EXCLUSIVE: Sony A7 and A7r images with the Leica M, E-M1 and RX1!
As I stated last night, just yesterday I had a full hands on with the brand spanking new Sony A7 and A7r ! How could I not put a Leica 50 Summilux on the A7r..a 36 Megapixel monster with the latest sensor tech out there?
When I did..let me tell you..what I saw in the EVF was amazingly good. I have not seen any images on my screen yet..but will be in about a week or so when I go to Nashville, TN for a week to test out these new cameras. I CAN NOT WAIT and my PRE-ORDER IS IN for the A7R, Battery Grip and 35 2.8 and 55 1.8.
Hope that the quality stands up when viewed on my computer 🙂 Either way, I will let you know soon.
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Some have been asking me questions about the shutter. Yes it is loud and clunky. Does not bother me but for those who want a quiet shutter it may be an issue. Also, this camera DOES NOT have the NEX Menu System and no, you can not switch between NEX and Alpha menus. There was an Australian video posted by Sony misrepresenting this fact.
There is a simple one page graphical menu where each choice takes you to the main menu, which is Alpha based. Same menu as RX1, A99, etc. You will NOT see or be able to access a NEX menu. Also, this camera is not a NEX or CyberShot camera, it is an Alpha camera. Some have been confused thinking it is a NEX, it is not and from what I was told, all future cameras will now be “A” cameras and the NEX Menu is now history.
So hope that clears it up! Again, I will be posting live updates at the end of the month all week-long with image samples, video samples, Leica lens samples, and much more.
For now, how about some new images?
Take a look at the images below to see the camera in my hands and with the Leica lens attached as well as sitting next to a Leica M and Olympus E-M1 for size reference.
All I would need is the A7r and a 50 Lux. I would be happy with this.
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Hard to see here but the D800 was MUCH larger and much HEAVIER than the tiny A7r. The A7r has the Zeiss 24-70 attached.
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Two tech marvels: E-M1 next to the A 7r..they look like cousins. I will own both.
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The Leica M and Sony A7r
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Three full frame and all AMAZING cameras..
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One more of a sweet configuration for the A7r.
To those wanting to buy the A7r, the 50 Lux should be pretty magical with it. You can buy the camera or the lens at the pre-order links below!
Buy the Sony A7r body and all new Sony at B&H Photo
Buy the Sony A7r body at Amazon
Buy the Leica 50 Summilux through Ken Hansen (khpny19@aol.com, Pro Shop, PopFlash or B&H Photo.
FULL list of pre-order links to ALL things Sony A7 and A7r!
BTW, I will be renting some Leica glass to test with the A7r in a couple of weeks. To all Leica users, what would be the top 3-4 lenses you would want to see tested and shot on the new Sony A7 and A7r? Let me know in the comments!
Hi Steve:
I’m nervous about 36megapixels RAW files overwhelming my computer and slowing processing down to a crawl, so I’m looking at the A7 rather than the A7r. Is there an E mount on the A7 for my Leica lenses? Is the only difference between the two 36 versus 24 MP?
Do I lose autofocus when using my Leica glass?
I need 30-85 or so mm lens and around 100-300 zoom for A7. What do you recommend?
Povl
How about something vintage, such as the Summicron Dual Range 50/2?
Can’t wait for your reports, this would be the ideal complement for my M9.
I’d love to see tests of
– the Voigtländer 15mm (to see how it does in the corners),
– the Summicron 28mm (my preference for best wide angle, next to the Voigtländer 28mm 1.9),
– the Summarit 35mm (as a great small walkaround combo),
– the 50 Summilux ASPH (my absolute #1 favorite lens) and
– the 90mm Elmarit-M (amazing tele that is still portable and has the built-in hood I love).
Keep up the great work!
Excited already for thie camera.
As to which lenses to test… The A7 does not seem to have the micro-lenses, so it would be great to see a wide angle in the mix to test the corners of the A7R and see if it does indeed do well there too. The leica’s are out of my reach, was looking at the Zeiss ZM 25, but it does not fare well on the Fuji or most NEX models due to the corner smearing.
Anyway, it will be fun to see any lens tested 🙂
Latest 50 Lux ASPH is up there too with the 35 APSH 🙂
Keep up the good work!
Great stuff!
My vote is for the 90 APO Cron
Steve when you do your follow up tests would love to see how Leica 21mm ASPH 3.4 performs on the A7R. When I sold my M9 I kept my Leica & Zeiss M glass and am particularly fond of this lens. More than likely 35mm and 50mm M glass will work beautifully on the Sony FF. I’m hoping that this wide angle will perform well on this camera. Thanks!
I would be very interested in hearing more details about how the camera behaves with manual focus glass with an adapter. In my case I have all of my old manual Nikkor (AI-S) lenses left and I am hoping that the A7 would be something that I could use like a digital version of the Nikon FM3A.
– Will there be focus confirmation?
– Would I have to open up the lenses to the largest aperture to do focusing and then stop down to do metering and take the shot? Or could also the focusing be done stopped down?
– Does wide angle lenses (like the 20mm f2.8) work?
– Is the loud shutter also creating camera shake? What would be the lowest practical shutter speed for using a 50mm lens on a static subject? 1/25s, 1/50s or 1/100s?
Zeiss ZM 25mm 2.8
Zeiss ZM 35mm 2.0 -VS- Leica M 35mm 2.0
Leica M 90mm 2.0
(also macro capability compared to RX1r)
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I’m in generally interested how this larger heavier lenses look and feel on a7r
Zeiss ZF.2 25mm 2.0
Zeiss ZF.2 35mm 2.0
Zeiss ZF.2 85mm 1.4
…. agree with Steve to choose Sony A7R without AA filter, will deliver very sharp images (Leica, Fuji did)
For lens I will buy one Auto Focus lens the Zeiss AF 35/2.8 only , and add my existing Leica M lens on the line.
I will waiting Sony solve shutter sound problem by release new Firmware, then I will order the A7R (perhaps on Q1/Q2 2014)
Top 3-4 Leica lenses: obviously, wide angles. The normal to long lenses are likely to work fine. The pathological case would be the wides: Leica 21 SEM or 21 Summilux and Zeiss 15/2.8 Distagon ZM would be great.
I’d also like to see some images from the Leica 35 Summilux-M, mit oder mitout der Floating Element. Und of course, der Noctilux/0.95.
Would like to see the 2/70 and 2/90 from leica
Please also test it with both A7 & A7r
Lecia 21mm F3.4
Lecia 50mm F2
Zeiss 35mm F2.0
Thanks & Enjoy !
I can only do so many, maybe 4 tops so will mix it up from ultra wide to wide to normal. Thx
I would appreciate it a LOT if you could test the new Voigtlander 50/1.5 and the Leica 50/1.4 on the A7r! Are they sharp? Color casts?
It’s be interesting to see a test of a Canon EF 17-40mm on the A7R
How about some old Leica R lens with an Leica M – R adapter? 105mm APO Macro.
My Leica lens suggestions:
21 lux, 35 lux, 50lux, 50 noct
Steve, could you try the macro elmar 90mm on this camera? It would be cool to use this lens without the “goggles”. Thanks
a simple request – just the 35 and 75 crons.
If I had an A7(r) in front of me right now, I’d first see if a 21mm Super Angulon f3.4 would fit in the throat of the Sony, as this was not physically possible on my Nex 5. After that, I would hit the movie button and see how long I could record.
I can wait.
Dear Steve, I almost had the same question in mind (though I have no RX1 at the moment and would love to buy either A7(r) or RX1 one day). So my question is: Should one stick with RX1’s lovely fixed 35 f2 lens or is it a better idea to move into a more versatile A7(r)? What are the major gains and losses in trading one for another? I am of the opinion at the moment that RX1 has been out for a while and sooner than later it is going to be replaced by a new version, maybe.
Hanif from Tabriz, Iran.
By the way, why not a new and separate post on the differences of the 2 and if the replacement is going to be a good idea or not. I am sure there will be hundreds of people asking this 🙂
Thanks again 😉
Leica Super-Elmar-M 21/3.4, Zeiss 18/4 ZM. I presume that 50mm and 90mm Leicas will not cause ray angle problems
Steve, is it possible for you to rent or borrow some Leica R lenses? While it is understandable that everyone is asking about M lenses, there are quite a few of us Leica lovers with legacy R lenses and we’d love to see how they fit and perform on this small body.
Ah! this will look awesome with my 28mm Cron with square hood! Can’t wait to get one! with its 36MP I can crop 28mm to 84mm and still have 12MP photo…cool!
Camerastore guys in Canada say the A7 has a plastic front and only A7r is all Metal…. True?
I would love to see the Leica Elmarit 90mm 2.8 being tested on the body. Its one of the first lenses I’m getting to match the A7R.
