Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[havoc315]

Butterflies at the Bronx Zoo by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[fractal]

 

[havoc315]

Chappaqua Train Eagle by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

King Julian by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

FYI, I hear there is supposed to be a meteor shower / storm tonight for all you late night photographers. Might have to stay up late tonight

 

[Animagic!]

Ok I finally picked up a prime lens for my a99. I picked up a used Rokinon 35mm f/1.4

It's heavy lens. Attached to the a99 it's chunk system. However, I don't consider that to be a bad thing. I like chunky and heavy because it is stable. The lens is very large for a prime (at least compared to my other primes). it is longer and heavier than the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4. The focus ring is much smoother to turn; however, this is likely due to the fact that it is used. I think the build quality is very nice and it feels solid.

I foresee manual focus being difficult at f/1.4. Hahahaha Go figure. Dark rides should be interesting. I did better than I though using focus peaking and MF with my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 on my a58. I'm hoping I'll be able to get at least some in-focus shots at f/1.4-f/2.0 on dark rides with the even narrower depth of field.

Actually I'm wondering what it'll be like running around the parks with a manual focus lens. I'm accustom to using autofocus during the day or in decent light. I like to run-and-gun around the parks, snapping away on the fly. Having to stop to focus will be a big change. I'll be heading to Disneyland in about a week so I'll have a chance to test it out. Maybe this will be an opportunity to bring the tripod and try out some long exposure night landscapes. Anybody have any suggestions about using manual focus lenses at the parks?

 

[havoc315]

Focus peaking helps. And at wide angle, stopped down, almost everything is in focus at infinity.

I'd consider getting a Minolta 50/1.4 or Sony 50/1.4 on the cheap.
It's a good -- not great, but good -- fast autofocus prime. Also very small.

There is no reason to be at 30-35mm in dark rides on full frame. The 30mm on your a58 is equivalent to 45mm on full frame. To me, 35mm is too wide on full frame outside of landscapes.

 

[fractal]

 

[Hockeyman]

Focus peaking helps. And at wide angle, stopped down, almost everything is in focus at infinity.

I'd consider getting a Minolta 50/1.4 or Sony 50/1.4 on the cheap.
It's a good -- not great, but good -- fast autofocus prime. Also very small.

There is no reason to be at 30-35mm in dark rides on full frame. The 30mm on your a58 is equivalent to 45mm on full frame. To me, 35mm is too wide on full frame outside of landscapes.

See im opposite, now that I have a 50mm on a FF I want a 35mm for dark rides. My dream would actually be a f/1.4 that is wide but then up to 85mm perhaps

 

[fractal]

FYI, I hear there is supposed to be a meteor shower / storm tonight for all you late night photographers. Might have to stay up late tonight

did anybody get any shots? I was up until 2am but the clouds never cleared here.

 

[Hockeyman]

While waiting for last night's dud of a meteor shower I decided to try some experimenting with star trails. This was about 80 separate shots combined in Photoshop

Star Trails by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[Animagic!]

Focus peaking helps. And at wide angle, stopped down, almost everything is in focus at infinity.

I'd consider getting a Minolta 50/1.4 or Sony 50/1.4 on the cheap.
It's a good -- not great, but good -- fast autofocus prime. Also very small.

There is no reason to be at 30-35mm in dark rides on full frame. The 30mm on your a58 is equivalent to 45mm on full frame. To me, 35mm is too wide on full frame outside of landscapes.

I almost bought the Sony 50mm f/1.4. However for the same price I was able to get the Rokinon 35mm. I actually ordered a used Sigma 50mm f/1.4 but ended up cancelling my order because of the Rokinon. I went back and forth on the issue of 35mm vs 50mm primes. Given how much I use my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 on my a58 (I use this lens 90% of the time in the parks. I actually prefer it over my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8) I knew that 50mm would be an easy choice. However, I chose the 35mm Rokinon for several reasons.

1) I plan on buying the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art when it is in stock. That's the only 50mm I really want. So I'm less inclined to buy a 50mm that I'll have to replace.
2) I like wider angles. There were quite a few times that I found the 30mm Sigma to be too tight. I kept thinking I would like the lens a lot more if it was closer to 24mm than 30mm. But I couldn't find a fast 24mm (APS-C) prime. I was very excited about the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 until I realized it was a full frame lens. So given this desire for a 24mm after using my 30mm so much I decided a 35mm on full frame might be perfect for me and the way I shoot. 50mm lenses for APS-C (75mm equiv.) are too tight for me. I love that focal range for Pirates of the Caribbean though! So I plan on taking my 85mm f/1.4 for that ride specifically.
3) This one sounds a bit silly but I know that full frames have a narrower DOF and shooting MF at f/1.4 is hard enough on APS-C. So I'm going a bit on the "safe" side with the 35mm by making it fractionally easier on muself to focus with than the 50mm. Every tiny bit kinda helps. LOL
4) At the end of the day I want both a 35mm and a 50mm (I love my primes!). Right now the priority is saving money for the Sigma 50mm. If I like the 35mm focal length of the Rokinon then I will upgrade to the Sigma 35mm Art. If it ends up being too wide then I'll keep to the Sigma 50mm. Believe it or not, I do have a plan!

