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expiredtrekkie963 posted Jul 06, 2021 01:32 AM
expiredtrekkie963 posted Jul 06, 2021 01:32 AM

Sony Alpha a7R II Mirrorless Digital Camera $1198 at B&H Photo

$1,237

$1,845

32% off
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I've been looking for a good deal on a decent mirrorless camera but missed the recent Nikon sale. Many people have recommended the Sony A7 series of cameras and this version from around 2015 seems to have just gone on sale for about $600 cheaper than usual.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/pr...rless.html > now $1,236.95
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I've been looking for a good deal on a decent mirrorless camera but missed the recent Nikon sale. Many people have recommended the Sony A7 series of cameras and this version from around 2015 seems to have just gone on sale for about $600 cheaper than usual.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/pr...rless.html > now $1,236.95

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104 Comments

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Pro
Jul 07, 2021 02:33 PM
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tqlla3k
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Jul 07, 2021 02:33 PM
4,484 Posts
Quote from GreenPanther4395 :
You are perpetually confused:

https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/C...__1035_975

You do realize low iso is entirely where you take landscape shots, right? And that's where you most need dynamic range?

Taking some super 800iso landscape shots?
Dynamic range is for more than just landscapes.

For someone that claims that DXOmark is a tool for noobs, you seem to use them quite a bit.
Jul 07, 2021 03:03 PM
7,132 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
AkujunkanXJul 07, 2021 03:03 PM
7,132 Posts
Quote from tqlla3k :
If he is quoting that DXOmark site for Dynamic range, the Z5/D750 only beat the A7Rii at ISO 100-200.

The A7Rii's sensor wins on every other metric, at every ISO.
You mean the ISO that counts when doing landscapes and studio portraits....which is what you want the best dynamic range at?

So you're saying the Sony excels at every metric that isn't the best - got it.
Pro
Jul 07, 2021 03:18 PM
4,484 Posts
Joined Mar 2006
tqlla3k
Pro
Jul 07, 2021 03:18 PM
4,484 Posts
Quote from cyciumx :
You mean the ISO that counts when doing landscapes and studio portraits....which is what you want the best dynamic range at?

So you're saying the Sony excels at every metric that isn't the best - got it.
DR at 100-200 is "The best metric"? Okay, if that makes you feel better.

I would take higher resolution, higher signal to noise, better tonal range, and greater color sensitivity at all ISOs. And greater DR at 400 ISO and above.
Last edited by tqlla3k July 7, 2021 at 08:26 AM.
Jul 07, 2021 03:42 PM
1,204 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
GreenPanther4395Jul 07, 2021 03:42 PM
1,204 Posts
Quote from tqlla3k :
Dynamic range is for more than just landscapes.

For someone that claims that DXOmark is a tool for noobs, you seem to use them quite a bit.
So wait you want a 42 mp sensor to take poorly lit portraits at 800+iso?

Am I reading this right?
1
Jul 07, 2021 03:49 PM
997 Posts
Joined Jun 2012
dealsquirrelJul 07, 2021 03:49 PM
997 Posts
Quote from GreenPanther4395 :
You are perpetually confused:

https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/C...__1035_975

You do realize low iso is entirely where you take landscape shots, right? And that's where you most need dynamic range?

Taking some super 800iso landscape shots?
I have large YT channels, and have many Sony cameras. Dynamic range is critical when you are shooting people wearing black clothes and white in the same shot, for example.

We use A7C's, because they have several critical features not found on A7iii or A7Siii, and the A1 is too pricey when you have 9 cameras.
Pro
Jul 07, 2021 03:57 PM
4,484 Posts
Joined Mar 2006
tqlla3k
Pro
Jul 07, 2021 03:57 PM
4,484 Posts
Quote from GreenPanther4395 :
So wait you want a 42 mp sensor to take poorly lit portraits at 800+iso?

Am I reading this right?
Are all your shots at ISO 100-200? Is that what you think most people are doing with this camera? Taking shots at ISO 100-200 in the rain on a tripod?