Would also love to see some of the voigtlander lenses being tested as well.!
I will try to pick a good mix of lenses..
How does the review of a full frame camera turn into a love story for the EM-1, an MFT camera. This doesn’t even come close to making sense.
Hmm. Well, this is not even close to being a review, and nothing is written in this post that even talks about the E-M1. So no review..no E-M1 in this post. I am afraid I have no idea what you are referring to.
If you were writing a review about a fine wine, what’s wrong with mentioning an exceptionally cheese that might go well with it?
This will be my first full frame camera. Which lens should I start off with?
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/09/11/the-new-sony-rx1-full-frame-compact-with-35-f2-zeiss-lens-1st-look-hands-on-report/
Steve Huff (Summary) :
“Some may be disappointed that this is not a full frame NEX, but not me! I am happy about this one as a FF NEX, much like the new A900 camcorder using a full frame sensor and E mount would require a thick adapter to use full frame lenses. E mount lenses would be cropped meaning…no full frame qualities. So I would rather have a camera like the RX1 which is built from the ground up for IQ and performance than a half baked FF NEX that required an adapter to use a full frame lens and all of the sensor. No contest. Remember, E-Mount lenses are NOT full frame lenses so they can not be used on a full frame sensor without being cropped much like Nikons DX lenses do on a D800.”
“(there is NOT going to be a FF NEX camera anytime soon due to the reasons I mentioned) ”
Steve Huff says:
September 13, 2012 at 7:32 am
“You are INCORRECT! To use full frame lenses you MUST USE the Sony adapter which is thick and huge. You can NOT just slap a Novoflex adapter on and use an M lens as you will not be using the whole lens surface. It will be cropped. Same as with E mount glass, it will be cropped. This is fact and told to me by Sony. I had the VG900 here and saw how it worked. It can only capture FF photos with the huge Sony adapter using Alpha full frame glass.”
Steve Huff says:
September 13, 2012 at 10:36 am
“Sure you can mount a Leica lens with Novoflex adapter but you will not be seeing a full frame image but a cropped one. There will be a crop with anything other than the Sony alpha adapter and sony full frame glass. Will another company come out with an adapter that will allow M lenses to be used full frame? Probably will but will be thick and as it is right now using them on the camera means there will be a crop. At least that is what I was told directly by Sony.”
Steve Huff says:
September 13, 2012 at 4:32 pm
“As I said, I just went by what Sony has told me. I never said you could not put on a Leica M lens with a normal adapter. I said it would not use the full surface area of the lens. I have yet to try it so I am just relaying information more than anything. But the sensor is close to the mount and appears larger than the mount circle. Won’t know for sure until I can try it but again, going by what Sony has told me. If they could put a FF sensor in a NEX body it would have to be quite a but thicker than the NEX-5 or 6 or 7. Otherwise it would not work.”
Steve Huff says:
September 12, 2012 at 6:56 am
“1: There can not be a FF nex without the use of a bulky adapter to shoot full frame glass. NEX lenses are not FF compatible though they could be used in a FF NEX..with a crop factor.
2: There are many new NEX Lenses on the way starting with the 35 1.8, 10-18 and 16-50
3: NEX-6 is better than the 7 in almost every single way besides megapixels…same exact build (feels better) and same EVF and imo better sensor.”
Steve Huff says:
September 12, 2012 at 6:51 am
“You can use full frame lenses on the full frame VG900 but you must use an adapter to do so. It is an E mount camcorder and I held it and saw the sensor. But if you want to use the FF sensor with a FF lens you must use an adapter. Mounting an E mount lens on the VG900 will crop the lens to APS-C size much like a Nikon DX lens does on a D800 or D4. I would not want to have to use a thick adapter just to use full frame lenses on a NEX and besides, the lenses would be monsters (using Alpha FF glass)”
Steve Huff says:
September 12, 2012 at 6:49 am
“A FF Mirrorless would have been a whole new mount, whole new set of lenses and whole new major commitment. They could have released a FF NEX but who would want to use a thick adapter to use full frame lenses? E mount lenses are not full frame, they are like a Nikon DX lens and would crop the sensor anyway. If they released a FF nex like this I would pass as would many others. My guess is they wanted to see how full frame does and 35mm is the perfect focal length for one camera one lens.”
Steve Huff says:
September 12, 2012 at 8:14 am
“Again to use FF glass with the FF sensor a huge adapter would be needed to get full coverage of the sensor on the glass. Putting a FF sensor in a NEX would require a thicker and larger body and larger native lenses. An E mount FF NEX would require severe trickery to work correctly and would kill the size and form of the NEX system. A FF NEX, as I reported a year ago can not work. Sony would have to create an all new system.”
Sorry Steve !
I like you : Don’t change anything.
Penix jc
Wow, I feel so special that you spent so much time with this. Makes me feel special 🙂 Now for your out of context quotes…
Steve Huff (Summary) :
“Some may be disappointed that this is not a full frame NEX, but not me! I am happy about this one as a FF NEX, much like the new A900 camcorder using a full frame sensor and E mount would require a thick adapter to use full frame lenses. E mount lenses would be cropped meaning…no full frame qualities. So I would rather have a camera like the RX1 which is built from the ground up for IQ and performance than a half baked FF NEX that required an adapter to use a full frame lens and all of the sensor. No contest. Remember, E-Mount lenses are NOT full frame lenses so they can not be used on a full frame sensor without being cropped much like Nikons DX lenses do on a D800.”
“(there is NOT going to be a FF NEX camera anytime soon due to the reasons I mentioned) ”
Exactly correct! The FF A7r (not a NEX) is here over a year later..this means “anytime soon” was correct. Over a year is not “soon”.
As for me being happy of the RX1 NOT being a FF NEX at that time, I sure was because the best they could do was the VG900, and that was not a solution. If they released the FF A7 then it would have been a mess. Also, the RX1 has the best IQ I have seen from any 35mm camera EVER. STill holds true and i doubt the A7 or A7r will improve on it at all. Id bet money on it. For 35mm, the RX1 will remain the #1 for IQ.
Steve Huff says:
September 13, 2012 at 7:32 am
“You are INCORRECT! To use full frame lenses you MUST USE the Sony adapter which is thick and huge. You can NOT just slap a Novoflex adapter on and use an M lens as you will not be using the whole lens surface. It will be cropped. Same as with E mount glass, it will be cropped. This is fact and told to me by Sony. I had the VG900 here and saw how it worked. It can only capture FF photos with the huge Sony adapter using Alpha full frame glass.”
Again, when I wrote this in September (13 months ago) this was 100% factual. The A7 did NOT exist and they did not have a solution. I was also referring to the VG900 camcorder in the above statement, which was correct. Use E glass on the A7 and it will be cropped to 10MP. Yes, as i said over a year ago stands true today. CROPPED with E glass. E glass is not full frame. FE is. FE glass is new, not even made 13 months ago.
Steve Huff says:
September 13, 2012 at 10:36 am
“Sure you can mount a Leica lens with Novoflex adapter but you will not be seeing a full frame image but a cropped one. There will be a crop with anything other than the Sony alpha adapter and sony full frame glass. Will another company come out with an adapter that will allow M lenses to be used full frame? Probably will but will be thick and as it is right now using them on the camera means there will be a crop. At least that is what I was told directly by Sony.”
Again, the VG 900. There was no camera a year ago. The RX1 does not have the tech the A7 and A7r has so no, it would not have worked on the RX1 at the time.
Steve Huff says:
September 13, 2012 at 4:32 pm
“As I said, I just went by what Sony has told me. I never said you could not put on a Leica M lens with a normal adapter. I said it would not use the full surface area of the lens. I have yet to try it so I am just relaying information more than anything. But the sensor is close to the mount and appears larger than the mount circle. Won’t know for sure until I can try it but again, going by what Sony has told me. If they could put a FF sensor in a NEX body it would have to be quite a but thicker than the NEX-5 or 6 or 7. Otherwise it would not work.”
Again, VG900 stating what Sony told me direct, while in my house on my couch.
Steve Huff says:
September 12, 2012 at 6:56 am
“1: There can not be a FF nex without the use of a bulky adapter to shoot full frame glass. NEX lenses are not FF compatible though they could be used in a FF NEX..with a crop factor.
2: There are many new NEX Lenses on the way starting with the 35 1.8, 10-18 and 16-50
3: NEX-6 is better than the 7 in almost every single way besides megapixels…same exact build (feels better) and same EVF and imo better sensor.”
1. True, 2. True, 3. True
Steve Huff says:
September 12, 2012 at 6:51 am
“You can use full frame lenses on the full frame VG900 but you must use an adapter to do so. It is an E mount camcorder and I held it and saw the sensor. But if you want to use the FF sensor with a FF lens you must use an adapter. Mounting an E mount lens on the VG900 will crop the lens to APS-C size much like a Nikon DX lens does on a D800 or D4. I would not want to have to use a thick adapter just to use full frame lenses on a NEX and besides, the lenses would be monsters (using Alpha FF glass)”
The above statement, again 100% true. Not sure what you are trying to prove..except that I was correct then, and now.
