The A7r with the terrific (and huge) Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 OTUS. Image courtesy: ThePhoBlographer.
There was a new Sony event in USA and plenty of blogger added their image samples and new test. So here is a new A7-A7r article roundup:
Full size A7r RAW image samples at Focus Numerique.
Full size A7r JPG image samples at ThePhoBlographer.
Full size A7r JPG samples at Dpreview.
A7r at the PDNshow stand pictures on Flickr.
Sony A7r and Zeiss 55mm f1.4 Otus at ThePhoBlographer.
A7r image samples at SLRlounge.
A7-A7r with Otus and Zeiss 21mm and 50mm ZM lenses by Steve Huff.
One reason NOT to buy the A7r (Soundimagesplus).
Reminder: The $4,000 Otus 55mm Zeiss (here at BH) is aCanon or Nikon mount lens. It’s not coming as native FE mount yet. Here are the links ot the [shoplink 9804 ebay]Biogon T* 2,8/21 ZM (on eBay)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 9809 ebay]Planar T* 2/50 ZM (on eBay)[/shoplink].
Specs and Preorders in US and Canada (Click on store name to see direct preorder page):
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 Preorders 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
Asia:
A7r at Digitalrev
A7 at Digitalrev.
A7 with 28-70mm lens at Digitalrev.
115 Responses
Lots of fuzzy images from the Otus!
Hendrick….. Check out stevehuff.com and see what he has done with this combination. Nothing fuzzy about it. Cheers
I’m curious how he can judge sharpness from images that aren’t in their native resolution. o_O
(ps. if they are really unsharp – I would blame adapter, as A7 with native lenses looked just fine last time I checked)
I did. That phoblog dude needs to take a break from blogging and learn photography- my sincere suggestion.
+1, and not to take all the pics wide open to get more DOF and get more things in focus
stevehuff.com takes you to a webpage with links to:
guns, dogs and coloring books? wtf?
http://www.confederatekennels.com/VCK/Welcome.html
http://www.worldreliefnow.org/wrn-web/World_Relief_Now.html
http://accuracyx.com/
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2013/10/30/day-two-sony-a7-and-a7r-with-zeiss-otus-and-more/#respond
Try this link
+1
The photoblog guy says ‘Even with Sony’s focus peaking, we found this lens to be incredibly tough to focus when shooting with it wide open.’ Meanwhile, Huff just delivers a bunch of (resized) photos that look focus well enough.
Huff’s aren’t resized. Click on them and they become huge! Also, Huff uses a lot of manual lenses, so I’m guessing he would make a better reviewer on this particular lens. But quite frankly, I don’t care. Not my system, nor is it the one I will be changing to (OMD EM1). Sometimes there is such thing as too much resolution, no matter how good they look.
Well, if 1800×1200 is “huge” than I have no words.
Huff is just a better photographer than the phoblographer guy…
The phoblo bloke is not a photographer.
Steve Huff is just puff. A modern Ken Rockwell.
The soundimageplus blog was interesting in that most of the article was based on conjecture. Still, the guy seems to be a big fan of m4/3 and Fuji X cameras. Which are quite good. He made some valid points (like lack of lenses, etc.) but he doesn’t seem to acknowledge that the 7r may be better suited for some rangefinder lenses than the a7. Again, most anything said at the moment is conjecture. When the cameras, lenses, and appropriate raw processing software is released, we should get a better idea how the a7/7r performs.
Almazar80, check Steve Huff last report: M mount lenses seem to perform better on 7 than on 7r, despite 7r having microlenses on sensor. I am curious to see more samples, but at this point I almost made up my mind and I’ll go for the 7, saving some money for the next RX2 (any rumor about it Andrea?).
not yet 🙂
Same here Marco: I cancelled my a7r preorder and went for an a7 instead, I prefer the lighter files and I mostly use 35mm or 50mm lenses anyway, plus I guess that Distagon schemes (es. ZM 18/4) will work well
The A7 will also have faster AF due to on-sensor PDAF and it will have a quieter shutter due to the first curtain that is not available on the A7R.
I find it interesting that the A7R is outselling the A7. I consider the A7R much more specialized with the A7 as the all-around better solution.
Otus is 55mm f/1.4 lens, not 5mm f/1.4.
Imo , just too bad. I could make better images with my A77 for $3 thousand less!
That is the most beautiful picture I’ve ever seen.
Ton, It’s a joke surely!
I was refering to the picture of the camera and lens! The actual output is…well…eh.
For $4 thousands less! 🙂
These are Gear Acquisition Syndrome pictures.
