Some experience with the Z7E for wildlife at DVinfo.net

Ofer Levy · April 9th, 2008, 11:34 PM

I am a beginner so please take everything I say keeping this in mind...
Tried the Sony Z7 with a Nikon 80-200 f2.8 still lens mounted on it using an adapter made by Mike Tapa.

Had a look on the footage on a professional Sony studio Monitor and it looks AWESOME!!! Sharpness, detail, motion when following the bird walking and looking for food (Stilt), looks fantastic - 100% natural to my eyes. (1080i, 25p)
Focusing (which I thought is going to be a problem) is very easy with the 'peaking' function and determining exposure can not be easier with the histogram and 'zebra' displayed on the LCD.
The more I play with this camera the more I realise I have actually made a very good choice for wildlife videography....

Thought some people will be interested to hear this...
Cheers,

Ofer Levy
Bird Photographer http://www.oferlevyphotography.com

Hedley Wright · April 10th, 2008, 03:11 AM

Thanks for the post Ofer - I bought the Z7 hoping to do some wildlife filming in addition to my bread and butter weddings work.

Can you give more detail on the adapter please?

Have you experienced any limitations with the lens?

Do you think my 18-200 VR would work well or should I look to by a faster prime lens?

Ofer Levy · April 10th, 2008, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedley Wright

Thanks for the post Ofer - I bought the Z7 hoping to do some wildlife filming in addition to my bread and butter weddings work.

Can you give more detail on the adapter please?

Have you experienced any limitations with the lens?

Do you think my 18-200 VR would work well or should I look to by a faster prime lens?

Hi Hedley, the adapter in exactly the same one used by JVC users. Mine was made by Mike Tapa. http://www.mtfservices.com/index.html its a metal ring - no glass.
To be honest I don't have much experience with this lens but from what I have seen so far it looks great. I realise that even with the x7 factor I will need a hide for most of my work - which is the way to go anyhow.
I am happy with the fact that it looks sharp even wide open which gives me a very nice and shalow DOF. I mount one ND filter on the lens (-2 stops) plus the ND filters in the camera - enables me to shoot wide open at 1/50th 0 gain even in bright morning light.
I am really not an expert but I feel that using a good zoom is a better option than a fixed lens. The Nikon 80-200 f2.8 is an excellent lens by any standard.

Hope that helps.
Cheers mate,
Ofer

Hedley Wright · April 10th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Thanks Ofer - useful info.

Jake Latendresse · April 11th, 2008, 08:49 AM

Ofer,

Please check your email. I sent you a message regarding ordering a lens adapter.

Thanks
Jake

Ofer Levy · April 11th, 2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Latendresse

Ofer,

Please check your email. I sent you a message regarding ordering a lens adapter.

Thanks
Jake

Just sent you a reply.

Jake Latendresse · April 11th, 2008, 10:06 AM

Thanks, Ofer-

Thanks for the response. I shoot still shots with Nikon D300 and have a variety of lenses that I am anxious to use on my new Z7.

Have you any experience with a 10.5mm fisheye on the Sony? How will the 7X factor effect the DOF with such wide angle?

Jake

Tom Fruzynski · April 11th, 2008, 01:22 PM

any chance for a clip or a link to a play back of such

Ofer Levy · April 12th, 2008, 01:00 AM

Jake,
I have no experience with the fisheye so can't say anything.

Tom,

I am such a beginner that I don't even know how to post a clip - it will take me a few weeks to find out how to do it...(-:

April 9th, 2008, 11:34 PM	#1
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Some experience with the Z7E for wildlife I am a beginner so please take everything I say keeping this in mind... Tried the Sony Z7 with a Nikon 80-200 f2.8 still lens mounted on it using an adapter made by Mike Tapa. Had a look on the footage on a professional Sony studio Monitor and it looks AWESOME!!! Sharpness, detail, motion when following the bird walking and looking for food (Stilt), looks fantastic - 100% natural to my eyes. (1080i, 25p) Focusing (which I thought is going to be a problem) is very easy with the 'peaking' function and determining exposure can not be easier with the histogram and 'zebra' displayed on the LCD. The more I play with this camera the more I realise I have actually made a very good choice for wildlife videography.... Thought some people will be interested to hear this... Cheers, Ofer Levy Bird Photographer http://www.oferlevyphotography.com

April 10th, 2008, 03:11 AM	#2
Hedley Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: England Posts: 45	Thanks for the post Ofer - I bought the Z7 hoping to do some wildlife filming in addition to my bread and butter weddings work. Can you give more detail on the adapter please? Have you experienced any limitations with the lens? Do you think my 18-200 VR would work well or should I look to by a faster prime lens?

April 10th, 2008, 02:16 PM	#4
Hedley Wright Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: England Posts: 45	Thanks Ofer - useful info.

April 11th, 2008, 08:49 AM	#5
Jake Latendresse Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Platte River, NE Posts: 86	Ofer, Please check your email. I sent you a message regarding ordering a lens adapter. Thanks Jake

April 11th, 2008, 10:06 AM	#7
Jake Latendresse Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Platte River, NE Posts: 86	Thanks, Ofer- Thanks for the response. I shoot still shots with Nikon D300 and have a variety of lenses that I am anxious to use on my new Z7. Have you any experience with a 10.5mm fisheye on the Sony? How will the 7X factor effect the DOF with such wide angle? Jake

April 11th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#8
Tom Fruzynski New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Landing New Jersey Posts: 13	any chance for a clip or a link to a play back of such

April 12th, 2008, 01:00 AM	#9
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Jake, I have no experience with the fisheye so can't say anything. Tom, I am such a beginner that I don't even know how to post a clip - it will take me a few weeks to find out how to do it...(-: