The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

[snerkler]

Would be cool to get it Friday as I’m away for the weekend and could take it with me, but yeah as long as it’s here by Tuesday that would be great.

Tracking now saying Monday, I hope it doesn't get pushed back more than another day

 

[f/2.8]

Loving all the excitement over @snerkler new camera

I miss that new toy excitement.

Can't remember the last time I got excited by a new bit of equipment, been quite a long time. I guess the binman doesn't get excited over a new pair of work gloves either.

 

[woof woof]

Loving all the excitement over @snerkler new camera

I miss that new toy excitement.

Can't remember the last time I got excited by a new bit of equipment, been quite a long time. I guess the binman doesn't get excited over a new pair of work gloves either.

I get excited over cheap lenses coming

I have three Chinese lenses now and I think that's enough. TTArtisan 50mm f2, Syoptic 50mm f1.1 and Pergear 35mm f1.4.

I'm going to look through my film era lenses and decide which I want to keep and I'll try and sell the majority but I expect most will not sell on here and will go to Ffrodes or somewhere. Camera wise, I have no plans to buy a new one

 

[woof woof]

Tracking now saying Monday, I hope it doesn't get pushed back more than another day

Hang in there.... I'm happy for you

 

[ancient_mariner]

I miss that new toy excitement.

It's a problem when you do something for a living. When I started shooting weddings it sucked all the fun out: making prints for the album there was little joy in creating a great picture and much more a desire to hurry up to get the set done. I ran my own science business for 6 years, and getting new kit was exciting for what it might do to help, but not for the pleasure of the results, which were just results.

 

[Mike.P]

I quite liked Thruxton as there's a lot of fence free viewing (at least there was when I went in 2019) and there are parts where you can get really close, i.e. you only need something like a 24-70mm. For example this was shot at 40mm on Olympus so 80mm FF5180281 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

That's handy to know, I can pack the 100-400mm & 24-105mm instead of the 200-600mm

 

[snerkler]

Loving all the excitement over @snerkler new camera

I miss that new toy excitement.

Can't remember the last time I got excited by a new bit of equipment, been quite a long time. I guess the binman doesn't get excited over a new pair of work gloves either.

TBH the A1 was one of those pipe dream cameras, could never really justify the cost but obviously I’m very grateful having it as a present

 

[woof woof]

I've been looking at Jag I Pace's.

Someone stop me.

 

[Mike.P]

TBH the A1 was one of those pipe dream cameras, could never really justify the cost but obviously I’m very grateful having it as a present

TBH I think I'm lucky just not being served divorce papers every wedding anniversary.

 

[ancient_mariner]

I've been looking at Jag I Pace's.

Someone stop me.

Stop!

There you go.

 

[woof woof]

Stop!

There you go.

Mrs WW started it as one parked next to us on Tuesday and she recognised it as being the same as the one which was on display in Singapore airport when we were there. I think I'll be able to resist and keep what I have for now though.

Shiny.

 

[Mr Perceptive]

Mrs WW started it as one parked next to us on Tuesday and she recognised it as being the same as the one which was on display in Singapore airport when we were there. I think I'll be able to resist and keep what I have for now though.

Shiny.

View attachment 384630

Proposed reduction in Jaguar dealers should help keep the moths intact.... https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/exclusive-jaguar-set-to-slash-number-of-uk-dealers-to-under-20-in-just-two-years/281052#:~:text=British car manufacturer Jaguar is,to an all-electric future.

 

[woof woof]

Proposed reduction in Jaguar dealers should help keep the moths intact.... https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/exclusive-jaguar-set-to-slash-number-of-uk-dealers-to-under-20-in-just-two-years/281052#:~:text=British car manufacturer Jaguar is,to an all-electric future.

It's one thing to buy a car on line and have it delivered (people would do that for a car costing £100k? Really?) and another to have it serviced or fixed. It's hard enough to get the Evoque booked in for anything at the moment and long distance journeys to get a car fixed or serviced are a PITA and potentially expensive in themselves so I'll wait and see and if the nearest Jag dealer is Newcastle and the closest I can get it serviced is Durham the answer is simple. Buy from a manufacturer who has a local dealer.

As in the article, makers having their own dealerships has failed before so time will tell.

 

[f/2.8]

I've been looking at Jag I Pace's.

Someone stop me.

They aren’t very good if that helps

 

[f/2.8]

It's a problem when you do something for a living. When I started shooting weddings it sucked all the fun out: making prints for the album there was little joy in creating a great picture and much more a desire to hurry up to get the set done. I ran my own science business for 6 years, and getting new kit was exciting for what it might do to help, but not for the pleasure of the results, which were just results.