And even if it is, is 13.9 stops of Dynamic range not enough for you?
Jul 07, 2021 04:00 PM
1,204 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
GreenPanther4395Jul 07, 2021 04:00 PM
1,204 Posts
Quote from dealsquirrel :
I have large YT channels, and have many Sony cameras. Dynamic range is critical when you are shooting people wearing black clothes and white in the same shot, for example.

We use A7C's, because they have several critical features not found on A7iii or A7Siii, and the A1 is too pricey when you have 9 cameras.
We were talking about landscape shots (or controlled studio), since with the shortcomings of this body, that's really the best application.

A7c is a different matter. I agree that's a good choice for vlogging.

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Jul 07, 2021 04:04 PM
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gt5ohJul 07, 2021 04:04 PM
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Camera dorks arguing with each other.
1
Jul 07, 2021 04:05 PM
1,204 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
GreenPanther4395Jul 07, 2021 04:05 PM
1,204 Posts
Quote from tqlla3k :
Are all your shots at ISO 100-200? Is that what you think most people are doing with this camera? Taking shots at ISO 100-200 in the rain on a tripod?

And even if it is, is 13.9 stops of Dynamic range not enough for you?
The only shots I take above 200 iso are indoors shots of my kids etc, where lighting is poor and I can't lower the shutter speed.

The a7riii autofocus at high iso hardly keeps up. I certainly wouldn't want the a7rii for that application. You aren't getting any benefit of 42mp by shooting high iso and then applying noise reduction. I'd much rather invest in fast glass so I could lower the iso.
Last edited by GreenPanther4395 July 7, 2021 at 11:25 AM.
Jul 07, 2021 06:28 PM
1,865 Posts
Joined Nov 2018
IndigoWinter2667Jul 07, 2021 06:28 PM
1,865 Posts
If people are seriously concerned about high ISO performance you may want to consider your photo editing suite, which is equally important for your final image.
If you shoot RAW and run it through DXO PL4, DeepPrime denoise makes ISO discussions really irrelevant.

I can get great looking shots at 12800 ISO that look better than ligthroom did with 800 ISO files.
I used to hard cap at 1600 ISO for "good" shots, now I will shoot up to 6400-12800 and be happy.
Jul 07, 2021 06:41 PM
1,204 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
GreenPanther4395Jul 07, 2021 06:41 PM
1,204 Posts
Quote from IndigoWinter2667 :
If people are seriously concerned about high ISO performance you may want to consider your photo editing suite, which is equally important for your final image.
If you shoot RAW and run it through DXO PL4, DeepPrime denoise makes ISO discussions really irrelevant.

I can get great looking shots at 12800 ISO that look better than ligthroom did with 800 ISO files.
I used to hard cap at 1600 ISO for "good" shots, now I will shoot up to 6400-12800 and be happy.
Topaz is great also. I still wouldn't prefer to shoot that high iso since color sensitivity and shadow detail is lower and lower noise won't solve that. But I use 3200 iso with topaz for certain indoor shots and it's acceptable.
Jul 07, 2021 06:43 PM
1,865 Posts
Joined Nov 2018
IndigoWinter2667Jul 07, 2021 06:43 PM
1,865 Posts
Quote from GreenPanther4395 :
Topaz is great also. I still wouldn't prefer to shoot that high iso since color sensitivity is lower and lower noise won't solve that. But I use 3200 iso with topaz for certain indoor shots and it's acceptable.
Topaz is also great if you have a dedicated RAW processor already.
I prefer DXO because I can do all my necessary editing in one suite, with a single purchase (goodbye monthly lightroom fees)
Jul 07, 2021 07:11 PM
7,132 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
AkujunkanXJul 07, 2021 07:11 PM
7,132 Posts
Quote from tqlla3k :
DR at 100-200 is "The best metric"? Okay, if that makes you feel better.

