Is there a Sony SLT a77 mk II thread?

mickeyb105 wrote in post #18193716
Thanks MM!

I took them at the Tallahassee Museum, which is the biggest misnomer ever. It is really part nature preserve/part Florida History museum/part zoo for indigenous FL critters. Taking pics of them in captivity of course makes it easier, but that Red Wolf and FL Panther were REALLY close--very cool. There is also a Jaguar, I think, but he was off-limits this day.

I sat in the gallery for the day-one of the swearing in of the Florida State house and got a chance to use the A77ii, A7R and RX100ii--either that day or the day after.

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richard1 by Michael Bielecki on Flickr

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reperin7 by Michael Bielecki on Flickr

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nunez1 by Michael Bielecki on Flickr
I was on the floor the second day, but only used the RX100ii as to not be intrusive. Will prolly post those tomorrow in the RX100 forum.

Super nice trio of cameras to be wielding.

I got the A77ii out of the bag yesterday to get re-acquainted with it. Of course I missed a hawk flying overhead that my daughter pointed out to me. I had the 2xTC mounted with the 200 HS, and had the focus limiter cranked all the way back to focus closer-up faster.

Man, it never caught up to that hawk--who was only visible for a few seconds. A little disappointing, but obviously my fault.

I ended up taking the TC off, as I was starting to lose daylight and there were no more birds to be found.

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A couple of shots from The Brevard Zoo months back when the 2xTC APOii was my new toy.

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It seems like the bokeh drops down a level (or two?) with the 2xTC. Don't get me wrong, I'm generally satisfied with the results I get with it but the bokeh with just the 200 HS is very similar to what I used to get from the EF 200 2.8 Lii (very good!).

Thoughts Medicine Man? Ed?

mickeyb105 wrote in post #18212568

Gallery photo:
posted by mickeyb105 originally in forum: People

Mickey I normally wont comment on kids or pets but this is just beautiful, everything about the shot.
I see the 200mm is also a bokeh machine.

Sometimes I wish I had a need for a Minolta 200mm but so rare I'd actually use it. SO, I'll just live through yours!

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18212586
Mickey I normally wont comment on kids or pets but this is just beautiful, everything about the shot.
I see the 200mm is also a bokeh machine.

Sometimes I wish I had a need for a Minolta 200mm but so rare I'd actually use it. SO, I'll just live through yours!

Thank you so much. I shot some members of my extended family yesterday late in the afternoon, and the A77ii/200 was a real champ for me. I would have liked to have used the A7R with the 200, but I am not the best AF guy around--plus the focus throw is pretty short on that lens. I make enough mistakes when I shoot, it just wasn't the time or place.

I know you don't have much of a need for it, but the 200 would be a great little buddy for your 400 if you ever felt the need to dial up JapeBay one more time.

Mickey I tell you my dream is a Sigma 500 ART for a-mount. Maybe they might with the a99ii getting popular and rumors
of a77iii. Meanwhile I've got a problem possibly with my mFT kit---have and love carry everywhere the PL 100-400 on the GX8,
expecting his and hers OMD M1ii's sometime in near future and have read the PL100-400 isn't perfectly compatible with this new
Oly body. Might have to do something in that direction. Won't know until it is in my hands.

I did have a strange strange thought recently. I'm so impressed with the a9ii why even own Canon? But to really know I need a BIF
venue and that won't be until March when I return to Florida.

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18213637
Mickey I tell you my dream is a Sigma 500 ART for a-mount. Maybe they might with the a99ii getting popular and rumors
of a77iii. Meanwhile I've got a problem possibly with my mFT kit---have and love carry everywhere the PL 100-400 on the GX8,
expecting his and hers OMD M1ii's sometime in near future and have read the PL100-400 isn't perfectly compatible with this new
Oly body. Might have to do something in that direction. Won't know until it is in my hands.

I did have a strange strange thought recently. I'm so impressed with the a9ii why even own Canon? But to really know I need a BIF
venue and that won't be until March when I return to Florida.

Regarding ANY Sigma Art, Sports or Contemporary glass for A-mount--please and thank you! Such wonderful glass.

I generally don't have much to say when companies price their glass, but Sony pricing the 500/4 in five-figures and the 300/2.8 at $7K is really bad business practice IMO. This is a company that wants to be the leading edge of photography going forward, but they can't price their glass competitively with Canon or Nikon. I don't know how many people this keeps from crossing over to A-Mount, but if I didn't have the ability to shoot Minolta APO glass with the A77II I can't say that I would have gone this route.

