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Sorry, but I just don’t get it - a bit of a rant

Reading the posts at FM or DPR, you could easily get the impression that the Sony A7-family of cameras is completely inadequate on nearly every front.

Any new product announcements, or lack of announcements, causes another wave of hand-wringing about the same old stuff:

- Batteries too small
- Not enough lens choice
- Lenses too big
- Not enough cheap lenses
- Terrible quality control - nearly every lens is (apparently) de-centered and/or defective
- No dedicated joystick to move focus points
- They introduce new features and models too quickly
- The only reason anyone would buy the Sonys is for its size
- You can’t use it to shoot sports
- It’s only got one memory card slot
- You can’t shoot 12 hours of video continuously
- and so on

Well, I’m sorry, but I respectfully disagree.

According to a little list I maintain, I’ve owned and used more than 60 different cameras over the years. The Sony A7Rii is -easily- the most powerful, sophisticated, flexible and delightful-to-use camera I’ve ever owned. The image quality is unmatched by anything even remotely in its price/convenience range. The native lenses are, as a group, fantastic. The fact that I can also use nearly -any- lens ever made is an incredible bonus.

Is it perfect? No. Are some of the above complaints valid? Maybe. Do I wish it was cheaper, had more inexpensive native lenses, and never dropped in resale value? Sure, but so what?

While those pessimists are complaining about their half-empty glasses, I’m out having fun and making images.

Thanks for listening!


The Dynamic Duo​

Shot with a6000 and Zeiss 16-70mm lens @30mm
 
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bradhusick

Active member
I agree. The A7R-II is the most capable camera I have (ever?) used. Not perfect, flawed in many ways (especially the overly complex menus) but I love it.
 

pegelli

Well-known member
While those pessimists are complaining about their half-empty glasses, I’m out having fun and making images.
Fully agree with you Mike, and your sentence above reminded me of something I read recently. :
"The question is not if your glass is half full or half empty, the real question is how far away is this bottle of gorgeous wine you're enjoying" :cool:
 
If five years ago you told me there was a compact FF camera that could shoot almost any lens made for the format (including competitor lenses with fast AF), and would have industry leading image quality I wouldn't have believed it, let alone it was from Sony.

We are spoiled and unfortunately there are a class of people that must continuously look at the negative - my guess is that they do this in all aspects of life. Not that we all need to be cheerleaders but how about some recognition that we are in a golden age?
 

Guy Mancuso

Administrator, Instructor
Honestly I could give a flying pig what anyone says anymore. I shoot it I love it and I'm getting what I want out of it. No more chasing rainbows . I'm happy
 

kimbrunstudio

New member
I agree with Guy. Really maximizes my lenses. Still amazed each time I shoot with the Sigma 50 ART or the Zeiss 135 APO. Most of my Canon glass gives incredible results as well. Looking forward to the Sigma MC-11 adding AF functionality to the 50 ART. What a great combo this should be.
 

Jim DE

New member
Mike I fully agree....... That is why I don't even go on DPR anymore since their so called brainiac's and the RAW compression fiasco they started and kicked to death. I rarely even go on FM either but at least most times it is far more sensible than DPR. To me DPR and it's trolls are a bad joke filled with people who always see a glass half empty.

I, like Guy, pay no attention to these self proclaimed wizards. I know what I like and what works for me.... and I have found it!

Just stay away from those sites till this wave of irrational emotion dissipates: it will be far better for you than trying to wake them from their delusions. If no one argues with them they just go away...... ;)
 

Guy Mancuso

Administrator, Instructor
Really only thing I think is valid is our ongoing discussion of lenses and things that we need to produce better images . Those conversations I pay attention too and participate in. I'm all about finding the positives to make us better. But I ignore the ongoing sky is falling stuff. Usually from non soy shooters which makes me laugh.
 

segedi

Member
My biggest problem with the A7RII is that I don't own one. Looks like I'll have to wait until version III... The one with the built in legacy lens AF adapter. We can dream right? :cool:
 

Jorgen Udvang

Subscriber Member
Reading the posts at FM or DPR, you could easily get the impression that the Sony A7-family of cameras is completely inadequate on nearly every front.
Those amateur haters at dpr will hate any camera for you. Only here at getdpi, you'll find specialised haters who hate the A7 exclusively :mad: :angry: :deadhorse:

:ROTFL: :ROTFL: :ROTFL:
 
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dmward

Member
Like a lot of you I've shot a lot of different digital cameras over the years. And with film even more.

I migrated from DSLR to mirrorless knowing that I was leaving behind one capability that I really find useful when shooting events: TTL metered flash.

I went back to shooting with manual flash, then migrated to the Sony A7R for other reasons. With Nissin and now Godox addressing TTL metered flash I've been able to use the A7RII the way I like. There are some things I'd like them to improve, but overall this is a great camera system.

What other people say about equipment is useful to me if its useful information while I'm researching. What I hear too much, as Michael has pointed out, is a lot of people whining. That I have no time for and turn off.
 

DougDolde

Well-known member
I could see something like that as a lightweight counterpart to my Phase One kit. It's big and heavy.

But I would be looking at the new Pentax K-1 not a Sony.
 

jfirneno

Member
Reading the posts at FM or DPR, you could easily get the impression that the Sony A7-family of cameras is completely inadequate on nearly every front.

Any new product announcements, or lack of announcements, causes another wave of hand-wringing about the same old stuff:

- Batteries too small
- Not enough lens choice
- Lenses too big
- Not enough cheap lenses
- Terrible quality control - nearly every lens is (apparently) de-centered and/or defective
- No dedicated joystick to move focus points
- They introduce new features and models too quickly
- The only reason anyone would buy the Sonys is for its size
- You can’t use it to shoot sports
- It’s only got one memory card slot
- You can’t shoot 12 hours of video continuously
- and so on

Well, I’m sorry, but I respectfully disagree.

According to a little list I maintain, I’ve owned and used more than 60 different cameras over the years. The Sony A7Rii is -easily- the most powerful, sophisticated, flexible and delightful-to-use camera I’ve ever owned. The image quality is unmatched by anything even remotely in its price/convenience range. The native lenses are, as a group, fantastic. The fact that I can also use nearly -any- lens ever made is an incredible bonus.

Is it perfect? No. Are some of the above complaints valid? Maybe. Do I wish it was cheaper, had more inexpensive native lenses, and never dropped in resale value? Sure, but so what?

While those pessimists are complaining about their half-empty glasses, I’m out having fun and making images.

Thanks for listening!

Mike:
You know how I know Sony has arrived? I haven't been tempted by the A7SII. The A7S is far from perfect but I definitely don't feel like I can't make any kind of photo that I want. That means I can take some indoor people shots or some walk-around shots or a landscape. That was something I couldn't say with any of my older Sony cameras. The A850, NEX5N and even the A7R couldn't get the indoor shots. So even though I could get some advantages from the A7 II, A7R II or the A7S II I really think I should skip another generation or two before trading up. And that's a beautiful thing. Now I can waste money on expensive lenses!
 

k-hawinkler

Well-known member
Hope we didn't wake you. ;)
Thanks Mike. No, my A7r2 is a wonderful tool and a joy to use! :thumbs:
As are my OM-D cameras. Wouldn't want to give up any.

BTW, tomorrow my Oly 300/4 PRO lens is scheduled to arrive.
That lens on the E-M1/5/5.2 should keep me entertained for awhile.
I already refreshed my grasp of their menu systems. :facesmack:

After that my A7r/2 cameras feel like brand new gizmos. :shocked:
And I will need to re-memorize their menu systems by going through them once. :grin:
The more I switch daily use of systems the easier it seems to remember their UIs and rely on muscle memory!
 

fotografz

Well-known member
Reading the posts at FM or DPR, you could easily get the impression that the Sony A7-family of cameras is completely inadequate on nearly every front.

Any new product announcements, or lack of announcements, causes another wave of hand-wringing about the same old stuff:

- Batteries too small
- Not enough lens choice
- Lenses too big
- Not enough cheap lenses
- Terrible quality control - nearly every lens is (apparently) de-centered and/or defective
- No dedicated joystick to move focus points
- They introduce new features and models too quickly
- The only reason anyone would buy the Sonys is for its size
- You can’t use it to shoot sports
- It’s only got one memory card slot
- You can’t shoot 12 hours of video continuously
- and so on

Well, I’m sorry, but I respectfully disagree.

According to a little list I maintain, I’ve owned and used more than 60 different cameras over the years. The Sony A7Rii is -easily- the most powerful, sophisticated, flexible and delightful-to-use camera I’ve ever owned. The image quality is unmatched by anything even remotely in its price/convenience range. The native lenses are, as a group, fantastic. The fact that I can also use nearly -any- lens ever made is an incredible bonus.

Is it perfect? No. Are some of the above complaints valid? Maybe. Do I wish it was cheaper, had more inexpensive native lenses, and never dropped in resale value? Sure, but so what?

While those pessimists are complaining about their half-empty glasses, I’m out having fun and making images.

Thanks for listening!
What is not to get?

People are free to critique their tools just as vigorously as they (should) critique their work.

Personally, I'd like a nice full glass not one half full or half empty ... it's called "pushing for progress".

Now, what that "full glass" may be is the question. For some the A7R-II may be it.

Sony has pretty much revolutionized the whole camera scene which is fantastic for a lot of folks ... and I'm one of them. I've embraced my A7R-II for all it's wonders.

However, just for example ... IT NEEDS A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE MENU SYSTEM ... and soft soaping that will never get Sony to fix it.

Any one of us here on this site (that actually use this camera) could design a better menu organization in 1/2 hour.

Personally, I'd prefer seeing ideas on that, rather than a group hug around the half full glass.

:)

- Marc
 

Lucille

New member
What I want to know is how getting it or not getting it is going to improve my photos.


Who knows, we can't speak for you or your photos, I enjoyed Mike's rant. Sometimes it's good to speak out about things amongst friends.
 
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