Sony A7R II impression and images

gabebalazs wrote in post #18053697
Thank you. All AF. Not as good as on my Canon in terms of responsiveness, but it's actually more accurate, and the Sony sensor is phenomenal.

I am interested in your thoughts Gabe. Currently going through one of my GAS moments. Really want to upgrade my A7r, it is great but no backup should the 1Dx falter. I have no backup for my Canon tele's.

So option 1 is 5DsR, for landscape would only ever be used at ISO100, with my 16-35 should give good results from what I have seen. But not as good as the Sony sensor.
So option 2 is A7rII, good all rounder, will make my Loxia 21mm buzz but will it handle the 500 and 200-400? Works OK with my 70-200, even using a Commlite adapter but no been able to test again with longer.

Both options are now possible as the pound has dropped and the Euro price is very tempting.

Any input greatly appreciated.

Neilyb wrote in post #18059359
I am interested in your thoughts Gabe. Currently going through one of my GAS moments. Really want to upgrade my A7r, it is great but no backup should the 1Dx falter. I have no backup for my Canon tele's.

So option 1 is 5DsR, for landscape would only ever be used at ISO100, with my 16-35 should give good results from what I have seen. But not as good as the Sony sensor.
So option 2 is A7rII, good all rounder, will make my Loxia 21mm buzz but will it handle the 500 and 200-400? Works OK with my 70-200, even using a Commlite adapter but no been able to test again with longer.

Both options are now possible as the pound has dropped and the Euro price is very tempting.

Any input greatly appreciated.

That's a really tough dilemma you have there. The 5DS R would be sensational with your 500 and 200-400. It lacks the shooting speed, but the detail it captures at 50.6 MP is stunning. For landscapes, though, the a7R II sensor dynamic range is phenomenonal and preferable of course.

While the 5DS R cannot match the a7R II DR, it is nonetheless improved over the 5D III and 1DX. If I were in your shoes I might possibly lean a bit more towards the 5DS R unless I had solid info that the a7R II can drive your big whites. I don't even have any big whites, don't shoot wildlife, and yet I continue to struggle to have a strong preference between the two (which is why I have had both of them ).

Sorry, I'm no help...just wanted to express my empathy regarding how hard a choice that is. If you can keep you a7R while also adding a 5DS R to your kit that might be a more ideal solution.

Neilyb wrote in post #18059359
I am interested in your thoughts Gabe. Currently going through one of my GAS moments. Really want to upgrade my A7r, it is great but no backup should the 1Dx falter. I have no backup for my Canon tele's.

So option 1 is 5DsR, for landscape would only ever be used at ISO100, with my 16-35 should give good results from what I have seen. But not as good as the Sony sensor.
So option 2 is A7rII, good all rounder, will make my Loxia 21mm buzz but will it handle the 500 and 200-400? Works OK with my 70-200, even using a Commlite adapter but no been able to test again with longer.

Both options are now possible as the pound has dropped and the Euro price is very tempting.

Any input greatly appreciated.

As background, I own a 1DX_II, A7RII and 5DSR.

In terms of bigger lenses, I have tried and use the 100-400L II, 300F2.8, 200F2 with the A7Rii and a Metabones - they all work. I have also tested the 400F2.8 and confirm that it works fine.

If you are thinking about a A7Rii and a 500F4 or 200-400F4, and there is the chance that you will be 'tracking' moving targets, then the A7Rii is not for you - if it is more of a long portrait lens thing for slow moving animals, then yes it can do that well.

I will caution you that the lens mount on the A7Rii is NOT designed for the loads of those types of lenses so don't mistakenly think that it is - it is not. Secondly, even on a lens like the 70-200F2.8 II IS, I find that slack can develop when the lens is mounted with the Metabones IV T and the lens can and does lose contact - the Sigma MC-11 adapter actually fits more snugly.

You may actually be a good candidate for the new and coming 5D4 - it will have the DR of the new 1Dx_II at base ISO, which is very close to the Sony, and it will fill all your other desires you mentioned.

wallstreetoneil wrote in post #18059648
As background, I own a 1DX_II, A7RII and 5DSR.

