Sony Lounge Thread MKIII (All Sony cameras welcome)

Like it! and the tidbit of history.

TMaG82 wrote in post #18400957
GAS is starting to creep up again while I look for a 35mm option. Starting to plan for my family's first trip to a Disney World in December and started to lay out the gear that I want to take. My Sony a9, my 24-70 GM, my 85 1.8, and whatever 35mm option I decide on. No matter what bag I put it in, it'll be somewhat weighty. Because it's out first trip there I want to make sure I'm prepared. Then I read this article.

https://fstoppers.com …d-taking-my-camera-182815

I'm not a professional like that person who wrote the article, but I certainly can relate to the part when she writes about standing around with my eye glued to the EVF waiting for the shot, or stopping while I changed lenses, and seeing my wife and kids lose patience and walk off. Also my last day trip to a Newport, RI with my family and mom I have some pictures that I'm happy with but also if you asked me what we saw that day or what we did, I can't really tell you, but I can tell you which lenses I used, what setting so I shot at, etc.

Which made me consider just buying a compact, fixed lens camera like the RX1RII or the Fuji X100F. I have a love and hate relationship with Fuji that's well documented, but that's mostly from expecting too much. I'm wondering if just a single 35mm equivalent will free me up to enjoy the moment more than trying to capture the perfect image that at the end of the day I show my family and friends and throw a like on social media and quickly forget.

Decisions, decisions...

Couldn't agree more with that article. Whilst family memories is the thing I want to capture most I am totally aware of how I'm doing it and consciously try and avoid missing life happening as I'm thinking about the photos too much, what lens, what angle, the right moment etc etc. I used to be more like that until I realised. Without starting to sound like a fuji fanboy (and it's also well documented on here how bad a time I had when I switched to fuji when the xt1 came out) but the x100F has totally changed my view on fuji. I loved the x100t and owned it twice but AF wasn't quite there for me as my young son is very active, but the x100f is working fine in that regard. Also I'm enjoying being able to use the jpegs sooc as I also realised I don't want to have to process each and every family photo but was having to do that with the sony files as the skin tones are never correct sooc whereas the fujis are nearly always right. So long story short for family stuff I personally am finding the x100f ideal as it's small and I don't mind taking it everywhere and it's very capable but most of all it lets me enjoy the family time instead of thinking about the photography too much. Don't get me wrong though the sony is higher IQ and I love it but it's horses for courses

my CV15 was scheduled for a 1 day early delivery. it's gonna arrive today instead of tomorrow. can't wait to test it.

TMaG82 wrote in post #18400957
GAS is starting to creep up again while I look for a 35mm option. Starting to plan for my family's first trip to a Disney World in December and started to lay out the gear that I want to take. My Sony a9, my 24-70 GM, my 85 1.8, and whatever 35mm option I decide on. No matter what bag I put it in, it'll be somewhat weighty. Because it's out first trip there I want to make sure I'm prepared. Then I read this article.

https://fstoppers.com …d-taking-my-camera-182815

I'm not a professional like that person who wrote the article, but I certainly can relate to the part when she writes about standing around with my eye glued to the EVF waiting for the shot, or stopping while I changed lenses, and seeing my wife and kids lose patience and walk off. Also my last day trip to a Newport, RI with my family and mom I have some pictures that I'm happy with but also if you asked me what we saw that day or what we did, I can't really tell you, but I can tell you which lenses I used, what setting so I shot at, etc.

Which made me consider just buying a compact, fixed lens camera like the RX1RII or the Fuji X100F. I have a love and hate relationship with Fuji that's well documented, but that's mostly from expecting too much. I'm wondering if just a single 35mm equivalent will free me up to enjoy the moment more than trying to capture the perfect image that at the end of the day I show my family and friends and throw a like on social media and quickly forget.

Decisions, decisions...

Our first trip to Disney was this past January...I took the A7R2, the B18, B25 and the rented 70-200f4. Light enough to not be annoying, and I didn't keep it glued to my face. I focused on getting shots of my daughter enjoying the park, and didn't worry much about anything else...I would have been super mad at myself if I had left the camera in the room and done all of that with my cell phone...

