Mark Galer's Alpha Creative Skills
Mark Galer's Alpha Creative Skills
Sony Alpha Creative Skills - Click on the link to access learning support
This channel includes Tips & Techniques for mastering Sony Alpha cameras and photographic workflows.
Join Mark on Patreon.com for personal support including Q&A forums and downloadable eBooks (no contract or commitment required).
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Brilliant! Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Hi, great video. What lens did you use to film this video, the 2450? How does 2450 compare to 2070 in terms of micro contrast or 3d pop?
Given the shallow depth of field, it was probably my FE 35mm F1.4 GM
I always provide ultra high-definition examples as well as recording these reviews in 4K, so users can get an idea of what quality the lens can deliver. I also make the Raw files available for my Patrons on Patreon.com/markgaler. I believe it stacks up well to the 20-70 G.
❤❤ you have a new subscriber. Older video but still being viewed today. Thank you
Awesome! Thank you! - I figure there is no point in removing the older videos from my channel when Sony are still manufacturing some of the older models (such as the A7III).
I have a7Cii and A7RV, there is hell of difference in between two. 61 mp picture is mind bellowing, 33mp picture of A7Cii looks garbage in front of a7rv. Nothing is overkill, it is truly beast camera. In terms of photography there is no Second option. I laughed when I read people comments that 61mp overkill.😀
8.3 Megapixels is displayed on a 4K screen so the primary advantage of the high resolution sensors is people who own 8K monitors/TVs, print very very large or crop very tightly in post-production editing. I own the A7CII as a second camera and the 33 Megapixel sensor is far from 'garbage'.
Stunning shots
Thanks
Did the 25mm long end bother you? For me I wish it ended on 24mm as I would probably try to micro-adjust it since I prefer shooting zooms in the familiar prime ranges. I own a 35 GM and 85 ART. Looking to sidegrade to an A7CII and buy a smaller zoom for travel. I owned a 24-70 GM2 but sold it due to the size. My most shot ranges were 35, 70, 24, 50 in that order. Never took a liking to ultra wide that much due to distortion. If you could pick what would you choose between the 16-25, 24-50, 16-35GM2 and 20-70 to complement my kit? I’m patiently waiting for a Sony 85 f1.8 G to replace my Sigma and would carry this prime as well.
The 25mm focal length was no issue for me - so close to 24 I didn't notice to be honest. Out of the lenses you list I own the 24-50 and supplement it with primes (including the 85mm F1.8). I have lots of discussions about lens choice in my eBooks and Lens Choice 2 seminar on Patreon.com/markgaler - I choose different lenses depending on the nature of the work and the type of travel.
Thanks for your reply. Amazing! having a d850 (with 500 pf f5,6), despite it is said to be capable Af system, it is in a completely different league, much lower. hit rate is inconsistent but would be much lower in this challenge. I bet. a 2.8 lens would give better results but could not compete I am sure. Z8 would fall behind as well I think however no experience with it. thanks for sharing
The use of an electronic shutter to capture sports/action means the Phase Detect AF points are not temporarily blinded by either a mirror or a mechanical shutter. The phase detect AF has a constant stream of data and, with the addition of Human, Animal or Bird AF Tracking, super-fast XD linear focus motors and 98% AF coverage of the sensor, Sony was propelled into a completely different league compared to the older DSLR cameras.
but this can man not if you have the camera on elektis shutter...or can man
Sorry - I didn't understand your comment.
Hi! could you please tell me your in focus hit rate with this lens? thanks
Close to 100% when used with a camera that has a stacked sensor (A9/A9II and A1(or global shutter sensor (A9III) - as evidenced from the running dog sequences. A contributing factor to my exceptionally high hit rate is also down to my camera settings. I share these via my Alpha support site Patreon.com/markgaler
Great content - I'm wondering how the performance / sharpness of the Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 compares to the similarly sized and common 40mm 2.5 g lens? Switching from the 2.5 40mm for the aesthetic and uniqueness of the voigtlander - would I be experiencing a decrease in quality of photos potentially - or is the 35/1.4 Voigtlander pretty sharp in your opinion?
