Camera gear discussions

Discussion in 'Photography and Cameras' started by Bill-P, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    MPB is also a decent website for used cameras and lenses.

    With some patience, eBay is still good for grabbing some nice deals. I got a Leica Q and a FujiFilm X-T1 from eBay last year, both of which are satisfactory at a relatively low price. Definitely buying from sellers with top ratings though.
     
  2. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    You could also sign up for Fred Miranda and see what's for sale. Much better deals than the stores. Wouldn't hurt to check it out at least, there's usually a couple Sony cameras listings on there.
     
  3. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    With the Sony A7C bringing a full-frame camera almost down to the size of their A6xx range, is there any real benefit to going for a Sony APS-C other than price? I am coming from an RX100IV, so accessory ecosystem isn't a factor.
     
  4. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    And a question from me, as I'm thinking hard about skipping FF sensors in general and going Fuji's mid format. Anyone would be against that idea?
     
  5. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    I've never owned any of the Fuji bodies but I have shot a loaner GFX50S, and worked with a 645Z, which is the same sensor, a few years ago. I now shoot exclusively Hasselblad (X1D and X1DII). With the latest Fuji bodies I don't think that you are missing out meaningfully on the AF side; if you are even thinking about MF, the AF is good enough for you.

    The files will be a little better, let's say 1 stop of DR for the 50MP sensors, maybe 1.5 for the new 100MP BSI. Whether or not you care about that is going to depend on your shooting style and post processing workflow. At the same time, the lenses are much slower, and the advantage vanishes if you are forced to push the body 1 stop above a FF camera in an equal situation. Color depth and tonality is a different discussion, which is, again, a function of how you choose to work.

    There are some changes to the OOF transition - Ming Thein talks about this in depth in a bunch of articles - and the overall perspective ratio coming from a physically larger sensor, but those are subtle and subjective. But, if you like 4:3, that should be the main consideration.

    Personally, 1/2000 sync makes a much bigger difference than anything Fuji offers on the hardware side, and I much prefer Hasselblad's tethering options and studio functionality. But if you don't do as much strobe work, I think that what Fuji has today is fairly compelling, although I don't think you have to get the 100mp - most of the DR difference is in the physical size of the sensor, not the technology.
     
  6. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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    I can think of only one real reason why to go with something like A6600 instead of A7C - Extra reach with their 200-600 lens.
     
  7. Marvey

    Marvey Super Friend

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    Well, the A7C can still do APS crop mode right? Did the price on the 6400 and 6600 take a nosedive recently?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 9, 2021
  8. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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    Medium formats have never been about shooting speed really. It's about the look of the bigger capture surface (film or sensor), and the extra depth-of-field it provides. If you want to be able to shoot sports, quickly-moving kids, etc., you may be happier with a smaller body that is designed for that.

    That said, the X-T3, X-Pro3, and X-T4 (and the X-E4 I'm sure, since it's newer) are really fast at autofocus, and I think the latest firmwares have improved the AF eye tracking greatly. I saw at least one story where they're faster than the other brands in correct focus lock.

    For medium format, they're working on a global shutter mechanism that will, in theory at least, equalize the speed capability of the capture with the smaller formats. But it takes a lot to read that many pixels at once. And global shutter is probably 3 years out from production still.

    However, with the advances they made with the GFX100S, I myself am waiting for a GFX100R shrunk from the 50R and with the updated speed and capabilities. (I prefer the rangefinder style).
     
  9. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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    Yes, but with crop mode you are not getting the full 24mpx.
    We have quite a few bird photographers in our local photoclub and quite a few of them still run APS-C Canon or Sony exactly for this reason.
     
  10. Marvey

    Marvey Super Friend

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    I'm sure Sony will come up with an A7C with the Alpha 1 sensor in a few years. I'm stuck in the same conundrum. A6400 or Alpha 9. Can't make up my mind. With the Alpha 9, I would need to add a 1.7x to the 200-600 (which is really more like 550). For now, the ancient A6000 works, although the AF is really outdated on it. As for body size, don't really care since it's the lens that is big. The thing that bugs me most about the A6x00 series is no physical dial for exposure compensation.
     
  11. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    If the A6000 AF is sufficient, you can get a 26mp APS-C crop out of an A7R4 without the need for the a TC, and retain the option to work with the full 61mp file.

    I don't think Sony will ever make an APS-C pro sports/birding body. Those cameras made sense when the sensor had high BOM, especially in the APS-H days when you went to 1.3x just to squeeze more chips out a wafer. Now you can get a new FF body for $1,200, and pro bodies give 20mp+ APS-C crops anyways, so there's not a lot of space for a D500/7D to exist.
     
