biglouis
Veteran
OK, I finally got of the fence after dithering about a replacement system for my now all-sold film system. In the end I decided on the Sony A7 (not the A7r for reasons I can go into but you probably don't care) and the 55/1.8. I also bought a CV 21/1.8 and Novoflex adapter. After one morning using the system I've ordered a FE 35/2.8 and I am going to say goodbye to my RX1 - not because the RX1 is inferior but just because I cannot see me lugging the A7 and the RX1 together. I'd rather the RX1 went to a good home where someone will use it.
"Barges, Bike, Busker"
This is my stock picture for testing a new camera. Can the sensor deal with the dark areas under the bridge and the enormous ev range between them and the distant barges, and anything in between. In this case the in-between is the biker and the busker. Obviously, I needed to bring back the highlights and boost the shadows but having worked with the RX1 for nearly a year I know what this superb sensor is capable of. This is the result. The lens is the 55/1.8 at f9 iso640 1/200
I think it has done a remarkably good job.
However what impressed me more was when I was on the pavement above the bridge in this picture. I was photographing away from the railway line when I heard behind me the hiss of a train. I turned and in a split second (literally) I framed and shot as best I could.
Now, I thought the conventional wisdom on these cameras was that AF was a bit slow but I was surprised when I reviewed the shot on the camera and now that I have developed it how accurate and sharp the result. Of course, I did have the lens open at f1.8 and the shutter fired at 1/5000 but then I am even more amazed that metering and shutter were spot on and within literally microseconds. Here is some detail to prove my point.
Left hand edge of the frame
Below is the first shot I took with the camera.
This is the 55 at f1.8 from a distance of about 3 metres from the tree. No processing apart from resizing. I am not even too sure I need to process it - I suppose I could add maybe a little contrast but overall the result is very pleasing. This is another reason why I don't think I would be using my RX1 much more.
Finally, this is an example of using the manual focus Voigtlander CV 21/1.8 on the A7. I am not sure yet about the perfomance of this lens. I need to spend more time with it. I love the build, I love the feel in use. I love the focussing which is easier than I recollect using my M6, M7 and M8 rangefinders but somehow the rendering is a bit unsatisfying - although the rendering is reminiscent of my Hasselblad SWC and film (although that might be wishful thinking on my part). This is a wide open test at f1.8 focussed on the notice. What I think I detect with this lens is that a lot of the processing inside a Sony lens and in concert with the Sony camera is missing.
I'm not complaining or judging. I am very lucky to be able to afford a camera like and have a wife who puts up with an expensive pastime.
LouisB
"Barges, Bike, Busker"
This is my stock picture for testing a new camera. Can the sensor deal with the dark areas under the bridge and the enormous ev range between them and the distant barges, and anything in between. In this case the in-between is the biker and the busker. Obviously, I needed to bring back the highlights and boost the shadows but having worked with the RX1 for nearly a year I know what this superb sensor is capable of. This is the result. The lens is the 55/1.8 at f9 iso640 1/200
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
I think it has done a remarkably good job.
However what impressed me more was when I was on the pavement above the bridge in this picture. I was photographing away from the railway line when I heard behind me the hiss of a train. I turned and in a split second (literally) I framed and shot as best I could.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Now, I thought the conventional wisdom on these cameras was that AF was a bit slow but I was surprised when I reviewed the shot on the camera and now that I have developed it how accurate and sharp the result. Of course, I did have the lens open at f1.8 and the shutter fired at 1/5000 but then I am even more amazed that metering and shutter were spot on and within literally microseconds. Here is some detail to prove my point.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Left hand edge of the frame
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Below is the first shot I took with the camera.
This is the 55 at f1.8 from a distance of about 3 metres from the tree. No processing apart from resizing. I am not even too sure I need to process it - I suppose I could add maybe a little contrast but overall the result is very pleasing. This is another reason why I don't think I would be using my RX1 much more.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Finally, this is an example of using the manual focus Voigtlander CV 21/1.8 on the A7. I am not sure yet about the perfomance of this lens. I need to spend more time with it. I love the build, I love the feel in use. I love the focussing which is easier than I recollect using my M6, M7 and M8 rangefinders but somehow the rendering is a bit unsatisfying - although the rendering is reminiscent of my Hasselblad SWC and film (although that might be wishful thinking on my part). This is a wide open test at f1.8 focussed on the notice. What I think I detect with this lens is that a lot of the processing inside a Sony lens and in concert with the Sony camera is missing.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
I'm not complaining or judging. I am very lucky to be able to afford a camera like and have a wife who puts up with an expensive pastime.
LouisB