I would take higher resolution, higher signal to noise, better tonal range, and greater color sensitivity at all ISOs. And greater DR at 400 ISO and above.
DXOmark doesn't have Z5 tested, but they do have the Z6. For almost a month the Z6 was on sale for $1400 which puts it just as much in line with comparing to this, $1200 A7R II as the A7R II compares to the $999, Z5.

https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/C..._1035_1269

ISO Sensitivity: Basically identical across the board.

SNR 18%: On screen, where most people will view your photos, the Z6 is noticeably better. In print they are basically identical until above 12,800 ISO then the Sony has a slight advantage. Bottomline - The Sony is beat here.

Dynamic Range: The Z6 is the winner across the board in both on screen and print except at ISO 320 in print only. On screen the dynamic range is almost 2 stops between ISO 400 and ISO 1200.

Tonal Range: The Z6 is again better in every way on screen and print except for above ISO 12,800 when printing.

Color Sensitivity: The Z6 wins out in every spot along the ISO path on screen. It does trade positions back and forth depending on ISO when printing. This is the only condition is which the A7R II has any iota of competition in it..

All that and you get better battery life. Cheaper batteries. Better Eye AF (after 3.0 firmware) 12fps shooting!.

You can take your 42mp, it's not worth everything else. Facts over feelings.
Jul 07, 2021 07:30 PM
1,204 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
GreenPanther4395Jul 07, 2021 07:30 PM
1,204 Posts
Quote from cyciumx :
DXOmark doesn't have Z5 tested, but they do have the Z6. For almost a month the Z6 was on sale for $1400 which puts it just as much in line with comparing to this, $1200 A7R II as the A7R II compares to the $999, Z5.

https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/C..._1035_1269 [dxomark.com]

ISO Sensitivity: Basically identical across the board.

SNR 18%: On screen, where most people will view your photos, the Z6 is noticeably better. In print they are basically identical until above 12,800 ISO then the Sony has a slight advantage. Bottomline - The Sony is beat here.

Dynamic Range: The Z6 is the winner across the board in both on screen and print except at ISO 320 in print only. On screen the dynamic range is almost 2 stops between ISO 400 and ISO 1200.

Tonal Range: The Z6 is again better in every way on screen and print except for above ISO 12,800 when printing.

Color Sensitivity: The Z6 wins out in every spot along the ISO path on screen. It does trade positions back and forth depending on ISO when printing. This is the only condition is which the A7R II has any iota of competition in it..

All that and you get better battery life. Cheaper batteries. Better Eye AF (after 3.0 firmware) 12fps shooting!.

You can take your 42mp, it's not worth everything else. Facts over feelings.
And:
-50% higher EVF resolution
- almost 100% higher rear LCD screen resolution
- 4k/30 video
- faster processor / bigger buffer / XQD card slot.
- USB 3.1 rather than 2.0 connectivity
- access to a huge catalogue of cheaper, high quality glass

But it won't matter to this guy. He apparently wants to get this camera with a 24-70 zoom and flex because his sensor is 42mp. (BTW he specifically says he wants to view it on screen.)
Last edited by GreenPanther4395 July 7, 2021 at 12:45 PM.

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Pro
Jul 07, 2021 10:14 PM
4,484 Posts
Joined Mar 2006
tqlla3k
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Jul 07, 2021 10:14 PM
4,484 Posts
Quote from cyciumx :
DXOmark doesn't have Z5 tested, but they do have the Z6. For almost a month the Z6 was on sale for $1400 which puts it just as much in line with comparing to this, $1200 A7R II as the A7R II compares to the $999, Z5.
The Z6 isnt on sale right now. But even if it were, its going to be much more than this A7Rii. A 128GB CFE memory card for the Z6 is $200. I just ordered a Samsung 256GB SD card for $30.

Then you have to add a lens. Outside of that kit 24-50mm F3.5-6.3, the native Z lenses are pretty pricey. Sony has the advantage of 3rd party native lenses.
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