Is the Sony A7R II the first "universal body"?

[Guillermo Luijk]

The latest article from Dpreview, including videos showing the A7R II AF-C capabilities using Canon EF lenses that are impressive:

Analysis: Sony a7R II and RX100 IV autofocus systems

Interesting comments about the potential superiority of on-sensor PDAF over classical PDAF found on DLSR cameras.




And the videos showing AF-C with Canon mount glass:

Sony a7R II: Continuous AF with Canon EF mount Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art

Sony a7R II - Eye AF (AF-C) with Canon 24-70 f/4


Regards

[Guillermo Luijk]

Corrected  . This usually happens with this forum's engine...

[uaiomex]

I read the articles and watched the videos like  two hours ago.
I've been thinking that if Canon don't have their new sensor technology and ready to dump their old fabs, they will certainly begin to jeopardize their entire client emporium if they don't adopt Sony sensors soon.
Canon is quickly becoming a 70's Detroit-like car manufacturer: Spitting cars with powerful V8's that sold but completely ignoring that the world was changing. It was not easy to see but the change was very real.
Now this time, the change is faster.
Eduardo

[rdonson]

Yes, Sony is bringing some amazing sensor technology to the battle for the heart$ of photographers.  They are very serious about sensors.  If they achieve a bit more maturity in their bodies and a broader lens lineup there will be a lot of DSLR gear on the used market in the next year.   

[uaiomex]

Without noticing in my prior post I completely went without answering Guillermo's question. I think I am too excited about this camera and the recent announcement by Sony to invest that much money for new sensor developments and production.
Large format cameras were in a sense universal as you could practically mount any brand of LF lens available and then some more. The A7RII is the first integrated digital camera to acomplish this stunt without leaving behind all the automation and speed that exist.
The A7RII is easily the best recipient ever invented in photography history to efficiently accomodate all technological advancements known to the public. Imho
With this exception: http://www.kodaksefke.nl/kodak-original-1888.html
Eduardo

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

Seems interesting, but I am not sure how much is hype and how much is reality. I have that camera on order and once I have it and have used it a couple of weeks I will have a more clear opinion.

As far as I understand, Sony has released the specifications for the E-mount (what that now means) as smart move as there are few native lenses. The short flange distance allows for many interesting solutions.

Best regards
Erik

[eronald]

I read the articles and watched the videos like  two hours ago.
I've been thinking that if Canon don't have their new sensor technology and ready to dump their old fabs, they will certainly begin to jeopardize their entire client emporium if they don't adopt Sony sensors soon.
Canon is quickly becoming a 70's Detroit-like car manufacturer: Spitting cars with powerful V8's that sold but completely ignoring that the world was changing. It was not easy to see but the change was very real.
Now this time, the change is faster.
Eduardo

Sony went into the phone sensor business, and this is where they get their R&D money from. And of course, soon it will be car sensors etc. The cameras are more of a byproduct of their sensor component operation than a driving force, so in a way Canon is faced with competition with a bottomless R&D budget, and in fact we can see how Sony has upped the competition in 3 years.

As you point out, this looks very much like Detroit vs. Japan Inc. with Canon stuck in the role of Detroit.

On the other hand, a lot of tourists in Paris sport huge useless dSLRs which seem a requisite fashion accessory, just like flashy fashion sneakers.

Edmund

[rdonson]

On the other hand, a lot of tourists in Paris sport huge useless dSLRs which seem a requisite fashion accessory, just like flashy fashion sneakers.

Edmund

Change rarely happens quickly.  When it does I suspect many of the tourists of Paris will sell their DSLRs.  Many, many people have been convinced that DSLRs offer the best IQ and are a sign of how serious you are as a photographer.  Like you say, in some regards they are a fashion statement not only in Paris but in much of the U.S. and Canada.  To their credit, the tourists are likely to be getting better photos than they would with their smartphones.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Sony went into the phone sensor business, and this is where they get their R&D money from. And of course, soon it will be car sensors etc. The cameras are more of a byproduct of their sensor component operation than a driving force, so in a way Canon is faced with competition with a bottomless R&D budget, and in fact we can see how Sony has upped the competition in 3 years.

As you point out, this looks very much like Detroit vs. Japan Inc. with Canon stuck in the role of Detroit.

On the other hand, a lot of tourists in Paris sport huge useless dSLRs which seem a requisite fashion accessory, just like flashy fashion sneakers.

Edmund

I have moved on from Canon EOS to Sony A7 system, for lighter weight, and smaller travelling system, without compromising on quality. I think your last paragraph is way off mark though... Regardless of what the "specialists" and "tech gearheads" prophesize, DSLRs provide some of the best bang-for-the-buck for the "average" photographer that wants to carry more than a smartphone. Heck, for 300-400 Eur, I can go to the shop and buy a DSLR plus two zoom kit...

And they are anything but useless... fashion accessories, really?

As for the AF on the new Sony using EF lenses, well, let's wait for the performance when tracking moving targets (not someone seating at a table...), or when light levels go low...

[MatthewCromer]

We also need a good Nikon AF adapter that works with the new electronic aperture lenses...

[Herbc]

I saw on the biz news where Sony had raised some $B to use in expanding their sensor work.

[Telecaster]

And they are anything but useless... fashion accessories, really?

IMO fashion accessories in this context refers to how & why objects are displayed & used, not how capable (or not) they are. Functionality, if relevant at all, is secondary to the statement made via being seen with the thing.

Also, "a lot of tourists in Paris" doesn't equal all tourists. Just all American tourists.  

-Dave-

[uaiomex]

I live in both Tulum and Merida, México. Two very popular places for tourists from all over the world. I've noticed in the last years, an increased amount of tourist (college?) girls carrying Nikon or Canon apsc dslr's. They are mainly american (much shorter holidays). But they can be from Europe or South America too.

They seemed to take their cameras seriously. At least in the way they carry them.
I'd say they seem to try look nerdy rather than fashionable. But then again, nerdy is fashionable now. 

Eduardo

[DaveCurtis]

As a long term Canon digital user I too are considering the A7R2.  Being able to AF reasonably well with Canon lenses is a real bonus and also use my Zeiss ZE lenses with in body IBIS.

The only thing that is potentially holding me back is that I really like viewing the world through a big pro optical viewfinder. EVFs are very functional but I just don't enjoy the experience.

Perhaps I just need to use both and slowly wean myself away from the DSLR.

 

 

[peterottaway]

Personally I had a rather dreadful time when attempting to use both optical and electronic view finder cameras at the same time. OK the newest EVF are an improvement but can still be a bother to long term OVF users.

I stuck with using the EVF cameras only and things gradually got easier. It was a case of wanting all the advantages of a god EVF, then I had to accept some difficulties as well.

[Guillermo Luijk]

Personally I had a rather dreadful time when attempting to use both optical and electronic view finder cameras at the same time. OK the newest EVF are an improvement but can still be a bother to long term OVF users.

I stuck with using the EVF cameras only and things gradually got easier. It was a case of wanting all the advantages of a god EVF, then I had to accept some difficulties as well.

As a fan of EVFs from the very beginning (I enjoyed and suffered the Olympus VF-2), yours is the kind of experience that makes me think EVFs are the one and only possible future. I explain why: even if long term OVF users like you, finally manage to get used and enjoy the advantages of EVFs over OVFs, who could imagine that the next generation of photographers (who are today instagramming the world with their smartphones) will prefer a little glass window which doesn't even show them how the picture they're taking will look like before shooting, over the bright and huge EVFs coming?.

Regards

[BernardLanguillier]

As a fan of EVFs from the very beginning (I enjoyed and suffered the Olympus VF-2), yours is the kind of experience that makes me think EVFs are the one and only possible future. I explain why: even if long term OVF users like you, finally manage to get used and enjoy the advantages of EVFs over OVFs, who could imagine that the next generation of photographers (who are today instagramming the world with their smartphones) will prefer a little glass window which doesn't even show them how the picture they're taking will look like before shooting, over the bright and huge EVFs coming?.

I am not denying that EVF have some advantages, but to me the ability to anticipate how the A/S/ISO parameters will turn a 3D live scene into a static 2D photograph, and the resulting look thereof, is pretty much the most important photographic skill.

I am not sure that enabling our finders to preview more of that is going to result in better photographs because what matters is the ability to scan a scene and identify photographic opportunities in the scene. Removing the need to perform this mental exercise when taking the picture may result in the creation of photographers unable to see photographically.

Cheers,
Bernard

[AlterEgo]

The only thing that is potentially holding me back is that I really like viewing the world through a big pro optical viewfinder.

are you not able to view it with your own nakes eyes with a primitive light robbing optical device (OVF in dSLRs a joke even in the best cameras from pre digital era) ? why do not need to distort your view & imagination with OVF  

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

are you not able to view it with your own nakes eyes with a primitive light robbing optical device (OVF in dSLRs a joke even in the best cameras from pre digital era) ? why do not need to distort your view & imagination with OVF  

Maybe the OVF provides a fast high resolution preview without lag, and with the correct DOF preview as determined by the aperture (and not crippled by the limited number of pixels of the EVF)?

Cheers,
Bart

[AlterEgo]

with the correct DOF preview as determined by the aperture

correct DOF preview for say f1.4 ? and with which focusing screen exactly may I ask ?