camera/lens advice please

Pentax users must be committed to the system. The lenses I've tried seem overpriced/underperforming. I have a 43mm Limited that the previous owner didn't want back. Their universal adaptability might skew their used values. I have been looking at their 31mm and 77mm Limiteds--mostly from curiosity. The Samyangs are probably better than either of them.

Canon EF-S SLRs make the most sense to me. EVFs don't work well for me for shooting motorsports. I don't care for huge lenses. Their new 32 MP sensor is reasonably competitive.

Sony offered optional tilting EVFs for some cameras. I have two of the NEX models that support one of them, but I haven't tried it. I would probably like it.

I hope you enjoy the FE 2/28. I just noticed the other day that it is highest rated 28mm lens on DXOMark. Somewhat surprising. They haven't reviewed the Otus or Art primes.

I believe the only Samyang that is sealed is the 35mm F1.8. The Tamron 20mm F2.8 and Zeiss 18mm F2.8 Batis are sealed.

Edited by QuietOC - 27 December 2020 at 19:55

Miranda F wrote: I think the main reason I'd go for an FF E-mount camera would be to get low-light pictures with less noise from a camera that is still smaller and lighter than a DSLR/DSLT. Many of the APS-C cameras will take decent pictures at dusk but some of them (the A58 for example) can have so much noise in the EVF you can't actually see what you're taking! I tried taking a picture of the double-planet conjunction the other day with the A58 and Minolta reflex and couldn't see anything in the VF except coloured snow. But out with the Nex-6 and the Samyang 12mm f2 I took a nice, dusk, seaside view and when I checked the image, there sitting clearly over a building were the two planets!

Just note that the R models have lower quality live-view feeds than the APS-C cameras because they line skip more. Their full-frame video quality is also lower for the same reason. The S models have the best quality live-view.

I am not sure how the APS-C cameras compare to each other.

I didn't even try the reflex on any night sky stuff. I certainly seemed like it would work well, if it could be focused.

Had a wobble yesterday and today and disappeared into the depths of machines of olde:
- Nikon D700 (I had one), D300 (I had the D200), D2Xs (I had the D2H and wanted the X soooooo bad)
- Nikkor AF-D prime optics (20/24/28/35/50)
- Canon 5D (various marks), I was Canon 1987-2004

I'm glad I looked into them, it was fun. But the lenses I'd aim for are mainly film-era (yuk) pre-digital and these cheap-as-chips, olde-worlde cameras are in that kinda revoltingly purple around the edges zone. Ruled out again.

Even checked the opening time of the three shops that have A7 flavor goodies waiting for me to snipe (Monday). I'm ready. And excited. Also found one oddity that I'll post a link to in external links once I've got my things.

coming soon: A7II / 28f2 (outdoors) / 28-70 (studio eBay shots)
May-ish (2nd prime), Sept-ish (3rd prime)

I totally love that the A7 series - in one common form factor - can provide the generalist and the high resolution shooter with a solution.

I'll admit I have no idea where the A9 is pitched. It just made me wonder if there would then be an A5 (and I think the A7C SHOULD have been called A5).

Even though I know 24mp is probably still too many. And that I've never wanted anything close to 42mp ... I love the fact that the system (I am hopefully about to enter) does cater to the people that need lots of pixels.

In terms of lens performance - if the R series need super-duper high res lenses then that is cool. As long as there are optics that work well on 24mp at lower prices. Nobody wants/needs Leica pricing.

The Nikon D3 shape of camera would be amazing as an A7 or A9. I much prefer the built in big block look. And they could put 3-4 batteries in it too. I've never gotten on well with screw on grips: build it in, don't bolt it on.

Having quit KM shortly after the Sony buy-out during that lull when the only camera was the Sony a100 I jumped out. And have enjoyed my times in other brands/formats/systems. I've not missed KM/Sony cameras for a moment but I don't have nostalgia in my genetics. It is the tool available from whoever that I'll happily go to. Oly/Pan kept me happy for 12 years.

Looking at mirrorless today as someone with zero kit. I effectively have nothing as I'm planning to now exit m43 and failed to enjoy fuji. The Sony E mount, specifically full frame - for me - is the most interesting. I'm able to jump onto Canon/Nikon/Pentax dSLR or any of the mirrorless. Canon/Nikon mirrorless don't offer me anything of interest. So, I'm faced with Sony mirrorless, which looks sweet. Or Canon/Nikon dSLR. Canon/Nikon dSLR are potentially entering the beginning of the end (in the zone/price I'd be buying) but that isn't reason enough to not buy. Canon is a close 2nd in my decision making. Pentax is a big risk.

Sony FF E is the safe bet but also the most interesting looking to me.

Thank you @Bob - had a look at quite a lot of their used gear (compared to my two default places of old, been a decade+ since I bought used) and I like the look of the shop in the background of some of the photos

I used to travel to Sheffield on business every few months for about 12 years until recently - CANNOT believe I missed this place as a detour! And I've taken some pretty epic detours in my travels up/down to the wonders of Yorkshire.

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@peg - this is really good to know - not being able to handle these cameras at the mo is mildly annoying (I realize how that is a minor world complaint today). And knowing I've no need for anything more than the resolution of the A7II kept me firm in that as the better choice. This is good to read. Visually I prefer the look of the a7RII buttons/locks a little (it is a slight difference). And the internal specs are a step up (into a zone I do not need). I regularly talk myself down to realistic kit.

