In reply to Mike Felber.

Hi Mike,
Thanks a lot for all of the kind words. Much appreciated.

I love my Sony A7R, but it’s not perfect. Be sure to read my article on what’s so great about the Sony A7R and what’s not so good about the camera. You find it here: https://caughtinpixels.com/reviews-2/5-reasons-to-buy-a-sony-a7r-and-5-reasons-not-to-buy-a-sony-a7r/

I will be happy to a post what tools and effects I use. You do find them through out my “The making of” posts, but there is no structured overview, and I will be happy to make one. Do sign up for my website, then you will get the post when I write it. It’s put on my todo list, but it won’t be one of the first days, but rather one of the first weeks. I have a lot projects going on right now.

Merry Christmas 🙂

–Jacob

As a retired lifelong enthusiast, I have been on a quest for a better smaller camera that I can just take along with me so I don’t feel that I’m out to shoot but just out.. and if I find something I like I will shoot.

My lifelong favorite film camera for this purpose has been the Pentax MX which I still own. So in the digital world the Sony A7 line seems very attractive and surprised me that I might be able to afford full frame and regain the lightness I loved about some of the early 35mm film cameras.

I find your article very helpful and your magical pictures very inspiring. I recognize that in conjunction with your visualization and superb camera work, part of the magic is your masterful post processing. You are ever so skillfully riding the edge of surrealism and believability. I am compelled to at least ask if you might be willing to share any hints about what tools or effects you use; leaving folks like me something to explore.

In reply to Gordon Bell.

Hi Gordon
I did have a Canon 5D Mark III and I clearly remember the live view to be awesome. I can’t compare with the Sony, because I do not have the Canon anymore. But the Sony is great too. The Dynamic Range is awesome, when you are used to Canon. I was so surprised, when I switched to Nikon (Sony and Nikon has the same Dynamic Range) – 2.7 EVS more, does the Nikon D800 (and Sony A7R) have, compared to the Canon 5D Mark III. That really is something that matters!
–Jacob

In reply to Gordon Bell.

Hi Gordon,
The way I have set up both my D600 and D800, is that there is no auto focus on the Shutter Release button. Never ever! When I press the AF ON button the camera focuses, and if I keep the AF ON button pressed, it will keep refocusing (AF-C). As soon as I let go of the AF ON, the camera is on manual focus (or just focused). This way I have all possible focus scenarios implemented in one button. On the Sony A7R I have to switch in and out of manual focus mode. If I use AF ON mode, I can not focus peak. This makes fast switch between auto focus (using AF ON) and manual focus cumbersome and less optimal. Nikon has done this superbly :-) On the Sony I have programmed a button to switch on and off Manual Focus, but it is annoying.

Hi Jacob

I dont seem to have the same problem with the AF/MF switch as you, my AF/MF and AEL button all works as they should do on A7.

Hi Jacob – I am basically in agreement with all your thoughts. I have a Canon 5D mark III which in my opinion has the best live available on any pro-sumer camera, I also have recently purchased the Sony a7 but not the R model. I am very pleased with the results from the A7 and in particularly the Nikon sensor dynamic range. I have come to terms with the minor irritations of the camera but waiting for the E mount wide angle zoom which I am advised is in the pipeline. I have the Sony Zeiss 24-70 f4 which is a good all round lens but a little soft at the edges but I can live with it. I’m considering using the Leica lens’s which will be clearly very good on this camera. Great to read all your comments. Gordon

In reply to Henrik Sewell.

Hi Henrik,
A very loud shutter that is 😉
The craving for the smaller Full Frame is a subjective thing. The Sony, through a number of adapters, offers access to a wide range of lenses. Some small. The first native lenses are small too, however not good enough. The question is, if a high end lens can be made small enough? Leica lenses are small (but too expensive).

My primary reason to buy it really is the live view screen, and without compromising on the image quality. Size is nice and great. And with smaller native lenses, I have a camera I can easier pack and will bring more often than a larger. With the aber der bei, that the image quality is slightly lower, due to lenses of lower quality.

–Jacob

In reply to Rob.

Hi Rob,
Are you asking to low light performance (high ISO) or noise at low ISO? I have owned both the Canon 5D Mark III and own the D800. I find that the 5D performs better at low light conditions, even though DXO tests show that the D800 should be better. Noise at lower ISO levels I haven’t noticed (yet) any way. The A7R is slightly behind on lowlight photography, compared to the D800, but it is not much.

–Jacob

“Mirrorless” does not mean “shutterless”. Even though the A7 does not have a mirror, the shutter is still mechanical – hence the sound 🙂

My view of the A7 series, is that I don’t really understand the craving for at smaller full-frame camera. The fact is, that the lenses still need to have roughly the same size – especially high-end lenses required for 36mp! Mounting a 70-200 on the A7 (maby even with an adapter) would result in a combination almost as heavy as with a traditional DSLR, wouldn’t it?

And then, what’s the point?

/Henrik

Hi Jacob
I have recently purchased the A7R because the size appeals to me and I can match it with my Canon L Lenses with a Metabones IV adapter. I agree with all of you observations and add one more.
I have used it twice so far with my Canon TS-E 17 L lens but was disappointed with the level of noise compared to my 5D MkIII. Are you experiencing this compared to your D800?
That said though, I am still happy with the camera. Most of all I love the small size, even with my L Lens on it.
Rob