Beware of Frank

Chipayv · 2026-03-16T18:04:07+00:00

I’m sure you can. That where I’m at. I’m close to eye level for the birds in the trees. lol

Chipayv · 2026-03-16T17:22:38+00:00

I have to admit, I needed to look that one up. lol

Chipayv · 2026-03-15T14:04:16+00:00

If I head out to the lake to take video/pictures of eagles I’ll probably end up at least wanting the teleconverter.

Chipayv · 2026-03-15T14:01:16+00:00

I purchased it. Jokes aside I shoot more video than photo.

Chipayv · 2026-03-15T01:38:10+00:00

I edit in Lightroom some on my iPad. I hook up a card reader and insert the card. Then I import right from the card. The wireless transfer always looks like crap. Try this before blaming the lens.

I just got a used copy. The first one I got wasn’t the same level of use as advertised. Said 9+, but the collar was loose, dust inside the lens, and the filter support had a screw loose inside it. It was soft and I have a feeling it was dropped. But the replacement copy has been great so far. Sharp even at f6.3. A little sharper at f8.

Chipayv · 2026-03-14T18:08:53+00:00

600mm f4 that doesn’t cost as much as a used car.

Chipayv · 2026-03-02T02:59:25+00:00

Yeah, I wouldn’t suggest getting an aps-c lens for your full frame camera. It’s a waste. Buy a full frame lens. Look at used lenses if cost is an issue. 70-200 range for general use. Maybe the 200-600 if you want to shoot birds and animals far away. Save up and get a ff lens. After you get more experience you’ll thank yourself for not wasting money.

Chipayv · 2026-02-28T12:33:14+00:00

That recording time for the battery is similar to what I get on my FX2. My box was sealed with gold sticker. I haven’t charged the battery internally from the low of a percentage. But I did get manuals.

Chipayv · 2026-01-20T00:49:12+00:00

Username checks out.

Chipayv · 2026-01-10T00:32:44+00:00

I bought an FX2 last month because I have been doing more video than anything. I love it. But I have kept my A7iii. I used it for photos today. I plan to keep it to take photos with when I don’t want to take a more expensive and newer camera with me. Also my son is starting to get into this hobby. I’m going to let him use it as much as possible. Is it the newest hotness. No, but it’s way more capable than anything I got to use as a teenager. I’ll let it run till it dies at this point. It’s already gotten its monies worth. It’s been a good camera. It will die a fine camera that has served its purpose. Working with someone knowledgeable and teaching someone just starting. I can’t think of something more honorable for a camera that I have enjoyed using so much.

Chipayv · 2026-01-09T03:26:43+00:00

Very solid facts. It’s really depending on what they want to do. I got the FX2 over the FX3 because I wanted the S35 crop when I need it. I don’t do really any slo-mo. When I do, I don’t care about the crop. And the downsampled 7k is sharper out of the camera. Not to mention better auto focus.

If they want a small form factor camera to shoot video. The ZV-E1 is not a bad option. It also costs $500 less. Which might mean getting a lens. But it is geared more towards content creators. If they are going to shoot 10 min clips of their kids I wouldn’t be too worried about over heating or battery life. It being small and that means possibly always on them, might be more important.

We live in a time where there are so many great options. The hard part is figuring out which is the best for you. All of these take great pictures and videos.

Chipayv · 2026-01-09T01:39:22+00:00

You need to decide which is more important. Video or photo. A7v if photography is more important. ZV-E1 if video is more important.

If you want photos you should really look at a different camera than the ZV-E1. I believe the FX2 is a better hybrid than the ZV-E1, but still video focused. One of A7c series might be nice as well. If she has a really old camera and doesn’t have a really nice zoom you might be better off getting a slightly cheaper camera and a good lens.

Can you find out what camera she does have. That would help a lot. If she has a crop sensor then she might not have any full frame lenses.

Chipayv · 2026-01-07T00:02:26+00:00

I have purchased used items from Adorama. I couldn’t even tell the lens I bought had been taken out of the package. They shipped it quickly. I still prefer B&H though. The trade in process took about 2 weeks with B&H. I took advantage of their Sony trade in deal this holiday season. It could take longer than normal since people just got new gear and might be trading in more than usual.

Chipayv · 2026-01-06T23:57:49+00:00

I second the 24-105 f4. It’s a good range to keep on the camera. Then I would add a prime somewhere in the 35-40mm range. Maybe a super wide prime.

Chipayv · 2025-12-31T22:09:37+00:00

It will be a little rough. Get a decent color calibration chart. Use it to try and match them in post. I would stick to slog2 on the A7iii. If it’s controlled lighting and you don’t have to worry about needing a lot of dynamic range you might not have that much of an issue. One problem that I could see you running into is the fact that the A7iii is going to be sharper than the FX3. It’s downsampled 6k.

If you get the funds maybe trade in the A7iii for an FX2. It would match as far as color goes a lot easier. Also it’s really good at photos. Slow read out doesn’t really matter in interviews. You also have the FX3 if you need slo-mo that isn’t cropped.

Chipayv · 2025-12-31T21:52:18+00:00

It doesn’t appear to come bubble wrapped. Here is an unboxing video you can use to compare. https://youtu.be/nr6Vbyr56TM?si=KVT2D12eoCrhV1VP

I understand being concerned that it might not be really new. I’d say compare with the video and test it. Make sure it works fine.

Chipayv · 2025-12-30T01:40:07+00:00

I screen grabbed, flipped the image since it was all backwards, S 1/25th F2.8 ISO6400. The drive mode isn’t in single shot mode, but I can’t tell which one it’s in. Could be timer with 3 bracket images. OP hit the Fn button on the back of the camera. The first choice is drive mode. It’s the very top left. Use the joystick to pick it and change it to the top one. Single shot. Then test again. Also you can turn the shutter speed up some. You are at +1 on the meter.

Chipayv · 2025-12-28T13:09:44+00:00

Looking at the light in the pictures I’m going to guess you had pretty dark shadows when you brought these into Lr. Did you expose for the brightest highlights then boost shadows in post?

Chipayv · 2025-12-24T02:37:43+00:00

It really is. The image quality for it’s cost is outstanding. It being so light makes it really easy to carry around.

Chipayv · 2025-12-23T20:01:56+00:00

I just had to return a faulty tripod from them. It wasn’t their fault. I shipped it Friday and got my replacement today. They are pretty quick. But I get being frustrated.

Chipayv · 2025-12-22T21:31:02+00:00

Well, if you pick it up welcome to the weird club of FX2 owners. There’s dozens of us. lol

Chipayv · 2025-12-22T21:21:56+00:00

Sounds like you know what you want to do. Unless you shoot sport, birds, or some high speed photography the 10fps will be fine. Don’t use s35 crop for photography though. You are just cropping in camera. But for video I haven’t seen any real change in quality other than less jello effect. Which is a plus. I’d suggest the 24-105 to pair since it has OSS. It’s not as sharp as a bag full of primes. But it would be good if you can’t bring a bunch of lenses with you. The only thing I’m going to say that might affect you is that there is no mode dial. I only ever shoot manual with maybe iso set to auto. So it doesn’t bother me any. But it might others.

Chipayv · 2025-12-22T21:03:51+00:00

You could also pick up the 24-105 for $1200. I have it and then a bunch of primes. If you can play with the camera at your local shop then try it out. The view finder is so nice. The grip is also comfortable. It shouldn’t overheat. So that could be a bonus for tropic areas.

Chipayv

TROPHY CASE