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

Had an amazing time at the Silverstone Festival, absolute car porn. I've posted some threads in the photo sharing section, and of course there's loads on my Flickr but here's a few to wet your appetite ;)

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DSC00872-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

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DSC01703-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

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DSC04692-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

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DSC08212 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

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DSC07152-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

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DSC04085-Edit-2 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

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DSC08561-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

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DSC03518 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
 
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I bought something.

Hadley pro 2020. Isn't it lovely?

P1080719.jpg

I have the small pro and here they are to see the size difference.

P1080722.jpg

I wanted something slightly bigger to take my A7 and A7III both with compact lenses. The small will take them both but with no room for another camera (maybe my TZ100) or lens or drink bottle and snacks.

This 2020 will take both A7's with 24 and 40mm G lenses and has room for the TZ100 or more likely a drink and biscuits.

P1080718.jpg

I have a digital too but I think I've only used it a couple of times. It's my second digital, the first having been "lost" in transit.

Now all I need is to be well enough to go out and hopefully when there's some decent light.
 
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woof woof said:
I bought something.

Hadley pro 2020. Isn't it lovely?

View attachment 432322

I have the small pro and here they are to see the size difference.

View attachment 432323

I wanted something slightly bigger to take my A7 and A7III both with compact lenses. The small will take them both but with no room for another camera (maybe my TZ100) or lens or drink bottle and snacks.

This 2020 will take both A7's with 24 and 40mm G lenses and has room for the TZ100 or more likely a drink and biscuits.

View attachment 432324

I have a digital too but I think I've only used it a couple of times. It's my second digital, the first having been "lost" in transit.

Now all I need is to be well enough to go out and hopefully when there's some decent light.
Click to expand...
That’s a great looking pack, hope your feeling better soon.
Look forward to seeing more of your shots.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
That’s a great looking pack, hope your feeling better soon.
Look forward to seeing more of your shots.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

TBH I'm desperate to get out but also whilst the light here has been nice on a few occasions an hour later it's just reverted to being completely flat and dead. That's what it's like today, no light, no shadow, just urgh and with next to no detail in the sky, just slight variations in white and grey and as I have about a million pictures taken in these conditions I don't see the point in taking any more.

Next time I can get out I'll be taking both my A7's and the 24 and 40mm G's in their new bag :D
 
woof woof said:
Thank you.

TBH I'm desperate to get out but also whilst the light here has been nice on a few occasions an hour later it's just reverted to being completely flat and dead. That's what it's like today, no light, no shadow, just urgh and with next to no detail in the sky, just slight variations in white and grey and as I have about a million pictures taken in these conditions I don't see the point in taking any more.

Next time I can get out I'll be taking both my A7's and the 24 and 40mm G's in their new bag :D
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It’s been very similar here, it’s just blanket cloud and pretty humid today.
I did manage to get out over the weekend and grab some sunrise shots but apart from that it’s been pretty drab too.
Can I ask how you find using the shoulder style bag? I’ve always used a backpack for everything from shopping to photography and find them ideal for carrying the gear but a bit of a nightmare for taking the camera out, swapping lenses etc.
my main concern is the weight being all on the one shoulder/neck if worn cross body.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
It’s been very similar here, it’s just blanket cloud and pretty humid today.
I did manage to get out over the weekend and grab some sunrise shots but apart from that it’s been pretty drab too.
Can I ask how you find using the shoulder style bag? I’ve always used a backpack for everything from shopping to photography and find them ideal for carrying the gear but a bit of a nightmare for taking the camera out, swapping lenses etc.
my main concern is the weight being all on the one shoulder/neck if worn cross body.
Click to expand...
Back in my Billingham days, I used straps that converted the bags into backpacks.
I wear my messenger bag cross ways
 
Another blast from the past: small and friendly puppy confronts gullible human tourist in Mayerhofen, one evening. This was made in deepening twilight, so the sensor was at its limits (Sony R1)

