Is anyone on AMW considering buying Sony's A7 or A7R? (Page 2): the A900 was the top Sony dLSR . a couple years back was it not . I think you better hold off untel you know more . just...

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Davethehiker wrote:

As a Sony A900 owner with drawers full Alpha-Mount... (show quote)

the A900 was the top Sony dLSR . a couple years back was it not . I think you better hold off untel you know more . just know this . chasing after the what's new now is not nessarely the best way to go . I would keep the a900 a couple more years . at least tell I knew what I was doing , there is nothing wrong with it . and your pictures won't be any different . the A900 is that good also .

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

GeneS wrote:

I'm in sort of the same boat Davethehiker.
only difference is My camera is the Sony A77.
I've used Minolta since the mid 80's, so have some nice Minolta glass and sony glass.
If sony is going this route and not giving us any updates to our camera's, I'm seriously thinking about selling my gear and switching to Nikon.

Someday I'm going arrange all my A-mount glass on the stairs and take a photograph of them. I started out with Sony and bought lot of it, then a friend of mine who made the jump from Minolta to Canon sold and gave me all his Minolta glass. I could cover the bed with A-mount lenses.

I was told that the A7/R is directed at winning Nikon and Canon faithful away and towards Sony, and that a Camera directed towards the A-mount faithful is in the works. I hope this is correct.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Bram boy wrote:

the A900 was the top Sony dLSR . a couple years back was it not . I think you better hold off untel you know more . just know this . chasing after the what's new now is not nessarely the best way to go . I would keep the a900 a couple more years . at least tell I knew what I was doing , there is nothing wrong with it . and your pictures won't be any different . the A900 is that good also .

While I agree the A900 is a very good camera, There are two things wrong with it:
1) It big and heavy.
2) The auto-focus is not very fast and needs a lot of light.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Davethehiker wrote:

Good to hear from you Pete. br br I'm not sure wh... (show quote)

You will be very welcome to the UK, even though you're going to Scotland and Ireland ! A little info for you on our electrical system ........

"Electricity was first used in homes for lighting. The original electric light companies had various standards and the voltages we have today are a compromise.

For a given amount of lighting, higher voltage means lower current. In America, copper and cotton were cheap. The original electric cables were insulated with lacquer and cotton which is OK up to around 120v. In the UK and Western Europe, copper was expensive so they used a higher voltage and thinner cables insulated with rubber or pitch.

The American 110v standard is a compromise between the standards of the various electricity companies. There is a fairly broad tolerance.

The UK originally settled on 200v so that a 15amp socket was suitable for a 3kw electric fire. It wasn't until the 1950s that the standard was changed to 240v so that the same sized fire would work with a 13 amp socket.

In continental Europe, the standard was 220v. In a wonderful bit of EC bureaucracy, the standard is now 230v +/- 5% which means that 240v and 220v are in tolerance."

Of course your comment about the UK's "strange electrical outlets" might just as easily be turned back on you about yours ! Yeah, I've been to the States many times. All of Western Europe and into Russia now operates on 220-240 volts. Perhaps it's YOU who have "strange electrical outlets" ! Don't worry, adapters are easy to get hold of and you should be able to run your electrical gear.

Ah .... perceptions !

Have fun while you're here ! Oh, and bring some warm clothes and something to combat RAIN !

Peekayoh Loc: UK

rebride wrote:

Doesn't the A7 have full on-sensor PDAF?

No, it does have pretensions in that direction but there's a long way to go.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

craggycrossers wrote:

You will be very welcome to the UK, even though yo... (show quote)

LOL :thumbup: :-D

Thank you for the history lesson on wiring in the British isles and Europe. I had no idea that the price of copper was a factor. BTW I'm an EE (as I suspect you are) and understand what you were saying.

I had the adapters needed on my lap and my tongue firmly in my cheek when I typed the "strange electrical outlets" remark. :wink:

I have visited Europe and lived in Africa but, this will be my first trip to the UK. Thank you for the warm welcome. I think I'll be okay because my wife speaks the language. Her ancestors where Scott/Irish and has done English Country dancing as well as Scottish dance. She has visited England before. My wife tells me that she grew up listening to people who spoke British English. I, on other hand just smile and nod, wondering what they saying.

