For the second year in a row, I took a ride down to Castle Rock, Co to photograph their fireworks display. Here are a few of the over 200 images I shot that night. As a general rule, camera settings are as follows: ISO 100, f5.6, 4 secs exposure, and I shoot continuous mode. Taking advantage of the Sony Play Memories app, I can dial in the settings, set the focus, and set the shutter slider to on. I can then sit back and enjoy the show.
As always, click thru on any image for a larger view and EXIF data for the shot. These images are optimized for web viewing and are not suitable for printing or enlargement. If you have a desire to do that, please contact me.
Test images getting familiar with the new lens and custom button settings on the Sony A7M2. Several of the images were shot with the A mount 50mm f1.4 Sony lens and others with the E mount FE 24-70 Z OSS.
As always, click thru on any image for a larger view and EXIF data for the shot. These images are optimized for web viewing and are not suitable for printing or enlargement. If you have a desire to do that, please contact me.
The deeper one gets into photography, the more one understands what goes into an image. The more you understand that, the more critical one may become about the gear they are using to capture that image. I have been that way for a while now. I last upgraded my camera body to a Sony A77 about 3 years ago and have learned to take what some thought were higher quality images. Several have hung in gallery shows in Denver, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Manitou Springs . As I learned the camera and lens combos, I became more confident in my shooting ability. And that led me to this point where what I was using no longer let me capture the quality that I wanted, especially in night photography.
So I have taken the leap into New Gear Land where I hope to be able to improve the images I capture and process. Thanks for following this journey.
The Body
Sony A7Mii / ILCE7M2
I made the move this week to a full frame, mirrorless camera! After much back and forth and reviewing the reviews, I opted for the Sony A7Mii. While it maxes at 24.3 mega pixels – same as the A77, it is full frame and mirrorless and offers higher ISO capabilities. I have rented the A7 in the past and have been pleased with how it handles night sky at higher ISO levels. The body also features a 5 axis stability system so less shake ruined images.
And if you need to update the firmware of the camera, as I did, here is a Bulletproof Guide to Sony Camera Firmware Updates from Brian Smith. If you are contemplating a purchase, consider using his affiliate links as a way to thank him for his analysis and guidance.
The Adapter(s)
Sony A-E Mount Adapter LAEA3
Of course it is a different lens mount – E vs A – and of course I will have to upgrade my glass also. (Who doesn’t love a new lens or two?) Bought the camera and LAEA3 mount adapter from B&H in NY – big sales tax savings. Of course the unexpected happens. Most of my A mount lenses operate only as manual focus on the new rig! That then bumped up the need/want/gotta have now for a lens to take advantage of the new body. Here is an analysis of why the LAEA3 rather that the newer AEA4 from photographer Brian Smith. Much of it ha to do with the Focus Points: 399 Phase Detection / 25 Contrast AF Points available in the 3.30 firmware update of the A7 line.
Down the road, I may also need a Sigma MC-11 Canon EF Lens to Sony E Camera Adapter to adapt Canon mount Sigma Art Lenses. If Sigma follows thru on their promise of native E-Mount lenses in the Art series, well WhooHoo! Yeah!
The Glass
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens
The Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE ZA OSS, Full Frame, E-Mount lens was ordered from Adorama. Should be here mid week which will give me time to play with it before heading to Havana, Cuba. Selection of this lens was based on recommendations and reviews from Lens Rentals and others. I like the mid-range reach, silent drive, and Zeiss optics. While it bottoms out at f4, the increased ISO capabilities of the A7Mii should give it plenty of capability in lower light environments.
For the interim, I will still be able to use, in manual mode, my Sony DT 16-105, Sony 70-300, and Rokinon 14mm f2.8. It looks like the image size is reduced to around 21-22 mb with these crop sensor lenses. My Sony 50mm f1.4 works in auto focus mode as well since it has its own drive motor.
The Power
The camera, as shipped, comes with a usb cable and wall plug for in camera recharging of the NWP-50 lithium ion battery. If you are going to need more that one battery per shoot, get additional batteries and a separate wall charger such as the BC-TRW-W. It’s available either on line or at your local big box store.
