Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Mirrorless Cameras => Topic started by: Kevin Raber on February 27, 2018, 12:05:14 pm
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I'm in Vegas and was at the announcement of the new Sony a7 III. It certainly is a nice upgrade from the previous version but not super groundbreaking. Rather than just post a here it as an article, I am going to shoot with the camera along with a number of content providers over the next few days at various locations and situations. In addition, I am collaborating with another YouTuber and making a video we will share on both our sites. When I get home I'll put together my thoughts on using the camera along with images made with it and share my thoughts on the camera and what segment of photographers this camera is aimed for.
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Thanks for that Kevin. Seems like a very good upgrade for A7 series, borrowing from the A7R and A9 series.
Canon used to do this in the past, trickling down features from their pro cameras to their lower-tier cameras.
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Canon used to do this in the past, trickling down features from their pro cameras to their lower-tier cameras.
it is also a matter of saving on cost by reusing the parts as much as possible...
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Unfortunate, it seems flare is allowing sensor structure or some other effect to become visible:
https://www.dpreview.com/sample-galleries/6769434587/sony-a7-iii-sample-photos/7523984324
Vertical lines showing on the models face:
https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/TS4000x6000~sample_galleries/6769434587/7523984324.jpg
Reminds me of the A9 issues...
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It sounds that it's offering quite a lot for the money. The better battery + grip and joystick + better focus are quite appealing. They also added 2 SD cards. Image quality I expect to be a wash with D750.
For somebody who doesn't need the better focus/speed of A9 or the extra resolution of A7Riii it is a goldilock option. It definitely gives a run for the money to the Nikon D750 or the APS-C/m43 "pro" cameras.
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Unfortunate, it seems flare is allowing sensor structure or some other effect to become visible:
https://www.dpreview.com/sample-galleries/6769434587/sony-a7-iii-sample-photos/7523984324
Vertical lines showing on the models face:
https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/TS4000x6000~sample_galleries/6769434587/7523984324.jpg
Reminds me of the A9 issues...
Just as I sounded positive in my first reply ;D
I wonder if this is similar to something that I occasionally experience with the X-T2 when shooting into a light source and I get a purple flare with a gridlock pattern. Quite annoying and difficult to get rid of but fortunately not very common.
I guess that's what A7iv will get rid off.
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Nikon D750 or the APS-C/m43 "pro" cameras.
along with Fuji X-T2, Fuji X-H1
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As far as DP review sample images. I shot the same set up and my files look good. It was some very odd contrast lighting in the studio with color gels on some lights. We are shooting there again this afternoon as well as elsewhere today and tomorrow. When I get back I'll include a lot of sample files in my article. It's too bad we are only working with JPEGS at this point. I spoke to Phase One and they will be working on RAW conversion as soon as they get a camera which is supposed to be this week. This is a new sensor so you can't just try to fool C1 with a metadata change. There is supposed to be anti-flicker in the camera so that should avoid some issues too. Let's see how my shoot today goes.
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As far as DP review sample images. I shot the same set up and my files look good. It was some very odd contrast lighting in the studio with color gels on some lights. We are shooting there again this afternoon as well as elsewhere today and tomorrow. When I get back I'll include a lot of sample files in my article. It's too bad we are only working with JPEGS at this point. I spoke to Phase One and they will be working on RAW conversion as soon as they get a camera which is supposed to be this week. This is a new sensor so you can't just try to fool C1 with a metadata change. There is supposed to be anti-flicker in the camera so that should avoid some issues too. Let's see how my shoot today goes.
One theory on that site by a poster relates to lenses like the Sony 55/1.8 and 35/1.8, having reflective rear elements...
If you have any of those lenses handy may be worth a try...
I recall some testers of the A9 noted some LED lights can be sensor unfriendly...
