Sony A7x lounge

mystik610 wrote in post #17911664
Yeah. 85 and 135 are just very different FOV. 85 is still somewhat of an environmental portrait lens, and if you want to really blur the background a 135 is the lens to go for. My personal portrait kit is a 35 85 135 holy trinity and there's a time and place for all three lenses.

I've heard that story before, but then the holy trinity was 35-50-85.

jocau wrote in post #17911688
I've heard that story before, but then the holy trinity was 35-50-85.

In my mind there are 2 "holy trinities", and they depend on what you're shooting.

My "go-bag" general use holy trinity would be; 28 (or 24)-50-100
My portrait trinity would be; 35-85-135

And if you want to add zooms to the mix I'd say an even better "go-bag" setup would be; 28, 50 and 70-200.

To all you portrait shooters out there. Would you prefer a 135mm F/2 lens or a 200mm F/2.8 lens (and why)?

jocau wrote in post #17911699
To all you portrait shooters out there. Would you prefer a 135mm F/2 lens or a 200mm F/2.8 lens (and why)?

200mm f/2.8 is for losers. EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is for winners.

Some photographers wants the model or subject to be more engage. When you're shooting specially kids even with the 135, you won't get there attention as much compared to a shorter telephoto like the 85. They will look everywhere.

David Arbogast wrote in post #17911720
200mm f/2.8 is for losers. EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is for winners.

Let's join the game.

That one is optically too weak. I bet Samyang will release a sharper, manual focus only version at a fraction of the price.

Long time Canon user here, but making the switch to a Sony A7R II. I tried the MB IV adapter, and while it worked OK with my Canon glass, I greatly preferred the Sony Zeiss 55 f/1.8 that was my only native lens. I have the FE 28mm coming tomorrow, so these two will be my small walk around and family pic lenses. I have both the 85 Batis and Sony 85 GM on order for portraits, but will probably go with the Batis for the smaller size and lower price tag.

I really struggled with picking a flash, but ended up with the Nissin i40, which is a great little on camera flash for fill or bounce. I will eventually pick up a wireless radio flash or trigger, but waiting to see what comes out. Kind of interested in the recently announced Nissin i60 flashes.

I will probably start selling off the Canon gear soon, can't afford to keep both.

What do you think of the i40? I too, am intrigued by the announcement of the i60, but I need something right now. I am only used to shooting with the Canon 600, so I am worried if the i40 will have enough power. My main use of it will be indoors bouncing off of the ceiling behind me.

jrscls wrote in post #17911763
Long time Canon user here, but making the switch to a Sony A7R II. I tried the MB IV adapter, and while it worked OK with my Canon glass, I greatly preferred the Sony Zeiss 55 f/1.8 that was my only native lens. I have the FE 28mm coming tomorrow, so these two will be my small walk around and family pic lenses. I have both the 85 Batis and Sony 85 GM on order for portraits, but will probably go with the Batis for the smaller size and lower price tag.

I really struggled with picking a flash, but ended up with the Nissin i40, which is a great little on camera flash for fill or bounce. I will eventually pick up a wireless radio flash or trigger, but waiting to see what comes out. Kind of interested in the recently announced Nissin i60 flashes.

I will probably start selling off the Canon gear soon, can't afford to keep both.

Welcome!

tim1970 wrote in post #17911774
What do you think of the i40? I too, am intrigued by the announcement of the i60, but I need something right now. I am only used to shooting with the Canon 600, so I am worried if the i40 will have enough power. My main use of it will be indoors bouncing off of the ceiling behind me.

Bouncing indoors, assuming a moderate ISO and aperture should be no problem. If you're like me and generally find your full size flash around 1/16 power in those situations, the i40 will only be a stop or two higher to give the same performance. I think there have only been one or two times that I maxed out the i40 indoors.

tim1970 wrote in post #17911774
What do you think of the i40? I too, am intrigued by the announcement of the i60, but I need something right now. I am only used to shooting with the Canon 600, so I am worried if the i40 will have enough power. My main use of it will be indoors bouncing off of the ceiling behind me.

I would say it is equivalent to the power of a Canon 430EX but smaller in its physical size. The Nissin i40 flash fits nicely on my A7R II, but still packs plenty of power for bouncing off ceilings. I like that it uses 4 AA batteries unlike other smaller flashes. I will miss my 600EX-RT flashes, but the i60 looks like that will work for me once released.

The i40 looks kind of retro, but it supports TTL, HSS, with manual controls for exposure compensation, manual power, etc. Comes in a nice little case, has a wide panel and white card built in, plus it includes a Stophen like diffuser. It also rotates and swivels at just about every angle possible, so very versatile.

I plan to use the i40 as my on camera and travel flash, and once the i60 is released use those for off-camera or when I need something larger. I doubt I will sell the i40 as it makes a great flash to keep in the bag for travel, family pics, etc.

jocau wrote in post #17911762
That one is optically too weak. I bet Samyang will release a sharper, manual focus only version at a fraction of the price.

That is something I have neverheard said about the 200 F2....that thing is a monster, and delivers amazing images...

I completely agree with Charlie.

At around $700 for a clean used copy or gray mkt, the FE55 renders very similar to the S50A IMO. Very sharp, very contrasty, Zeiss pop and great colors. Small, solid lens with a nice hood and the front element curves inward.

As great as it is on my a7r, it works great and focuses fast on my a6000. Perfect on the baseline for basketball, very good pulling portrait duty as well.

I sure like my wireless Nissin Di700A flash and Air 1 Commander. I now have a 2nd Di700A and both are controlled by the one commander.

Here a single flash was mounted on it's 'foot' then placed on a countertop and the Commander on the camera hotshoe for side lighting.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/xxUB​DQ

I had both the 135L and 200 2.8Lii. Had the 200 first, and loved it as an outdoor portrait lens. But once I got the 135L, The 200 was relagated to mostly sports duty because the 135L was a more workable length. IQ and performance were so similar, just the FL and aperture difference to set them apart.

I've started to use the Minolta HS200 on the a7r and it is plenty good, but I'm still getting used to MF . . . and not having a fast 135.

Photo from mickeyb105's gallery.

Photo from mickeyb105's gallery.