I want to see this Otus lens do nightshots of street scenes. 🙂
+1 Good diagnosis! 🙂
I suppose it is a matter of taste, but these OTUS photos strike me as overexposed and with very peculiar choices on composition and DOF.
Just to clarify, I was speaking about the Phoblographer samples, not the Steve Huff ones, which look much better. (Kind of wish I had looked at the post more carefully before opening my mouth and commenting). Sorry all.
Seth I agree, the phoblographer shots are hopefully not representative of the capability of the system.
Has anybody yet tested this system with a tilt/shift lens?
I am dying to find out how the Sony Zeiss FE 55mm compares to the Otus 55mm. My guess is there is a bit more colour fringing wide open on the Sony, but otherwise they’re probably identical in image quality (save the max aperture, price and weight difference).
It’s more interesting how it compares with Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM.
FE 55 is a different type of a lens – Compact f/1.8.
+1 That would be the interesting comparison.
All 3 head-to-head. They’re all brand new zeiss designs, so they should compare well. Based on reviews that I’ve seen online, my guess is that the 50 performs worst wide open.
Well, Otus is basically a medium format lens with DSLR mount, so obviously it performs best. FE is f/1.8 lens for over a 1000 euro, so I’d be shocked if it’s anything but perfect wide open. This leaves 50 f/1.4 – which is 2/3 EV brighter than 55 FE – in rather uncomfortable position 😉
I’d be more fair to compare Zeiss 50 f/1.4 at f/1.8 aperture with 1.8/55 instead of going for simple “who’s best wide open” – don’t you think?
Having shot with the ZA 50, I know for sure that Otus walks all over that lens. The ZA resolution when stopped down is even a smidgen worse than my Contax (though with mild FC). What would be interesting to see is the comparison between the ZA 50 and the Nikkor 58. Both are priced similarly, though from what I see, the Nikkor might be better.
Otus walks over pretty much everything out there 😉 and for that price I expect no less.
But in did – comparsion with new Nikon might be very interesting too.
The MTF chart for the Zeiss Otus looks quite a bit better that the one for the new Nikon 58mm:
http://lenses.zeiss.com/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/en/downloadcenter/datasheets_otus/otus_1455.pdf
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2210/AF-S-NIKKOR-58mm-f%252F1.4G.html#!lightbox/carousel/media=/Photography/2210_MTF_01_en.jpg
We were talking between Sony ZA 50/1.4 and Nikon 58/1.4. Otus MTF (with measured 40lp/mm) is vastly superior than the Nikon 58 MTF (calculated 30lp/mm).
+10000000000000
Well Mr SkyWalker…. I can’t seem to reply to your above comment up there, so I will here…..
1800 x 1200 isn’t that big… yes, your right, however, I can seem to get them much bigger here. Also, I get the originals emailed to me, but, I can’t see why anyone else couldn’t get the original size via his website.
May the Force be with you!
You can download the full res 32MP JPEG one? I couldn’t find the link. That Otus has an insane pop/3D.
It took a while to download… But the horses eye on one of them took up the whole of my screen almost. It was a very large picture that I viewed. Easily twice the size of what my D7000 can do. And some of the other pics could come up at an equal size. I was waiting to be shot down with my statement, but I’m pretty positive that they are full res JPEGs that I was viewing where people can get a good idea on what these cameras are capable of. Put it this way…. A woman with less that flawless skin would not be happy with the details that this camera/lens combo puts out!!! lol
Can you link to the full res? I still can’t find any link on Huff site to the full res version.
Nvm, I think you’re mistaken Huff with the Phoblographer.
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/full35zeissDSC00437.jpg
I’m thinking that maybe I did get the Huff site mixed u with another site…. It was 3am!!! I was asleep, but could still type! lol. But I did give ya the link to one of Huff’s which IS full size just to prove to myself that I wasn’t dreaming about Huff posting full res JPEG’s 🙂
Ya, he posted that one recently. It’s also the only full-res one. The phoblographer has all full-res.
Sorry mate… My bad…. I was certain he had!!! Must have been from another of his posts he has recently done!
Looks like I made the right choice in choosing the A7. After reading Steve Huff’s article, I’m tempted to return/sell my pre-ordered FE 35mm, and go with the Woigtlander instead.
I DO NOT see the attraction to these monstrosity lenses that Zeiss is building. Who in their right mind is going to carry a lens around this size. It’s ridiculous. I can’t imagine people getting excited about these lenses. I love the concept of the new camera but lets have some quality lenses that compete in size and function with the Micro Four Thirds offerings. Maybe this is where Nikon will surprise us with their new product coming in a few days.