Steve Huff says:
September 12, 2012 at 6:49 am
“A FF Mirrorless would have been a whole new mount, whole new set of lenses and whole new major commitment. They could have released a FF NEX but who would want to use a thick adapter to use full frame lenses? E mount lenses are not full frame, they are like a Nikon DX lens and would crop the sensor anyway. If they released a FF nex like this I would pass as would many others. My guess is they wanted to see how full frame does and 35mm is the perfect focal length for one camera one lens.”
Again, the above statement, 100% true. What is your point?
Steve Huff says:
September 12, 2012 at 8:14 am
“Again to use FF glass with the FF sensor a huge adapter would be needed to get full coverage of the sensor on the glass. Putting a FF sensor in a NEX would require a thicker and larger body and larger native lenses. An E mount FF NEX would require severe trickery to work correctly and would kill the size and form of the NEX system. A FF NEX, as I reported a year ago can not work. Sony would have to create an all new system.”
As they did. They created a new system, “FE”. This camera takes FE lenses..all new lenses. Use the E mount and you will be cropped severely (as I stated a year ago). The new FE lenses are made for the full frame sensor..oh, and if you want to use a Canon lens? Thick bulky adapter, just as I stated. Leica lens? Yep, adapter as I said. The A7r is not the VG900 or RX1. If Sony released a NEX-7 it would have had issues, so they had to make some changes to the size (A7r is LARGER as i said it would be).
So you just quoted me trying to prove something (not sure what) but all you did was prove that I was correct. Funny.
You made him, and the rest of us look at options, explore and enjoy our photography more. Even if you had been wrong, “mission accomplished” I say 🙂
That shows how much efforts and research been put in to change what was true in the past. If sony just follow the speed rate of other company, like canon or Nikon, a7 will not out for a few more years or even not possibly made.
I the guy tried to discredit steve for his change in favor toward sony new ff. But for me I think steve is very honest . If the new system is indeed very good, why deny it?
There is always some Joker trying to discredit me..I find it amusing. I write about what I enjoy..and I have not even reviewed this yet or shot with it where I could edit and see images. But from what I have seen, and many others have seen, the IQ coming from this is up there with the best of the best and in small well made package. Will it be perfect? Not for everyone and the flaws are the same as always..lack of lenses, but it is a new system. I still say the E-M1 is as close to perfect as a mirrorless can get. But if going FF..and having to choose between a Leica M and the Sony A7 or A7r…I would have to go Sony. IQ will be better and the camera will be more reliable not to mention $5k less expensive.
Dear Steve
I have make my order for the A7r. I would like to ask you opinion for whether I should keep my Rx1. It will depends on how much overlapping between it and the A7R. Do you find them similar in size, weight and functions, so that having the A7r makes RX1 becomes unnecessary? Or will it be better to sell the Rx1 while that is still be some value before something like fe 35mm 1.8 comes out which will makes RX1 becoming unattractive and worthless?
Do you think although the rx1 is a very well constructed camera but the electronic part of it will never the less becomes superseded and worthless in comparing to later new bodies ( for instance a more reasonable AF system), so I should keep the money for later fe Lenses instead?
Thanks
Photo observer
35 Summicron ASPH and 21 Super Elmar.
All Leica M teles should be ok on the Sony.
Well, you sure a costing me a lot of money! Thanks!!
First the EM-5 after selling all of my Canon bodies and glass; now I am waiting on the EM-1 to be in my hands.
And, now, the RX7r – What next?
I see the EM-1 coupled with the RX7r as similar to my having a Canon 7D and a 5D3 (both of which I sold). I would sell the EM-5.
Wading through all of the various comments and quote and discussions, what was important for me was this: “To have this camera shine, use a fast prime or fast zoom”
I lean to a zoom; less to carry which is why I said goodbye to my Canon gear.
I also lean to a zoom that starts just wide enough to NOT be a fish eye or have fish eye characteristics, e.g., loved the 16-35 f/2.8.
What lens would you recommend with the RX7r; what adapter to continue to use my Pana 35-100 & 100-300 with the RX7r when I only carry one body?
Thanks for helping me spend my money wisely.
Cheers, Jay
All FE lenses except the 35/2.8 are as huge as their SLR counterparts with (!) adapter, taking no advantage from the mirrorless design. And the 55/1.8 is 5-7 times the price of the respective Nikon or Canon. I would stick to legacy glas, and perhaps a leftover 18-55 from an abandoned NEX-kit for that lazy Sunday walk where I want AF, but hardly full-frame quality.
The menu button is left from the viewfinder, making it akward to press. Depending on reading glasses, I highly appreciate to navigate the menu in the EVF rather than on the LCD. On my NEX 6, the menu button is in the range of my right thumb.
In real, hand-held life, the SEL35F18′ and SEL50F18′ OSS (for which we had to wait sooo long) may contribute more to image quality than full-frame.
FE lenses do not need an adapter and the 55 1.8 is not large. The 35 2.8 is tiny. The Zeiss f/4 Zoom..well, that is large and one reason I would not buy it for me. The 35 2.8 is amazing in IQ, much much sharper than the Sony 35 1.8 (which I found to be a little soft wide open). Same goes for the 55 1.8. These are Zeiss lenses, and are of higher quality than the Sony 35 and 50 1.8 lenses. Also, the 55 1.8 is a much nicer lens IQ wise than the cheap plastic Canon and Nikon 50 1.4 lenses. Think about this..the Leica 50 1.4 is $4000. The Zeiss ZM 50 1.5 is $1300. The Zeiss 50 Planar f/2 is $800. The new Zeiss 55 1.8 is about right for a high quality full frame AF lens. While I may end up with something like a 50 Zeiss ZM due to it being MF and smaller and of high quality, the new 55 Zeiss appears stellar in IQ.
Talking about various 35 – 50 +- focal lengths addresses street photography and general party time in my World; it does not address true WA landscape images.
Must test E-M1+17 1.8 VS A7+35 2.8
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the writeup on the A7/r and good images. I prefer when photographers who actually use their gear write about cameras, it gives me a good feeling how a camera might respond in the field.
The new Sony appeals to me as a street photographer and photojournalist and I am watching it closely.
I owned a Nex 7 for awhile, actually liked the camera, specifically the tri-nav controls quite a bit. Two things prevented me for keeping the camera:
1) No AutoISO in Manual mode.
2) The delay for the EVF to activate when the camera is raised to the eye. (On the Olympus OM-D I can disable the proximity sensor and use a button to toggle between the EVF and LCD.)
I’d be willing to give Sony another shot, as this camera says all the right things to me: small form factor, excellent specs, excellent build, good AF, Zeiss glass, but I am wondering what the status is on the aforementioned?
Could you shed a little light on these two issues?
All the best,
Jonathan
What ticks me off with the XE1 is that the evf tries to mimic an ovf: it tries to properly expose the evf.- but this makes the exposure keeps changing when i frame the shot. A gxr m, on the other hand shows what you will get in the file with the current settings- which is great. Can you confirm which behavior the a7 follows? Thanks..
What is the shutter noise like on the Sony Steve? I’ve read that it is pretty loud….
This is the first camera that puts in my head the thought of selling my Leica M9. If I do so, I would keep the 35mm Summicron to use with the Sony A7r. What are your thoughts on that? Would you sell the classic M9?
Hi Steve,
with digital the biggest problems come from symmetrical wides, so I would like to see
* CV 21/4
* CV 15/4,5
* Zeiss 21/4,5 (notorious for its color shifts on digital)
Cheers
Felix
Leica 16-18-21, 35/1.4 and 75/1.4
I still don’t see how this compares much to the leica cameras other then iq. You buy a leica for the rangefinder experience and the subperb build quality. This is not a rangefinder and isn’t even built as well as the EM1.
Now saying that, this should destroy the m4/3’s cameras and puts Fuji under a lot of price pressure.
I vote for the 28 sumulux . 50 summicron apo. And 90 sumicron , because I also reserve the right to change my mind!
Hmmm…everybody keeps saying that it will destroy m4/3 but it’s not just about the sensor but also (even mainly) about the lenses you stick in front of it. The reality is that Sony is an awfully long way from having even the most basic range of optics for this format. And for the vast majority of users that problem won’t be solved by sticking an adaptor for other brand lenses on the front and thereby:
1. losing most of the functions of the body
2. creating potential problems in terms of IQ and
3. Making the whole outfit so large that it destroys the argument about it being a compact system.
Don’t get me wrong, I think that Sony deserve a huge pat on the back for the A7/A7r, but for most people, the ‘cheap’ price of the bodies will be more than offset by the limited choice and expense of the new lenses. With a standard prime coming in at $1,000, that ‘cheap’ A7/A7r body ain’t going to look so cheap for long. It might be a different story in 12-24 months when there is (hopefully) a much broader range of FE lenses available at more reasonable prices, but right now I’m slightly confused as to why people are trampling over each other to get their pre-orders in.