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I'm in Vegas and was at the announcement of the new Sony a7 III. It certainly is a nice upgrade from the previous version but not super groundbreaking. Rather than just post a here it as an article, I am going to shoot with the camera along with a number of content providers over the next few days at various locations and situations. In addition, I am collaborating with another YouTuber and making a video we will share on both our sites. When I get home I'll put together my thoughts on using the camera along with images made with it and share my thoughts on the camera and what segment of photographers this camera is aimed for.
Nothing ground shattering and yet we are all going goo goo over the new Fuji. I would think this A73 stacks up very well against the Fuji, surpassing it in many areas especially in eye AF tracking.
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along with Fuji X-T2, Fuji X-H1
Reading is not your strength when you have something to prove, is it?
It definitely gives a run for the money to the Nikon D750 or the APS-C/m43 "pro" cameras.
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I just downloaded a number of images shot last night. I gave the Eye AF a workout. Totally addicted and totally amazing. One you push the Eye AF button the square hits the eye and stays there even as the subject move and in the images, the eye is tack sharp. Another reason why this camera will appeal to wedding and portrait photographers. I'm shooting this afternoon with the 24-70 G-Master and tomorrow will be using the 100-400mm G-master for the things we are shooting. I think Sony will sell a lot of these cameras.
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Nothing ground shattering and yet we are all going goo goo over the new Fuji. I would think this A73 stacks up very well against the Fuji, surpassing it in many areas especially in eye AF tracking.
If anything I would call Kevin more a Sony fanboy than Fuji, I think these days he mostly shoots with Sony.
I do agree that for somebody starting fresh the A7iii sounds more compelling than X-H1. I do think however that the difference will be made in lenses/ ecosystem. On a side note I find funny that the X-H1 seems to have better video specs, this coming from somebody who rarely uses video though. One place where Fuji screwed up with the X-H1 is when they kept the same battery size despite increasing the grip.
Obviously if those sensor artifacts are common then it's a different story. All mirrorless seem to have some similar issues (despite claims of them being so much better than DSLRs) but at least on my Fuji is not that common. I did see it during my recent trip to Iceland more than once though, ruined a couple of shots. I don't recall seeing it on my E-M5ii but I use it less often.
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If I'm not mistaken the Sony sensor artifacts in question have something to do with the PDAF focus points. Doesn't the A9 have this same issue?
-Dave-
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If I'm not mistaken the Sony sensor artifacts in question have something to do with the PDAF focus points. Doesn't the A9 have this same issue?
-Dave-
It is the same issue... it is the 6XX PDAF structure than A9... being “just” 24 megapixels it gets more notice... the A7r III being 42 and just 4XX PDAF sensors over the sensor it get unnoiticed...
It was already commented with the A9... not that stopped people from buying it...
http://dgpfotografia.com
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The a7III seems interesting.
Fitted with a compact 85mm f1.8 AF it may be the perfect "compact camera" when I don't need to bring the D850.
Cheers,
Bernard
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Fitted with a compact 85mm f1.8 AF it may be the perfect "compact camera" when I don't need to bring the D850.
Fine, but you do realise that it'll have 'SONY' emblazoned on the pentaprism ? [/tease]
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Fine, but you do realise that it'll have 'SONY' emblazoned on the pentaprism ? [/tease]
I have been a Sony customer for many years with an RX100, now RX100 MkV and a5100. ;)
I have kept from investing into the a7 line till date for 2 main reasons:
- I wanted to wait for Nikon and Canon serious entries into mirrorless. There is no urgency for me as I am fully satisfied by my existing line up of cameras,
- I was waiting for a high res a9r
But the a7III is a cheap entry so why not. ;)
Cheers,
Bernard
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It is the same issue... it is the 6XX PDAF structure than A9... being “just” 24 megapixels it gets more notice... the A7r III being 42 and just 4XX PDAF sensors over the sensor it get unnoiticed...
Reading up a bit on this earlier today, there's some conjecture that what's being seen with the A7iii is due to an electronic shutter/light source interaction. A different version of the banding issue sometimes seen with flourescent lighting.
-Dave-
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This a small sample of what I rarely get with Fuji, for some reason it looks better now than first time I saw it.
