Sony Lounge Thread MKIII (All Sony cameras welcome)

It has been a slow process getting back into this hobby. There is "waiting for opportunities to shoot," and then there is "creating opportunities to shoot." I'm trying to wiggle back into that second category.

I've started taking this composition class on LinkedIn Learning just to spark my creativity a bit and give myself some assignments. The class (more like a webinar) looks at everything in black & white, which is definitely helpful for thinking about composition -- shapes, lines, how the frame is divided, light vs. dark, etc. I feel like I have an adequate handle on composition, but there is always so much more to learn, especially via explicit practice.

Thanks. The studio is small so had to shoot him sitting on that stool.

David Arbogast wrote in post #19023313
Thank you! My go to place.

Since you are into architecture, you may like this page

https://www.flickr.com​/photos/flute-1964/

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #19023356
600mm and a big crop. Sometimes reach is good eh

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2iCh​GKN Old Smiley by MedicineMan4040, on Flickr

Needs a Dentist

Bianchi wrote in post #19023524
Since you are into architecture, you may like this page

https://www.flickr.com​/photos/flute-1964/

Very nice...I’m following it now. Thanks!

I don’t see a path back to Canon, but I’m already wanting the R5. Thankfully Canon’s RF lenses are astronomically expensive so I’m forced to stick it out with the crappy Sony bodies.

Some things I like about the R5 (in case anyone wonders):
1. Overall body design is elegant to look at...design matters to me.
2. Fully articulating screen - and an excellent screen at that.
3. Great menus and ergonomics.
4. Superior (on paper) IBIS system that works with lenses to double up on stabilization.
5. Very nice reasonable resolution.

I don’t know anything about the new sensor - as long as it’s got a 13+ DR it’s fine.

Lens-wise, their RF 85 1.2 is astonishingly good - with an astonishing price to go with it. Like I said, the cost to switch for me is prohibitive, so I’m content with what I have.

ok...those that do video...I have been asked to do video for my boss's kid at school for a play...doesn't have to be fancy...just documenting so that they can submit it for some HS awards stuff...last year my boss shot it on his old Nikon P&S...so it doesn't have to be elaborate or overly produced.

What would the best video settings be...I have done some stuff for my daughter's school and it always turned out ok...I know there is a time limit on each file...30 minutes...

David Arbogast wrote in post #19023550
I don’t see a path back to Canon, but I’m already wanting the R5. Thankfully Canon’s RF lenses are astronomically expensive so I’m forced to stick it out with the crappy Sony bodies.

Some things I like about the R5 (in case anyone wonders):
1. Overall body design is elegant to look at...design matters to me.
2. Fully articulating screen - and an excellent screen at that.
3. Great menus and ergonomics.
4. Superior (on paper) IBIS system that works with lenses to double up on stabilization.
5. Very nice reasonable resolution.

I don’t know anything about the new sensor - as long as it’s got a 13+ DR it’s fine.

Lens-wise, their RF 85 1.2 is astonishingly good - with an astonishing price to go with it. Like I said, the cost to switch for me is prohibitive, so I’m content with what I have.

Reason I keep Fuji GFX

1. Fuji check
2. I don't care for articulating but Fuji flips both ways, way better than A7rIV
3. Better menus than Sony and much better ergonomics
4. IBIS I don't care much, to me IS is better but I can see case as not all lenses have IS. Only XT4/GFX100 has it.
5. 50Mp good and I can upgrade to 100MP if they releases smaller GFX100s.

Yes eye AF is not as good, lenses are not that many but overall I like the system. Agree more $$.

Canon system is also looking promising. Wish Canon offered R5 some time back. I can see wave of folks (who moved from Canon to Sony) moving back to Canon. But it is good thing, put more pressure on Sony, maybe they reduce prices of their cameras/lenses.

David Arbogast wrote in post #19023550
I don’t see a path back to Canon, but I’m already wanting the R5. Thankfully Canon’s RF lenses are astronomically expensive so I’m forced to stick it out with the crappy Sony bodies.

Some things I like about the R5 (in case anyone wonders):
1. Overall body design is elegant to look at...design matters to me.
2. Fully articulating screen - and an excellent screen at that.
3. Great menus and ergonomics.
4. Superior (on paper) IBIS system that works with lenses to double up on stabilization.
5. Very nice reasonable resolution.

I don’t know anything about the new sensor - as long as it’s got a 13+ DR it’s fine.

Lens-wise, their RF 85 1.2 is astonishingly good - with an astonishing price to go with it. Like I said, the cost to switch for me is prohibitive, so I’m content with what I have.

Yeah, pro-level RF lenses are just insanely priced.

Still, I’m not sure that I’ve looked at the same R5 photos as you might have, as the design looks about the same/very similar to that of other Canon cameras, that is nice but nothing outstanding. Speaking as someone to whom design matters as well (I even briefly had Industrial Design as my “major” in college), I think that Sony does pretty well with its gear, at least relative to the aesthetics.

