How refreshing... calm delivery and well explained reasoning, underscored with some spectacular images. No yelling, annoying intros and other pointless shenanigans. Thanks.
Hi Mark, I fall in love with each of your reviews (plenty more to watch ) ! The reason for that is as someone mentioned below "info from a doer makes a difference". I am sick of watching youtube "influencer" wannabies with click-baity titles and shallow content. People like you make youtube review worth watching, please keep posting these! And i would live to understand and implement everything you are teaching in my photography! (As of recent Sony AIII user).
"Not sure why it has to be top ten, makes a good name for the movie I suppose" hahahaha love it. These lens reviews are just a wealth of knowledge, much appreciated.
Just part exchanged my Canon 5D Mk3 and a 17-40 and 24-105 Canon lens for my excellent and wonderful Sony A7Mk3, I just love it. Great review and look forward to reading your website.
Great session Mark, as always! I'm new to the Sony Alpha system (A7III this summer) and 3 of my four lenses are in your list. I gave much thought to each selection, and I was amazed at how similar our reasoning and thought process was on picking the lenses. My kit includes the 24-105 G, (purchased with the camera), then 16-35 GM (landscape, etc. and doubles as a faster walkaround set at 35mm), 35mm Distagon 1.4 (this is where we part briefly, I wanted that speed and bokeh when it was useful), and finally the 70-200 G. I also bought the a6500 afterwards with two lenses, and I love using it with the 70-200 G when I need 300mm.
Totally agree with you mark on the 35mm. Have had it in my bag and on my camera for about 99% of what i shoot. I have since bought the 35 f1.4 and another nikon 35 and an adapter but the zeiss is just immaculate. The size, weight and inconspicuous profile is something that photographers often forget in pursuit of pure image resolve. I was thinking of getting the 24 - 70 and selling this 35 but its just too versatile on its own.
Another really nice thing about selecting the 24-105 f4 G over the 24-70 f2.8 GM is that you when you know you will want the extra reach of the 100-400mm you can can skip entirely the 70-200 without losing focal range coverage.
I feel pretty good after watching this video . . . up until yesterday I only owned 3 lenses for my a7iii . . . 100-400 GM, 16-35 2.8 GM, and 24-105 F4 G ! I 'almost' bought the 85mm FE, but I got such a great deal on a new-in-box 85mm Batis ($700 U$) I couldn't pass it up. A couple reasons I went with the Batis, was the great weather sealing, lens stabilization, and I love the way it renders colors. Well, I guess 3 out of 4 Mark Galer's top 10 pics isn't doing too shabby !!! Thank you Mark for your continued help and wonderful guidance. Cheers. PS . . . I have the 1.4X teleconverter as well . . . so I guess that makes 4 out 5 ! ;-)
Great video.. I own 6 out of your 10. At one point I owned all the lenses but limited my selection down to only 6 lenses. I as well still own my original purchase from 5 years ago 55 1.8 and 35 2.8, I have sold and bought so many lenses over the years.. I am surprised as well I have kept these two lenses so long.
I have all but a couple of the lenses mentioned, but mostly impressed with the G Master lenses. Seems you get what you pay for. The 90mm 2.8 macro is also in that league.
Top notch review and recommendations. I noticed your links do not reference the 70-200 you discuss. Keep the videos coming. I’m starting from ground zero. You are my favorite!
Hello from 2020! This video is still relevant and (regardless of brand) a great explanation of lens attributes to look out for, thank you! (also great to see shots of Western Australia, hurrah!) I'm still using my 24-70mm GM 2.8, as I do a lot of event work where I have limited control on framing (especially where I can stand), so primes are out, as I'm jumping around focal lengths from moment to moment. It's a beautiful workhorse lens, and I don't mind slugging the extra weight, but oh how I miss working with primes!