That's not to say I wish I still shot Canon, because I am pretty happy with all of my Sony bodies. Sometimes I do miss the simplicity of the 6D and my 50A/135L/200L 2.8 trinity not enough to sacrifice what I love about my current gear. Now that you have a very nice working Sony kit, I can see why you are satisfied:

A99ii
A77ii
Minolta 20 2.8
Minolta 17-35
Minolta 100-400 APO
Minolta 400 4.5 APO
Minolta 500 f8
Tammy 150-600

This kit covers a lot of bases! It does seem like one of your long lenses could go, though, but I can see how they all have a place.

I have no idea how it stacks up to your killer Canon kit. I Know I will miss something:

Canon 7Dii
Canon 1DXii
Canon 100-400Lii
Canon 400 DO
Canon 500L

I'm sure there is a Sony Artisan, or even the Canadian guys from the Camera Store, out there who would LOVE to do a side-by-side with your Canon and Sony kits. To my knowledge, there is no such head-to-head test/review out there and it would be great resource if done any kind of well.

That is terrible about your OMDii not playing nice with your awesome 100-400. I hope you get it and it does indeed work for you.

Did Poof decide she didn't like the a6300 kit enough to keep it around? I can understand how the lack of long glass or maybe even user interface is off-putting.

Mickey!! Ha! You know my kit more than I do, seriously you must take notes
Poof still has the a6300 and I hang onto the a6000. She'll get back to it soon enough I'm sure. The a6000
is riding on a Swarovsky digiscope set up currently---we keep hearing Great Horned Owls in the morning, look
for them in the afternoon hoping but so far nothing. They'd be so far up the giant oak trees that surround us
I figure 3000mm to the rescue--just so hard to find roosting.
She carried the M5 up to the cabin today but this evening as I was getting ready to head to work she
had the OMD M1ii by her side.

Good news on the M1ii and the PL100-400, all I had to do was turn off IS on the lens, probably could have turned off IBIS instead.

You're right about no long glass and the e-mount system. If Sony had given one I wouldn't be steeped in mFT and that's ok, we love
mFT too.

One comment on the a6300, the M1ii is equal for AF-tracking; can't say about the a6500.

Oh, put the 300/2.8 ISii on my list---don't want you to miss that one ! Ha!

That is fantastic news regarding the M1ii! I hope you guys like 'em.

I should have known you would have an EF 300 2.8 is ii. There are a lot of Canon shooters who swear by that lens.

From what I have heard, the 300 2.8 HS APO is the weak link in the Minolta long glass chain . . . At least compared to the 200 and 400. I would love to find out for myself someday!

Putting the a6000 on a digiscope is a great idea, even though you haven't connected with one of those horned owls yet. Only a matter of time. Right now the a6000 is the odd camera out for me, should sell it but can't bring myself to do it. It is handy to have, but 100% just a luxury.

Well if you sold it what would you get? I doubt what it's worth to keep it even in the car.
Sensor wise it's still a fantastic camera. Put it in the glove box and know you always have a camera
close

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18216796
Well if you sold it what would you get? I doubt what it's worth to keep it even in the car.
Sensor wise it's still a fantastic camera. Put it in the glove box and know you always have a camera
close

With the kit lens? Somewhere just south of $400.

Funny you mention the car, because that is where it is most days. The wife usually keeps the RX100ii in her purse during her day, as I actually bought it for her originally--lol.

Just hit the zoo with the kids today, and man, who knew it would be like 86 today? No complaints, as it made for some good shooting.

I took and shot with the A7r, A77ii, LA-EA3, 200 HS, FE 55 and the 2xTC--some thoughts before I put up some pics.

--The AF on the A77ii can be freakishly good. Going from using the A7r to using the A77ii is akin to hopping out of a golf cart and into a Formula-1 car.

--I think my days shooting with the A7r/200 HS adapted are coming to a close. I love the sensor on that baby but it seems like the shutter shock is possibly worse with the adapter on it? I did use that combo my daughter's Christmas program the other night and it was a real lifesaver in some very spotty lighting. However, the DXO site now takes PayPal so Prime noise reduction--here I come!

--I am still processing what it must be like to have the A7rii sensor and IBIS in an A77ii body. I go back and forth on selling other gear off to fund it, but I can't see myself not having one at some point be Q2 of next year. And of course, JapeBay will get my business for some sweet Minolta glass as well.

--Just 11 more days until the Orange Bowl, and I'm pumped to shoot some football--even if it is from club level. LOL.

--I've concluded that the 2x TC APOii has no impact on IQ, which to me is remarkable for a piece of glass that is over 25 years old.

--I really need to educate myself on birds. I shot a very angry-looking small bird today and my daughter was disappointed when I couldn't tell her what it was. However, she was more disappointed she couldn't catch one to take it home!

Taken at the Brevard Zoo in Viera, FL

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