Does Sony's a7S III Cut It as a Stills Camera? Can TTartisan's 50 Compete With Leica's 50 Summicron? 

Ooh, the wink at the end… what a cliffhanger! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the A7IV… 😉

Damn you for that "I know something that you don't" look at the end! 😂

Hands down the finest photo channel, bar none. Eloquent, entertaining, ALWAYS informative and stimulating. Thanks for your content.

Great video/review as usual! The TT Artisan lens looks very good, and the price certainly is right - I have a similar bargain lens (50mm Pergear manual focus, for M 4/3) and the results are surprisingly good with a 20mp camera. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!

I shot race track,, high speed, motorsports for the first time this weekend. I used my xt 4 and the 100-400. While not ideal for that situation, it sure did work well enough. I got some smoking shots once I dialed in settings.

You know what I'd like to see in the coming weeks. A new RX1R. I know folks are clamoring about an A7IV but I don't care about that one anymore since I prefer the A7RIV for photography and the features of the A7SIII for video. But my RX1R II is in dire need of an update.

Hugh, I like your style and presentation. Your focus on the artsy side of photography is clear and the question is, if such an approach actually needs any conversation about the cameras and lenses. It may generate less traffic, though. You don't like pixel peeping, but that's what we all do in digital. And here is to me the core of the problem in the pixel peeping side of things: raw processing. This does two important things: (a) guessing what the colors missing in the raw file might have been, (b) guessing about smooth representation of rounded blobs, lines and gradients from a grid of "square" elements. "We", the commons, are like in Plato's proverbial cave when it comes to our understanding of digital photography. Considering what raw processing actually does and what is in a raw file, considering that neither the sensor nor the raw file have pixels (pixels have RGB), but that we nevertheless look at RGB pixels on our monitors, we forget that what we see on these displays is far from the camera. It is the result of algorithms and profiles of parameter settings to these algorithms. These raw processing parameters are dependent on camera brand/model and settings details, as well as lens/model and settings details. These may also depend on firmware version levels. In a pixel peeping comparison between an F mount lens on a Z camera and a same focal length and setting Z mount lens on it I have seen actual color noise with the Z lens that was absent with the F lens (in the latest version of Lightroom Classic of the day, all Nikon kit). This was a raw processing artifact and at the time I had already seen this at 100% with my own shots in certain surfaces. When we open files in Lightroom, it applies Adobe's default profile. That may be sub-optimal to our camera and/or lens and /or firmware version. And LrC may not have formal support of a new model camera or lens, yet. Or, when it has formal support, that may be sub-optimal. And this is where DxO (software company as opposed to the DxO Mark company) stepped into a void in the market with their PureRAW (now version 1.5) that processes a camera native raw file into a raw variant that gives better results in Lightroom. This impacts all sorts of raw processing artifacts: (i) mosaicking, this is called Moiré if we recognize it or color noise, or luminance noise, if we do not recognize it and (ii) sharpening or anti-aliasing. It also impacts correction of flaws like chromatic aberration. What we look at in LrC is the result of raw processing and there is a [fecal matter] load of complications if we want to judge cameras and lenses. To me, it means "when in doubt, use camera manufacturer's raw processing". The existence of PureRAW also means I pay too much for my Adobe license and LrC/CR are sub-optimal. Assuming that differences between the TTartisan and Summicron are not caused by bad raw processing profiles, I have to say that the Summicron did a lot better in the first zone of background blur in its blurred depiction of contrasty parts and this is where a photography-as-art shooter would be entitled to a conversation about lens quality.

I love the a7siii because it gives me Sony's latest autofocus, menu improvements, and a beautiful EVF for almost half the price of an A1. Until the A7RIV is announced and actually available, the a7siii is my hybrid of choice. 12 MP is livable, and ML upscaling in apps like Pixelmator and Topaz at the moment is convincing. For sports (in a club university setting, not even pro), I find the 12 MP file sizes an actual advantage.

Great review as always. Still happy, though, with my GH5. It makes me "old school" and we all know the reasons why. Planning on coming Stateside summer, 2023. Best wishes from Stockholm. If you get over here, let me know. I'd be delighted to take you around town. May and September are best, fewer tourists everywhere then!

Awesome. Thank you.