Great video Mark, thanks! My favourite auto focus lenses from Sony is 24-105mm.f.4 + 55mm.f.1.8 + 85mm.f.1.8 and if it is manuel lenses it is the two Zeiss Loxia 35mm.f.2 + 50mm.f.2 and the Tokina FiRIN 20mm.f.2 :)
Awesome video Mark. The 16-35 2.8 GM was the lens I always had in mind to buy because of the zoom flexibility and filter usage. About to finally buy it for my A7RIII. And after testing the 135 1.8 GM, that is one I must have as well!!
Good list. Love the 55mm Sony. It has something every other lens doesn't have and really sharp wide open. A lot of chromatic abarration, but it is worth it. Also like the 85mm a lot, again nice and sharp wide open. I would like a proper 35mm in the f/1.8 range or below (and also below 1000 euro/dollar). Luckily the Sigma f/1.4 35mm Art with FE mount has filled that gap perfectly and I am blown away by the image quality.
We have similar taste. I absolute love the 85 1.8. And the 100-400 is on my camera as much as any other lens. I have the 12-24 2.8 which came out later and love it. I feel like i need a 16-35 but i can't decide between the f4 and the 2.8. Will just wait and see. Thanks for all your videos, they are exceptional. Definately my favorite reviews of sony gear.
I have produced two lens-choice videos since publishing this video. The first is publicly available on RUclips and the most recent one is available for my Patrons on my Alpha support channel ( Patreon.com/markgaler ). I tend to favour lighter lenses these days so would suggest you also check out my 16-25 F2.8 G lens review. I am currently using tiny 11mm and 15mm primes on an A6700 for my wide-angle work.
Elvin Lewis , me too... I run an A7Rii through a 24-70GM & 70-200GM (& 1.4TC) and the Riii just seems to fill in all the pieces missing from the Rii...
Hi Mark, great vid, informative and it has helped me since I have viewed on several occasions. Now 18 months on, things have changed and I wonder how that now affects your choices (e.g. 135, 20, 35)? My growing lens assortment currently matches 4 in your top 10 for similar reasons. I do love the 55/1.8 and it allowed me to forgo the hefty 24-70 GM and pick the 24-105 f4 G augmented by an occasional prime for low light. I decided to buy the newer f1.8 35mm instead of the pancake f2.8 (great for street use). More recently my attention has been caught by independents too. I toyed with Laowa and briefly owned a 12mm f2.8 but couldn't get along with it - too hefty and slow for all but occasional specialised use. Didn't like no exif data and felt edge resolution wasn't all it should be. So it got sold. I might have gone with Laowa's 15mm f2 (for astro) but, once burned, I was more wary. The Voitglander 15mm f4.5 is too slow and has other issues that deter me. So, like others, I'm hoping to see Sony design and make a good, small, fast prime around the 14,15 or 16mm focal length (pref 14mm f2.8 or 15/16mm f2). Sigma (esp. with Art series) make some exceptionally good glass but it doesn't get on my radar on account of excess heft. So that leaves Tamron (owned circa 10% by Sony I believe). Initially my stubbon prejudice, snobbery and memories of bad glass from their earlier days (in the film era) had me ignore their offerings. Perhaps that's changed? As a Sony ambassador are you able to embrace non Sony brand glass? I just bought a Tamron 70-180 f2.8 after hearing great reports that it rivaled Sony's 70-200 f.8 GM in terms of IQ and AF speed. Like you I had passed on the GM and bought a smaller f4 G version (easier to travel with). I'm still doing careful testing but if it proves as good as the hype then I may end up selling my 70-200 G. I know I will lose out on robustness, absolute top end reach and OSS but I suspect it will comfortably better my G f4. This now makes me wonder about their sister optics - 17-28 and 28-75 both f2.8. I hear the 17-28 can hold its own on IQ with the GM 16-35 albeit missing out on the top end but rewarding with useful savings in size, weight and cost. Any views and is it time for Sony to update their GM range zooms?