In terms of bigger lenses, I have tried and use the 100-400L II, 300F2.8, 200F2 with the A7Rii and a Metabones - they all work. I have also tested the 400F2.8 and confirm that it works fine.

If you are thinking about a A7Rii and a 500F4 or 200-400F4, and there is the chance that you will be 'tracking' moving targets, then the A7Rii is not for you - if it is more of a long portrait lens thing for slow moving animals, then yes it can do that well.

I will caution you that the lens mount on the A7Rii is NOT designed for the loads of those types of lenses so don't mistakenly think that it is - it is not. Secondly, even on a lens like the 70-200F2.8 II IS, I find that slack can develop when the lens is mounted with the Metabones IV T and the lens can and does lose contact - the Sigma MC-11 adapter actually fits more snugly.

You may actually be a good candidate for the new and coming 5D4 - it will have the DR of the new 1Dx_II at base ISO, which is very close to the Sony, and it will fill all your other desires you mentioned.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18059447
That's a really tough dilemma you have there. The 5DS R would be sensational with your 500 and 200-400. It lacks the shooting speed, but the detail it captures at 50.6 MP is stunning. For landscapes, though, the a7R II sensor dynamic range is phenomenonal and preferable of course.

While the 5DS R cannot match the a7R II DR, it is nonetheless improved over the 5D III and 1DX. If I were in your shoes I might possibly lean a bit more towards the 5DS R unless I had solid info that the a7R II can drive your big whites. I don't even have any big whites, don't shoot wildlife, and yet I continue to struggle to have a strong preference between the two (which is why I have had both of them ).

Sorry, I'm no help...just wanted to express my empathy regarding how hard a choice that is. If you can keep you a7R while also adding a 5DS R to your kit that might be a more ideal solution.

OK, thanks for the info guys. The A7r2/5dsr would be a landscape camera but also maybe occasional wildlife body if conditions allow. I shoot alot of squirrels, sitting, or wild boar which are not moving too quickly - usually. I am confident the 200-400 would work OK with the A7r2, it is a new generation lens. I also love my loxia 21mm for hiking, there is just no Dslr can match that lightweight.

I guess I will do what I usually do, think about it some more Would love to see a 5DsR with the newer sensors, but that will be 2 years away at least. The 5D4 is on my list but that could be a while to come to market. I also do love the detail the A7R gives me, the 5D4 is unlikely to reach 30MP.

..and maybe there is an A9 on the way

Hiked into Loowit Falls at dusk around St. Helens. Zeiss 100-300mm

I should also note about the 5Dsr questions above: My friend shooting with me packs a 5Dsr and 11-24 and there is no end to his btching about the weight

SeattleSpeedster wrote in post #18060659
Hiked into Loowit Falls at dusk around St. Helens. Zeiss 100-300mm

I should also note about the 5Dsr questions above: My friend shooting with me packs a 5Dsr and 11-24 and there is no end to his btching about the weight

Hosted photo: posted by SeattleSpeedster in
./showthread.php?p=180​60659&i=i80820636
forum: Sony Digital Cameras

Yeh but the 11-24 is nuts heavy! the 16-35 would be my choice for anything more than "get-out-of-the-car-and-shoot"!

Nice shot too.

Yeah, I don't think I could add anything to this discussion, everything what I'd add has been said already by others.
I keep switching between my 80D and the A7rII when I'm out shooting nature (like this morning, finally a relatively productive day). The 80D is faster, does better at moving targets, but the Sony obviously has better IQ.
Just think it over and I'm curios about your final decision.

gabebalazs wrote in post #18062990
Yeah, I don't think I could add anything to this discussion, everything what I'd add has been said already by others.
I keep switching between my 80D and the A7rII when I'm out shooting nature (like this morning, finally a relatively productive day). The 80D is faster, does better at moving targets, but the Sony obviously has better IQ.
Just think it over and I'm curios about your final decision.

