Any news on Sony A7R II?

[3kramd5]

You have to turn the lens to MF to allow focus magnification with an adapted lens. If you try it with AF switched on it will give some message about being unsupported or something like that.

I can't quite remember since I didn't use the A7R much. Thought it was C1 to toggle various zoom levels, but you may be right about disabling AF first. My A7Rii should arrive in two days, so I'll try on the new platform.

Please let me know how it goes. Also which adapter do you have?

Will do. Metabones mk IV.

 

[3kramd5]

Did I order one: yes
Have I received it yet: no. However my order status (bhphoto) shows it as in stock with my order sent to the warehouse, so I assume I'll receive it this week.

Wow. So exciting! I hope that I won't be too far behind. Enjoy playing with your new toy.

Thanks.

"Say hello to my little friend!"

Just check my order through BH, the status has changed from on Pre-order to....

crossing my fingers to receive my new toy this week

Have you been charged yet? I have not, and in my experience BH charges the night before they ship. Makes me wonder.

Yes, my american express was charged

Me too, three hours ago. Hoping for amazing skies tomorrow night Enjoy!

 

[Dylan777]

Did I order one: yes
Have I received it yet: no. However my order status (bhphoto) shows it as in stock with my order sent to the warehouse, so I assume I'll receive it this week.

Wow. So exciting! I hope that I won't be too far behind. Enjoy playing with your new toy.

Thanks.

"Say hello to my little friend!"

Just check my order through BH, the status has changed from on Pre-order to....

crossing my fingers to receive my new toy this week

Have you been charged yet? I have not, and in my experience BH charges the night before they ship. Makes me wonder.

Yes, my american express was charged

Me too, three hours ago. Hoping for amazing skies tomorrow night Enjoy!

I selected FREE shipping, so my won't arrive until end of the week. Maybe next Monday.

 

[3kramd5]

Me too, three hours ago. Hoping for amazing skies tomorrow night Enjoy!

I selected FREE shipping, so my won't arrive until end of the week. Maybe next Monday.

I figured 30 bucks is in the noise relative to the camera, so why wait

 

[psolberg]

Yet another push test, comparing the A7R, A7R2, and 5DSR.
http://www.onlandscape.co.uk/2015/08/sony-a7rii-compared-with-sony-a7r-and-canon-5dsr/

I'm not quite sure what to make of it. Methodology, as I understand it:
(1) use rawdigger to examine histogram. Set equal ISO and apertures, vary shutter speed to ETTR.
(2) use shutter speed to back off from ETTR by 6 stops.
(3) lift exposure and shadows back up.

A cursory glance suggests the A7R2 trounces both, but if you inspect the EXIF you'll note that the A7R2 image had more than twice the exposure (1/1000s vs 1/2500s), yet the brightness is not significantly different.

My first thought is that the ISO rating on the A7R2 is out of bed, hence requiring twice the exposure time. If so, I wonder if that difference exists throughout the entire ISO range (such that for example 25600 on the 2 is equivalent to 12800 on the A7R, etc).

manufacturer's ISO's never agree. we've seen this time and time again from endless comparisons. I recall the 5DMKIII consistently "overstating" the ISO it was shooting at vs the D800 meaning that what to my eyes looked like the same exposure was almost a stop higher in ISO "branding" for canon. I'm not sure if this is intentional (it would make canon look better to tell you that your ISO 800 is labeled as 1600) but I just dismissed it as differences in how they measure things. Ultimately I doubt anybody has the equipment required to really measure each camera against a standardized target using a sensor not made by either company that is know to be accurate.

To really grasp the differences in DR and the problems canon has with shadows, one simply needs to shoot both for an extended period of time as I have. Then you realize the sony/nikon sensors always push the shadows beyond your expectations, while the canon sensors choke with noise and bands.

These comparisons simply agree with the experiences of many, and my own so they are not surprising to see them again, in particular given we already knew the 5Ds was nothing more than a scaled up old sensor aimed at just giving canon a big MP number, while sony looked at a number aimed at achieving the best noise to detail compromise as well as video recording.

in terms of video, this was a good review
https://www.cinema5d.com/sony-a7rii-review-first-impressions-footage/

I can easily say that this is currently the best photo camera that shoots video in the market. As a documentary shooter

-Sell your A7s (or any other photo camera that shoots video you currently have)
– Buy the new Sony A7rII ….

off course they are not even looking at the 5Ds which is essentially 2012 junk video wise and nobody in their right mind would even use it for that purpose.

