What Photography related item have you bought or sold this week?

[Malsam]

Bought a gitzo monopod with 2 twist locks model…Been wanting something to setup quicker waited for a long while before deciding. Currently have a 4 twist lock model for years now feel much more efficient!

 

[LeDave]

Some sensor cleaning swab and sensor cleaning liquid from National Camera Exchange up in Golden Valley, very sad that this is the only store left that's open from them.

 

[liggy]

Really enjoying the Voigtlander experience on my Fuji so figured I'd try one for the Sony. Found a killer deal on a used Voigtlander 15mm F4.5 Super Wide III.

Supposed to deliver killer sunstars even without stopping down. Nice and compact/light design. Should be a fun travel companion to the 20-70F4.

 

[Deleted Member 5045]

Sigma 24-70 f2.8 ART, apparently it didn't' come with one.

Lucky you, you obviously got one of the good ones! My Sigma 24-70mm came with one of those filthy things, that and being front heavy were the only things I didn't like about that lens!

 

[Gaz]

Really enjoying the Voigtlander experience on my Fuji so figured I'd try one for the Sony. Found a killer deal on a used Voigtlander 15mm F4.5 Super Wide III.

Supposed to deliver killer sunstars even without stopping down. Nice and compact/light design. Should be a fun travel companion to the 20-70F4.

Which camera mate?

 

[liggy]

Which camera mate?

X-T5 but primarily X-T2 The nice thing about Voigtlander for Fuji or Sony is that the give you electronic communication with the body so you get Exif info etc even though they are manual focus only.

The FE Mount 15mm Super Wide Heliar F4.5 III (what a name ) is supposed to arrive today so I’ll slap it on the A1 and give it a go.

 

[Brownie]

I have a line on a used Sony Tough Type A 160 G for $180, shipped. The seller is someone who is divesting themselves of Sony. He's selling off a lot of newer gear. I really don't need it and promised myself I'd stick with SD cards due to the cost, but...

I asked him about how many shots have been through it.

 

[Deleted Member 5045]

but...

The most prolific word in history...

 

[Jeff A]

Well, I finally have something to share in this thread. I have been thinking about a Monopod for some time. I finally decided upon the current YouTube favorite, the iFootage Cobra 3. Once I decided to purchase, I didn’t rush out and buy it immediately, but instead, kept looking around. As a result, I wound up purchasing a Sirui P-325PS Carbon Fiber Monopod. It’s a tad bit shorter, but still longer than I am. It’s a few grams lighter, but that is an insignificant amount. It does fold up a fair amount shorter and it is not so “Flashy”. Also, it was $65.00 U.S. less money than the iFootage unit. That is not insignificant! I have not shot off of it yet but will soon. You can see it here: SIRUI P-325FS

 

[AlphaWorld]

Bought the 70-200 f/4 G II this week. It made its debut at the zoo today, photographing many of the same animals as I have photographed using the GM II. It's much smaller in the bag (I took off the tripod ring - doubt I'll ever use it).

It seems to focus as fast (except from macro to infinity). I had no problem getting eye AF even with the 2x TC attached (lens at max f/8 or closed down to f/11)

The zoom ring only takes about 90 degrees from one end to the other. Considering that it is pushing the front of the lens in and out, it's smooth and not hard to turn. I tried the focus ring a bit (the lens offers full-time DMF, but so does the A7RV) - not sure that I agree with the reports that the focus ring is a bit mushy - I didn't have an issue.

That's my thoughts before I look at the images

 

[liggy]

@AlphaWorld - you have both the GMII and F4? Nice! I thought I had GAS.

Is the F4 that much smaller/lighter?

 

[AlphaWorld]

@AlphaWorld - you have both the GMII and F4? Nice! I thought I had GAS.

Is the F4 that much smaller/lighter?

Yes, I have both, and I think I'm keeping both. People laugh when I say one of my primary motivations for not retiring is my terrible camera addiction...

The weight difference in the way I use them is 250g (1050g vs 800g, roughly), but you have to add the body to that (say 725g for the A7RV) - all up it's not a big percentage of the camera weight. Even less if you add the 2x TC to that.

Size wise, it makes a big difference in the camera bag - the f/4 un-zoomed to 70mm is seriously smaller. I walk around without the foot on the GM II, and with the entire tripod ring on the G II (the ring part does not come off the GM II). Same space as usual for the body and TC (in it's natty little case)

Shooting, the G II is as long as the GM II when zoomed to 200mm (very slightly longer, in fact). They seem pretty much as fast as each other in AF. The G II does get a lot closer (still looking for a good example for 1:1 macro).

The GM includes a case for the lens. The G does not - no case, not even a pouch. Makes no difference to me because I don't generally use the provided cases, and I suspect Sony has worked that out - the lens is wrapped in one of those new bags (not clear plastic), nestled in cardboard. If you like storing your lenses in pretty matching cases, then the GM is for you

 

[liggy]

@AlphaWorld - sometimes I regret selling the Tamron 70-180 because it is so light/compact. I think the 70-200GMII is the sweet spot because I can add the 1.4x TC, crop and eliminate the need for the 100-400. Glad the G F4 is adding value to your kit.

 

[AlphaWorld]

@AlphaWorld - sometimes I regret selling the Tamron 70-180 because it is so light/compact. I think the 70-200GMII is the sweet spot because I can add the 1.4x TC, crop and eliminate the need for the 100-400. Glad the G F4 is adding value to your kit.

I have regretted selling certain bodies and cameras in the past, and I think that motivates me to keep them longer

I will definitely be keeping both of these for a while.