I provided ultra high-definition sample images for the Voigtlander as listed in the info below the video: Album of Ultra High Definition Images: flic.kr/s/aHBqjBnuv9 The Voigtlander only sharpens up if stopped down to F2. Purchase the Sony if you want fast removable AF and sharp focus wide-open.
Wow so many important things you mentioned, thank you very, very much!
Glad it was helpful!
Wonderful analysis of the product , like it. I would like to buy this but have a question . My camera with lens will weight around 5 kg . Can I use this LS-223CEX tripod and take LS-25 small ball head . Is the combination good for my camera .
5Kg is a big combo - most cameras weigh less than 1Kg including the lens. If you are using a large telephoto lens then you will be mounting the combo via the lens foot. Check the weight capacity of the head as you may need to upgrade to a larger head. The tripod itself will be fine as it is just as sturdy as a full-sized tripod.
Mark，I can't load the a7R4 setting on my A7R4A cmaera, it.s fail to load, is there a fix?
Please contact the team via the Patreon.com/markgaler support channel - thanks
Excellent images.
Glad you like them!
A7 ii does not have an option for finder /monitor under custom buttons
Most of my videos are for cameras starting with the third generation of Alpha cameras, e.g., A7III onwards
Well done sir, just the info I was looking for. Can you tell me how you displayed the camera screen on your computer screen? Thank you.
HDMI cable from my laptop and Atomos NINJA to record the menus from the camera.
Thank you
Very interesting! THANK YOU! I have recently acquired the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G lens. However, one thing is bothering me or rather I would like to clarify whether it is a general issue with this lens or whether it is a defect specifically with my lens. The lens makes a noise when focussing (with autofocus). By the way, the volume of the noise varies depending on the aperture setting. At f/4 the noise is very minimal, almost inaudible. From f/4.5, however, it is clearly audible. And the higher the aperture number (for example f/13), the longer it takes to focus and the longer the noise lasts. However, these differences are small. I am not yet familiar with focusing noises from lenses recently released by Sony. For example, the new Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G and the new Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II are 100% completely silent. The older Sony FE 18mm f/1.8 G, on the other hand, also makes the noise described above, if I remember correctly. Does your lens also make this noise? Many thanks in advance!
I have to put my rear to this lens to hear the focusing in AF-C (it is very nearly silent). In AF-S it can be heard to make a little shuffling noise at it acquires focus. I shoot 99% of my photography in AF-C or MF so the vast majority of Sony lenses are near silent. I offer personal support and guidance on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel. You will find all of my shooting settings on this support channel + a wealth of resources to download.
As many others have said, another great review. To me if this started at 14mm and still took standard front filters it would be more useful. That said, this is still a lens I’m seriously considering.
Thanks for the positive feedback 👍
cut back on the sound track a bit and let the engine's one note song play on through!
Thanks for your input ...but I like the balance of audio just the way it is. That's why I did it this way.
Awesome video! I wonder if light metering mode could also affect how camera focus in dim light…
Unlikely
Thank you for this!! However, I tried it with my A7III and even though I registered Lock on AF: Wide it seems to have stored Flexible Spot:M Do you know if this is a known bug?
There are no known bugs as far as I am aware and Sony don't tend to provide firmware updates for older cameras.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills ok, thank you Mark. I will work through it again. I've thought about doing a factory reset - if there is such a thing - and starting fresh.
Doing a reset seems to have worked, it is now toggling as expected
Thank you for this review. I just purchased this lens. I can’t believe I did it. I made this decision because of you and Professor Hines. I do street photography so I live between 28 and 50mm. I use the A7C so I want a small and lightweight lens for this body. The 85/1.4 is stupid large and heavy for this body. The thing is I’m not use to using this focal length. I find the 28mm lens take some getting use to because of how wide it is. The 85mm also requires getting use to because of how it isolates my subjects. I’m going to a parade and will take the 28&85 lenses. There is some contrast for you. I will attempt to take some street portraits. Thank you for the advice about what to do if I’m caught. Engage the subject. I just steal the image and then walk away. My challenge is being able to see in the 85mm field of view. That will come in time. I hope. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I used to only shoot Street with a 35mm lens, but now I shoot more with the 85mm focal length (more than any other lens). As you say, it takes a bit of getting used to, but after a while you learn where you need to stand in order to get your shot. All of this would be a bit of a challenge if it was not for howe reliable the subject recognition is (Eye AF).
