Sony Lounge Thread MKIII (All Sony cameras welcome)

thanks fellas for your feedback. I wanted to make sure I won't be kicking myself in the future for not getting the 135 instead

David Arbogast wrote in post #18850947
If I had neither I’d start with 85GM. OTOH, you don’t need both a 55 and a 85 for portraits. Maybe sell me your 55mm LOCA machine for $55 to help go towards your awesome new 85GM.

One more thing: I respect Carlo’s assessment as true that the 85GM is a better portrait lens than 135GM with regards to rendering.

LOL I'll throw in some extras too ok?? :P yes the 55 1.8 is really good. Ive always liked the 50mm and is the one to have with either of the brands I went with. After using the 85mm I remember this was the range I loved when I first started photography on a crop. When I switched over to FF I didn't think about the crop factor and continue to use the 50mm. because it was the cheaper prime too :P

idsurfer wrote in post #18850948
If it was me I would get the 85 and use the 70-200 on the long end at 2.8 in lieu of the 135mm.

thanks. I plan to. I like the cropped background separation on the longer focal length

Miranda1 wrote in post #18850960
My personal opinion is that if you are looking specifically for a dedicated portrait lens then the 85 GM is the way to go, I love the way it renders however if you are looking for a more generalist type lens that is good for portraits as well as short tele sports work then the 135 is a better bet, they really are two very different lenses.

I will indeed be using it mainly for portraits as well for events. So it's settled, the 85mm it is. just waiting for the tax return check that should arrive in a week or two

My new 55" Samsung 4K TV and soundbar. This is on the wall adjacent to my bar. This model has a separate "One Connect" box that all my devices can be plugged into. The signals, including the power to the TV, are transmitted to the TV over that single, small cable shown below the TV in the center.

The soundbar plays Dolby Atmos and DTS-X audio and sounds awesome. I also 'upgraded' my streaming device from Amazon's Fire TV 4K to the Apple TV 4K. Now I can access Dolby Atmos audio output on several Netflicks 4K videos as well as from iTunes. Unfortunately, to date, Amazon only has a single video using Dolby Atmos, their original "Jack Ryan" series.

I didn't think to shoot this uncompressed and so there is some moiré showing on the soundbar grill.

This is a blend of two exposures, one for the wall and one for the screen. The wall wasn't lit evenly so I used two graduated filters in ACR to balance the brightness. I also used selective levels adjustments on the portraits on the top of the cabinet as well as the soundbar. I applied a small amount of Gaussian blur to the soundbar to reduce the moiré effect.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2fEQ​LAp

Meant to ask this before...forgot...
Those using the new FW on a9/r3... and adapted glass...any issues? I had trouble with the 50ART on AFC...First frame was fine and In focus but then with tracking on the next and all subsequent frames were really OOF...I have not tried it with the 135L...

navydoc wrote in post #18851367
My new 55" Samsung 4K TV and soundbar. This is on the wall adjacent to my bar. This model has a separate "One Connect" box that all my devices can be plugged into. The signals, including the power to the TV, are transmitted to the TV over that single, small cable shown below the TV in the center.

The soundbar plays Dolby Atmos and DTS-X audio and sounds awesome. I also 'upgraded' my streaming device from Amazon's Fire TV 4K to the Apple TV 4K. Now I can access Dolby Atmos audio output on several Netflicks 4K videos as well as from iTunes. Unfortunately, to date, Amazon only has a single video using Dolby Atmos, their original "Jack Ryan" series.

I didn't think to shoot this uncompressed and so there is some moiré showing on the soundbar grill.

This is a blend of two exposures, one for the wall and one for the screen. The wall wasn't lit evenly so I used two graduated filters in ACR to balance the brightness. I also used selective levels adjustments on the portraits on the top of the cabinet as well as the soundbar. I applied a small amount of Gaussian blur to the soundbar to reduce the moiré effect.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2fEQ​LAp Samsung 55 with Soundbar by Gene, on Flickr

You make me look very very low tech. Great processing explanation too. Thanks.

Dont know yet. Have the a9/TC-11/400DOii packed for this off weeks trip.
Might find something to test on. Def. want to test with the 2.0TCiii.

navydoc wrote in post #18851367
My new 55" Samsung 4K TV and soundbar. This is on the wall adjacent to my bar. This model has a separate "One Connect" box that all my devices can be plugged into. The signals, including the power to the TV, are transmitted to the TV over that single, small cable shown below the TV in the center.

The soundbar plays Dolby Atmos and DTS-X audio and sounds awesome. I also 'upgraded' my streaming device from Amazon's Fire TV 4K to the Apple TV 4K. Now I can access Dolby Atmos audio output on several Netflicks 4K videos as well as from iTunes. Unfortunately, to date, Amazon only has a single video using Dolby Atmos, their original "Jack Ryan" series.

I didn't think to shoot this uncompressed and so there is some moiré showing on the soundbar grill.