Puppy in Mayrhofen R1_00881.jpg
 
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mstphoto said:
Back in my Billingham days, I used straps that converted the bags into backpacks.
I wear my messenger bag cross ways
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I didn’t realise such straps were available. Many thanks I’m off to have a google, the Billingham packs look to be great quality hence the appeal and if they can be converted to backpacks that would be ideal.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
It’s been very similar here, it’s just blanket cloud and pretty humid today.
I did manage to get out over the weekend and grab some sunrise shots but apart from that it’s been pretty drab too.
Can I ask how you find using the shoulder style bag? I’ve always used a backpack for everything from shopping to photography and find them ideal for carrying the gear but a bit of a nightmare for taking the camera out, swapping lenses etc.
my main concern is the weight being all on the one shoulder/neck if worn cross body.
Click to expand...

There was a time when I almost never carried a bag and when I did take a camera bag it was holster style but as keys and car fobs and mobile phones got too big for a pocket I started to carry a man bag which could take all the shrapnel and phone a camera too. The small pro is good for this and can take a drink and snacks too so an over the shoulder bag has mostly suited me best. I occasionally use a National Trust backpack when I'm taking more food and drink but like you I have to take this off my back to get the camera out and it all gets to be a faff so I do prefer the shoulder bags.

I wear mine across the body too and even this larger 2020 with two cameras in it is ok for me but once loaded up with a drink and snacks it might be a bit much. I'll have to see. One camera plus drinks and snacks will probably be about the same weight as two bodies so should be ok.

Two nice things about the Billingham bags, you can take the inserts out and then it's just a bag and I like that the main compartment doesn't have a zip. I like that in quiet places you don't get that undoing a zip sound when getting your camera out.

Just on Billingham quality. I've used my small in just about any and every weather both here and in the far east and it's pretty much unmarked except for some slight wear on the fastening straps which you can replace anyway. My bags are FibreNyte rather than canvas. The way it was explained to me by a dealer was that the FibreNyte is more resistant to wear but if you want a bag which will eventually look aged go for canvas.
 
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woof woof said:
There was a time when I almost never carried a bag and when I did take a camera bag it was holster style but as keys and car fobs and mobile phones got too big for a pocket I started to carry a man bag which could take all the shrapnel and phone a camera too. The small pro is good for this and can take a drink and snacks too so an over the shoulder bag has mostly suited me best. I occasionally use a National Trust backpack when I'm taking more food and drink but like you I have to take this off my back to get the camera out and it all gets to be a faff so I do prefer the shoulder bags.

I wear mine across the body too and even this larger 2020 with two cameras in it is ok for me but once loaded up with a drink and snacks it might be a bit much. I'll have to see. One camera plus drinks and snacks will probably be about the same weight as two bodies so should be ok.

Two nice things about the Billingham bags, you can take the inserts out and then it's just a bag and I like that the main compartment doesn't have a zip. I like that in quiet places you don't get that undoing a zip sound when getting your camera out.

Just on Billingham quality. I've used my small in just about any and every weather both here and in the far east and it's pretty much unmarked except for some slight wear on the fastening straps which you can replace anyway. My bags are FibreNyte rather than canvas. The way it was explained to me by a dealer was that the FibreNyte is more resistant to wear but if you want a bag which will eventually look aged go for canvas.
Click to expand...
That’s great, thanks for the info.
I have to admit over time I prefer the aged look so will definitely have a look at the canvas ones.
Is the material fairly thick? I have a habit of going through wooded areas etc and would like something that’s resistant to pulls etc if caught on nettles etc.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
That’s great, thanks for the info.
I have to admit over time I prefer the aged look so will definitely have a look at the canvas ones.
Is the material fairly thick? I have a habit of going through wooded areas etc and would like something that’s resistant to pulls etc if caught on nettles etc.
Click to expand...

The material seems pretty tight without any obvious potential for pulls.

PS.
I haven't seen a canvas one but I imagine they'd be smoother than the FibreNyte and so less likely to be snagged?
 
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woof woof said:
The material seems pretty tight without any obvious potential for pulls.

