Any news on Sony A7R II?

[benperrin]

Interesting notes from EOSHD review of a7rII :
-----------------
http://www.eoshd.com/2015/07/hands-on-with-the-sony-a7r-ii/

It looks significantly less noisy at first glance than the Canon 5DS.

We had the Sony 55mm F1.8 FE on the camera. With this AF was enormously impressive. There’s been a big leap here for the A7R II over previous Sony cameras. AF object tracking is massively more sophisticated and getting much closer to a flagship pro DSLR like the 1D X.


The camera is now able to take power from a the USB port whilst recording. This means you can connect a massive USB power cell (20,000mha) and have it act like a V-lock battery on your rig. It also mean you can carry fewer Sony batteries, even jettison the battery grip and charge your camera via a phone top up power bank during down time on set, or even during a shot from the cell Velcro’ed to your rig.

The zoomed focus assist can be toggled during a shot whilst recording 4K, which is something the Canon 1D C doesn’t allow. I find this endlessly useful in the real world and prefer it to peaking. The A7R II does have peaking but I’ll wait to the final production unit to try it out.
---------------

I myself also had quick look at some A7RII high ISO RAW samples posted around and it seems that a7rII is on par with high ISO performance of Canon 1DX at ISO 6400 and 12800
When I get my own a7RII first thing that I will do is comparison of AF (with Sony native lenses) and high ISO performance between my 1DX and a7RII. Will be interesting to see DXO results when available
Considering all above, I have a feeling that a7RII will be able to replace 1Dx for most of my needs and only remaining application for 1DX will be actions/sport/fashion where long (above 100mm) L tele lenses are required.

Could be very handy for travels, had several occasions when had serious difficulties passing on board due to excessive hand baggage weight because of heavy Canon 1DX and Canon lenses that I wanted to be with me during travels.

Have you used an adapter and Canon Lenses (even in MF).

I tried the A7R can could not zoom in live view. Not sure if this was my error or a limitation of the camera.
Do you know if this can be done w/ adapters and canon (or other) lenses?

It does this easily.
As far as I remember it was initially C1 button to turn on magnification in manual zoom with 3d party lenses. With native lenses this is automatic. Then later I did all buttons reassignment to be convinient to me and make things more easy, so rarely need to open menu to change settings.
Much more easy than with 1dx.
Initially I bought a7r to be as compact digital back for Canon TSE17 and 24-70 F/2.8L m2.
Using Metabone III adaptor for this.
Later started buying native lenses.
Last zeiss 35mm f1.4 and especially new 90mm macro are just amazing.

All worked very well with Canon lenses, ironically enough manual focus with canon lenses is much more easy and convinient on Sony body than on Canon.
Regards.

The more I'm hearing about this camera the less excited I am about the AF abilities. I've heard that certain modes like Eye AF and spot AF are disabled with an adapter, that the AF hunts when shooting in portrait mode (maybe the AF points aren't cross type?). It's seeming more like the AF abilities of a 300d or similar and not even close to the abilities of a modern dslr.

The USB charging capability is nice but kind of ruins the idea of having a smaller and lighter camera. Having said all that I have pre-ordered the camera and expect to get some fantastic images with it. If it turns out that it's not good for portraits or moving objects, I'll just go back to my dslr for those things. For landscape and product photography though I think it's going to be great. I'm looking forward to trying something new with manual focus being made more usable.

I'm really hoping it arrives before I leave as I've planned a trip on the 17th and I was told it was coming late July. The whole point of the trip is photography and I even tried to plan it according to the lunar phase.

 

[benperrin]

I do have a rather stupid question though that I think I know the answer to but would like to seek clarification. In a dslr we have a mirror lockup function with the intention being that we can minimise vibrations with this. Since the a7rii obviously doesn't have a mirror does that mean that vibration should be the same as a dslr in mirror lockup mode? I heard that the a7r had issues with this and that they tried to fix it with the a7rii. Also would using the silent mode (digital first curtain or whatever they call it) help as then only the rear curtain would be a factor (in my limited understanding) and rolling shutter shouldn't be an issue with a static landscape shot on a tripod. If anyone has any resources that could answer this question please let me know.

