New Sony A7R Mark II

[TheRainMaker]

Not sure about wobble, but I have a A7, A7s and a A6000, the lenses rotate about the same as the Nikon D800 and D810 (less than a mm)

Also not had any sony kit go south yet either

[LastLight]

Thanks. Maybe not the cause then. Hope it doesn't take long to get it back.

[fido]

I've just sold my M9 to fund a Sony A7RII - but some of these comments are making me wonder if I should hold off until they have fixed any issues. Is anyone happy with using this camera to mount M-lenses? Not expecting it to be perfect and mostly for use with a 90mm f/2.

[V8A*ndy]

I was about to buy also but the overheating stories when recording video is putting me right off.

Think i'll pass for now.

[Andy M]

It's a wonderful camera - a lot better than my Leica M9 - you shouldn't worry.

[LastLight]

fido said:

I've just sold my M9 to fund a Sony A7RII - but some of these comments are making me wonder if I should hold off until they have fixed any issues. Is anyone happy with using this camera to mount M-lenses? Not expecting it to be perfect and mostly for use with a 90mm f/2.

Well, apart from mine seeming to be suspect - soon to be checked - I've used the 90mm Summicron lens and the 16, 18, 21mm WATE with no problems (fewer than with Sony's own!) with a Novoflex adaptor.

My R fit macro worked fine too, but a 180mm f4 vignetted uite badly which might have been a different adaptor's fault?

[fido]

Andy M said:

It's a wonderful camera - a lot better than my Leica M9 - you shouldn't worry.

I loved the M9, especially the pictures, but it was looking so old (terrible LCD and low ISO) against my M that it had to go. I recently sold a Summilux to someone with a new A7R and was impressed by how small it is - with the Metabones adapter and a Summilux. Hoping the 5-axis IS will improve my handheld pictures.

LastLight said:

Well, apart from mine seeming to be suspect - soon to be checked - I've used the 90mm Summicron lens and the 16, 18, 21mm WATE with no problems (fewer than with Sony's own!) with a Novoflex adaptor.

Good to hear. I've ordered a Metabones - noticed that many reviews were based on use of this adapter.

[LastLight]

The Voigtlander close focus adaptor is meant to be good too. Not sure if it focuses to infinity (unlike my Leica M close focus adaptor) but think it does from what I read. I had Metabones for Canon fit lenses on the A7ii which worked okay other than af performance (Sigma Art 50mm f1.4... okish) and zooms (less good), but the Smart Adaptor IV raved over is equally crap with the 300mm EF prime on the 7Rii, though that seems to be my dodgy camera body? Time will tell!

[jamesbilluk]

fido said:

Good to hear. I've ordered a Metabones - noticed that many reviews were based on use of this adapter.

Brilliant adaptor, They've just released a new firmware update for the metabones for the A7RII as well,
With my canon lens it focus's amazingly quickly!

[LastLight]

An update to the af issue I thought I had. The troublesome lens was checked and had a sound bill of health, the camera body was checked and given a sound bill of health, and the user was checked and... slapped, again! Wrong settings and incompetence caused the issues, not the machinery, doh...

Sadly, the lens and the 16 to 35mm have now been sold after a 'review' of my bank balance and house purchase plans so the only lens I have for it is a Leica M fit Zeiss Sonnar 50mm and a Leica to Nex adaptor. More has to go, so soon I may be crawling around with a shoe box and tissue paper. At least I like 'obscura' (Awful Puns r Us) images. Happy days.

[fido]

LastLight said:

Leica M fit Zeiss Sonnar 50mm

How does this compare to the Leica 50mm? I've started using my 10 year old Summicron-M again and wowed by its size and performance. I haven't yet pulled the trigger on the A7RII as the A7SII is looking more attractive as a second camera (to the M).

[LastLight]

fido said:

LastLight said:

Leica M fit Zeiss Sonnar 50mm

How does this compare to the Leica 50mm? I've started using my 10 year old Summicron-M again and wowed by its size and performance. I haven't yet pulled the trigger on the A7RII as the A7SII is looking more attractive as a second camera (to the M).

I had the 50mm f0.95 'Noctilux' and have had Summicrons in different focal lengths so appreciate just how sharp they are. The sale of the Noctilux was misery making, but the Zeiss is a fantastic substitute. Really sharp once stopped down a couple of stops and with a fantastic bokeh. I especially love it used with the Leica close Focus Adaptor-M ( sort of an adjustable extension ring ) and can get incredibly narrow depth of focus and yet real sharpness on the bit I want in.

The focus shifting people mention isn't an issue with the Sony's EVF either. It's not the most useful/used lens I have, but it is now my favourite and at a fraction of the price of a secondhand Leica. Probably the one lens I'd never sell, which with my history is saying something. If I had to go back to one camera and one lens and cost was an issue this would be the lens.

As for the 7SII v RII the extra resolution of the 7R over the M (or A7S) might be worth taking into account, either if you ever want bigger prints, but for me, especially, if you want to crop. It's amazing how much clutter that might have been unavoidable on taking can be got rid of and yet still have a very detailed and sharp image. Dynamic range and cleanliness of files is great too. I haven't done any astrophotography so to sure how much advantage the S would give but I suspect the resolution might sometimes worry me?

BTW - is your M the digital M(240?) or a film mode? I haven't had the film delivered yet but managed to get an absolutely as new M4 ( with the M6 viewfinder set up, a late build cross over model) a couple of weeks ago. Reminds me what a thing of beauty a Leica is, to my eyes, and how much I miss the Monochrom.

