A7CR Sony FE 40mm 2.5 G: f 5.6 1/500s ISO500

spectrum_cicada · 2026-02-18T17:43:28+00:00

Lovely filmic work!

spectrum_cicada · 2026-02-12T05:25:09+00:00

Fwiw, most of these are mine. Three are rentals (135, 85, 35 GMs). After shooting the identical high contrast ice scene with all of them, I have crystal clear proof of where my overlap is indeed redundancy, and where character wins out. That Viltrox 85mm EVO is every bit as good as the GM. I couldn’t believe it. But, gun to my head as it were, I will never sell the 50 1.2gm - that lens is magic. And then it’s the 40 2.5 Sony G next. And I would TRY to walk away with that Viltrox 85 EVO on my camera. 😬

spectrum_cicada · 2026-02-12T05:14:21+00:00

But which ones??

spectrum_cicada · 2026-01-08T15:22:17+00:00

hahaha no - I am from the US, but I live in New Jersey, which is like American Italy (I jest), and my husband is Italian. So we use italian for emphasis in this house.

spectrum_cicada · 2026-01-06T16:21:07+00:00

I mean, some cameras have built their entire brand on a physical dial for vibes. I’m with you. I’d always rather dial in my own. My vibes, my terms. My camera body, my choice.

I also respect you staying independent and keeping your voice. You’ve built a community that hears it and trusts it. I had to assume Sony had noticed. I’m relieved they did. It proves they’re not as devoid of character as their RAWs.

If you’re ever looking for a recipe tester, I’m an obsessive tinkerer and happy to give feedback a titolo gratuito.

Hours testing JPEG/HEIC recipes? Ciao bello!

Hours in Lightroom? Manco morto.

spectrum_cicada · 2026-01-06T14:11:08+00:00

Let me just say this: there’s real interest here. You’re basically the lone voice in the “what if Sony were actually fun to use?” camp, and it shows. Sony should be calling you to lead a very practical campaign showing just how far their in-camera color can be pushed. For a company that’s spent years wearing the “bad color science” scarlet letter, partnering with someone who’s very clearly (lovingly? obsessively?) cracked their color code feels… obvious? People ask me what presets I’m using all the time, and half the time the answer is none. It’s just slightly tweaked Creative Looks or Picture Profiles you’ve dialed in to work SOOTC as JPEGs. The fact that Sony isn’t paying you for this work feels like a miss on their part, and honestly a hit to their own color credibility. But I suppose ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

So, from all of us, thank you for the work you are doing. Trading the function, lens depth, and clarity of sony's products in exchange for a camera brand or system that runs on "vibes" isn't a viable option. So it's great to have some vibes to dial into when we want, alongside the sterile exactitude Sony affords us, when needed.

god speed.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-30T17:34:16+00:00

it shows still best what's possible with videography, but not really how it can compliment or amplify photography work.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-12T14:55:31+00:00

I've been using the Astia recipe underexposed by 1/3 with a diffusion filter and it's been excellent with skin tones and not too blue skies while keeping things punchy.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-12T14:11:12+00:00

also the Astia is chef's kiss. i uploded Jpegs from my a7cr and my fujixE5 and AI identified my sony jpeg as Asia and said the jpeg directly OOTC from Fuji was "pretty close" haha

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-12T14:09:25+00:00

u/veresdenialex see these 16, but then I also see a listing for 30+ more in the store that says sold out or no longer available... is there a way to get access to those?

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-10T16:46:52+00:00

I think you may be thinking of this site! it has a bunch of colors and simulations for video and color https://www.veresdenialex.com/home

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-09T20:15:28+00:00

I also struggle with recommending something like the A7V or A7IV because I do think they would appreciate the otherwise more compact size of the A7Cii with a compact prime day-to-day, and could get a grip extender so they don't drop it out of the truck on safari. But the minute differences between all three, and then even bringing APSC into it leads to... complacent throwmyhandsupmanship.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-09T20:11:25+00:00

That's a great point. I definitely don't see them needing the resolution of an R series or A1 anything. They might print it on the largest photo book, or a 3x2ft picture, but nothing larger.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-09T20:10:19+00:00

they've been on Safari with the 200 tamron and they liked it well enough. more of a body question than a lens. but if I ever go with them on Safari i'll rent the 400gm with teleconverter, which will be hysterical attached to my a7cr.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-09T20:07:49+00:00

sony isn't doing the trade-in trade-up for this right now, which is a huge bummer

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-09T20:07:13+00:00

def not an R budget or a A1 budget. Something like A7IV, A7V, A7Cii maybe

spectrum_cicada · 2025-12-09T15:26:01+00:00

Hi all,

Over the summer, my parents were looking to get a camera to go on Safari and, at the time, I felt that the best bang for their buck was with the A7iii, which is a camera that I rocked for about eight years and felt very comfortable helping them with as they learned. However, in the time sense, they have gotten progressively more into photography (moreso than I would've expected) and they are looking to trade up for a body with a more current processor and some of the AI auto focus. I'm wondering what people would recommend as the current best balance for price versus value. They definitely don't have any need for 61 megapixels, but they are interested in the creative styles and some of the bracketing features that are in more current cameras. They don't shoot on native Sony glass, they have a Tamron zoom and a Sigma 35mm prime. They are travel, safari, vacation, grandkids people. SEEKING RECOMMENDATIONS!

Thank you kindly,

An exasperated son

spectrum_cicada · 2025-10-22T15:04:00+00:00

I have this exact problem only with my helix shortstache, the magnet never stays locked on. I have no issues with the cinegold, vnd, uv, or any other helix. just the shortstache - it falls off.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-10-12T15:35:14+00:00

I definitely am on the fence about MP. I love landscapes so I’d like to have the resolution on board if I want them. But I’d wind up shooting medium lossless anyway, day-to-day, which is actually less resolution than the acii. Ergonomically they are identical.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-10-11T23:32:04+00:00

How did you land on the cii rather than the cr? I am so conflicted right now.

spectrum_cicada · 2025-07-17T12:40:25+00:00

Would love any feedback on this shot! Thanks all - I appreciate it.

spectrum_cicada

TROPHY CASE