The Sony A7: All About the Gear by Frederick Van Johnson
Sony’s 11+7-bit LOSSY File Compression: 32-pixel Line Artifacts Clearly Visible on Star Trails (Digglloyd).
Samyang 24mm f/1.4 Cine E-Mount on Sony A7 (Diglloyd).
The Sony A7R with Canon 17mm/4 TS-E. Architecture Dream Team (Steve Huff).
Life by the Lake: Sample Pictures from the Sony A7r Camera with FE 35mm & 24–70mm ZA Lenses (Invisiblephotographer)
Sony A7 review by Quesabesde (Spanish).
Sony A7r review by Trustedreviews.
Sony Nex 7 vs Sony A7 review: Which camera should you get? (Theinspiredeye).
French A7r test at cmp-color.
My first month with the A7-A7r at Friedmanarchives.
Peter: “Just want to share a non-technical user travel test of the A7 video capabilities using 35mm 2.8 and other legacy lens. As shared on Steve Huff site and NZ tourism FB page: https://vimeo.com/84311946”
David: “I just got my Arca-Swiss camera plate for the Alpha 7 from Really Right Stuff. Here’s a short review: http://davidtanzer.net/rrs_arca_swiss Spoiler: It’s great. Totally recommended.”
Javier: “Video grabado con sony A7 + nikkor 50mm f1,8 la tomas artisticas de la entrevista, y con sony VG20 + zeiss 24mm f 1,8 la toma fija maestra y audio: http://youtu.be/tLFZGPJCEzM”
Stilgar: “I made some new tests between Leica M and Sony A7r with 2 R lens
R APO Telyt 180: http://stilgar-photo.blogspot.fr/2014/02/a7r-vs-m-part-08-R100APO-01US.html
R APO 100 Macro: http://stilgar-photo.blogspot.fr/2014/02/a7r-vs-m-part-08-R100APO-01US.html”
Anonymous: “Not a rumor but more usage of the a7 + 55mm 1.8 at a wedding. Nice pics. http://www.mikee.nu/?p=5115”
Christian: “I guess I am not the only photographer using NEX who toys with the idea to upgrade to the A7 or somewhere else for still better image quality and fun. I am still toothing with the question how and if to upgrade from my NEX 5N towards to the Sony A7. For this purposes, I evaluated the A7 with several lenses and also extensively with the kit lens. Many comparisons between A7 and 5N performance followed. Due to issues with the kit zoom FE2870, I had
to return the A7 kit twice.
In the end, I compiled my findings in a document “The Sony A7 from a potential NEX 5N upgraders perspective” instead of posting all on my blog, because for me, the blog has a photographic focus and adding a 9 page testing text would spoil the layout :-). I have added a link however to the 3 MB PDF file on it:
http://luxorphotoart.blogspot.de/2014/02/essay-sony-a7-from-potential-nex-5n.html
I am still undecided on the A7 and see its greatest shortcomings in the non-availability of a good quality standard zoom.”
Joan: “got the chance to work for two days with the Sony A7r. I asked Casanovafoto shop for the camera because I was not getting enough information on the internet about how this camera works with shift lenses. I’m an architectural photographer and these kind of lenses are my day to day. I’m planning to move from a Canon 5D mark II to a sony A7r due to the magnificient sensor of the A7r.
They have published an article I have done about the test in his blog that I think it can be interesting for you. Although it is in spanish maybe google translator can do a good job. If not, I can try to simplify the article in a few words if you are interested in publishing it.
Here’s the link:
http://www.casanovafoto.com/blog/sony-a7r-fotografia-arquitectura/
Lenses proven were Canon 17 TS-E, Canon 24 TS-E II, Olympus 35mm shift, Mamiya 50mm shift and Canon 100-400. All of them worked perfectly in absolutely all conditions. The only issue I had with the camera was the shutter vibration with the 100-400 at shutter speeds around 1/30s on a solid tripod. This is not happening with my 5D mark II with the mirror locked.”
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Specs and Store Links in US and Canada:
Dedicated Sony announcement page at Amazon US (Click here).
Sony A7r body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony RX10 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 24-70mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 35mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
70-200mm A-mount at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A to E adapter with mirror at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
A7/A7r leather case at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
A7/A7r vertical grip at Amazon, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony W Series Battery Charger at Amazon, BHphoto.
Sony FA-CS1M Off-Camera Shoe at BHphoto.
Semi-Hard LCD Screen Protector for A7-A7r at Amazon, BHphoto.
Specs and Store Links in Europe:
Sony A7r body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Sony A7 body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony RX10 at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Zeiss 35mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,
Zeiss 55mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT
Zeiss 24-70mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, SE, PT
Sony G 28-70mm lens at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO.