In my 'which FF?' venture/research the Nikon D700 did appear on my shortlist. As did a couple of the D3 models. D700 is the only FF digital I've used, and I'd oddly prefer to not re-buy something I've had before. I prefer the mirrorless approach too as it is what I've shot for over 10 years. But knowing how much I enjoyed the simple 12mp files was a factor. I think there are a couple of Canon dSLR that offer lower resolution Raws (from the standard max file sizes). Again we could ask for that as an option in A7 series via firmware update (please). Raw files offer so much more flexibility ... but not everyone wants/needs 42mp!!! I don't even need 24. But the A7 series is what I've set my heart on.

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@wētā - the last time I printed a photo was 1999. But I still take the output (my screen) seriously.   I love the shape of the D3 (I had Nikon D2H, 4mp, called it my Uzi, and loved it). Seen a couple of D2X/D2Xs recently and have been tempted to just go old school for a year (bolt a simple 50/1.8 AFS on it) and ignore my sandy/salty environ worry. It is far from my "28mm view please" desires though. (yep, 20/2.8 would do it!). My D2H was 4mp and the files were pretty ropey - the switch up to the D700 was stella! D3 (FX) or D2X/s (DX) would be an area I've not player. But I really want small and 'newer' than that.

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With new restrictions in movement announced Saturday and more again today (Wed) 'captain sensible' would/should delay this decision until after the end of spring. I don't want to delay, but at the same time from Saturday (until an unknown date) I'm allowed outside for food shopping or a walk/exercise only.

My plans to shoot some more street style, and get out very late at night or early am are probably not going to happen. Even though a 5am photo shoot is probably the safest form of exercise it isn't in the spirit of staying home.

I also do not agree with the idea of taking a big camera for a photo walk (even though I do that alone) as a legit reason to be out on the streets. I do have a large beach area to walk where I'm very socially distant, but I was/am aiming to get the camera for more photos of the towns and streets. I may stall this until late in 2021 for 'obvious reasons'.

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I could easily use 2021 as a time to concentrate on my 'edit the archive' project and perhaps re-invent my home studio shooting. Stick to a phone (or RX100) for snaps while walking.

If my real photography (proper camera) switches to being a re-fresh of my home studio projects (I do/did enjoy 'product photography') then I already have non-WR kit to perform that job plenty well enough. Boring though that is it would be smarter to keep some of what I have and put some frame on it. The A7 II is an outdoor camera and will still be there on the used market in spring, summer, autumn next year for me to grab.

My budget for the A7/28f2/28-70 is trapped in my Fuji/Panasonic shelf of 'not for me' kit. And I was expecting to sell that lot on eBay in Jan to refund my A7 kit. eBay grinds to a bit of a halt with movement restrictions. And I cannot justify to myself that a trip to the post office with my ex-kit is a legit reason to go out (even if there is someone hunting for a new toy). Logical thing to do is wait this out a bit.

Edited by dCap - 24 December 2020 at 00:50

@ dCap, I have both the A7ii as well as the A7Rii.

I must say I use the A7ii 3-4 times more than the A7Rii

First of all 24 MP is more than enough for my needs and shooting with some older manual focus glass 42 MP is overkill most of the time anyway.

I only use the A7Rii when I need the extra bells and whistles, i.e. need more MP's to crop for reach or when using an APS-C lens (eg. the E10-18/4), need the silent shutter or want to manually set a different minimum shutter speed when using auto iso vs the standard 1/60th.

The other times it comes out if I go out with multiple lenses to minimise lens swaps in the field.

The only reason for getting the A7Rii was the fact I found a very cheap black friday deal in 2019, which made it cheaper than a A7ii but if I wouldn't have found that I would have continued with my A7 and A7ii and don't think I would have missed very much. Only over time the A7 would have been replaced by another A7ii.   

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me chose what to get.

Sometime in the next 2-3 weeks a Sony a7 II + 28/2 will magically appear on my door step. I've tracked a few down and am most likely to be buying used. This means I can also grab the 28-70 for some eBay shots but also for the one outdoor scene I need a longer lens for.

I can then put my clutter of 10x Pan/Fuji items onto the eBay to bring my funds back in. Happily that lot should more than pay for the Sony.

In a way I'm pleased the new 'A7 II + CZ 24-70/4' uk-only shop-specific bundle is out of stock. I'll have move fun with a lower budget on the used market.

Side-bar, off-line I delved into the specs of the A7 R II - which for my style of shooting would be just as fitting - there are some very nice used deals on low frame a7 R II out there. I had ignored/dismissed this as a '42mp' high res body that I just do not need. But the differences to the vanilla A7 II are so so much more than that. It was a close call.

But, I'm happy to aim to get the A7 II as a 2-3 years body and always have the option to swap out to A7 R II after my first year with the A7 II if I find I want more pixels, unlikely but a nice option to have. I don't even need 24mp so aiming for the vanilla body is smarter.

The price difference between A7 II and A7 R II will be spent on a couple of extra lenses. I am coming to this system fresh, relying on the abilities of some of the reviews always has some risk. I plan to get two other small Sony primes later in 2021 but will do 3-4 months with just the 28/2 on the street/beach getting to know the system first.

05-Jan-2005 was the day my Dynax 7D arrived and was the moment I turned 100% digital (still had a couple of film bodies in 2004) ... might make 05-Jan-2021 the first day I shoot my 7D II to mark that 16 year anniversary!!

Thanks again

Edited by dCap - 21 December 2020 at 11:11