PS.
I haven't seen a canvas one but I imagine they'd be smoother than the FibreNyte and so less likely to be snagged?
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According to Billingham the FibreNyte is harder wearing than the canvas - It took me 10 years to cause a wear through the outer layer on my Hadley Pro - Billingham offered to repair for £35 plus shipping - I chose to leave it as is and bought a new 2020 - I do recommend the shoulder pad if you are going to wear the bag for long periods
 
Mr Perceptive said:
According to Billingham the FibreNyte is harder wearing than the canvas - It took me 10 years to cause a wear through the outer layer on my Hadley Pro - Billingham offered to repair for £35 plus shipping - I chose to leave it as is and bought a new 2020 - I do recommend the shoulder pad if you are going to wear the bag for long periods
Click to expand...

So was yours FibreNyte or canvas?

I was surprised the 2020 didn't come with a shoulder pad but then again why give something away when you charge extra for it? :( They seem to be £36 but I'll have to double check before ordering. I'll see how I get on.

PS.
Which pad did you get?
 
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woof woof said:
So was yours FibreNyte or canvas?

I was surprised the 2020 didn't come with a shoulder pad but then again why give something away when you charge extra for it? :( They seem to be £36 but I'll have to double check before ordering. I'll see how I get on.
Click to expand...
Both mine are FibreNyte - the wear was caused by rubbing against a hard part on my jacket when wearing crossover - I reckon I used it at least 50-80 hours a month so over 10 years that’s quite good amortisation.
 
I contacted Sony with the specific query regarding off camera flash sync with A9iii, Sony trigger and the HVL-F60RM2 and teh ability to use all shutter speeds in TTL as per the on camera performance of this flash. Fairly clear the person on the helpdesk only had a basic understanding of photography. They pointed to two charts that suggested the FA-WRC1M was fully compatible with the HVL-60RM2 and A9III.

Unfortunately, its isn't and only shoots to 1/500 in TTL. (The flash sync speed of the A9ii is defined as 1/500 and 1/80000 in the specs so it may be one of those deliberately deceptive descriptions).You need to be in HSS to access anything beyond 1/500 that so it defeats the purpose of buying it. Technically it may be possible as it syncs fine at all speeds when the flash is in manual. I'll ponder returning it as I was hoping to use it in TTL when the sun is in and out and without TTL I may as well use the Godox in manual
 
f/1.4 said:
The 85 nobody asked for. Meh
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I'm disappointed they haven't released an 85mm f1.2 but I've seen quite a number of people eagerly awaiting this new lens. According to Sony more people are buying the 50mm f1.4 over the 50mm f1.2 and they don't believe an 85mm f1.2 will sell as well as an 85mm f1.4. I personally think there's room fr both, but the original 85mm GM definitely needed and update, and whilst only marginally so the GM II is the best 85mm f1.4 for e-mount now.

Whether there ever will be an f1.2 who knows :thinking:
 
nandbytes said:
Too heavy and big, I'll stick with the my council Samyang 85mm f1.4ii
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I think they should have made it a smidge smaller and lighter than the Sigma, but it's the other way around, it's a smidge larger and heavier. I do think the design of the Sony will be better than the sigma though, the Sigma has a relatively sharp edge that you can catch with your knuckles when holding the grip.

I don't think it was ever going to be as light as the Samyang but it would have been nice if it was.
 
nandbytes said:
Too heavy and big, I'll stick with the my council Samyang 85mm f1.4ii
Click to expand...
I have the old GM and the F1.8 so will likely sell both and get the new lens. I really like the images from the old GM but it is so slow to focus. The new one appears to be similar to the 35, 50, 135 etc so will fit nicely in my stable. Typically when I get a couple of lenses away from completing my line up they bring a new one out which will cost a lot. Still need the 20G, 50 f1.2 and now the new 85GM and I will have all the lenses I could every want from the current line up. Hoping they bring a fisheye out at some point and a line up of tilt shifts
 
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Micro-four-thirds said:
It’s been very similar here, it’s just blanket cloud and pretty humid today.
I did manage to get out over the weekend and grab some sunrise shots but apart from that it’s been pretty drab too.
Can I ask how you find using the shoulder style bag? I’ve always used a backpack for everything from shopping to photography and find them ideal for carrying the gear but a bit of a nightmare for taking the camera out, swapping lenses etc.
my main concern is the weight being all on the one shoulder/neck if worn cross body.
Click to expand...

