I'm having an affair with Sony and it might be serious.

My first camera was a Ricoh KR-5 I bought used in 1982.  I met the FE-2 in 1985 and it was love at first sight.  Then there was my favorite old standby, the N80.  I was strictly a Nikon user. When the digital age came around I fancied the D300 but the trusty innovative D700 with the 25600 max ISO caught my eye. 

I shot street photography with the D700. I didn’t really care that the camera was large and bulky and not stealthy like. I mean, yeah people usually saw me coming and the shutter release makes a loud mechanical “clunk clunk” sound every time I press it. But the images were good even in low light and I had a zen type relationship with the D700. That camera and I were one.

Shot with a Nikon

Fast forward to the present.  I thought it was time for a little new technology so I rented a Sony a6000 along with 18-55mm OSS kit lens. I liked the layout of the camera buttons and functions but the images couldn’t compare to the D700 (with Sigma Nikon mount 50mm lens, also very loud to AF). I didn’t understand all the fuss. 

Then I talked to a Sony rep at my local camera store and was introduced to an A7II with a G-Master 85mm lens. WOW! The images looked like they were in 3D. I photographed the rep and hit the display button by mistake. I thought I was looking at the rep live through the viewfinder but I was actually looking at the photo I’d just taken! I was blown away. 

My infatuation with the A7II continued when I rented one for a weekend before purchasing.  I then spoiled her by acquiring a shiny Sony 50mm 1.8 from eBay. (I love new toys but $1700 for the G-master? I’m not quite ready for that level of commitment). 

Taken with A7II

I know the Sony is six years younger than my D700 and a direct comparison wouldn't be fair. However, the A7II has twice the resolution, and free firmware updates with gifts like phase detection auto focus; very sexy in a mirrorless. This all goes a long way toward my affection for my new camera.  So there is satisfaction, for now, until my cadish ardor yearns for the depths of even higher ISO and faster auto focus and 10K focus points... Hmm isn’t love grand?