Any news on Sony A7R II?

[benperrin]

It has been shown in test that Canon's Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFCS) (Live View Silent Shutter Mode 2) has even less vibration than mirror lockup. The only time I use mirror lockup is when I need to have major stability with a flash mode that is disabled in that mode of Live View. Basically every landscape shot sense the 60D came out has been made in Live View

That said my Nex6 and A7II both have EFCS the fact the A7r did not is one of the reasons I would not buy one. So the A7rII should be much better than the A7r both with is reworked shutter and EFCS.

In normal mode of a DSLR the shutter is actuated twice. Once at the start of the exposure one and the end. The A7r worked this way all the time it would close the shutter to start exposure then open it again to expose then close again to end exposure. This can cause the camera to vibrate slightly or in the A7r case noticeably. With EFCS there is no source of vibration until the shutter closes to end the exposure.

Thanks for your response. That's what I thought would be the case. I'll do some tests when I get the camera to determine the difference in vibration between normal front and rear curtain shooting and electronic front curtain. At the very least though not having to use mirror lockup means one step removed from the workflow so that's a good thing.

 

[benperrin]

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

That test actually looks promising. Thanks for the link Dylan!

 

[yorgasor]

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).

I think this is what interests me the most with the A7rII. I have an excellent collection of Nikon prime AIS lenses that I love to shoot with. The trick is getting a DSLR that does a really nice job of using them. I was able to hack a Canon split prism screen onto a Nikon D3s, and that was fun to shoot with, but it is only 12MP. To heck with the fancy AF adapters, I just want to go out and shoot the A7RII with a small bag of primes!

 

[RGF]

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!

Does that mean you can not AF or is some other functions limited also?

 

[RGF]

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

That test actually looks promising. Thanks for the link Dylan!

+1

 

[RGF]

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).

I think this is what interests me the most with the A7rII. I have an excellent collection of Nikon prime AIS lenses that I love to shoot with. The trick is getting a DSLR that does a really nice job of using them. I was able to hack a Canon split prism screen onto a Nikon D3s, and that was fun to shoot with, but it is only 12MP. To heck with the fancy AF adapters, I just want to go out and shoot the A7RII with a small bag of primes!

How do you connect the lens to the A7R II without an adapter - or which non-fancy adapter do you use?

Does magnification in LV work? Can you move the point around? I failed (perhaps do to my lack of knowledge) to be able to do this with the A7R and Canon lens on a meatiness adapter (lens could only be MF, since AF was not supported).

 

[Dylan777]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from? More likely to be below $3k within 6months.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131572371772?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D%26_mPrRngCbx%3D1%26_udlo%3D%26_udhi%3D%26_sop%3D12%26_fpos%3D%26_fspt%3D1%26_sadis%3D%26LH_CAds%3D%26rmvSB%3Dtrue%26_nkw%3D131572371772%26_rdc%3D1

 

[3kramd5]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from?

Or just go to best buy

Here's a nice review to whet your appetite

http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/first-impressions-review-of-a-detail-monster-camera-the-sony-a7r-ii/

 

[Dylan777]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from?

Or just go to best buy

Here's a nice review to whet your appetite

http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/first-impressions-review-of-a-detail-monster-camera-the-sony-a7r-ii/

Cool, looks to be ok up 6400ISO. Might keep my little a7s for cleaner 12800ISO.

 

[Dylan777]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from? More likely to be below $3k within 6months.
...

5 years ago (or so), you could buy a Millenium Falcon from Lego shops for $600. It was a big box and the Millenium Falcon it builds is also huge.

Unopened kits for that now feature on eBay for $thousands, sometimes $5000 or $6000.

Do they sell at that price? I've no idea.

I think it silly. a7rIII is more likely be out 2-3yrs from now

 

[3kramd5]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from?

Or just go to best buy

Here's a nice review to whet your appetite

http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/first-impressions-review-of-a-detail-monster-camera-the-sony-a7r-ii/

Cool, looks to be ok up 6400ISO. Might keep my little a7s for cleaner 12800ISO.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3884362

Jim Kasson, one of the smartest guys out there analyzing the A7 sensors, did an initial engineering DR analysis of his. It's got some strange bumps he tries to explain.

 

[Dylan777]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from?

Or just go to best buy

Here's a nice review to whet your appetite

http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/first-impressions-review-of-a-detail-monster-camera-the-sony-a7r-ii/

Cool, looks to be ok up 6400ISO. Might keep my little a7s for cleaner 12800ISO.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3884362

Jim Kasson, one of the smartest guys out there analyzing the A7 sensors, did an initial engineering DR analysis of his. It's got some strange bumps he tries to explain.

I'm more hand-on type a guy = touch, feel, shoot and review raw files.

Can't trust everything on the internet

Did you get your camera yet?

 

[3kramd5]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from?

Or just go to best buy

Here's a nice review to whet your appetite

http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/first-impressions-review-of-a-detail-monster-camera-the-sony-a7r-ii/

Cool, looks to be ok up 6400ISO. Might keep my little a7s for cleaner 12800ISO.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3884362

Jim Kasson, one of the smartest guys out there analyzing the A7 sensors, did an initial engineering DR analysis of his. It's got some strange bumps he tries to explain.