xpfloyd wrote in post #18400973
Couldn't agree more with that article. Whilst family memories is the thing I want to capture most I am totally aware of how I'm doing it and consciously try and avoid missing life happening as I'm thinking about the photos too much, what lens, what angle, the right moment etc etc. I used to be more like that until I realised. Without starting to sound like a fuji fanboy (and it's also well documented on here how bad a time I had when I switched to fuji when the xt1 came out) but the x100F has totally changed my view on fuji. I loved the x100t and owned it twice but AF wasn't quite there for me as my young son is very active, but the x100f is working fine in that regard. Also I'm enjoying being able to use the jpegs sooc as I also realised I don't want to have to process each and every family photo but was having to do that with the sony files as the skin tones are never correct sooc whereas the fujis are nearly always right. So long story short for family stuff I personally am finding the x100f ideal as it's small and I don't mind taking it everywhere and it's very capable but most of all it lets me enjoy the family time instead of thinking about the photography too much. Don't get me wrong though the sony is higher IQ and I love it but it's horses for courses

the fixed lens would be a frustration for me for a camera that cost that much...I have a little Powershot s95 and I use it sometimes for family stuff, but its IQ is not all that great, its ok...but it has me considering something a little better in the advanced P&S range...

xpfloyd wrote in post #18400973
Couldn't agree more with that article. Whilst family memories is the thing I want to capture most I am totally aware of how I'm doing it and consciously try and avoid missing life happening as I'm thinking about the photos too much, what lens, what angle, the right moment etc etc. I used to be more like that until I realised. Without starting to sound like a fuji fanboy (and it's also well documented on here how bad a time I had when I switched to fuji when the xt1 came out) but the x100F has totally changed my view on fuji. I loved the x100t and owned it twice but AF wasn't quite there for me as my young son is very active, but the x100f is working fine in that regard. Also I'm enjoying being able to use the jpegs sooc as I also realised I don't want to have to process each and every family photo but was having to do that with the sony files as the skin tones are never correct sooc whereas the fujis are nearly always right. So long story short for family stuff I personally am finding the x100f ideal as it's small and I don't mind taking it everywhere and it's very capable but most of all it lets me enjoy the family time instead of thinking about the photography too much. Don't get me wrong though the sony is higher IQ and I love it but it's horses for courses

Thanks for your thoughts on the F. I started with the S and had that for a while and briefly rented the T. I didn't feel as the T had improved as much and never ended up buying it. It still felt too sluggish. Everything I hear about the F is that now it's good enough for the most part. Sounds like you're satisfied with it?

Obviously it won't hang with my a9, but then again I don't necessarily need it to, since as a hobbyist I wonder at times if I really do need a camera that lets face it, a lot of pros don't even use. The biggest improvement for me with the F is the addition of the joystick and now the front dial. I always liked putting the shutter in T and using the rear dial to control, now being able to set ISO to A and control that with the front and control aperture with the front dial. And I sat down and looked at how many raw files I've actually processed over the past year, and it's been exactly 8. ive been shooting raw and jpeg for the past 6 years and say that I have the raw to work on if I need to. But I just never use the Raw. I'm always just using the SOOC jpegs to share on social media. So in that regard I might be able to get away with the digital teleconvertor with the 50/70.

I might pick it up and see how I get along with it before I decide on just taking that to Disney. Being able to walk around like a tourist with the camera around the neck might be fun as opposed to carrying around a 10-15 lb bag full of gear.

Disney requires serious walking, depending on how I carry, it would likely be just the Fe 35 and small holster

I would treat it as a non photography trip as I would be on all the rides and whatever gear I had would be too.

xpfloyd wrote in post #18400973
Couldn't agree more with that article. Whilst family memories is the thing I want to capture most I am totally aware of how I'm doing it and consciously try and avoid missing life happening as I'm thinking about the photos too much, what lens, what angle, the right moment etc etc. I used to be more like that until I realised. Without starting to sound like a fuji fanboy (and it's also well documented on here how bad a time I had when I switched to fuji when the xt1 came out) but the x100F has totally changed my view on fuji. I loved the x100t and owned it twice but AF wasn't quite there for me as my young son is very active, but the x100f is working fine in that regard. Also I'm enjoying being able to use the jpegs sooc as I also realised I don't want to have to process each and every family photo but was having to do that with the sony files as the skin tones are never correct sooc whereas the fujis are nearly always right. So long story short for family stuff I personally am finding the x100f ideal as it's small and I don't mind taking it everywhere and it's very capable but most of all it lets me enjoy the family time instead of thinking about the photography too much. Don't get me wrong though the sony is higher IQ and I love it but it's horses for courses

I left my camera at home for the past two camping trips. I think that was a bit extreme....I do wish I would have had it. That said, I've backed WAY off over the last few years when out with the fam. I too realized that many times I was very disconnected from the actual experience. At one point I realized that many times it was as if my wife and kids were out doing something and I was the paparazzi following them around. Sure I got some great shots, but in the end they got annoyed and I missed out on the family experience. So, I don't think I'll me leaving my camera at home anymore. I will however continue to strive to find that nice balance between getting a few nice shots but still being part of what's going on. It's a challenge but in the end I think it will make me more of the photographer I would like to be, i.e. I would like to be that guy looking ever so casual with a camera, rarely up to the face, but goes home with a handful of really nice images. BTW, another reason I went to the small Sony APS-c system.....big bulky DSLR's were simply getting in the way.

