BobHartung wrote:
Hi all. I am considering the purchase of the Sony A7R as a first step in downsizing the weight of my kit. I had a chance to try one in a recent workshop but have a couple of questions.
1. The shutter noise seems too loud. Perhaps this is simply my comparing in to the D810 I shoot. As a user, do you find it obnoxious?
2. There is not image stabilization. Have you noticed this as a real drawback? (Probably not as important a point for me as I do mainly landscape photography on a tripod.)
3. How well do the lens adaptors work? Are there any major considerations that I should know before jumping off the cliff? I would initially purchase only the 50mm Sony/Zeiss lens and otherwise use my Nikon lenses.
4. Does anyone have any serious information on the rumored Sony A9 series that was thought to be in the pipeline for early 2015?
This will be my first foray into the mirrorless world except for a very old Canon P&S.
As an addendum:
5) Do any of the Sony E-Mount lenses come with a lens shade? The web site is sketchy on this topic.
Hi all. I am considering the purchase of the Sony... (
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Many options for Sony A7 series cameras. I've owned both the A7S and A7R since they were released and like them both for specific usage. In summary:
- A7S(ensitivity) Best low light performance of any existing camera. 12 MPixel sensor. 4K video w/ an external recorder.
- A7 & A7 II General purpose 24 MPixel sensor. This camera would be (will be) my everyday grab-n-go camera.
- A7R(esolution) 36 MPixel sensor. Great resolution for larger prints and aggressive cropping.
1) A7R shutter noise is not worse than my Canon cameras. But if you want a totally silent camera, look at the A7S which can operate in Silent Shutter mode, although in this mode the captured files are lower bit level. Electronic 1st shutter is also quieter since you only get the "click" at the end of the exposure.
2) If I use Canon lenses with internal image stabilization, I get IS using electronic adapters on Sony A7 series cameras. Of course the new A7 II have built-in 5 axis image stabilization, i.e.: IS with any lens mounted. I haven't found the lack of IS with manual lenses or telescopes a major drawback.
Shooting the A7R off a tripod requires a good solid mount. Shutter vibration has been reported. I haven't had problems but it apparently does exist. This problem does not exist with electronic 1st shutter or in silent shutter mode; however, the A7R doesn't have either.
3) Most well known adapters work very well (some of the cheap chinese knock-offs are, well, "cheap"!). I use Metabones III, King and Commlite adapters with Canon lenses. All these adapters allow full automatic operation but autofocus is SLOW! Not too sure what is available in the line of automatic adapters for Nikon lenses. I adapt Canon FD & EF, Pentax, Minolta, M42, T2, Tamron & Sigma lenses to the Sony A7 series cameras with good success.
4) Lots of rumors WRT Sony's next full frame mirrorless. When it arrives we'll know what it is... I suspect it will be a higher resolution A7R with a few tweaks to get rid of A7R complaints? Maybe 5 axis stabilization? I doubt it will silent shutter but could have electronic 1st shutter? The A9 may also be a full pro model with weatherproofing, etc.. If so, expect a considerably higher cost.
5) I have the Sony 28-70mm and 70-200mm zooms. Both came with lens hoods.
Hard decision(s) ahead. Good luck.
bwa