Personal Comments on the A7r
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 3:16 am
There are contributors here that regard the A7r with scepticism and cameras like the A77 and A99 as the devils spawn,well I can't help that.
It is still very much a work in progress and yes it is compromised by using the parts Sony had available when the camera was developed. This needs to be rectified by an updated model quickly if negative perceptions aren't to damage its future. But the A7 and A7r are not all singing and all dancing general purpose cameras and were not designed to be.
But it is interesting that even without having the near instantaneous AF of enthusiast or pro level DSLR what can be achieved with some knowledge and preparation. A point here is that most reviewers are not newbies to photography but can have limited experience with mirrorless cameras. And when you look at some of the questions and comments on forums like DPR it is obvious that a number of buyers have little experience with more sophisticated cameras,
I purchased the A7r well aware of what it lacks as it does meet most of my requirements for what I bought the camera for. And I do agree with DK about many of the software issues raised in his initial comments. There is a need for a ongoing firmware updates to fine tune its performance especially as this is an AUD2499 camera and not an AUD 500 stock clearance item. And as well to protect the interests of those of us who were prepared to buy the initial offering.
With the concept of apps and software extras well established,it is obvious that Sony is no Apple. Sony has been criticized for lack of hardware support in the past. And it seems at present that it is unaware of what modern expectations are of it in regard to the level of software support it should be providing at this price. It is more than 6 months since release and there should be a lot more becoming available. Small simple one purpose apps should be being made available at no cost or a token cost.
Stabilization.
Yes nice have. I also prefer in body to in lens - just a personal preference. But then again I have a Nikon D700 with the AF-S 28, 35, 60 and 85 lenses, the Af 180 and the AF 80-200 (N) zoom most don't have stabilization.A7r is usually tripod mounted.
Small Battery and Single Memory Card.
Prefer the current size camera to a somewhat larger one. I have two battery chargers ( always misplacing the b...things ) 6 batteries and plenty of memory cards. I am not a machine gunner in my work methods and swap cards and batteries on a regular basis.
Battery Temperature Range.
0 to 40 is normal temperature range for around here. Yes it can go to -5 overnight and up to 45 in the middle of summer but not a concern to me when I would be out and about photographing.
EVF Problems with Tropical and Arid Climate.
I have lived in such climates pretty all my life and in all but the most extreme conditions it is just my normal conditions and a part of my normal working pattern.
It is still very much a work in progress and yes it is compromised by using the parts Sony had available when the camera was developed. This needs to be rectified by an updated model quickly if negative perceptions aren't to damage its future. But the A7 and A7r are not all singing and all dancing general purpose cameras and were not designed to be.
But it is interesting that even without having the near instantaneous AF of enthusiast or pro level DSLR what can be achieved with some knowledge and preparation. A point here is that most reviewers are not newbies to photography but can have limited experience with mirrorless cameras. And when you look at some of the questions and comments on forums like DPR it is obvious that a number of buyers have little experience with more sophisticated cameras,
I purchased the A7r well aware of what it lacks as it does meet most of my requirements for what I bought the camera for. And I do agree with DK about many of the software issues raised in his initial comments. There is a need for a ongoing firmware updates to fine tune its performance especially as this is an AUD2499 camera and not an AUD 500 stock clearance item. And as well to protect the interests of those of us who were prepared to buy the initial offering.
With the concept of apps and software extras well established,it is obvious that Sony is no Apple. Sony has been criticized for lack of hardware support in the past. And it seems at present that it is unaware of what modern expectations are of it in regard to the level of software support it should be providing at this price. It is more than 6 months since release and there should be a lot more becoming available. Small simple one purpose apps should be being made available at no cost or a token cost.
Stabilization.
Yes nice have. I also prefer in body to in lens - just a personal preference. But then again I have a Nikon D700 with the AF-S 28, 35, 60 and 85 lenses, the Af 180 and the AF 80-200 (N) zoom most don't have stabilization.A7r is usually tripod mounted.
Small Battery and Single Memory Card.
Prefer the current size camera to a somewhat larger one. I have two battery chargers ( always misplacing the b...things ) 6 batteries and plenty of memory cards. I am not a machine gunner in my work methods and swap cards and batteries on a regular basis.
Battery Temperature Range.
0 to 40 is normal temperature range for around here. Yes it can go to -5 overnight and up to 45 in the middle of summer but not a concern to me when I would be out and about photographing.
EVF Problems with Tropical and Arid Climate.
I have lived in such climates pretty all my life and in all but the most extreme conditions it is just my normal conditions and a part of my normal working pattern.