TMaG82 wrote in post #18400957
GAS is starting to creep up again while I look for a 35mm option. Starting to plan for my family's first trip to a Disney World in December and started to lay out the gear that I want to take. My Sony a9, my 24-70 GM, my 85 1.8, and whatever 35mm option I decide on. No matter what bag I put it in, it'll be somewhat weighty. Because it's out first trip there I want to make sure I'm prepared. Then I read this article.

https://fstoppers.com …d-taking-my-camera-182815

I'm not a professional like that person who wrote the article, but I certainly can relate to the part when she writes about standing around with my eye glued to the EVF waiting for the shot, or stopping while I changed lenses, and seeing my wife and kids lose patience and walk off. Also my last day trip to a Newport, RI with my family and mom I have some pictures that I'm happy with but also if you asked me what we saw that day or what we did, I can't really tell you, but I can tell you which lenses I used, what setting so I shot at, etc.

Which made me consider just buying a compact, fixed lens camera like the RX1RII or the Fuji X100F. I have a love and hate relationship with Fuji that's well documented, but that's mostly from expecting too much. I'm wondering if just a single 35mm equivalent will free me up to enjoy the moment more than trying to capture the perfect image that at the end of the day I show my family and friends and throw a like on social media and quickly forget.

Decisions, decisions...

As a counterpoint to the article, SAR posted a study last week that concludes that photographing an activity increases engagement and enjoyment of the activity:

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18397265


I definitely think that the simple act of carrying a camera turns on my mind's eye and because I start looking for things to photograph I have a greater appreciation for things I would otherwise overlook. And honestly there are a lot of things that happen with my family that are worth documenting. Of course there needs to be a balance, and you never want to take it to the point where you're spending all of your time behind a viewfinder or constantly jacking around with gear. When I do bring a camera out with me it isn't a case where I'm spending all of my time behind the camera....I'm pulling it out and putting away quickly as stuff happens.

This is where capable cameras and good carrying systems come into play, as you want carrying a camera to be as unobtrusive as possible. Solid AF certainly matters as good AF means you can quickly snap a photo without jacking with the camera too much....this is what made me ditch the idea of downgrading to the rx1 once I actually shot with it....with the rx1rii I can quickly pull the camera out when something happens and reliably capture the moment. Eye focus goes a long way here. With a solid camera I can actually photograph things more quickly and with less of a hassle than pulling out my smartphone opening an app and waiting for it to focus.

With regards to Disney....I bring a full kit with me every time and it has never been a hindrance. There's enough downtime between activities (lots of time in lines) to do things like change lenses as needed. All of the rides can accommodate a bag, and if you have a stroller, your bag will spend most of it's time hanging from it. It's definitely worth the hassle or bringing a kit with you....my wife makes scrap books of each trip and my kids really enjoy the looking at them. I brought a gimbal with me last time and made a compilation vid that my kids watch all of the time.

I agree with you guys on finding a balance. Another approach I like to take is to wake up early to get the sunrise shots. Of course, that is location dependent (ie Disney not open till later, etc). When I am out with family, I usually take my camera and one or 2 lenses. I still wouldn't mind having a small camera like the Fuji 100F to replace my smartphone which I use quite a bit to catch those fleeting moments.

Here is another perspective:

https://fstoppers.com …d-taking-my-camera-182815

vinmunoz wrote in post #18400977
my CV15 was scheduled for a 1 day early delivery. it's gonna arrive today instead of tomorrow. can't wait to test it.

It's a great little lens, hopefully you get a good copy, one that doesn't smear excessively in the corners.

I cant help but want to bring everything.. but depending on the days activities i figure out what i bring

Been wanting a panasonic lx100 or lx10 for those outings where lighting is not an issue

I had two recent issues surface while shooting. The first was on Tuesday afternoon while shooting late afternoon. I was using the SR app and the sun was beaming on my gear. I got the little high temp warning on my screen. I shot the camera off and let it cool down. I resumed shooting a few minutes later. I've never had that happen before.

The second issue happened just this morning as I was shooting one of the SATX Missions at sunrise. It was humid this morning. Towards the end of my session, I tried to review my images from my Lexar SD card. I got an error saying something to the effect "nothing to display". I started to panic. At some point, the camera prompted me if I wanted to recover the data. I confirmed yes and then after a moment I was able to view my images from the card. I don't know why this happened. I am going to do a fresh format on the card next.