This is a blend of two exposures, one for the wall and one for the screen. The wall wasn't lit evenly so I used two graduated filters in ACR to balance the brightness. I also used selective levels adjustments on the portraits on the top of the cabinet as well as the soundbar. I applied a small amount of Gaussian blur to the soundbar to reduce the moiré effect.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2fEQ​LAp Samsung 55 with Soundbar by Gene, on Flickr

If we actually watched that much TV...... It might be worth it

Still working on the remaining Escort images so have another Milky Way shot instead

Panorama with the CV21

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/TwFL​dS

These are part of a vintage set of Regent Stainless cutlery of Sheffield, England I've had since about 1969. Of course, they weren't vintage when I bought them.

I believe they are, from left to right, a butter knife, a cheese spreader, a cheese fork, and a cheese knife.

Photo from navydoc's gallery.
Image hosted by forum (974223)

navydoc wrote in post #18851367
My new 55" Samsung 4K TV and soundbar. This is on the wall adjacent to my bar. This model has a separate "One Connect" box that all my devices can be plugged into. The signals, including the power to the TV, are transmitted to the TV over that single, small cable shown below the TV in the center.

The soundbar plays Dolby Atmos and DTS-X audio and sounds awesome. I also 'upgraded' my streaming device from Amazon's Fire TV 4K to the Apple TV 4K. Now I can access Dolby Atmos audio output on several Netflicks 4K videos as well as from iTunes. Unfortunately, to date, Amazon only has a single video using Dolby Atmos, their original "Jack Ryan" series.

I didn't think to shoot this uncompressed and so there is some moiré showing on the soundbar grill.

This is a blend of two exposures, one for the wall and one for the screen. The wall wasn't lit evenly so I used two graduated filters in ACR to balance the brightness. I also used selective levels adjustments on the portraits on the top of the cabinet as well as the soundbar. I applied a small amount of Gaussian blur to the soundbar to reduce the moiré effect.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2fEQ​LAp Samsung 55 with Soundbar by Gene, on Flickr

Can you shoot me some links for the stuff you bought...I want a new bigger tv for the living room as part of our reno...

i got confession to make but it's not my fault.

When I bought my 16-35GM I thought I wanna return it and get a second body instead(the A7iii). When I initiated the return at amazon, it prompted me that i cannot return the lens because it may contain hazmat. When i bought it it came bundled with some cleaning stuff including some cleaning solution.

So I opted to chat with amazon customer support. Told the support I wanna return a week old lens but it won't let me, it says it may contain hazmat. then the support went on asking why i'm returning it blah blah blah. told the guy my reason and that i really wanna return it. So he asked me to wait a minute to see what's my option.

Here's what he said:

Support: Vincent your only option is a returnless refund
Me: What does it mean?
Support: $2199 was refunded to the original card you used to purchase, you may trash the lens, donate or keep. Is there anything else i can do?
Me: wait wait wait why? that's not good for the seller. if you want i can just return the lens and trash those cleaning liquid.
Support: The item maybe be hazmat.

at the back of my head I was like... If those are hazmat, why amazon shipped it to me?

then the support continues...
Support: Is there anything else I can help you with? If not please click the end chat button and have a nice day.

It was valentines day February 14, amazon gifted me with a 16-35GM.

I tried my best to return it but I fail.

vinmunoz wrote in post #18851599
i got confession to make but it's not my fault.

When I bought my 16-35GM I thought I wanna return it and get a second body instead(the A7iii). When I initiated the return at amazon, it prompted me that i cannot return the lens because it may contain hazmat. When i bought it it came bundled with some cleaning stuff including some cleaning solution.

So I opted to chat with amazon customer support. Told the support I wanna return a week old lens but it won't let me, it says it may contain hazmat. then the support went on asking why i'm returning it blah blah blah. told the guy my reason and that i really wanna return it. So he asked me to wait a minute to see what's my option.

Here's what he said:

Support: Vincent your only option is a returnless refund
Me: What does it mean?
Support: $2199 was refunded to the original card you used to purchase, you may trash the lens, donate or keep. Is there anything else i can do?
Me: wait wait wait why? that's not good for the seller. if you want i can just return the lens and trash those cleaning liquid.
Support: The item maybe be hazmat.

at the back of my head I was like... If those are hazmat, why amazon shipped it to me?

then the support continues...
Support: Is there anything else I can help you with? If not please click the end chat button and have a nice day.

It was valentines day February 14, amazon gifted me with a 16-35GM.

I tried my best to return it but I fail.

OMG that has to be the worst case of bureaucratic policy breakdown I've ever seen lol.

That's on amazon though...not you. Their systems probably make it impossible for them to process the return. Enjoy your lens you lucky dog...no judgement from me

If it makes you feel better, Amazon is slowly turning into an evil job killing corporation with tentacles spread more areas than any single company probably should

TRhoads wrote in post #18851592
Can you shoot me some links for the stuff you bought...I want a new bigger tv for the living room as part of our reno...

Sure thing.

The TV is the Samsung QN55Q7FN FLAT 55” QLED 4K UHD 7 Series Smart TV 2018. It's even cheaper now than when I bought it on March 25th.

I also bought a WALI Samsung Micro Gap TV Wall Mount Bracket. This allows the TV to be mounted flush on a wall with virtually no gap behind it. The TV can be made to angle down some if desired.

