a) My old system and the reason for the change
I have developed quite late with growing family photographic ambitions, since I have seen the pictures of Canon 5D with a friend. After that I was infected. As full-frame cameras were priced prohibitively for me in 2010, a Canon 60D have purchased and worked with 4 lenses, the 50 / 1.4, the 85 / 1.8 the 70-300er and 15-85er. I'm always and went there only to portrait and sports photography. Landscapes and architecture have never interested me
Each of these lenses has its strengths and weaknesses, with which one is familiar quickly. So I came in all walks of life to good images. Dissatisfied I was actually only the 15-85er, as it has turned out to be pure fair-weather lens and in the important Wide area was responsible for a myriad of noisy, blurred and slightly sharp images.
However, were significantly over the years, two things. First, carry around a heavy camera with 4 lenses, has increasingly annoyed and so the camera was more often at home - at the end it was then again bad cell phone photos.
Second, the desire for more light sensitivity has been increasingly greater. A large part of life takes place precisely, even in dark winter days and in the house under low light off. I was fed up with can not really capture despite a relatively expensive equipment and I hate flash pictures. I have big rework neither time nor the inclination images on Mac.
I wanted to replace the 15-85er by a light Strong L-lens, as made me my traders aware of the new mirrorless system cameras. I was immediately hooked and after a few nights Review research, focused on the choice between the Olympus and Sony M1 A7 system.
b) Olympus M1 vs. Sony A7
At first I was on fire for the Olympus M1. This handy system with the lightweight, affordable lenses in all possible focal lengths is impressive. We tested the M1 and were impressed by the idiot security camera ... until that one moment in which I have a portrait of my wife with the M1 shot in low light, and then the same settings with the A7. Then it was over to the M1. The picture was simply beautiful, softer and more alive to the Sony cameras as the Olympus. The camera was much more familiar with the light situation. I felt like it clear that I want to have exactly this kind of images, even if the camera is more expensive, the autofocus slower, there are fewer lenses and what so everything is headed against the Sony else. It seemed to me then no matter simple. Why should I spend more than 1000 euros for the next compromise again? At the end itself costs the A7S exactly as much as a very good lens in other systems.
c) Sony A7 S versus R
The next question was then that the Sony As it should be. The A7R was eliminated because it is the slowest of the three cameras and I at least wanted to stay reasonably snapshot capability. In addition, I did not need a miracle resolution because I do not go on video or TV size and I croppe almost never on the computer. The amount of data I do not like.
The choice between the simple and the A7 A7s was then relatively easy. On the one hand there are on Flickr a series of impressive evidence of the quality that can afford the A7S. On the other hand I had this when then right-feeling and wanted to leave the restrictions weak light behind me. It was then the A7S and mind you, without the slightest interest in the video capabilities, which are not considered in the following.
c) Sony A7S feel and processing
The topic can be relatively quickly slain: feel and processing are really good. The camera fits comfortably in your hand. She is not overweight and I find the possibility for individual assignment of the operating units in really handy. The menu is no more complicated than the Canon, but it needs some conversion period, if you come from Canon. I'm not through with it, but is not rocket science. Clear no iPhone, but anyone with a little interest in photography as well should come in.
d) image results on A7S (on the 28-70 kit lens)
Let's talk about interesting question. So then what is the image results on A7S from? Reference may be sent in advance that I am initially started with kit lens, to get to know the camera and come to rest in the decision for the first big lens. In this respect, it is clear that the lens the camera is unable to fully exploit, although here the max. Resolution of the objective of 16 MB does not matter. Furthermore, let me say that I still have to get used to the camera, I do not already fully ausreize of the settings here
- Image Quality:
Even the cheap KIT lens conjures some very beautiful photos on the card. Compared to the Canon A7S wide angle is the more expensive Sony 15-85er clearly superior to the results of her. The KIT lens is good to satisfactory sharp in the middle with a low aperture, at higher f-numbers very sharp. Sharpness waste to the edge may exist for me but rather a theoretical problem.
However, one should not expect any miracles. The image results are presented with the KIT good to acceptable in the majority of cases. In automatic mode, there is also something missed. On the other hand succeeds in all shootings, again this is a truly magical shot on one's after. And I've always got on the Canon only from much more expensive lenses. Anyone who thinks that the camera can not make sharp photos, has not used them himself. This is simply nonsense.
The reconciled with so many incorrect exposure of automatic. Then guess what you can afford the camera on a good fixed focal length. So I am very pleased overall, but not too spoiled by the similar Canon lens.
Even after just two days ownership is clear: those who want to get something out of the camera, should not rely on the automatic itself. Even with just a little playing around and with lay knowledge itself could achieve significantly better results. I think there is still a long way to go and this one should really have in mind when one opts for the A7S.
