Official news of the new Sony A7R Mark II dropped today and my goodness gracious, it looks tasty. It's got an all new backside illuminated full-frame CMOS 42.4 MP sensor, in-camera 5 axis image stabilization, shoots 5 FPS and will autofocus with 3rd party lenses (holy crap!!!!), all in a body very similar to the A7II (which I love). Looks like it'll be available for pre-order soon and will begin shipping in August. At $3,200, it's the most expensive A7 model yet but if you need to make large prints and don't want to carry a back-breaking load, this might be the ticket. One thing is certain: It will become my workhorse.
Posted by Monika Chace on June 10, 2015 at 8:30 PM
Something I've wondered about with the mirrorless cameras: how much less weight do you think you carry? I'm assuming most people carry 2-3 (or more) lenses with them. If the lenses are f/2.8, image-stabilized/vibration reduced, they're pretty hefty & together weigh more than the camera body. Then there's water, food, tripod, foul weather gear, other electronics, whatever.
Monika: I'm not using f/2.8 lenses and my A7II body weighs roughly half as much as the 5DIII. Altogether, I'm saving probably 2-3 pounds. That was only one consideration when I made the switch from Canon, though. More importantly, the image quality and dynamic range is better and Sony continues to innovate while Canon and Nikon play catch up. The Sony's have a few minor flaws but in my opinion, they are so much better than Canon in nearly every respect.
Posted by Carol Hyman on June 10, 2015 at 10:15 PM
OK, Bret, what are the negatives in your opinion?
I've been testing the Nikon D750; nowhere near has expensive but the battery charger is cheap. There is no dedicated Mode dial such as I'm used to. I want to plug in a ten-pin cable release and can't; have to buy a transmitter. There is no AF/on button and while I'm using the FN button for exposure, the FN button is not well placed (I use back button focusing and really don't want to change that.
Carol: Are you asking for my opinion on the Sony A7II? If so, I'll be writing a full review of it soon that will be posted to my blog. I can't comment on the A7R II because, unfortunately, Sony doesn't love me enough to send it to me to test and evaluate. :-)
Posted by Jim Talaric on June 11, 2015 at 11:37 PM
This looks to be a great camera for us landscapers...as well as most other photogs. Like you Bret, I terminated my 15 year affair with Canon and moved in with Sony...couldn't be happier.
Currently my right index finger is starting to twitch just thinkoing about pressing the "Buy" button on the B&H site when it is released next week...can't wait :)
Jim
Posted by Monika Chace on June 12, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Have either of you needed service from Sony? I remember when my Sony laptop needed work, because all components were proprietary, it was much cheaper to buy a new laptop than get it fixed. I also remember a comment from Roger Cicala that said service was non-existant with Sony. That was before the present surge of cutting edge cameras from Sony, so I would hope that they upped their game on the service end as well as product development. My pocket camera is a Sony, but I haven't needed any service (due in part to relatively low use).
Posted by Darren Huski on June 12, 2015 at 3:39 PM
The A7r II looks a lot like a benchmark camera similar to what the Canon 5D2 was. It will be tempting.
Still using the 5D2 as my main camera but added a Sony NEX 6 as a backup/travel/lightweight companion. My Canon kit is a backpack. My Sony fits in a small waistpack. I dont think you will get the Sony 7 series that small as the lenses are pretty big. There has certainly not been the decrease in lens size from full frame DSLR to full frame mirrorless that there was in the APS C models. Most Sony lenses are pretty close to their Canon DSLR counterparts for size and weight. I keep hoping Samyang does a few that they make small.
Sony is being a game changer here. Much like Minolta before them, they could never escape 3rd place in SLR models. But they own mirrorless.
Sony recently started a professional service, similar to that of Canon, called Sony Imaging PRO Support. https://esupport.sony.com/info/1523/US/EN. I haven't heard any reports about the speed and sufficiency of the service, but it's a step in the right direction.