I'm sure you already know this, but most home in the USA use three wires two phase from the utility company. We use 120 vac for most things but use 240 for current hogs like the electric stove and cloths dryer.

I just read your above remarks to my wife. She explained that an "electric fire" is an electric "heater". My wife tells me the last time she was in Scotland it was August and she wore a sweater!

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Davethehiker wrote:

Good to hear from you Pete.

I'm not sure what "Course you will" is directed at? Did you mean that "I will be able to use legacy glass on the yet to announced, A-mount camera"

Yes, exactly what I meant, no question.

Davethehiker wrote:

I'm leaning the same way you are, towards the A7R and the LEA-4. First I want to find out just how fast the A7R will cause my 300mm f/2.8 SSM lens to focus. I use it to photograph hummingbirds in flight. I know you don't have hummingbirds in England. My A900 does not focus as fast as I need it to. I'm hoping the LEA-4 will be much faster.

Didn't try the LAE-4 so I can't be sure but I wouldn't bet the house on it being faster. The a900 is no slouch when using the centre double cross sensor although the outer points leave a lot to be desired.

Davethehiker wrote:

When Sony starts making dedicated lenses for the F... (show quote)

To a great extent you're correct about the size, there is some advantage accruing from the shorter registration distance but that also brings it's own problems. The a7 sensor (either one) is a big step from the a900.

Davethehiker wrote:

Unless the upcoming (2014) Alpha-mount camera somehow also lets me use my legacy glass, the A7R w/ converter is more appealing to me.

Don't sweat it, it will support screw drive. I still think you should have bought an a99 which has the on-sensor PDAF assist points and in camera range limiter which make it much quicker to focus than the a900, especially for what you are doing.

Davethehiker wrote:

I'll be leaving in two weeks for vacation in Scotl... (show quote)

Make sure to pack your winter woolies and a raincoat Dave. Mains is a nominal 230v but don't worry you are unlikely to suffer any harm, most premises are equipped with earth leakage circuit breakers (ELCB).

Have a nice holiday!

Peekayoh Loc: UK

GeneS wrote:

I'm in sort of the same boat Davethehiker.
only difference is My camera is the Sony A77.
I've used Minolta since the mid 80's, so have some nice Minolta glass and sony glass.
If sony is going this route and not giving us any updates to our camera's, I'm seriously thinking about selling my gear and switching to Nikon.

I'm not sure why you should think that no updates are coming for the a-mount. It's true that Sony have put a lot of effort into the e-mount but there is some good a-mount stuff coming next year.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Peekayoh wrote:

Davethehiker wrote:
Unless the upcoming (2014) Alpha-mount camera somehow also lets me use my legacy glass, the A7R w/ converter is more appealing to me.

Don't sweat it, it will support screw drive.

I want to triple check that we understand each other.

When I mention "Legacy" lenses I'm talking about my old Konica manual focus lenses NOT my old "screw drive" Sony and Minolta lenses.

I will be wonderful if the 2014 A-mount camera will have hybrid lens mount that will accept BOTH A-mount E-mount lenses. Sorry If I'm beating a dead horse but I want to make certain we understand each other. It seems too good to be true.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Davethehiker wrote:

I want to triple check that we understand each other.

When I mention "Legacy" lenses I'm talking about my old Konica manual focus lenses NOT my old "screw drive" Sony and Minolta lenses.