Overall seems sony went for the most versatile sensor ever designed. Amazing DR for stills, best in class video implementation (note I say class because off course there are better video cameras out there that cost ridiculous amounts). And at ~40MP it doesn't really give up anything for the dedicated stills photographer IF sony delivers a firmware update to give people lossless compressed raws. Alternatively, nikon is almost certainly going to use the same sensor on the D900 or whatever, and that will likely let us see the true potential of the sony sensor.

 

[Dylan777]

Me too, three hours ago. Hoping for amazing skies tomorrow night Enjoy!

I selected FREE shipping, so my won't arrive until end of the week. Maybe next Monday.

I figured 30 bucks is in the noise relative to the camera, so why wait

True, I still need some BW filters for my Batis lenses ;D

just received shipping notice from BH. Expected delivery is Monday :-[

 

[3kramd5]

My first thought is that the ISO rating on the A7R2 is out of bed, hence requiring twice the exposure time.

manufacturer's ISO's never agree. we've seen this time and time again from endless comparisons.

Sure, though I don't recall it being this stark between version 1 and version 2 of a camera within the same line. A7R in this test is 1/2500, A7Rii is 1/1000, both at the same aperture and shutter speed. The light likely changed a bit, but more than a stop? Hmm.

True, I still need some BW filters for my Batis lenses ;D

I'm waiting for the 2/25 to show up on Amazon and will need a 6-stop ND and a CPL. I wish it were a 77mm... BAH!

just received shipping notice from BH. Expected delivery is Monday :-[

Doh! I'll be sure to get my 30 bucks worth this weekend, then
I still haven't received shipping notice, but I suppose those which are going to the airport will be picked up at a different time. Maspeth, NY, United States 08/05/2015 11:45 A.M. Package is in transit to a UPS facility 8)

 

[sdsr]

I certainly wasn't expecting it to be great with adapted lenses but I was hoping to experiment with focus peaking.

This is interesting as many users across the net seem to wax rhapsodic about using alt lenses on Sony and other ML bodies. Endless declarations of optical goodness.
I like the idea of using adapted lenses but the high res sensor of the A7RII will be unkind to out of tolerance adapter and lens combos.

I suspect that this problem is overstated. I use a wide range of old MF lenses on my a7r (and a7s) using mostly inexpensive adapters with excellent results (one or two of the lenses aren't any good, but that has nothing to do with the adapter; and one or two of the adapters aren't any good, which has nothing to do with the lenses - and they're easily enough replaced). Images taken with my Canon lenses via a Metabones adapter look great too. I don't expect the rather trivial resolution difference between the a7r and a7rII to alter any of this.

 

[sdsr]

When do you guys think the price is going to drop for this camera? I really want it but its just too expensive. The lenses are all expensive too. I think a huge win for Sony adoption may come when Sigma and Tamron start making lenses for FE. Hopefully that happens soon.

This may be of no use to you at all, but if you're willing to focus manually (which is vastly easier to do on a mirrorless camera than a dslr), there's a vast array of old manual lenses you can use, some of which are superb and inexpensive; plus, you can use any Canon lenses you have (some of which may AF really well and fast on the a7rII if reports are correct).

 

[3kramd5]

I certainly wasn't expecting it to be great with adapted lenses but I was hoping to experiment with focus peaking.

This is interesting as many users across the net seem to wax rhapsodic about using alt lenses on Sony and other ML bodies. Endless declarations of optical goodness.
I like the idea of using adapted lenses but the high res sensor of the A7RII will be unkind to out of tolerance adapter and lens combos.

I suspect that this problem is overstated.

Yah. Electronics are one thing, but machining tight tolerances isn't that difficult, and on simple geometry it isn't that expensive.

 

[charlymann]

I have talked to several people who have the A7rii in England and it still seems that even with the Metabones IV that Canon glass in many circumstances will be slow to find focus. I also have heard about a lot of jello-judder problems when panning in 4K video. I would love the camera if these problems could be solved - though I would also prefer it shoot faster than 5fps.