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Here is another one at 200% to be more visible. Looking through my stuff I think you can expect it whenever you have the sun in shot and get a purple flare although it might be easily visible upon a casual review.
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Reading up a bit on this earlier today, there's some conjecture that what's being seen with the A7iii is due to an electronic shutter/light source interaction. A different version of the banding issue sometimes seen with flourescent lighting.
-Dave-
If my memory does not fail me. It should be easy to check out. If DPReview releases the RAW of the image (probably under embargo by Sony), it could be possible to open the image in RAW Digger (when it supports the Sony A7 III) and check if this only happens in the red channel (I think it was the red channel the affected one in the A9), that will imply the PDAF.
Of course, banding due to electronic shutter and light source it is also high probable possibility.
Regards,
David
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Reading up a bit on this earlier today, there's some conjecture that what's being seen with the A7iii is due to an electronic shutter/light source interaction. A different version of the banding issue sometimes seen with flourescent lighting.
What’s funny is that I am pretty sure that Canon and Nikon would probably not put on the market cameras with such minor (“minor” added to clarify my intent) image quality issues.
Just like Japanese phone manufacturers didn’t do touch screen phones before the iPhone out of concerns for dirty finger prints remaining visible. ;D
Cheers,
Bernard
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What’s funny is that I am pretty sure that Canon and Nikon would probably not put on the market cameras with such image quality issues.
Just like Japanese phone manufacturers didn’t do touch screen phones before the iPhone out of concerns for dirty finger prints remaining visible. ;D
Cheers,
Bernard
Which Japanese phone manufacturer are you talking about?
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What’s funny is that I am pretty sure that Canon and Nikon would probably not put on the market cameras with such image quality issues.
Stodgy does as stodgy is. ;D
-Dave-
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What’s funny is that I am pretty sure that Canon and Nikon would probably not put on the market cameras with such image quality issues.
Just like Japanese phone manufacturers didn’t do touch screen phones before the iPhone out of concerns for dirty finger prints remaining visible. ;D
Cheers,
Bernard
No no no. Canikon would never bring a product to market with black spots, ghosting or oil on the sensor. Perish the thought.
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What IS "funny" is that all across the web people are raving about A7iii and how wonderful are it's images but reading here one would think it highly flawed and not even worth considering for purchase......
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What IS "funny" is that all across the web people are raving about A7iii and how wonderful are it's images but reading here one would think it highly flawed and not even worth considering for purchase......
Well, here in Lula, Canon has long disappeared from view, because it is a boring and non-innovative company:) In spite of this, Canon has launched in 2017 what are probably some of the most innovative lenses recently, the Macro - TSE (50mm and 135mm).
Around here there are still some Nikon adamant survivors, that seem to be increasingly struggling to find disadvantages in recent MILC systems. First, there was the lack of lenses; then, slow AF and poor VF. As these have gone away, now they cling to these artefacts that seem to affect not many photogs...
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Well, here in Lula, Canon has long disappeared from view, because it is a boring and non-innovative company:) In spite of this, Canon has launched in 2017 what are probably some of the most innovative lenses recently, the Macro - TSE (50mm and 135mm).
Around here there are still some Nikon adamant survivors, that seem to be increasingly struggling to find disadvantages in recent MILC systems. First, there was the lack of lenses; then, slow AF and poor VF. As these have gone away, now they cling to these artefacts that seem to affect not many photogs...
+1
I think camera and lens selection should never be a popularity contest but selecting the right tool for the job. Or the right tool which is best for your major style and usable for other areas and then making the best of it there. For me that's part of the the fun of photography. Yes, I like to use a tool I feel comfortable with and gives me pleasure using it but for me that's secundary. Once I determined this for myself it was also easy to stop the rat race (and lusting) for the latest/greatest/best camera after every announcement.