Asia:
A7r at Digitalrev.
A7 at Digitalrev, Amazon Cina.
A7 with 28-70mm lens at Digitalrev.
0 Responses
It’s a shame this is not screw-drive A-mount, and does not have IBIS.
I like the camera body, it fits nicely into my hand, and feels well-made, although I wish the screen pivoted. It’s not so small as some would have you think. I tried one this weekend with a 70-210 beercan and adapter, and it felt pretty good to me.
I actually like it better as a body than I do the A99, which I have refused to purchase.
I was, however, shocked by the shutter issue.
You should read more first.
Nothing to be shocked about. Of course FF shutter will affect lightweight A7r much more than full weight average FF DSLR. And issue only happens in certain conditions, and can be mostly resolved with bit of additional weight.
Do you know that some minolta lenses cause internal flare because they were made for film, not for digital sensor.
Maybe you should be shocked about that too.
Wow BRB, you seem to be incredibly easily offended.
The issue I was referring to was the sound, not the vibration–which sound is unaffected by additional mass unless it comes in the form of damping material, which practically it does not.
I read the reviews and knew about it, but I was nevertheless surprised by the magnitude of the sound, and the actual tactile feel of the vibration–and that vibration was felt with the beercan attached. Not a lightweight setup by any means.
As far as correcting an inherent defect that manifests only under a limited range of conditions, it is up to the individual to determine if this is acceptable or not.
That’s very encouraging. I’ve had an on and off interest in an a7R but ultimately rejected it over IBIS, AF, and other issues. However, if it fixes the e-mount’s problem with awful ergonomics it gives me some small hope for the future.
That doesn’t make a lot of sense; the A99 has A-Mount screw drive, an articulated screen and IBIS.
Some people will never understand. If you want the A7 to have IBIS, A-Mount screwdrive, and swivel screen you pretty much end up with an A99. Sony wanted to make that thing small, so some features are simply impossible.
Thanks for the link to the Digglloyd article. I really believe Sony should offer lossless RAW and re-introduce the option to select between RAW + cRAW (my a900 can do it).
Andrea, a week ago you said that you’re going to give us a-mount rumours, right after the a6000 blitz. What happened?
Anyway, thanks.
WHY won’t Sony let us have lossless RAW as an option? Why must they force us to shoot compressed files?
Why why why? All it takes is a quick software change and vuala! Peace of mind.
I am worried that it is hardware integrated compression and it isn’t firmware dependent as in Canon/Nikon cameras. It makes it very fast process but it also it makes impossible to disable it without hardware replacement.
I guess we’ll find out soon when the first firmware update arrives. Loads of people are complaining about lossy raw-files, so if Sony doesn’t give it to us, it means that they simply can’t.
That would be risky, as it would effectively rule out any bug fixing without recalling bodies… My guess is firmware, but whether they’ll fix it remains to be seen.
Maybe Sony are doing some corrections with the not RAW file that they would rather we not see ?
I am truly shocked with truthfulness of those conclusion (thanks Diglloyd):
“Readers can decide for themselves whether a file stored as lossy-compressed 11-base + 7-bit offset is “14-bit RAW recording”. By comparison, Nikon offers uncompressed or lossless compressed 14-bit raw.
The use of 11+7-bit lossy compression in the context of damaging shutter vibration along with a convoluted design usability (menus) along with the absence of a Nikon/Canon style professional network tell us something about the state of photography understanding at Sony in terms of the professional market. There is surely room for improvement on all counts and at least the first three are not exactly difficult challenges to address. ”
I liked more my Nex-7 low iso night files, when there exists areas of very diversified brightness. High iso daily shots with subjectively lower contrasts in comparison to night shots, they looks better from A7.
> Nikon offers uncompressed or lossless compressed 14-bit raw
But not on all cameras.
It’s offered on all cameras relevant to this comparison.
The NEX-7 shares the same compression algorithm as the A7(r).
Yes, You are right. I felt that compression was higher but I checked it – when the resolution of sensor of A7 and Nex-7 is the same, output file size remains the same. I read that there are some changes in image processing from first A7/A7R leaflet but they haven’t written any details. Maybe I made some internal suggestion. I will try to evaluate it with sample photos, but I feel that my Nex-7 has more gradient in light at night. But maybe those photos were just brighter that those made with A7.
Generally with A7: Circle of confusion is larger, noise at high iso is lower and most glasses has to be stopped down more to get rid of optical aberration at the edge of frame. I only use MF Zeiss glasses and some of them are really old ones 🙂
They wrote on “Sony’s 11+7-bit Lossy”:
“So, current Sony cameras (all SLT/NEX/ILCE uses cRAW format) are not suited for high-contrast night scenes”.
