First shots with my new gear

Got to really try out my new A7RIVa and 20-70/4 (apart from just tinkering around for a few test shots. While I’m still getting used to the settings, ways to do things, and such. I was pleased with how these turned out in spite of the clouded sky and somewhat limited open areas to be to compose my shots. These are resized, with a few edits just done in LR Mobile. Thanks for looking.
















And two from looking into the balloon; there were a few that had fun designs for the top of the balloon.









--
NHT

NowHearThis said:

Got to really try out my new A7RIVa and 20-70/4 (apart from just tinkering around for a few test shots. While I’m still getting used to the settings, ways to do things, and such. I was pleased with how these turned out in spite of the clouded sky and somewhat limited open areas to be to compose my shots. These are resized, with a few edits just done in LR Mobile. Thanks for looking.









And two from looking into the balloon; there were a few that had fun designs for the top of the balloon.

Click to expand...

Wow, looking good. Wait until you get a low light challenging image and see how that amazing sensor can be pulled.

--
Martin
"One of the biggest mistakes a photographer can make is to look at the real world and cling to the vain hope that next time his film will somehow bear a closer resemblance to it" - Galen Rowell

Very nicely done. Enjoy the camera. Stunning sensor.

Danny.

Welcome to the dark side (but lift the shadows). I just spent a fortnight with my A7CR and 20-70/4 G in a subject rich environment. It really is a great core lens.

Just stay away from posts by joger and Impulses or you will be buying more lenses just like that. FE has the largest and most diverse lens ecosystem, also a good selection of used kit where I live. Some of the older lenses are dogs, so check first.

Like the images.

A

Very colorful photos, well done. You must get a great deal on the last-gen camera, new or used one? A7r V has the same sensor but improved in many areas, some of them are quite significant depend on what you shoot?

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums

You can post full-rez here. No need to resize.




Slow moving subjects could have been shot at ISO 100, with appropriate reduction in shutter speed. Still, when you need to, push the ISO with no fear.

Martin Ocando said:

NowHearThis said:

...

Click to expand...

Wow, looking good. Wait until you get a low light challenging image and see how that amazing sensor can be pulled.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I hope I have a prime by that point (not likely, sadly). The upcoming holidays, and indoor gatherings should test it a little. Next year I'll probably have a couple opportunities for some Astrophotography; That should be a nice challenge.

nzmacro said:

Very nicely done. Enjoy the camera. Stunning sensor.

Danny.

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Thank you Danny. I've been an admirer of your work for many years.

ahaslett said:

Welcome to the dark side (but lift the shadows). I just spent a fortnight with my A7CR and 20-70/4 G in a subject rich environment. It really is a great core lens.

Just stay away from posts by joger and Impulses or you will be buying more lenses just like that. FE has the largest and most diverse lens ecosystem, also a good selection of used kit where I live. Some of the older lenses are dogs, so check first.

Like the images.

A

Click to expand...

Thank you. I didn't even have the camera in hand and I was looking at what next to buy for it, lol. Over the next little bit I see what FL I'll need for a fast prime. probably something in the 28-35 range.

PWPhotography said:

Very colorful photos, well done. You must get a great deal on the last-gen camera, new or used one?

Click to expand...

I picked it up for $2290 @ KEH in Like New condition. it was the best deal I could find on the IVa Model. MPB was close and they list the shutter count; the one I got only had about 2400 photos taken with it.

PWPhotography said:

A7r V has the same sensor but improved in many areas, some of them are quite significant depend on what you shoot?

Click to expand...

I know the Video option are better. But the LCD is the big plus of the A7RV - I'd love to have that LCD. EVF upgrade would be nice, but this one is still higher res than anything I've had before. I'll have to settle for at least a couple of years. But I think this will be a substantial upgrade over my EM1.3 for landscapes - except in the IBIS area (I think the A7RV is a big improvement over the IV in that area too).

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

Welcome to the dark side (but lift the shadows). I just spent a fortnight with my A7CR and 20-70/4 G in a subject rich environment. It really is a great core lens.

Just stay away from posts by joger and Impulses or you will be buying more lenses just like that. FE has the largest and most diverse lens ecosystem, also a good selection of used kit where I live. Some of the older lenses are dogs, so check first.

Like the images.

A

Click to expand...

Thank you. I didn't even have the camera in hand and I was looking at what next to buy for it, lol. Over the next little bit I see what FL I'll need for a fast prime. probably something in the 28-35 range.

Click to expand...

Sigma just released the 35/1.2 Art mk ii. I have the Viltrox 35/1.2 LAB (down to joger) for the discounted launch price of £770! The 28/1.5 Nokton is £769 if you don’t mind MF. 28mm lenses are a bit thin on the ground in FE. We are awash with 35-40mm primes, some of them with high copy variation or not so good wide open.

