As a wildlife photographer, it is really interesting seeing how folks get frustrated with a "boring, competent camera". Don't get me wrong, I get what you're saying. I see your process for landscape, portraiture, etc. It's a beautiful thing that you do and I understand why you like what you like James. I think the target demographic for high end "competent" cameras left behind the landscape folks a long time ago. These new cameras are chasing after fast-paced sports and wildlife. They're attempting to make it easier to nail those difficult shots where you only have a fraction of a second and it's make or break. Your shot two polar bears and talking about how "eye-tracking" made it "too easy" kind of made me chuckle. A polar bear is a very slow moving animal compared to, say, a hummingbird. I wonder if you would feel like your camera is "super competent" when trying to photograph diving swallows in mid-flight? I think when the subjects are fussy and erratic, I come to appreciate these fancy features a lot more. All that being said, I shoot on an ancient DSLR with only phase detect points. The one time I rented an R5, it felt like I was doing magic with the camera. The footage I got that day was incredible thanks to my having great muscle memory for how to keep the subject in focus and composed quickly. So there is still something to be said for at least practicing on older, less "competent" gear.
This is very very true. Modern AF makes BIF much much much easier. When you can shoot swallows from a moving kayak with relative ease it pretty much sums up how far this has come.
I like that my sony a7iv just works. I don't get much time for photos, so when i do, i want to enjoy being outside and the experience. Not spend my time annoyed the camera isn't doing what i want.
I’ve had my A7iv for a few weeks now and absolutely love it. Mine is paired up with the Sony 24-105 lens and the pictures in every situation are brilliant. Like you say, it just works.
Wish I had that same experience. The a7IV was great for me right up until May rolled around. Then it _constantly_ overheated even while shooting stills unless I shot with the electronic shutter, which just isn't an option for me with a readout that slow.
@@douglaspianta4187 It was, but even the shop it was taken to couldn't find anything actually wrong with it and neither could Sony. I ended up trading it for a Z7II and even got an extra $90 out of the bargain. Haven't looked back since. Over time I needed autofocus less and less, so the Z7II's "quirks" in that regard became less and less of a problem. Plus I still have my a7III and that hasn't failed me once. So if I really need AF for something, I still have that and my 35 and 85 on hand.
The A7r5 is the camera you get if you don't want it to be about the gear. Everything you need, hassle-free, gets out of your way. Those are my favorite kinds of tools...the ones that don't make it about them, lol.
Two months after I bought my A7RV, the touchscreen had an issue (it scrolled through pictures by itself). I sent it to Sony, and they blamed me for a moisture damage that I didn’t cause, and I had to pay the €350 repair myself even though I have a warranty and the camera is supposed to be moisture-resistant. The camera itself is great, but everyone should be aware that the repair service at Sony is a joke.
I broke my Nikon ZF (absolutely my fault), accidentally ripped out 2 buttons. Nikon told me to pay for shipping and forget about repair cost. It was 25 euro... The only reason I chose nikon was sony was out of stock but looks like I did the right choice.
Sony is an electronics company with a camera business. Nikon, Canon et al. are camera companies. Sony doesn't care if you leave their camera system, their TV, console, headphone etc. sales will more than cover you leaving. Camera companies care if you leave their system because it's their main business, so they have good infrastructure and aftercare. That's why you still see the same old guard names in photojournalism, sports even though Sony make good hardware.
I’ve a 2005 Nikon D2X. It’s big, heavy, worn, has loose rubbers, stiff buttons and slippery dials. It was very high mileage when I bought it cheap a year ago. I don’t use it often but I love it and love using it, no matter what lens I have on it. I can understand the virtues of having a camera so perfect that it never gets in the way. If I were a professional like James, that’s exactly what I’d want.
My roommate had one of those. It's amazing to use what was a top of the line body. I've got a D1 and they got so much right for being the first in-house DSLR. If it wasn't 2.7 megapixels you could use it just like any other camera without issue, it's not overly slow or cumbersome- it's faster framerate than my 2019 camera. If you use big lenses, or shoot in big gloves in the winter, these big controls and grips are so nice, plus with the age and build you can toss it around like it's indestructible. I've a 40D from canon that's probably got a million on the shutter and the metal plate on top is worn down a half inch around the neck strap lugs, yet it keeps on going. Up to the D50, the 7D hadn't come out and they were the pro crop body. I've also an old 5D original, my 6D with a broken screen and 150k on the shutter, had a 5DMK2 that I gifted that had 260k on it, and an RP that was a holdover from the 6D and R6 in the mail because I got into wildlife photography.. There's a balance between light and portable and heavy and comfortable when you do have to carry big lenses. The RP with 40mm 2.8 can be the portable carty everywhere, the R6 can be the more professional thing - maybe I'll get a grip for it one day. I was always tempted to get an older 1D series, but I've already got so many cameras and I'm trying to mainly be a user, even if they fascinate me, tech or build wise.
I had a new D2h in the mid aughts. If you’ve never owned a pro body with integrated vertical grip, you can’t complain about big cameras. No matter how you held it or for how long, it was comfortable. Anything above iso 800 was dodgy. And forget about cropping. But the body was amazing.
Nothing wrong with an older camera! It is getting out there and using what you have which is the main thing. I only ever buy used kit and I have 5 cameras (see my earlier comment) and have never paid more than £199 for the best. Enjoy!
Unless you are a wildlife or sports photographer it really doesn't matter which camera you use. They are all good enough. I use my old X100T most of the time because it is simply fun to use it. Enjoy it much more than newer cameras with all the bells and whistles. I don't care about these features and simply don't need or want them.
As a wildlife and astrophotographer, it matters a lot more for astro. Granted, being an astrophotographer is a particular kind of madness. I'm actually getting a new camera in today (hopefully) that doesn't even have buttons, a screen, or a shutter, but it does have a peltier cooler and a USB hub.
I strongly disagree with that first sentence. If you have a good sense of the images you like to make, and an understanding of your own shooting habits, you can find a camera whose strengths align with (or go against) your own. Pretty clear that you’re against thinking the newest tech makes a difference in most cases, and I do agree with you there.
Pretty much, yeah. I got into single photography with a friend and I kind of hate that I had to upgrade to an R6, coming from a 6D. Poor autofocus points and poor framerate don't matter much when you're used to landscape, and dynamic range doesn't matter so much when you can bracket or simply shoot in better light like golden hour, magic hour, or hazy clouds or smoke diffusing the sun. If my jpegs don't look good, editing won't polish a turd of a photo with awful lighting.
@@kevinscotton the most important thing for me is to have a camera that makes me want to use it. Left Canon behind, tried Sony for a few days and finally stayed using Fujifilm.
Every time I get a camera that isn't a Sony I first, understand why some people can't stand them, and second understand why I can't stand any other camera. The competency and customizability allows me to have just about any camera I want. I have an a7rIV and a Nikon Zf, and the Zf is cool and it is a Zf and it takes my Sony lenses just fine and the colors are really nice without fudging with them. My Sony, though, I have three custom modes that turn it into a studio cam, a Fuji with color film sims and a monochrom with black and white sims. The buttons then conform to the camera it's pretending to be. The Nikon stays a Nikon, the Sony is... whatever I want it to be in the moment. Took a LOT of fiddling to get there, though, and i completely understand why somebody would get overwhelmed.
I wish I could love Sony. I had an A7Riii for about a year, and it was great. I just don't get along with the ergonomics. I have big hands and the grip, and the space there between the grip and the side of the lens, always felt really cramped. The lens selection is probably the best out there, and the images are great. I just didn't like picking it up :(
I also like how consistent the progress was from different bodies and menu softwares, ive been using sony RX1 as my first camera, 5 years ago, bought it used, and it only have like version 1.0 of modern sony menu system (post NEX menu system), but moving from it to my RX10IV is so seamless, the difference is there's just waaay more customization i can put on it. a couple months ago i visit a camera store for the first time (bought my cameras online) and i immediately can handle an A7c and A7RV like its a familiar camera. XD
@@MuhammadKharismawan People give Sony crap for their Cheesecake Factory menus, but the menus are big so that you can almost anything about the camera you don't like. Once you learn it, the camera conforms to your brain. It's wild.
@@IshankChauhan The custom menu on Sony is nuts. It lets you change everything in the custom modes including button remapping, framing, RAW vs JPEG output, and separate picture profiles for each mode. I use Custom 1 for a studio shoot program mode, Custom 2 has color film sims created from the Picture Profiles menu, and Custom 3 has Black and White film sims created from the Picture Profiles menu. C1 shoots RAW to both cards, while C2 and C3 sort RAW and JPEG. I also have it set to turn off setting previews in the EVF so that I get a more SLR-like experience. A, M and C1 are for work, and C2 and C3 are for fun.
Currently my main camera is an Olympus E-M5 II. My camera history includes. Sony Full frame Sony APS-C Canon Full Frame DSLR Canon APS-C DSLR Panasonic MTF Olympus Pen MTF So far? the E-M5 II is the best camera I have ever used in terms of enjoyment, It made me sell my sony stuff because I realise the reason I stopped enjoying photography was thanks to Sony. Do not get me wrong I think they are fantastic cameras but they are becoming a bit too good for my liking.
Love the OM-5 at home. With phase detect focus so it's mostly gets out of my way when shooting buses/trains, but I still need to have an idea of the picture in mind (to move the focus spot haha). JPEGs work good enough for me. But it also happens to look good and feel okay to hold on despite the thin grip. All while I have something 'similar' to a FF 200mm 5.6 in a sub-800g camera. Ticks 99% of the right boxes for me. (And I happen to think the OM non-AI noise reduction to be acceptable even up to ISO16000/25600, so noise is mostly a non-issue too.)
