Sony does it again, A7 II with 5-axis in-body stabilization

[symmar22]

Same for me here I've been waiting too long to replace my 5D2s with something better, sensor speaking. I couldn't care less about an (again) slightly improved AF, or 50FPS, or 102400 ISO. In my domain (architecture and interiors) 99.5% or my pics are made on a tripod, manual focused between 100 and 400 (max) ISO. It's a long time I have the impression Canon won't deliver the high res studio / landscape / architecture camera many of us are waiting for. They do with the tech they have, that is oriented only at action shooters.

I was hesitating with the A7r, since it's a 1st Gen camera, it's always wise to wait a bit to see where it goes, but the upcoming A9, could be this time the new working tool I need. I'd keep some of my Canon glass (mainly the TS-Es since they are irreplaceable) and slowly swap the Canon normal glass for Sony. That's my roadmap.

Canon wants to make profits without risk, good for them, but their attitude reminds me of Kodak's, sited on their money making film monopole, and incapable of foreseeing the future. We all know how it ended. Capitalism, like nature, hates emptiness, if someone leaves a gap, someone else will take it, and someday, one wakes up with a bad hangover.

 

[RobertG.]

i am not happy what canon is doing the last 2 years.
...

but for my landscape/architectural work i would love to see canon going the sony way.

a lightweight mirrorless.
30-50 MP.
great low ISO performance.
for indoor shoots the ability to push the shadows 4 stops and still have good quality.
all the nice features a mirroless offers.
i don´t need 1DX autofocus for landscape and architecture.

That's so very true! Same for me. I still shoot with the 5D II because there is no improvement in the sensor technology in the following cameras. The lack of IS in the new EF 24-70 II had also been a disapointment and so the Tamron 24-70 SP became my most used lens. Maybe soon it will be a Sony camera with a Sony lens...
I keep shooting with Canon because of the TS-E lenses. The mediocre performance of Metabones adapter with shifted TS-E lenses is the only thing that stops me from using a Sony camera body.

 

[TLN]

I'm guys in same boat as you.
Got nice canon setup, but not really want to invest in Canon anymore, until they release something competitive.
A7 looks promising for amateur photographer, and a7 II even better.
I ride a snowboard occasionally, and I beleivem getting an older 7d might be a good idea for that days. And A7 for all the rest. May be get rid of 7D with sony's future models.

 

[robbinzo]

How about the Mikaton 50mm f/0.95 lens to go with your Sony A7II?

http://www.zyopticslens.com/mitakon50mm095.html

 

[Aglet]

I'm about to go the same route, I'm picking up a Pentax K-5 iis next week, my first film camera was a Ricoh. S

A friend of mine who is my photography mentor has a K-5 and he loves it. The K-5II is even better. He almost talked me into getting a K-3 and I am not sure I made the right decision in not getting it.

I haven't bought the K3 (yet), but it looks to be a better performer for AWB and metering than previous Pentax bodies.
I use K52s, K30, K10 and I find the metering is often quite different from every other mfr body I use, and often in a way I find inconsistent and less predictable to compensate. So I waste a lot more time chimping my histograms with Pentax than with other brands. Even then, and even when using full manual, I find I often need to tweak a bit in post.
When nailed, the IQ is excellent, so I've generally only used them for non-action work where I can re-shoot as needed.
Pentax lenses are another odd thing compared to others; their test results are usually not very impressive but the resulting images are generally pleasing.
Pentax users are often quite avid about their equipment and I can often see why from the results I've obtained with my gear. (Tho I'm wondering about the results I'd get using a Sony A72 with K-mount adapter instead)

 

[Sportsgal501]

I'm about to go the same route, I'm picking up a Pentax K-5 iis next week, my first film camera was a Ricoh. S

A friend of mine who is my photography mentor has a K-5 and he loves it. The K-5II is even better. He almost talked me into getting a K-3 and I am not sure I made the right decision in not getting it.

When I was out shooting an event two weeks ago it finally dawned on me I needed to switch.

Weight is the main reason for switching, although I loved the Canon 7D mark ii at PhotoPlus Expo NYC.
Canon cameras seem to be getting heavier, the battery life isn't as good as my 50D which requires you to get a grip or additional batteries to lug around.

I just finished retrieving my Ricoh/Pentax manual lens (3) and Pentax 2x teleconvertor from 1979-1998, putting all the Canon lens and camera in that bag. These Ricoh/Pentax lens are 20+ years old but much lighter than the Canon ones and they are all steel, no plastic whatsoever. I'm actually excited on picking up the new body on Black Friday and shooting all weekend. We already picked up a 50-200mm WR Pentax lens last week at B&H since I was undecided on the K-3 or K-5iis.