Hugh could talk about literally anything from shoes, to ships, to sealing wax... and I’d watch every video. The fact that it’s cameras he talks about makes it even better. On another note... I’ve been trying to buy a Fuji X-T4 for a couple weeks now and they’re out everywhere. 😩 These TT artisans lenses have most definitely piqued my interest, and I’d be keen to try them on the Fuji system. Thanks for bringing them to my attention Hugh! (Even though that’s not the point of the video).

I think the key to using the A7S series as a stills camera is as a portrait camera, or as a camera for working in closely. Or as I do, as a gig camera in dingy low light clubs capturing bands. Resolution isn’t an issue here I feel. If you’re trying to shoot landscapes this is the wrong camera. As most of my clients (bands), don’t print the images, just going on social media, the A7S is more than enough. I get great results with manual lenses on the mark 1 and I’m very happy with it.

I'm having a unique view (no pun intended) watching this video as I've already drooled over your review of the A7IV and already know that you've replaced the A7S III with it.

My admiration for a7Siii was always for its video capabilities but I don't know why nowadays, more and more videos are in my recommendation for its stills capabilities 🙂. I am not a pro yet not even intermediate in my photography and videography skills therefore the professional views affect me more. I am happy with a6600's stills capabilities, but I won't be hesitant anymore to take some stills with a7Siii from now on.

Sounds like someone is under NDA with a new camera(s). Great content as always!

I have two SL2S bodies left Sony at that time the A9 A7iii and the A7Riii, even had the A7RIV. I’m sad the Leica focusing system is not better but my time editing and my clients have never been happier with the work. Loved the review but let me ask do you see leaving the SL2? If so for what system. Thanks for the great work!

Delightfully thought-provoking. As always.

Did you try Sony 55 f1.8? It is an older glass, far from perfect, but still, excellent form factor, and I love it for protests/rallies in the streets in combination with a9.

I shoot stills with the A7S3 and love it ,period... you don't need to look fare for enhancement software

I had to stop in mid video to ask. Was this really shot with the Z6 and 50mm 1.8 nikkor? This video is super Tack Sharp!!! Is the export settings, the lighting or what? lol My gosh..

I believe the a7r4a (not a typo) has the same viewfinder as the a7s3 as well. As far as I know it’s an a7r4 with an upgraded viewfinder and maybe an upgraded screen too. I haven’t seen either personally but have heard good things about the upgrades.

I snagged a used TTArtisan 35mm f1.4 for L mount APS-C. It is on my CL and so far I am speechless with the image quality. So maybe TTArtisan is not just blowing smoke. For $49 used, Ill take the win.

I hope that's a Pixel 6 hint at the end.

I liked the vid before watching. Certain it will be good 😍

Better than a smartphone, mount it on a helmet to see in the dark! - A7RIII shooter 😂 I shoot on a 6mp Minolta 7D as a backup and I want that high ISO CCD film-like noise it's not about resolution it's about one and done.

Do we know if this is the same optical formula (sans RF focusing components) as their more expensive M-mount? Considering buying it for my SL(601)

What are your thoughts about the SL2/SL2S and their native lenses compared with Fujifilm’s GFX100/100S and lenses? I haven’t found any video or articles comparing the SYSTEMS, which I think is key to understanding high quality full frame, such as Leica, with larger sensor and/or greater MP systems like the GFX. I own a variety of Leica and Fujifilm gear (including GFX lenses but no current body, since I was waiting for improvements to the ergonomics).

The imminent A7IV is rumoured to have many of the specs of the A7SIII with a 33MP sensor, which certainly beats 12MP. Maybe that will become the go-to hybrid for those of us who can’t afford an A1? Apart from that, I wonder how the super resolution feature in Lightroom performs with A7SIII stills? Worth thinking about?

What’s wrong with the A1?

What about Fuji film… I’m guessing the autofocus can’t be fully trusted for video. I still kind of want one as a hybrid. Already have a nice compact in the Sony ZV-1 which works well for video

I use for stills a7s3 to weddings. The best camera focus in low light in the world. r6 & r5 go home 🤟

You have a great voice!

I had the A7sii and in stills, it delivered a very cinematic image-or more, precisely, there was a sfumato effect, redolent of a Vemeer painting.

Do you not think that many people would be better of spending their money going on photograph trips or training courses to get better shots rather than changing their camera systems thinking it's going to make them a better photographer? APSC for street and you didn't mention the X100V, tut-tut, you're a bad man. Now take that big G Master lens and, hold that thought. Another good chat, bring on the next.

PURE GENIOIS

Jared "Fro knows Photo" Polin does NOT crop not ever.