Your take on the Sony A7RV is kind of exactly why I love the Fuji XT5. It's quirky. It's not perfect. It has a character about it. It's designed to be both flexible and inscrutable. On top of the fact that I just get intense joy out of looking at it, holding it, and shooting with it. There may come a time when I need a non-quirky, soulless, and 'utterly reliable in its boring and bland design' camera to get me through other photo projects. But for my street photography, portraits, and landscape shots that I enjoy doing, I'd pick up the XT5 before turning to any other camera. Because it's just fun to use.
My XT5 kept freezing, focus would have an aneurysm, I couldn't use it professionally. Pretty sure it was terrible firmware on launch, never touching a Fuji again after that experience. Sony? Haven't had an issue 🤷
@@erics3008just go update it to the 1.0.0 version of firmware and youll be good to go. Theres a big issue currently with the firmware that rolled out recently creating some focusing issues in AF-C
Funny, I started with Fujifilm and now am finally switching over to Sony. The only reason is for the Autofocus/tracking/etc during street photography. I do not want "quirky," I want a tool that's going to make it as easy and reliable for me to capture an image as possible. That being said, apart from the AF, Fuji is great and I had no other issues with it. And their GFX line for landscape can't be beaten. So I'll be using a GFX for landscape and a Sony for street.
@@ams914 definitely agree on the gfx! Thats my dream system for product photography and landscape. And i will admit depending on your style of street photography that having a better AF system will definitely be a better option for someone. I actually shoot alot of my street photography with zone focusing! So as long i know what my range is for in-focus, out of focus, and acceptable focus range is then i dont even use any autofocus.
@@erics3008I use the xt5 professionally and yes it’s definitely not good for events but I make it work with what I got. I’ll be getting the a7rv soon and will be my go to camera for events. I really can’t wait.
I loved my boring A7R5 so much that I decided to make it even more boring by getting its baby sister, the A7CR and it's been a joy of understated looks and competence that it's no longer boring!
Ive' been using Sony since 2010 when the A33 came out and I have to say the A7RV is a beast and the greatest camera I have ever had. I sold my A1 because i dont need it anymore. But I do miss a second camera body, been looking at the A7CR but i'm so excited to see what the next camera from Sony will be so I think i'm gonna wait some more months. The A7CR is tempting though. I'm mainly a landscaper.
You've finally come around to the sony way of things. This is exactly why I switched to sony, because it just gets out of the way. And the lenses are also cool, the best ecosystem, really.
I've always thought that's exactly the goal of good (read: pricey) gear: It gets out of your way. A good camera provides the flexibility and speed and intelligence to create the image you have in mind. A good lens provides the sharpness and light-gathering capability and snappy focus to produce those images without having to compromise. A good tripod, etc. etc. etc. I appreciate the personality and character of a vintage lens, film, etc. But you definitely can't say those things don't also get in the way of just shooting images. :)
My Panasonic G9 is still stellar, feature packed, solidly built, no problems whatsoever. As you are well aware of, given your early love for it. So, James, maybe it is time to go back to the future with a G9ii.
James might say today's photos weren't portfolio worthy but I wouldn't mind if today's photos were on screen a little longer and maybe dispersed throughout the video, allows one to process them and appreciate them more, I really enjoy his work.
I always find it hilarious when people say they don't like Sony cameras because they do everything well and don't have enough quirks and faults. To each his own I guess.
I went from A6500 to A6700, still yet to love it! think it’s partly the newer menu structure; I know many moaned about the old menu structure but it was the one I knew through several cropped sensor models). Love my A7RM4 (also with older menu structure), so A6700 doesn’t get much of a look in 😢
I love that it’s a camera I can quickly and reliably shoot in manual mode and get great photos. The autofocus is amazing. I just appreciate simple that works.
As a father of a two-year-old this resonates with me so much because there’s so much chaos around me everywhere else that the ease of shooting with a car system that does everything really well and makes my workflow extremely easy is such a relief that if I had to add all of the extra quirks, extra steps, speed bumps et al to getting out there and just shooting, I don’t know that I ever would.
I’m currently on the A7iv and I love it. It’s coming up to nearly 2 years of using it & as a hybrid shooter it really does come in handy . But I do think the RV and FX3/30 are next 👀
I’m still trying to figure out how you edit your photos. It’s like they’re overexposed but not at the same time. Almost like they’re overexposed in all the right areas lol. You should do an updated video on how you edit, mostly because I’m curious as how you do it. I don’t even want to edit my photos like that haha.
2 years after you switched to Sony, I bought one of those Lumix G9's you used to rave about. This camera definitely has some personality. The other day it was sticking out it's tongue and saying "Nyaaaa, Nyaaaa!". All of a sudden the focus lock beep had gone away. None of the online solutions worked. Couldn't figure it out, so I swapped for my Olympus EM5. I finally discovered that I had accidentally flipped the lever in the bottom front corner of the camera from one dot to two dot mode. Not sure I'm going to be as big a fan of this camera as you appear to have been, but still learning it.
There are photographers and there are "camera enjoyers". These are not exclusive qualities. Fun cameras like the X100 series appeals to the latter where as the Canon R5 appeal to the former. I dont think you need to apologise lol!
I shot fujifilm for about a decade because of the quirks. I thought it was making me go out and shoot. However, it was always a battle because of those quirks. Poor autofocus, strong colour gimmicks, figuring out the raws. Now that I've moved onto the more boring Canon and Ricoh systems, I'm still shooting daily, but just less annoyed about it. 😂
The eye AF, fast burst, etc. that my Canon R5 Mk II provide free me to concentrate on composition, framing, light, etc. Yes, I shoot 50% birds, so those features are very important. But that eye AF came in handy shooting a polar bear at 100 yards, didn't it. To me, "quirks" mean extra work that takes me away from what I really want to do.
Timely video for me. I like the small lenses on my Leica, but find that shooting with a DSLR is so much easier, to the point that I doubt my Leica ownership.
For me, I've started to really enjoy shooting with the NIkon Zf (the retro FM2 inspired mirrorless camera). In one respect you have the modern technology, so you can throw it into various modes and it behaves like a modern mirrorless camera, but then you can flip to manual mode and it's like a film camera, only with a preview of the scene and the manual controls (which you can shut off the WYSIWYG preview so you get a static scene so to speak like you would have with a DSLR where the rendition of the scene is not adjusted for camera settings so you can't preview the effects of various settings, which is nice). But it's like two cameras in one. A modern camera, and a retro camera when you want it to be and that's what drew me to it. I always enjoyed Fuji cameras for this reason but supporting two full systems got expensive and I almost picked up another Fuji, but then Nikon released the Zfc (the APSC version) and now the Zf, so I can focus on one system. Although I might still want to get something like an XPro1 or an X-E1 or 2 maybe at some point (used obviously) because it would be something a bit smaller and different (since Nikon doesn't really have anything like those at the moment). But I know what you mean because if you put the Zf or Zfc into any of the priorit modes or even full Auto, it will do a pretty good job at getting you an accurate rendition of the scene in front of you, thanks to the technology found in modern cameras, but at the same time, this sort of makes photography boring, so I find myself using the Manual controls and manual mode on the Zf a lot more because it reminds me of shooting film. Only downside is that Nikon does not have clicky aperture rings on their lenses... only smooth turning accessory rings (which you can program to be aperture control but it's not the same as what Fuji has which is a clicky ring, despite it being electronically controlled regardless) and this is one reason I almost like using their old F-mount lenses like the older AF-D screw drives lenses that had the aperture rings, which cannot auto focus on the Z cameras, and even older lenses that don't have any focus motors in them. That's what makes the Zf fun. I do have to say the 40mm for NIkon is a nice little lens. I was going to get their 35mm but to me the 40 is a bit tighter (well, it is since it's 40mm and not 35mm) but it's not tight like the 50mm which I feel is sometimes too narrow for some things, but the 40 is a nice street lens as I feel it's maybe closer to the field of view of the human eye so I can bring back those images as i had seen them, and they're not skewed like a 50 or 24mm might do. I do also have the Nikon equivalent of the 24-50 as well and it's a good little (shrot) zoom lens which I have found fun to shoot when just taking walks and not doing anything too serious, as it does have a limited focus range but can go from wide to portrait at least in a compact and light lens, which I value too, because there's nothing like caring around a camera with a heavier lens and you're reminded of it every thing you take a shot.
If you like the 40 for your Zf, you might also really enjoy the cheap 28. I went overboard at one point and was often carrying a D2h and a D200. Jettisoned all gear for a GF-1 and the original 20mm f/1.7. So that’s a 40 equivalent. The only kit I used for maybe 2 years. But I’ve also used an iPhone so much that lately the 24mm f/1.8 on my Zf feels like what I see with my eyes. The concept of focused, casual, or lazy human field of perception is interesting to me. I’ve seen some cool UA-cam videos discussing natural angle of view for humans. I now mostly switch between 24mm, 35mm, 40mm, and 50mm. Very rarely any of my longer zooms.
I had an RIV and found the same thing, they're perfect in many ways it makes them boring to use outside of anything commercial, I bit the bullet (several bullets) and bought an M11, it's full of quirks as you said but I love this camera, it suits my style of shooting perfectly. Thanks for the video Jim
IMO this is the best lens for hiking and exploring landscape photography. It gets wide, it gets close. And the results are beautiful. Sunstars are actually decent and I would say even better than most of the more expensive zooms. That and the 70-200 f4 macro you have a winning combo
@@jharrelphotoagreed. Use it for holidays/ vacation, almost never leaves my camera. For work use it for video, the wide end for photo also icw the Tamron 35-150 (events). Collapsed it's almost the same size as a 1.4 GM prime
@@slglasius im looking at possibly getting a voigtlander 15mm as well to compliment when I need to go wide. I have the gm 14mm f1.8 for night stuff but I can’t put filters on it. And the voigtlander is way smaller/lighter and has superior sunstars. Although no weather sealing. But I could see using it for sure.