 

[Ewinter]

I've not had time to test in poor light, but on the face of things:

The 16-35 and 17-40 seem to focus at least as fast as a 5d III

The 24mm 1.4 II seems quick but not as fast as on a 1dx. But definitely more accurate off centre.

Similar experience with the 35 art.

85 1.2 ii is pretty nippy considering it's the 85 1.2. It does hunt on low contrast, but nothing that can't be quickly dialled in with mf override then quickly tap af to lock.
It also seems more accurate than the 1dx off centre, probably due to smaller focus points. This makes portrait much easier as the 1dx always seems to get eyelashes to me, not the eyeball. (being really fussy here)

The 70-200 II IS seems to hunt more than anything else. Frequently needs help with getting in to the ball park, then sometimes won't lock. (just thought I may want to try it with IS off). When it does lock, it's damn accurate.

100-400 II occasionally hunts too when going from mfd to far away targets, but once in the ballpark seems snappy. Iq with this combo is hilarious.

Overall, it seems amazing with primes shorter than 100mm.
I'm very happy with it, and is definitely in a different league to what they've done so far. iq is astonishing and the high iso was a pleasant surprise.
I've yet to shoot it in nightclub lighting (the a7s was hopeless at finding lock in this situation) but I'm much happier with it already. I'm missing less shots than I was with the 1dx, but with the size of the RAW, it pays to be a bit more conservative

 

[sdsr]

I have talked to several people who have the A7rii in England and it still seems that even with the Metabones IV that Canon glass in many circumstances will be slow to find focus. I also have heard about a lot of jello-judder problems when panning in 4K video. I would love the camera if these problems could be solved - though I would also prefer it shoot faster than 5fps.

And presumably (?) there will still be plenty of Canon EF lenses that won't AF at all; for them, speed improvements are irrelevant (you still get EXIF information and in-camera aperture control with such lenses, though).

 

[Ewinter]

I have talked to several people who have the A7rii in England and it still seems that even with the Metabones IV that Canon glass in many circumstances will be slow to find focus. I also have heard about a lot of jello-judder problems when panning in 4K video. I would love the camera if these problems could be solved - though I would also prefer it shoot faster than 5fps.

And presumably (?) there will still be plenty of Canon EF lenses that won't AF at all; for them, speed improvements are irrelevant (you still get EXIF information and in-camera aperture control with such lenses, though).

I couldn't get the 50 1.4 or the 1.8 ii to lock at all in af. They were fast but just wouldn't lock; they hunt forever.
I haven't tried the stm though - I'm very interested to see if that works because I can't afford the 55 zeiss and don't have a small 50

 

[Dylan777]

just received shipping notice from BH. Expected delivery is Monday :-[

Doh! I'll be sure to get my 30 bucks worth this weekend, then
I still haven't received shipping notice, but I suppose those which are going to the airport will be picked up at a different time. Maspeth, NY, United States 08/05/2015 11:45 A.M. Package is in transit to a UPS facility 8)
[/quote]

Since you going to receive a7rii before me, make sure to post some real low light shots at 6400ISO - 12000ISO ;D

 

[emko]

Shooting in bulb,Silent Shooting,Long Exposure NR,Continuous Shooting,Continuous Shooting Bracketing all are 12bit files everything else is what 13bit what on Earth is wrong with Sony? how exactly can Nikon using a SONY sensor do 14bit in every shooting mode? plus Nikon manages to do RAW loseless, i would think SONY would know how to work with a SENSOR they created but i guess not hopefully the A7RIII will be a proper camera.

If Sony are listening then we won't have to want for A7RIII, rather a firmware update to the A7RII will fix this. There's been a bunch of talk about this so ... maybe they're clued in but don't want to say anything yet lest it be seen as a promise?

Actually, I will go further than this...

Corporations that report results to stock holders (i.e. they are on the NYSE) have to be careful when it comes to this. If Sony said "We're going to deliver an update to the A7RII that provides 14bit raw files" and I then said "I'm buying the A7RII because of that future capability" then Sony aren't allowed to book revenue for that sale until the feature is delivered. Revenue recognition.

sorry i don't believe the camera is capable of 14bit why else would the camera drop to 12bit in almost every shooting mode? it has to be a hardware limiting factor.

