The new Sony A7S created a lot of buzz with its outstanding low light / high ISO performance. Time for a more in depth analysis and a REAL WORLD comparison to the A7R, which was doing quite well at low light already.
As you might have studied already all kinds of technical specs, at this time I will not bother you with too many details anymore. Just the most relevant facts: Mirrorless E-Mount system camera with full frame sensor, 12 MP "only", ISO 100 ... 102400 (extended: 50...409600), 4K video (requires external recorder), FullHD 1080p with 50 MBit XAVC-S encoding on SDXC memory cards, up to 120 fps at 720p, 8 bit uncompressed output with 4:2:2 subsampling on HDMI, option for completely silent shooting.
Before we look at the video performance, let's start with some ISO samples (click on the images to see higher resolution versions).
ISO 100 (cropped, scaled), lens: SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 @ T0.95:
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Since a couple of chart based reviews of the new Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 on a Canon 5D Mk3 claimed, it comes close to the majestic Zeiss Otus 1.4/55, this lens has drawn my attention. If you have read the article about the "Most Adorable 50s", you may remember my conclusion that the Zeiss Otus is currently the reference for me in the range of 50mm lenses, providing results on a 36 MP sensor comparable to current medium format cameras and that the Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 1.8/55 was an "Otus light" for me. Time for another REAL WORLD comparison!
The candidates this time tested on a Sony A7R:
- Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM (Nikon mount version)
-
Zeiss FE Sonnar T* 55mm f/1.8
- Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH
- Zeiss Otus Apo Distagon T* 55mm f/1.4
As pricewise the Sigma Art 50/1.4 and the Zeiss FE 1.8/55 are closest to each other, this test focuses mainly on a direct comparison between these lenses but some aspects are compared in similar settings with the Summilux and the Otus as well.
Although the Sigma Art was designed for DSLR cameras, there are options to use the Canon EF-mount version with autofocus and aperture control also on the mirrorless A7 / A7R using a Metabones Mk III or IV or the A-mount version using a LA-EA4 adapter. The A-mount version is expected to come later this year. The Sigma Art 50/1.4 DG HSM is a complex optical construction with 13 lenses, the aperture has 9 blades and it weighs about 815g.
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM with lens hood and quiver
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Fitness
Please select fullscreen in the player's button bar for best viewing experience.
(download of full quality 1080p25 24 MBit version available for registered Vimeo users)
Alternatively you may watch the version on YouTube: http://youtu.be/a6Wrx1fNx6g
Fitness-Model: Yasmin
Camera: Sony A7R
Lenses for video:
- Leica Wide Angle Tri Elmar 16-21/4 ASPH
- Voigtlander Nokton 1.2/35 ASPH
- Zeiss FE 1.8/55
For the stills:
- Voigtlander Ultron 1.8/21 ASPH
- Zeiss FE 2.8/35
- Zeiss FE 1.8/55
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 1.8/85 G
- Sony STF 2.8/135
Flammenspuk - Fire Artistry Show "Rotkäppchen und der Wolf"
Enjoy "Rotkäppchen und der Wolf" performed by Caro and Kathleen from "Duo Flammenspuk" in Wildpark Schwarze Berge:
Please select fullscreen in the player's button bar for best viewing experience.
(download of full quality 1080p50 32 MBit version available for registered Vimeo users)
Alternatively you may watch the version on YouTube: http://youtu.be/ghgqGLSbDpo
Unfortunately there was heavy rain during the prformance. The video was recorded using Sony A7R with Voigtlander Ultron 1.8/21 and Zeiss FE 1.8/55 with SLR Magic Anamorphot.
For more information about "Flammenspuk", please visit http://www.flammenspuk.de
Greet the Merry Month of May
Just some spring shots that proof: Merry month of May has begun!
Flowers start blooming everywhere, weeds as well...
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Venetian Carnival, Fire Show and Masked Ball (more anamorphic productions)
March 2014 - Enjoy the mystic and colorful world of fairies, ice dragons, venetian
masquerade and costumes. Follow them to the place of fire artists and
dancers (filmed anamorphic, stretched to wide screen):
Please select full screen in the player's button bar for best viewing experience.
Download of full quality 1080p50 24 MBit version available for registered Vimeo users.
The video was recorded using Sony A7R with Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 1.8/55 and SLR Magic Anamorphot 1.33x 50 described in more detail in this article: http://www.3d-kraft.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=152&catid=40&Itemid=2
Another challenging application for the Anamorphot was using it on the Masked Ball 2014 in Hamburg:
(1080p version: https://vimeo.com/88542696)
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(Video available in 3K and 4K (1440p and 2160p) as well here: http://youtu.be/TlB-MIRYqRo)
If you ever thought about travelling to "the end of the world", this article may give you an impression, how I saw this terrific part of South America through my eyes (ok, to be more precise: through the Sony A7R with some lenses mentioned at the end). On this journey from Punta Arenas, the southernmost city on the South American mainland we crossed Patagonian snow capped mountains "Torres Del Paine", volcanos, fjords, exotic flora and fauna, chilled on Chiloe and roamed the narrow alleys of the Unesco world heritage Valparaiso.
For a better orientation about the locations shown here, you may use this interactive map:
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