@@jharrelphoto no experience with the voigtlander 15. Kinda curious though. For holiday and my kinda landscapes 20 is plenty wide. But sometimes for festivals a very wide or fish for a shot or 2 would be nice. A small lens for the just in case could be an idea
I have a Sony a6400: competent camera but ugly and soulless. I bought an $80 Pentax DSLR a few months ago. I loved it as soon as I picked it up and I pick it up every day. It's all of 13mp, bigger and heavier , basic autofocus but it's a joy to use. In many areas, technology is gutting the soul of what it means to be (a creative) human.
It's funny, because I feel the exact opposite. The beauty of Sony cameras is they get out of my way and allow *me* to be creative without the camera imposing its will on me. Cameras with personality are fun, but I kind of view them as gimmicky. They aren't something I could see myself using for a long time without getting bored.
I started back into photography 2 years ago and went through 3fuji cameras and they were like fun friends while I had them but all the character and film simulations I felt like everything I took was a point and shoot. Which is definitely nice and convenient but after a year cycling different Fuji and lens combos I really feeling like the photos weren't my style they were Fuji's. I wanted my photos to be a canvas that I could find my own look and style with. So I definitely share the sentiment switching to Sony but the images I get out of my used Sony a7rii are the perfect blank slate and have been enjoying the entire process of photography much more now.
I didn't really understand the comment about not seeing the whole field of view when using the Leica M11. If one sometimes needs an EVF, Leica makes one. I pop one on my M10-P when I'm using my 21 mm lens. Problem solved. There are other drawbacks with a rangefinder of course, but they are a joy to use.
I've ultimately come to the conclusion that for me, for slower-paced photography, the camera has to be fun; to be something I want to pick up. There are certainly use-cases for boring, reliable cameras (for example I use a Z9 for professional and wildlife shooting), but I _need_ the experience to be enjoyable if the photography itself is fairly pedestrian, or I won't even bother doing it. So right now I'm largely shooting film cameras for fun again 😅
It's always a good day when James uploads. Even though I am a hobby photographer at best, I could listen to James talk about the craftsmanship behind photography all day. To me, the "issue" that James presents regarding how cameras are too competent sounds a lot like Manual vs Automatic transmission. The automatic is able to be "perfect", done by the tool, without user input and therefore soul-less. In Manual the user, photographer, is able to fine tune the shot to the way they want, despite it not being "perfect". It is the skill developed by shooting with a camera that doesn't automatically capture the image "perfectly" that is priceless and therefore gives meaning to each and every shot.
I totally get what you're saying about the A7R5! It's funny how so many people find their perfect match in different brands. I had a similar vibe with my old Panasonic; it felt more like an extension of my creativity than just a tool. 📸✨
James, my experience with Sony A1 was frustrating. Complex menus, too many buttons and dials, hours of trying to figure out how to program the camera and custom menus. Maybe the A7RV is better? Sold it all to move to M4/3 for fast action wildlife. Couldn’t be happier. Wonderful images, lighter weight, less expensive. Yup, little more post processing. But it’s all good. Best wishes with your Sony.
I've got an A7RIV and what I found (coming from an entry level DSLR) is that you kind of need to learn photography again. With my DSLR, the process was very manual; don't go under 1/50th, not over ISO 800, use a tri pod in basically any situation, time the shot right, etc. With the A7 you basically dial in any setting, spam the shutter and yeah that's it. There's always gonna be a nice image coming out. So you were right, in a sense it doesn't intrude in one's photography, you can just shoot. But you need to learn again how to take time for photos, to not be satisfied with the first shot you get. You need to learn how to shoot mindfully again.
The fact that Sony are known as the dull, sterile cameras on the mirrorless market is exactly why I'm considering buying into the system. As a learner, I want the instrument to influence me as little as possible, so I can focus purely on the shot and on my skills.
Not just Sony cameras are dull. They're all dull in reality. The body matters little if you buy a good all rounder that can do sports, wildlife or slow landscapes. Lense choice matters more. But for me, what matters most, is the images they produce. My dull Sony camera has produced amazing professional quality shots. Besides, f stops, shutter speeds etc aren't natural human aspects, so they're always going to feel clinical and lifeless.
@@etaabyarn I agree. I've changed first to Fuji, then to Leica a few years ago and it was loads of fun, but when I watched through my favorite images of the last few years most were taken with my old Sony. I got a child now, so I don't wanna go around manually focussing anymore and honestly, Leica is very expensive. So now I went back to Sony. Granted, Sony was the system I learned to shoot on, so all that familiarity may be a factor, but Sony just works for me. I tend to edit most pictures anyway, so the jpeg advantage Fuji has soon wore out its wow-factor for me.
I shot Nikon crop and FF then moved to Fuji (xt1 & xt2) then a7r5. My outstanding pictures were taken with the xt2 not because of the camera but simply because I did a photo workshop in Iceland with it and not the other cameras. Simply to be out there at the right time hence with the best light in amazing locations was the main reasons. To be able to shoot FF 61mp pictures with amazing autofocus and amazing choice of lenses, fully customisable buttons all that with a body the size of an xt2 are strong appeals for the Sony. I don’t find the a7r5 dull and Im definitely not a Sony fanboy. Just happy with the camera.
@@PrototypeSourrithe number of blurred shots taken of my toddler with my now gone xt2 was really disappointing. Sony autofocus is really helpful in that regard.
I shot Nikon crop and FF then moved to Fuji (xt1 & xt2) then a7r5. My outstanding pictures were taken with the xt2 not because of the camera but simply because I did a photo workshop in Iceland with it and not the other cameras. Simply to be out there at the right time hence with the best light in amazing locations was the main reasons. To be able to shoot FF 61mp pictures with amazing autofocus and amazing choice of lenses, fully customisable buttons all that with a body the size of an xt2 are strong appeals for the Sony. I don’t find the a7r5 dull and Im definitely not a Sony fanboy. Just happy with the camera.
I bought a used A7Riii for a job earlier this year because I needed the 42mp for large prints. It has not skipped a beat in the 8 months of me owning it, it’s an absolute workhorse of a camera and despite being on a slightly older software than my A6400 which I started my business on, you can really tell that the R line of cameras is targeting professionals a lot more than an A6400 is.
The whole thing makes perfect sense. Sony cameras are clinical and soulless, but in most cases they just work. And yeah, that's clearly a huge technical benefit. But for me, most of the time I'd rather actually like what I'm doing, and for that reason the a7IV is what convinced me to jump ship back to Nikon after seven years. Never mind that it was overheating while _shooting stills in SPRING,_ it just actively made me not care about what I was doing because I knew I could just point it at something and shoot and get a good result. If that's all I wanted, I'd have bought an X100V or X100VI. But I want something that makes me think for a second, and if that involves slowing me down, so be it. So I traded the a7IV for a Nikon Z7II since I was barely using autofocus anyway and I haven't looked back. It was like coming back home after being on an insanely long trip. Camera felt better to hold, the menu system was a relief to look at, and even if Sony's manual focus aids are _way_ better, it's not like I can't still focus and forget if I want to. I know professionals care more than a hobbyist street shooter like me. But I just don't need what Sony offers, and what they do offer that I can make use of, I can get in a package that I'm happier using.
I bought a NIkon Z6 late last year. It's not nearly as refined and technically impressive as the A7RV, but honestly it might as well be for what I use it for. Its autofocus is spot on for everything I do (even sports), it takes the cheap F mount lenses that I already owned, it has really nice and cheap 28mm and 40mm prime lenses for me to use and it does the video I want it to do admirably. It just gets out of my way. Now, about 10 months later I can say that I know this camera to the tip of my fingers, and the nice thing about it is that whatever the situation I'm facing, as long as I have the appropriate lens in my bag, I can pretty much tackle any situation. I know the colors will be great (because they always are with Nikon cameras), I know the AF will not be lost, because even if it's not the best system around I know it and I can help it to grab the shot if I need to, I know I don't have to worry about ISO or exposure too much because using that camera's sensor is like using a cheat code. Like your A7RV, it simply gets out of my way. But at the same time, I love it and I do not find it boring (at least not too much). Colors are pretty different from what Sony and Canon are making and I very much prefer what they do with it, autofocus can be quirky, but just quirky enough so that it doesn't affect your performance as long as you know the camera you have in your hands. And I have straight up no complaints about ergonomics, grip shapes and button placement. Out of all the cameras I own, it's the one that fits well in my hands (with an added bottom plate, but still), that hasa all the useful buttons where I need them, that has a great, large and clear EVF and that gives me the results that I want, with the lenses that I want. And when it comes to looks I think it looks a little weird, which I like because I enjoy weird looking things. Sure, I have worse cameras like my good old D700 or my Canon EOS 5D. And those cameras are great when I want to limit myself and get a little more satisfaction out of the photographic process, but they get in my way too often. I think there's a sweetspot somewhere of a camera that has some personlity, but at the same time doesn't get in your way. I think I've found mine, and I'm hella pumped about it.
It's funny that you describe the eye af as a skill-less operation. The skill is seeing that shot and acting on it. Good tools make jobs better and Sony has had decades of making the higest end imaging devices for TV, film, audio.. they are all drab, but god have they not allowed a wealth of creativity to flow without barriers. Much like your 40mm ( i have the zeiss and a 40mm eqv on my gfx .. another pretty boring and wonderfully functional device ) Take away having to translate your vision into wide or focused tele. It's the ideal tool. Nice vid. I feel the time pain. 2 girls 3&4 .. long gone are the days of popping out to take pics whenever and wherever i please.
