Sony A7x lounge

David Arbogast wrote in post #18001742
Got a dilemma of sorts. Today the Loxia 21 got delivered. I was going to simply return it without even opening the box (due to my change of heart about selling my 5DS R), but after comparing it to my EF 16-35 f/4L IS I am wowed. Actually in the middle 2/3 of the frame the Loxia shows no superiority over the 16-35mm. But in that last area towards the borders the Loxia just absolutely crushes the 16-35mm. So, I am torn and really leaning towards keeping it. I just sold my 24-70L II today, so it can pay for the Loxia.

Also, my Loxia appears to be slightly decentered, but it looks maybe OK. I'm thinking I'll never notice it, especially at landscape apertures.

The 16-35 is good in the corners IMO so I now cant even imagine how good the Loxia must be. You have also made me want a loxia again (I think im going to give the Voigt 15 FE a try though)

David Arbogast wrote in post #18001969
It's a long thread, but if you look through there are several people, not just Fred, reporting duds. I agree, the m-mount looks like the way to go. What a ridiculous shame that the lens actually does worse as a native e mount!

Ok, so if I get the CV 15 III, what adapter do I get?

Oh nevermind...that thread has really turned me off on the CV 15. What a disaster. Not interested in playing the lottery on that. Seems there are a lot of bad m-mount copies too.

Theres also some in there with good lenses (although the number of duds is alarming). Im still tempted to roll the dice

TRhoads wrote in post #18002121
Looking forward to seeing image from there...Love that place and intend to go back more than once...

After my last outing, I am starting to trust the metering more, and really getting into the ability to edit just one file instead of blending 3 or 4...

A rare sunset on Clingmans Dome. Weather up there is usually brutal, despite the snow on the ground and cold temps near freezing, it wasn't too bad.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GBKb​w5 Sunset At Clingmans Dome by Travis Rhoads, on Flickr

Beautiful Travis! I had no idea snow lingered up there that long. Tell me about your trip there...did you camp over the weekend? Did you reserve anything? I need to start getting up there at some point as well. You are so fortunate to be so close!

Did you happen to see Fred's neat tip on ETTR with the a7R II? Just in case anyone may have missed it I'll repeat the tip as I've found it to be incredibly useful:

1. In the menu turn the highlight alert zebra stripes on.
2. Meter the scene.
3. Use exposure compensation dial down until the zebras are completely gone.
4. Dial back the exposure compensation dial back up two full stops (6 clicks).
5. Take the picture.

I've really appreciated that tip for maxing out the DR capabilities of my a7R II.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18002420
Beautiful Travis! I had no idea snow lingered up there that long. Tell me about your trip there...did you camp over the weekend? Did you reserve anything? I need to start getting up there at some point as well. You are so fortunate to be so close!

Did you happen to see Fred's neat tip on ETTR with the a7R II? Just in case anyone may have missed it I'll repeat the tip as I've found it to be incredibly useful:

1. In the menu turn the highlight alert zebra stripes on.
2. Meter the scene.
3. Use exposure compensation dial down until the zebras are completely gone.
4. Dial back the exposure compensation dial back up two full stops (6 clicks).
5. Take the picture.

I've really appreciated that tip for maxing out the DR capabilities of my a7R II.

Thanks David.

I think the snow is a little unusual for May, but Clingmans Dome makes its own weather, it can be 25-30 degrees colder up there than lower elevations...it is wild.

We just stopped there on the way into the park. Its on the way in from the ATL area. It takes about 3 or so hours to get there from my office. So not super close, but close enough I go at least once a year, need to start going more. If you ever get the urge to go up there let me know...if I can get away, I am always game or a trip up. I did not camp. I stayed at a hotel in Gatlinburg, I like to get good rest...Saturday we hiked nearly 18 miles from 9 am to 2AM Sunday morning.

I have seen that ETTR trick, I need to try it out.

Batis 25

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/G824​sv

Loxia 21mm update: I'm sending it back.

No, it isn't defective. And yes I am absolute nuts over it. In truth I can hardly wait to get the funds to purchase one. But, after sleeping on it I just can't stomach the idea of selling the 16-35 f/4L IS. So, the Loxia goes back to B&H - it's a good copy of a spectacular lens and someone's going to love it. For now I will just start planning to set aside new funds for the lens instead of selling existing lenses.

This is giving me chills of relief - I will be keeping my beloved 16-35mm and yet am filled with optimism of being reunited with the Loxia 21mm in a few months.

Kayla from a senior portrait session.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18002420
Beautiful Travis! I had no idea snow lingered up there that long. Tell me about your trip there...did you camp over the weekend? Did you reserve anything? I need to start getting up there at some point as well. You are so fortunate to be so close!

Did you happen to see Fred's neat tip on ETTR with the a7R II? Just in case anyone may have missed it I'll repeat the tip as I've found it to be incredibly useful:

1. In the menu turn the highlight alert zebra stripes on.
2. Meter the scene.
3. Use exposure compensation dial down until the zebras are completely gone.
4. Dial back the exposure compensation dial back up two full stops (6 clicks).
5. Take the picture.

I've really appreciated that tip for maxing out the DR capabilities of my a7R II.

David,

Do you put the Zebra level to 100?

wallstreetoneil wrote in post #18002649
David,

Do you put the Zebra level to 100?

100+
I found Fred's post, here it is:
http://www.fredmiranda​.com …/0?keyword=zebr​a#13166843

David Arbogast wrote in post #18002665
100+
I found Fred's post, here it is:
http://www.fredmiranda​.com …/0?keyword=zebr​a#13166843

just did a little testing
- at 100, it seems you can go +7 or +8 clicks so that seem about correct
- also seems to allow about 1 click above 'correct' camera metering in a few different cases I have tried
- that equals to where I found the 7D2 to be
- versus the 'old' 5D3 which was 3 clicks
- add it all up and the camera guys are now ettr, building in 1 (maybe 2 clicks) of protection, so that all that shadow detail is there

The e mount voigtlander 15 is £150 more expensive than the m mount version. QC issues aside do you think the e mount version is worth the premium. £150 for exif? The m mount needs an adaptor I suppose but the leica adaptors are really thin so that doesn't bother me.

A rare full-native shot

A7 - FE35

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GCq2​AG

David Arbogast wrote in post #18002533
Loxia 21mm update: I'm sending it back.

No, it isn't defective. And yes I am absolute nuts over it. In truth I can hardly wait to get the funds to purchase one. But, after sleeping on it I just can't stomach the idea of selling the 16-35 f/4L IS. So, the Loxia goes back to B&H - it's a good copy of a spectacular lens and someone's going to love it. For now I will just start planning to set aside new funds for the lens instead of selling existing lenses.

This is giving me chills of relief - I will be keeping my beloved 16-35mm and yet am filled with optimism of being reunited with the Loxia 21mm in a few months.

rumor has it that loxia 14/2 will be released late 2016.

joking :P

DTBaan wrote in post #18002752
rumor has it that loxia 14/2 will be released late 2016.

joking :P

Whoah, that's disappointing. Was hoping for a 14mm f/1.4 with a filter-friendly flat front element and built-in electric-powered scooter for easy transport.