I’m sorry but that’s not true, at least according to my experience.
I took many night shots (stars and milky way) with the A99 in RAW and I’ve never noticed any artefacts.
Never seen some when editing a star trail or using a star tracker with 8 minutes exposure time.
Was I lucky?
Have I read the review correctly?
And then: who the hell is gonna look at a pic with that magnification? Computer geeks?
C’mon…
It’s very odd. You would think that problem should be consistent.
However… I haven’t noticed it on any of my night shots using the A7 either.
I wonder if the lens(es) used are a factor at all?
Go to http://www.quesabesde.com/noticias/sony-a7r-analisis-fotos_11174 and download http://img01.quesabesde.com/media/img/noti/0064/dsc09676.arw
Study the edge of the tower in the background, as it’s set against the light sky. Even with ACR sliders set to 0, you can see something off immediately to the right of the ledge of the tower (the sky should not look like that). If you move the sliders that “something off “ is more readily apparent not just to the right of the ledge but in other areas to the right of the tower. That is a typical situation when deltas are relatively large.
What? Are you serious?
There’s only one thing I have to say about that: LMAO!!!!
Do you buy a camera (any camera) to “analyse” pics or to enjoy the magic, the frozen moment, the memories that the pics she produces she could give you back?
The satisfaction of taking a nice pic?
C’mon, let’s stop with this useless whining and NASA approach to photography, please!
Yes, I’m serious. But you seem nervous. Why?
Nobody could ever tell any difference on the lossy raw issue in a print or at 100% on screen, other than waves on test charts. Ludicrous reason not to get one, but good excuse not to go take pictures and complain about the camera though.
Both A7 and R are awesome cameras; I used an A7 last week and bought one immediately..best files and EVF I’ve ever seen, but if I was shooting photos of the hair on an ant’s arse I might be all up in arms about the test charts and ‘lossy’ raw files. This stuff is getting ridiculous.
It’s obvious you didn’t even click into the article. The problem is extremely visible. It would be far worse on even a moderately large print. The images look like they came out of a cheap P&S from 15 years ago.
I sold my 77 recently- and I miss it. Now I have to buy a replacement although I have the a900. Well, the A99. I so badly want to here of the a77 and a99 replacement. Alas, we continue to wait. A99- you are my future.
A nice set of reviews/links.
I particularly like the “Sony Nex 7 vs Sony A7 review: Which camera should you get? (Theinspiredeye).”
I don’t think I’ve seen that direct comparison anywhere else but it’s very valid for many NEX-7 users thinking of upgrading, or those wanting a high-end e-mount and debating on whether to get the Nex-7 (a great camera at a great price!), or whether to splurge on the A7.
As someone who has owned/shot with the NEX-5 / NEX-6 / NEX-7 / A7 I completely agree with the reviewer’s comments and comparison.
Also.. great photos!
Tomorrow (just a few hours) and we will reach the one year anniversary of Sony not announcing a single Sony made A-mount product (cameras and lenses), so anybody in a rush?
That’s not true. The sal70200g2 was released in October 2013.
Sony shooters would rather not acknowledge that embarrassment. The only notable increase on that lens was the price, to beyond ridicule levels.
I HAVE BEEN BITCHING ABOUT THE RAW COMPRESSION FOR YEARS!!!
F U SONY!
Does this lossy scheme somehow affect your photos?
Does your photos somehow affect your lossy scheme?
Go shoot JPEG!
I am scheme and I find that lossy.
So, you can’t provide examples. That won’t help your case.
Holy caps… calm down… Your pics will still suck.. no need to be alarmed…
…what are all these prissy fan-boys doing complaining about A7R shutter noise? …had my buddy try out my A7R and compared it to his Nikon D-600…I stood back watching and LISTENING and guess what, the D-600 was very loud -louder than the A7R …but, so what?!!
…both take incredible photos…are all these whiners really photographers or computer nerds…me thinks they don’t even take pix but hover over websites to spill their boyishness
After using my A65 with electronic first curtain, that is whisper quiet altogether, I guess I’d be bitching too about something like a loud mirror slap or a loud shutter. Sure, it doesn’t affect my pictures, but it makes me feel like i’m holding a film relic from 1930’s.
Lenses from 1930’s-1970’s are exactly the opposite though. They’re generally a pleasure to use.
They’re either trolls, computer geeks or “armchair photographer”.
I could be wrong and maybe they’re the best photographer ever….
Just think about the “shutter vibration issue” of the A7R (non existent as a matter of fact if the camera used as it should be, given the high MP count) or the shutter noise of the A7R (I have a friend who’s using it now and it said “yeah, it’s loud, but nothing major, as loud as others cameras”) and I could go on with a long long list.
