Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[fractal]

visited the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia on Saturday. No photos allowed inside the Museum so no pics of pickled body parts or a 40lb colon. All shots taken with the Zony 24mm 1.8.

 

[havoc315]

You can find the announcement all over the place.....

Sony A6300...
Big surprise number 1 -- No IBIS. In body stabilization has been added to the A7 series. But it increases the size of the camera. So they opted to keep it small instead.
Big surprise number 2 --- The really good surprise. True 8 frames per second. Yes, it already could do 11 frames per second. But with the announcement of the D5/D500, Nikon showed a video, showing the drawback of fast frame shooting with mirrorless -- When shooting fast frames, you lose the true live view, and get a "slide show effect" -- Instead of a live view, you see the image from a fraction of a second earlier. Making it harder to follow a fast moving subject. But apparently, the A6000 processor and EVF is fast enough to handle ongoing true live view at 8 fps. This is HUGE for sports, wildlife and action shooters.

Other big factors, IMHO:

Enhanced AF, with better adapted lens capability. Considering my investment in Nikon glass, this is huge. There is a new Commlite adapter... if its any good, it would let me use my Nikon glass pretty effectively on this camera.

New lenses! A 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 -- Ultra expensive, slightly overpriced. Not shocking. But serious shooters and pros need these lenses. Now they've got them. For many pros and enthusiasts who were Sony haters, they often cited the slideshow effect in the EVF (which is now a non-factor in the A6300 at up to 8 fps), and they cited the lack of 2.8 zooms. Now gone.
New teleconverters! Not as good as having a true long telephoto lens. But you can take that 70-200/2.8 and use it as a 140-400/5.6 lens. It does open up greater telephoto possibilities for Sony mirrorless shooters.

The supposed drawbacks of mirrorless are disappearing very quickly. I don't regret my Nikon system, I still love it. And it's much more affordable than a complete Sony system. (I shoot with the Tamron 24-70/2.8 which I got for about $1000.... The Sony lens would cost more than double that. I love my 85/1.8 which I bought for $500, Sony has nothing similar for under $1500).

I could see myself transitioning back to Sony..... Using the A6300 with a combination of Sony glass and adapted Nikon glass.... and when it comes time for me to upgrade my full frame main camera, really looking closely at the options from both Nikon and Sony.

 

[dmaxphil]

I wonder if the Commlite Nikon adapter will allow phase detect on the A6300? Currently it's only available on A7RII and A7II. (And by currently I mean, whenever they start to ship.)

Also wonder what the 85mm 1.4 will produce versus the Batis.

 

[havoc315]

I wonder if the Commlite Nikon adapter will allow phase detect on the A6300? Currently it's only available on A7RII and A7II. (And by currently I mean, whenever they start to ship.)

Also wonder what the 85mm 1.4 will produce versus the Batis.

It should work, but right now Commlite has only shipped a handful of units. They won't really have more in stock until March, supposedly.

The 85mm will he slightly faster than the Batis (1.4 vs 1.8). So you'll also get more background separation. Whether there will be other differences in IQ, is unknown. But many of the most demanding pros need that extreme background separation of 1.4 instead of 1.8.

 

[fractal]

A6300 looks good - disappointed it didn't come with a new Zoom and no new E-mount lenses.

 

[dmaxphil]

A6300 looks good - disappointed it didn't come with a new Zoom and no new E-mount lenses.

Strange that they produce this pro/enthusiast level camera and have not backed it up with a pro/enthusiast line of Aps-c lenses. No fast zooms, no fast primes.

 

[havoc315]

Canon and Nikon are basically the same way... Since they have full frame and APS-C lines, and since most pros/enthusiasts shoot primarily with full frame, it doesn't make sense to develop pro/enthusiast lenses that are only compatible with APS-C, when they could produce FF lenses that are compatible with both. Thus, none of them produce an APS-C 70-200/2.8, or APS-C telephoto lenses. Instead, at most, they produce a 17-55/2.8 type of lens, just so APS-C enthusiasts can cover a normal zoom.
So really, comparing APS-C e-mount to Nikon and Canon, the only lens "missing" would be a 2.8 normal zoom. And being they didn't even have a 2.8 zoom for full frame until today, it's not that surprising.

 

[dmaxphil]

Canon and Nikon are basically the same way... Since they have full frame and APS-C lines, and since most pros/enthusiasts shoot primarily with full frame, it doesn't make sense to develop pro/enthusiast lenses that are only compatible with APS-C, when they could produce FF lenses that are compatible with both. Thus, none of them produce an APS-C 70-200/2.8, or APS-C telephoto lenses. Instead, at most, they produce a 17-55/2.8 type of lens, just so APS-C enthusiasts can cover a normal zoom.
So really, comparing APS-C e-mount to Nikon and Canon, the only lens "missing" would be a 2.8 normal zoom. And being they didn't even have a 2.8 zoom for full frame until today, it's not that surprising.