I'm more hand-on type a guy = touch, feel, shoot and review raw files.

Can't trust everything on the internet

Did you get your camera yet?

Yah. I am currently arguing with it. My 50f1.4 won't AF (it just hunts back and forth). Single point AF works at the center with my 16-35f4, but not so much with other points. Can't get it to connect to my phone for remote control or my MacBook via USB to set it up for wifi.

 

[benperrin]

Yah. I am currently arguing with it. My 50f1.4 won't AF (it just hunts back and forth). Single point AF works at the center with my 16-35f4, but not so much with other points. Can't get it to connect to my phone for remote control or my MacBook via USB to set it up for wifi.

I may hate you right now! ;D

 

[bwud]

I am new to the a7 series. Not that anyone should have to suffer my mug at 40+ MP, here's a test shot in the quintessential backlit room (well, not entirely, but you get the idea).

f/4, 1/640, 1600ISO (auto)

1) Default LR (CC) conversion,
2) What I'd call a normal process, and
3) way overdone (highlights crushed and shadows pushed)
4) raw

If I can figure out how to use it, I'll try to take some low-light stuff. Currently focus peaking isn't working, I think I may need to do something to the adapter...

 

[Dylan777]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from?

Or just go to best buy

Here's a nice review to whet your appetite

http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/first-impressions-review-of-a-detail-monster-camera-the-sony-a7r-ii/

Cool, looks to be ok up 6400ISO. Might keep my little a7s for cleaner 12800ISO.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3884362

Jim Kasson, one of the smartest guys out there analyzing the A7 sensors, did an initial engineering DR analysis of his. It's got some strange bumps he tries to explain.

I'm more hand-on type a guy = touch, feel, shoot and review raw files.

Can't trust everything on the internet

Did you get your camera yet?

Yah. I am currently arguing with it. My 50f1.4 won't AF (it just hunts back and forth). Single point AF works at the center with my 16-35f4, but not so much with other points. Can't get it to connect to my phone for remote control or my MacBook via USB to set it up for wifi.

What adapter version do you use?

Take a short break. Go out take some photos with native lenses .

 

[bwud]

Better hurry before it gone ;D

$6K for a7rII = what planet does this alien came from?

Or just go to best buy

Here's a nice review to whet your appetite

http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/first-impressions-review-of-a-detail-monster-camera-the-sony-a7r-ii/

Cool, looks to be ok up 6400ISO. Might keep my little a7s for cleaner 12800ISO.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3884362

Jim Kasson, one of the smartest guys out there analyzing the A7 sensors, did an initial engineering DR analysis of his. It's got some strange bumps he tries to explain.

I'm more hand-on type a guy = touch, feel, shoot and review raw files.

Can't trust everything on the internet

Did you get your camera yet?

Yah. I am currently arguing with it. My 50f1.4 won't AF (it just hunts back and forth). Single point AF works at the center with my 16-35f4, but not so much with other points. Can't get it to connect to my phone for remote control or my MacBook via USB to set it up for wifi.

What adapter version do you use?

Take a short break. Go out take some photos with native lenses .

I have the non-T metabones IV. I was tyeballing that zeiss25 f/2, but it feels really awkward with my 16-35. Maybe the Sony 28 is a better bet.

I don't have native lenses yet

Peeking works, but I don't believe it. I can turn the camera 45 degrees to a wall, focus at one end at 1.4, and it lights up the whole wall . Having zoom in the EVF is quite nice, however. That is a great feature.

 

[bwud]

Take a short break. Go out take some photos with native lenses .

I'm stuck around the house tonight being dad, so I can only do so much.

Fairly low light. SOOC followed by a minor edit. Not crazy about the color, have to profile it. EXIF should be intact but it's ISO1600 at 1/30 f/1.4.

RAW if anyone cares: https://www.dropbox.com/s/apyvi4jdbrq3p3e/MAB-20150806-0056.ARW?dl=0

 

[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.

Okay, what Raptor said is correct. It certainly does not work with AF enabled, and disabling AF on the camera body doesn't do the trick (in fact even if that toggle is set to MF, it will still AF if the lens has it enabled). You have to flick the switch on the lens body, the Magnify operates properly.

This is with the Metabones is in "green mode". I find their documentation very confusing, but MAYBE in advanced mode you can zoom while AF is enabled ("Auto magnify manual focus assist," though that allegedly means "Auto-Magnify MF Assist while turning the focusing ring"). I'll give it a shot anyway.

I can not for the life of me tell if IBIS is working. I haven't shot any long focal lengths yet, but it doesn't have that "everything slows down" look you get when enabling lens-based IS.

 

[raptor3x]

I can not for the life of me tell if IBIS is working. I haven't shot any long focal lengths yet, but it doesn't have that "everything slows down" look you get when enabling lens-based IS.

Easy way to tell if the IBIS is working is look through the EVF and rotate the camera about the lens' optical axis back and forth. If IBIS is working the picture will seem steady, if not then there's some setting you need to adjust.