I did all the procedure in the right way and right now I have all the issues are sailing in the web in forums and fb groups: -battery drain -WiFi Bluetooth failure -my 200 600 become a miserable lens, when it works I have no AF, no subject detection, and when it doesn’t it turn off the camera and I have to take off the battery to reboot it. All started happening after the 2.01 firmware update came out. Very disappointing
You need to contact Sony so they have the opportunity to fix these problems. They are isolated issues as I am not experiencing any of them.
I did it, in Europe we are miles behind US speaking of customer care, but something is moving. The group of people having the same issues are growing up so maybe we will have solutions soon. Anyway is very annoying spending 6ks to a camera that works way worst than my previous old and glorious A7iii
Wow, though I do have DXO Pure Raw, the first tip involving masking out the subject and applying a reduction of texture and noise to the out of focus areas is a brilliant hack.
Thanks for the positive feedback. I have lots of post-production seminars on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Yes, I'm aware. I'm a current Premium Plus member.
Thank you so much for your awesome work you put into your videos. Do you plan on doing a movie on the latest firmware camera settings for the A1… some of the newer items people don’t have a clue, including me as to what they are and what they do. Maybe you can consider doing a movie on this. Thank you again.
I update my eBooks and CAMSETs regularly on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel and have a Q&A forum for my Premium Plus Patrons. I am not aware of any other version camera reviewer that put out a version 2.01 firmware update video tutorial.
Just picked one up in 2024 for $400
A bargain in my opinion.
Even the Sony site says 6.57 ft for minimum focus and yet the lens says (6M) on it and I definitely cannot get anywhere near 6 ft for minimum focus...
The lens limiter has an Infinity to 6M setting - if you select this you won't be able to focus any closer than 6M. If you want to focus closer you will have to select the 'FULL' setting. I offer full one-on-one support on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel.
Mark, not sure if you mentioned this but neither camera has a true mechanical shutter. Only Electronic anf EFCS. This could affect the bokeh in some situations.
I think I may have mentioned this - but if not in this video, in one of my camera choice videos for my Patrons. I personally think the difference in bokeh, although apparent, is overstated. I have a video on the topic on this KZread channel. With so many question I think you may get a lot of value out of my Patreon support service ( Patreon.com/markgaler ), because I can only get to answer a small percentage of the questions I receive via social media every day. Time is money, so unfortunately I have to prioritise my patrons so I can keep the lights on.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills I completely understand. I appreciate your time. I’m currently a Premium member. Maybe I’ll go to the Plus level if I have some critical questions. Thanks again.
Mark, this is so helpful. There are so many lenses to choose from in the Sony line-up and for someone with less experience thank you, choosing the right lens (not necessarily the technically best lens) is a daunting task. Test charts are great for pixel peepers, but in the real world you want a lens that fits your needs. Thanks.
This is a big part of my Patreon Premium Plus service. I recently used this lens to explain the problem to my Patrons: www.patreon.com/posts/lens-choice-105133637
How's using the touchpad as a stand-in for the joystick if you have the viewfinder to your eye?
It takes a while to get used to but I am now used to it. In some instances it is better, e.g. when I release my thumb it starts tracking the object and it can move from a non-tracking to a tracking behaviour.
Mark, on your Patreon, do you have the unenhanced versions of the high iso images? The ones that you shared are enhanced and I'm curious to see how the original raw file looks.
I share Raw images with my Patrons. They will load in their editing state (as they are DNG files), but you can reset the file to view them in their completely raw state.
A shame that the max mechanical shutter speed is 1/4000, rather than 1/8000.
Yes - I would like to see a 1/8000 second shutter speed so I don't have to drop the ISO from Auto to Manual 50 when using F1.4 lenses in sunny weather.
Focus Bracketing is now available on previous Sony camera models with a thirty party app for Android named “Alpha Focus Bracketing “
Really good overview! Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent explanation, thank you, Mark. I am particularly grateful for the hint of using interval shooting via S&Q and simply slowing down the frame rate. Things can be so simple, sometimes. But I would never have found that by myself.