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I have just returned from using this camera for several days. The issue mentioned about the lens flare issue was started in DPI Review without checking with the source. Based on what I was told by the source a correction about this was amended to the original article. I shot a number of very backlit images that I will share in my report as well as a number of other images. This is an incredible camera for $2000 USD. It's like an a9 that didn't go to the gym. Sony didn't sacrifice anything to make an entry-level camera that performs. You'd be hard-pressed to find something that is as capable. Also, it's a pretty big statement that Sigma and other see a huge future in Sony camera especially with their announcements of a number of lenses for the E-mount. Game on!
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No no no. Canikon would never bring a product to market with black spots, ghosting or oil on the sensor. Perish the thought.
Sigh...
Were Japanese phone makers right not to release an iPhone before Apple did? No.
Were Nikon and Canon right not to release a FF mirrorless like Sony did? No.
So, since it seems like I have to spell it out real slow... I find these issues of secondary importance and that Sony was right to prioritize innovation and great on sensor AF over minor image quality issues.
Sigh...
Cheers,
Bernard
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Sigh...
...
Sigh...
Maybe we should ask if they can add a "tongue in cheek" emoticon to LuLa ;)
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Just kind of curious - aside from the computer gimmickry, how is 24MP from the A7mk3 going to out-resolve or otherwise be a better landscape/nature camera, than the same-priced Pentax K1-II with 36MP, which is better weather-sealed, with AstroTracer for night shots, PixeShift for enhanced resolution, etc?
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Just kind of curious - aside from the computer gimmickry, how is 24MP from the A7r3 going to out-resolve or otherwise be a better landscape/nature camera, than the same-priced Pentax K1-II with 36MP, which is better weather-sealed, with AstroTracer for night shots, PixeShift for enhanced resolution, etc?
The A7r3 has 42 MP. This thread is about the A7 3 (without the r) and I don't think it will outresolve the K1 or K1-2. However for me the advantage of the A7iii would be the very short registration distance and thereby opening opportunities to mount about every lens you can imagine. It's also smaller and lighter. Horses for courses.
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The A7r3 has 42 MP. This thread is about the A7 3 (without the r) and I don't think it will outresolve the K1 or K1-2. However for me the advantage of the A7iii would be the very short registration distance and thereby opening opportunities to mount about every lens you can imagine. It's also smaller and lighter. Horses for courses.
I've fixed my typo, thanks for pointing that out.
And certainly weight and size is a consideration - the K1 weighs almost exactly 1kg while the Sony weighs about 650g.
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Also, the first model K1 was fundamentally flawed by lack of proper software. I was keen to buy one but discovered that one needed to spend another £200 for a decent version of Silkypix to explore the pixel shift faciity..... I would be surprised if th elatest model is better supplied with software as Pentax did it's usual strategy of simply ignoring the customers.
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Just kind of curious - aside from the computer gimmickry, how is 24MP from the A7mk3 going to out-resolve or otherwise be a better landscape/nature camera, than the same-priced Pentax K1-II with 36MP, which is better weather-sealed, with AstroTracer for night shots, PixeShift for enhanced resolution, etc?
Camera looks great...but lens lineup sucks. Takes both to create a great image.
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With regard to DPR amending their samples article. They have removed Fuji and now say all cameras that use the on sensor AF similar to Sony. IE not limiting this to a SONY and FUJI only issue...
They go on to say, in the comments after the update, that the reason they believe Canon's split pixel system is unaffected is due to the binning back to single pixel output. They theorise that non Canon systems are affected by flare from one angle hitting the on sensor AF causing the unbalanced result in these extremes...
As for the suggestion the new Sony is suitable for wedding photography, I leave you with this image thought:
(https://s.hswstatic.com/gif/10-signs-bridezilla-1.jpg)
;)
Weddings are a once in a life time event, no one should be suggesting this camera when so many people are independently reporting similar issues on similar camera systems...
Not letting LEDs off, I would suggest any events where photography is important should research and make a list of suitable lighting to use....
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Sigh...
Were Japanese phone makers right not to release an iPhone before Apple did? No.
Were Nikon and Canon right not to release a FF mirrorless like Sony did? No.
So, since it seems like I have to spell it out real slow... I find these issues of secondary importance and that Sony was right to prioritize innovation and great on sensor AF over minor image quality issues.
Sigh...
Cheers,
Bernard
A deep sigh doesn't really cut it for me so I'll spell it out in words that should leave absolutely no doubt how I feel.
As you're a regular hear and I'm not I'll probably get it in the neck but your "deep sigh" and attitude is just too far for me.
Bernard, sometimes you come off as a ridiculous fan boy and I'm just tired of your Nikon invented everything and can do no wrong stance.
I do wish you could just grow up, drop the whole stupid fan boy stuff and judge kit on merit.
For Gawd sake.
Just grow up will you.
>:(
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+1
I think camera and lens selection should never be a popularity contest but selecting the right tool for the job. Or the right tool which is best for your major style ....snip
I don’t read a lot of these new camera discussions/introductions, mainly because I think we all know in the electronic world with new products we are all unsupervised beta testers.
I guess that’s why in a two month period we see new firmware updates and have more user comments.
Even on cameras that are the same model/brand/date, there is a difference. I think I’ve owned about 2 of every 1d, 1ds, 1dx series of Canons from the start and many times the same model will have different tendencies in iso and even white balance settings.
Usually slight, but still different.
Now, I am pretty much brand agnostic and own a lot of different brands for different reasons and though I applaud Sony for pushing the market upstream in the 4 Sony’s I’ve used and owned, I’ve never had the best luck with them. (not a knock on Sony, just my experience).
One thing I find interesting is nearly all of these discussions turn into model/brand comparisons. I guess I’m doing the same thing because even though prior to buying a a7s mark II, I looked at sample files and they were clean to very high iso.
Maybe it’s my version, but I can’t see it and even at 800 iso it gets ragged, in fact just a quick street test in London using practical lights at night, I could see very little if any difference between the Sony and the little 4/3 olympus em-5 mark I at 800 iso set to stills. That surprised me given the difference in sensor dimensions.
What does surprise me is the limitations makers put upon themselves. Obviously they are targeting a market and want to protect their up market products, but some things are perplexing and in Canon’s case they seem to artificially limit their cameras though their pricing is high next to the competition. I don’t expect them to sell an Arri quality camera with Leica level lenses for a few thousand, but just averaging it Canon is about 20 to 30% higher than Sony and some other brands.
Everyone talks about mirrorless, especially on this forum, mostly Sony, but in a way nearly all cameras function as mirrorless when using live-view for stills and motion.
Canon’s 1dxII to their d80 in motion will autofocus like crazy and shoots beautiful skin tones even with leds which sometimes cast with different cameras. Why they don’t offer a clip on evf like olympus offers, would give these cameras combination optical viewfinder and /mirrorless workability and not being an engineer it doesn’t seem to be that difficult.
I think there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes between manufacturers than we know. Nikon is a good example. They have no line of expensive cameras - combo still/motion, or video cameras to protect and could rock it out with a camera that offered dual pixel autofocus, real xlr inputs, etc. It seems like Nikon gets the previous round of sensors about the time Sony announces new ones, but that’s just a guess, though I wonder what the Nikon/Sony contract is.
IMO
BC
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What IS "funny" is that all across the web people are raving about A7iii and how wonderful are it's images but reading here one would think it highly flawed and not even worth considering for purchase...
I had the same feeling hehe. A truly disruptive camera (even for other Sony models), it has all most users would want (more Mpx could be the only complaint for some applications): 15 stops of DR, best ISO, FF HDR 4K w/o pixel binning, dual card slot, A9 AF system, joystick and touchscreen focusing aids, 700 shots autonomy, 5 stops IBIS at $1999, and this thread seems to be about a flawed model like the Canon 6D II or the Nikon D600.
The 2300EUR price in Europe makes me think this time Sony wanted to give an extra push to the camera in the USA market. Taxes in Europe usually mean price in $ = price in EUR.