 

[Dylan777]

Interesting notes from EOSHD review of a7rII :
-----------------
http://www.eoshd.com/2015/07/hands-on-with-the-sony-a7r-ii/

It looks significantly less noisy at first glance than the Canon 5DS.

We had the Sony 55mm F1.8 FE on the camera. With this AF was enormously impressive. There’s been a big leap here for the A7R II over previous Sony cameras. AF object tracking is massively more sophisticated and getting much closer to a flagship pro DSLR like the 1D X.


The camera is now able to take power from a the USB port whilst recording. This means you can connect a massive USB power cell (20,000mha) and have it act like a V-lock battery on your rig. It also mean you can carry fewer Sony batteries, even jettison the battery grip and charge your camera via a phone top up power bank during down time on set, or even during a shot from the cell Velcro’ed to your rig.

The zoomed focus assist can be toggled during a shot whilst recording 4K, which is something the Canon 1D C doesn’t allow. I find this endlessly useful in the real world and prefer it to peaking. The A7R II does have peaking but I’ll wait to the final production unit to try it out.
---------------

I myself also had quick look at some A7RII high ISO RAW samples posted around and it seems that a7rII is on par with high ISO performance of Canon 1DX at ISO 6400 and 12800
When I get my own a7RII first thing that I will do is comparison of AF (with Sony native lenses) and high ISO performance between my 1DX and a7RII. Will be interesting to see DXO results when available
Considering all above, I have a feeling that a7RII will be able to replace 1Dx for most of my needs and only remaining application for 1DX will be actions/sport/fashion where long (above 100mm) L tele lenses are required.

Could be very handy for travels, had several occasions when had serious difficulties passing on board due to excessive hand baggage weight because of heavy Canon 1DX and Canon lenses that I wanted to be with me during travels.

Have you used an adapter and Canon Lenses (even in MF).

I tried the A7R can could not zoom in live view. Not sure if this was my error or a limitation of the camera.
Do you know if this can be done w/ adapters and canon (or other) lenses?

It does this easily.
As far as I remember it was initially C1 button to turn on magnification in manual zoom with 3d party lenses. With native lenses this is automatic. Then later I did all buttons reassignment to be convinient to me and make things more easy, so rarely need to open menu to change settings.
Much more easy than with 1dx.
Initially I bought a7r to be as compact digital back for Canon TSE17 and 24-70 F/2.8L m2.
Using Metabone III adaptor for this.
Later started buying native lenses.
Last zeiss 35mm f1.4 and especially new 90mm macro are just amazing.

All worked very well with Canon lenses, ironically enough manual focus with canon lenses is much more easy and convinient on Sony body than on Canon.
Regards.

The more I'm hearing about this camera the less excited I am about the AF abilities. I've heard that certain modes like Eye AF and spot AF are disabled with an adapter, that the AF hunts when shooting in portrait mode (maybe the AF points aren't cross type?). It's seeming more like the AF abilities of a 300d or similar and not even close to the abilities of a modern dslr.

The USB charging capability is nice but kind of ruins the idea of having a smaller and lighter camera. Having said all that I have pre-ordered the camera and expect to get some fantastic images with it. If it turns out that it's not good for portraits or moving objects, I'll just go back to my dslr for those things. For landscape and product photography though I think it's going to be great. I'm looking forward to trying something new with manual focus being made more usable.

I'm really hoping it arrives before I leave as I've planned a trip on the 17th and I was told it was coming late July. The whole point of the trip is photography and I even tried to plan it according to the lunar phase.

If that is the ONLY reason you get into Sony FF mirrorless, so you can shoot with Canon lenses and expect same AF speed etc..,you might as well cancel it now.

