional opinions, Llyod Chambers thinks that the 35FE is one of the best 35mms in terms of micro contrast.

 

[tplongsg]

I saw the video of them tearing down the A7 and it in fact uses more same screws size than C or N....

If this is the lower end model, refreshing frequently is normal...

I was refering to the higher end, like... A7/R, A99 or A77... I think A99 around for only 2 years plus right?? :think:

Yup. It's the competitive segment that requires product offering tweaks most. On higher ends, It took Sony a very long time to push out replacement for flagship models APS-C A700 and FF A900. A77 and A99 are DSLT concepts replacing older DSLR. IIRC it's more than 4 years. A99 is now almost 1.5 years since launch. A77 is 2 next month.

Which model are u eyeing? A7 or A7r? Are u also considering the DSLT model A99?

 

[Halfmoon]

Yup. It's the competitive segment that requires product offering tweaks most. On higher ends, It took Sony a very long time to push out replacement for flagship models APS-C A700 and FF A900. A77 and A99 are DSLT concepts replacing older DSLR. IIRC it's more than 4 years. A99 is now almost 1.5 years since launch. A77 is 2 next month.

Which model are u eyeing? A7 or A7r? Are u also considering the DSLT model A99?

Actually, Sony is considered fast for the A77 n A99 if they update within 2 yrs. Canon takes over 3 years to update and milk the market for each model for advance DSLR.

I'm hoping sony merge E and A mount with the hybrid. When that happens, it will be interesting for consumers.

I'm looking at the compact A7 to compliment with my DSLR. SLT... if they have a merged mount... might consider.

 

[ezekiel]

Thanks all for your comments and inputs.

Am surprised 36mp A7r has less noise than the 24mp A7 at high ISO... That was one of the reasons why I chose A7 ahead of the R. Hearing from Ricleo ans ZoomZ I believe so but strangely this site claim the other way found... http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_A7r/noise.shtml

Yeah I guess the only way is to set to M or S to set the min shutter speed but It'll be good if min shutter speed could be set like my Fuji.. Well no cam is perfect.

And tsammyc, my set is an A7 so I don't think the G45 cannot resolve my sensor... Jus seem to be challenging getting images as sharp as my rx1 (the G45 was tack sharp on my Nex 7 and 6 previously).. Will hope my 55FE will do better once I receive it from the courier.

Some questions for the A7R users...

Does the AF speed of the A7R loses significantly to the A7? Cos I bought this cam to shoot my baby girl coming along and need it to lock focus well.

How does shutter noise compare? Much louder than A7?

Can I set the jpegs and raw to 24MP max output and get equivalent of 24MP quality?

Maybe I've been spoiled by the RX1 and sigma Art 35 f1.4 but if I still don't get the sharpness I want we'll see an A7 on the marketplace for sale or trade with A7R soon

 

[ricleo]

i can answer your questions since i upgraded from an A7 to A7R

Does the AF speed of the A7R loses significantly to the A7? Cos I bought this cam to shoot my baby girl coming along and need it to lock focus well.

- not too bad actually. i couldn't tell much difference in AF from the A7 i upgraded from. no problems locking on my new baby boy haha... babies don't move much. when they become toddlers that is a different story. but by then there will be an A9 or A10

How does shutter noise compare? Much louder than A7?

- yes. front mechanical shutter curtain is v loud. go test for yourself at sony shops before committing for an upgrade. not an issue for street shooting in loud environments, but distracting in quiet places. wakes my baby boy sometimes

Can I set the jpegs and raw to 24MP max output and get equivalent of 24MP quality?

nope. no 24MP option. next option is 15 or 16mp can't remember.

Thanks all for your comments and inputs.

Am surprised 36mp A7r has less noise than the 24mp A7 at high ISO... That was one of the reasons why I chose A7 ahead of the R. Hearing from Ricleo ans ZoomZ I believe so but strangely this site claim the other way found... http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_A7r/noise.shtml

Yeah I guess the only way is to set to M or S to set the min shutter speed but It'll be good if min shutter speed could be set like my Fuji.. Well no cam is perfect.

And tsammyc, my set is an A7 so I don't think the G45 cannot resolve my sensor... Jus seem to be challenging getting images as sharp as my rx1 (the G45 was tack sharp on my Nex 7 and 6 previously).. Will hope my 55FE will do better once I receive it from the courier.

Some questions for the A7R users...

Does the AF speed of the A7R loses significantly to the A7? Cos I bought this cam to shoot my baby girl coming along and need it to lock focus well.

How does shutter noise compare? Much louder than A7?

Can I set the jpegs and raw to 24MP max output and get equivalent of 24MP quality?