(http://www.guillermoluijk.com/misc/sonya7iiiiso6400.png)
(http://www.guillermoluijk.com/misc/sonya7iiiiso16000.png)
Regards
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The 2300EUR price in Europe makes me think this time Sony wanted to give an extra push to the camera in the USA market. Taxes in Europe usually mean price in $ = price in EUR.
That it is the usual price difference between USA and Europe for cameras and lenses of Sony... unfortunately... Fuji follows the one to one rule you mention...
http://dgpfotografia.com
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That it is the usual price difference between USA and Europe for cameras and lenses of Sony.
Amazing, you are right! there seems to be a very precise rule that says:
Price in EUR = Price in $ + 300
USA ($) BHPhoto - Europe (EUR) Fotoboom - Delta:
A7 III: 1999 - 2300 - 301,00
A7R III: 3198 - 3499,99 - 301,99
A9: 4498 - 4799,88 - 301,88
According to that particular rule a free camera in the USA should cost 300EUR in Europe.
Regards
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Amazing, you are right! there seems to be a very precise rule that says:
Price in EUR = Price in $ + 300
USA ($) BHPhoto - Europe (EUR) Fotoboom - Delta:
A7 III: 1999 - 2300 - 301,00
A7R III: 3198 - 3499,99 - 301,99
A9: 4498 - 4799,88 - 301,88
According to that particular rule a free camera in the USA should cost 300EUR in Europe.
Regards
Don't go to look at the lenses, there the differences range between 100 euros to 500 euros (I just did a quick look between https://www.sony.es/electronics/objetivos/t/objetivos-camaras and https://www.sony.com/electronics/lenses/t/camera-lenses ), so maybe in some cases it is even more extreme...
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Amazing, you are right! there seems to be a very precise rule that says:
Price in EUR = Price in $ + 300
USA ($) BHPhoto - Europe (EUR) Fotoboom - Delta:
A7 III: 1999 - 2300 - 301,00
A7R III: 3198 - 3499,99 - 301,99
A9: 4498 - 4799,88 - 301,88
According to that particular rule a free camera in the USA should cost 300EUR in Europe.
Regards
Your "very precise" rule doesn't apply to the A7ii
1589 - 1349 - -249
So it's about a 550 deviation from the rule ;)
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Your "very precise" rule doesn't apply to the A7ii
1589 - 1349 - -249
So it's about a 550 deviation from the rule ;)
In fact the deviation is more than that:
A7 II: 1598 - 1241,18 - -356,82
Let's consider the A7 II an uncomfortable outlier, so the rule becomes precise again ;)
Now talking seriously, the A7 II price has lowered a lot in this area since last Black Friday, when Amazon completely devaluated it. Some users are complaining about that. Some others are getting a cheap FF.
Regards
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...One thing I find interesting is nearly all of these discussions turn into model/brand comparisons. I guess I’m doing the same thing because even though prior to buying a a7s mark II, I looked at sample files and they were clean to very high iso.
Maybe it’s my version, but I can’t see it and even at 800 iso it gets ragged, in fact just a quick street test in London using practical lights at night, I could see very little if any difference between the Sony and the little 4/3 olympus em-5 mark I at 800 iso set to stills. That surprised me given the difference in sensor dimensions.
When strapped into a test stand the SONY performs. In real life a different story...
Now where have we heard that before (emissions tests)... :P
What does surprise me is the limitations makers put upon themselves. Obviously they are targeting a market and want to protect their up market products, but some things are perplexing and in Canon’s case they seem to artificially limit their cameras though their pricing is high next to the competition. I don’t expect them to sell an Arri quality camera with Leica level lenses for a few thousand, but just averaging it Canon is about 20 to 30% higher than Sony and some other brands.
I agree, certain brands and photo gear in particular appears to have high margins....