Discussion
11 repliesOfficial news of the new Sony A7R Mark II dropped today and my goodness gracious, it looks tasty. It's got an all new backside illuminated full-frame CMOS 42.4 MP sensor, in-camera 5 axis image stabilization, shoots 5 FPS and will autofocus with 3rd party lenses (holy crap!!!!), all in a body very similar to the A7II (which I love). Looks like it'll be available for pre-order soon and will begin shipping in August. At $3,200, it's the most expensive A7 model yet but if you need to make large prints and don't want to carry a back-breaking load, this might be the ticket. One thing is certain: It will become my workhorse.
Juicy Details on the Sony A7R Mark II on DPReview.com
Something I've wondered about with the mirrorless cameras: how much less weight do you think you carry? I'm assuming most people carry 2-3 (or more) lenses with them. If the lenses are f/2.8, image-stabilized/vibration reduced, they're pretty hefty & together weigh more than the camera body. Then there's water, food, tripod, foul weather gear, other electronics, whatever.
Monika: I'm not using f/2.8 lenses and my A7II body weighs roughly half as much as the 5DIII. Altogether, I'm saving probably 2-3 pounds. That was only one consideration when I made the switch from Canon, though. More importantly, the image quality and dynamic range is better and Sony continues to innovate while Canon and Nikon play catch up. The Sony's have a few minor flaws but in my opinion, they are so much better than Canon in nearly every respect.
OK, Bret, what are the negatives in your opinion?
I've been testing the Nikon D750; nowhere near has expensive but the battery charger is cheap. There is no dedicated Mode dial such as I'm used to. I want to plug in a ten-pin cable release and can't; have to buy a transmitter. There is no AF/on button and while I'm using the FN button for exposure, the FN button is not well placed (I use back button focusing and really don't want to change that.
thanks for your words of wisdom.
Carol
Carol: Are you asking for my opinion on the Sony A7II? If so, I'll be writing a full review of it soon that will be posted to my blog. I can't comment on the A7R II because, unfortunately, Sony doesn't love me enough to send it to me to test and evaluate. :-)
This looks to be a great camera for us landscapers...as well as most other photogs. Like you Bret, I terminated my 15 year affair with Canon and moved in with Sony...couldn't be happier.
Currently my right index finger is starting to twitch just thinkoing about pressing the "Buy" button on the B&H site when it is released next week...can't wait :)
Jim
Have either of you needed service from Sony? I remember when my Sony laptop needed work, because all components were proprietary, it was much cheaper to buy a new laptop than get it fixed. I also remember a comment from Roger Cicala that said service was non-existant with Sony. That was before the present surge of cutting edge cameras from Sony, so I would hope that they upped their game on the service end as well as product development. My pocket camera is a Sony, but I haven't needed any service (due in part to relatively low use).
The A7r II looks a lot like a benchmark camera similar to what the Canon 5D2 was. It will be tempting.
Still using the 5D2 as my main camera but added a Sony NEX 6 as a backup/travel/lightweight companion. My Canon kit is a backpack. My Sony fits in a small waistpack. I dont think you will get the Sony 7 series that small as the lenses are pretty big. There has certainly not been the decrease in lens size from full frame DSLR to full frame mirrorless that there was in the APS C models. Most Sony lenses are pretty close to their Canon DSLR counterparts for size and weight. I keep hoping Samyang does a few that they make small.
Sony is being a game changer here. Much like Minolta before them, they could never escape 3rd place in SLR models. But they own mirrorless.
Monika:
Sony recently started a professional service, similar to that of Canon, called Sony Imaging PRO Support. https://esupport.sony.com/info/1523/US/EN. I haven't heard any reports about the speed and sufficiency of the service, but it's a step in the right direction.
CAZ
I went with the 5DS - got it Friday - and very happy with it. Its a great time to upgrade no matter which direction you go.
Mythical Unicorn?? You mean the Nikon D400?
Lots of people excitedly wanting the upcoming A7rII. Hope it is all what you and other people want for an improved version.
I saw that a Nikon f-mount adapter may be coming for Sony users
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/new-nikon-f-to-sony-e-mount-electronic-adapter-coming-soon/