I think it makes a lot of sense. You just documented that you have a tool that doesn't get in the way of your work mode and indeed provides the tool that you need to fulfill it. It takes a while to know whether any tool fits your style.
I dunno... there's something to be said for a camera that sort of gets out of your way and makes predictable images. Kind of lets you just focus on (no pun intended) color and composition as opposed to fiddling with settings and quirks. I love my M10 for the shooting experience, but there are times it would be nice to have a camera that's... easier.
I bought mine about the same time as you. Quite a lot cheaper in Australia, though. Loved it from the moment I first pressed the shutter button. I've been taking photos for decades yet I've never been more motivated. Of course this may be because the technology lets me take photos, I could not take with a less sophisticated camera. I certainly found the move to the G & GM lenses worthwhile, if a little financially breathtaking. Unlike you I use primes though. Keep the interesting insights and great images coming!
I complete agree. My A7R5 just works. But I have the same attachment to it as I have to my dishwasher. If it fell in the lake I wouldn’t cry, I would just claim on insurance and get another. It does however cramp my creative juices. So I’m experimenting with other brands that somehow inspire me more. A current favourite is a used Pentax K1, I got on eBay. It’s absolutely marvellous and I love, love using it.
I am not sure about the quirk nostalgia, though I see the point. I just sold my little Fuji travel kit (X-T20) and am buying an a7IV--today, actually, because just like you, when I travel with family, there are times when I don't mind EVF lag, missed focus, the odd blackout because I have time to do it again and slowly. Yet, there are times when I just want to get all eyes in focus in one shot. The X-T20 is not a fair comparison, I know. I rented the X-T5 for a trip to Hawai'i because I thought that's a great, modern camera with quirk appeal, but I was again not sure if missing shots on a boat trip because the camera needed a full battery reset added to its appeal. I don't need fast, spot-on autofocus, quick wake-up, a fast EVF response, etc. 95% of the time, but these 5% annoy me quite a bit. In the end, I went to a camera store, held the Sony, and thought: That feels great!
I just imported a Nikon Df from Japan. I'm hoping to use it as a walk around camera with a couple of small AF-D lenses in my coat pockets. It has quirks.
James... just take an old Sony A7S ii and you'll love it for the fact it will give you back some joy as well as small file sizes. It's a relieve believe me, or just call MPB to borrow one! (no cropping so you need to be sure you get the right frame)
Limitations breed creativity. I do understand where you're coming from. As a musician, I thrive on quirky instruments that force me to try something unusual because of an inherent flaw.
I am the same way with my A7CR. I love the 24mm to 50mm lens, too. I did hang on to the Leica M11 and love shooting that camera. Lately, I have been shooting old Canon Tilt-shift lenses on the Sony. Talk about quirks.
Just purchased the Sony a7r v after using the Fuji xt5. The xt5 had so many quirks it felt annoying to me and got in the way of my workflow. So I’m more than happy to have a “quiet” Camera that just works ! I’ve got my old canon as-1 program film camera that gives me the quirks when taking photos isn’t for work. Would love to see a video of how you set up your a7r v i believe you did one many years back with the g9 was super helpful
As much as I love your videos, James, this one just lacks any substance or purpose. Just wittering 🤷🏼 I think it's pretty clear what Sony is and why people buy it for at this point. Same for Fuji.
There's an undercurrent of hipster snobbery where Sony Cameras are concerned. The number of photographers l see on UA-cam that are almost apologetic about using Sony products is redicuclous. 'Well, it's just a tool, not my favourite camera, but it gets the job done...' Why is this ? It's almost as if you're not a 'proper' 'artist' photographer if you use one.
Really the personality on my camera is best represented by the massive scratch on the lens hood from that one day I almost dropped it off a cliff in Yosemite
Yesterday I went to our local cinema to see 'Lee' the movie about Lee Miller. She documented WW2 with a twin lens reflex camera and her images are still brilliant. Superb images and not one bit of modern technology. The technology of an A7RV or my own Fujis flatters us and conceals our lack of artistic talent behind a veil of technicalities.
I know of a photojournalist in Ukraine using a camera that costs a quarter of what my 24-70 cost. Get the shot, not the gear. He is getting better shots than me because he's pointing his camera at more interesting things than mine.
Ya I hear ya, I hate being driven around by my driver in an all to comfortable, boring, Rolls. I mean really, I wish I could be like the little people who can't afford this boring vehicle. Maybe I should punt it and get something truly disgusting like a Range Rover. The friction excites me!
What I want out of my cameras is blithering, trip-over-your-balls incompetence. If it doesn't scream "I was designed by Quora engineers," I throw it at the salesperson.
@@fredericofrancisco Z8 is a good camera but for landscape quite a bit resolution drop. I would love the Fujifilm GFX100 if I had deep pockets for my landscape. Nice to dream 😄
@@kevinastley2562 45.7 vs 61 megapixels is not that big of a jump in resolution. Once you reach a certain threshold the difference becomes less and less. Both cameras are extremely capable. I bet James can still pull off very similar images with a Panasonic Lumix G7 if he wanted to.
😱 what a relief 🙂 When I saw the video title "Sorry Sony", I was afraid that you might have been bribed by Fuji / Hasselblad / Panasonic with free gear (or infinite free gear loaners, which would also equate to a tax-free present to me), under the condition that they would like to see you selling your Sony equipment😉 Your reasoning makes sense. A camera is there to not get in your way. No (good) fine arts painter demands an empty canvas "with soul", a tripod "with soul", a palette "with soul", brushes "with soul", nor pigments or binder substances "with soul" 🙈 If there isn't sufficient (visual, creative) "soul" inside oneself, then gear doesn't help out there anyway. Not at all.
Totally agree. I have a Sony and a fun camera (a Fujifilm). The Sony never gives me any drama. The Fujifilm does wild stuff (exposure compensation dial always doing something on its own) but I love it.
Focusing on the eyes you can consider a photographic skill - but equally, you can think of it as a chore. Once that chore is taken care of by the camera, you can spend more time on the actual skills as a photographer, like framing, exp compensation, DOF, etc., that make your portrait photo better.
I shoot Fuji, even the old and slow 18/35mm lenses. Nothing holds me back for my casual, holiday and family photography. I don't shoot weddings and events, no animal or sports photography, and I also don't need animal AF to get sharp images of polar bears in the distance at f8. Honestly, I think you're just waffling.
Very true observation. Some of my most expensive / pro cameras are not my favourites. Ultimately capable but soulless. I do like my quirky cameras as I have to work around limitations but they have more character. Nice video and topic.
I use an older camera for the very reason you state. I prefer manual mode. Had a Canon that would not allow this. Camera is gone. I use an Olympus, an EP 5. Not a gob of pixels. Ok. Sharp enough. Small. Quiet. Two lense, all I need. Keep it simple. Plus a whole pile of film cameras and assortment of lenses. But, do get it. Sony does make digital photography easy.
It makes sense to all Sony shooters who also shoot other cameras. I love the quirks and uniqueness of all my film cameras, my Leica is just a joy to shoot cause it works the way a camera should. My Sony is just the camera I reach for to do work with, not art, so yes it makes sense what you're saying. Sony is just a soulless computer that captures whatever you point it at all too well.
I must be out of my mind, the message of this video made total sense to me🤔 When I'm out and about with my old Nikon Panzerwagen (D850) my own quirks are more than enough, the camera is the sane one...
As a wildlife photographer, it is really interesting seeing how folks get frustrated with a "boring, competent camera". Don't get me wrong, I get what you're saying. I see your process for landscape, portraiture, etc. It's a beautiful thing that you do and I understand why you like what you like James.
I think the target demographic for high end "competent" cameras left behind the landscape folks a long time ago. These new cameras are chasing after fast-paced sports and wildlife. They're attempting to make it easier to nail those difficult shots where you only have a fraction of a second and it's make or break.
Your shot two polar bears and talking about how "eye-tracking" made it "too easy" kind of made me chuckle. A polar bear is a very slow moving animal compared to, say, a hummingbird. I wonder if you would feel like your camera is "super competent" when trying to photograph diving swallows in mid-flight? I think when the subjects are fussy and erratic, I come to appreciate these fancy features a lot more.
All that being said, I shoot on an ancient DSLR with only phase detect points. The one time I rented an R5, it felt like I was doing magic with the camera. The footage I got that day was incredible thanks to my having great muscle memory for how to keep the subject in focus and composed quickly. So there is still something to be said for at least practicing on older, less "competent" gear.
This is very very true. Modern AF makes BIF much much much easier. When you can shoot swallows from a moving kayak with relative ease it pretty much sums up how far this has come.
I like that my sony a7iv just works. I don't get much time for photos, so when i do, i want to enjoy being outside and the experience. Not spend my time annoyed the camera isn't doing what i want.
I’ve had my A7iv for a few weeks now and absolutely love it. Mine is paired up with the Sony 24-105 lens and the pictures in every situation are brilliant. Like you say, it just works.
Wish I had that same experience. The a7IV was great for me right up until May rolled around. Then it _constantly_ overheated even while shooting stills unless I shot with the electronic shutter, which just isn't an option for me with a readout that slow.
@RealRaynedance hopefully yours is still under warranty and you can get it fixed🤞
@@douglaspianta4187 It was, but even the shop it was taken to couldn't find anything actually wrong with it and neither could Sony. I ended up trading it for a Z7II and even got an extra $90 out of the bargain. Haven't looked back since. Over time I needed autofocus less and less, so the Z7II's "quirks" in that regard became less and less of a problem.