Update the picture quality from 10.04.2014:
I am now a few days with the camera on the road and see the Image Quality still far more positive than after the first sighting shots. I am now working with the scene settings and aperture or shutter priority, and the pictures are just beautiful. The hit rate is now much higher. I now manage every 2nd or 3rd photo from a series of motifs, and the respective results has it all. I do think that the images from 10,000 ISO noise slightly and draw soft, but I like the character of the images extremely well. I have now for fun readjusted sometimes some typical Schwachtlichtsituationen where the 60D came to your limits. There is a world between the two cameras! The Sony is even with the kit is sharper, more colorfast and plastic. I know, any comparison of a fixed focal length with a zoom is actually pointless, but I liked a lot of portraits with the Sony better than with my previous favorite lens on the Canon, the 50 1.4er. My joy over the purchase so increases the time from day to day.
- Autofocus
The autofocus of A7S is satisfactory, but in fact slower than the AF of the Canon 60D. I have always had problems initially in automatic mode to shoot fast moving objects. This grabs the camera does not in all cases. However, this is because there is no real problem, because here the enormous light intensity comes to fruition. By increasing the ISO speed, you can work with moving objects easily with very fast shutter speed and the problem dissolves into thin air, however, it requires just back of manual intervention to solve the problem. The Face Detection function is not really fast. Especially when photographing kids who face recognition often only start if the desired expression is past. In this respect, one often then holds it easy. Overall, the auto parts and support functions are not entirely convincing. Snapshots succeed, but you should think about the best settings beforehand. Group photos, standing or seated objects transform other hand like in painting.
Update for autofocus from 10.04.2014:
I am now with the auto focus more satisfied than at the beginning. That's probably a habituation effect, but I think in single shot mode the AF sufficient. He sits fast enough. The second player, however AF Still not convinced me. To my taste it is too often wrong. I am still of the opinion that the full auto setting remains below its potential. By contrast, I come with the scenery settings now much further. They are easy to change via the rotary wheel and the results are really good.
- Resolution
A few words about the resolution. I consider the 12 MP for quite sufficient. Even on a large Apple monitor are the detailed pictures and not on their border. It can also crop a bit, just not more endless. For my applications as I said no problem. The 12MP is in my view therefore actually not an argument against the A7S. I think they are more of a psychological barrier, because a real.
- Sensitivity:
I think most people will be curious as to the killer features of A7S. Well, which one is to say: you go into the dark cellar, situated on 100,000 ISO and suddenly there is daylight. That's pretty impressive. Just because to get along with really high ISO speeds with high shutter speeds, and can shoot out of his hand. Dark rooms, pictures at dusk, even a hallway with no windows are no more and that makes already fun problem. ISO 6400 as the default go easily. Suddenly all the things that you formerly had concerns such as aperture and shutter speeds are no longer an issue.
Again, the A7S does not perform miracles. One sees from ISO 12400, a slight image noise, but the images are still beautiful. I find myself with images ISO 50k still very successful. Purists will however get off here. But I am looking forward to the next party without verblitzte photos.
Update for photosensitivity 10/04/2014:
For this purpose it to say - even with everyone's satisfaction with the overall image quality - the light sensitivity is indeed the killer feature of A7S. Suddenly it comes: Shooting in difficult lighting conditions. I have now photographed series at midnight with only a lantern in 15m distance, the images are amazing. Also "schummeriges" diffuse light allows very nice results. Since there is no proper shade in dim light, the images have a very unique and interesting character. It reveals itself at once a vast new field of experimentation (even if you properly goes its surroundings on your nerves if you as the family constantly tugging at night in front of the door). I can confirm the way my Nachrezensenten, there are the "purple frame" effect. I had him now but so far only 2 pictures of above 1000 and therefore do not see him as a problem. He stepped on where the camera was completely wrong and has total so even spoiled my picture not only for images.
e) Old Lenses on the A7s (update 12/11/2014)
I have now actually more experimental basis a cheap MD-NEX adapter and Minolta MD 70-200 and 50 / 1.7 he bought. Both for about 40 EUR. And I must say, is because a lot of fun! By Fokuspeaking feature one really comes to very good images and covers the most favorable conditions two important focal lengths. I now had flirted with the 50s Zeiss and Sony 70-200 4.0er which again would have been slim EUR 2,000. But right now make me the two old comrades really happy. The fixed focal length work almost universally outstanding. The Tele needs naturally more sensitivity, but with high ISOs and fast shutter speeds to get it well under control. In this respect, this is more than just a gimmick and the lenses can be used seriously.
f) Conclusion
Overall, I am therefore really pleased with my choice. Even for an amateur like me, who will never really exhaust the camera, she is making a companion of joy. Yes, I need now really something more shots for a hit, then go though the bull's eye. And as I said I have only begun to occupy myself with the camera and working with a cheap lens. I think the next objective is that 55 / 1.8er and me running this already the mouth water.
I think the A7S total for a small revolution, because the high luminous intensity opens up new possibilities and restrictions picks about which one is earlier stumbled repeatedly. Overall, I would each lay the beautiful snapshots and needs is the light intensity is not as important, rather the Olympus recommend. However, those who like me is fed up -after years of noisy or verblitzter twilight photos of the camera is highly recommended, especially since it provides great results even in daylight.
Overall I give due to light sensitivity, image quality and feel 5 star, despite the restrictions to automatic functions.