Next year I'm looking at adding a Sony Full Frame to the mix.

 

[wickidwombat]

when this comes out i really want to try it out with my 135 f2L
If the AF doesn't take much of a hit via the adapter it might be a wicked combo
effectively giving IS to one of canons best lenses.

 

[Rejdmast]

i am not happy what canon is doing the last 2 years.
...

but for my landscape/architectural work i would love to see canon going the sony way.

a lightweight mirrorless.
30-50 MP.
great low ISO performance.
for indoor shoots the ability to push the shadows 4 stops and still have good quality.
all the nice features a mirroless offers.
i don´t need 1DX autofocus for landscape and architecture.

I keep shooting with Canon because of the TS-E lenses. The mediocre performance of Metabones adapter with shifted TS-E lenses is the only thing that stops me from using a Sony camera body.

What do you mean by "mediocre performance of Metabones adapter"? Are you referring to IQ, ease of use, etc.?

 

[sdsr]

Pentax users are often quite avid about their equipment and I can often see why from the results I've obtained with my gear. (Tho I'm wondering about the results I'd get using a Sony A72 with K-mount adapter instead)

Rather nice, I expect - I haven't a clue how Pentax AF lenses (if that's what you have) work via adapters (can you change apertures?), but I love the images I get from my elderly Pentax/Super-Tak lenses on my A7r; it doesn't hurt that they're superbly made, a pleasure to look at and handle and inexpensive to boot. With IBIS, so much the better.

 

[zlatko]

when this comes out i really want to try it out with my 135 f2L
If the AF doesn't take much of a hit via the adapter it might be a wicked combo
effectively giving IS to one of canons best lenses.

Not sure where I saw it, but a native FE 135/2 is apparently on Sony's lens roadmap, but a release date hasn't been announced. That will be an exciting lens to use on the A7 series because it won't need an adapter and will likely have fast autofocus. And with the A7II, it will be image stabilized. In the meantime, the Canon 135/2 may be a good option too, but I suspect the AF will be slow.

 

[Lawliet]

That will be an exciting lens to use on the A7 series because it won't need an adapter and will likely have fast autofocus.

With the 135 I'd hope for an STF-version. That might not make it an AF-king, likely no luck with phase detection, but the rendering of OoF areas is rather unique.

 

[weixing]

That will be an exciting lens to use on the A7 series because it won't need an adapter and will likely have fast autofocus.

With the 135 I'd hope for an STF-version. That might not make it an AF-king, likely no luck with phase detection, but the rendering of OoF areas is rather unique.

Hi,
I thought Sony already had an 135mm STF lens which they inherit from Minolta, but in alpha mount and manual focus only.

Have a nice day.

 

[Lawliet]

Hi,
I thought Sony already had an 135mm STF lens which they inherit from Minolta, but in alpha mount and manual focus only.

They have - but with contrast AF the strict no AF limit is no more, as a native E-mount lens that idea would be in the realm of the possible. (And Sigma is less likely to release a counterpart, while something in the 135/2 or /1.8 range was talked about in the past. It would be right in line with their other primes at least. )

 

[canonvoir]

No doubt my next camera will be a sony. Most likely the a9 because the a7 series is a bit slow on the fps while tracking.

I want a small, lightweight camera to accompany my 1DX with me to sporting events. My 5Diii is bulky and heavy and is hard to carry easily all day while lugging the 1DX and 300 combo. Truth be told I could live with the a7s or a7ii as a backup camera but want to see the a9 before throwing down the money.

 

[AvTvM]

Well I guess almost all of us - with very few exceptions - want to see that Sony A9 as soon as possible.

If Sony A9 eliminates the current major weaknesses of A7/R:
1. AF speed/tracking capability,
2. shutter vibration [A7R]
3. battery charge [all A7 incl. II]
4. "cooked"/11-bit RAWs
* and comes with new, even better IQ sensor [30+ MP would be sufficient for my taste]
* and price is not much higher than € 2500 [=around 5D III]
then I'll get it. Along with 24-70/4, 16-35/4, 55/1.8 lenses. 8)

If not, I hope it will at least be "good enough" to further increase market pressure on Canon to bring higher end mirrorless models to market. Minimum a "worthwhile" EOS-M3 with 7D II sensor, good AF and EVF. And ideally also a fully competitive FF-sensored product line with new mount, short flange distance native lenses ["EF X"].

 

[canonvoir]

I would prefer the a7s variant with ~18 MP instead of the current 12 MP. I shoot primarily in low light situations.

I also want a high MP camera but that is not on the top of my priority list.