Impulses might have tried and has certainly researched every one.

A

dcstep said:

You can post full-rez here. No need to resize.

Click to expand...

Good to know, I often tend to over-post :-D at times.

dcstep said:

Slow moving subjects could have been shot at ISO 100, with appropriate reduction in shutter speed. Still, when you need to, push the ISO with no fear.

Click to expand...

I just saw that some of them were taken at a higher ISO than needed. Not sure if that was the Auto ISO or I just didn't adjust it back as I was shooting. Festivities started just before sunrise on a clouded morning. i might have also been worried about the IBIS doing it's job - I no longer have Dual Sync IS, so I have to be a bit more deliberate than I used to - and that'll take a bit of retraining myself. But it was a good reminder to check my settings and it was on Auto ISO.

ahaslett said:

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

Welcome to the dark side (but lift the shadows). I just spent a fortnight with my A7CR and 20-70/4 G in a subject rich environment. It really is a great core lens.

Just stay away from posts by joger and Impulses or you will be buying more lenses just like that. FE has the largest and most diverse lens ecosystem, also a good selection of used kit where I live. Some of the older lenses are dogs, so check first.

Like the images.

A

Click to expand...

Thank you. I didn't even have the camera in hand and I was looking at what next to buy for it, lol. Over the next little bit I see what FL I'll need for a fast prime. probably something in the 28-35 range.

Click to expand...

Sigma just released the 35/1.2 Art mk ii. I have the Viltrox 35/1.2 LAB (down to joger) for the discounted launch price of £770! The 28/1.5 Nokton is £769 if you don’t mind MF. 28mm lenses are a bit thin on the ground in FE. We are awash with 35-40mm primes, some of them with high copy variation or not so good wide open.

Impulses might have tried and has certainly researched every one.
A

Click to expand...

The F1.2's are probably great, just a bit more than what I need. I just need a nice (somewhat small) F1.8 that doesn't need to be stopped down.

NowHearThis said:

PWPhotography said:

Very colorful photos, well done. You must get a great deal on the last-gen camera, new or used one?

Click to expand...

I picked it up for $2290 @ KEH in Like New condition. it was the best deal I could find on the IVa Model. MPB was close and they list the shutter count; the one I got only had about 2400 photos taken with it.

NowHearThis said:

A7r V has the same sensor but improved in many areas, some of them are quite significant depend on what you shoot?

Click to expand...

I know the Video option are better. But the LCD is the big plus of the A7RV - I'd love to have that LCD. EVF upgrade would be nice, but this one is still higher res than anything I've had before. I'll have to settle for at least a couple of years. But I think this will be a substantial upgrade over my EM1.3 for landscapes - except in the IBIS area (I think the A7RV is a big improvement over the IV in that area too).

Click to expand...

IBIS, ultrasonic sensor cleaning, and A I subject detection would be my top 3, but the v is a big upgrade on the ivA. It’s also heavier.

A

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

Welcome to the dark side (but lift the shadows). I just spent a fortnight with my A7CR and 20-70/4 G in a subject rich environment. It really is a great core lens.

Just stay away from posts by joger and Impulses or you will be buying more lenses just like that. FE has the largest and most diverse lens ecosystem, also a good selection of used kit where I live. Some of the older lenses are dogs, so check first.

Like the images.

A

Click to expand...

Thank you. I didn't even have the camera in hand and I was looking at what next to buy for it, lol. Over the next little bit I see what FL I'll need for a fast prime. probably something in the 28-35 range.

Click to expand...

Sigma just released the 35/1.2 Art mk ii. I have the Viltrox 35/1.2 LAB (down to joger) for the discounted launch price of £770! The 28/1.5 Nokton is £769 if you don’t mind MF. 28mm lenses are a bit thin on the ground in FE. We are awash with 35-40mm primes, some of them with high copy variation or not so good wide open.

Impulses might have tried and has certainly researched every one.
A

Click to expand...

The F1.2's are probably great, just a bit more than what I need. I just need a nice (somewhat small) F1.8 that doesn't need to be stopped down.

Click to expand...

Good luck with that! Have a look at the Phillip Reeve 35mm FE reviews and check Optical Limits tests. I went for the Sigma 35/2 as my small 35mm after 2 bad copies of the SY 35/1.8. The Sigma improves quite a bit by f2.2, but the LAB still beats it at f2.2, as did my adapted Tamron 35/1.4 SP.

You can see significant copy variation across reviews of the Sony 35/1.8 as well.