TMaG82 wrote in post #18400998
Thanks for your thoughts on the F. I started with the S and had that for a while and briefly rented the T. I didn't feel as the T had improved as much and never ended up buying it. It still felt too sluggish. Everything I hear about the F is that now it's good enough for the most part. Sounds like you're satisfied with it?

Obviously it won't hang with my a9, but then again I don't necessarily need it to, since as a hobbyist I wonder at times if I really do need a camera that lets face it, a lot of pros don't even use. The biggest improvement for me with the F is the addition of the joystick and now the front dial. I always liked putting the shutter in T and using the rear dial to control, now being able to set ISO to A and control that with the front and control aperture with the front dial. And I sat down and looked at how many raw files I've actually processed over the past year, and it's been exactly 8. ive been shooting raw and jpeg for the past 6 years and say that I have the raw to work on if I need to. But I just never use the Raw. I'm always just using the SOOC jpegs to share on social media. So in that regard I might be able to get away with the digital teleconvertor with the 50/70.

I might pick it up and see how I get along with it before I decide on just taking that to Disney. Being able to walk around like a tourist with the camera around the neck might be fun as opposed to carrying around a 10-15 lb bag full of gear.

It is noticeably more responsive than the T, locks focus in low light much better and with the joystick is more enjoyable to use. Another feature I like is that you can custom function the MF ring when in AF mode so I have mine set to film simulation so it's a quick rotate of the ring to change from acros to Velvia to classic chrome etc (the evf shows the simulation). I love the fact it's a fixed lens as it takes away all thoughts of lens choice etc and the IQ is very high so there's no issue with the shots you take. This sort of shooting won't be everyone's cup of tea but sometimes less is more I feel

idsurfer wrote in post #18401023
I left my camera at home for the past two camping trips. I think that was a bit extreme....I do wish I would have had it. That said, I've backed WAY off over the last few years when out with the fam. I too realized that many times I was very disconnected from the actual experience. At one point I realized that many times it was as if my wife and kids were out doing something and I was the paparazzi following them around. Sure I got some great shots, but in the end they got annoyed and I missed out on the family experience. So, I don't think I'll me leaving my camera at home anymore. I will however continue to strive to find that nice balance between getting a few nice shots but still being part of what's going on. It's a challenge but in the end I think it will make me more of the photographer I would like to be, i.e. I would like to be that guy looking ever so casual with a camera, rarely up to the face, but goes home with a handful of really nice images. BTW, another reason I went to the small Sony APS-c system.....big bulky DSLR's were simply getting in the way.

Sounds exactly like my experience

mystik610 wrote in post #18401027
As a counterpoint to the article, SAR posted a study last week that concludes that photographing an activity increases engagement and enjoyment of the activity:

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18397265

I definitely think that the simple act of carrying a camera turns on my mind's eye and because I start looking for things to photograph I have a greater appreciation for things I would otherwise overlook. And honestly there are a lot of things that happen with my family that are worth documenting. Of course there needs to be a balance, and you never want to take it to the point where you're spending all of your time behind a viewfinder or constantly jacking around with gear. When I do bring a camera out with me it isn't a case where I'm spending all of my time behind the camera....I'm pulling it out and putting away quickly as stuff happens.

This is where capable cameras and good carrying systems come into play, as you want carrying a camera to be as unobtrusive as possible. Solid AF certainly matters as good AF means you can quickly snap a photo without jacking with the camera too much....this is what made me ditch the idea of downgrading to the rx1 once I actually shot with it....with the rx1rii I can quickly pull the camera out when something happens and reliably capture the moment. Eye focus goes a long way here. With a solid camera I can actually photograph things more quickly and with less of a hassle than pulling out my smartphone opening an app and waiting for it to focus.

With regards to Disney....I bring a full kit with me every time and it has never been a hindrance. There's enough downtime between activities (lots of time in lines) to do things like change lenses as needed. All of the rides can accommodate a bag, and if you have a stroller, your bag will spend most of it's time hanging from it. It's definitely worth the hassle or bringing a kit with you....my wife makes scrap books of each trip and my kids really enjoy the looking at them. I brought a gimbal with me last time and made a compilation vid that my kids watch all of the time.

is there someone watching the stroller? I know in the past, I've certainly carried a lot of gear to amusement parks, and generally always have someone watching the stroller since I wouldnt be the only family.

my last amusement park outing, I had an adapted 50mm + 135mm f2.8 manual lens. Shots came out great and lenses small enough for my photo vest.