Then I bought the Samsung HW-N850 Soundbar with Dolby Atmos. This soundbar and wirelessly connected subwoofer is 5.1.2 channels with 2 upward and 2 side-firing speakers. Because of the size on my bar area and lack of space on the opposite wall from the TV, I did not get the Samsung HW-N950 Soundbar with Dolby Atmos. This one has the two rear speakers that also connect to the soundbar wirelessly and gives this setup 7.1.4 channels. Both soundbars are cheaper than they were when I bought mine on April 19. To be honest, if I had the room and place to put rear speakers, I would have gone for the N950.

Finally, I also got the Apple TV 4K (32GB, Latest Model) on April 20th. At first, I wasn't sure if I would like using the Apple device and it took me a while to figure out how to connect to an existing iTunes account I had...but had let the payment method lapse. I discovered there are separate payment methods depending on what the usage is. Now, I'm very happy with it.

I also still have the Fire TV 4K device connected too. On the One Connect device, I have a blu-ray player, the Fire TV device and the soundbar is connected to the hdmi ARC connector to pass through audio. On the soundbar itself is where I have the Apple 4K device plugged into.

I have three streaming services that I use, Netflicks 4K, Amazon Prime, and a Playstation Vue subscription. Most of the time I use the Apple device and am gradually "rewiring my brain" to using it as it works somewhat differently than what I'm used to.

Most of the remotes are 'smart' and can perform most of the same functions as what comes with the unit and I only need two remotes for most of my needs now. A 3rd, for the blu-ray player, is also good to keep handy but I don't use it often. I did watch "Chicago" on blu-ray today and I have not seen...or heard it look or sound so great before.

Sorry to be so long winded...I got carried away. I wish more titles had the Dolby Atmos audio tracks but like 4K, hopefully, more will be released and older movies re-released with that capability in the future.

EDIT: Oh, on the number of remotes. My TV has one, the soundbar has one, the blu-ray player has one, the Fire TV 4k has one, and of course, the Apple TV 4K has one...whew.

EDIT II: I also have an external hard drive plugged into the One Connect box that has several movies for viewing. I've only tried MP4 files but they play perfectly. I'll have to see if MKV files also play on the TV.

vinmunoz wrote in post #18851599
i got confession to make but it's not my fault.

When I bought my 16-35GM I thought I wanna return it and get a second body instead(the A7iii). When I initiated the return at amazon, it prompted me that i cannot return the lens because it may contain hazmat. When i bought it it came bundled with some cleaning stuff including some cleaning solution.

So I opted to chat with amazon customer support. Told the support I wanna return a week old lens but it won't let me, it says it may contain hazmat. then the support went on asking why i'm returning it blah blah blah. told the guy my reason and that i really wanna return it. So he asked me to wait a minute to see what's my option.

Here's what he said:

Support: Vincent your only option is a returnless refund
Me: What does it mean?
Support: $2199 was refunded to the original card you used to purchase, you may trash the lens, donate or keep. Is there anything else i can do?
Me: wait wait wait why? that's not good for the seller. if you want i can just return the lens and trash those cleaning liquid.
Support: The item maybe be hazmat.

at the back of my head I was like... If those are hazmat, why amazon shipped it to me?

then the support continues...
Support: Is there anything else I can help you with? If not please click the end chat button and have a nice day.

It was valentines day February 14, amazon gifted me with a 16-35GM.

I tried my best to return it but I fail.

Personally I would keep a record of that chat if I was you. If they ever come back and try to blame you or accuse you of anything, you have proof it was on them.

In saying all this, you're so damn lucky haha

vinmunoz wrote in post #18851599
i got confession to make but it's not my fault.

When I bought my 16-35GM I thought I wanna return it and get a second body instead(the A7iii). When I initiated the return at amazon, it prompted me that i cannot return the lens because it may contain hazmat. When i bought it it came bundled with some cleaning stuff including some cleaning solution.

So I opted to chat with amazon customer support. Told the support I wanna return a week old lens but it won't let me, it says it may contain hazmat. then the support went on asking why i'm returning it blah blah blah. told the guy my reason and that i really wanna return it. So he asked me to wait a minute to see what's my option.

Here's what he said:

Support: Vincent your only option is a returnless refund
Me: What does it mean?
Support: $2199 was refunded to the original card you used to purchase, you may trash the lens, donate or keep. Is there anything else i can do?
Me: wait wait wait why? that's not good for the seller. if you want i can just return the lens and trash those cleaning liquid.
Support: The item maybe be hazmat.

at the back of my head I was like... If those are hazmat, why amazon shipped it to me?

then the support continues...
Support: Is there anything else I can help you with? If not please click the end chat button and have a nice day.

It was valentines day February 14, amazon gifted me with a 16-35GM.

I tried my best to return it but I fail.

In a week where I've heard some very strange dialogue, this takes the cake. Awesome story!

I saw this guy across the street on overwatch duty at the pond. It was pretty dark, but it was the first time I've ever seen this bird there--so I cranked the ISO and let it rip, cause why not?

Photo from mickeyb105's gallery.