[fido]

LastLight said:

BTW - is your M the digital M(240?) or a film mode? I haven't had the film delivered yet but managed to get an absolutely as new M4 ( with the M6 viewfinder set up, a late build cross over model) a couple of weeks ago. Reminds me what a thing of beauty a Leica is, to my eyes, and how much I miss the Monochrom.

Type 240. Haven't tried a f/0.95 but suspect it would be very hard to get rid of. I have the last edition 50mm f/1.0 and it's a keeper (for me anyway).
Agree that 12MP is a tad too low in resolution if you want to crop heavily - but it makes an interesting alternative for high ISOs way beyond what the M can cope with.

[LastLight]

fido said:

LastLight said:

BTW - is your M the digital M(240?) or a film mode? I haven't had the film delivered yet but managed to get an absolutely as new M4 ( with the M6 viewfinder set up, a late build cross over model) a couple of weeks ago. Reminds me what a thing of beauty a Leica is, to my eyes, and how much I miss the Monochrom.

Type 240. Haven't tried a f/0.95 but suspect it would be very hard to get rid of. I have the last edition 50mm f/1.0 and it's a keeper (for me anyway).
Agree that 12MP is a tad too low in resolution if you want to crop heavily - but it makes an interesting alternative for high ISOs way beyond what the M can cope with.

I very nearly went for a M240 instead of the Sony. Objectively the Sony is the "better' camera, but I'd enjoy owning and using the M more. Boys' toys etc.

If you have the 50mm f1 do you think the Zeiss would be a bit redundant? Maybe add a wider or longer lens?

[fido]

LastLight said:

If you have the 50mm f1 do you think the Zeiss would be a bit redundant? Maybe add a wider or longer lens?

I have the 24-50-90 - just wanted a 'better' 50 and the Noctilux (as you will know) is so damn heavy hence keeping the Summicron-M as the main (lighter and sharper) 50. Guess you're right, and I should just try to take better pictures with what I have ..
M240 - it's grown on me - didn't like it at first (heavier than the M9, cluttered menu albeit simpler than any Sony) but using/owning it is unquantifiable pleasure. Anyway, I digress from what is supposed to be a thread about the A7RII!

[LastLight]

fido said:

LastLight said:

If you have the 50mm f1 do you think the Zeiss would be a bit redundant? Maybe add a wider or longer lens?

I have the 24-50-90 - just wanted a 'better' 50 and the Noctilux (as you will know) is so damn heavy hence keeping the Summicron-M as the main (lighter and sharper) 50. Guess you're right, and I should just try to take better pictures with what I have ..
M240 - it's grown on me - didn't like it at first (heavier than the M9, cluttered menu albeit simpler than any Sony) but using/owning it is unquantifiable pleasure. Anyway, I digress from what is supposed to be a thread about the A7RII!

Maybe a digression, but the wondering was down to my recent (well, on-off!) decision to sell the A7RII. I sold both native lenses so only have the Zeiss and having bought a Canon 5DS can't sensibly justify owning both. I find the Sony better re. exposure (fewer over-blown images than on the Canon, easier to adjust - for me - and easier to see what is likely to occur in the EVF/rear screen) so I get fewer wasted pictures, but I find the Canon easier to compose and focus with. The Sony's viewfinder is better than the A7II I had, but coming from SLRs and large format gear I just find the optical viewfinder of the Canon suits me better, which might be down to my dodgy eyesight.

The clincher is the lenses I had though, as I have everything from 24mm to 600mm covered on the Canon. So many in fact that I'm about to advertise a 300mm L and 70-200mm L zoom that are duplicated by others.

I was tempted to ask, if you were thinking of a 7RII if you'd be interested in trade with the M240?

[fido]

LastLight said:

I find the Canon easier to compose and focus with.

Actually I think you may have hit on another reason I like the M240 so much - it's a mirrorless with an optical viewfinder. Even with the 24mm, I use the viewfinder [focus] but then use the Live view to get the edges right [compose]. No I won't be swapping my M240 (unless it's for an M250 or whatever they call it!). I may have made the same mental decision when I bought it - you either want a Leica or not.

Edited by fido on Tuesday 20th October 14:37

[LastLight]

fido said:

LastLight said:

I find the Canon easier to compose and focus with.

Actually I think you may have hit on another reason I like the M240 so much - it's a mirrorless with an optical viewfinder. Even with the 24mm, I use the viewfinder [focus] but then use the Live view to get the edges right [compose]. No I won't be swapping my M240 (unless it's for an M250 or whatever they call it!). I may have made the same mental decision when I bought it - you either want a Leica or not.

Edited by fido on Tuesday 20th October 14:37

Fair enough! It was a long shot. There is something about Leicas that makes it hard to let go. I'm interested to see what they reveal - supposedly today - and whether it's the teased mirrorless/DSLR camera or a new M. I just hope they don't drop the optical rangefinder.

ETA - seems like the news has leaked - an uglified Sony A7 type competitor with the T mount bayonet, 24mp and only 10,000 Euros with a zoom. What is it they say... meh?

http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/look-here-first-im...

Edited by LastLight on Tuesday 20th October 15:45

[fido]

LastLight said:

ETA - seems like the news has leaked - an uglified Sony A7 type competitor with the T mount bayonet, 24mp and only 10,000 Euros with a zoom. What is it they say... meh?

Sort of makes sense after the Leica Q (similar to RX1?) - but at £7.3K - yeah the Sony A7RII is fantastic value in comparison. The EVF on the Q is very good though (might suit you).

[LastLight]

Don't tempt me! Can't tell you how many reviews I read and the want bumps they caused. The new Sony RX is getting rave reviews too.