Stay with native lenses. Besides, you don't really need all native lenses. My expectation for Batis 25 & 85mm is high. Add Sony/Zeiss FE 16-35 you're done with Sony mirrorless. This combo would be enough everyday shooting to landscape.

I plan to sell my FE28mm and FE55mm once the Batis 25 & 85mm arrived.

 

[benperrin]

If that is the ONLY reason you get into Sony FF mirrorless, so you can shoot with Canon lenses and expect same AF speed etc..,you might as well cancel it now.

Stay with native lenses. Besides, you don't really need all native lenses. My expectation for Batis 25 & 85mm is high. Add Sony/Zeiss FE 16-35 you're done with Sony mirrorless. This combo would be enough everyday shooting to landscape.

I plan to sell my FE28mm and FE55mm once the Batis 25 & 85mm arrived.

No, I plan on only really using it for landscape and product photography with Canon lenses. I certainly wasn't expecting it to be great with adapted lenses but I was hoping to experiment with focus peaking. I may purchase some native lenses in the future but at this stage it's just an addition to my Canon kit and I'll wait to see what Canon comes up with in the next year before making a decision on lenses. In my limited research though some of the Zeiss lenses do look interesting.

 

[3kramd5]

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).

 

[benperrin]

I do have a rather stupid question though that I think I know the answer to but would like to seek clarification. In a dslr we have a mirror lockup function with the intention being that we can minimise vibrations with this. Since the a7rii obviously doesn't have a mirror does that mean that vibration should be the same as a dslr in mirror lockup mode? I heard that the a7r had issues with this and that they tried to fix it with the a7rii. Also would using the silent mode (digital first curtain or whatever they call it) help as then only the rear curtain would be a factor (in my limited understanding) and rolling shutter shouldn't be an issue with a static landscape shot on a tripod. If anyone has any resources that could answer this question please let me know.

The A7R problem was from shutter vibration. From all reports, this problem has been resolved in the A7RII.

Yes, I've heard this also. I guess my question is: Is normal remote triggering of the a7rii the same as something like the 5dsr in mirror lockup mode in terms of vibrations? If the difference is negligible all is well. In fact it's better not to have to use mirror lockup mode.

 

[benperrin]

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).

Thanks for the link. It's nice to know that it can be pushed if needed but a 6 stop or even 3 stop push is unlikely to happen for my workflow. It's time to bracket when it gets that bad. Of course it's great news for others who will be wanting to push the shadows really far in post. Did you order one yet? If so have you got it?

 

[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.

 

[benperrin]

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.

 

[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!"

 

[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

 

[deleteme]

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.

 

[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.

 

[RGF]

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?

 

[xps]

I was able to see the end of an Sony seller meeting, when I picked up my son in law (who is working for this company). I saw some actual comparison shots with the 5DIII/5DS and the 7R/7RII. Yes, the 7rII shots look wonderful, but I do not know, if they were manipulated/reworked.
But what I can say, that the shots, they took on the meeting with the Zeiss Batis wideangle lens are excepionally good. Two simultaniously taken pictures of my son.
They showed them on two UHD monitors and there is some diffenence in betweeen the 7R and 7RII.

 

[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.

 

[that1guyy]

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.

 

[Random Orbits]

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.

The A7RIII will be the update to the A7RII. With short life cycles, these products are made to be replaced. The replacement is the upgrade.

 

[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

 

[tcmatthews]

I do have a rather stupid question though that I think I know the answer to but would like to seek clarification. In a dslr we have a mirror lockup function with the intention being that we can minimise vibrations with this. Since the a7rii obviously doesn't have a mirror does that mean that vibration should be the same as a dslr in mirror lockup mode? I heard that the a7r had issues with this and that they tried to fix it with the a7rii. Also would using the silent mode (digital first curtain or whatever they call it) help as then only the rear curtain would be a factor (in my limited understanding) and rolling shutter shouldn't be an issue with a static landscape shot on a tripod. If anyone has any resources that could answer this question please let me know.

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.