@Sony A7R II and @trend on Kijiji/Craigslist

sleipnir

Is this camera really as good as the hype?
Ive noticed many many photographers are selling there entire lens and bodies collections all because they are switching to Sony.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with one? or wait on d5?

haroldp

I use an A7II with Leica lenses. Same as A7RII except 24 mp.
If Sony had native FE mount lenses worth having, this would be a killer.

Great finder
fast
sensor based VR
sensor based PD autofocus
manual focus assist
Small / Light (compared to D810
good controls

Without a lens library it is of limited use.

... H

PB_PM

A Nikon user forum might not be the best place to ask, you know since most of use tend to use Nikon products. Personally I avoid Sony products like the plague (image sensors aside).

haroldp

Like most on this site, I primarily use Nikon equipment, but I do use other brands when they are a fit to the mission.

I have been helped by other members on issues photographic, not specific to Nikon, and I do not have a problem with members benefiting from the experience of other members of this forum, as long as the issue is somehow related to photography.

Regards ... H

starralazn

@haroldp
no lenses worth getting in FE mount? the 25mm batis, 35mm 2.8m, 55mm 1.8 seem interesting? imean if you don't want to manual focus they seem like decent choices... (although the batis and 55mm are rather large)

@sleipnir
i've used it at the store but somehow i still like the process of using the d800 95% of the time

safyre

One of my friends is a Canon rep. Even though she's been using Canon for years, the moment she was ready for full frame, she immediately jumped ship to Sony and got an A7II. I don't own one myself and can't explain from experiences, but I do know that the advantages you gain from having a smaller and lighter body are tremendous.

haroldp

@haroldp
no lenses worth getting in FE mount? the 25mm batis, 35mm 2.8m, 55mm 1.8 seem interesting? imean if you don't want to manual focus they seem like decent choices... (although the batis and 55mm are rather large)

@sleipnir
i've used it at the store but somehow i still like the process of using the d800 95% of the time

I exaggerate for effect, but:

The Zeiss Batis is a 25mm F2 for $ 1,300 and is not yet available.
35 2.8 nd 55 1.8 are ok but slow and barely represent a full range.
The rest of the Sony (and Zeiss for FE mount) lenses are mediocre (not as good as their Canikon counterparts) and more expensive.
The new 90 2.8 macro is excellent, and sensor based focus is ideal for macro, but that is one lens.
No fast wides
No super tele's

The president of Sigma has said they will produce for FE mount but is not yet producing. That will help a lot.

This is a pretty weak lineup to lure Nikon or Canon users away.

and I really like the A7II body, it is the best mirrorless implementation to date.

Any pro with a full range business announcing he (or she) is switching to Sony has to have a Nikon or Canon kit in the closet for special occasions, or Sony is paying them enough to give up those shoots.

.. H

heartyfisher

I have been saying the mirrorless era is on the way for a long time .. I now believe the mirrorless era is here !! The A7RII ...

But I will be waiting for Nikon's version.. I expect it to arrive within 3 years .. The end of the Fmount is neigh.. Death of the Nikon FX !!

haroldp

Nikon mirrorless does not mean the nd of the F mount or FX since Nikon would be smart to make their mirrorless FX format (like Sony) an to provide full F mount (backward lens) functionality with adapters.
If they are really smart they will have the new moun lenses come with adapters that can be removed to fit on F mount.

Otherwise they create what marketers call a 'discontinuity' which invites customers to change brand.

.... H

spraynpray

Some members in my club have changed (previously Canon owners) but the are all using adaptors to keep their lens systems.

I read that it has a back illuminated sensor @-) if that is the case, they should be stunning for night photography and if that turns out to be the case, I may join them and to do that I would flog my D750.

haroldp

There is an adapter that lets Sony use Canon lenses with autofocus. There is not one for Nikin.
I do not know if there is a technical reason for this. It may involve a pellicle miror such as used for their A system adapters.

... H

TriShooter

My passion for using the Carl Zeiss 135mm ZF.2 came from shooting with David LaRochelle, a portrait photographer here in Atlanta. David uses the Zeiss 135mm lens a lot, and does beautiful work with it. Keep in mind that David could shoot with a pocket camera, and produce superb portraits of people.

David's work illustrates the Sony system is very capable in the right hands.

David LaRochelle

haroldp

There is no question that the Sony system is capable, I use an A7II (with Leica lenses) for architectural and really like it.. We also know that cameras do not take photo's, photographers do.

Portrait work is ideal for manual focus, as is architectural or landscape.

That being said, the entire Sony system cannot yet replace Nikon or Canon for the full range of needs.

For example:

Long fast tele's for sports, wildlife, theater etc.
Adapted 'A' mount lenses focus slowly and lose 1/3 of the light in a pellicle mirror.
Adapted (to FE) Canon lenses are reported to autofocus slightly slower.
Long fast native FE mount tele's do not exist.
fast (F2.8) zooms in native FE mount do not exist.

Fast AF primes are in limited supply.

Support for Multi light TTL flash systems is not there, which I rely on for weddings.

These systems wtll come with time, and if Nikon / Canon are asleep at the switch, Sony will eat their lunch, but as much as I like my Sony, if I could only have one brand today for all of my needs, it would still be Nikon. Next year, who knows?.

... H

kanuck

Yes very popular just visit the stevehuffphoto blog he loves Sony now. I played with an A7 at a wedding and have to admit it was a joy to handle. Why not try one out?