Plus I still have my a7III and that hasn't failed me once. So if I really need AF for something, I still have that and my 35 and 85 on hand.
The A7r5 is the camera you get if you don't want it to be about the gear. Everything you need, hassle-free, gets out of your way. Those are my favorite kinds of tools...the ones that don't make it about them, lol.
Two months after I bought my A7RV, the touchscreen had an issue (it scrolled through pictures by itself). I sent it to Sony, and they blamed me for a moisture damage that I didn’t cause, and I had to pay the €350 repair myself even though I have a warranty and the camera is supposed to be moisture-resistant. The camera itself is great, but everyone should be aware that the repair service at Sony is a joke.
I broke my Nikon ZF (absolutely my fault), accidentally ripped out 2 buttons. Nikon told me to pay for shipping and forget about repair cost. It was 25 euro...
The only reason I chose nikon was sony was out of stock but looks like I did the right choice.
I would never buy a Sony again if that happened to me.
@@TJ-ct9rr The Nikon Zf though 😍
Sony is an electronics company with a camera business. Nikon, Canon et al. are camera companies. Sony doesn't care if you leave their camera system, their TV, console, headphone etc. sales will more than cover you leaving. Camera companies care if you leave their system because it's their main business, so they have good infrastructure and aftercare. That's why you still see the same old guard names in photojournalism, sports even though Sony make good hardware.
You should have argued the point with them if it wasn't your fault, they're pretty reasonable at the (UK) service centre.
oh, my camera is too perfect, its no fun.
people have problems...
It's *not* hypocrisy to change your mind, it's wisdom. And apologising for it is humility.
I’ve a 2005 Nikon D2X. It’s big, heavy, worn, has loose rubbers, stiff buttons and slippery dials. It was very high mileage when I bought it cheap a year ago. I don’t use it often but I love it and love using it, no matter what lens I have on it. I can understand the virtues of having a camera so perfect that it never gets in the way. If I were a professional like James, that’s exactly what I’d want.
My roommate had one of those. It's amazing to use what was a top of the line body. I've got a D1 and they got so much right for being the first in-house DSLR. If it wasn't 2.7 megapixels you could use it just like any other camera without issue, it's not overly slow or cumbersome- it's faster framerate than my 2019 camera. If you use big lenses, or shoot in big gloves in the winter, these big controls and grips are so nice, plus with the age and build you can toss it around like it's indestructible. I've a 40D from canon that's probably got a million on the shutter and the metal plate on top is worn down a half inch around the neck strap lugs, yet it keeps on going. Up to the D50, the 7D hadn't come out and they were the pro crop body. I've also an old 5D original, my 6D with a broken screen and 150k on the shutter, had a 5DMK2 that I gifted that had 260k on it, and an RP that was a holdover from the 6D and R6 in the mail because I got into wildlife photography.. There's a balance between light and portable and heavy and comfortable when you do have to carry big lenses. The RP with 40mm 2.8 can be the portable carty everywhere, the R6 can be the more professional thing - maybe I'll get a grip for it one day. I was always tempted to get an older 1D series, but I've already got so many cameras and I'm trying to mainly be a user, even if they fascinate me, tech or build wise.
I had a new D2h in the mid aughts. If you’ve never owned a pro body with integrated vertical grip, you can’t complain about big cameras. No matter how you held it or for how long, it was comfortable. Anything above iso 800 was dodgy. And forget about cropping. But the body was amazing.
@@adamaufdencamp5080I snagged a Nikon d200 with around 12k on the shutter. It’s one of my favorite cameras.
@@mrwashur1991 12k is nothing! You got a brand new camera. And so many good lenses available.
Nothing wrong with an older camera! It is getting out there and using what you have which is the main thing. I only ever buy used kit and I have 5 cameras (see my earlier comment) and have never paid more than £199 for the best. Enjoy!
Unless you are a wildlife or sports photographer it really doesn't matter which camera you use. They are all good enough. I use my old X100T most of the time because it is simply fun to use it. Enjoy it much more than newer cameras with all the bells and whistles. I don't care about these features and simply don't need or want them.
As a wildlife and astrophotographer, it matters a lot more for astro. Granted, being an astrophotographer is a particular kind of madness. I'm actually getting a new camera in today (hopefully) that doesn't even have buttons, a screen, or a shutter, but it does have a peltier cooler and a USB hub.
I strongly disagree with that first sentence. If you have a good sense of the images you like to make, and an understanding of your own shooting habits, you can find a camera whose strengths align with (or go against) your own.
Pretty clear that you’re against thinking the newest tech makes a difference in most cases, and I do agree with you there.
Pretty much, yeah. I got into single photography with a friend and I kind of hate that I had to upgrade to an R6, coming from a 6D. Poor autofocus points and poor framerate don't matter much when you're used to landscape, and dynamic range doesn't matter so much when you can bracket or simply shoot in better light like golden hour, magic hour, or hazy clouds or smoke diffusing the sun.
If my jpegs don't look good, editing won't polish a turd of a photo with awful lighting.
@@kevinscotton the most important thing for me is to have a camera that makes me want to use it. Left Canon behind, tried Sony for a few days and finally stayed using Fujifilm.
@@duschbrauser sounds like you disagree with that first sentence of your initial comment too then 😉
Every time I get a camera that isn't a Sony I first, understand why some people can't stand them, and second understand why I can't stand any other camera. The competency and customizability allows me to have just about any camera I want. I have an a7rIV and a Nikon Zf, and the Zf is cool and it is a Zf and it takes my Sony lenses just fine and the colors are really nice without fudging with them. My Sony, though, I have three custom modes that turn it into a studio cam, a Fuji with color film sims and a monochrom with black and white sims. The buttons then conform to the camera it's pretending to be. The Nikon stays a Nikon, the Sony is... whatever I want it to be in the moment. Took a LOT of fiddling to get there, though, and i completely understand why somebody would get overwhelmed.
I wish I could love Sony. I had an A7Riii for about a year, and it was great. I just don't get along with the ergonomics. I have big hands and the grip, and the space there between the grip and the side of the lens, always felt really cramped. The lens selection is probably the best out there, and the images are great. I just didn't like picking it up :(
Fuji with color sim and bnw. How????????? 😮
I also like how consistent the progress was from different bodies and menu softwares, ive been using sony RX1 as my first camera, 5 years ago, bought it used, and it only have like version 1.0 of modern sony menu system (post NEX menu system), but moving from it to my RX10IV is so seamless, the difference is there's just waaay more customization i can put on it.
a couple months ago i visit a camera store for the first time (bought my cameras online) and i immediately can handle an A7c and A7RV like its a familiar camera. XD
@@MuhammadKharismawan People give Sony crap for their Cheesecake Factory menus, but the menus are big so that you can almost anything about the camera you don't like. Once you learn it, the camera conforms to your brain. It's wild.
@@IshankChauhan The custom menu on Sony is nuts. It lets you change everything in the custom modes including button remapping, framing, RAW vs JPEG output, and separate picture profiles for each mode. I use Custom 1 for a studio shoot program mode, Custom 2 has color film sims created from the Picture Profiles menu, and Custom 3 has Black and White film sims created from the Picture Profiles menu. C1 shoots RAW to both cards, while C2 and C3 sort RAW and JPEG. I also have it set to turn off setting previews in the EVF so that I get a more SLR-like experience. A, M and C1 are for work, and C2 and C3 are for fun.
Currently my main camera is an Olympus E-M5 II. My camera history includes.
Sony Full frame
Sony APS-C
Canon Full Frame DSLR
Canon APS-C DSLR
Panasonic MTF
Olympus Pen MTF
So far? the E-M5 II is the best camera I have ever used in terms of enjoyment, It made me sell my sony stuff because I realise the reason I stopped enjoying photography was thanks to Sony.
Do not get me wrong I think they are fantastic cameras but they are becoming a bit too good for my liking.
Love the OM-5 at home. With phase detect focus so it's mostly gets out of my way when shooting buses/trains, but I still need to have an idea of the picture in mind (to move the focus spot haha). JPEGs work good enough for me. But it also happens to look good and feel okay to hold on despite the thin grip. All while I have something 'similar' to a FF 200mm 5.6 in a sub-800g camera. Ticks 99% of the right boxes for me. (And I happen to think the OM non-AI noise reduction to be acceptable even up to ISO16000/25600, so noise is mostly a non-issue too.)
Your take on the Sony A7RV is kind of exactly why I love the Fuji XT5. It's quirky. It's not perfect. It has a character about it. It's designed to be both flexible and inscrutable. On top of the fact that I just get intense joy out of looking at it, holding it, and shooting with it. There may come a time when I need a non-quirky, soulless, and 'utterly reliable in its boring and bland design' camera to get me through other photo projects. But for my street photography, portraits, and landscape shots that I enjoy doing, I'd pick up the XT5 before turning to any other camera. Because it's just fun to use.
My XT5 kept freezing, focus would have an aneurysm, I couldn't use it professionally. Pretty sure it was terrible firmware on launch, never touching a Fuji again after that experience. Sony? Haven't had an issue 🤷
@@erics3008just go update it to the 1.0.0 version of firmware and youll be good to go. Theres a big issue currently with the firmware that rolled out recently creating some focusing issues in AF-C
Funny, I started with Fujifilm and now am finally switching over to Sony. The only reason is for the Autofocus/tracking/etc during street photography. I do not want "quirky," I want a tool that's going to make it as easy and reliable for me to capture an image as possible. That being said, apart from the AF, Fuji is great and I had no other issues with it. And their GFX line for landscape can't be beaten. So I'll be using a GFX for landscape and a Sony for street.
