I’ve been using Sony cameras for well over ten years. When they came out with the NEX series of APS-C MILCs, I was all over them. I fully committed when they introduced the alpha series of FF MILCs.
The Sony FF cameras, I have owned:
- a7R
- a7
- a7RII
- a7II
- a7RIII
- a7RIV
- a9
- a9II
- RX1R
I’ve enjoyed using these cameras. I’ve done a lot of work that is important to me with them. But lately, I’ve noticed that I’m not using them anymore. I’m using the Nikon Z and Fuji GFX cameras much more. In fact, since the Z9 arrived, I’ve not used the Sony gear once.
It’s time for a change. Somebody else could get a lot more out of my Sony gear than I could. So it’s going.
Some reflections on using the Sony gear for more than a decade.
- They were the first with a FF MILC line, and they have kept adding to it over time. If is probably the most complete FF MILC line at this point.
- I have one DSLR left, and it is probably going soon. Sony pioneered what I think is in general a far better solution.
- Lens quality is excellent. Lens variety is good now.
- The Sony sensors are state of the art. Fortunately for me, they are available in Nikon and Fuji GFX MILCs now.
- I never found a decent F-mount adapter for E lenses, which meant that I couldn’t use the 180-400/2,8E, the 58/1.4E, the 105/1.4E, or the 500/5.6 PF, which are all important lenses to me.
- The bodies are small and light. They grew larger with time, which I thought was a good thing.
- The 18mm FFD makes the camera great for adapting vintage lenses.
- I found the menu system confusing even after getting a lot of experience with it. It sort of helps that they made it gradually better over time, but the fact that so many of the cameras had different menu systems added to the confusion.
- All my Sony FF MILC cameras were reliable. I did have an RX1 fail while it was in the care of American Airlines after being gate-checked, but I don’t think you can blame the camera for that, even though a Leica M240 in the same bag survived the trip.
- I found Sony to be completely opaque on the details of the cameras such as lossy compression, shutter shock with the a7R, the star-eater algorithm, PDAF striping, and the like.
- Of the lenses above, the ones I’d be the saddest to see go are the Batis 135 and the Sigma 35/1.2. The 12-24/4 was also a great lens, and the 90mm macro was very good.
Hi Jim, Nikon for Full Frame and Fujifilm for MF? Are these your current choices, as systems?
Yes, that’s right.
Thanks .-) Jim.
Do you still keep some 35mm Classic Zeiss lenses adapted to the GFX system, or just the Zeiss APO 2/135mm?
Just the 135, and occasionally the 100/2 macro.
Thanks a lot Jim.
You had done a test with Zeiss Distagon Classic 2/35mm, but the result was not magnificent. I assume the negatives were too big to keep it adapted to the GFX system?
Am I right?
I still have this Distagon 2/35mm, Planar 1.4/50mm and Planar 1.4/85mm, all classics. But I have serious doubts if I’m not going to sell them. Not only because of the vignetting problem, but because the 1.4/50mm and 1.4/85mm are not sharp beyond f2.8 or even f/4. And lots of CA too. Why keep luminous lenses if you can only use 2 or 3 points closed?
What do you think?
I would not use the 35 Distagon on the GFX. I don’t know about the 50 and the 85. The Otus 55 and 85 do OK on the GFX, but they don’t cover. The 85 is better at covering than the 55. On balance, the 63 GF and 80 GF are better choices for me.
Thank you Jim.
That’s exactly what I’m thinking about; ie replace these Zeiss with a GF and forget about these problems of covering the sensor, adapters, poor performance at larger apertures, etc.
I have the GF50mm and GF120mm. I’m missing something in between. I’m not much of a wide lens person.
Between the GF 63, 80 and 110mm; to keep something close to what I have with the Zeiss f/1.4 in terms of maximum brightness and bokeh, what do you suggest? Thanks.
I think the GF 80.