I will be wonderful if the 2014 A-mount camera will have hybrid lens mount that will accept BOTH A-mount E-mount lenses. Sorry If I'm beating a dead horse but I want to make certain we understand each other. It seems too good to be true.

i have two konica lens you mean they fit sony

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Bram boy wrote:

i have two konica lens you mean they fit sony

Yes and no. A Konica lens can be attached to a Sony E-mount lens by using an adapter, so can almost any other lens including Nikon and Canon. That is what the A7/R cameras are all about. Sony is trying to lure their competition's customers to use their existing lenses on the new full frame A7 and A7R cameras. They can not be fitted into a Sony A-mount lens.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Davethehiker wrote:

Yes and no. A Konica lens can be attached to a Sony E-mount lens by using an adapter, so can almost any other lens including Nikon and Canon. That is what the A7/R cameras are all about. Sony is trying to lure their competition's customers to use their existing lenses on the new full frame A7 and A7R cameras. They can not be fitted into a Sony A-mount lens.

yea I'm getting it all screwed up I'm thinking a e mount is in camera focus engin , and a A mount is a engin in len's focus or the other way around .

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Davethehiker wrote:

I want to triple check that we understand each other.

When I mention "Legacy" lenses I'm talking about my old Konica manual focus lenses NOT my old "screw drive" Sony and Minolta lenses.

I will be wonderful if the 2014 A-mount camera will have hybrid lens mount that will accept BOTH A-mount E-mount lenses. Sorry If I'm beating a dead horse but I want to make certain we understand each other. It seems too good to be true.

Sorry Dave we were at cross purposes.

The SR mount lenses will NOT fit the new A-mount camera unless you change the actual lens mount (not always possible). As you rightly point out, that's one big plus for the E-mount system and the sole reason I purchased the NEX-7 which has never had the kit lens mounted (still in the box). As a vehicle for my SR mount lenses, the only fault I have with the NEX-7 is at the wide angle end which renders it less useful for many Landscapes and of course, the lack of IBIS. The new a7/a7R still lacks IBIS but fixes the WA. The a7R also does away with the irritation of the AA filter and with 36MP will make a great Landscape camera.

As yet there is no perfect camera, no 'one size fits all' and I still see the E-Mount cameras as additional to rather than an option to A-Mount cameras except for specific uses. For instance, in Landscape and Macro I have no use for AF in a camera; the only thing that counts is IQ and the a7R beats the a99 in those departments so that's what I'll use. When it comes to Aircraft, I will use the a77/a99 which have the fast response suitable for that genre.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Peekayoh wrote:

Sorry Dave we were at cross purposes. br br The S... (show quote)

Now we are on the same page! My, you have been using Minolta for a long time! I had to Google "SR mount lenses" to find out what they are. Now I understand. I have a drawer full of old Konica "Hexanon" lenses that I suspect are of similar quality as your SR lenses. I bought the Konica-to-Nex adapter a few years back when I was about to buy a NEX-7. The floods in Japan prevented that purchase. I then decided to wait for the next generation E-mount adaptable camera body. The A7/R is that camera.

I have a very old Hexanon 57mm f/1.2 lens that I loved back in the days of film. A friend let me try it on his NEX-5, using my adapter. It worked wonderfully.

There were rumors on SAR "Sonyalpharumors.com" that Sony was working on a "hybrid" mount camera that would accept both E-mount and A-mount FF lenses. I don't know if that will ever came to fruition.

When I return from vacation I will probably place my order for an A7R and an LAEA4 adapter, just like you have.

I also need to upgrade my old MacBook Pro if I'm going to be processing 36 MP images.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Davethehiker wrote:

... I have a very old Hexanon 57mm f/1.2 lens that I loved back in the days of film. A friend let me try it on his NEX-5, using my adapter. It worked wonderfully.

Now that Hexanon is a very nice lens. I have the Minolta MC 58/1.2 which is probably my favourite lens, one of the oldest too. IMO, it's one of the sharpest lenses Minolta ever made apart from the distinction of the f/1.2 max ap.

Davethehiker wrote:

There were rumors on SAR "Sonyalpharumors.com" that Sony was working on a "hybrid" mount camera that would accept both E-mount and A-mount FF lenses. I don't know if that will ever came to fruition. ....

It's feasible because Sony are known to be working on a moveable Sensor. The main advantage of that sort of tech is to nail focus; that is to say that initial fast focus is acquired through the usual PDAF Sensor and then the Imaging Sensor would adjust to home in on exact focus using CDAF. The technology could also give Autofocus to MF lenses although that will not be a major goal.