I agree. This camera is a great alternative to the EM1 (or even a compliment as Steve intends). For those who want or need full frame it is a great prospect, but why would it kill m4/3? What is the “problem” with m4/3 that thus fixes, or even needs fixing? None as far as my own personal needs are concerned, and I doubt I’m alone.
Steve: just about every other blog that is weighing in on the A7/A7R keep regurgitating the same tech-speak jargon with about as much enthusiasm as a sick sloth. IMO they really just don’t know what to say about a camera that is finally giving us everything we have been asking for. It’s almost like they are shell-shocked now that it is here and playing it down. For Pete’s sake, we now have a compact, full frame, ILC with EVF, no AA, tilt screen, wi-fi, 36 monster pickles that excepts M lenses ++. The industry should be on a respirator after this roll-out! My point: I am really looking forward to your from the heart, no BS reviews on these new Alphas as this is really the only site that has the balls to tell it like it is!
Thank you!
I’m sure Lux 50 will work great. Thus mostly interested in Lux 35 FLE and then Super Elmar 18 (Almost sure there will be color issues at border though)
What is the difference between this and a Canon 5d Mark III or Nikon D800. Could you use this for sports?
Please, Summilux 35mm & 50mm.
And I question myself a lot about this noisy shutter, it’s a really bad affair for my photography (cf. streetphoto, theater, church, etc.). Do you think this could be improved, by firmware, electronic, mechanic, etc… I’m not a shutter specialist and would like to know more about it, how it works, how it can evolve. Your advices are welcome, thanks everybody in advance.
I’d like to see images from a wide-angle (16-21), a 50 Nocti or Summicron APO, and a 90 Summicron APO please.
The only thing concerns me is the color shift and corner performance. I would not worry about lens longer than 50mm. So probably LUX 35mm FLE, and 28/2 or 28/2.8. But if any SW lens works fine they should be fine too.
Hi Steve
There are reasons to believe that Leica glass won’t perform very well on the A7. Have a look at these articles:
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2013/10/two-reasons.html
and
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/09/there-is-no-free-lunch-episode-763-lens-adapters
Those are based on theory, I base on real world and what I saw play back using a Leica 50 Lux was gorgeous and better than what I see on my M 240. I was using a $15 adapter. Ive since seen others images using a couple of extreme wides that also looked better than what comes from the M. So we shall see soon enough. I will be testing this THOROUGHLY in about 10 days or so.
Hi Steve, please test 18mm Super Elmarit. I am eager to see if A7R can be the breakthrough for M lens users. Thanks.
Looks like a nice camera. I would like to see the Leica 28 2.8, Leica 50 2.0 and Leica 90 2.5 attached to it. Maybe the 18 3.8 Super Elmarit. That would be a wide range of focal length and a common traveler kit.
Steve, can you please compare a7r to the following: (both camera size with same lens mounted and image quality)
1. Nex 7 with speedbooster and some manual focus legacy lens
2. Next 7 with same lens
NEX-7 with speedbooster is awful. I tested it for a week and was so slow and irritating so I never even wrote about it as I would not recommend it. The A7r is on aonther level, as is the sensor on the A7 and A7r. The NEX-7 sensor is not the best these days and compared to other APS-C or even E-M1 it lacks. High ISO is not so great and it does its best at base ISO. I do not own a NEX-7 these days so really cant compare but I can tell you, the A7 is on another level.
well, thats a bummer as that is what I have. I need to know what is the image quality delta between an high rez APSC+speedbooster vs same resolution FF (nex 7 vs A7) to make a value judgment before shelling out on A7. I agree that the frankencamera of nex7+speedbooster+canonlens would be clunky and inconvenient compared to a well designed FF system. I am also fully aware of the high noise and color cast issues with nex7’s sensor. It would still be an interesting comparison to make as there is a significant price differance. anyways, thanks for your response. I love your site.
I found this test in a Hong Kong forum with a user testing A7R with a Voigtlander 12mm (!?) and now color shading at all. Yay!
http://hklfc.com/forum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=135828&extra=page%3D1
Sweet…makes me that much more exciting. Funny how the A7 is a little better though 🙂
Steve, I recently inherited an old (1950’s) Leica 50mm F2 lens. I do not have any other details about it. Which adapter should I buy for this to fit with the A7?
You can see the adapter I recommend (expensive and the cheap one, both work great) on the Sony pre order page.
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/pre-order-the-new-sony-a7-and-a7r-cameras/
thanks! will do. thank you for your help.
Steve, how loud is the shutter compared to the Nex 5n ?
LOUDER 🙂
Please test a very wide Leica M/Zeiss ZM lens, anything 15mm-21mm. Thanks, Steve!
please please PLEASE test some wide angle options for us via adapters! I’d love to see the voigtlander 12 and 15mms tested but also a canon 16-35ii (or a nikon f/4 version). I’m looking for a smaller D800e option for landscaping. I’d honestly prefer the voigtlander primes but a zoom would work if it had to (until sony makes one).
An affordable and fast Voigtländer 35mm and anything wider you can get your hands on please. 😉
I really would like to see a firmware update to the NEX-6 and NEX-7 bringing the new menu system to the current top of the line NEX branded cameras.
This is possible since they do not have a touch screen.
If this was offered, I would hope it is optional since some owners might prefer the current menus.
Not a word about I.S. ?
IS will be in some lenses, not in the body. Not many bodies have IS these days. E-M1, GX7, E-P5..mostly Micro 4/3.
Hi Steve!
I wanna pre-order the A7r from BH, but I’m just double checking that they put a hold on your funds until shipping? I think I’ve settled on the A7r because I can get phase detection with the Adapter and A-mount lenses. I appreciate your thoughts!
I do not know. I only know that Amazon does NOT do an authorization or 3 day hold, at all. B&H I am not so sure about. I pre ordered from Amazon.
I may go with your amazon link. Although, I don’t think bh charges sales tax….
B&H take full payment on preorders from outside US (I am awaiting em1). For us orders I don’t believe they do any hold
I’d like to have the A7r tested with the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35 mm f/1,4 ASPH.(1994-2010).
How does it perform, what about focus shift when using the EVF … a kind of update to your article http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/the-leica-35-summilux-1-4-asph-pre-fle-lens-review/
thanks in advance
(I have a M7 and found the digital M not too expensive for me)
Edit: – I found digital M too expensive for me –
another question is the sensor of the A7r (used correctly) overkill for such a lens ?
I would love to see an ultra wide angle lens on this. Something in the 12-16mm range.
Steve do you know at all if olympus had any part to do with this camera? I think I’ll get the EM-1 still and hold my breath for an olympus full frame fixed or interchangeable camera.. I just really like olympus color.
I’m glad Sony stepped forward to do this. Someone always has to break new ground; buck the trend as it were and be the guinea pig. It will be interesting to see how many early adopters make the buy in for this system.
Personally, if anyone asked and I were offering advice, I would wait a bit. Wait to see if the concept takes root. Wait for kinks to be ironed out. Wait to see what the more established players with bigger systems offer in challenge.
As I mentioned in a post on Steve’s initital preview >>
Understand, Sony doesn’t have the ecosystem (particularly with native lenses) that Nikon and Canon have. That will take a few years to flesh out.
And for those that champion adapting other lenses to these Sonys, sure, you can do it, but you’ve now got four precision mating surfaces to contend with, all of which need to be machined perfectly (adaptors vary widely in quality, and if planarity is off, forgttahboutit); you have telecentricity tolerances to deal with; you don’t know how various legacy lenses will react to this new digital sensor design; as someone else mentioned, large sensor + short flange distance could make fast glass very large (notice that so far Sony are sticking with slow lenses to keep the size down) … and on and on it goes.
In the meantime, I’m more excited about the potential changes this system will bring to Nikon & Canon. You can be sure they’re watching this very closely … and will learn a lot. If analysis tells them to bite, rest assured they’ll bite down hard and release products that are superior to this. With DSLRs still accounting for 80 percent of aggregate system camera sales globally, Nikon and Canon can afford to hold back and play the waiting game for a bit longer, see if these Sony cameras really do stir the industry up, and then introduce superior products. I’m sure prototype designs are already sitting on drawing boards at both companies … just waiting for the “go” signal.
Remember, Sony is playing in Nikon and Canon’s pond … not the other way ’round. Anyone who labors under the mistaken belief that the world’s two largest camera manufacturing megaliths are just going to stand by and allow Sony to steal critical market share from them, well, then I’ve got some real estate in East Timor to sell you.