Thanks for your video and perspectives which I appreciate. You look to have made some great choices and have done so with the benefit of time, experience and familiarity with Sony kit, over many years. I'm now 14 months into Sony (ex Nikon) and appear to have made broadly similar decisions - having 'jumped' just after N's underwhelming Z7 launch. Initially in researching my switch, in quest of smaller/better, I was dismayed to find that a 70-200mm f2.8 Sony was almost identical in mass/size to my excellent Nikkor equivalent (I reasoned that physics is physics, whatever the brand). I also reasoned that with improving sensor performance there was less need now vs. a few years ago for the fastest glass - so if making careful choices then I could still get top quality and make practical real-world mass and bulk savings. My move must have been 'mirrored' by many others too (no pun intended) judging from recent financial performance by Sony and Nikon. I'm a generalist shooter, so believe I need a broad range of glass, but wanted to go native e-mount (rather than converters, so sold 12+ Nikkors). Following multiple cash disposals I was fortunate (as an amateur) to be able to afford several Sony lenses. I couldn't justify 'glass at any price' (so no 400mm f4 for me) either! I share your line up with 4 optics: 24-105, 70-200 zooms both f4 and 55 plus 85 primes f1.8. It's not just financial cost, I'm attempting to balance great quality, versatility and relatively compact size/mass. n.b. slightly smaller size was one key element in my switch to Sony/mirrorless - so although Sony body ergonomics and weather sealing are currently inferior to N (at least in any fair minded comparison) that wasn't a 'show stopper' so you won't find me complaining too much (everything in life is a trade off). I differ from you slightly at the wide end as I again saved cost/weight with the f4 16-35mm but 'splurged' on a 24mm f1.4 for astro (also for when I need extra speed - usually rare in wides). For a 35mm prime I was tempted by your Zeiss f2.8 as a tiny but great 'street' optic, yet coming to Sony's party later, went for the newer f1.8 (greater versatility, IMO whilst still pretty compact). I had contemplated going wider still and eventually bought a Laowa prime 12mm f2.8 (thinking astro) - lovely quality, but quite slow to use, no electronic exif and pretty heavy too, so I'm not certain it will stay long term. I'm slightly surprised you chose both a f1.8 and f1.4 in 85mm prime for your 'top 10'? Clearly both are excellent but it looks like 90%+ duplication? I originally owned a 85mm f1.4 in Nikkor flavour, but experience with minimal DOF helped me understand that a f1.8 85mm 'portrait' optic was no real-world practical loss vs. f1.4 (apart from perhaps GM weather sealing and modest bokeh gain) and it saved considerably on cost, mass and bulk. At the longer end I had contemplated a 100-400 GM but Sony complicated matters for me by introducing a 200-600mm (constant length) optic so I went that way. It's too early to know for sure if it's right for me - it looks good but certainly isn't small, light, inconspicuous or particularly cheap (unless your frame of ref. is a Sony prime 400/600mm). I wonder if you would still retain your same 'Top 10' as newer optics get introduced? It's an academic question from me as I'm happy with (and making) my own choices. My own decisions were made post launch of Sony's 35mm f1.8 and 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 optics and I had initially considered your choices, but note your review pre-dates availability of the newer lenses I bought.
Hi. Shame you decided to part with your nikkor glass, it could have been a interesting mix with the mirrorless sony. Hope to see somebof your work. Cordially.
My 85 mm f/1.8 is on the table. And it is a really good lens. It is one of the best portrait lens at that price. I really wish Sony release a 35 mm f/1.8
Phenomenal movie Mark. It may be the best work you have ever done! Now I hope you will take the ten and get it down to just three lenses for a travel kit. I know this would be like choosing your favorite child, but for travel you have got to keep it light. I feel for me my kit would be: A7R m3, Sony 16-35 f2.8 GM, Sony 55 f1.8, and Sony 24-105 f4. If you need a little more reach you could substitute the Sony 70-200 f. Now lets see a movie on your most current travel kit.
