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Author Topic: Sony A7R II for microstock  (Read 16279 times)

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« on: February 05, 2016, 21:21 »
0
Let's discuss new Sony A7R II here. Does it suit needs of professional microstock photographers?
Who does own it already? We'll be glad to read your comments.
« Last Edit: February 05, 2016, 21:23 by Victor Tondee »


« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2016, 21:38 »
0
Actually, I'm going to buy one. But I have some doubts. So I'd be really grateful if you could help me with the advises.

Firstly, I've found out that focus spots are quite big, even when choosing the smallest option (moreover that I've found out that there are less then 399 focus spots):
 
I specialize in portraits and as we all know the focus requirements are very high in this  business. For this reason it is crucial for me to know how focusing system works because with this big size of focusing spots I'm nut sure if I'll be able to have perfect focus on the eye. With the current size of focus spots I'm worried that the camera will focus on eyebrow and not on the eye itself. This will lead to rejection of photographs. I'm used to Canon technologies where focusing spot can be set to a small point that makes it easy to focus on the eyeball and excludes the chance of accidental focusing on the eyebrow.

I know that there is eye AF option, but I can imagine that it won't be suitable for some situations (e.g when there are several people in the frame and I'll want the camera to focus on the one that is further from the camera).

So, I have several questions:

How does the camera decide what to focus on within the space of the flexible focusing spot? Does it choose the center of the spot as the priority? Or there's another algorithm?

Thank you in advance!


« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2016, 02:15 »
+1
Eye AF looks interesting but it only works with Sony lenses and it isn't much use if it focuses on the wrong eye https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOlrns6XAsc&feature=youtu.be&t=9s
It has spot focus but I don't know how big the point is or how easy it is to move around.  Why not go to a shop and try it out?

« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2016, 02:33 »
+4
Let's discuss new Sony A7R II here. Does it suit needs of professional microstock photographers?

Microstock standards are not that high  ;)

authenticcreations

« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2016, 07:05 »
+6
The Sony A7 RII is a monster camera and competes easy with any Canon 5d full frame.

I was suprised to read this question. It is like asking if Vodka suits to get drunk  ;)

Mirco

Tror

« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2016, 07:19 »
+1
Let's discuss new Sony A7R II here. Does it suit needs of professional microstock photographers?

Microstock standards are not that high  ;)

The work I deliver for microstock usually exceeds the technical quality of the material I see in other industries by far. Deliver a good job with the best equipment you can get and it will show its effect.

PaulieWalnuts

  • We Have Exciting News For You
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2016, 08:06 »
+2
I think we're getting to point where cellphones are probably good enough for "professional microstock photographers"

Funny how people somehow think smaller or mirrorless cameras are automatically questionable when compared to a DSLR.

I can't directly speak to the A7RII but I have an A7R so I can only assume it's better. Image quality is exceptional. As good as or better than my Nikon D800. They have the same sensor. Since getting the A7R I rarely use my D800. Excellent camera with a few quirks that from what I hear the A7RII has improved.

Regarding focus points, the size can be adjusted on my A7R as small, medium, and large. Small is, well, pretty small and should work for eyes. I'm not sure if this has changed on the A7RII but one thing I don't like this it's missing a quick way of moving a focus point. On the D800 you just hit the little joystick. On the A7R you need to hit the focus menu, select focus positon, press the wheel, then shoot. Kind of a pain. Sony needs a better method for this.

Then there's the whole "you don't look like a pro unless you're using a DSLR" crowd that thinks mirrorless is for amateurs. I personally don't care but there seem to be some pretty strong opinions on this for portrait, wedding, and other people photographers.

« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2016, 09:16 »
+1
The biggest problem with the Sony IMO is the price. However, if you can justify spending that sort of money for microstock prices then it will be fine.
You'll have to get a pretty massive jump in sales to have it pay for itself though.

ACS

« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2016, 10:05 »
+1
Any DSLR on the market suits the needs of the Microstock today. Even the cheapest one.

« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2016, 12:16 »
+1
I think we're getting to point where cellphones are probably good enough for "professional microstock photographers"

One of my best selling photos was captured using a cheap mobile phone (1/3 of price of an iPhone). I think most of the cameras in the current market can be used for microstock.

« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2016, 13:08 »
+1
sony a7 is already enough

Let's discuss new Sony A7R II here. Does it suit needs of professional microstock photographers?
Who does own it already? We'll be glad to read your comments.

« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2016, 20:32 »
0
Eye AF looks interesting but it only works with Sony lenses and it isn't much use if it focuses on the wrong eye https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOlrns6XAsc&feature=youtu.be&t=9s
It has spot focus but I don't know how big the point is or how easy it is to move around.  Why not go to a shop and try it out?

Thank you for the comments! Moving points around is one of weak sides of this model. But I guess it is something possible to deal with.
As far as I know the camera focuses on the eye that is the closest to the camera and this goes with classic composition rules, so there shouldn't be a problem.

« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2016, 20:34 »
+2
Let's discuss new Sony A7R II here. Does it suit needs of professional microstock photographers?

Microstock standards are not that high  ;)

To say the truth I haven't seen standards that are higher then microstock (talking about quality). But you're right most of the modern cameras can meet them.

« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2016, 20:35 »
0
The Sony A7 RII is a monster camera and competes easy with any Canon 5d full frame.

I was suprised to read this question. It is like asking if Vodka suits to get drunk  ;)

Mirco

Thanks, you made me relax :) Also taking in consideration that I have russian roots

« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2016, 20:44 »
0
Note that the A7rII isn't a DSLR. 

« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2016, 20:55 »
0
I think we're getting to point where cellphones are probably good enough for "professional microstock photographers"

Funny how people somehow think smaller or mirrorless cameras are automatically questionable when compared to a DSLR.

I can't directly speak to the A7RII but I have an A7R so I can only assume it's better. Image quality is exceptional. As good as or better than my Nikon D800. They have the same sensor. Since getting the A7R I rarely use my D800. Excellent camera with a few quirks that from what I hear the A7RII has improved.

Regarding focus points, the size can be adjusted on my A7R as small, medium, and large. Small is, well, pretty small and should work for eyes. I'm not sure if this has changed on the A7RII but one thing I don't like this it's missing a quick way of moving a focus point. On the D800 you just hit the little joystick. On the A7R you need to hit the focus menu, select focus positon, press the wheel, then shoot. Kind of a pain. Sony needs a better method for this.

Then there's the whole "you don't look like a pro unless you're using a DSLR" crowd that thinks mirrorless is for amateurs. I personally don't care but there seem to be some pretty strong opinions on this for portrait, wedding, and other people photographers.

I'm agree and I also don't care how camera looks and what people think. To say the truth the less it looks professional the better it is, because I'm a traveler and modest design makes me invisible when I shoot travel and street photography. Moreover, it reduces the risk of robbery.

Yes, looks like switching between focus points is a weak side of Sony cameras. But I've seen a tutorial where it is recommended to program the bottom button of the wheel to activate focus points menu. This dramatically simplifies the process.

Thank you for the comments about focus. It puts me at ease!
What style of photography do you specialize in? Portrait, landscape or something else?

« Reply #16 on: February 07, 2016, 02:03 »
0
...
I'm not sure if this has changed on the A7RII but one thing I don't like this it's missing a quick way of moving a focus point. On the D800 you just hit the little joystick. On the A7R you need to hit the focus menu, select focus positon, press the wheel, then shoot. Kind of a pain. Sony needs a better method for this.
...
On the A6000 I just have to hit the center button to be able to move the focus point, if focus is set to flexible spot or zone. Isn't it the same for the A7 cameras?

PaulieWalnuts

  • We Have Exciting News For You
« Reply #17 on: February 07, 2016, 08:34 »
0
...
I'm not sure if this has changed on the A7RII but one thing I don't like this it's missing a quick way of moving a focus point. On the D800 you just hit the little joystick. On the A7R you need to hit the focus menu, select focus positon, press the wheel, then shoot. Kind of a pain. Sony needs a better method for this.
...
On the A6000 I just have to hit the center button to be able to move the focus point, if focus is set to flexible spot or zone. Isn't it the same for the A7 cameras?

