Below are some topics that are noticed in the A7
ISO:
Lichtstark is the A7, which was a main argument of mine for the camera; I often take pictures with little light. Since me the camera has not disappointed. The camera delivers good shots to 6400 ISO for A4 expressions. The noise in the RAW format will soon be seen, but increases only slowly. Smaller print size goes up to 16000 ISO, but also depends heavily on the scene as the colors begin to fade slightly. Was surprised when I times at night in the dark room where I even saw almost nothing with ISO 25600 pulled the trigger, suddenly a bright image with visible colors (proper focusing is of course impossible in advance if you can not see anything). With the A7 I reach rarely at night to stand, yet you will be surprised at the long exposure, which colorfulness yet added. If you increase the pictures you realize from 3200 slight signs of noise, from 8000 signs of blur. (Did the firmware update 1:02 tested with JPG Xfine)
Some said the A7 ISO needs more in the dark than other cameras, experiments have shown that the A7 like the exposure times low holding in auto mode, like at 120 / sec, resulting in twice the ISO as compared to many NEX auto modes. The camera can also sichs mostly strips, nevertheless then I switch repeatedly in the program mode to 60 / sec as a standard in the dark. Perhaps also because the Zeiss lenses have image stabilization.
Backlit subjects (if not too strong) succeed usually already in the car mode, there also an automatic. Dynamic correction can be switched on to lighten dark areas and darken bright. (Works very well with individual grades)
Point Zoom:
Point Zoom works for me as designed, the picture is zoomed to realize better details on digital screen. Someone has meant this is irregular Auto. canceled. In principle, the Point Zoom is turned off either tip on the shutter button, or time-controlled, depending on the setting. But have to say that I often turn off the timer by accidental placement of the finger this. This feature works with 2x press the C2 activate button. How are press with 1x I have not yet figured out. There are in any case 2 zoom levels, but unfortunately this zoom level are fixed predefined, 5.x & 11.x.
Fokuspeaking:
Fokuspeaking showing with colored dots the highest contrasts, very good to manually specify fast to focus and then in the Point Zoom. Alone with Fokuspeaking I can certainly meet with greater depth of field with focus on large aperture like 1.4 with very little depth of field, the error rate is higher because the Point Zoom proves indispensable assistance.
Video:
The videos of the A7 are very nice with up to 50 frames per second and are good sharp in Full HD. If the recorded sound in stereo and a very good quality (not surprisingly for a video camera), but unfortunately very susceptible to wind, which is a shame for the high quality. Virtually direct recording is in MP4 format, as this format compress well, thus allowing long recording on vacation. For the video turning the kit lens is good because the image is stabilized and the focus follow suit inaudibly and quickly. During fast here and forth moving the camera, the picture remains straight and not distorted as in SLR cameras. For me, the excellent Videoqualtität was a purchase decisions.
Flash:
Unfortunately, the strong Sony flashes are quite expensive with 400+ So I have got a Yongnuo YN560-III gained with matching Fernauslöser RF 600TX. This works in manual mode directly on the Multi interface hotshoe of the A7. The mounting of ISO shoe flashes but an easy game keeps stable. Flashing can be combined with shutter speeds up to 1/250, which fits well for Indoor, the backlight flashes with open aperture but quickly causes problems. The shutter speeds in bright sunlight, then can be personalized with ISO 50 Exposure compensation in the A7 good press <250. In strong sunlight but eventually the ND filter for the lens is required.
With telephoto shooting:
Use a 1000mm Russians ton with M42 adapter and can therefore shoot beautiful sharp photos. Vibrations when triggered can not I festellen visible, as reported by the A7R. But without focus peaking / magnifying glass it would be much harder to make possible sharp, that's a definite plus for the A7 with electronic viewfinder and focus aid. There are two problems, however, on the one hand I can choose the self-timer only between 2sec and 10sec, where I needed actually 5sec because small fast birds usually not long remain silent and the camera needs to 3-4sek it ceases to wiggle. Here you can either resort to remote triggering via smartphone (but shoots only JPEG, RAW does not?); or Timelaps app for time-lapse photography. A second problem is even more comfortable, the fixed zoom level in the Focus Help, I can only switch between too little and too much something.
RAW:
The Sony A7 format is now supported by ACDSee 7.1 and Lightroom 5.3. Noise, focus and exposure and momentum can be with RAW post yet well improve. The file size is at ~ 24 MB.
Folding screen & Electronic viewfinder
Although the folding screen looks fragile, but holding steady. Practically at ground-level photography, such as plants or even upside down. The brightness can be set quite high, thus is the image in daylight still visible. In strong sunlight one looking through the viewfinder is then but erkenntlicher. The display is a high resolution and has a good color reproduction is not particularly large, but adequate. Also has no touch function.
To take a picture, I mostly use the electronic viewfinder, it's sharp, bright and big enough. In practice, I find that you can view the pictures taken on the viewfinder again, very handy when taking pictures outdoors. In low light, the frame rate on the display is low and begins to be grainy, probably has Verbessrungspotential, but is not so bad. To save power, the electronic viewfinder turns on only when you look through in, then shows the same data as the folding screen.
Kit lens:
With a smallest aperture number of 3.5, it is not particularly bright. The sharpness is good, and it can not quite keep up with my 50mm prime lens. For landscapes and street photography, I find it quite well. Especially for walking, I find it convenient as it is quite easy. The strength of the kit lens is also video recording, because the focus is fast and quiet. It also has an optical stabilizer and makes the recording a lot quieter. However, portraits with natural light are more problematic because a favorable setup is already required.
Lenses:
That's a good question for the A7, there are no so wide selection of full-frame lenses. I differ from itself via adapter to other lenses. Although I usually take pictures via M42 Adapater with a sharp & old 50mm 1.4 lens. Budget standard must be said that there is no cheap Sony / Zeiss lenses. Is also due to the Sony lenses also sharp enough for purely A7R need.
It is handy that he be white balance adjusted individually in order to counteract and discoloration. Do I need so that the image looks modern and cool clear often in old lenses.
Synchronization:
I transfer my photos usually via SD card to the PC. But it is also possible by Apps & WiFi to those transfering directly to your smartphone, practically if one is on the road and may distribute the photos. But but the PlayMemories app must be installed. Even scary at the camera that you can via WLAN actually going online as a client and as a hot spot for the Server Remote Control Apps act. The range is limited to a few meters.
Target audience:
I think mobile enthusiast and ambitious amateur / amateur photographers the target area are likely to be. Could imagine that professional photographers would have a problem with the current lens range. Since not matching lenses are available for every application. In addition, the triggering of studio flash units is possible only with third-party products. A redundant storing SD slot there is not even.
Briefly mentioned the noise from the shutter's really sound with the A7, but is fun to pull the trigger. (Switched on with e. Front Curtain Shutter, but is standard). Could be that it makes you really stand in silent moments, but so loud it is not again.
Finally, I said, with a sharp and high-intensity lens you can shoot with the A7 brilliant photos so easily and often can not not with another camera will be copied.