 

[Loke]

Sold an Tamron 24mm f2,8 - Bought a Samyang 24mm f1,8

 

[Brownie]

Sold an Tamron 24mm f2,8 - Bought a Samyang 24mm f1,8

That little Samyang is an amazing lens with a great set of features!

 

[Loke]

That little Samyang is an amazing lens with a great set of features!

I cant wait to try it. I kinda liked the Tamron 24mm also, but i wanted a lens that is better at night and astro so needed a little better f-value. Havnt tried astro before, but i'd really like to learn it. I was thinking about finding a good spot, and then wait for a clear night. But i think i need to read up a bit how to find the milkyway

 

[Brownie]

I cant wait to try it. I kinda liked the Tamron 24mm also, but i wanted a lens that is better at night and astro so needed a little better f-value. Havnt tried astro before, but i'd really like to learn it. I was thinking about finding a good spot, and then wait for a clear night. But i think i need to read up a bit how to find the milkyway

The lens has an LED light built in that indicates when you've reached infinity.

 

[AlphaWorld]

The lens has an LED light built in that indicates when you've reached infinity.

I wonder when someone will add a feature that lights up when you have pointed the camera at the Milky Way, or the moon (Ah - moon subject recognition mode!), or Venus?

 

[LeDave]

Just ordered a,

Godox X2T-S TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for Sony
and a,

Godox V860II-S Hot Shoe Replacement Mount Foot (Metal)

 

[Brownie]

I wonder when someone will add a feature that lights up when you have pointed the camera at the Milky Way, or the moon (Ah - moon subject recognition mode!), or Venus?

To be honest, if I were an astro photog and I had a choice between looking through a viewfinder, at a screen, or watching a light come one, I'd take the light.

 

[Landshark99]

I think I need to accept i am pretty much retired and sell off what ever is left of my studio lights and grip

 

[Brownie]

I think I need to accept i am pretty much retired and sell off what ever is left of my studio lights and grip

Probably tough to come to terms with. Good luck.

 

[AlphaWorld]

To be honest, if I were an astro photog and I had a choice between looking through a viewfinder, at a screen, or watching a light come one, I'd take the light.

I went out to try to photograph the supermoon on Wednesday, and I'd forgotten most of what I learned the past few times. I had the camera settings wrong, I forgot my cable release, annoying! I also hadn't realised that the early moonrise (it was barely half an hour after sunset) meant lots of ambient light.

I get a reprieve, because there's another supermoon at the end of the month, and this time I'm going to get it right! I'm also going to try to find a better place to set up - somewhere with a better view to the east, maybe with something cool to get in the shot with the moon.

But if the camera had a "I wanna shoot the moon" (pun intended) mode, I'd use it! I'd like a little light telling me when to take the shot, too. It's not something I do very often, so I'm never going to be an expert, but I'd like to get one or two decent shots.

 

[maxzoom]

I sold A6000Y kit. I bought A6700 body only. Then got GAS sold my Samyang 12mm f/2 manual focus and bought Sony 11mm f/1.8
Loved the items I sold but it was time to upgrade.

 

[Brownie]

Just ordered the Tamron 50-400 4.5-6.3. Size-wise it's very close to the Sigma. The Tamron is sharper and has very fast focusing. I love the Sigma but have found the extra 50mm at the short end to be very useful at the track. Right now I have to change cameras to the 24-105 to pan, this will let me pan without changing, which means I can leave the other camera in the backpack until I change positions.

It will be tested this weekend at the NHRA Motor City Nationals. If it performs as expected the Sigma will go up for sale.

 

[alexpler]

I sold A6000Y kit. I bought A6700 body only. Then got GAS sold my Samyang 12mm f/2 manual focus and bought Sony 11mm f/1.8
Loved the items I sold but it was time to upgrade.

How do you like the a6700?

 

[maxzoom]

How do you like the a6700?

By comparison to my A6500 the battery life is much better. The 10bit 4:2:2 video for good S-Log3 and S-Cinetone were the real magnets for me. The new AI autofocus works well but needs contrast between target and background. I was trying to capture this girl yesterday and the AI needed to see the insect clear of the 'petals' before it started tracking but this, my first shot, is better than any flying insect shot I've taken. Insects aren't my thing I'd only tried the odd shot while they were static on a flower before. The camera handles well and the three dial memories each for Stills, Movies etc are how it should have been all along. I now understand why users wanted a front dial.
If I'd realized I was going to actually capture something I would have paid attention to the exposure setting, this is straight out of camera.

 

[alexpler]

By comparison to my A6500 the battery life is much better. The 10bit 4:2:2 video for good S-Log3 and S-Cinetone were the real magnets for me. The new AI autofocus works well but needs contrast between target and background. I was trying to capture this girl yesterday and the AI needed to see the insect clear of the 'petals' before it started tracking but this, my first shot, is better than any flying insect shot I've taken. Insects aren't my thing I'd only tried the odd shot while they were static on a flower before. The camera handles well and the three dial memories each for Stills, Movies etc are how it should have been all along. I now understand why users wanted a front dial.
If I'd realized I was going to actually capture something I would have paid attention to the exposure setting, this is straight out of camera.View attachment 44622

Great first shot. Thanks for sharing your impressions.

 

[Landshark99]

I ordered the new 16-35 today and the A7Cr, I am not sure about the a7cr and may cancel it before they ship. Also thinking of maybe selling the 100-400 and try to use the 200-600 more. Will see how much I like the new zoom and if is something I really like, I might unload some of my wide angle primes