Thanks for the positive feedback
I think it's funny when these videos keep comparing apples to oranges. If you have to make the argument that putting a teleconverter on the 400 to bring it up to reach of the 600... That is using one side of an argument to support and conveniently forgetting you can put that teleconverter on the 600 and her over 800... It's never equal comparison. The only reason is the weight. I like this video does mention putting that 1.4 on both lenses.
Comparing the 100-400 with the 200-600 drives the question that a photographer asks in a camera store, and the decision, as you point out, is often driven by the size, e.g., if I don't want to carry the 200-600 could I use Teleconverters on the smaller 100-400? Seems like an obvious comparison to put in this video, especially after I have worked so closely with camera retailers and with Sony over the last 10 years.
100% just love it
Thanks
THANKYOIUUUU this video is exactly what i needed. I didnt understand why it wouldnt track my subject and i shot three volleyball games and missed SO MANY shots cause the auto focus wouldnt catch the subject in time. I hope this will help me major for my next game
Centre -Lock on AF was replaced with AF-Tracking on all cameras released during and after 2019. The AF is now a lot more reliable compared to older cameras. AF performance was again improved in 2023 with AI Subject Recognition.
I do lots of Phone photography with my Sony Xperia PRO-i on my fb. I just ordered a Sony A7ii with lens kit but i wanted another lens too i going with your experience on using the Sony 85 1.8 i want that Bokeh too lol
A lot more bokeh for your bucks ($)
Muchísimas gracias 😊
Thanks for the thanks
After this updated I have lost the ability to shoot with variable shutter @ 48.. now the lowest the variable shutter will go is 50. Just FYI
I typically only use variable shutter at the higher shutter speeds for LED lights. Were you using 48 because of 24fps? Movie capture?
@@AlphaCreativeSkills yes using 48 for 8k24 capture
Great video as always. I've been running the 24mm F/2.8 G, the 50mm F/2.5 G and the Sigma 90mm F/2.8, but you have me wondering if I should simplify even further by replacing the 24 and 50 with this.
The 24-50 is about as large as I am prepared to go when using a compact A7C body - even the 20-70 F4 G and 35mm F1.4 GM feel a bit too heavy for the compact bodies. The decision to use primes or zooms is really just down to preferred workflow - I use two bodies in my camera bag (A7CII and A6700) so I can work either way without having to change lens too often. The advantage of using an A6700 is my 90mm on the APS-C body has a full-frame equivalent angle of view of a 135mm lens. I am also happy to use the E 11mm F1.8 G for the ultra-wide angle-of-view. Happy to discuss these decision at length on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel.
For the slide at 15:20, how does the adapter know when you want to input the focal length? Is there a button on the adapter or do you have to do this every time you turn off the camera?
No buttons - you just take one shot at a given aperture as per the chart outlined in the video - download the Techart manual for more info
Olympus has this ability for years. Evidence Sony is ripping customers off.
How do you work out Sony is ripping you off by adding a feature - have they taken money out of your bank account or charged you more for this feature?
Hi Mark. Im curious if you notice any difference from a7cr/a7r5 apsc mode vs a6700 due to the lack of AA filter from the full frame? Any noticeable sharpness difference? Thanks in advance. As everyone has stated, great job on the tutorial/review. You have been my go to guy for all things camera (especially Sony). Great teacher.
I have not noticed any difference and I don’t think Sony mention whether they use of AA filters on their late-model cameras anymore. As I only get to respond occasionally on KZread, you may like to head over to my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel for a premium service.
I can't find the free ebook download anymore :(
Go to Patreon.com/markgaler
They are now only available to Patrons who subscribe to my support channel. A one-month subscription costs US $10.00 and their are no ongoing contracts or commitments.
Gracias Mark! Extremely useful.
Thanks - I also have a 109-page eBook on working with flash on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel.
The best LR training I have found, I love the easy to follow slow pace and how you go into the details of an image edit.
On my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel patrons can watch post-production seminars where I edit dozens of images in real-time and Patrons are free to download the Raw files I am using in the editing demonstrations.
On a6500-a6700, do you use the focal length of the lens or the crop factor 35mm equiv. focal length?
When using manual focus lenses that do not communicate their focal length to the camera (no electronic contacts) you use the actual focal length of the lens in the Manual SteadyShot settings. I provide personal guidance on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you. That's what I assumed.
Thanks
No problem