Maybe I've been spoiled by the RX1 and sigma Art 35 f1.4 but if I still don't get the sharpness I want we'll see an A7 on the marketplace for sale or trade with A7R soon

 

[ZoomZ]

I hope this will not affect your buying decision, but since I came from RX1 and RX1-R (as well as D800E with Sigma 35 Art), I can share my personal experience.

A7R with either 35FE or 55FE (especially 55FE) is similar to the IQ you see with D800E (not D800) with Sigma 35mm F1.4 ART. A lot sharper and detailed than RX1 that you have, since it is sharper than my RX1-R. Especially with 55FE (and if you prefer 50mm focal length).

Files are huge, but when you open the RAW file with the image data converter, you will see extreme details that only D800E used to produce.

If you need the resolution and sharpness that is one level above RX1, you need to get the A7R. A7 could not optimise the resolution of 55FE, though the bokeh will still be very smooth.

However, you can read experience shared by most users in the forum, and they are right. IQ of A7 and A7R is not a lot of difference for most users who print at 3R or 4R. Just slightly sharper at such a small print.

Thus, whether to upgrade to A7R depends on your usage. It is indeed slightly more difficult to shoot vs a A7 due to the 36mpx sensor which is more sensitive to shaking hands, and A7 has phase detection which is faster AF than A7R.

Thanks all for your comments and inputs.

Am surprised 36mp A7r has less noise than the 24mp A7 at high ISO... That was one of the reasons why I chose A7 ahead of the R. Hearing from Ricleo ans ZoomZ I believe so but strangely this site claim the other way found... http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_A7r/noise.shtml

Yeah I guess the only way is to set to M or S to set the min shutter speed but It'll be good if min shutter speed could be set like my Fuji.. Well no cam is perfect.

And tsammyc, my set is an A7 so I don't think the G45 cannot resolve my sensor... Jus seem to be challenging getting images as sharp as my rx1 (the G45 was tack sharp on my Nex 7 and 6 previously).. Will hope my 55FE will do better once I receive it from the courier.

Some questions for the A7R users...

Does the AF speed of the A7R loses significantly to the A7? Cos I bought this cam to shoot my baby girl coming along and need it to lock focus well.

How does shutter noise compare? Much louder than A7?

Can I set the jpegs and raw to 24MP max output and get equivalent of 24MP quality?

Maybe I've been spoiled by the RX1 and sigma Art 35 f1.4 but if I still don't get the sharpness I want we'll see an A7 on the marketplace for sale or trade with A7R soon

 

[Thoth]

I hope this will not affect your buying decision, but since I came from RX1 and RX1-R (as well as D800E with Sigma 35 Art), I can share my personal experience.

A7R with either 35FE or 55FE (especially 55FE) is similar to the IQ you see with D800E (not D800) with Sigma 35mm F1.4 ART. A lot sharper and detailed than RX1 that you have, since it is sharper than my RX1-R. Especially with 55FE (and if you prefer 50mm focal length).

Files are huge, but when you open the RAW file with the image data converter, you will see extreme details that only D800E used to produce.

If you need the resolution and sharpness that is one level above RX1, you need to get the A7R. A7 could not optimise the resolution of 55FE, though the bokeh will still be very smooth.

However, you can read experience shared by most users in the forum, and they are right. IQ of A7 and A7R is not a lot of difference for most users who print at 3R or 4R. Just slightly sharper at such a small print.

Thus, whether to upgrade to A7R depends on your usage. It is indeed slightly more difficult to shoot vs a A7 due to the 36mpx sensor which is more sensitive to shaking hands, and A7 has phase detection which is faster AF than A7R.

A7 FTW!!! :bsmilie:

 

[Johnbon]

Changi T1 have stocks for 35 & 55mm but saw about 2 boxes each.

Tokyo have ample stocks including 24-70 f4 selling @114095 yen after rebate tax. Was surprise ps4 not officially release yet in japan

 

[ZoomZ]

Will they sell without buying with camera?

Good to get without GST! Save quite a bit, especially 55FE.

Changi T1 have stocks for 35 & 55mm but saw about 2 boxes each.

Tokyo have ample stocks including 24-70 f4 selling @114095 yen after rebate tax. Was surprise ps4 not officially release yet in japan

 

[Johnbon]

Will they sell without buying with camera?

Good to get without GST! Save quite a bit, especially 55FE.

I saw the price tag on the 35mm box as $999 so looks like they will sell them separately.

 

[coolhirako]

I saw the price tag on the 35mm box as $999 so looks like they will sell them separately.

Gogogo !!!
BBB !!!

 

[ZoomZ]

I got a feeling that you will start to get PM from A7/R users here asking you to buy for them!

I saw the price tag on the 35mm box as $999 so looks like they will sell them separately.