A

ahaslett said:

NowHearThis said:

PWPhotography said:

Very colorful photos, well done. You must get a great deal on the last-gen camera, new or used one?

Click to expand...

I picked it up for $2290 @ KEH in Like New condition. it was the best deal I could find on the IVa Model. MPB was close and they list the shutter count; the one I got only had about 2400 photos taken with it.

ahaslett said:

A7r V has the same sensor but improved in many areas, some of them are quite significant depend on what you shoot?

Click to expand...

I know the Video option are better. But the LCD is the big plus of the A7RV - I'd love to have that LCD. EVF upgrade would be nice, but this one is still higher res than anything I've had before. I'll have to settle for at least a couple of years. But I think this will be a substantial upgrade over my EM1.3 for landscapes - except in the IBIS area (I think the A7RV is a big improvement over the IV in that area too).

Click to expand...

IBIS, ultrasonic sensor cleaning, and A I subject detection would be my top 3, but the v is a big upgrade on the ivA. It’s also heavier.

A

Click to expand...

Oh yea, forgot about those last two...Not being a Sony user since the A68 I've not kept tabs on all the models - more so on those was were well out of my price range. That said, maybe I'll wait until the VI comes out then I can get the Power Off Shutter Close feature too.

ahaslett said:

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

Welcome to the dark side (but lift the shadows). I just spent a fortnight with my A7CR and 20-70/4 G in a subject rich environment. It really is a great core lens.

Just stay away from posts by joger and Impulses or you will be buying more lenses just like that. FE has the largest and most diverse lens ecosystem, also a good selection of used kit where I live. Some of the older lenses are dogs, so check first.

Like the images.

A

Click to expand...

Thank you. I didn't even have the camera in hand and I was looking at what next to buy for it, lol. Over the next little bit I see what FL I'll need for a fast prime. probably something in the 28-35 range.

Click to expand...

Sigma just released the 35/1.2 Art mk ii. I have the Viltrox 35/1.2 LAB (down to joger) for the discounted launch price of £770! The 28/1.5 Nokton is £769 if you don’t mind MF. 28mm lenses are a bit thin on the ground in FE. We are awash with 35-40mm primes, some of them with high copy variation or not so good wide open.

Impulses might have tried and has certainly researched every one.
A

Click to expand...

The F1.2's are probably great, just a bit more than what I need. I just need a nice (somewhat small) F1.8 that doesn't need to be stopped down.

Click to expand...

Good luck with that! Have a look at the Phillip Reeve 35mm FE reviews and check Optical Limits tests. I went for the Sigma 35/2 as my small 35mm after 2 bad copies of the SY 35/1.8. The Sigma improves quite a bit by f2.2, but the LAB still beats it at f2.2, as did my adapted Tamron 35/1.4 SP.

You can see significant copy variation across reviews of the Sony 35/1.8 as well.

A

Click to expand...

F2 would be fine. Fortunately being out of funds (and having to buy a new stove) means i have time to do some research. I'll check out Phillip's reviews.

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

NowHearThis said:

PWPhotography said:

Very colorful photos, well done. You must get a great deal on the last-gen camera, new or used one?

Click to expand...

I picked it up for $2290 @ KEH in Like New condition. it was the best deal I could find on the IVa Model. MPB was close and they list the shutter count; the one I got only had about 2400 photos taken with it.

NowHearThis said:

A7r V has the same sensor but improved in many areas, some of them are quite significant depend on what you shoot?

Click to expand...

I know the Video option are better. But the LCD is the big plus of the A7RV - I'd love to have that LCD. EVF upgrade would be nice, but this one is still higher res than anything I've had before. I'll have to settle for at least a couple of years. But I think this will be a substantial upgrade over my EM1.3 for landscapes - except in the IBIS area (I think the A7RV is a big improvement over the IV in that area too).

Click to expand...

IBIS, ultrasonic sensor cleaning, and A I subject detection would be my top 3, but the v is a big upgrade on the ivA. It’s also heavier.

A

Click to expand...

Oh yea, forgot about those last two...Not being a Sony user since the A68 I've not kept tabs on all the models - more so on those was were well out of my price range. That said, maybe I'll wait until the VI comes out then I can get the Power Off Shutter Close feature too.

Click to expand...

The V has that already. I disabled it on my A7CR because I’m more likely to damage the shutter than the sensor. Already had to do rinse repeat with a sensor brush and blower but it worked in the end.

A

NowHearThis said:

PWPhotography said:

Very colorful photos, well done. You must get a great deal on the last-gen camera, new or used one?

Click to expand...