I just enjoy what I have.
Well, if you’re shooting landscapes (which is a primary application for this camera imo) you’ll probably also want some telephoto shots at some point. If there are moving elements in your frame (flock of birds for instance) you can’t go for a slow SS either. At that point this whole issue can become a real problem.
Well, apparently, the problem of the shutter vibration comes around 1/100sec so if you’re using a telephoto and wanna freeze birds then definately this (non issue, because I’m convinced that is a non issue since all cameras vibrates, some more some less) is not gonna be a problem since you’re gonna shoot a lot faster than that. No?
The shutter vibration problem is very much real and very much a serious nuisance for landscape photography. It has been demonstrated by a variety of very reliable evaluators. It was also demonstrated by DPReview, despite how happy they were with the camera.
There’s no need to be a raging fanboy/girl about a camera. Nobody’s going to give you an award for your faith in a giant soulless conglomerate’s ability to be the BEST EVAR! The shutter problem is very real, very much worse than any competitor, and has some workarounds. That’s the reality whether you like it or not.
Decisions, decisions. The 7r seems to have too many faults to sink that kind of money. The A7 is compelling and the 6000 looks great for the price. But its going to be hard to ignore the XT1. This might be the year I add Fuji to my collection.
It has been a very difficult year of decision making for me. I’ve wanted full frame mirrorless for years and had the A7 but, with all of these problems, a disappointing lens outlay, and no clarity from Sony (compared to massive clarity from Fuji) on what lenses to expect.. I mean, we’re *ALREADY* to the end of the announced lenses. What’s next? Why be so opaque?
I don’t think Sony understands how to engage customers in a long term investment like Canon and Nikon do. I think Fuji gets it. This is more important than having the biggest and fastest. Most camera buyers are mainly worried about wasting money over the long term.
As everything it is a question of personal taste.
Every, and I really mean every camera or lens or camera-lens combo has its specific characteristics/issues. Either one can circle around problematic behaviours or not. If not the camera/lens/combo isn’t suitable for one’s needs. That’s it.
and the list of A7/7r problems grows…
-fake 14bit raw
– internal sensor reflection (a7)
– shutter vibration
– no customized safety shutter speed for auto iso
Sony does not offer 14bit RAW but a 14bit sensor readout and this works. You do have 14-bit of dynamic range data available, however at a reduced accuracy.
http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/products/ILCE-7/feature_1.html
イメージセンサー内でAD変換された14bitのデジタル信号を、新開発のフロントエンドLSIと「BIONZ X」のシステム内で一度16bit処理してから、RAW画像に14bit出力することで、より豊かな階調表現と高画質を実現します。
If any of you whingers owned an A7 you would realise how ridiculous you sound…
I owned an A7 and returned it for several of these reasons. It’s hardly ridiculous to expect quality images from an expensive camera.
Really??
Fake 14 bit RAW…You haven’t even looked at a RAW file or else you would know that is B…S
Internal Sensor reflection….The conditions to achieve this are so ridiculous you actually have to be taking a picture of the sun you make it happen. Not just flaring…The sun..
Shutter vibration…Not on the A7…Put the battery grip on the A7r problem solved…
No customised safety shutter speed for auto iso…Learn to use a camera…
If these are the reasons you have for returning a camera…You are right.. you shouldn’t own it…
I have numerous images with sensor reflections. It is incredibly easily triggered. It isn’t just the extremely bright lights. Any bright light in an image will cause huge ghosting which is due to sensor reflection, not lens ghosting. I also lost a number of images due to problems associated with horrible file compression, it’s especially prominent in low key images which is often what I shoot.
On the other issues, who said I care about those things? Uncontrollable ghosting and splotchy compression artifacts even in RAW is far more than enough to justify returning a camera as unacceptable.
You need to calm down. You can’t cope with reality. It’s a fucking camera. If it doesn’t work well it goes back. There are hundreds of alternatives to choose from. What kind of moron would put up with subpar performance when you can just pick another product?
Wow you must have some amazing eyes. I have not seen any of these thing on any of my images. I use the A7 commercially and have nothing but praise for it. Huge quality. Impressive dynamic range…I use everything from 5d mark 3s to Phase IQs and most stuff in between. The A7 is my go to camera for a lot of stuff. Shooting sunset landscape no ghosting reflection issues….Your talking B…S
The Digilloyd article doesn’t even offer the RAW file for download. Now way to verify the claim, no way to check if the problem is in the RAW converter rather than in the RAW file.
In a scientific sense, the article is worthless.
You can e-mail Lloid and ask for the file. Or, better, shoot such an image yourself, it is a good way to verify the claim.