I use a back pack for proper sunrise/hiking/night sky photography. But have two shoulder bags. The smaller one fits the X100f and my film SLR plus space for a snack and drink and batteries etc The slightly larger one is a Crumpler which is many years old, that'll easily hold the A7Riii with 35GM and the A7 with FE85 plus the film camera if I need to which I use a lot for car stuff where I want quick access to two focal lengths.
 
snerkler said:
I think they should have made it a smidge smaller and lighter than the Sigma, but it's the other way around, it's a smidge larger and heavier. I do think the design of the Sony will be better than the sigma though, the Sigma has a relatively sharp edge that you can catch with your knuckles when holding the grip.

I don't think it was ever going to be as light as the Samyang but it would have been nice if it was.
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Yeah I'm surprised they haven't made it smaller than the Sigma.
I was willing to put up with a bit more weight and bulk for a GM lens but it's fair bit heavier and has a 77mm filter thread. The Samyang has 72mm which matches my 20-70mm and 70-200mm nicely. Just need a simple step ring for 35GM.
 
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wookie6262 said:
I have the old GM and the F1.8 so will likely sell both and get the new lens. I really like the images from the old GM but it is so slow to focus. The new one appears to be similar to the 35, 50, 135 etc so will fit nicely in my stable. Typically when I get a couple of lenses away from completing my line up they bring a new one out which will cost a lot. Still need the 20G, 50 f1.2 and now the new 85GM and I will have all the lenses I could every want from the current line up. Hoping they bring a fisheye out at some point and a line up of tilt shifts
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If you need impeccable AF then I'm sure it'll deliver and then some more.
I don't shoot for money, so even Samyang is bearable.
 
nandbytes said:
If you need impeccable AF then I'm sure it'll deliver and then some more.
I don't shoot for money, so even Samyang is bearable.
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I'd probably be happy with third party for primes if they would do the fps, even 30fps would be fine. The 15fps when you are used to shooting really quickly feels very slow
 
nandbytes said:
Yeah I'm surprised they haven't made it smaller than the Sigma.
I was willing to put up with a bit more weight and bulk for a GM lens but it's fair bit heavier and has a 77mm filter thread. The Samyang has 72mm which matches my 20-70mm and 70-200mm nicely. Just need a simple step ring for 35GM.
Click to expand...
Filter sizes are all over the place for me, 35mm GM is 67mm, 50mm f1.2 GM is 72mm, Sigma 85mm is 77mm as is the 70-200mm f2.8 GM II and 100-400mm GM. I think the 16-35mm ZA is 72mm along with the 20-70mm. Fortunately I only tend to use ND's with the 70-200mm and 100-400mm.
 
wookie6262 said:
I'd probably be happy with third party for primes if they would do the fps, even 30fps would be fine. The 15fps when you are used to shooting really quickly feels very slow
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15fps is more than enough imo, I only tend to use single shot with primes anyway ;)

It's mad these days with FPS, it wasn't that long ago that I was coping more than fine with my D750 shooting 6.5fps and could only dream of 15fps. All of a sudden 15fps isn't enough :oops: :$ :thinking:

15fps is my go to these days (y)
 
I know it'll never happen but ever since going mirrorless I've wanted compact lenses which are good enough rather than aiming towards the front curve of what's possible at their price point. OK the 50mm f1.8 could be an example of being just good enough but as with the 50mm macro the dodgy focus certainly puts me off. One hope for me could be the Chinese but they don't seem to be able to work out that the lens aperture in mm should equal the focal length divided by the aperture value in f stops and in some cases they seem to have locked the QC department in a cupboard.

I do like the small Sony G lenses but they are a bit pricey and only f2.5/f2.8.

The nearest things to my ideal so far are those G's and I suppose the 28mm f2 and 35mm f2.8 and the Voigtlander e mount lenses but of course they're MF and some aren't especially small as in some cases they're still aiming to be very good rather than just being good enough.
 
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