Feels like Deja vu all over again ... :ROTFL:
"The QC sucks." ...
"No it doesn't." ...
"Yes it does!" ...
"No it doesn't!"
"Can't AF." ...
"Yes it can." ...
"No it can't!" ...
"Yes it can, and does!"
Look at it this way ... at least it isn't a $20K+ MFD camera or $7,000 Leica M triggering all the conflicted debate as has been the case in past. Digalloyd swore the S2 couldn't focus accurately to save its life, and proved it with countless examples ... which had some owners like me scratching our heads since we couldn't duplicate the issue, nor were we experiencing it. I still have the camera. Some folks think the M240 color is fine, and others think it has to much IR contamination and produces ghastly OOC color (including me) ... never the twain shall meet.
What would we speculate the reason that Sony launched two different cameras at the same time?
Could it be that no one camera can fit everyone's specific needs? Not to mention that neither one of the A7s may be a match to some people's needs.
Canon 1D MK-III, Canon 1Ds MK-III ... One was lightening quick and the other: the "s" allegedly stood for "Studio."
Different people are coming to this new camera with different experiences and different expectations. Reviewers also.
Long lens blur? Anyone remember the Mamiya RZ long lens requirements? The telephotos came with an elaborate support arm system for the lens itself ... and talk about crippled: top leaf shutter speed was 1/400 even with a 360mm tele.! No shutter shock, but this camera/lens configuration was a "sail" outdoors. If someone coughed in the next county, the images were blurred.
IQ/QC? Digalloyd swore the ZF/ZE 100/2 macro was the holy grail of optics, mine had irritatingly difficult CA, so did the replacement, and the replacement for that replacement. :wtf:
Etc., etc., etc.
I'll tell you one thing, this Sony camera has so many different settings, and ways to configure it, that it has my head spinning. Honestly, to get the most out of it is like learning to play the flute. Your fingers have to be trained to press this, then this, in the right sequence. Off-putting for some, fun for others. While I normally like simple and no-brainer, I actually like the challenge of this camera ... something new to master during the winter months as a fun break from the usual. Maybe I'll take on cell phone "texting" with my sausage fingers as the next challenge ...
All "Gear Whore" jokes aside ... it is very conceivable that someone like Guy, (and to a lesser extent, me), get both A7s ... and I just noticed Guy has done exactly that! :thumbup:
I currently carry the A900, A99 and often the S2, (and sometimes the M Monochrome) to weddings and larger, more important events. The bigger camera is for large group photos, bridal portraits, and sweeping environmental shots that will be printed larger and viewed closer. That could easily be reduced to the A99, A7 and A7R ... that is a
significant difference.
It's pretty hard to sort out all the conflicting reports from owners and reviewers. Mounting a Leica 280mm with a third party adapter using this tri-pod, that head, and some other QR system, introduces so many variables I'm at a loss as to what-is-what. What worked before is no guarantee it will work in this instance. Luckily, I don't use anything over 135 ... except the occasional AF 500/8 on the IBIS A99 ... I won't be using that lens on the A7R or the A7 even if I had one because neither A7 is Image Stabilized.
All that said, I wouldn't deny there is shutter vibration with the A7R ... so best not try to cheat shutter speeds or any other stringent technique requirement ... (any more than I can with the Leica S2 or my previous H4D/60).
BTW, this thing KILLS in the studio, or on-location with lighting.
- Marc
My holiday card to you all ... an exercise in light balance using strobes and old time incandescent Christmas tree lights. A7R, 135/1.8, Profoto strobes with gridded softbox.