 

[sdsr]

I have talked to several people who have the A7rii in England and it still seems that even with the Metabones IV that Canon glass in many circumstances will be slow to find focus. I also have heard about a lot of jello-judder problems when panning in 4K video. I would love the camera if these problems could be solved - though I would also prefer it shoot faster than 5fps.

And presumably (?) there will still be plenty of Canon EF lenses that won't AF at all; for them, speed improvements are irrelevant (you still get EXIF information and in-camera aperture control with such lenses, though).

I couldn't get the 50 1.4 or the 1.8 ii to lock at all in af. They were fast but just wouldn't lock; they hunt forever.
I haven't tried the stm though - I'm very interested to see if that works because I can't afford the 55 zeiss and don't have a small 50

You've probably noticed that the list of lenses Metabones claims will have AF via their adapters is rather short:

http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB-EF-E-BT4

Neither of your Canon 50mm lenses is on the list. It seems odd to me that the 100mm macro is on it, but not the 100mm L macro. In my experience, the Mk III adapter on a7r/a7s/a6000 provides AF for more lenses than they listed for that adapter (typically, newer lenses; it works fine on my 10-18mm EF-S, so maybe it will work with the new 50mm STM too), but it certainly doesn't for my 50mm 1.4 or 100mm L. You presumably won't find it helpful that it does provide AF for the 50mm L; Steve Huff reports that it's faster and more accurate on the a7rII than it is on Canon bodies (I use the old, less expensive, MF-only FD 50mm L, so for me it's a non-issue). Their list is based on testing on pre-a7rII bodies, of course, but it doesn't seem likely that it would be any different with the a7rII. I hope I'm wrong!

 

[3kramd5]

Since you going to receive a7rii before me, make sure to post some real low light shots at 6400ISO - 12000ISO ;D

I'll do what I can!

You've probably noticed that the list of lenses Metabones claims will have AF via their adapters is rather short:

http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB-EF-E-BT4

Neither of your Canon 50mm lenses is on the list. It seems odd to me that the 100mm macro is on it, but not the 100mm L macro.

That's a list of what has been tested, not a comprehensive list of what will work.

Note ewinter said "The 16-35 [will] focus at least as fast as a 5d III," and that neither 16-35 is on the list.

 

[Ewinter]

I have talked to several people who have the A7rii in England and it still seems that even with the Metabones IV that Canon glass in many circumstances will be slow to find focus. I also have heard about a lot of jello-judder problems when panning in 4K video. I would love the camera if these problems could be solved - though I would also prefer it shoot faster than 5fps.

And presumably (?) there will still be plenty of Canon EF lenses that won't AF at all; for them, speed improvements are irrelevant (you still get EXIF information and in-camera aperture control with such lenses, though).

I couldn't get the 50 1.4 or the 1.8 ii to lock at all in af. They were fast but just wouldn't lock; they hunt forever.
I haven't tried the stm though - I'm very interested to see if that works because I can't afford the 55 zeiss and don't have a small 50

You've probably noticed that the list of lenses Metabones claims will have AF via their adapters is rather short:

http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB-EF-E-BT4

Neither of your Canon 50mm lenses is on the list. It seems odd to me that the 100mm macro is on it, but not the 100mm L macro. In my experience, the Mk III adapter on a7r/a7s/a6000 provides AF for more lenses than they listed for that adapter (typically, newer lenses; it works fine on my 10-18mm EF-S, so maybe it will work with the new 50mm STM too), but it certainly doesn't for my 50mm 1.4 or 100mm L. You presumably won't find it helpful that it does provide AF for the 50mm L; Steve Huff reports that it's faster and more accurate on the a7rII than it is on Canon bodies (I use the old, less expensive, MF-only FD 50mm L, so for me it's a non-issue). Their list is based on testing on pre-a7rII bodies, of course, but it doesn't seem likely that it would be any different with the a7rII. I hope I'm wrong!

I've got the 50 Art, which I haven't tried. Mostly because 50mm is boring for me- I just don't like the focal length. For professional work, I'm happy to use a lens of that size. But for walking around, I want something smaller.

 

[Dylan777]

A7r II with Canon 24-70 II from LensRental. Looks really good. I wish for same AF speed with Canon 135mm.

https://vimeo.com/135463206

Lensrentals seems to have positive feedback:
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2015/08/sony-a7r-ii-a-brief-review