Also, just a few of several items missing in action from the Sonys:
– improved battery life
– high flash sync
– high frame rate
– image stabilization
– twin card slots
– a useful lens selection at launch; here we go again Sony
I think it’s too early to worry about tolerance. In fact the use of adapter is no bad at all.
Example:
1. Leica M with LTM lenses
There’s a whole bunch of LTM lenses mounted on an M with adapter and no problem.
2. Medium format digital
Say the Alpa digital medium format system. First the front element is mounted to a copal shutter, then mounted on a third party focus mount, then mounted to a cone, then attached to the body, then with a digital back adapter, then finally mounted with a digital back. That’s 12 surfaces but it still produces pin sharp 80 megapixels images. And that’s a professional use $50k upward system.
That big Sony logo, lets face it 99% of the population have no idea about cameras, Sony make Playstations.
For me to take my 50 lux off of my M8 and not upgrade to a secondhand M9, it will have to beat it at base ISO, if it does walking around with a camera with Sony on display will be a big hurdle, as the craftsmanship and feel of my Leicas M6 M8 is special. Looking forward to your reviews and comparisons as well as Peter Prosphos if he can get hold of one a dedicated and respected M9 user, if it can convince him I will consider.
Thank you Sony for leaving out in-body stabilization and including that loud shutter noise, both very helpful in allowing me to remain very satisfied with my OMD and keeping me from buying into yet another wonderful system
Hi Steve, I am excitingly looking forward to your review !
Please could you test the following?
– Summicron 50 (a classic Leica)
– Zeiss C-Sonnar 1,5/50 ZM (very classic rendering and focus shift is gone with the EVF)
– Zeiss C-Biogon 2,8/35 ZM (interesting to compare with the E-Mount one)
– Voigtländer Color Skopar 21mm f4 (very compact, and wide angle is a challenge on FF sensors)
(BTW, how is the shutter noise?)
Also it would be interesting to see if the A7r will suffer from magenta cast issue that the nex 7 had with some older M mount legacy lens designs.
Lovely comparison images of the A7r and the EM1. I personally think the proportions of the A7r is not as aesthetically pleasing as the EM1. The angular pseudo prism hump on the A7r is a little too wide and staunch. It is as if somehow during the manufacturing it got squashed. Maybe it is just me, but I still prefer the RX1 styling to this new A7r.
Hi Steve,
Just curious who’s is the D800 in the shot?
also does the a7 and a7r have the same lens mount as the NEX cameras?
I would assume the A7 and A7r would have the same lens mount as NEX cameras, since it can mount native E mount lens without an adapter. I would assume the lens mount must be larger though to accommodate full frame lens, as well as it’s native FE lens.
Steve I would like to see the 50lux asph on both the a7 and the a7r so that I can choose based on your comparisons. Would also like to see the 50 Cron Ridged tested. And Definitely, do BW conversions on each one.
Steve, can you test the following,
Zeiss zm 18 f4, 25 2.8
Voigtlander 21 1.4
Contemplating getting a used RX1 for almost half the price. Worth it?
If 35mm is your thing the RX1 will NOT disappoint in any way.
Don’t think the prices will be dropping that quickly. But I have one for you with Gariz case and hood. It was reported to be Mr. Huff’s personal camera at one time…
Pity the Japanese feel the need to plaster such a large brand name on their cameras. “Look at me I have a SONY / NIKON / OLYMPUS camera.”
Look forward to your a7 images Steve.
So. Now, we’re back at where we started: 35mm format.
Sony, where’s your digital Mamiya 7? That one would be a really big move!!!
Hello Steve. Thank you for taking the time to test the Leica lenses on the new Sony A7r. Could you please test the 28mm Elmarit ASPH f2.8 – a great Leica lens that I think may readers could consider as an affordable and very compact wide angle – particularly interested in corner performance and any colour shift in the corners.
‘Burnt Orange’ is my new favourite colour.
Hi there, Observer.
GREAT blog post today. Thanks a million!
And to one and all reading this: go look up marsweekly. If you like this blog (and who doesn’t?), chances are you will enjoy it too.
Jan
Steve, please let us HEAR that shutter noise.
A 2 secs film will do. Thanks
Will do, as soon as I have access to the camera in about a week and a half.
Biogon 25 f2.8 pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Ditto….was my favorite lens when I still owned a Leica.
Please focus on non-telecentric wide angle lenses (i.e. not the WATE). They will tell the truth wether the sensor is suitable for M-lenses or not. I bet 50mm and longer will work like a treat. 21mm / 24mm / 35mm Summilux and 28mm Summicron would make up for a good test at open aperture.
Hi Steve,
Exciting times! If possible, I’d like to see a few shots with the Voigtlander Nokton 35/1.4 SC that you tested recently. Maybe a bit of a leftfield suggestion, but I really like that vintage lens look. I can imagine it would be pretty special on this camera in B&W.
Cheers mate
Just get something wide, around 21mm at around f/4 and let us know if the images/video are good with the A7r!
I would love to see how the A7r renders old Leica glasses in B&W photos. So for me its the 35 cron version 1, 50 cron DR and 21 Super Angulon f4.0. I am upping the stake to see how the A7r will take on the Leica Monochrom in B&W.
Thanks
+1
Please compare the Zeiss FE 35/2.8 to the Leica 35/1.4 at f2.8 and at f8. Sharpness and bokeh across the frame.
Steve, a quick question: Do you know whether the full frame (FE-mount) lenses from Sony will fit and work on the NEX3/5/6?
Good question. They will fit, but have no idea what the result would be. Not sure why someone would want to use them though on a crop body. I would think they would just crop but there are already lenses similar to these for the NEX 3-5-6, and they are less expensive.
I am asking because I bought the 1670 from Zeiss for my NEX 6 and I am a bit disappointed by its performance, in particular at the corners (and also with respect to its price and how it compares to the old 18200 and the 1650 power zoom). So when I saw that they are releasing a comparable zoom for the full frame at almost the same price as the 1670 for E-mount, I thought that it might perform better on my NEX 6. And if I switch later to Sony’s full frame, I already have a zoom lens that I can use on it as well.
You will end up with a very different range (the FE will be 35-105mm equivalent field of view) but otherwise you should be fine. The FE lens is also bigger but I suspect much better. Looking at the MTF charts only the corners on the FE are questionable and those would be cut off on the NEX-6.
Sadly can’t find the links to the MTF charts now but on paper it looks like a great choice if you can live with the different focal length.
thanks. I will have a look at it as soon as it is released.
Steve,
I know I’ve said this above, but I hope you have the chance to try out some of the Sony FE glass as well. I know all you “L” guys with tons of glass hanging around are excited and rightly so. But the question I have is it right for someone to make the jump now to that platform – or wait until it has had a chance to mature.
Oh I will be shooting with the 35 2.8 and 55 1.8 in about 10 days 🙂
Thank the Almighty that I got my Nikon V1 and two lenses when I did. I can continue to concentrate on taking decent pictures and learning more without spending thousands and thousands on the high end….that may only last a couple of years. the only line of continuity I can detect in this process is the Leica glass…..and poor me, I dumped my small collection of R lenses a decade ago.
Here here! I like my V1 too – but I can tell you I wish I had a FF for those high IQ landscape shots. But as far as an artistic platform – I love the results I get, especially with that cheap CC lens.
@Hap,
I just picked up a 2nd V1-body after realizing this thing is probably the only camera I will ever need, it just never disappoints or fails to deliver. I have never before had this much fun with photography!
Jan
Everything about this looks amazing! However, the loud shutter noise seems like a draw back. How would you compare it to other cameras?
24 lux and 28 2.0
I would love to see following lenses in action:
— 15mm Voigtlander
– 35mm Summilux FLE
– 50mm Summilux or 50 Noctilux 0.95
Thank you Steve for so much fun and information!
Steve, If you have A7 could you please please test it with 28mm summicron and 35mm summicron/biogon lens?
I have to say, Sony is really doing some interesting things. While I do find this camera intriguing, I still feel the E-M1 gives a bigger bang for the buck, when you consider lens choices (natively), lens size, weather sealing, etc. Of course, I can’t wait for the review, but I feel like the E-M1 will still hold as the most versitile mirrorless camera. I’m sure the Sony will win for image quality, but I’m not a pixel peeper, and don’t print billboards, so it won’t matter to me.
After your review, Steve, I’m so close to selling my E-M5, and getting the E-M1. I want to just see it in person first when B&H gets it on display. At which time I’m most likely buy it. Through your site of course 😉
I’m with you. I have an E-M1 on order, but I was waiting for this announcement to see if I needed to change. I’m very tempted but I’m going to sit out this iteration until Sony has more FE lenses and there is IBIS in the camera.