I am going to a workshop ran by Jason Lanier on Monday that might be fun, something different anyway.

 

[snerkler]

I am going to a workshop ran by Jason Lanier on Monday that might be fun, something different anyway.

I thought he was still in hiding

 

[f/2.8]

I thought he was still in hiding

He is on a bit of a European tour at the moment. He has been here, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and now back here again on Monday.

Not sure how that all ended up all seemed to disappear.

 

[snerkler]

He is on a bit of a European tour at the moment. He has been here, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and now back here again on Monday.

Not sure how that all ended up all seemed to disappear.

Yeah it was all a bit bizarre, and a bit creepy

 

[f/2.8]

Yeah it was all a bit bizarre, and a bit creepy

When he was last here a few weeks back a model I know worked with him for a couple of days and absolutely raves about him.

Thing is nobody other than him and the people involved know what really happened. I know a few “proper creepy photographers” and he doesn’t seem like them to me.

There seemed to be a lot of evidence at the time so it’s weird it all just seemed to go away.

Can’t exactly ask him what happened on Monday

 

[wookie6262]

I get excited over cheap lenses coming

I have three Chinese lenses now and I think that's enough. TTArtisan 50mm f2, Syoptic 50mm f1.1 and Pergear 35mm f1.4.

I'm going to look through my film era lenses and decide which I want to keep and I'll try and sell the majority but I expect most will not sell on here and will go to Ffrodes or somewhere. Camera wise, I have no plans to buy a new one

Any old 20mm lenses. I'm looking for one for my remote camera

 

[imattersuk]

When he was last here a few weeks back a model I know worked with him for a couple of days and absolutely raves about him.

Thing is nobody other than him and the people involved know what really happened. I know a few “proper creepy photographers” and he doesn’t seem like them to me.

There seemed to be a lot of evidence at the time so it’s weird it all just seemed to go away.

Can’t exactly ask him what happened on Monday

Nick his hat and post a selfie on here of you wearing it

 

[imattersuk]

Goodbye Sigma 20mm f1.4 and Sony 35mm f1.4 GM........hello Sony 12-24 f2.8 GM

Just wasn't using them tbh, got everything covered from 12-200 now, next up will be a 50mm f1.2GM but not for a while.

I blame @snerkler for making me feel left out of the GAS race.

 

[woof woof]

They aren’t very good if that helps

Other people may disagree.

I'm a member of a car forum and have had feedback from there.

 

[James J]

There's a chance my A1, 600mm F4 and 1.4x TC will all turn up on Saturday. Sony sent the lens out on Wednesday so, all being well, should turn up at the shop tomorrow to then be joined with the camera to make its way here. Clifton cameras will upgrade the delivery for Saturday or Sunday for me for free which I thought was nice! The excitement is real, as is the bank account damage lol

 

[ancient_mariner]

Other people may disagree.

I'm a member of a car forum and have had feedback from there.

No-one will admit while they own it that the car sucks, just in case they want to sell it on the forum. Also nobody wants to look a fool for buying an obvious lemon.

They may well drive nicely, but reliability is always going to be questionable and maintenance expensive.

 

[snerkler]

There's a chance my A1, 600mm F4 and 1.4x TC will all turn up on Saturday. Sony sent the lens out on Wednesday so, all being well, should turn up at the shop tomorrow to then be joined with the camera to make its way here. Clifton cameras will upgrade the delivery for Saturday or Sunday for me for free which I thought was nice! The excitement is real, as is the bank account damage lol

Nice, I think that’s the least they can do after nearly spending £20k at their store

Mine’s still saying Monday delivery

 

[f/2.8]

Other people may disagree.

I'm a member of a car forum and have had feedback from there.

My cousin works for Jaquar. He hates these.

 

[snerkler]

My cousin works for Jaquar. He hates these.

I know people that really like them. Despite JLR’s poor reliability they are still desirable cars.

 

[lekhangaroo]

Goodbye Sigma 20mm f1.4 and Sony 35mm f1.4 GM........hello Sony 12-24 f2.8 GM

Just wasn't using them tbh, got everything covered from 12-200 now, next up will be a 50mm f1.2GM but not for a while.

I blame @snerkler for making me feel left out of the GAS race.

Are you selling your Sony 35mm f1.4 GM?

 

[imattersuk]

Are you selling your Sony 35mm f1.4 GM?

Nope it was traded in today sorry.

You could try posting in the wanted section.

 

[lekhangaroo]

Nope it was traded in today sorry.

You could try posting in the wanted section.