For the summer I will stick with what I have, see how the 5D4 is specced or the much rumoured A9 The A7R has its problems but the IQ is still there at ISo100, so what the heck, I can save a few €uros and see what comes next.

Thanks for the replies everyone, seems the A7r2 is OK but not maybe quite ready for wildlife. The 5DsR would too be nice but I know I would miss the DR of the Sony.

Neilyb wrote in post #18063661
For the summer I will stick with what I have, see how the 5D4 is specced or the much rumoured A9 The A7R has its problems but the IQ is still there at ISo100, so what the heck, I can save a few €uros and see what comes next.

Thanks for the replies everyone, seems the A7r2 is OK but not maybe quite ready for wildlife. The 5DsR would too be nice but I know I would miss the DR of the Sony.

I wouldn't go back to DSLR, like you said there is the rumored a9 this year, and a7Riii next year, I can bet it will be much better then what Canon can come up with.

Neilyb wrote in post #18063661
For the summer I will stick with what I have, see how the 5D4 is specced or the much rumoured A9 The A7R has its problems but the IQ is still there at ISo100, so what the heck, I can save a few €uros and see what comes next.

Thanks for the replies everyone, seems the A7r2 is OK but not maybe quite ready for wildlife. The 5DsR would too be nice but I know I would miss the DR of the Sony.

I'd definitely wait at this point. 5DIV is around the corner, and likely the a7III. The 1DXII sensor with a 5D body and feature-set will definitely be attractive. So would a 24mp BSI sensor paired with the a6300 AF system and EVF.

nekrosoft13 wrote in post #18063859
I wouldn't go back to DSLR, like you said there is the rumored a9 this year, and a7Riii next year, I can bet it will be much better then what Canon can come up with.

But, if your photos could have easily been captured with a Canon Rebel, why bother owning a "much better" camera? Skills>Gear

That said, my latest efforts with my 5DS R may have at last broken my tolerance levels. Way too much noise on long exposure shots (using 6-stop ND). As I am processing my files I can't help but ask myself: "What is the point of a 50.6 MP sensor if detail is lost due to noise?" Generally I find the 5DS R is an excellent camera, but just too noisy for me in more stressful natural light scenarios. I am even seeing that ol' Canon banding in the shadows still (vastly better than the 5D III, but there nonetheless).

David Arbogast wrote in post #18064039
But, if your photos could have easily been captured with a Canon Rebel, why bother owning a "much better" camera? Skills>Gear

That said, my latest efforts with my 5DS R may have at last broken my tolerance levels. Way too much noise on long exposure shots (using 6-stop ND). As I am processing my files I can't help but ask myself: "What is the point of a 50.6 MP sensor if detail is lost due to noise?" Generally I find the 5DS R is an excellent camera, but just too noisy for me in more stressful natural light scenarios. I am even seeing that ol' Canon banding in the shadows still (vastly better than the 5D III, but there nonetheless).

was it you or someone else few months ago that didn't agree with me when I said I didn't like 5DSr because of the poor noise performance.

nekrosoft13 wrote in post #18064054
was it you or someone else few months ago that didn't agree with me when I said I didn't like 5DSr because of the poor noise performance.

Would you be willing share some samples of your work here that you feel couldn't have been been captured with a Canon camera?

David Arbogast wrote in post #18064039
But, if your photos could have easily been captured with a Canon Rebel, why bother owning a "much better" camera? Skills>Gear

That said, my latest efforts with my 5DS R may have at last broken my tolerance levels. Way too much noise on long exposure shots (using 6-stop ND). As I am processing my files I can't help but ask myself: "What is the point of a 50.6 MP sensor if detail is lost due to noise?" Generally I find the 5DS R is an excellent camera, but just too noisy for me in more stressful natural light scenarios. I am even seeing that ol' Canon banding in the shadows still (vastly better than the 5D III, but there nonetheless).

I am guessing, but have not tried on a 5Ds body, that read noise in exposures over 30secs will be hard to get rid of not to mention increased overall noise levels with long exposures. This helps my decision