The new Sony looks very cool. That is until I saw the photo with the M. Whatever the results are with the new A7R, the Leica M will still hold the edge in the “cool” factor.
As far as lenses . . . I guess a WA just to see how they work. Would love also to see your 90mm Summicron on it. Whatever I am sure you are going to be in 7th heaven with it. Have fun!
Yes, the M has timeless styling no question.
Steve – what are your thoughts on the new 35mm 2.8 FE? How does it compare to the RX1’s lens? Same mojo? 3d pop? gooey smooth bokeh?
As an RX1 owner, I’m tempted to move to an A7 w/the 35mm 2.8 FE. Integrated EVF, faster AF, and ability to use legacy glass….all for less than the cost of the RX1.
awfully tempting…
M240 and lux50 is still thinner then A7 and lux50 after adaptor? But for $5000 more, I don’t know
Confused about adapter for Leica M lenses. New to this, which adapter do you use? Does Sony make it? Metabones? Or https://www.phigmenttech.ca/lmnex/index.php?page=product?
Thanks for those pictures, Steve. They really make me look forward (even more) to the moment that I’ll get my A7r. I’m shure it will look great with all kinds of legacy glass!
Concerning style, although I’m quite a bit older than you, the A7(r) doesn’t make me remind the 70s that much, where the E-M1 absolutely does. The A7’s design is a lot tighter IMO, nevertheless with careful nuances in the body lines (same as RX1). It has a more personal and unique character to me.
I’m really looking forward to your next editorial contributions. Keep it up the good work, Steve!
Agree, to my eyes the Sony A7 looks much cleaner and nicer then the EM1. The EM1 looks cluttered.
Well it looks MUCH better in your shots in ‘real life’ with the lux than in the ad copy yesterday.
Is there any way for you to test a bunch of Leica adapters to show which one gives the best results?
I’ ve heard of metabones and others, but that’s about it.
It would be interesting to see a comparision between different adaptors, I hope Steve will come up with som suggestions, if not an easy guide for us readers.
+1
Interested in how it performs with WA M-mount lenses. I have no doubt 35mm and longer will do great. Specifically I’m interested in the 24/3.8 Elmar, 21/1.8 Ultron, and maybe some 15mm, 18mm, or a WATE.
Example of the Sony A7R with a Zeiss 18mm F4 M-Mount on this page:
http://briansmith.com/sony-a7r-field-test/
Looks pretty good to me! Lots of other nice images on this page too.
hi steve, i woiuld like to see the zeiss ZM 18mm plus the 35 and 50mm ‘lux
finally…..there’s an alternative for an M at 40% of the price.
So if the 24mp or 36 Sensors do their job with the firmware good…than why not
Question: the 50lux with the adapter on the Sony, is that still a 50? or more a 60, because the adapter
works like a ring too
Wake up Leica…
The adaptor just puts the Leica lens at the same distance from the Sony’s sensor as it is on a Leica camera. It makes no other difference. The adaptor doesn’t behave like an extension ring or any kind of magnifier.
So the lens still behaves as a 50mm.
Thanx David, good to know..
Leaves the question of the wider-lenses than 50mm, since the sony doesn’t have the
6-bit connection
But for 50 and up (even my 135 !) it will be nice !
Well Steve, thanks for your efforts.
Like in every test, there has to be a configuration with an outcome that YOU like. Since it seems that you’re a 50mm guy, the sample is quite easy: 50 Summilux and the recent Peter Karbe “Gold Standards”: Low Light 50 Noctilux and the “”Near perfect”-below Cine Lenses” 2/Apo Summicron. If possible 1.4/55 Otus – designed for the A7r- isnt’it (when available in Sony E-Mount?)
Additionally some unknown outcome (to learn from). Super WideAngle, 3.4/21 SEM – a recent peter Karbe Design – Ray Angles and resolution …. Part 1 of the ensemble should cover implicitly then the 75 & 90 Crons (and 3.4/135 Apoy Telyt), the 21 SEM the Wide angles.
Last but not least: why not the 1.4/35 ASPH FLE ?
Since the Rx1 has a faster 35mm and comes with a macro mode, would you suggest sticking with the Rx1 if I’m shooting mostly with 35mm?
If that is your focal length I see no reason to change.
Thank you Steve and Roger. I pre-ordered anyway via Steve’s link just to queue up. As Steve mentioned, you won’t get billed until they ship it out. I’ll just cancel the order if I decide not to go through with the order.
Steve, just a follow up question. I am able to sell my RX1 at a very reasonable price, thereby negating the issue of price.
As a mostly 35mm shooter … would you recommend the RX1 or A7? I understand that the RX1 has a faster and more versatile lens, but the advances in tech in the A7 makes it sooo tempting.
Here is the lens release schedule:
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/the-full-frame-e-mount-lens-roadmap-15-lenses-will-be-launched-until-late-2015/
I’m disappointed that at launch they will only have a 35mm at 2.8 but they will have a 55mm at 1.8. Hopefully, Steve will get some of the new glass too and let us know how good it is.
IMHO, I think you can safely sit on the RX1 for another year until the platform has had a chance to mature. From all the responses here, I say the people who own “L” glass are the most excited about the platform.
Compatibility with Nikkor lenses (AF etc.?)
All but AF, although Canon guys recently got AF with the new metabones adapter
Thanks Steve! I ordered my A7 today, both as an M9 backup and for all my old Leica-R, Pentax-M, Canon-FL/FD, and Nikon F lenses. It looks like a great solution for those with legacy glass.
Voigtländer 15mm!
This will be one of them for sure but I do not have high hopes as the Leica M can not even use this lens due to color shifts.
The GXR with M Mount module does very well with the 21mm and 15mm Voigtlanders. I know it has an APS-C sensor (with micro-lenses) without AA filter, but the quality of the 12mp sensor is superb.
I really look forward to your testing of wide angle lenses with the A7R.
I wish you could get an A7 loaner to also test.
Steve I would love to see a lot of 50 Summilux ASPH and 35 Summarit shots at various ISOs with the A7R. I’m also considering the 28 Summicron ASPH so it would be interesting to see what that looks like wide open and higher ISOs.
I vote 50 summilux asph, 35 summarit, 28 summicron, 50 0.95 ASPH (the true test of low light), and something more classic like a 50 Rigid?
Steve: The A7R with the 50 Lux looks unbelievable, like they were paired at the factory. What a gorgeous combination. I just hope the images are the best you have ever seen short of medium format.
Could you test it with the summicron-c 40 mm. For the humble poor people 😉
I just ordered the A7r via your link form BH. Question will a regular M to nex adapter work?
There was also an adapter that would read a coded Leica lens-do you know anything about it?
Yes, all you need is a Leica M to NEX or E Mount adapter.
Steve, besides the pure fun factor of owning all three cameras (Leica 240M, EM-1 and a7r), what is then your intended use for each? What situations do you think would make you reach for one or the other?
Well, depending on how my testing goes, the M may go. Lenses will stay, M may go. Then would be left with the A7r and E-M1. The E-M1 is just a joy to use. Blazing fast, and the ability to use some amazing and small lenses. The Sony would be like my Leica. For those times when IQ is #1 or when I want rich depth of shallow DOF or crazy DR. Kind of odd to own both but I just love the Oly so much. I would also use the Olympus for product shots, video for the site, etc. Sony would be used with Sony lenses and Leica lenses. The RX1 and M would go if the A7r can shoot well with a Leica 35 and 50 for me as well as the Voigtlander 15 in B&W (how I love to use it).
Still own the V1 ? I thought I was going to sell mine when I got the E-M1 but there is just something love about the tiny Nikon, and its perfect color and exposure in any shooting situation. I just love the high iso monochrome that comes out of it as well, just nails some old pushed X-Pan with no need for Silver Effects in post etc.
Hi Steve,
I would like to see a test of the new Sony A7r with the Leica 50mm f 0,95 Noctilux, the Leica 28mm f 2.0 Summicron, the Voigtlander 35 f1.2 Nokton and the Voigtlander 15mm f 4.5 M.
Would be great to see a comparison of the Sony images with images from the Leica M 240 !
Thank you Steve ! Keep up the the great work and provide us with your valuable information !
Hello Steve i would love to see following combo as following 😀
A7R with – 50 Sumilux-M F1.4
– 35 Cron V.4,Asph also Latest FLE
– 50 Noctilux 0.95 ofcoz 😀
Thats all i need to see how these magical lenses working with The Newest A7R 🙂
So to be clear on using Cron/Lux lenses on the A7, I would set the on-camera mode to A, then use the aperture controls on the lens (for example, F16 and zone focus my lens) and the camera “reads” my selected aperture, allows me to use any metering mode on the A7 and all features of the camera, except of course, auto-focus? Please, please clarify before I pre-order! Thanks so much.
