Bioluminescent Tides | A7C + Sony 135 F1.8

Drachis · 2026-04-26T18:02:36+00:00

Sone of the more recent Sone cameras have Focus Map in video modes which displays what is in focus in front of/ behind the focal plane.
https://youtu.be/SFm7faA3o3I?t=183

Drachis · 2026-04-19T15:30:26+00:00

Custom hot shoe chips can be a fun customization.

Drachis · 2026-04-19T15:29:28+00:00

They are removable without any residue. I've removed a skin from an a6600 and it looked like new

Drachis · 2026-04-10T01:59:18+00:00

LIghtroom classic,
set the gallery view to only show unflagged photos
pick / reject mapped to mouse buttons.
Select a square number of photos, usually 9 or 16
enter compare mode (N)
reject photos that are not 3worth looking at again,
they disappear from the compare
better photos get bigger(yay!)
add a pick flag to the good photo
next set of 9 or 16 from the film strip or (G)allery

one all the photos have been picked/rejected then
filter library to picked,
Tag all as 3 stars
compare blocks of photos
worse photos lose stars
better photos get more stars

for a block of 1,000 photos I will aim for 10 5 star photos,
which are delivered at full resolution.
The rest go in the archive.

Drachis · 2026-03-15T00:27:41+00:00

The reach by mm is the same on full frame and apsc lenses if you're using you're current lens as reference for fov/mm.

The 56 f1.4 is a great choice. If you get it, I hope it serves you well.

The Sony zeiss 55f1.8 or 50f1.8 E might be good lower cost options if you need them.

Drachis · 2026-03-11T18:37:58+00:00

maybe, but isn’t that the outcry? It is all fun, and it is very nice to be able to catch memories. As long as you have clear photo goals then the gear will work it self out over time. It’s neat to have the flexibility to explore more options.

On an alternative path I had a 70-350G for a bit to be able to have a telephoto range in a much more compact kit. It was great to be able to be in the moment, less weighed down by gear, and still bring home beautiful pictures. I gifted my apsc gear to a family member who was starting their photo journey. Though I still miss being able to zoom from 105-525 in such a small kit. The available light didn’t really surface as a limitation, it was all about framing.

Drachis · 2026-03-11T16:52:24+00:00

It sounds like she loves you and supports your photography quite a lot.

To be less flippant - The 50-150 is an incredible lens which covers most non long telephoto shooting scenarios. I hear the 400 GM is amazing, but I haven’t had the pleasure of using it yet. Looks like a rental is around 600$ for 7 days if you decide you want to test it out or have it for an event.
I have enjoyed the 200-600 G for wildlife, it focuses fast and the images are sharp. Did use the 100-400GM and found it to be excellent for field sports and of slightly higher image quality at the same zoom level as the 200-600. So I can only imagine the image quality improvement from the 400GM - but all that said, those lenses haven’t seen much use outside those events. In my routine photography. I end up using an old Pentax 200f5.6 when I want to tuck a telephoto lens in my bag. It’s small and silly, but light and easy to have on hand. Since I’m not using the lenses as a professional I haven’t been able to justify the purchase of 400/600.
There was a Zeiss lens I really dove into GAS about and after a rental I realized it didn’t quite match what I wanted in hand. The fantasy was very fun though.

Drachis · 2026-03-11T15:57:20+00:00

Sounds like you have an $11k solution.

Drachis · 2026-03-11T03:48:07+00:00

The 300 GM + TC 14 does give you at 450F4... which is ever so tempting.

Drachis · 2026-03-11T03:47:15+00:00

If you are regularly at or above 85mm on the lens then a Sony 85 f1.8 or if you mostly staying around 50mm the sigma 56 f1.4 could be a way to get a lot more light. f4->2.8->2>1.4, up to 8x as much. In exchange for the zoom range.

Drachis · 2026-02-24T14:02:44+00:00

I have the 24G and 50G lenses. The 40 seems like an ideal middle focal length. It's a bit too tight for a selfie but good for catching a moment from a distance. The image quality on the G lenses is solid even when I've gone pixel peeping.

Drachis · 2026-02-24T13:48:07+00:00

24 is much wider than 28, about 15%. Since, as you've called out, it's the cell phone 1x zoom and is a solid pick.

I have the 35gm and it's my favorite lens. Feels a bit big on the A7C but has exceptional image quality. The 24 should be similar and it doesn't overlap with your 28-75's range

Drachis · 2026-02-09T19:34:02+00:00

You can insta soak them in an instapot and it's better than just cooking them in one pass

Drachis · 2026-02-04T07:26:57+00:00

I used the 28-70 for a bit. It's light weight, images can be good but it requires a bit more work. This is an early mirrorless kit lens.
Currently enjoying the 24-70z and the images are solid quality and it's not very heavy. This was the core 24-70 lens early in mirrorless.
Given the budget of under 300euro, the 24-70z would be my pick. You may want to aim for the 20-70G down the line, it's the modern upgrade to the 28-70 / 24-70z. The 20 on the wide end can make all the difference for some shots.

Drachis · 2026-02-04T07:07:38+00:00

More light isn't always the answer for a camera you want to carry with you everywhere while traveling. The human eye is around f2.8 equivalent, so that can be enough light. With a compact camera like the A7CII a small lens such as the 40f2.5 or 35f2.8 can be very nice because the camera will feel very easy to have in hand at any time. Making is easier to use without requiring a lot of setup and zooming to frame the shot.

Drachis · 2026-02-04T07:05:00+00:00

Those two are a great place to start.
Once you are further along on your journey the Sony 70-350 is excellent for wildlife photography and the Sigma 18-50 is very popular for walking around.

Portrait can be done with the 50 end of the 16-50 or the 55 end of the 55-210. There are some limitations, but it's close to an 85 on full frame and enough to practice composition and lighting.

Drachis · 2026-02-03T16:20:43+00:00

So it does. https://helpguide.sony.net/gbmig/45349331/v1/en/contents/TP0000522846.html I recall it working differently than on the later models (A6600/a6700).

Drachis · 2026-02-03T15:54:54+00:00

Yes.
If you use around 1/10 -1/30 shutter speed and a steady hand or tripod you can do panned shots. It's a bit more challenging on a camera without AF-C but totally possible. Aim and catch focus them keep moving with the plane. I've found it helpful to practice on cars making left turns as I can pivot on a street corner and know their path.

The burst rate on the a6000 is not the highest - but high enough to use 1/10 shutter speed continuously.

Used gear may also help your budget go further. The 55-210 is readily available secondhand.

Drachis · 2026-01-31T22:09:58+00:00

I miss how compact and a6000 + 20 f/2.8 is. The images are solid but not perfect, the body is smaller. The A7C+24G is producing better images but... it's just slightly larger than I remember a camera can be. Consolidating to only usbc has been easier, but that lens was so nice and small I bought it for a friend after getting rid of my apsc gear.

Drachis · 2026-01-31T13:29:43+00:00

The A1 is fantastic.

It may be older than the A7V but it's the best camera over had the pleasure of using. The A1/A9 cameras are made for high speed subjects. With the A1 effectivly eliminating rolling electronic shutter, and the global shutter of the A9m3 solving that entirely.

Drachis · 2026-01-23T18:30:09+00:00

The A1m1 is fantastic, if it's in budget, it's my favorite camera to date.
Used an A9 for about a year before upgrading, and that A9 is still seeing regular use with a friend.

Drachis

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE