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 Replies: 18 / Views: 6,435 |
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Pillar of the Community
 2087 Posts |
Finally I managed to upload to photo bucket one of the other pictures I had taken. It was shot using the Rokkor(minolta) 35-70 mm zoom (with Macro) which I mounted on the 1-1 adapter that comes with the Minolta MD 50mm macro. I finally worked out how to use some of the manual focus assistance features: Focus peaking, which I was already using; when this function is on, the areas of highest contrast are highlighted. The function I next found is most useful...it is a magnification feature....by pushing a button a small rectangle is shown in the view finder...you move it to where you want the focus to be. Confirm by operating the cameras "enter" button and that area is then magnified so that you can adjust the focus. Here's the shot...I am going to have to up the lighting but this shot really shows what the camera can do with a US$50.00 - $60 lens ( Note the lens in question was also badged by Leica)  Edited by austrokiwi
12/06/2013 2:55 pm
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
I am becoming my familiar with this camera and my available lenses. I have developed a preference for the MD 50mm lens. The main reason for this is that I don't have to use the Alpha to e mount adapter. I had purchased the LA-EA4 Adapter. That adapter adds in the translucent mirror( with some loss of light) and enables auto focusing. With Macro Auto focus is unnecessary and the light loss is annoying. So using a 50mm manual lens makes life easier. Here is the latest try using the 50mm MD lens mounted on the 1-1 adapter that came with the lens. First shot is the picture "out-of-the-Camera" with just the background removed. I had to reduce the picture by 50 % to get it to upload to Photobucket. The second shot is a 100% crop of the center of the coin.   |
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
An up date: on my A65 I loved using the sigma EX 105mm macro but on the A7r its annoying. I have to keep setting the camera to manual focus (Switching the lens to manual focus does not disconnect the screw drive). By switching to manual focus I don't mean just the main control but also a secondary control. Clearly this is a case of too many whistles and bells. The Af would be fine but it really hunts ( if it works) on the A7r. I suspect the old 105mm I am using has communication problems with the camera(an issue it is known to have with the sony A99).
I am looking for a new 100 mm(or longer if its usable) macro. So far the gem has been, as already commented on, the Minolta MD 50mm macro. It only goes 1-1 with the custom extension tube that comes with it but its simple to use and produces very sold results with absolutely no distortion. I understand Sony will be bringing out a macro lens for the A7r. That said that new sony lens will be a g lens probably with image stabilization( something else to turn off) so it will have a price that matches the cost of the camera. I suppose I could try the Minolta MD 100mm macro (but it would have to be light years ahead of the 50mm to be worthwhile) or its AF counterpart.
Edited by austrokiwi
12/17/2013 07:32 am
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
New up date. I now have an idea why the Sigma 105mm lens was not performing. To use that lens I have to fit a LA-EA4 adapter. That adapter includes a tripod mounting point. I had been using that point to fix the camera and lens to the copy stand. I have subsequently heard that with larger lenses, mounting the camera on a tripod via either the adapter mount, or lens mount shutter shake becomes a huge problem. the light weight of the camera body being part of the problem. I had purchased a vertical grip adapter with the camera. That grip was as ugly as sin and made the camera a little more bulky than I liked. However I was having real problems getting steady shots both macro and every day shots. So I installed the grip and suddenly the field shots have improved and the macro shots with the Sigma have also become much better. The extra weight is settling the camera down.
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4038 Posts |
Your comments about unsteadiness and vibration are worrying me. I was under the impression this camera had EFSC capability, which eliminates shutter shake as a source of vibration. Does the A7R have EFSC functionality? I am assuming since you're having issues with vibration that you are not using EFSC, correct?
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Anecdotal: I had zero problems with a Canon XSi/100mm Macro combination, attached via the camera's screw mount. That setup considerably outweighs yours - the camera 65g heavier and the lens 150g heavier. So, I'm thinking in your case the camera mount might be a viable option.
Edit: I've seen it mentioned online that only the A7 has EFSC; not the A7R. I've no idea whatsoever why they did it that way.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
Oh. I was under the impression both had EFSC. So they put EFSC on the A7, which has fewer MP sensor and AA filter, and the A7R with high MP sensor and no AA filter doesn't have EFSC. Wow. Hate to say it but that's a deal breaker for me...
austrokiwi...when I was shooting Nikon, I had to resort to long, delayed exposures to eliminate shutter shake, though the more "normal" method is to use delayed flash. Likely you will need to do one or the other if you can't tame vibrations with stiffness or mass loading methods.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Oh. I was under the impression both had EFSC. So they put EFSC on the A7, which has fewer MP sensor and AA filter, and the A7R with high MP sensor and no AA filter doesn't have EFSC. Wow. Hate to say it but that's a deal breaker for me...
That's contrary to what we'd originally thought and heard, as well. It makes no sense that they'd configure them that way; the A7 is the "do it for me" model, while the A7R is the "overclocker's" model. |
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
Just saw some of the comments. the shaking that was reported was noticeable with long lenses to which a tripod was mounted ( instead of to the camera). The camera is feather light and the shutter was causing considerable shaking. Adding some weight to the camera solves the problem. I have noticed with all my non macro shots the picture quality has gone up by using the grip. seems the extra weight is helping me hold the camera steadier. As for EFSC I thought it did but checking no it doesn't. Clearly the shutter shake is only an issue with longer lenses and is most problematic when it is not the camera but rather the lens that is mounted to the copy stand, or tripod.
Edited by austrokiwi
01/05/2014 12:21 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9796 Posts |
Roommate decided to pick one up and it arrived last week. Now he's waiting on the adapter to use the Canon lenses, can't wait to try this one out and compare it with the 5D mkII and mk III ( all of those cameras are now in the house along with the 7D now). This sensor looks like a real winner!
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Did he get the A7 or A7R? And I'm guessing he's OK with the trans-brand cost of missing electronic function?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9796 Posts |
Quote:
Did he get the A7 or A7R? He went with the Sony A7r, he's been getting into film photography, especially the Polaroids with The Impossible Project film, and a couple of new 6x9 medium format cameras.  Perfect for his vintage road signs of Rt. 66 and neon shooting work. As soon as the Canon adapter comes in I'll borrow it for a little shoot using my APO Rodagon 75D bellow setup and My EF 100mm F2.8 Macro lens. The sensor looks amazing. CCDs are fast going the way of the Dodo bird. Sony is owning the imaging world right now. From the little I've looked at reviews it is a really nice body. He did get a kit with a zoom lens, one of the nicer ones as I recall. A Zeiss possibly. Since it's such a new toy I need to let him play with it for awhile before I "borrow" it  "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440Edited by westcoin
02/16/2014 04:39 am
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
I have heard rumors the 55mm Zeiss made for the A7(r) owes much of its design to the Otus..... I don't know if that is true but the lab tests show the 55mm is only slightly behind the Otus in performance.
Edited by austrokiwi
02/16/2014 11:31 am
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
Yeah Sony is finally producing a Macro lens for full frame e-mount.....but its not likely to ship until march......I will be saving my pennies for this one.....having a lens that automatically turns on the manual focus assist will be a dream
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Posted 12/14/2013 12:37 am