I was an early e-mount adopter (before the Sony bandwagon effect kicked into full force) and had the same Sony lineup modulo A9 series, plus some other e-mounts (Nex, A7s), but eventually, my brain’s left side (specs, value, etc.) gave way to the right. Never cared for the ergonomics, and, somehow, their camera stripped the joy out of shooting (appliances for taking photos) which showed up in the results I was getting.
I understand your logic Jim and I also was set on leaving Sony. Their camera bodies have left me less than satisfied, they remind me of toaster ovens. But the amount and quality of Sony glass I have drug me back when the A1 called. It’s a definite improvement but you going to the Z9 is a solid move. My first good camera was a Nikon FTN purchased in 1971 (still have it) so I appreciate that you’re supporting the company. Enjoy!
The GF80mm has a little CA, but it shouldn’t be anything serious 🙂
Do you think the 110mm will have a performance too close to the 120mm and therefore the 80mm will be more distinct?
The 110 has fewer aberrations, but you already have the 120 macro.
That was my reasoning ,-) Jim. Thanks.
hi there…
i also acquired the GFX 100 S with some primes …the optimal performance in a rather good system .. bit I also need something smaller, for on the road etc… actually I choose the Sony offerings… but now i sold my Sony a7r stuff, some
(very) good lenses like the 20 1.8…and the 35 1.8.. but then: hmmm
– too m much serial deviation
– 3 different lines: standard, g, g master… perhaps I am wrong, don’t want to research it again and again;-)
– top performer only in the g/master lines
– different designs in the three lines, only a few with an aperture ring
– that means: different feelings, work flows and routines… too bad;-(
– plasticky feelings with most lenses
– top performing lenses are bulky and too late (compared to the Sigma Art line), the new compact Sony line up has only 3 optics and all are tooo slow…
as a primarily land- and cityscape photograper who does not want to carry around a GFXC with several primes
I choose the “complicated” Sigma FP-L
– most obvious week points: no IBIS, no finder, an a (certainly weak) AA filter
– but:
– super modular
– super compact
– super adaptable to differing needs: it can be a Sony R1 like “Mini”-Cam, and it can be a solid fullframe optionfor other needs (video, streaming etc…)
– very affordable (in comparison even with the A7riii)
– also the lenses are much more solid and with better usability (20,24,35,65 and 105 macro “Art”)
– and according to photonstotons the FP-L has some of the best dynamic range data (even better then the “original” A7riv…
– one more special effect is the display viewfinder – it is such a different creative AND functional different… so that I mostly don`t use the EVF 11
At the end I feel like having the best of both worlds: one very compact set – and one pro MF equipment
Last year, I was somehow drwan to Fuji cameras and lenses. Initially, I only wanted to try the “Fuji Color” and bought a used X-E3. This developed into a full blown X-T3, X-E3, X-E4 system with several primes (including a very nice KamLan 50 f1.1 MkII and teh Voigtländer Noktons 23 and 35mm. Earlier this year, I also made a jump into ice cold water by buying a used Leica Q2M. What an experience.
What is is the problem, then? Well, I also own a pretty substantive Sony set of equipment with a full assortment of Sigma, Voigtländer and Canon primes. The only two cameras left are the a7c and NEX6, though. As you said and otheres here, the A7C has very impressive and accurate AF, good IQ and (for me) handels better than any other Sony camera I have owned (a7, a7r2, a73, a7r3).
But when it comes to “feeling”, to being inspried to go out and take pictures, it is the Leica and the Fuji gear that call me.
So your selling off all your Sony gear is something I might consider, too. There are some wholes in the Fuji lens line up (which I hope third party manufacturers like Tamron, Sigma and Voigtländer will fill) and I still hope for better AF on the Fujis (mostly using MF since AF does have quite a miss rate).
Some time ago I promissed myself not sell any lenses that I like since the risk of getting back into a system and then having to re-purchase those is not low 🙂
But then again – I may be selling those Sony lenses that I am not using much anyway, even though they are exellent.
Tough decision, good for you, Jim, that you have made it though your decision process. After all, the joy of photography is in taling pictures, not worrying about which equipment to use.
Cheers