See im opposite, now that I have a 50mm on a FF I want a 35mm for dark rides. My dream would actually be a f/1.4 that is wide but then up to 85mm perhaps

I agree!

 

[havoc315]

I almost bought the Sony 50mm f/1.4. However for the same price I was able to get the Rokinon 35mm. I actually ordered a used Sigma 50mm f/1.4 but ended up cancelling my order because of the Rokinon. I went back and forth on the issue of 35mm vs 50mm primes. Given how much I use my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 on my a58 (I use this lens 90% of the time in the parks. I actually prefer it over my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8) I knew that 50mm would be an easy choice. However, I chose the 35mm Rokinon for several reasons.

1) I plan on buying the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art when it is in stock. That's the only 50mm I really want. So I'm less inclined to buy a 50mm that I'll have to replace.
2) I like wider angles. There were quite a few times that I found the 30mm Sigma to be too tight. I kept thinking I would like the lens a lot more if it was closer to 24mm than 30mm. But I couldn't find a fast 24mm (APS-C) prime. I was very excited about the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 until I realized it was a full frame lens. So given this desire for a 24mm after using my 30mm so much I decided a 35mm on full frame might be perfect for me and the way I shoot. 50mm lenses for APS-C (75mm equiv.) are too tight for me. I love that focal range for Pirates of the Caribbean though! So I plan on taking my 85mm f/1.4 for that ride specifically.
3) This one sounds a bit silly but I know that full frames have a narrower DOF and shooting MF at f/1.4 is hard enough on APS-C. So I'm going a bit on the "safe" side with the 35mm by making it fractionally easier on muself to focus with than the 50mm. Every tiny bit kinda helps. LOL

The Sigma ART 50 could be a long way off for a Sony version.
I wouldn't look at buying a Sony/Minolta 50 as throwing away money.

Get a used Minolta 50/1.4 very cheaply from eBay -- under $200. When the Sigma finally comes out ( could easily be another year), sell the Minolta. A 20 year old lens isn't going to lose much value in one more year. Worst case scenario, you lose $20-50 total. So $50 to rent a 50/1.4 for a year while waiting for the Sigma.

I also think you are slightly overstating the difficulty of focus on full frame. My favorite lens is my 200/2.8 prime. I often use it at 2.8 -- DOF is narrower than a 50/1.4. My first shots were soft, but I started getting incredible shots once I dialed in some micro adjust. (So don't forget to micro adjust those large aperture lenses).

 

[Animagic!]

The Sigma ART 50 could be a long way off for a Sony version.
I wouldn't look at buying a Sony/Minolta 50 as throwing away money.

Get a used Minolta 50/1.4 very cheaply from eBay -- under $200. When the Sigma finally comes out ( could easily be another year), sell the Minolta. A 20 year old lens isn't going to lose much value in one more year. Worst case scenario, you lose $20-50 total. So $50 to rent a 50/1.4 for a year while waiting for the Sigma.

I also think you are slightly overstating the difficulty of focus on full frame. My favorite lens is my 200/2.8 prime. I often use it at 2.8 -- DOF is narrower than a 50/1.4. My first shots were soft, but I started getting incredible shots once I dialed in some micro adjust. (So don't forget to micro adjust those large aperture lenses).

I think the long delay for the Sigma 50mm Art is an unfortunate reality. I don't see it shipping for A Mount anytime soon. On the plus side it gives me time to save my pennies.

I think the Minolta 50mm is the way to go. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to order one on ebay before I go to Disneyland. I'll have to make due with the Rokinon but I don't expect it to be a problem. I'll see how the 35mm goes. I doubt I'll be disappointed. At the end of the day I care about nice glass more than focus speed. Worse case scenario I have to slow down when I photograph the parks, and sometimes slowing down is a wonderful thing. however, thank you for the advice on the Minolta 50mm f/1.4 lenses.

I can be pretty hit or miss with manual focusing at f/1.4 on APS-C sensors. Although I am pretty new to MF. In my brain a full frame's narrower DOF equates to a smaller percentage of in focus MF shots. Hopefully I'm just under estimating the DOF and I will be surprised. Wish me luck on dark rides. Hahaha

Thanks for you insight, as always, Havok. You are an excellent resource.