@@ams914 definitely agree on the gfx! Thats my dream system for product photography and landscape. And i will admit depending on your style of street photography that having a better AF system will definitely be a better option for someone. I actually shoot alot of my street photography with zone focusing! So as long i know what my range is for in-focus, out of focus, and acceptable focus range is then i dont even use any autofocus.
@@erics3008I use the xt5 professionally and yes it’s definitely not good for events but I make it work with what I got. I’ll be getting the a7rv soon and will be my go to camera for events. I really can’t wait.
I feel the same about Nikon. Pure joy. Now the ZF gives me the modern tech and awesome body with soul.
I loved my boring A7R5 so much that I decided to make it even more boring by getting its baby sister, the A7CR and it's been a joy of understated looks and competence that it's no longer boring!
Ive' been using Sony since 2010 when the A33 came out and I have to say the A7RV is a beast and the greatest camera I have ever had. I sold my A1 because i dont need it anymore. But I do miss a second camera body, been looking at the A7CR but i'm so excited to see what the next camera from Sony will be so I think i'm gonna wait some more months. The A7CR is tempting though. I'm mainly a landscaper.
This is why I like my Nikon zf, because it has personality and it doesn't get in your way.
You've finally come around to the sony way of things. This is exactly why I switched to sony, because it just gets out of the way. And the lenses are also cool, the best ecosystem, really.
I've always thought that's exactly the goal of good (read: pricey) gear: It gets out of your way. A good camera provides the flexibility and speed and intelligence to create the image you have in mind. A good lens provides the sharpness and light-gathering capability and snappy focus to produce those images without having to compromise. A good tripod, etc. etc. etc. I appreciate the personality and character of a vintage lens, film, etc. But you definitely can't say those things don't also get in the way of just shooting images. :)
My Panasonic G9 is still stellar, feature packed, solidly built, no problems whatsoever. As you are well aware of, given your early love for it. So, James, maybe it is time to go back to the future with a G9ii.
😂
He's been there already, and back.
ua-cam.com/video/B22-2v98jvc/v-deo.html
James might say today's photos weren't portfolio worthy but I wouldn't mind if today's photos were on screen a little longer and maybe dispersed throughout the video, allows one to process them and appreciate them more, I really enjoy his work.
I always find it hilarious when people say they don't like Sony cameras because they do everything well and don't have enough quirks and faults. To each his own I guess.
If you want a quirky camera with tons of personality you can't go wrong with a Nikon Zf. I also have the Fuji x100v, but the Zf is my favorite.
I’m still in love with my old faithful Sony a6500 and don’t intend to upgrade until perhaps a6800 or a6900
I went from A6500 to A6700, still yet to love it! think it’s partly the newer menu structure; I know many moaned about the old menu structure but it was the one I knew through several cropped sensor models). Love my A7RM4 (also with older menu structure), so A6700 doesn’t get much of a look in 😢
I'll tell you what, I shoot a Nikon Z5 and an Olympus E-M1X and absolutely love what I get from them. Any camera can be a great camera. 📸😁
The Z5 is awesome.
I'm still using my A7R4a, 2 years 9 months now it's been flawless
I love that it’s a camera I can quickly and reliably shoot in manual mode and get great photos. The autofocus is amazing. I just appreciate simple that works.
As a father of a two-year-old this resonates with me so much because there’s so much chaos around me everywhere else that the ease of shooting with a car system that does everything really well and makes my workflow extremely easy is such a relief that if I had to add all of the extra quirks, extra steps, speed bumps et al to getting out there and just shooting, I don’t know that I ever would.
There's nothing such as too careful with a children 😂
I’m currently on the A7iv and I love it. It’s coming up to nearly 2 years of using it & as a hybrid shooter it really does come in handy . But I do think the RV and FX3/30 are next 👀
I’m still trying to figure out how you edit your photos. It’s like they’re overexposed but not at the same time. Almost like they’re overexposed in all the right areas lol. You should do an updated video on how you edit, mostly because I’m curious as how you do it. I don’t even want to edit my photos like that haha.
I love the photographs you are showing me from this camera. You know what you are doing and I can tell.
They're all good. The best camera is the one you actually use. Carry on. 👍🥂
Amen to that! Couldn't agree with you more!
2 years after you switched to Sony, I bought one of those Lumix G9's you used to rave about. This camera definitely has some personality. The other day it was sticking out it's tongue and saying "Nyaaaa, Nyaaaa!". All of a sudden the focus lock beep had gone away. None of the online solutions worked. Couldn't figure it out, so I swapped for my Olympus EM5. I finally discovered that I had accidentally flipped the lever in the bottom front corner of the camera from one dot to two dot mode. Not sure I'm going to be as big a fan of this camera as you appear to have been, but still learning it.
There are photographers and there are "camera enjoyers". These are not exclusive qualities. Fun cameras like the X100 series appeals to the latter where as the Canon R5 appeal to the former. I dont think you need to apologise lol!
I shot fujifilm for about a decade because of the quirks. I thought it was making me go out and shoot. However, it was always a battle because of those quirks. Poor autofocus, strong colour gimmicks, figuring out the raws. Now that I've moved onto the more boring Canon and Ricoh systems, I'm still shooting daily, but just less annoyed about it. 😂
Find your own sweet spot is a good thing nevertheless 😆
The eye AF, fast burst, etc. that my Canon R5 Mk II provide free me to concentrate on composition, framing, light, etc. Yes, I shoot 50% birds, so those features are very important. But that eye AF came in handy shooting a polar bear at 100 yards, didn't it. To me, "quirks" mean extra work that takes me away from what I really want to do.
Timely video for me. I like the small lenses on my Leica, but find that shooting with a DSLR is so much easier, to the point that I doubt my Leica ownership.
Correct me if I'm wrong but with your style of editing, I don't think it would matter if it is a Sony or a Leica or a Fuji or any other body.
For me, I've started to really enjoy shooting with the NIkon Zf (the retro FM2 inspired mirrorless camera). In one respect you have the modern technology, so you can throw it into various modes and it behaves like a modern mirrorless camera, but then you can flip to manual mode and it's like a film camera, only with a preview of the scene and the manual controls (which you can shut off the WYSIWYG preview so you get a static scene so to speak like you would have with a DSLR where the rendition of the scene is not adjusted for camera settings so you can't preview the effects of various settings, which is nice). But it's like two cameras in one. A modern camera, and a retro camera when you want it to be and that's what drew me to it. I always enjoyed Fuji cameras for this reason but supporting two full systems got expensive and I almost picked up another Fuji, but then Nikon released the Zfc (the APSC version) and now the Zf, so I can focus on one system. Although I might still want to get something like an XPro1 or an X-E1 or 2 maybe at some point (used obviously) because it would be something a bit smaller and different (since Nikon doesn't really have anything like those at the moment).
But I know what you mean because if you put the Zf or Zfc into any of the priorit modes or even full Auto, it will do a pretty good job at getting you an accurate rendition of the scene in front of you, thanks to the technology found in modern cameras, but at the same time, this sort of makes photography boring, so I find myself using the Manual controls and manual mode on the Zf a lot more because it reminds me of shooting film. Only downside is that Nikon does not have clicky aperture rings on their lenses... only smooth turning accessory rings (which you can program to be aperture control but it's not the same as what Fuji has which is a clicky ring, despite it being electronically controlled regardless) and this is one reason I almost like using their old F-mount lenses like the older AF-D screw drives lenses that had the aperture rings, which cannot auto focus on the Z cameras, and even older lenses that don't have any focus motors in them. That's what makes the Zf fun.
I do have to say the 40mm for NIkon is a nice little lens. I was going to get their 35mm but to me the 40 is a bit tighter (well, it is since it's 40mm and not 35mm) but it's not tight like the 50mm which I feel is sometimes too narrow for some things, but the 40 is a nice street lens as I feel it's maybe closer to the field of view of the human eye so I can bring back those images as i had seen them, and they're not skewed like a 50 or 24mm might do. I do also have the Nikon equivalent of the 24-50 as well and it's a good little (shrot) zoom lens which I have found fun to shoot when just taking walks and not doing anything too serious, as it does have a limited focus range but can go from wide to portrait at least in a compact and light lens, which I value too, because there's nothing like caring around a camera with a heavier lens and you're reminded of it every thing you take a shot.
If you like the 40 for your Zf, you might also really enjoy the cheap 28. I went overboard at one point and was often carrying a D2h and a D200. Jettisoned all gear for a GF-1 and the original 20mm f/1.7. So that’s a 40 equivalent. The only kit I used for maybe 2 years. But I’ve also used an iPhone so much that lately the 24mm f/1.8 on my Zf feels like what I see with my eyes.
The concept of focused, casual, or lazy human field of perception is interesting to me. I’ve seen some cool UA-cam videos discussing natural angle of view for humans. I now mostly switch between 24mm, 35mm, 40mm, and 50mm. Very rarely any of my longer zooms.
I had an RIV and found the same thing, they're perfect in many ways it makes them boring to use outside of anything commercial, I bit the bullet (several bullets) and bought an M11, it's full of quirks as you said but I love this camera, it suits my style of shooting perfectly. Thanks for the video Jim
You have got to try the 20-70. Not collapsed at 40 but tiny and mighty. Love that lens!
Yes, it's an awesome lens!
IMO this is the best lens for hiking and exploring landscape photography. It gets wide, it gets close. And the results are beautiful. Sunstars are actually decent and I would say even better than most of the more expensive zooms. That and the 70-200 f4 macro you have a winning combo
@@jharrelphotoagreed.
Use it for holidays/ vacation, almost never leaves my camera. For work use it for video, the wide end for photo also icw the Tamron 35-150 (events).
