Search the Community

（D810 + AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G @f/2 1/100s） （D810 + AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G @f/2 1/100s） I've been a Sony user from the start, ever since I first bought the RX1R about 2 years ago. I dove into the DSLR world on Nikon's side when I purchased the Df and then the D810 last year. After selling my RX1R, I've always been thinking of buying a backup-cam for my everyday use (because let's be honest, the D810 is a chunk of a camera). That's how it started. It looked like it was a good timing for me to buy the A7 II after seeing mostly positive reviews online, and with me going more hands-on in camera shops, I decided, "Yeah, why not." I was always jealous of the A7 II's 5-axis IBIS and better ergonomics, coming from using the IMHO ergonomically-poor RX1R. The auto-focus was for me, apparently faster and more accurate than both the RX1R and the A7/R/S even in single point AF. Therefore, in the end, it was the A7 II for me. （This was me testing out my friend's A7R for a few days，α7R + FE 16-35 F4 ZA OSS @f/4 1/20s） （This was me testing out my friend's A7R for a few days，α7R + FE 16-35 F4 ZA OSS @f/4 1/20s） Thoughts on the A7 II: There is quite a design change ergonomically for the A7 II compared to the A7R. Although it's not a whole overhaul of the body design, it is pretty apparent once one grabs onto the grip on both cameras. The plastic dials are easier to turn IMO, and my middle finger finally has a comfortable place to rest on the grip. Overall, I enjoyed the ergonomics of the A7 II more than the A7R. As for the lens, there was no other answer for me at the time than starting out with the Zeiss Sonnar T* 55mm F1.8 ZA (keep in mind this was pre-Distagon 35mm F1.4 announcement). This also deterred me from buying the Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art for my D810, with the Sony-Zeiss being smaller, demonically sharp wide-open, and free from needing focus micro-adjustments at all times. The single point AF on the A7 II, IMO, has reached the level of 'capable' in comparison to the D810. Although my D810 trumps the A7 II when it comes to continuous tracking AF, with Nikon's AF-C 3D tracking being almost god-like in real life usage, the A7 II tracking is quite fine in the center area where the PDAF points lie. Single point of the A7 II is a pain in low-light situations, but at least the camera doesn't pretend to grab focus when it is actually out of focus like my previous experiences with the Olympus E-M1 and E-M10. （α7 II + Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA @f/1.8 1/4000s） （α7 II + Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA @f/1.8 1/1250s） （α7 II + Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA @f/5 1/60s） A7 II pairs fine with my Yongnuo 560TX + YN56-IV combination. This is a great news. I sometimes even think of replacing my D810 and make my Sony the main-cam. However, it's only after real usage of both in shoots that I started to realize how difficult it's for me to balance both cameras' RAW files in post to have similar colors and tonality. Even with the help of Lightroom and Photoshop, I found that both cameras/lenses combination produce quite different color rending even with RAW files. (More to come... Will talk about mounting Nikon lenses... Editing in progress...)

Up until today I always believed the 14.4x capability of the Sony EVF was superior to Nikon's LCD live view with a 3x hood loupe. Although the Nikon and hood loop (Zacuto or Hoodman) is a clunky solution the combination is superior in its use for critical focus. https://sonyvnikon.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/the-best-a-man-can-get/