Well, you've got all the A-mount stuff. With the new AF upgrade when using the LA-E3 adapter, it brings all the old lenses in play too, possibly.

 

[fractal]

You can find the announcement all over the place.....

Sony A6300...
Big surprise number 1 -- No IBIS. In body stabilization has been added to the A7 series. But it increases the size of the camera. So they opted to keep it small instead.
Big surprise number 2 --- The really good surprise. True 8 frames per second. Yes, it already could do 11 frames per second. But with the announcement of the D5/D500, Nikon showed a video, showing the drawback of fast frame shooting with mirrorless -- When shooting fast frames, you lose the true live view, and get a "slide show effect" -- Instead of a live view, you see the image from a fraction of a second earlier. Making it harder to follow a fast moving subject. But apparently, the A6000 processor and EVF is fast enough to handle ongoing true live view at 8 fps. This is HUGE for sports, wildlife and action shooters.

Other big factors, IMHO:

Enhanced AF, with better adapted lens capability. Considering my investment in Nikon glass, this is huge. There is a new Commlite adapter... if its any good, it would let me use my Nikon glass pretty effectively on this camera.

New lenses! A 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 -- Ultra expensive, slightly overpriced. Not shocking. But serious shooters and pros need these lenses. Now they've got them. For many pros and enthusiasts who were Sony haters, they often cited the slideshow effect in the EVF (which is now a non-factor in the A6300 at up to 8 fps), and they cited the lack of 2.8 zooms. Now gone.
New teleconverters! Not as good as having a true long telephoto lens. But you can take that 70-200/2.8 and use it as a 140-400/5.6 lens. It does open up greater telephoto possibilities for Sony mirrorless shooters.

The supposed drawbacks of mirrorless are disappearing very quickly. I don't regret my Nikon system, I still love it. And it's much more affordable than a complete Sony system. (I shoot with the Tamron 24-70/2.8 which I got for about $1000.... The Sony lens would cost more than double that. I love my 85/1.8 which I bought for $500, Sony has nothing similar for under $1500).

I could see myself transitioning back to Sony..... Using the A6300 with a combination of Sony glass and adapted Nikon glass.... and when it comes time for me to upgrade my full frame main camera, really looking closely at the options from both Nikon and Sony.

Yes, a few less "yeah but"'s to have to listen to from the DSLR crowd. Could you not use the Tamron on the Sony?

 

[havoc315]

Yes, a few less "yeah but"'s to have to listen to from the DSLR crowd. Could you not use the Tamron on the Sony?

With adapter. Whether I can use my Nikon-Tamron will depend on the quality of the new commlite adapter. You can use the Sony-A-mount-Tamron with the LAEA3 adapter. I forget what the limitations are when using an adapted lens under the new focus systems. I know you can't use eye-AF, I forget what other AF modes won't work. Pretty sure no lock-on AF. And of course, you have the added weight and bulk of the adapter.

I agree, there will be far fewer "yeah but"

Now they need to combine more of these features into 1 camera --- An A9, full frame sensor with 8fps, where you actually get a true live view at 8 fps. Plus IBIS. Stop trying to make the camera lightweight, embrace what a pro full frame camera should be -- weather sealed, dual card slots, large battery. You still won't match dSLR battery life, but you can get 600-800 shots with a large battery. Price it around the same as the A7rii, or a few hundred dollars north. Still shouldn't price it in D5 or 1Dx range.

 

[dmaxphil]

Just visited the local camera shop today. I got an opportunity to test the 70-200 f4 FE vs the LA-E3 + 70-200 f2.8 II A-Mount. The 2.8 was exceptionally fast with the adapter. The FE lens hunted constantly - it was a used lens, so I'm not sure if this was normal, but I had intentions of walking home with it until I saw how it performed. Ended up snagging an almost new 90mm Macro G.

Side note. Before letting me test the adapter and lens, the two guys behind the counter told me that I needed the LA-E4 and that the LA-E3 was just for crop sensor NEX series cameras Sheesh.

 

[fractal]

Just visited the local camera shop today. I got an opportunity to test the 70-200 f4 FE vs the LA-E3 + 70-200 f2.8 II A-Mount. The 2.8 was exceptionally fast with the adapter. The FE lens hunted constantly - it was a used lens, so I'm not sure if this was normal, but I had intentions of walking home with it until I saw how it performed. Ended up snagging an almost new 90mm Macro G.

