A7R5 in low light for AF ?

[Adam-T]

Just wondering how the A7R5 was in low light for AF with AN F4 LENS as I`m considering adding one to my work rig for a number on reasons , possibly to eventually edge out Nikon .. basing this on F4 because I use them to keep the rig size down for general work shoots where Primes aren`t needed , F2.8 isn`t fast enough to warrant the extra size and weight (and cost really) .. BTW the Z8 is out, it`s as big as a D850 and damn near as heavy , would appear to have less image quality than the Z7 at low ISOs , low light AF is about the same apparently on a thread on the Z forum and I don`t need a stacked sensor and don`t want to lose the mech shutter yet (banding and weird lighting) . Nikon don`t seem interested in making a Z7-III

Thinking out loud with thoughts welcome .

Why ? ,. I`m having to keep DSLRs (D850/D800) in the rig because the Z7 (added 2 years ago) is awful at low light AF in venues such as wedding receptions and presentations where bounced / diffused flash are used, AF assist lights especially at presentations are an irritation to the clients / guests and I`m having to go back to using "old" DSLRs with their sensitive dedicated CROSS sensors for this (forget paper -EV specs, they`re pretty meaningless outside a lab with an F1.2 prime ) - don`t get me wrong, the Z7 is better than the A7R3 which I found utterly useless for this (in 2019/20 when I added one for 4 months pre-Z7) but I want to lose the DSLRs .. I did find the A6400 to actually be better than the Z7 so thinking the RV will be a lot better again ..

An A7RV will give me - an infinitely better continuous AF system with finally no loss in single AF accuracy , dual slots in a mirrorless even if they use consumer memory cards only (no proper CFE type B ) - 15MP more is not to be sniffed at for crops and downsize with no loss in RAW DR or high ISOs - improved EVF , longer battery, far better IBIS (though the Z7`s is pretty good) and I get to use the tiny A6400 as a fully compatible compact backup camera (before you scream bad move for work - remember that the A6400 has far better AF and better image quality than the canon 1DS MK3s I used to use as main cameras in the day ) and the RV gives 26Mp in NEX mode with my 18-135 and 10-18 and I believe the 10-18 works on FF after 12mm ...... the 20-70 will replace the 24-70 F4 as I believe its as good bar bokeh , I`ll look into the FE mount 50/85mm prime situation later ..

Just mulling this over , I don`t ever shoot Video , don`t ever do sports so never need burst modes or massive buffers .

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** Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist **

 

[Sundre]

It is excellent in low light. Probably a bit better than my A9 even (except for tracking), and that's saying a lot.

As for lenses and weight, if I were you, I would consider the Tamron 70-180/2.8. It's about the same size and weight as the new 70-200/4 II, cheaper, brighter, and a very good all-rounder. I like it better than Sony's original 70-200/2.8 GM (the new GM II outperforms it though).

 

[Adam-T]

As for lenses and weight, if I were you, I would consider the Tamron 70-180/2.8. It's about the same size and weight as the new 70-200/4 II, cheaper, brighter, and a very good all-rounder. I like it better than Sony's original 70-200/2.8 GM (the new GM II outperforms it though).

thanks - TBH I use standard zooms more in my job than anything - 70mm with 45-60Mp is usually long enough with an 85 prime for portraits (Hence no F2.8s for the Z7 ) - I`d consider the Tam to replace the Nikon F mount 70-200 F2.8 VR I use in those situations ..