Will do. I'm in no rush though - I have just tested it inside the shop today and quite liked it.

 

[James J]

Nice, I think that’s the least they can do after nearly spending £20k at their store

Mine’s still saying Monday delivery

it'll be interesting to see which firmware they are preloaded with! 1.31 is the latest right?

 

[woof woof]

I know people that really like them. Despite JLR’s poor reliability they are still desirable cars.

No-one will admit while they own it that the car sucks, just in case they want to sell it on the forum. Also nobody wants to look a fool for buying an obvious lemon.

They may well drive nicely, but reliability is always going to be questionable and maintenance expensive.

My cousin works for Jaquar. He hates these.

Maybe he's in the wrong job.

When I first mentioned getting a LR or another Jag on this forum some said they were unreliable and pointed me at BMW's and Audi's which by a happy coincidence make some of the few cars that were less reliable than JLR products at the time I checked them out in the usual quality and reliability surveys. Maybe that goes to show it's a mixture of pot luck and ownership issues. As to what people will tell me, I'm willing to trust the feedback and advice I've had on another forum as I've been on that forum on and off for knocking on 20 years or more and they don't tend to sugar coat anything.

I'm fully aware that this type of vehicle from a UK or European maker isn't going to be as reliable as a Nissan hatchback or whatever tops the surveys these days and I bought my current Evoque with my eyes wide open. I didn't know if I'd like it so I tested the water with a used one to lessen the financial pain if it all went wrong but touch wood and fingers crossed and so far... I love it Life is short and I'm not too worried about hitting any problems as I have other cars if one conks and I have owned a Jag before and a coupe of Lotus's which are meant to be amongst life's worst and I did over 100k miles in one of them.

Anyway. It's just something I might get.

PS.
Just checked the JD Power and the Evoque comes in at No.53 but I'm not sure what version that is, beating amongst others various BMW and Audi models and the Qashqai. That did surprise me. Rock bottom at No.75 is the Golf. Hmmm. Jag F Pace at No.19 beating every BMW, Merc and Audi. I Pace not listed, maybe they don't sell enough.

 

[justpix]

Hi, excuse me for barging in here with a pic taken on a bus ride in Switzerland with my 10-year-old A7 and the SZ 2,8/35. I use the A7 as my pocket-camera daily ... -- :

 

[snerkler]

it'll be interesting to see which firmware they are preloaded with! 1.31 is the latest right?

Yep 1.31 is the latest, it was introduced in September so it should have the latest firmware I'd have thought unless they have 6 month old stock

 

[snerkler]

Maybe he's in the wrong job.

When I first mentioned getting a LR or another Jag on this forum some said they were unreliable and pointed me at BMW's and Audi's which by a happy coincidence make some of the few cars that were less reliable than JLR products at the time I checked them out in the usual quality and reliability surveys. Maybe that goes to show it's a mixture of pot luck and ownership issues. As to what people will tell me, I'm willing to trust the feedback and advice I've had on another forum as I've been on that forum on and off for knocking on 20 years or more and they don't tend to sugar coat anything.

I'm fully aware that this type of vehicle from a UK or European maker isn't going to be as reliable as a Nissan hatchback or whatever tops the surveys these days and I bought my current Evoque with my eyes wide open. I didn't know if I'd like it so I tested the water with a used one to lessen the financial pain if it all went wrong but touch wood and fingers crossed and so far... I love it Life is short and I'm not too worried about hitting any problems as I have other cars if one conks and I have owned a Jag before and a coupe of Lotus's which are meant to be amongst life's worst and I did over 100k miles in one of them.

Anyway. It's just something I might get.

PS.
Just checked the JD Power and the Evoque comes in at No.53 but I'm not sure what version that is, beating amongst others various BMW and Audi models and the Qashqai. That did surprise me. Rock bottom at No.75 is the Golf. Hmmm. Jag F Pace at No.19 beating every BMW, Merc and Audi. I Pace not listed, maybe they don't sell enough.

I have a number of mechanics on my books and they all say that JLR are bad for reliability, however it's only little niggly faults rather than major ones. This is backed up by the fact that I have someone on my books that owns a recovery company and they say that the number of JLR cars they have to recover is no more than any other, and he himself drives a Range Rover.

As you say though it is luck of the draw, my wife's Evoque has had 4 issues in 3 years whereas my brother had an Evoque for 5 years and never had a single issue. I had a Freelander 2 some years back and it was flawless, but then I had an M3 that had 12 faults in the first 3 months and I ended up giving it them back.