 

[tron]

No doubt my next camera will be a sony. Most likely the a9 because the a7 series is a bit slow on the fps while tracking.

I want a small, lightweight camera to accompany my 1DX with me to sporting events. My 5Diii is bulky and heavy and is hard to carry easily all day while lugging the 1DX and 300 combo. Truth be told I could live with the a7s or a7ii as a backup camera but want to see the a9 before throwing down the money.

Interesting! So I guess you will decide to either:

1. depend on the the metabones adapter
Most likely, in which case I would like to see how the 300mm 2.8 works with the sony adaptor.
However, in that case it is the weight of 5D3 against the sum of weights of both sony A7 and adaptor : :

2. or get a whole new lens system.

NOT likely, expensive and bulkier (the sum of canon and sony equipment).
In that case the weight of 5D3 is irrelevant.

 

[canonvoir]

No doubt my next camera will be a sony. Most likely the a9 because the a7 series is a bit slow on the fps while tracking.

I want a small, lightweight camera to accompany my 1DX with me to sporting events. My 5Diii is bulky and heavy and is hard to carry easily all day while lugging the 1DX and 300 combo. Truth be told I could live with the a7s or a7ii as a backup camera but want to see the a9 before throwing down the money.

Interesting! So I guess you will decide to either:

1. depend on the the metabones adapter
Most likely, in which case I would like to see how the 300mm 2.8 works with the sony adaptor.
However, in that case it is the weight of 5D3 against the sum of weights of both sony A7 and adaptor : :

2. or get a whole new lens system.

NOT likely, expensive and bulkier (the sum of canon and sony equipment).
In that case the weight of 5D3 is irrelevant.

I would purchase a native FE 35mm prime (or something close) and that would be my secondary camera/lens. I don't want to use a metabones adapter. I would get native lenses. My current need for a second camera is for pre-game, post-game type shots. I use a 300 2.8 on the 1DX during the game. In fact, this combo is together 99% of the time during football season.

 

[tron]

No doubt my next camera will be a sony. Most likely the a9 because the a7 series is a bit slow on the fps while tracking.

I want a small, lightweight camera to accompany my 1DX with me to sporting events. My 5Diii is bulky and heavy and is hard to carry easily all day while lugging the 1DX and 300 combo. Truth be told I could live with the a7s or a7ii as a backup camera but want to see the a9 before throwing down the money.

Interesting! So I guess you will decide to either:

1. depend on the the metabones adapter
Most likely, in which case I would like to see how the 300mm 2.8 works with the sony adaptor.
However, in that case it is the weight of 5D3 against the sum of weights of both sony A7 and adaptor : :

2. or get a whole new lens system.

NOT likely, expensive and bulkier (the sum of canon and sony equipment).
In that case the weight of 5D3 is irrelevant.

I would purchase a native FE 35mm prime (or something close) and that would be my secondary camera/lens. I don't want to use a metabones adapter. I would get native lenses. My current need for a second camera is for pre-game, post-game type shots. I use a 300 2.8 on the 1DX during the game. In fact, this combo is together 99% of the time during football season.

This is indeed a lighter combination. However, it is not a backup for 1Dx. But whether backup is necessary or not is another matter. I do understand your need for less bulk and weight though...

 

[canonvoir]

No doubt my next camera will be a sony. Most likely the a9 because the a7 series is a bit slow on the fps while tracking.

I want a small, lightweight camera to accompany my 1DX with me to sporting events. My 5Diii is bulky and heavy and is hard to carry easily all day while lugging the 1DX and 300 combo. Truth be told I could live with the a7s or a7ii as a backup camera but want to see the a9 before throwing down the money.

Interesting! So I guess you will decide to either:

1. depend on the the metabones adapter
Most likely, in which case I would like to see how the 300mm 2.8 works with the sony adaptor.
However, in that case it is the weight of 5D3 against the sum of weights of both sony A7 and adaptor : :

2. or get a whole new lens system.

NOT likely, expensive and bulkier (the sum of canon and sony equipment).
In that case the weight of 5D3 is irrelevant.

I would purchase a native FE 35mm prime (or something close) and that would be my secondary camera/lens. I don't want to use a metabones adapter. I would get native lenses. My current need for a second camera is for pre-game, post-game type shots. I use a 300 2.8 on the 1DX during the game. In fact, this combo is together 99% of the time during football season.

This is indeed a lighter combination. However, it is not a backup for 1Dx. But whether backup is necessary or not is another matter. I do understand your need for less bulk and weight though...

I don't recall stating I wanted a backup camera for the 1DX. I just a lighter, full frame second body. I have the M and two lenses but that camera just plain stinks at night.