Also…. who would pay $4000 for a manual focus lens only when there id cheaper ones that are probably just as good out there!!!
I would tend to agree. I first thought that it might be simply a proof of concept, but apparently it’s a whole family. Maybe it’s a sign of upcoming new sensors? I mean, new technology.
That lens (the Otus) is designed for DSLR, so it fits well when mounted on a D800 for example, but when mounted on a small camera like the A7r, yeah the lens size does look ridiculous, but I guess they wanted to show the full capability of the A7r sensor.
Now they are other 50mm that perform well but there’s none that perform as well as the Otus wide open at 1.4. The only lens that would probably come close to the Otus 50 1.4 performance would be the Leica Summilux 50 1.4, but heck that’s a M mount lens which no DSLR can use (but the A7/r can 😀 )
I agree. I think the performance advantage of this is being overstated. I’m sure it’s exceptional in all regards. However, how much of that REALLY translates into higher quality photo’s for the average shooter. It’s hard to navigate it’s actual real world application when Zeiss is lacing it’s ads with such superlatives. I little less CA here and sharper corners here….eh. I want some real independent reviews from actual photographers after a week or two of use.
I have no doubt some landscape photographers would appreciate the Otus, especially people using the Gigapan system. WO, the Otus has no visible coma, so wide field astro (at WO!) is another application. The possibility is endless if you think about it.
I keep seeing that people think their 50 is good enough. If you think so, obviously this lens is not for you. Having shot with many high-end 50s and seen many samples of the Otus on Lloyd blog, I know this lens is way better than any 50 out there (even that 7K Cron 50 AA-well only a smidgen better).
Outside of WO as you stated, you still think at, say 5.6-11, this lens offers that much more over the Zeiss 50mm?
Tom, at f/5.6, this lens is as sharp as the Leica 180 APO and 280 APO (considering these two are long telephoto famous as the sharpest for quite a while). At f/8, diffraction kicked in, it still managed to be better than the Cron 50 AA WO (entire frame). At f/11, the entire frame of the Otus is a smidgen sharper than the center of the Lux 50 ASPH WO. I put these in perspective so you can decide for yourself if it’s better (or not) than any 50 you have shot with.
A Rolleiflex classic: “Even though I’ve never used it, I know it’s WAY better…”
Right up there with “even though I’ve never seen the photos of commenters here, I know they are better than yours”
Keep ’em coming, Rolleiflex.
Thank you for being a loyal fan. On a serious note, I don’t bother you anymore, so I guess you’re just petty person to follow me around like this. Got your ego bruised?
+ 1 for rolloflex.
As you would likely say, what’s the matter–you can give it, but you can’t take it?
lol
I will agree to a cessation of hostilities, and as a gesture of good will, I will refrain from making a similar response to a similar earlier comment of yours.
How about we agree on this: some users will find the A7/R system valuable, and that, in isolation, is a good thing. Heck, I even like the look of the thing. I have multiple systems, and who knows, this might just end up being a fun system to fool around with, especially with t.p. lenses.
So Rollei–if I may be so informal–what are your expectations of this system using an adapted T/S lens? Say something of a relatively short focal length like 20mm?
Canon TSE 17 and 24 would have no problem whatsoever. The WA angle problem only happens with rangefinder (Leica M and M39 mounts) WAs due to steep light ray. However, one interesting report shows that the Leica R 90 AA doesn’t work well with the 7R. I would wait for me testings, but this might indicate that the gapless, offset microlenses on the 7R would not play well with telephoto design.
No telephoto, no RF wide angle… Jeez… That’s a picky camera. Seems like the whole point of using adapters with A7/r slowly goes out of the window. Good for Sony – people will buy these 1000 euro lenses.
Just to be clear, it’s only one report on the 90 AA (check FredMiranda). I would wait for more* (not me) tests.
I don’t think there is disagreement about the performance of the lens. The question is whether it is really worth it. There are plenty of possibilities with cheaper lenses too and, I believe, landscape photographers would think twice before deciding to lug a very expensive 1kg prime 🙂
Vlad, worthiness is subjective. If one shoots at this focal length most of the time and demands the highest quality, it would be worth it. I paid more for my 55 and I’m happy with it; it’s lighter, smaller and “good enough” so far. So this Otus 55 is not high on my list. As a photographer, I wouldn’t mind taking out expensive lens to shoot all days. I wouldn’t pay that much if I don’t use it. Not a collector…
It is subjective, indeed. I just don’t think many people would go for it, seems like way too niche of a product to me.
