Sony Sony A7 Might Work.. Info Request

Isoterica

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So, I am thinking, because I am losing a lot of true macro shots, and tele shots with my X100s, that it might be time for us to part for something that can do what I need it to. I am considering the A7, because I have heard the image quality is excellent and obviously, with an adapter, you can use whatever lenses, I'd have my Canon lenses as well as Minolta, etc. While I was going to wait on the Canon 7DII, I think the ability to carry a smaller camera body like the A7 and yet adapt it for more when I need to would be a better choice. If I sell my Fuji.. I should be close to being able to purchase.

The only negative I have heard about the A7 is that it's not really good for action shots which.. I don't do a lot of.. but how much is action is too much. Also, any positives or negatives anyone could give me on using this camera with other lenses, because I doubt I will buy it's lenses if I can use all the others I have. Adapters, one better than another? I know I could join up and ask on the Sony forum because there might be more users there but I figured I would start here.
 
I've had some issues using my Voigtlander M lenses on the A7, there has been quite a bit of vignetting, in particular the 35mm and 50mm. Very visible on the 35mm, unuseable. Visible on the 50mm but I've been able to live with it for the most part.

No such vignetting when using my Zeiss 50mm (Canon mount) or Leica 90mm.

If I recall correctly there was no vignetting when using Canon lenses.

I've been using the Metabones adapters, M mount and Canon mount.

Not all Canon lenses are able to utilise AF if I recall correctly. Make sure yours works on the A7, otherwise it's manual focus only.

Speaking of manual focus, the focus peaking feature is not accurate. I find I have to focus by eye via the VF. Fortunately the VF is excellent but you'd have to have excellent eyesight. I have had more missed focus shots on the A7 than on the Leica though.

It also has a zoom focus feature but I find it's a pain to use, it slows down the process too much for my purposes and only useable on stationary subjects.

Having said all that, if you can make it work for you, IQ is excellent.

I've been using it almost exclusively since my Leica started breaking down. If I had the money I'd much prefer the new Leica but that's me.
 
I only use two lenses on my A7, a 35mm Summilux ASPH and the Zeiss 55mm f1.8, also for the Leica lens I use the expensive but extremely-more-than-necessary-well-made-adapter Voigtlander "close focus" one.

Both lenses produce outstanding images and each have their own way of rendering and I love both equal. The 35 is the one I use more as I prefer a wider FOV, in fact I use a Ricoh GR as my everyday camera, even when Im shooting with the A7 the GR always goes with me.

I havent found ANY problem with the 35mm on the A7, yes it vignettes when shot at f1.4 as probably most wide lenses shot at really wide apertures. I use it as an advantage and everytime I shot at 1.4 is because Im looking that rendering. When im shooting down the sun or harsh light I see myself quite often shooting at f8, or f11, or even f16, and theres no vignettes whatsoever.

as for the Zeiss lens suffers the same problem, when shot wide open at f1.8 it has a beautiful rendering but also vignettes, LR has a lens profile for it which corrects it (same for the leica), but at f8 upwards its also clear of any vignettes and stuff.

Now I much prefer the Leica lens than the Zeiss on the A7, how come? well, basically sony dont do cameras really, they do computers dressed like cameras, therefore the camera does a lot of "thinking" when shooting, but when you put a manual lens onto it, then you mute a lot of that "thinking" and gets out of the way. By "thinking" I mean that is constantly re focusing the lens, or compensating the exposure etc, in fact when I shoot the zeiss lens rather than shooting A or S as I do in all my cameras I shoot M, i find it easier.

again, that is my experience. the VF is outstanding and I love it for both manual focusing or AF.

here are some examples Ive done with the A7, sadly, I dont do macros, but Ming Thein has a big article about shooting macro with FF vs M43, and he strongly recommends the OMD + O60 f2.8 for macro work.

A7 + 35mm Summilux

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Wide Open

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A7 + Zeiss 55mm

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Wide open

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Sorry I dont have more examples, but as you see on this one, I dont have any "unsuable" shot with any of the wide open ones as per TraamisVOS's experience.
 
Speaking of manual focus, the focus peaking feature is not accurate. I find I have to focus by eye via the VF. Fortunately the VF is excellent but you'd have to have excellent eyesight. I have had more missed focus shots on the A7 than on the Leica though.

Hmm I heard focus peaking was good on them, maybe I was reading the A7R?

