Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Using a medium format lens on the Sony A7r Part II


This part shows the results of my testing with the 80mm - tomorrow promises to have clouds so I'll be using the 55LS.

Overall I'm very pleased with what I'm getting and feel the downside is caused by user error more than equipment failure.  I started this project doing handheld shots and feel I should continue that way.  I've had a few missed focus point however again I'll take the blame.

Three images follow, in each case the non-post processed is followed by one that is slightly processed.  The last image surprised me so I had to offer 3-samples. 

1/1600 ISO 8000
 

After some slight post processing which includes individual level adjustment (red, green and blue) then filter section and shake reduction.

Just a bit noisy however I think if I worked it just a little more I could have toned it down.
 
1/1600 ISO 64

After some slight post processing that includes individual level adjustment (red, green and blue) then over to the filter section some slight work in the sky with Nik Viveza 2.
Three samples next.  First and second have no post processing; the second is a 100% crop showing the fine details.  The third contains slight post processing that includes individual level adjustment (red, green and blue) then over to the filter section and shake reduction.  I'll admit that I screwed up focusing on the leaf instead of the front bud and this was handheld.  Yet this shows me the potential.
 
1/160 ISO 500

100% crop

After processing
 
I test the way I shoot.  In other words I shoot landscape, nature and wildlife so that's what I test in order to see what I can achieve for my own work.  Also I absolutely hate JPEG files as I know that they don't/can't show the true finished work; in short my personal opinion is they suck.  Now that's off my chest I'll say that as good as some if not all this images look they look much better on my calibrated monitors in full resolution Tiff format - hell if they didn't they'd never see the light of day.
I plan on continuing the test with the 55LS then on to the long lens just to see their capability.  While I have no real interest in what the 240 alone can produce on a Sony I will do it because in one-way I'm interested in seeing what it looks like mounted on the camera!
 
The adaptor being used is a dumb adaptor (my words).  By this I mean its sole purpose is to be able to mount a larger than normal (medium format) lens with its own mounting system onto a 35mm camera, in this case a Sony E-mount A7r (as well as the Sony NEX line of cameras).  When using this type of adaptor you loose the ability to autofocus as well as setting the aperture setting (f/stop).  What you're left with is the ability to set shutter speeds and ISO levels (which is the reason you see some extremely high shutter speeds and ISO).  All in all not a game changer as you can see.
The Sony A7 and 7r has a method to enhance manual focusing by adding a mask (in my case I selected red out of the options).  You move the focus ring on the lens and as soon as you get into focus pieced of the subject turn red.  Very easy.
So what's next?  I'm slowly working through my medium format 645 lens.  The 80 and 120 are done.  Next I'll try the 55LS before the 150 and finally the 240. 
Does this mean I'll be switching my main capture method from medium format?  The short answer is no.  The reason is that no matter how nice a 35mm camera is; it's still a 35mm format and smaller when compared to medium format.  I see the Sony A7r as the new little puppy that wants to jump in your truck every time you go out; it'll have a purpose once it's trained but it'll never replace my old dog, medium format.
 
Stay tuned for more.
 
Don
 
 
 
 
 

 


 

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