Wednesday, 24 August 2016

Sony 7R2m performance review, SEA aquarium sharks challenge

I'm quite happy with the results 
from my last Sony 7R2M performance review,
 the Nyonya Needlework challenge. 

I managed to capture solid colours and details of stationery art pieces 
in dim ambient lighting situation without using tripod or mono pod.
Focal length restriction to address DOF requirement results in major image cropping
The  lens in used was Canon 17-40mm f4L with Metalbone E mount adapter.
The 42MP sensor and image stabiliser save the day.

Now, Sony 7R2M performance review, 
"SEA aquarium sharks challenge" has just step up the game a little. 

This time, the camera has to engage fast and erratic moving large predator sharks 
in dimly lighted enclosures. 

I'm basically photographing through 28 inches of solid acrylic panels (main tank)
at direct frontal eye level position, 
with plenty of unwanted reflection from surroundings 
as well as lighting within the enclosure. 

Only a small area of the acrylic divide is usable for framing the shots.
Can also result in serious image distortion and banding as angle of view changes.

This situation requires the use of the longer Sony 90mm f2.8 macro lens.
Hopefully, I can capture a few magnificent and graceful motions of these beautiful sea creatures.

Enlarge from image below, the endangered Scalloped Hammerhead shark showing off it's nasty looking teeth.

Scalloped Hammerhead shark

Photographing fish is never easy because of it's fast and erratic movement. 
Using even a short tele-lens requires a more responsive camera body 
and auto focus tracking capability. 

It is known that the 7R2M hunts a lot in dim light auto focus tracking mode
and did experience it in many occasions.

Scalloped Hammerhead shark
Scalloped Hammerhead shark
Scalloped Hammerhead shark
Scalloped Hammerhead shark

Hammer heads sharks are illusive fast swimmers. 
It's swims in the shadow and blend with the background most of the time.
Capturing one in it's splendour requires patients and very responsive equipment.

Scalloped Hammerhead shark
Scalloped Hammerhead shark
Scalloped Hammerhead shark
Scalloped Hammerhead shark
Scalloped Hammerhead shark

I think sharks are beautiful, graceful and majestic creature...and "save the sharks",
so long as we do not share the same side of the divide.

Sandbar shark

Sandbar shark

Sandbar shark
Sandbar shark
Sandbar shark

Sandbar shark
Sandbar shark
Sandbar shark
Silver tip sharks

Sandbar shark
Sandbar shark
Sandbar shark
Sandbar shark

Black tip shark


Silver tip shark
Silver tip shark
Silver tip shark







Okay, this is suppose to be a sharks challenge
but no harm throwing in a few rays for the occasion. 

Say "hello" to this sweetie pie.

Rays are much more difficult to photograph than sharks.
It have a tendency of staying way above and below eye level, 
thus increasing the thickness of acrylic panel mass to penetrate, 
creating more image distortion and flare.




 






Zebra/Leopard shark
Overall, the 7R2M serves my purpose, except for the low light focus hunting issue.

The advantages of the Sony 7R2M over the 7S are the high 42MP sensor which can facilitates serious cropping and enlargement. The 7S (12MP) produce better pixel depth and clarity, but left little room for enlargement after cropping. The responsiveness and improve AF tracking of the 7R2M also facilitates more spontaneous shooting resulting in less rigid shots. 

The camera's image stabiliser really helps to improve overall image sharpness. 
The 7R2M improve balance design also facilitates for longer handheld shooting session.

Okay, final conclusion is that I got my money's worth for the Sony 7R2M camera.

Zebra/Leopard shark

Can't imagine a shark can be so cute and comical.
Seems to be saying, "That's all folks, bye-bye for now".

Above jpeg images are capture without the use of tripod /mono pod, 
in ambient SEA aquarium lighting and process with "Lightroom" only.
All images are down size 1500k resolution.



Sony 7R2m performance review, the Nyonya needlework challenge.


After a few years of waiting, 
my wish for a "suitable" professional digital camera tool has arrived 
in the form of the Sony 7R2M.

I bought it and went on test drives to see if it really meets my requirements.

My first test is to see if high quality images can be achieve 
shooting very fine and colourful art pieces in very low ambient lighting situation 
without using a tripod or mono-pod.

My choice of engagement is the Paranakan Museum currently displaying Nyonya needlework.
Reasons being the Paranakans are more than perfectionise and proud people. 
They love doing things the hard way. 

Every thing they do must be one up and difficult to achieve to show sincerity. 
Watch out for that pride that is embedded in their needlework. 
Namely extensive colour range and hues, very fine and unique stitching techniques, 
layering of materials, durability in design, craftmenship, etc.




Most of the displays are kept behind glass enclosures 
with plenty of reflections from spot lights and surroundings. 

Exposure reading is around f4 at 1/25 sec at ISO 12800.
This give rise to restricting to short focal length lens usage 
due to depth of field requirement against usable hand held shutter speed.
Original plan is to use the 90mm f2.8 macro lens, 
but now limited to using my Canon 17-40mm f4L zoom 
with Matelbone E-mount adaptor. 

Using super wide angle lens did solve the DOF issue, 
but result in serious cropping(at least 50%) of original images composition area.
This is where the 42MP sensor can earn it's keep.


Traditional Paranakan's dresses are very sensuous in design. 
It's "womanly flavour" can be a little too pungent for me in real life encounter.

Preferred cropping
Original composition

Preferred cropping
Enlarge section of dress.
Magnification and shadow details looking good.

Preferred cropping

Enlarge section of dress.
Enlarge section of dress.
Preferred cropping
Needlework and colour details looks solid. 
Enlarge section of cover


Original composition

Preferred cropping
Original composition
Cropped section.
Small cropped section.


Original composition

















Metallic color looks okay.
Preferred cropping

Enlarge section of boot.
Original composition


Enlarge section of shoe.



     Original composition
Enlarge section of shoe
Preferred cropping
Good colour reproduction that looks 3D.


Original composition
Enlarge section of shoe













Original composition
Enlarge section of design.




Enlarge section of wallet.

Enlarge section of vast.





Enlarge section of butterfly.

Enlarge section of gold fish

Preffered cropping
Original composition

Tools of Nyonya needlework trade.

Tools of Nyonya needlework trade.






Overall I'm quite happy with the 7R2M still objects capture 
but what about erratic moving objects in same low ambient light situation?

Well, that's my next 7R2M performance review, 
sharks challenge at the SEA aquarium.

Note: All above images captured in jpeg, processed with Lightroom and downsize to 1500k resolution..