I think there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes between manufacturers than we know. Nikon is a good example. They have no line of expensive cameras - combo still/motion, or video cameras to protect and could rock it out with a camera that offered dual pixel autofocus, real xlr inputs, etc. It seems like Nikon gets the previous round of sensors about the time Sony announces new ones, but that’s just a guess, though I wonder what the Nikon/Sony contract is.
Theory on the D850 is that Nikon are using a towerjazz panasonic sensor made in Japan...
My understanding regards SONY is the old sensors like in the D810 can be used because they are a pure sensor. The rumor mill suggests SONY do not sell their new stacked sensors where SONY developed the back end of that sensor stack. If SONY are just trying to delay sale of the full stack to the likes of Nikon to get some market advantage then that would explain why Nikon may have gone to towerjazz panasonic....
Nikon are also working on quad split pixels for AF and layer colour masks for better colour in patents, so they could easily match Canon on sensor AF and better SONY on colour and possibly DR...
Like all technology, until made available and fully tested in the field we will have to wait and see... :)
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Just thought I'd mention that I got a kick out of Kevin's A7iii-themed appearance on Ted Forbes' YouTube channel. :) It's the most recent The Art Of Photography installment as of yesterday (March 3rd).
https://youtu.be/JVnMQAHjbLg
-Dave-
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A deep sigh doesn't really cut it for me so I'll spell it out in words that should leave absolutely no doubt how I feel.
As you're a regular hear and I'm not I'll probably get it in the neck but your "deep sigh" and attitude is just too far for me.
Bernard, sometimes you come off as a ridiculous fan boy and I'm just tired of your Nikon invented everything and can do no wrong stance.
I do wish you could just grow up, drop the whole stupid fan boy stuff and judge kit on merit.
Just grow up will you.
Apologies for the sigh. I am a bit tired of being accused by some posters of being a Nikon fanboy regardless of what I write.
As far as your accusations go, how do you factor in the fact that I am precisely praising Sony for their innovation over Nikon and Canon and making fun of those criticizing Sony for these minor image quality issues?
Not to mention my intention to buy an a7III.
I have very consistently praised Sony, I am a happy Sony customer and am deeply impressed by what they have been doing and by the value their cameras deliver (starting by eye AF and silent shooting). On the other hand I have been consistently criticizing Nikon for their brain dead behaviour in terms of mirrorless strategy.
Canon has some great lenses and a good video solution. A very usable system, but no value for me as a still photographer invested in Nikon lenses. I am only stating the obvious.
Cheers,
Bernard
p.s.: i have reported your post to LL, I don’t appreciate your agressivity
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I just downloaded a number of images shot last night. I gave the Eye AF a workout. Totally addicted and totally amazing. One you push the Eye AF button the square hits the eye and stays there even as the subject move and in the images, the eye is tack sharp.
Eye AF works amazingly in the RX10 IV as well. Sony has done a wonderful job with it's tech.
Peter
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I haven't tried this new Sony, but based on past experience with Sony and Fuji ... I'm not sure I see a big benefit from Eye-AF. It may be nice if I'm photographing one person, though I can focus on one person pretty easily with any camera. But what if I am photographing 2 or more people? How does it know which person I want to focus on? It doesn't. So when it chooses the wrong person, I have to do extra work to get the AF off the person it chose and onto the person I wanted to focus on in the first place. So the occasional convenience of Eye-AF sets me up for regular inconvenience from Eye-AF. Right or wrong?
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The camera has a number of focus zones and ways of selecting focusing zones. My understanding and experience with face detection is it will give attention to a face detected in a zone you have defined. You want to focus on the face on the left then set zone focus to that area and a face in that area will have more importance than a face outside it. I believe eye detect works in a similar fashion
I don’t use eye detect. It’s not useful for my photography so I haven’t personally used it on a shoot but that is my understanding. Some clarity from someone who actually has experience with this would be great.
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I believe eye AF can be activated with one push on a button, so you can use it when applicable only.