Wasn’t it also available declicked? Maybe it would make a good cine lens and for a cine lens standards it isn’t even expensive (don’t have a clue about video).
Personally I doubt that it’s going to be that useful for landscape people. At least mtf-wise there are several lenses out there that get close when stopped down for a fraction of the price.
Btw. stopping down reminded me of one thing: what’s that diffraction reduction about that’s supposed to come with the a7r? I’d be interested how it works technically and practically.
Well, most location pro shooters would pack their best equipment. The goal is not hiking but getting the best possible pictures (would hire another carrier if they have to). That’s where this would fit in. It’s indeed a very niche product, but if you want the best at this focal, this is it.
As for diffraction, most fast lenses would hit diffraction at f/8 (or max performance at f/4-5.6) regardless of MP. The only reason one can see it before because the pixel density is not dense enough (or not enough detail) to discern the slight softening/low contrast at f/8 vs. f/5.6. Lens does benefit with more MP, nonetheless.
But… a point where you start to see diffraction does depend on resolution. It’s kinda like saying that an amount of details on a photograph is unaffected by number of megapixels sensor has (… Ok, that would make more sense if not DXO scoring lenses resolution in MPx… *facepalm*)
Zeiss K8 MTF-tester (and any optical bench) would test a lens independently of a camera system (check Zeiss MTF or Roger optical bench test). You will see most (if not all) would max around f/4-5.6. The point is, if you think your lens is too soft at f/4-5.6 on a 100MP sensor, going up to f/2.8 would not result in a sharper image. Diffraction is an optical property (not sensor)….
I know diffraction is an optical property and that’s why I’m so interested in that “diffraction-reduction” thing in the a7r camera. I mean no amount of digital processing would recover information that was never there in the first place.
At SAR this didn’t get much coverage but at other places people are quite excited about just this feature and I understand why. If that actually did what it claims, it would be a real breakthrough in photography. I’m already prepared to be disappointed though.
gintony, I pointed this one as well. I also suspect this exact same thing is already in use in the D800/E. I was specifically looking for diffraction induced mush from lenses at f/16-f/22. could not find any.
My bad for not reading your earlier message carefully. That’s just a gimmicky feature from Sony. It is just a typical deconvolution sharpening. I hope Sony would not “cook” that into their RAW.
Diffraction is an edje effect caused by light bendint around the edges of the diaphram.
The flatter ant rounder the diapram the less the effect.
It is not an absolute resolution limiter but rather softens the contrast.
The effect is greatest at extremely small f stops ( like f32 or f48)
At large appertures this effect is practically non existant.
Any of the faster fstops will have no noticable diffraction because the overal aperture area far exceeds the diaphram edge area.
Tom, clearly this lens is not aimed at “the average shooter”, for whom plenty of adequate lenses are available around this focal length.
I get that, but it’s still an object of desire for many of us. If I was convinced it was worthwhile I’d consider buying it- seriously. I have a lot of Zeiss glass already and am familiar with the value of excellent optics. I’m attempting to determine more about this lens and its capabilities. Most of my work is portraiture anyhow and I do plan on acquiring the A7R if the next alpha doesn’t offer higher resolution early next year.
I’m curious, what type of work do you do that you want/need in excess of 36mp?
I often crop-zoom to extract parts of images for other uses, and I therefore find FF resolution very helpful.
As recent sales prove the majority DO want higher resolution.
The sky is falling no more megapixel crowd are much more vocal here on sar than the high mp crowd but clearly the higher a7r over a7 sales prove that high res is the future.
Not an everyman you are not the majority except on sar comments.
Oops! Not an everyman i misread your comment…..sorry….
My comment still stands but it is no longer directed at your statement.
Tom
I too await higher resolution.
I expect we will see it early 2015 with the introduction of newer technology sensors.
I dont expect to see it sooner but hope I am wrong.
The smaller rangefinder lenses don’t seem to be working so well. And, the reviewers have to find a positive angle.
Hmm, so why did Sony offset micro lens for the A7r when the A7 seem to perform better with <35mm M mount lenses.
Though, is it me or the A7r pictures tend to have more clarity over the A7 (comparing with all the good sample Images that have been posted so far)? Probably due to the lack of AA filter?
re: 1) larger photosites in A7, A7r NEEDS offset microlenses, -to make it usable, not to make it perfect…
2) Yes,likely
The guy at the soundimageplus website is missing a couple of screws upstairs. He is a great writer and a hardworking man while confusing himself with his own thoughts. (As it happened last year with his Nikon1 story)
There is a big chance, he again is making judgmental assumptions about a system before he holds one in his hands and falls in love.