Yeah I just checked into the custom settings again and was able to set the center button to activate the focus point menu.

« Reply #18 on: February 08, 2016, 00:46 »
0
...
I'm not sure if this has changed on the A7RII but one thing I don't like this it's missing a quick way of moving a focus point. On the D800 you just hit the little joystick. On the A7R you need to hit the focus menu, select focus positon, press the wheel, then shoot. Kind of a pain. Sony needs a better method for this.
...
On the A6000 I just have to hit the center button to be able to move the focus point, if focus is set to flexible spot or zone. Isn't it the same for the A7 cameras?

Yeah I just checked into the custom settings again and was able to set the center button to activate the focus point menu.
I guess it has to be set to Standard?

« Reply #19 on: February 08, 2016, 15:26 »
0
Ok, and what about physical strength of A7R II? How is it resistant to weather conditions, hits, accidental drops, dust and so on?
I've been searching for this information but there's very little in Internet. Probably this review will be interesting:
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/six-months-with-the-a7r2-to-hell-then-frozen-by-jonathan-stewart/

According to the article A7R II performed very well in low temperature but had some problems with shutter and rust forming (which was not covered by warranty) in other extreme conditions.

What is your opinion colleagues?

« Reply #20 on: February 09, 2016, 09:23 »
+1
We own two 5D mark II and we use them for shooting and filming. Not only for microstock.
Last week we had to face two different problems in the same day.
We had to reproduce a paint in the morning and the customer asked us for a big file.
In the afternoon we had to shoot a corporate portrait to 30 persons in the same picture, in a location with low light and difficulties in lighting the scene.
So we decided to rent a Sony A7RI.  It seemed the perfect camera for both assignments.
Unfortunately the results were not exciting. The 42 MP  file was very complicate to manage because of the micro shaking (we used a strong tripod, we shut off stabilizer in camera and lens and finally we used electronic shutter to reduce all possible vibrations but still we had to take several picture to obtain just one good enough.
The lens was a canon 70/200 2,8 at 135 f/11 but the resolution of the lens was sufficient to give the extra sharp image  that we needed at 100 ASA.
In the afternoon we shot  at 1600 ASA with both a Canon 5 D mark III and the Sony A7RII. We used a Canon 24/70 2,8 lens for both camera.
The results were  surprising.  Canon  5D III was better in any sense, colour, definition in every area of the picture. Even noise was better.
So for the moment we are not going to switch to Sony.

« Reply #21 on: February 09, 2016, 12:48 »
0
i would really to see samples that  sony is more noiser than canon 5d mark3, please be so kind and show us some samples or part of  images. and  incorrect skin tones


thanky you very much.

« Reply #22 on: February 09, 2016, 15:32 »
0
Here are the two examples. I cannot show the whole picture because of the faces. It's just two details in low light. 1600 ASA
The results are not so different one another so to justify the investment.
I cropped them but I didn't reduce the image dimension

« Reply #23 on: February 09, 2016, 16:17 »
0
sony is not in focus and shaken, white balance is not the same

canon : i see a lot green, magenta color artifacts on bright pants, noise is heavier on black shoes, i see less detail on shoes
these are 100% crops?, did you downsize sony image  to canon resolution?

try lift shadows to 100% on canon

here is sony sample images gallery:
http://www.dpreview.com/samples/0133920265/sony-fe-24-70mm-f2-8-gm-first-shots

thank you!

« Reply #24 on: February 09, 2016, 16:55 »
+1
I know it's not a scientific test. It's just what I experimented in a real situation.
About the shaking I wrote in a previous post how difficult was to avoid shaking with that camera. Maybe in that sample the stabilizer was not working but I had troubles also on a tripod with the stabilizer deactivated.
The colour balance in term of kelvin is the same in the two details but the two files have different colours which is not unusual.
I cropped the original files, I didn't resized them.
As I said I didn't make any lab test. I just had to face two situation and it was not the revolution I expected.
I had the chance to work with a Sony A7 S to shoot a video in low light conditions and in that case I got a big result from tha camera.
I can suggest that before buying a Sony A7 RII it is maybe useful to rent one for a day and see if you feel satisfied with it and if it's worth the investment


 

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