  12. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Thanks, that was helpful. I've asked about Fuji mainly because I've been using their X-T3 and am very happy with image quality in general. I don't do sports, people or anything moving fast, so high shooting speed has no value for me. Audio stuff, landscapes and some macro work on bugs is my primary focus. After switching from Canon's FF (6D) and a bunch of L lenses to Fuji's X-T3 not even once I looked back. That's why I thought that Fuji's MF might be a considerable step up on image quality and processing room.
     
  13. AllanMarcus

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    any thoughts on the iOS for Sony vs Canon for their latest mirrorless cameras? I have an A77 (for about 10 years), Minolta before that. I'm thinking of switching to an A6600 (or its replacement). Also looking at Canon, but Sony is so far ahead right now. One question is the app. I have a GPS in my camera and I like it. I was hoping to use the Sony GPS feature with the app and the 6600. Anyone using that, or other aspects of the apps?
     
  14. Thad E Ginathom

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    The Imagine Edge mobile software leaves most people dissatisfied. One wonders how a company like Sony could do such a bad job! Probably the same department that designed the old menu system (a6600 might be new?) designed the app.

    I guess it mostly works, though. I have rarely used the remote control stuff. If I just want to release the shutter vibration-free, my phone has IR and the app to do that is simple and free. The GPS is not usually much good for me, but when I travel (hah-hah, if that ever happens again!) I'd want it. I'd need to know that, when I want it, it is necessary to to double check that it is working. Because, left to its own devices, it sometimes does and sometimes doesn't.

    I do use it to copy pics to my tablet, so I can check them on the larger screen than the camera. That works ok.

    I use an a6500 and Android mobile devices. I guess the app is the same for iOS.

    I really can't give it a great review. I don't think many people do. I like the cameras, though.
     
  15. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    I finally pulled the trigger on a Sony A7C. First interchangeable lens camera since an entry level Canon T3i APS-C DSLR that I sold about 7 years ago because everything about it felt too big and cumbersome to fit how I like to travel. I had been using an RX100III and IV in the interim and really enjoyed and was impressed by the quality I got out of such a tiny point and shoot. I only have the kit lens, but I am already blown away by this full frame sensor. Shooting doesn't feel too much different so far, and in fact the added size and weight (especially the grip) makes for a more comfortable shoot for my hands. While not pocketable any more, it is still really compact and I think will fit nicely into a really mobile kit (largest lens I am looking at is the 20mm 1.8 G from Sony).

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    @AllanMarcus I am an Android user, but can play around with the app this week to test the gps and connectivity.
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2021
  16. AllanMarcus

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    @fraggler Cool new toy!

    I debated FF for APS-C, and I will likely stick with APS-C because I want lighter. I don't do much low light photography, and that's where full frame really shines.

    Th A7C is a great camera, by all accounts. I'm sure you will be happy.

    RTFM :)
     
  17. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    And even so, ISO up to 1600 is very usable; people even go higher but I don't like noise in skin tones.

    And if and when we buy that e-mount full-frame camera that, for now, we have decided that we don't want or can't afford, even our APS-C lenses will be usable, even though they will illuminate fewer megapixels on the sensor.

    Whilst we may hope to get smaller, lighter, (cheaper? haha!) lenses for APS-C, it is still to our advantage that we can use full-frame glass just fine. Not sure of my lens count now (they seem to breed --- but not without lowering the bank balance) but I think two of them are full-frame.
     
  18. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Just wanted to point out that the A7C is only 6g heavier than the A6600 (1.12 vs 1.11 lbs).

    https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=sony_a7c&products=sony_a6600

    This is the huge bonus for me beyond the other benefits of a full frame sensor camera. Obviously a bit more expensive, but to get full frame in basically the same size as an APS-C (which was already compact) blows my mind. One last thing I will point out is that due to the full frame sensor, you can get away with using less bright, more compact lenses and still get comparable light capturing ability as an APS-C sensor using fancier glass. The A7C really is the camera I have been waiting for and allowed me to consider FF finally.
     
  19. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Some days I don't want buttons. Some days I want more buttons! It is nice to have a choice. I do use the C1 and C2 buttons on the top of my a6500. They are things I want quick right-index-finger access to. They do sometimes get reconfigured, but they are currently Focus Area and Focus Magnify. The A7C only has a video button on top. Whilst that's a much better place for a video button than that awful corner position, it would rob me of buttons I use.

    There is only one AF-on button, too, instead of an AEL/AF button with toggle.

    Each to their own priorities and work methods, of course.
     
  20. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    Damn it! I thought I had decided.
    Well, I retire in two years (or sooner), and I have a big trip to bear country in alaska in 2022 (brooks falls), so I figure I have until about April 2022 to decide :)

    thought in the A7C view finder? Reviews aren’t so kind to it, and being able to see the shot and settings is kind of important.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2021

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