Much like you, I prefer Canon ergonomics and menus (I hate the position of the lens release button on Sony/Fuji cams!), and I know I’ll miss that from Canon, but in itself would not be a reason for me not to switch (or to want to switch... I admit that the transition is painful).

Apricane wrote in post #19023590
Yeah, pro-level RF lenses are just insanely priced.

Still, I’m not sure that I’ve looked at the same R5 photos as you might have, as the design looks about the same/very similar to that of other Canon cameras, that is nice but nothing outstanding. Speaking as someone to whom design matters as well (I even briefly had Industrial Design as my “major” in college), I think that Sony does pretty well with its gear, at least relative to the aesthetics.

Much like you, I prefer Canon ergonomics and menus (I hate the position of the lens release button on Sony/Fuji cams!), and I know I’ll miss that from Canon, but in itself would not be a reason for me not to switch (or to want to switch... I admit that the transition is painful).

I've actually grown to like the lens release of Sony, and I think it's a bit more technically efficient. You're holding the grip, and it's more firm when doing lens changes. My panasonic has the canon style lens release, and it's a bit awkward holding the camera with your right hand, changing lens with your left, as your grip is no longer firm. When doing keeping your hand on the grip and using your left hand to depress the button with your left, then your left hand is in a precarious situation, but the advantage of that style is having buttons near the grip is possible, and I like the added buttons

Charlie wrote in post #19023616
I've actually grown to like the lens release of Sony, and I think it's a bit more technically efficient. You're holding the grip, and it's more firm when doing lens changes. My panasonic has the canon style lens release, and it's a bit awkward holding the camera with your right hand, changing lens with your left, as your grip is no longer firm. When doing keeping your hand on the grip and using your left hand to depress the button with your left, then your left hand is in a precarious situation, but the advantage of that style is having buttons near the grip is possible, and I like the added buttons

Do you use a messenger bag slung over your right shoulder (thus resting on your left hip)? If so, the Sony/Fuji way would indeed make more sense.

I do the opposite (messenger bag slung over my left shoulder and thus resting on my right hip), so it makes it more difficult/feels clumsier. It’s made worse by my not currently using a strap of any kind with my a7 3... since I don’t have a strap I really have to hold the camera with one hand instead of being able to cover the sensor with one hand.

Apricane wrote in post #19023640
Do you use a messenger bag slung over your right shoulder (thus resting on your left hip)? If so, the Sony/Fuji way would indeed make more sense.

I do the opposite (messenger bag slung over my left shoulder and thus resting on my right hip), so it makes it more difficult/feels clumsier. It’s made worse by my not currently using a strap of any kind with my a7 3... since I don’t have a strap I really have to hold the camera with one hand instead of being able to cover the sensor with one hand.

I don't use a strap either, well, a neck strap. Bit I do have a wrist strap and it helps a lot to keep the camera from falling...I have grown used to the lens release button, and can do it without letting go of the body, and use the left hand for switching the lens...but it took a while to get used to that.

David Arbogast wrote in post #19023550
I don’t see a path back to Canon, but I’m already wanting the R5. Thankfully Canon’s RF lenses are astronomically expensive so I’m forced to stick it out with the crappy Sony bodies.

{snip}

Lens-wise, their RF 85 1.2 is astonishingly good - with an astonishing price to go with it. Like I said, the cost to switch for me is prohibitive, so I’m content with what I have.

I looked at the R5 specs, and while on paper they're appealing, I've come to the conclusion that after 50+ years of shooting Canon bodies, I'm done with them.

I can't see myself updating my current EF "L" lenses to "RF" lenses. If I stay with the EF lenses and get the R5, I still have to use an adapter. For me, it makes little difference if it's an EF lens adapted to a Sony body or a Canon body.

I wanted to be much closer to the mountains. But from the actual sunrise time, minus hiking time, getting ready to hike time, driving time, loading the car with the weekends stuff, getting ready, waking up..... it would have meant setting something like a 3:45am alarm & I didn't fancy doing that on my actual birthday The road between two reservoirs is right behind me here so it was literally stop the car & go!! So glad I made that night before decision to aim for this spot as the reward of the first time seeing snow on these mountain tops (at sunrise too) was awesome. To top it all off, it then started gently snowing for a while at the start of our hike up from the original parking spot

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2iCD​2hB

TRhoads wrote in post #19023660
I don't use a strap either, well, a neck strap. Bit I do have a wrist strap and it helps a lot to keep the camera from falling...I have grown used to the lens release button, and can do it without letting go of the body, and use the left hand for switching the lens...but it took a while to get used to that.

My not using a strap is only temporary - I ordered one from B&H and I’m just waiting for it to ship.

I hope switching lenses will start feeling more natural/less awkward once I get it.

Still, changing lenses on a Canon camera is easy even without a strap ...hopefully only due to habit.