I feel bad for the poor man and I learned to ignore his blog.
Steve Huff mentioned that the A7 shutter was quieter than the shutter from the A7R. Has any other site mentioned this?
Just realized that the A7R doesn’t have first curtain like the A7, so that is likely the reason.
Still a novelty cameras. Got excited at first, but NAAAH.
I would like to see a review of the kit lens for the A7.
Me too
I love it but I think the outer corners are only 95% sharp. That would seriously break my pics.
My tireless stalker!
What a joke this is. Compact? Not at all, this is another marketing gimmick to get money from silly people who believe their photography will improve with new equipment. I see nothing innovative about the new Sony A7 or A7R. A little smaller and lighter so I can put a big heavy lens and adapter on it? No thanks. Save your money.
I think you are really correct, I live in tourist town in USA & there are hundreds of bozos walking around with the biggest bulkiest lenses they can buy to look like ‘photographers’. It’s quite sickening to watch really but these bozos do keep our camera companies in business so I never say anything. I just shoot my Leitz glass and try to avoid them but it is kind of entertaining in a way sometimes to watch while walking around.
Versus the pretentious/hipster types who shoot legacy leitz/leica glass because Cartier-Bresson did? Lets be real here, the scale tips both ways.
LOL, you nailed it… Gear don’t dictate a competent photographer. However, most likely a competent photographer would have better gear.
Well, they are mirrorless FF, which some might consider to be a plus.
Put the Otus on a speed booster and see how much cocerage it can really have!!
Are you serious? The Speedbooster projection is limited to APS-C size and its focal length multiplier is more than 1. So you will end up with a narrower FOV than a 55 and heavy vignette on a Full frame. Now, if you can put this Otus on a Leica S or Pentax 645D….
sony seriously need a lens roadmap. not blank lines.
I’m getting an A7 🙂
I really only need 50mm and 85mm. So we’re half way there, and in the meantime I can use a manual 85mm, as well as the kit zoom 🙂
I will be extremely happy 🙂
I want this lens so I can justify my manhood. Your pictures are worthless unless you own this. You shouldn’t even call yourself a photographer without manhood attached to your camera.
lol!
Totally. But is it size or cost that determines manhood? Could I just use the FE-55 1.8 and wrap it in 20 $100 bills?
That way, if I get into a pinch, I can always peal off some of my manhood to pay for a cab ride home.
Interesting article from Thom Hogan:
http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/the-full-frame-debate.html
Nothing unexpected. To sum it up, Mr. Hogan put it eloquently:
“For my critical work, I want the very best I can squeak out of pixels, and with a truly portable, versatile body, that means FX.”
“But if were a more casual shooter having to pick one system that was more than good enough and difficult to tell the differences on, m4/3 through APS/DX would probably be where I was at. As it is, for days when I’m putting on the miles I’ve picked m4/3 as my format to keep size and weight down. So please don’t call me a hypocrite for using FX for pro work: I’m living what I preach for some of my work, and I suspect that as time goes on and more cameras get up to Point B or further on my image quality chart, my absolute need for FX will go away.”
I guess that day has not come yet. Beside, with the introduction of FF mirrorless, the difference in size and weight between FF and m43 is not as big anymore.
Interesting. But I think a casual non-professional shooter might also want to squeeze the best out of pixels.
+1 Exactly, that’s why I included the first quote there.
Funny for him to be trying to throw the “camera makers are making more money off you” based on what he thinks sensors cost, when the EM1 and a7 are the same price…
Taken from the A7/A7R press guide (page 9)
A7R Planar T* 85mm f1.4 ZA SSM, Mount Adaptor LA-EA4
Could it be a typo or the SSM upgrade is indeed coming??
Admin, my last post seems to have disappeared….
Checked in Spam and Trash folder but couldn’t found a post by searching your mail.
Spend 4k$ to shoot images like those? Stupid or rich.
The Otus pictures by Phoblogger are boring snapshots. On the other hand, those taken by Steve Huff are fine photographs and reveal the possibilities of this remarkable lens. It’s interesting to see this demonstration of how important skill is. In one man’s hands the lens is ho hum. In the hands of a good photographer the lens is spectacular.
Are you serious? I’ve never seen one photo made by Steve Huff that I thought had a drop of artistic merit.