[Leica] My next Leica camera is a Sony A7

[Paul Roark]

Why the a7 instead of the a7R?

Did you get their Zony 35mm f/2.8?

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

On Sat, Nov 1, 2014 at 3:49 PM, Frank Filippone <red735i at verizon.net> wrote:

> Looking for the ideal camera:  Lots of pixels, EVF, accepts Leica glass if
> possible, AF when I need it, MF and attendant focusing aids otherwise, not
> $8K, takes SDHC cards, great and dependable metering system, Full Frame,
> not
> a cropped sensor, etc.  Built in flash is a bonus.
>
>
>
> What got me hooked was the EVF, and especially the enlarged EVF.... It is
> addictive to be able to focus with a magnified view.   I noticed this on
> the
> Fuji XE-1 I have, but the time delay from pushing the button and something
> happening was too long .  Maybe a XT-1 or XE-2 would have fixed that, but
> then I would have had a cropped sensor, and I am a WA type of person.. Not
> a
> great combo.
>
>
>
> I have an M9.  It is a great camera, but focusing is not optimum.  Lenses
> over 90mm are really hard to compose as the VF is pretty much a Hail Mary
> at
> that stage.  Some would say, go buy an M(240).  It offers a similar set of
> specs as I want.  Easy to say, hard to part with the money for the M(240).
> And the next iteration of Leica is bound to be yet another $1K.
>
>
>
> I just received my new Sony A7.  Had a cheapo Leica M to Sony mount adapter
> hanging about, just in case I eventually bought the A7.  Slapped on a 50
> ASPH Lux.
>
>
>
> The benefit of more pixels is primarily the ability to NOT carry a long
> lens.  You crop the image.  Saves weight.  Saves money ( no lens to
> purchase
> ).  I was not terribly into the pixel count issues, it is a nice side
> benefit as I very rarely carry a long (over 75 or 90mm) lens.
>
>
>
> When the opportunity presented itself, I decided to try out the A7 over the
> XT-1.  ( used, thanks to Doug, and his friend)
>
>
>
> The image quality, with the A7 + Cheapo ( $12) Adapter + that LENS!!! And I
> am just blown away with the resolution.
>
>
>
> At roughly 200 yards, at F2 ( and probably 1/8000 of a second) I was able
> to
> distinguish a hawk sitting on the electrical poles near the house. For
> reference, the hawk was most likely 12-15 inches tall.
>
>
>
> At about 6 yards, same exposures setup, I was able to distinguish the marks
> on the head of an old, crusty, 6 penny nail in my fence. Focus accuracy is
> astonishing.
>
>
>
> Metering is superb.something Leica's pseudo spot meter lacks.
>
>
>
> There is basically no delay from pushing the button to getting the shutter
> to open.  Even in magnified focusing mode.
>
>
>
> This kind of change does have its downsides.. My LR V4.4 will not read the
> Sony files, but Adobe DNG Converter fixes that;  There is no in camera
> correction for vignetting nor "distortion" ( as if Leica's pride and joy
> mainstream lens needs too much); there is no EXIF file data to remember
> which lens you had on at any time ( which would not be at all important
> except for operations of vignetting and distortion correction.)
>
>
>
> The camera does not have the same solid feel as a Leica ( any Leica short
> of
> the CL and maybe the P+S models).  It will probably die faster than a M3
> would.. Then again..
>
>
>
> I need to become more familiar with the operational buttons, and menus,
> however, I was able to get the camera working a bit more like I want it.
>
>
>
> I wish more than ever that I had a fleet of Leica R glass, but not a single
> one was ever in my kit.
>
>
>
> It is not going with me tonight to shoot some fun fotos of a adult birthday
> party.  No twinkle flash.  Then again, nothing really is ideal.
>
>
>
> Frank Filippone
>
> Red735i at verizon.net
>
>
>
>
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