I picked it up for $2290 @ KEH in Like New condition. it was the best deal I could find on the IVa Model. MPB was close and they list the shutter count; the one I got only had about 2400 photos taken with it.

Click to expand...

I now live in Portugal since last May, I have not paid much attention in US prices, and also no plan to upgrade or purchase camera gear in general. But I just checked in B&H, wow, thx tariff ;-) A7r V price is basically $4K even with EDU discount, unbelievable! I bought my copy new in B&H under EDU 10%-off discount on 4/1/2023 at $3500, then sold A7r IV almost $2K (after eBay fee) so not bad then.

Then I checked new A7r V price here (this is a reputable local store). Even 1€ = $1.18 at the moment, it's still 'only' $2935.72 ! Wow, this is a very different market in USA now ;-) Then plus the new DJI Mini 5 Pro is not even selling in USA which I plan to upgrade, no problem in EU, lol. But in the other side, I really wish someone from USA could bring me a new Apple AirPods 3 Pro as I desperately need on live conversation translation from Portugal (and other major EU languages) to English ;-) It's €249.99 but with current exchange rate, it will be close to $300. Worse, the live translation feature is not even enabled if bought in EU until EU approves the feature that not expected at least by end of year if not in Q1 next year. Just cannot win at either side of Atlantic ;-)

NowHearThis said:

NowHearThis said:

A7r V has the same sensor but improved in many areas, some of them are quite significant depend on what you shoot?

Click to expand...

I know the Video option are better. But the LCD is the big plus of the A7RV - I'd love to have that LCD. EVF upgrade would be nice, but this one is still higher res than anything I've had before. I'll have to settle for at least a couple of years. But I think this will be a substantial upgrade over my EM1.3 for landscapes - except in the IBIS area (I think the A7RV is a big improvement over the IV in that area too).

Click to expand...

Huge improvements to me. For example AI-based eye-detection and tracking that basically make or break in precise moments in complicated busy background. Therefore I mounted the main lens on A7r V not A1 in last two Africa safari trips despite I had to use m-shutter with former, quite limited in max fps, black-out EVF... A7r V simply locked on animal (or human) eyes quite reliably and consistently. Wish but could not justify to upgrade A1 to A1 II. There are other big improvements as others mentioned.

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

NowHearThis said:

ahaslett said:

Welcome to the dark side (but lift the shadows). I just spent a fortnight with my A7CR and 20-70/4 G in a subject rich environment. It really is a great core lens.

Just stay away from posts by joger and Impulses or you will be buying more lenses just like that. FE has the largest and most diverse lens ecosystem, also a good selection of used kit where I live. Some of the older lenses are dogs, so check first.

Like the images.

A

Click to expand...

Thank you. I didn't even have the camera in hand and I was looking at what next to buy for it, lol. Over the next little bit I see what FL I'll need for a fast prime. probably something in the 28-35 range.

Click to expand...

Sigma just released the 35/1.2 Art mk ii. I have the Viltrox 35/1.2 LAB (down to joger) for the discounted launch price of £770! The 28/1.5 Nokton is £769 if you don’t mind MF. 28mm lenses are a bit thin on the ground in FE. We are awash with 35-40mm primes, some of them with high copy variation or not so good wide open.

Impulses might have tried and has certainly researched every one.
A

Click to expand...

The F1.2's are probably great, just a bit more than what I need. I just need a nice (somewhat small) F1.8 that doesn't need to be stopped down.

Click to expand...

Good luck with that! Have a look at the Phillip Reeve 35mm FE reviews and check Optical Limits tests. I went for the Sigma 35/2 as my small 35mm after 2 bad copies of the SY 35/1.8. The Sigma improves quite a bit by f2.2, but the LAB still beats it at f2.2, as did my adapted Tamron 35/1.4 SP.

You can see significant copy variation across reviews of the Sony 35/1.8 as well.

A

Click to expand...

F2 would be fine. Fortunately being out of funds (and having to buy a new stove) means i have time to do some research. I'll check out Phillip's reviews.

Click to expand...

Dustin’s review is also helpful https://dustinabbott.net/2020/12/sigma-35mm-f2-dg-dn-review/ . He compares f2 with f2.8. If you look at MTF test charts, there is a big improvement by f2.5 that looks as though f2.2 ought to be good. On my copy it is - a noticeable bump from f2. Charts for the SY and Sony f1.8 suggest they are worse at f2.5 than the Sigma at f2.2, although good copies of the SY can be quite good.

Sigma decided they had underpriced the i-series shortly after I bought mine, and it was somewhat discounted too. Still it’s a fair price and will no doubt go on discount from time to time.

It renders differently from any of my other lenses, in a way I can’t describe. Dustin covers that.

A