Sorry I dont have more examples, but as you see on this one, I dont have any "unsuable" shot with any of the wide open ones as per TraamisVOS's experience.

Thanks for the samples, and I often shoot in manual so I don't think that would be a huge problem.
 
Kristen,
I have not shot with the A7 (or any of the Sony ILC), but considering your focus on macro and tele (and I understand you'll be shooting "normal" focal lengths, too) I just wonder if the new a6000 might not be a better choice. I've been considering one myself. As much as I love the full frame sensor look for shots in the normal range of 35-50mm, I prefer a cropped sensor APS-C for macro work and the 1.5 focal length multiplier for tele work (200mm rarely seems long enough, but 300mm can be workable if you really crop in).

Sorry if this post doesn't help you sort anything out, but maybe it'll help you consider a body that MAY be more useful for what you are looking to do. Good luck in your search.
 
Kristen,
I have not shot with the A7 (or any of the Sony ILC), but considering your focus on macro and tele (and I understand you'll be shooting "normal" focal lengths, too) I just wonder if the new a6000 might not be a better choice. I've been considering one myself. As much as I love the full frame sensor look for shots in the normal range of 35-50mm, I prefer a cropped sensor APS-C for macro work and the 1.5 focal length multiplier for tele work (200mm rarely seems long enough, but 300mm can be workable if you really crop in).

Sorry if this post doesn't help you sort anything out, but maybe it'll help you consider a body that MAY be more useful for what you are looking to do. Good luck in your search.

Crop does get you closer, you're right Luke. I guess since I am going to have to give up my walk around, I'm trying to fill a few roles from wildlife to street to macro. I did get a chance to handle the A7 in the store but I will definitely read into the a6000 and see what it has to offer since I really wasn't even aware of it. Never bad to offer ideas, thanks.
 
Hmm I heard focus peaking was good on them, maybe I was reading the A7R?

I don't know where you've been reading good reports. Here are two reviewers who found issues with focus peaking too:

What We're Finding Wrong With the Sony A7 and A7r So Far - The Phoblographer

Out on the Road: Getting to Know the Sony a7 and a7R

If any reviewer says they haven't found a problem with the A7's focus peaking, it's probably because they haven't used it very much.

Also, the vignetting problem I mentioned earlier was specifically in reference to the Voigtlander M lenses only.
 
I'm gathering info which is why I asked if anyone had experience here. I don't recall the video I was watching, I've looked at a lot of reviews in the last week though admittedly a lot about adapters and the use of canon lenses on the A7 so maybe in relation to that I didn't trigger the keywords necessary to other arguments. I'll keep reading. Should have no problem with vignetting with my ef lenses. Also prefer vf to using lcd. Thanks James.
 
The belch was obvious and deserves attention even if a bit (teasing here) crude. I mean if someone is having an issue, I need to check into that because I could too. What I don't want to do is buy more stress so it's all good.
 
Kristen, for the action shots negative, assume that was about AF performance?

Using the A7 with the native FE lenses, I think the AF is quite good. Generally pretty snappy, especially in good light, and very accurate. I feel like it is similar in performance to the XT1 here, not quite up to Olympus/Panasonic levels.

One other comment on the FE 35/2.8, if you have interest in that lens, is that the corners are quite decent on the A7 (versus what you may read on the more pixel-y A7R). The only bummer, for me, on that lens was the vignetting. For most stuff, not an issue, but if you have landscape shots with solid blue skies, or unbroken snow, in the corners, I found it distracting (and hard to fix). The 55/1.8 seems just about perfect.
 
I actually hadn't intended on buying lenses for it but using my Canon lenses. IF.. I were to buy it would likely be a walk around lens.This is so much more complex now that I know a bit about cameras, than when I bought my first a few years ago. I just read the specs, tried it and the current Nikon out.. and then chose and went with whatever I had. Oh for simpler times not that it didn't take me months to buy back then. It took like 7 months for me to decide then.
 
I have an A7 and like Chris I actually shoot it with the same two lenses so far, a Leica 35mm Summilux and the Sony Zeiss 55mm FE lens. Both are extremely sharp, excellent performing lenses on the A7 and I shoot manual focus more often than not. With good MF lenses I have found it to be a very workable combination, same as Chris. My only serious complaint after a couple months of use so far is the mediocre battery life (and Sony not providing a wall charger).