Side note. Before letting me test the adapter and lens, the two guys behind the counter told me that I needed the LA-E4 and that the LA-E3 was just for crop sensor NEX series cameras Sheesh.

can't wait to see some from the 90mm Macro! jealous.

Most camera salesmen are clueless about Sony mirrorless.

 

[havoc315]

Just visited the local camera shop today. I got an opportunity to test the 70-200 f4 FE vs the LA-E3 + 70-200 f2.8 II A-Mount. The 2.8 was exceptionally fast with the adapter. The FE lens hunted constantly - it was a used lens, so I'm not sure if this was normal, but I had intentions of walking home with it until I saw how it performed. Ended up snagging an almost new 90mm Macro G.

Side note. Before letting me test the adapter and lens, the two guys behind the counter told me that I needed the LA-E4 and that the LA-E3 was just for crop sensor NEX series cameras Sheesh.

You were focusing indoors?
Remember, the more light reaching the sensor, the better the AF. The 2.8 lens lets double the amount of light in to the camera, than the f4 lens. So if you were in a somewhat low light situation, I would expect the 70-200/2.8 to AF much better than the F4. Whether native or adapted, being irrelevant. Either way, the sensor is determining the focus and needs the light to determine the focus.

 

[dmaxphil]

Yep indoors in weird light. But I tested them both at f4. I was attempting to focus well outside the minimum focus distance. I was convinced there was a problem with that lens. There's no way what I experienced could be considered normal.

 

[havoc315]

Yep indoors in weird light. But I tested them both at f4. I was attempting to focus well outside the minimum focus distance. I was convinced there was a problem with that lens. There's no way what I experienced could be considered normal.

Yes, but the lens opens the aperture when it focuses. So even if you are using the lens at F4, it still opens up to 2.8 in order to lock focus. While the F4 lens can't open beyond F4.

There may have also been a problem with the lens. But it sounds like the behavior I would expect.

 

[fractal]

lots of fog yesterday...

 

[dmaxphil]

Yes, but the lens opens the aperture when it focuses. So even if you are using the lens at F4, it still opens up to 2.8 in order to lock focus. While the F4 lens can't open beyond F4.

There may have also been a problem with the lens. But it sounds like the behavior I would expect.

Looking at some of the shots I took in the store.

90mm shots metered at 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/100s
70-200 f2.8 SSM II a couple at 1600 ISO, f2.8 1/250s and one at 1000 ISO

It was not that dark in the store. I just realized I never actually snapped a pic with the f4 or either lens at f4.

 

[zackiedawg]

It definitely sounds like you were having an issue with that particular copy of the 70-200mm F4. My example doesn't hunt at all and has no issues focusing even in very low light. I shot the Indy Jones Stunt Show at night at ISO12,800 with that lens in AF-C mode and it had no issues focusing and tracking...I often shoot in very mixed and low light conditions when out birding with the lens.

There's one tiny possibility just in case - not accusing you of anything stupid, but something that might not have even been noticed - could the limiter switch on the side of the lens have been set to 3M to infinity, and what you were trying to focus on was within the 3M limit? I've occasionally had that switched and forgotten and go to focus on a lizard or bug 7-8 feet away and get very afraid when it hunts and can't lock on, before realizing that I had the limiter switched from a previous shot. Otherwise, the lens itself may have had an issue or problem.

 

[dmaxphil]

It definitely sounds like you were having an issue with that particular copy of the 70-200mm F4. My example doesn't hunt at all and has no issues focusing even in very low light. I shot the Indy Jones Stunt Show at night at ISO12,800 with that lens in AF-C mode and it had no issues focusing and tracking...I often shoot in very mixed and low light conditions when out birding with the lens.

There's one tiny possibility just in case - not accusing you of anything stupid, but something that might not have even been noticed - could the limiter switch on the side of the lens have been set to 3M to infinity, and what you were trying to focus on was within the 3M limit? I've occasionally had that switched and forgotten and go to focus on a lizard or bug 7-8 feet away and get very afraid when it hunts and can't lock on, before realizing that I had the limiter switched from a previous shot. Otherwise, the lens itself may have had an issue or problem.

I've heard similar reports on this lens, which is why I want one. I had the limiter switch on full and switched back a forth trying everything I could to get it to be faster. It just constantly hunted back and forth.

 

[dmaxphil]

lots of fog yesterday...

Really cool shots. You live in a beautiful area. Here's one I just shot from the Macro. Could of been better. Handheld, slight wind.