For this reason I never run a car without a comprehensive warranty, no manufacturer is immune to issues, for me it's a case of choose the car that you like best and suits your needs. If I won the lottery you can bet your bottom dollar that my first trip would be straight down to the Range Rover dealership.

 

[f/2.8]

Maybe he's in the wrong job.

He is in the wrong job because a car you like, he thinks is the one of the worst they have ever made.

Will message him here and tell him to hand his notice in this morning am sure he won't mind, he has only been working for them for about 25 years or so.

 

[f/2.8]

I have a number of mechanics on my books and they all say that JLR are bad for reliability, however it's only little niggly faults rather than major ones. This is backed up by the fact that I have someone on my books that owns a recovery company and they say that the number of JLR cars they have to recover is now more than any other, and he himself drives a Range Rover.

As you say though it is luck of the draw, my wife's Evoque has had 4 issues in 3 years whereas my brother had an Evoque for 5 years and never had a single issue. I had a Freelander 2 some years back and it was flawless, but then I had an M3 that had 12 faults in the first 3 months and I ended up giving it them back.

For this reason I never run a car without a comprehensive warranty, no manufacturer is immune to issues, for me it's a case of choose the car that you like best and suits your needs. If I won the lottery you can bet your bottom dollar that my first trip would be straight down to the Range Rover dealership.

Even niggly things on these motors are generally expensive fixes. With Range rovers its usually the suspension especially any of them that have the air suspension. Often lots of niggly faults with that, and while only niggly faults they are ridiculously expensive to repair. With the girly range rovers like the evoque they also have suspension problems but also have lots of issues with the clutch and gear box, electric gremlins etc. Like with anything else you could fall lucky, my wee bro had one for a while and it was spot on. His missus had one too and had to get rid after 6 months. They bought it back of her in the end as it had so many issues.

The other issue with all JLR cars is that mechanics hate them and a lot of independents won't touch them at all. They are a bit of a pita to work on, but that's not a new thing.

B.M.W are shocking in terms of reliability as well. Audi are okay as long as you keep up the service routine for things like the Haldex etc. The advantage with Audi is that because they share a platform with V,W, Skoda, Seat etc. that service costs are pretty reasonable. There are loads of very good independent specialists so you don't even need to go to the dealers, the independents can even update the electronic service record..

My wee bro recently got rid of his Lambo for an Audi R8. Service for the Lambo was around £1500-2000, the R8 has the same engine, service for it is under £300.

 

[Jase]

Is there any update on when the A1 will get a firmware update? I keep looking in hope but the rumours seem to have dried up

 

[snerkler]

He is in the wrong job because a car you like, he thinks is the one of the worst they have ever made.

Will message him here and tell him to hand his notice in this morning am sure he won't mind, he has only been working for them for about 25 years or so.

To be fair whilst your mate might have a personal dislike for them (which he's more than entitled to have) the vast majority or reviews (and all of what I'd call my trusted reviews) rate it as 8/10 or higher so I'd say that it's got to be pretty good. I also know a very smitten owner. We will of course all hear different things and have our own trusted resources, but of there's nothing at all that would put me off buying one.

Even niggly things on these motors are generally expensive fixes. With Range rovers its usually the suspension especially any of them that have the air suspension. Often lots of niggly faults with that, and while only niggly faults they are ridiculously expensive to repair. With the girly range rovers like the evoque they also have suspension problems but also have lots of issues with the clutch and gear box, electric gremlins etc. Like with anything else you could fall lucky, my wee bro had one for a while and it was spot on. His missus had one too and had to get rid after 6 months. They bought it back of her in the end as it had so many issues.

The other issue with all JLR cars is that mechanics hate them and a lot of independents won't touch them at all. They are a bit of a pita to work on, but that's not a new thing.

B.M.W are shocking in terms of reliability as well. Audi are okay as long as you keep up the service routine for things like the Haldex etc. The advantage with Audi is that because they share a platform with V,W, Skoda, Seat etc. that service costs are pretty reasonable. There are loads of very good independent specialists so you don't even need to go to the dealers, the independents can even update the electronic service record..

My wee bro recently got rid of his Lambo for an Audi R8. Service for the Lambo was around £1500-2000, the R8 has the same engine, service for it is under £300.

Air suspension faults don't appear to be as bad these days, the older models for sure. It's clearly different where you are because I don't know a single indy that won't touch a JLR vehicle, the only thing is the big daddy one is supposedly a pain as you have to lift the whole body off to work on certain parts. Except for the V8's the maintenance and running costs of the RRS, Velars and Discos I've been considering are no worse than my X5.

All this being said, as per my previous post I don't run any of my cars without warranty in case they need a major fix.