Focus peaking works well, within reason. Though I confirm with magnified view whenever time permits, the peaking is usually quite accurate for me. Chris had told me the Sony 55mm was the best focus by wire was excellent and I have to agree. It is as close to true manual focus as I've ever experienced and works extremely smoothly. With AF, I would say the A7 is about mid pack when using center-point S-AF. Not DSLR or m4/3 fast but it's fast enough to not frustrate me and it doesn't usually hunt excessively. If you're missing shots with the X100S then I wouldn't expect a quantum leap in AF performance but IMO Sony did a very credible job with AF with their first launch in the line.

While Sony won't win any awards from me on the UI front, the settings are configurable and flexible, so I have all my needed settings in reach without menu diving (aperture, shutter, ISO, focus). Overall it's not a camera I love or have really bonded with aesthetically, but it's been an excellent functional tool... and quite simply there is no other option out there that does quite what I can with the A7 for adapted lenses.

As far as action, I'm not sure I could really speak fully to that from my experience with short focal lengths in social settings. It certainly wouldn't be a camera I'd expect to replace a 7D for sports or fast action. On the other hand, I've found myself successfully shooting parties and personal stuff including friends' children running about with an adapted manual focus lens thanks to effective focus aids and a responsive camera. All depends on your expectations and needs I guess.
 
While Sony won't win any awards from me on the UI front, the settings are configurable and flexible, so I have all my needed settings in reach without menu diving (aperture, shutter, ISO, focus). Overall it's not a camera I love or have really bonded with aesthetically, but it's been an excellent functional tool... and quite simply there is no other option out there that does quite what I can with the A7 for adapted lenses.

Wow Jay, that is EXACTLY how I feel about the A7. only thing to add is, to the part of functional tool is the incredible IQ you get from it and the right lenses.
 
I have an A7 and like Chris I actually shoot it with the same two lenses so far, a Leica 35mm Summilux and the Sony Zeiss 55mm FE lens. Both are extremely sharp, excellent performing lenses on the A7 and I shoot manual focus more often than not. With good MF lenses I have found it to be a very workable combination, same as Chris. My only serious complaint after a couple months of use so far is the mediocre battery life (and Sony not providing a wall charger).

Focus peaking works well, within reason. Though I confirm with magnified view whenever time permits, the peaking is usually quite accurate for me. Chris had told me the Sony 55mm was the best focus by wire was excellent and I have to agree. It is as close to true manual focus as I've ever experienced and works extremely smoothly. With AF, I would say the A7 is about mid pack when using center-point S-AF. Not DSLR or m4/3 fast but it's fast enough to not frustrate me and it doesn't usually hunt excessively. If you're missing shots with the X100S then I wouldn't expect a quantum leap in AF performance but IMO Sony did a very credible job with AF with their first launch in the line.

While Sony won't win any awards from me on the UI front, the settings are configurable and flexible, so I have all my needed settings in reach without menu diving (aperture, shutter, ISO, focus). Overall it's not a camera I love or have really bonded with aesthetically, but it's been an excellent functional tool... and quite simply there is no other option out there that does quite what I can with the A7 for adapted lenses.

As far as action, I'm not sure I could really speak fully to that from my experience with short focal lengths in social settings. It certainly wouldn't be a camera I'd expect to replace a 7D for sports or fast action. On the other hand, I've found myself successfully shooting parties and personal stuff including friends' children running about with an adapted manual focus lens thanks to effective focus aids and a responsive camera. All depends on your expectations and needs I guess.

Thanks for this. I think my little dslr is about dead so I will have to sell my Fuji and buy something to use my Canon lenses, regardless of what I get. Camera store guy recommended a couple Canon's and the Sony A7-- which was attractive to me because it could fulfill a carry around and use my canon glass.

As to shots I am losing, it is not due to AF, it is due to having one focal length. I have missed deer just standing around staring back at me because I can't get close enough, even when I crop after the fact. The X100s is well loved and babied, but my baby isn't giving me what I want due to being only 35mm. Even if I do like 35mm.

I also understand not bonding with a camera, I've been there before which will make selling the Fuji hard because I do love it but I can't have both it and another. As intriguing as Sony sounds, I will continue to read more on it, but may also consider another Canon-- in which case I will have no compacts anymore outside of film cameras.

Hope I'll still be welcome here ;)
 
I know nothing about the little Canon mirrorless, except that you can get them screamingly cheap (and some shots I've seen them are gorgeous). Do they make an adapter to use those Canon lenses on the mirrorless body?
 
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