Collapsed it's almost the same size as a 1.4 GM prime
@@slglasius im looking at possibly getting a voigtlander 15mm as well to compliment when I need to go wide. I have the gm 14mm f1.8 for night stuff but I can’t put filters on it. And the voigtlander is way smaller/lighter and has superior sunstars. Although no weather sealing. But I could see using it for sure.
@@jharrelphoto no experience with the voigtlander 15. Kinda curious though. For holiday and my kinda landscapes 20 is plenty wide. But sometimes for festivals a very wide or fish for a shot or 2 would be nice. A small lens for the just in case could be an idea
The Fact you havent tried vintage lenses yet
Don’t worry, it’ll be coming 😊
I have a Sony a6400: competent camera but ugly and soulless. I bought an $80 Pentax DSLR a few months ago. I loved it as soon as I picked it up and I pick it up every day. It's all of 13mp, bigger and heavier , basic autofocus but it's a joy to use. In many areas, technology is gutting the soul of what it means to be (a creative) human.
It's funny, because I feel the exact opposite. The beauty of Sony cameras is they get out of my way and allow *me* to be creative without the camera imposing its will on me.
Cameras with personality are fun, but I kind of view them as gimmicky. They aren't something I could see myself using for a long time without getting bored.
I started back into photography 2 years ago and went through 3fuji cameras and they were like fun friends while I had them but all the character and film simulations I felt like everything I took was a point and shoot. Which is definitely nice and convenient but after a year cycling different Fuji and lens combos I really feeling like the photos weren't my style they were Fuji's. I wanted my photos to be a canvas that I could find my own look and style with. So I definitely share the sentiment switching to Sony but the images I get out of my used Sony a7rii are the perfect blank slate and have been enjoying the entire process of photography much more now.
I didn't really understand the comment about not seeing the whole field of view when using the Leica M11. If one sometimes needs an EVF, Leica makes one. I pop one on my M10-P when I'm using my 21 mm lens. Problem solved. There are other drawbacks with a rangefinder of course, but they are a joy to use.
I've ultimately come to the conclusion that for me, for slower-paced photography, the camera has to be fun; to be something I want to pick up. There are certainly use-cases for boring, reliable cameras (for example I use a Z9 for professional and wildlife shooting), but I _need_ the experience to be enjoyable if the photography itself is fairly pedestrian, or I won't even bother doing it. So right now I'm largely shooting film cameras for fun again 😅
It's always a good day when James uploads.
Even though I am a hobby photographer at best, I could listen to James talk about the craftsmanship behind photography all day.
To me, the "issue" that James presents regarding how cameras are too competent sounds a lot like Manual vs Automatic transmission.
The automatic is able to be "perfect", done by the tool, without user input and therefore soul-less.
In Manual the user, photographer, is able to fine tune the shot to the way they want, despite it not being "perfect". It is the skill developed by shooting with a camera that doesn't automatically capture the image "perfectly" that is priceless and therefore gives meaning to each and every shot.
I totally get what you're saying about the A7R5! It's funny how so many people find their perfect match in different brands. I had a similar vibe with my old Panasonic; it felt more like an extension of my creativity than just a tool. 📸✨
Love the light and "airy" images. Like your way of editing too.
Use the 24-50mm with my Sony A7C2. Absolutely love it!
James, my experience with Sony A1 was frustrating. Complex menus, too many buttons and dials, hours of trying to figure out how to program the camera and custom menus. Maybe the A7RV is better? Sold it all to move to M4/3 for fast action wildlife. Couldn’t be happier. Wonderful images, lighter weight, less expensive. Yup, little more post processing. But it’s all good. Best wishes with your Sony.
I've got an A7RIV and what I found (coming from an entry level DSLR) is that you kind of need to learn photography again. With my DSLR, the process was very manual; don't go under 1/50th, not over ISO 800, use a tri pod in basically any situation, time the shot right, etc.
With the A7 you basically dial in any setting, spam the shutter and yeah that's it. There's always gonna be a nice image coming out. So you were right, in a sense it doesn't intrude in one's photography, you can just shoot. But you need to learn again how to take time for photos, to not be satisfied with the first shot you get. You need to learn how to shoot mindfully again.
The fact that Sony are known as the dull, sterile cameras on the mirrorless market is exactly why I'm considering buying into the system. As a learner, I want the instrument to influence me as little as possible, so I can focus purely on the shot and on my skills.
Not just Sony cameras are dull. They're all dull in reality. The body matters little if you buy a good all rounder that can do sports, wildlife or slow landscapes. Lense choice matters more. But for me, what matters most, is the images they produce. My dull Sony camera has produced amazing professional quality shots. Besides, f stops, shutter speeds etc aren't natural human aspects, so they're always going to feel clinical and lifeless.
@@etaabyarn I agree. I've changed first to Fuji, then to Leica a few years ago and it was loads of fun, but when I watched through my favorite images of the last few years most were taken with my old Sony. I got a child now, so I don't wanna go around manually focussing anymore and honestly, Leica is very expensive. So now I went back to Sony. Granted, Sony was the system I learned to shoot on, so all that familiarity may be a factor, but Sony just works for me. I tend to edit most pictures anyway, so the jpeg advantage Fuji has soon wore out its wow-factor for me.
I shot Nikon crop and FF then moved to Fuji (xt1 & xt2) then a7r5. My outstanding pictures were taken with the xt2 not because of the camera but simply because I did a photo workshop in Iceland with it and not the other cameras. Simply to be out there at the right time hence with the best light in amazing locations was the main reasons. To be able to shoot FF 61mp pictures with amazing autofocus and amazing choice of lenses, fully customisable buttons all that with a body the size of an xt2 are strong appeals for the Sony. I don’t find the a7r5 dull and Im definitely not a Sony fanboy. Just happy with the camera.
@@PrototypeSourrithe number of blurred shots taken of my toddler with my now gone xt2 was really disappointing. Sony autofocus is really helpful in that regard.
I shot Nikon crop and FF then moved to Fuji (xt1 & xt2) then a7r5. My outstanding pictures were taken with the xt2 not because of the camera but simply because I did a photo workshop in Iceland with it and not the other cameras. Simply to be out there at the right time hence with the best light in amazing locations was the main reasons. To be able to shoot FF 61mp pictures with amazing autofocus and amazing choice of lenses, fully customisable buttons all that with a body the size of an xt2 are strong appeals for the Sony. I don’t find the a7r5 dull and Im definitely not a Sony fanboy. Just happy with the camera.
I bought a used A7Riii for a job earlier this year because I needed the 42mp for large prints. It has not skipped a beat in the 8 months of me owning it, it’s an absolute workhorse of a camera and despite being on a slightly older software than my A6400 which I started my business on, you can really tell that the R line of cameras is targeting professionals a lot more than an A6400 is.
The whole thing makes perfect sense. Sony cameras are clinical and soulless, but in most cases they just work. And yeah, that's clearly a huge technical benefit. But for me, most of the time I'd rather actually like what I'm doing, and for that reason the a7IV is what convinced me to jump ship back to Nikon after seven years. Never mind that it was overheating while _shooting stills in SPRING,_ it just actively made me not care about what I was doing because I knew I could just point it at something and shoot and get a good result. If that's all I wanted, I'd have bought an X100V or X100VI. But I want something that makes me think for a second, and if that involves slowing me down, so be it. So I traded the a7IV for a Nikon Z7II since I was barely using autofocus anyway and I haven't looked back. It was like coming back home after being on an insanely long trip. Camera felt better to hold, the menu system was a relief to look at, and even if Sony's manual focus aids are _way_ better, it's not like I can't still focus and forget if I want to.
I know professionals care more than a hobbyist street shooter like me. But I just don't need what Sony offers, and what they do offer that I can make use of, I can get in a package that I'm happier using.
I bought a NIkon Z6 late last year. It's not nearly as refined and technically impressive as the A7RV, but honestly it might as well be for what I use it for. Its autofocus is spot on for everything I do (even sports), it takes the cheap F mount lenses that I already owned, it has really nice and cheap 28mm and 40mm prime lenses for me to use and it does the video I want it to do admirably.
It just gets out of my way. Now, about 10 months later I can say that I know this camera to the tip of my fingers, and the nice thing about it is that whatever the situation I'm facing, as long as I have the appropriate lens in my bag, I can pretty much tackle any situation.
I know the colors will be great (because they always are with Nikon cameras), I know the AF will not be lost, because even if it's not the best system around I know it and I can help it to grab the shot if I need to, I know I don't have to worry about ISO or exposure too much because using that camera's sensor is like using a cheat code. Like your A7RV, it simply gets out of my way.
But at the same time, I love it and I do not find it boring (at least not too much). Colors are pretty different from what Sony and Canon are making and I very much prefer what they do with it, autofocus can be quirky, but just quirky enough so that it doesn't affect your performance as long as you know the camera you have in your hands. And I have straight up no complaints about ergonomics, grip shapes and button placement. Out of all the cameras I own, it's the one that fits well in my hands (with an added bottom plate, but still), that hasa all the useful buttons where I need them, that has a great, large and clear EVF and that gives me the results that I want, with the lenses that I want. And when it comes to looks I think it looks a little weird, which I like because I enjoy weird looking things.
Sure, I have worse cameras like my good old D700 or my Canon EOS 5D. And those cameras are great when I want to limit myself and get a little more satisfaction out of the photographic process, but they get in my way too often.
I think there's a sweetspot somewhere of a camera that has some personlity, but at the same time doesn't get in your way. I think I've found mine, and I'm hella pumped about it.
Its a great day today, we got a James Popsys video.