Yes, that is correct. Same as using the Leica M. Easy 🙂
Despite the noisy shutter, I’m planning to buy a 7r with a Voigtländer Ultron 21mm f1.8, I know you already tested it, but I would like to know how it performs on this camera. Keep up the great work and have fun!
Hi – did you find answers to this elsewhere? This is actually also my idea for an opening combo for my upcoming Sony debut after years with Canon (planning to keep the Mark III and the Canon lens park but have the A7r as a companion especially for landscape work – AND the Ultron might be interesting for night work as well).
I’m also interested in this combo ..
Now I see.
I was lukewarm yesterday, but when looking at it with the Leica Lux 50 ASPH…. wow. That is much smaller than I imagined. With the right lens, the A7 isn’t THAT much larger than the Rx1 with viewfinder.
Hot damn!
I would be very curious to see it tested with the Voigtlander 35/1.2, especially as Sony isn’t yet offering a fast 35.
Hey Steve! The camera deserves to be tested with Summicron-M APO 50mm ASPH! I would have borrowed to you for testing it if I lived in US. But I will be able to test this insane combo in November. Cant wait to try the A7R with epic Leica lenses! 🙂
Nah…it’s almost a given the standard 50’s will work just fine with this camera. The true test is wide angle lenses…..to date there is not a single full frame (digital) alternative to Leica that gives proper corner performance. If the A7R works well with wide angle rangefinder lenses…then then this is a true game changer.
I think I read somewhere they are going offer a lens adapter of your choice as a promotion?
I’d be interested in knowing how the video compares between the A7 and A7r. Is the A7 better with video due to the AA filter?
Have the RX1. Waiting for the OM to be available end of this month. Not entirely sure about the A7r yet.
God, The Leica is so pretty next to those two ugly cameras. …
Good thing….or else you would have an even tougher time justifying a $5500 premium for your Leica:)
That said…I actually agree with you:)
Ohhh please please, try on the A7r:
elmar 50mm, summicron 50 and 35mm, Noctilux, apo 75mm, summilux 35mm, summilux 21mm, Tri-über-megatron 13-56-889mm and so on… !!?? 🙂
Thanks Steve..
Can’t wait for your reviews.. 😉
steve, please do not compare with RX1R. don’t want you to tempt me into selling that for the new Sony 🙂
@mahesh, from what I can tell, the new Sony won’t have a lens to match the one on the RX1R at launch so I think you are safe.
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/the-full-frame-e-mount-lens-roadmap-15-lenses-will-be-launched-until-late-2015/
Here is the roadmap, There is a Sonar 55 1.8 this year which may be a good lens, but from the article the first fast prime will be next year with more coming 2015.
I’m excited for the platform – but as I am not a Leica glass owner, I’ll wait a bit to see how it develops.
Something in the 40mm length. Either Voigtlander or Rokkor 40mm.
Thanks!
Steve, are you sure to prefer the A7r to A7?
Standing at what said Chris Niccols, the A7 had better performance at high iso and faster AF.
However, it looks a prime-only camera:the 24-70, despite his slowness, looks huge on the camera without grip.
Yes I am sure. The AF difference is not huge and the AF on the 7r was plenty fast for my needs. As for high ISO, I am not concerned about a slight difference at ISO 6400 but do prefer a sensor without an AA filter. Both are fantastic, but the A7r is the one for me. I also own the E-M1 which will do for when I want blazing AF and certain lenses. The A7r will be for when I want “magic” in portraits or landscape or whatever I decide to shoot with that FF look (which will not be action) It will also be the body I use Leica glass with if all pans out in my testing 🙂
Thanks for explaining this! I get ff “magic” in portraits, I would love to hear you expand on what that magic is in landscapes and other non-action shots. You’ve written the most sensible stuff on the trade offs and would love to read more!
But the 24MP A7 is still full frame. Why would it not have that FF look and magic?
Somehow I think my old 1963 Russian Jupiter 3 would be incredible on this. Bye-bye focus shift!
Leica or M-Mount lenses?
Leica: 50 cron + lux
M-Mount: voigtländer 32/1.2, Zeiss Biogon 35/2, Zeiss Planar 50, zeiss 21/2.8, Voigtländer 21/1.8
Thilo M., excellent suggestions. It would be very interesting to see how it works with any or all of those.
It’s interesting to see how similar the A7r and EM1 are in size despite the HUGE difference in sensor size, but there is an other thing here. The EM1 has the 17mm F1.8 attached, while the A7r has the 35mm F2.8. If you calculate, it takes like a 34mm F3.6 in terms of DOF on the m4/3 camera and that’s not very different from the F2.8 on the Full-frame body. PLUS, F1,8 is over a stop brighter and the Oly has the image stabilizer, which gives it…let’s be practical, another stop. So the Sony in the same scenario should use over two stops higher ISO settings than the Oly, and that could easily delete the difference between them in image clarity. Of course, this goes to the low light performance which is only one slice of the cake, but I think this can easily be overlooked by many, however, it worth the consideration.
Interested to see 28mm Cron results
Summilux 35 FLE and Zeiss ZM 21mm/f2.8 please!
Yes 21mm/2.8 ZM please!
+1 on the FLE and 21 2,8… also a 15mm voigtländer would be awesome to really get an impression about the corners!
Not trying to be negative, but no IBIS + 36 MP gives me concern about IQ handheld.
I’m not worried about it. I still have a D800 along with the 35mm 1.4g, and no problems hand held. But I understand that different shooting subjects/styles dictate different needs.
Is a Nikon D800 hand holdable? Sure it is. As is this a7 and a7r. Does a Nikon D800 have in body IS? No.Not many cameras do. I would have LOVED if the Sony had Oly’s 5-Axis but it does not. I do not see it as an issue but if it is, I will let you know.
Hi Steve, thanks for all this breaking news!! Would REALLY love to know what you think you will end up using the EM1 for and what the A7r? And if you could only have one system which would it be?
Also I do a lot of social photography eg invited to dinner parties and weddings just to take candid – no flash- shots of people enjoying themselves. In low light with moving people etc would the Em1’s ibis give it the edge?
The RX-1(x) has no peer for this. Used to have lots of combos that failed this seemingly “simple” task. The RX-1 is positively amazing for this task.
No flash, set auto ISO to max at ~3200 and shoot away. No fuss, no hassles.
Not trying to be negative, but if ibis is a concern, then don’t but the a7/r save your money and get some tai chi lessons, then reconsider a non ibis camera…
Steve, Can you elaborate on owning both the EM-1 and the Sony A7r? For someone needing a new camera, and only one, to use for a very long time, I have preordered the EM-1 based on size, weight and IQ, among other things.. Seems perhaps the A7r would fit the bill at least as well, maybe better. I come from a history of 35mm film SLRs.
Well, the E-M1 is a speed demon and has an amazing selection of lenses. I love the Panasonic fisheye. I love the Oly 12mm f/2 and 45 1.8. The 0.95 lenses..there are just so many options and when you add that with the speed and responsiveness it makes for a VERY enjoyable camera. The Sony is not as polished as the Olympus but will offer a much richer, deeper IQ with that full frame look. AF is not as fast, EVF not as large, build not quite as good (though superb) but for me it is about those tiny Micro 4/3 lenses that are stellar. It is just fun to shoot and offers lovely Olympus colors. Ive always owned 2-3 cameras and depending on how my testing goes, may own only TWO soon. 🙂
Steve, When you get the chance, please let us know some more about this comparison (The Oly OM1 vs Sony A7 for all-around camera). There are a lot of people like me out there who need fast AF because we are shooting kids sports. We also need shallow depth of field, though, because we can’t always pick our background.
I am leaning toward the new Olympus, because the Sony NEX series tends to focus on the background, particularly if it is brighter than the subject. The only problem with the OMD, though, was that I found myself shooting at ISO 3200 to get the shutter speed I needed, and at high ISO the OMD images were a little soft.
This has been driving me (a little) crazy.
If you need fast AF, go for the E-M1. It is faster. If you want shallow DOF, go for a fast prime. The 75 1.8 is amazing and will give you reach as well.
Actually if your shooting sports I wouldn’t go for either. The E-M1 PDAF is an an improvement but still isn’t as good at tracking as a DSLR. m4/3 also isn’t ideal for high ISO shooting.
A7(r) should be great for high ISO, but the AF isn’t up to the task and its quite pricey
For well under $1000 you can pick up some pretty nice mid-level DSLR’s with good high iso performance, plenty of glass options and good focus tracking for action.
I make my living as a sports photographer and while I’ve got an EM-1, and put an order in for the A7r (used to have a Rx1 too) my Nikon DSLR’s are still what I use day in/out for spots work.