Cheers,
Bernard
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Yes exactly Bernard. I have programmed a button on my MKii in anticipation of using it. It seems to work quite well and I am told is much improved on the MKiii. Unfortunately I have been too busy with work to spend much time on and it and my current project has no need of it. I can see it could be very useful in the future. Perhaps I should upgrade to the MKiii
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what if I am photographing 2 or more people? How does it know which person I want to focus on? It doesn't.
You can prioritize focus areas OR you can use "Face Registration" and set priorities (by face, smile,...):
https://youtu.be/mdOvvvRRXh0
Regards
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I haven't tried this new Sony, but based on past experience with Sony and Fuji ... I'm not sure I see a big benefit from Eye-AF. It may be nice if I'm photographing one person, though I can focus on one person pretty easily with any camera. But what if I am photographing 2 or more people? How does it know which person I want to focus on? It doesn't. So when it chooses the wrong person, I have to do extra work to get the AF off the person it chose and onto the person I wanted to focus on in the first place. So the occasional convenience of Eye-AF sets me up for regular inconvenience from Eye-AF. Right or wrong?
In this video: https://youtu.be/dsLFT4ql0Pg of DPReview you can see how it works, the user selects an area where a face is and the camera sticks to a eye in that face... whatever other face is on the screen or movement of the camera. Also you see how easy is to change from face to face.
Once the eye is selected you don’t have to do focus and recompose or moving the af point and just focus on your composition while people moves.
http://dgpfotografia.com
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As far as EyeAF goes. You'll be amazed the first time you use and then you'll be looking for more faces to shoot because it just so cool and accurate. I tried to show some of those images in my review in the gallery. The default set up is to push to focus (using the back AF button or shutter button) then press the center button on the multi-function dial and what happens is you get a box around a face that is detected then the EYEAF kicks in to a small square on the eye and then it stays locked on. If it loses the eye it is pretty fast at recovering. You'll get addicted to it once you use it. I can't tell you how impressed I am at the AF in the A7III and the a9. I have done some wildlife images tracking a running Arctic Fox from the top of a large hill down to the eater and the AF didn't miss a beat. I have done EYEAF at 10fps and each and every eye was sharp even with the lens fairly wide open.
I suggest you rent or try these cameras out at a store. This one feature could be what seals the deal. Oh, you'll have a lot of fun shooting too.
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I'd appreciate some info on using the a7.3 in studio shooting with strobes at F8-11. The AF on my a7.2 really struggles in that scenario and I stick with my Canons. Is the a7.3 (vastly) improved there?
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You can prioritize focus areas OR you can use "Face Registration" and set priorities (by face, smile,...):
https://youtu.be/mdOvvvRRXh0
Regards
Thanks for posting this! I'm considering purchasing a Sony and actually rented one last weekend - I wish I'd seen this video earlier. Very helpful!
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Apologies for the sigh. I am a bit tired of being accused by some posters of being a Nikon fanboy regardless of what I write.
As far as your accusations go, how do you factor in the fact that I am precisely praising Sony for their innovation over Nikon and Canon and making fun of those criticizing Sony for these minor image quality issues?
Not to mention my intention to buy an a7III.
I have very consistently praised Sony, I am a happy Sony customer and am deeply impressed by what they have been doing and by the value their cameras deliver (starting by eye AF and silent shooting). On the other hand I have been consistently criticizing Nikon for their brain dead behaviour in terms of mirrorless strategy.
Canon has some great lenses and a good video solution. A very usable system, but no value for me as a still photographer invested in Nikon lenses. I am only stating the obvious.
Cheers,
Bernard
p.s.: i have reported your post to LL, I don’t appreciate your agressivity
As a whole I think Bernard has been well balanced in his comments and actually shows a deep insight in the merits of various systems.
Obviously all of us who are invested in a system did so with some forethought in the first place and may be inclined to defend our choices at least to a degree.
Maybe Bernard and me will meet in the middle; I abandoned Canon over their sensors to embrace Sony, and perhaps Bernard will begin to also embrace Sony?