Comments on: Sony A7r, long term performer or front runner?

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 14:51:28 +0000

agree. exciting times indeed. The Nikon will be very interesting for anyone NOT interested in video because I am certain it will perfectly work with most Nikkor lenses from the past 50 years without the typical headaches associated with adapting vintage glass to mirrorless bodies.

By: JSturr

JSturr — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 13:52:07 +0000

The Sony A7 series price point is going to be a crazy competitor in the space – regardless of what Nikon is releasing this week – it will be a difficult decision.

Your findings, Steve Huff’s findings – are all giving me hope that the color rendering Sony secret sauce has been re-“cooked”.

What a fun time to be dialed into all of these happenings.

JSturr

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:38:29 +0000

aye, I was really hoping for impressive video, let’s wait and see. as long as it matches my D800E video output- of course i was hoping it would surpass it – lol-
Chris, could you please post the links to the video samples you are referring to?

By: chris

chris — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:29:08 +0000

Judging by the samples, the A7/r video is no better than the a99 – which is to say the video is mushy AVCHD garbage. I really wish Sony had improved the video specs and bumped up the bitrate, but we get the same specs as the little Nex5n and every other Sony over the last few years. I really want the A7 for the dual AF to replace the 5d3, but a lot of what I want it for is video. I’ll wait for more comprehensive tests, so far its not looking so good.

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:54:12 +0000

Totally with you on that 3D, I hope so too

By: 3D-Kraft.com

3D-Kraft.com — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:40:17 +0000

For me the much more important question is, if the AF of the A7R is more accurate than the PDAF of the D800E that I had to return last year after too many drawbacks with its AF module (e.g. a strong dependency on light temperature).

As even the contrast AF of the D800E in live view made a much more accurate job, I am quite confident that the A7R will outperform it.

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 10:52:48 +0000

Thanks Garth. Definitely, theoretically, it should make the perfect second body regardless of system, unless you are a sports or red carpet shooter. A D800e sensor in a m43 sized body, that alone is quite exciting AND Sony does a much better job with video implementation then some of the other major players.

By: Garth

Garth — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:35:15 +0000

Hey Mike I like your approach. I think your take is correct, I have over the past two years invested in a lot of old Rokkor manual glass and have, with the use of adapters loved the versatility of the NEX system, focus peaking and image focus magnification have meant that I usually don’t miss sharp focus when using manual glass. Of course having a full frame high megapixels body was always a wish for me, and here it is. I have gone for the 7R as that compliments my NEX 6 which I mostly use for street. My prediction (oh dear, groan lol) is that Sony will win over a lot of APS-c and micro fourthirds prospects but with the SONY 7 not 7R. cant see my mates who use and have invested in the Nikon or Canon platforms running over to Sony, maybe as a second body with adapters yes, but not as their main platform.

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 12:26:13 +0000

Thanks Derek! True, the battery is small, I dig the battery grip, doesn’t add much bulk but allows for two batteries and totally stabilizes the camera, vertical and horizontal. Battery charger, you can get a 3rd party one on ebay for $5 free shipping.

By: derek

derek — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 07:40:38 +0000

great very honest write up Mike.
I also used the Sony A7 and 7R with 35mm f2.8ZA lens , it was quite fast to AF as a mirrorless ,escially in good light.
I am sure you are correct it is faster than my D800E + AF-S24-120mmf4VR or AF-S85mmf1.4G, but a bit slower than the 24-70mmf2.8GED on my D800E.
so for me it can replace almost all my Nikon kit since I do not shoot any sports or action in real life, just make sure to buy a couple of extra batteries and optional battery charger for that Sony camera, I think it is a good hybrid camera, just wish it had a bit bigger battery an the optinal charger is included in the box.

thanks for your honest reports on this great compact camera.