Mirrorless is nice for travel, general shooting etc, but for a football or soccer game a DSLR with fast AF, fast glass and a nice lag free OVF can’t be beat
Jeff: Thanks. (Also, thanks to Steve!)
Can I ask for a camera recommendation? I need water-sealing, high ISO, and good AF tracking. It sounds like I need to go ahead and get a D800 or a 5DmkIII.
(I may have lost a comment, so I am sorry if this is a duplicate.)
Jeff:
You make a great argument for the dSLR for sports action photography. As an alternative to the dSLR, do you have an opinion on the Sony SLT cameras? They do have EVFs, but they have fast AF.
If a SLT 99 could capture good sports images, should not the A7 or A7R with the EA-4 adapter and appropriate Alpha mount lens perform as well? (I do not suggest this for a professional, but for family shooting…)
Additional thought…
For the non-professional, would not a Nikon V1 or V2 be an alternative for sports photography with the 30-110 zoom. It has OSS and has fast and accurate AF.
@Steve Huff: Giving up your V1 so soon 🙂
@ckennedy49: From what I can gather, the E-M1 is all around a better camera the A7R has the advantage of FF IQ, but you will have to work around the limitations of the camera. In the end, the camera you choose is more dependent on what you want as a result than the camera.
E-M1 – Is the do everything well beast. Quick AF and good EVF are paramount here.
A7r – You either print your photos large scale or use the superior IQ as a zoom to maintain quality in cropped shots (or as Nokia calls it zoom “reinvented” .
For me: Size and weight are a major factor as well. The E-M1 has a ton of great compact glass for the platform. For the Sony, very few native FE mount glass will be available at launch (No good primes) and what is available doesn’t seem to be as good as what is on the RX1 today (28mm @ f2.0) and as this is a FF sensor the lens are looking rather large.
@Steve Huff – so my question is to you, have you seen any of the new Sony glass? Is it going to be smaller as well? I’m wondering if the whole platform will be smaller or only the camera body and we will still have the same size DSLR lenses to contend with.
I shot with the 35 2.8, 55 1.7 and saw the 24-70 f/4 Zeiss which was not fully functional yet. The 35 2.8 is tiny, the 55 1.8 is larger than a 50 lux – wider/thicker.
Just pre-ordered mine from B&H. I was going to buy a used M9 as my main camera. I have just sold off a bunch of gear to switch from my Nikon system to do that. But since I already have an M8, I can’t justify it now that the A7r is out. I could conceivably purchase the A7 AND A7r for the price of a low milage M9 (but I won’t…I’ll buy me a 35mm Summicron instead)…Is it December yet? No? How ’bout now?
On A7R: The Leica 21mm Super-Elmar-M f/ 3.4 ASPH Lens, please…
+1
Yes, something pretty wide to test the sensor and FE-mount in this configuration. Summilux-M 21mm f/1.4 ASPH.
15mm Voigtlander because everyone is concerned about wide angle performance on these Sony Sensors.
50mm 0.95 Noct because even people who think this lens is impractical want to know how 0.95 looks on a A7.
One of Ash’s legacy lenses.
+1
+1
+1
I agree 100%. For me the absolute biggest disappointment with my XPro1 had nothing to do with AF speed, or lack of full frame etc etc. The biggest downer was how poor the corner performance was using my Zeiss 25mm Biogon with the Fuji adapter…..to the point where it was all but useless.
Vignetting and to a lesser degree colour shift are minor concerns to me compared to soft, smeared corners. If this Sony can deliver sharp corner to corner performance from wide angle Leica/Zeiss/Voigtlander lenses…….then hurry up and take my money!!
Yes. I would like to see tests with 21mm Leica lens. That is probably a tough one.
+1
+1 we more or less know that normal and telephoto lenses will more or less behave nicely with this (or for that matter, almost any) camera. The tough test is with wide angles. Basically, anything wider than 35mm.
15mm Voigtlander: +1
great ‘stress test’ for digital wide angles…
I might have missed this (apologies if so) but what’s the story if Nikon lenses are attached with the adapter? Do you get full AF, full use of metering modes, exposure modes etc.?
You lose autofocus. Not sure on metering modes, but probably Shutter priority and manual only.
All metering modes and PASM modes work with legacy glasses, even when using “dumb” adapters.
In all previous NEX cameras the situation was:
In A mode the camera will be unable to read or set the aperture, it’ll just say – – as the aperture but metering will work with no issues and the camera will set the shutter speed by itself. You can also set the ISO to Auto as well.
In S mode you set the shutter speed you desire and the camera will be unable to set the aperture. You set it from the lens as well. The difference between this and the full manual mode is that you can still set your ISO to Auto, which is great.
M mode is the same as the S mode as I’ve described but you can’t set ISO to Auto.
Metabones produces an adapter which lets you put Canon EF glass in front and you get full aperture control, image stabilization and autofocus. It basically treats Canon EF glass as native NEX lenses. Someone might come up with an adapter which does the same to Nikon too but it’ll be a lot harder since most Nikon lenses need an aperture coupling on the body to close the diaphragm.
Thanks guys – very helpful. As expected, it looks like you can use other brands on the Sony but with a lot of compromises. I’ve been quite surprised that most of the discussion has been on the possibilities of using non Sony FE lenses on the new bodies, but then again, that’s probably because the choice of dedicated lenses is so narrow! From a sales perspective, I think the actual number of people who will buy the A7 and A7r to use other brand lenses will be quite small, with the majority of potential buyers (me included) waiting until the dedicated lens line has expanded sufficiently to get the best out of the new bodies. That’s probably going to be at least 12 months away. With the exception of the hard core, I don’t think that most people will want to compromise usability by messing about with adapters etc. not least because that nice compact A7 suddenly becomes a much larger beast.
“Compromises” are very relative. I guess it depends what you’re comparing to. I’m much more interested in using the lenses I want and getting the photos I want, than I am concerned about “a large beast.” An 85/1.2 is going to be big no matter what, and a lot of what it does cannot be achieved with smaller lenses. A Contax G 25/2 is going to be a small lens even with the adapter… some types of which even support AF on E-mount.
Nikon lenses, such as my 28/2.8 AI-S work better on my NEX-7 than they do on my Nikon D200, and much better than they do on my wife’s D5100 (where you can’t even meter).
Canon FD lenses also work better (IMO) on the NEX-7 than they do on my Canon A-1 or F-1n.
Sorry… typo. That was supposed to be Contax G 35/2.
A question… if you are using the $16 adapter for connecting Leica lenses (you linked to it in your original post on the new A7r) does the A7r camera indicate whether or not what you are seeing is going to be properly exposed? With my M9 I set the exposure dial to A and then adjust the aperture on my Leica lenses for the dof that I want. Would Leica glass mounted on the A7r via the $16 adapter work the same way?
As for testing Leica glass on the A7r, I’d vote for the 28 ‘Cron, Noctilux and 90 ‘Cron.
Thanks. And I did pre-order the A7r from B&H via your link in your earlier post.
Works exactly the same way.
Cool! Thanks. Looking forward to reading of your tests with Leica glass. Very exciting times! Now if Sony did this same camera body as a Monochrom(e)…
Steve,
Excuse this very naïve question, but would I be right in thinking that looking trough an A7r’s viewfinder with a third party’s (let’s say Leica) lens stopped down and an adapter will make for a very dark view? In other words, do you need, when using such a lens, to open it up, focus, and then stop down to the desired aperture? Nobody seems to mention this question on the net, and having to use Leica lenses this way would certainly be a deal breaker for me…
My vote for testing Leica lenses would go for the 21 3.4 super-elmar and 24 3.8
elmar.
Thanks in advance,
M.L.
I never need to open up a lens to focus or shoot through an EVF. Same concept as using the M 240 EVF or the E-M1 EVF with a Leica lens. Not an issue. Then again, I never shoot at f/16 or f/22 so…
Steve: I would like to see the Summilux 35 and 50 and the WATE tested on the A7r. Good luck with your testing in Nashville.
Here is a link to the japanese site with samples:
http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/introduction/ILCE-7R/
The dynamic range is just great.
like the pic with the 50Lux!
SLRs from the 70’s were not beasts. Compare a Olympus OM, Nikon FM, or even F2 to today’s Nikon D800 and D4 or Canon 1DX and it makes me wonder what in hell made them decide we all wanted such monstrous cameras. I’m glad Sony is proving it’s possible to deliver a 35mm sensor in a small body.
Spray and pray, 10fps, computer inside, etc.
+1
Looks like a perfect match with the Summilux. How’s manual focusing?
Totally stoked about this camera, havn’t been this excited for a camera since the X-100.
For Leica glass i would like to see the 35 and 50, would also like to see some Voigtlander and Zeiss M-Mount glass.
looking forward for this! i hope u can try the 35mm cron, 50 cron, and Noctilux-M 50 mm 🙂