It's funny that you describe the eye af as a skill-less operation. The skill is seeing that shot and acting on it.
Good tools make jobs better and Sony has had decades of making the higest end imaging devices for TV, film, audio.. they are all drab, but god have they not allowed a wealth of creativity to flow without barriers.
Much like your 40mm ( i have the zeiss and a 40mm eqv on my gfx .. another pretty boring and wonderfully functional device )
Take away having to translate your vision into wide or focused tele. It's the ideal tool.
Nice vid. I feel the time pain. 2 girls 3&4 .. long gone are the days of popping out to take pics whenever and wherever i please.
I think it makes a lot of sense. You just documented that you have a tool that doesn't get in the way of your work mode and indeed provides the tool that you need to fulfill it. It takes a while to know whether any tool fits your style.
I love that James isn't a gear channel. It's the best thing about watching 😂
I dunno... there's something to be said for a camera that sort of gets out of your way and makes predictable images. Kind of lets you just focus on (no pun intended) color and composition as opposed to fiddling with settings and quirks. I love my M10 for the shooting experience, but there are times it would be nice to have a camera that's... easier.
You dont need that Sony Popsy, You have a Hasselblad x2d........gorgeous
You should try the 20-70mm
I bought mine about the same time as you. Quite a lot cheaper in Australia, though.
Loved it from the moment I first pressed the shutter button.
I've been taking photos for decades yet I've never been more motivated. Of course this may be because the technology lets me take photos, I could not take with a less sophisticated camera.
I certainly found the move to the G & GM lenses worthwhile, if a little financially breathtaking. Unlike you I use primes though.
Keep the interesting insights and
great images coming!
I love my boring SONY. My focus these days is on the scene before me rather than on the camera in my hand.
I complete agree. My A7R5 just works. But I have the same attachment to it as I have to my dishwasher. If it fell in the lake I wouldn’t cry, I would just claim on insurance and get another.
It does however cramp my creative juices. So I’m experimenting with other brands that somehow inspire me more.
A current favourite is a used Pentax K1, I got on eBay. It’s absolutely marvellous and I love, love using it.
I am not sure about the quirk nostalgia, though I see the point. I just sold my little Fuji travel kit (X-T20) and am buying an a7IV--today, actually, because just like you, when I travel with family, there are times when I don't mind EVF lag, missed focus, the odd blackout because I have time to do it again and slowly. Yet, there are times when I just want to get all eyes in focus in one shot. The X-T20 is not a fair comparison, I know. I rented the X-T5 for a trip to Hawai'i because I thought that's a great, modern camera with quirk appeal, but I was again not sure if missing shots on a boat trip because the camera needed a full battery reset added to its appeal. I don't need fast, spot-on autofocus, quick wake-up, a fast EVF response, etc. 95% of the time, but these 5% annoy me quite a bit. In the end, I went to a camera store, held the Sony, and thought: That feels great!
I just imported a Nikon Df from Japan. I'm hoping to use it as a walk around camera with a couple of small AF-D lenses in my coat pockets. It has quirks.
James... just take an old Sony A7S ii and you'll love it for the fact it will give you back some joy as well as small file sizes. It's a relieve believe me, or just call MPB to borrow one! (no cropping so you need to be sure you get the right frame)
Limitations breed creativity. I do understand where you're coming from. As a musician, I thrive on quirky instruments that force me to try something unusual because of an inherent flaw.
Don't have time today.... Managed to carve out 5-6 hours :D Love it and I'm happy if I can get out for 45 mins
Dude 😎 nice music 🎶 in this video. Like it with your photos
I am the same way with my A7CR. I love the 24mm to 50mm lens, too. I did hang on to the Leica M11 and love shooting that camera. Lately, I have been shooting old Canon Tilt-shift lenses on the Sony. Talk about quirks.
Just purchased the Sony a7r v after using the Fuji xt5. The xt5 had so many quirks it felt annoying to me and got in the way of my workflow. So I’m more than happy to have a “quiet”
Camera that just works ! I’ve got my old canon as-1 program film camera that gives me the quirks when taking photos isn’t for work. Would love to see a video of how you set up your a7r v i believe you did one many years back with the g9 was super helpful
As much as I love your videos, James, this one just lacks any substance or purpose. Just wittering 🤷🏼 I think it's pretty clear what Sony is and why people buy it for at this point. Same for Fuji.
There's an undercurrent of hipster snobbery where Sony Cameras are concerned. The number of photographers l see on UA-cam that are almost apologetic about using Sony products is redicuclous. 'Well, it's just a tool, not my favourite camera, but it gets the job done...' Why is this ? It's almost as if you're not a 'proper' 'artist' photographer if you use one.
Really the personality on my camera is best represented by the massive scratch on the lens hood from that one day I almost dropped it off a cliff in Yosemite
Is anyone else slightly disturbed by James lack of headwear in his office?? So used to seeing you with a hat on! 😅 Great video as always.
Yesterday I went to our local cinema to see 'Lee' the movie about Lee Miller.
She documented WW2 with a twin lens reflex camera and her images are still brilliant. Superb images and not one bit of modern technology.
The technology of an A7RV or my own Fujis flatters us and conceals our lack of artistic talent behind a veil of technicalities.
The inevitable and crippling "I'm thinking about switching platforms" is already brewing, prepare that second mortgage early.
i feel the same about my s5ii. it's so boring to use. i had so much more fun with my a6000.
I know of a photojournalist in Ukraine using a camera that costs a quarter of what my 24-70 cost. Get the shot, not the gear. He is getting better shots than me because he's pointing his camera at more interesting things than mine.
2:05
This camera will not forget these words forever
Ya I hear ya, I hate being driven around by my driver in an all to comfortable, boring, Rolls. I mean really, I wish I could be like the little people who can't afford this boring vehicle. Maybe I should punt it and get something truly disgusting like a Range Rover. The friction excites me!
What I want out of my cameras is blithering, trip-over-your-balls incompetence. If it doesn't scream "I was designed by Quora engineers," I throw it at the salesperson.
It makes a lot of sens!
James will be reconsidering using Sony and will move to Nikon Z8 😄
Thanks. The suspense was killing me. Now I can watch it later on my firetv instead of watching it on my mobile while getting ready for work.
@@fredericofrancisco Z8 is a good camera but for landscape quite a bit resolution drop. I would love the Fujifilm GFX100 if I had deep pockets for my landscape. Nice to dream 😄
@@kevinastley2562 45.7 vs 61 megapixels is not that big of a jump in resolution. Once you reach a certain threshold the difference becomes less and less. Both cameras are extremely capable. I bet James can still pull off very similar images with a Panasonic Lumix G7 if he wanted to.
From a boring kit to another boring kit, just heavier and bulkier?
@@DA-yd2ny but better for landscape!
😱 what a relief 🙂 When I saw the video title "Sorry Sony", I was afraid that you might have been bribed by Fuji / Hasselblad / Panasonic with free gear (or infinite free gear loaners, which would also equate to a tax-free present to me), under the condition that they would like to see you selling your Sony equipment😉
Your reasoning makes sense. A camera is there to not get in your way. No (good) fine arts painter demands an empty canvas "with soul", a tripod "with soul", a palette "with soul", brushes "with soul", nor pigments or binder substances "with soul" 🙈
If there isn't sufficient (visual, creative) "soul" inside oneself, then gear doesn't help out there anyway. Not at all.
Totally agree. I have a Sony and a fun camera (a Fujifilm). The Sony never gives me any drama. The Fujifilm does wild stuff (exposure compensation dial always doing something on its own) but I love it.
You should swap the R5 for the Sony A7CR, it's fantastic and quirky.
Why is it quirky
i had a boss time at Rhosneigr a few weeks ago... managed to get some nice shot of a dude doing a jump on a wingfoil using my 150-500 tamron
6:05 ahh small commentary like this is why I drop everything to watch
Focusing on the eyes you can consider a photographic skill - but equally, you can think of it as a chore. Once that chore is taken care of by the camera, you can spend more time on the actual skills as a photographer, like framing, exp compensation, DOF, etc., that make your portrait photo better.
I shoot Fuji, even the old and slow 18/35mm lenses. Nothing holds me back for my casual, holiday and family photography. I don't shoot weddings and events, no animal or sports photography, and I also don't need animal AF to get sharp images of polar bears in the distance at f8. Honestly, I think you're just waffling.
Very true observation. Some of my most expensive / pro cameras are not my favourites. Ultimately capable but soulless. I do like my quirky cameras as I have to work around limitations but they have more character. Nice video and topic.
I use an older camera for the very reason you state. I prefer manual mode.
Had a Canon that would not allow this. Camera is gone. I use an Olympus, an EP 5. Not a gob of pixels. Ok. Sharp enough. Small. Quiet. Two lense, all I need. Keep it simple. Plus a whole pile of film cameras and assortment of lenses. But, do get it. Sony does make digital photography easy.
I recently moved from z7ii to the RV and feel way more connected to the Sony than I ever did to the Nikon. Personal preference as the end of the day!
Sony dropped Shutter Angle this morning for Fx3 and the Fx30!!!
It was pretty boring like just an excuse to make a video…
It makes sense to all Sony shooters who also shoot other cameras. I love the quirks and uniqueness of all my film cameras, my Leica is just a joy to shoot cause it works the way a camera should. My Sony is just the camera I reach for to do work with, not art, so yes it makes sense what you're saying. Sony is just a soulless computer that captures whatever you point it at all too well.
I feel my time was robbed by this video.
I must be out of my mind, the message of this video made total sense to me🤔 When I'm out and about with my old Nikon Panzerwagen (D850) my own quirks are more than enough, the camera is the sane one...
What's the best in the beginning? 🔥