 

[havoc315]

I think the long delay for the Sigma 50mm Art is an unfortunate reality. I don't see it shipping for A Mount anytime soon. On the plus side it gives me time to save my pennies.

I think the Minolta 50mm is the way to go. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to order one on ebay before I go to Disneyland. I'll have to make due with the Rokinon but I don't expect it to be a problem. I'll see how the 35mm goes. I doubt I'll be disappointed. At the end of the day I care about nice glass more than focus speed. Worse case scenario I have to slow down when I photograph the parks, and sometimes slowing down is a wonderful thing. however, thank you for the advice on the Minolta 50mm f/1.4 lenses.

I can be pretty hit or miss with manual focusing at f/1.4 on APS-C sensors. Although I am pretty new to MF. In my brain a full frame's narrower DOF equates to a smaller percentage of in focus MF shots. Hopefully I'm just under estimating the DOF and I will be surprised. Wish me luck on dark rides. Hahaha

Thanks for you insight, as always, Havok. You are an excellent resource.

Good luck, can't wait to see your shots!

I'm not a frequent MF user, but I believe Hockeyman used MF on the a99 for his dark ride shots, and he got some real keepers. For your very high ISO shots, I'd shoot raw and use something like Topaz Denoise for the noise reduction. (Lightroom is just fine for medium/high ISO, 1600-6400. But I sometimes prefer topaz when I go higher than that in ISO).

 

[fractal]

 

[Animagic!]

Good luck, can't wait to see your shots!

I'm not a frequent MF user, but I believe Hockeyman used MF on the a99 for his dark ride shots, and he got some real keepers. For your very high ISO shots, I'd shoot raw and use something like Topaz Denoise for the noise reduction. (Lightroom is just fine for medium/high ISO, 1600-6400. But I sometimes prefer topaz when I go higher than that in ISO).

I hope I get some keepers too! We'll see what happens. At least my Tamron 70-300 is an AF lens. I love using it as a walk around lens actually. It's more appealing on the a99 because it is wider on the a99. I'm also going to Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and Safari Park so the Tamron 70-300 will really come in handy.

I've never used Topaz Denoise before. I should look into it. Right now I'm just using Lightroom for all PP work. I think I can count on one hand the number of shots I've tried to process above ISO 1600. They were actually Matterhorn shots of the light up ice crystals and Harold the yeti. Haha I bumped up to 12,800 and shot from the hip with MF at a preset distance on the distance scale.

Question: Has anyone with the a99 ever used the face detection feature on dark rides? I've heard someone mentioning that it was super accurate and useful in good light. I was wondering if it was useable in low light. How about using face recognition in general? What do you guys think?

 

[Pavan50]

Nice shots!! Looking for some more soon

 

[havoc315]

I hope I get some keepers too! We'll see what happens. At least my Tamron 70-300 is an AF lens. I love using it as a walk around lens actually. It's more appealing on the a99 because it is wider on the a99. I'm also going to Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and Safari Park so the Tamron 70-300 will really come in handy.

I've never used Topaz Denoise before. I should look into it. Right now I'm just using Lightroom for all PP work. I think I can count on one hand the number of shots I've tried to process above ISO 1600. They were actually Matterhorn shots of the light up ice crystals and Harold the yeti. Haha I bumped up to 12,800 and shot from the hip with MF at a preset distance on the distance scale.

Question: Has anyone with the a99 ever used the face detection feature on dark rides? I've heard someone mentioning that it was super accurate and useful in good light. I was wondering if it was useable in low light. How about using face recognition in general? What do you guys think?

Can't wait to see your shots.

I have the Tamron 70-300 usd.... I really liked it a lot on my A55, but I'm not as keen with the A99. It's certainly a good lens, but it doesn't fully do the A99 justice. (I got spoiled, I started shooting with a Minolta 200/2.8 prime which produces amazing results) .

Of course, shooting with the 70-300 at the safari, that's the time you will miss a crop sensor. The good new is that 70 becomes ok for normal view shots... but 300 isn't really thaaaat long when you lose the crop factor.

I just bought a new/old used 2x teleconverter to pair with my 200, it gets mixed reviews but will need to try it out. (As it stands, my 200 is so good that I can do major cropping and keep top image quality).

I have mixed results with face detection. To me, the biggest issue with the A99 is the tight cropping of AF points in the middle of the frame. For portraits, the "face" is often outside of the AF points, so I still need to lock the focus and then re-position.
If the faces are closer to the middle of the frame, face detection does work very nicely. Face recognition is so-so. I need to take multiple saved shots of my kids I guess, to get the face recognition to be more reliable.
And I haven't tested the face detection in super low light.

 

[havoc315]

Lorikeet by Havoc315, on Flickr