Thanks Mark, so interesting to hear your choices. I have a 70- 200 f.4 and a few of your other picks but my everyday walkaround is the much praised Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and I am very happy with my choice. My wish is for Tamron to continue to make E mount glass and give us another spectacular , reasonably priced and easy to carry lens in 2019 ( possibly a wide angle zoom please?) Thank you for all your amazing and informative videos this year, Mark and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
I have the 24-105mm and the 70-200mm GM. My plan was to invest in primes over getting the 24-70mm GM. This video helped me feel better about that decision. Getting an astrophotography lense and that 90mm macro lense for sure.
I miss a 1-5 macro from Sony something link the canon 65 MP-E. The macro community is quite large in my mind and the existing lowa 20mm lens for e mount isn’t as good as the Canon. The 90mm is amazing lens absolutely in my first 5 lens. Great video.
Good video... surprised there are 2 85s there, but I can totally understand why. You have a 4 of my lenses in there, 100-400, 1.4tc, 35mm, and 55mm. I don't shoot a lot of portraits, but I do shoot a lot of macro - when I do shoot portraits the 90mm Macro is good enough (it's almost too sharp though). I have a 12mm F2.8 Laowa that I won in a photography contest which is good for wide angle, wide angle macro, and astro (is super heavy and certainly not small - would definitely prefer something that was not designed for DSLRs). I have been tempted to get a wide angle zoom, but honestly, I rarely go ultra wide (secretly I am hoping Sony does a 16-35 in the same way they did the 85... something that is great value for money). The last lens I have is the Sony 24-240 - which I have because I do a lot of travel/hiking, and really don't want to change lenses (if I do, it's to a prime or the 100-400mm). The 24-240 is pretty good - you just need to know how to work around its limitations. Since getting the 100-400 I have been tempted to swap it out for a 24-105 or supplement it with the Tamron 28-75 but, the 24-240 works fine, i might miss the long end, and takes a good beating so is not worth much for a trade-in.
Hi Sony Australia (Santa), Christmas is just around the corner. Please make Mark Galer wishes comes TRUE. He has been working so hard for Sony and because of Mark we (the general public) have purchased so many Sony Cameras and lenses. He is a TRUE Sony Global Imaging Ambassador. Do the right thing, loan your FE 400 F2.8 GM lens permanently to Mark without any strings attached. Sony Australia (Santa), I am convinced, Mark Galer is going to make you proud! I can't wait to see the SMILE on Mark Galer's face when that happens! All the best to you Sony, have a lovely year ahead.
Thanks Jenny Yip - Of course it is Sony Japan who should see that this course of action makes complete sense - and that I would then reward them with lots of grade A action images captured using a Mirrorless system.
Hi Mark - I was green with your ability to swim in fabulous glass! One I have found to be a total surprise packet is the Sony E mount 1.8 50m lens. Yes, it's APSC, but that gives me a wonderful portrait lens, and mounted on my Sony A7Rii with megapixels to spare, I get fabulous results! Ultra sharp, great bokeh and value for money wise, in my opinion, nothing can touch it. All this on top of its' fabulous performance on my A6000. Thanks for your work - keep it up! :-)
@@orlandogarcia1455 I've had great luck with it. I don't know if it's optically the best lens, but for how I shoot it has been a beauty investment. I don't have time to change lenses and I have to carry them into the mountains, so the 24-105 ticks a lot of boxes.
Hey Mark. Nice Video. Thanks for sharing. Your gear looks very good. No scratches or other signs of use. Do you handle it with such care or do you have a special tipp ?
My tip would be to use a camera bag that is big enough to put the lens straight back into its individual compartment when changing lenses. I see so many photographers who don’t seem to have practiced changing lenses very much and struggle to know what to do with the lens they have removed from the camera. If you use a backpack and cant return the lens quickly and safely to its safe housing then you may need to consider a messenger bag.
I sold my Canon 5D Mark III for Sony A7RIII. I kept my canon 70 - 200 f2.8. II. Would you recommend getting the Sony glass over this? Would there be any major gain in quality with the Sony glass vs Canon glass? Also which metabones adapter would you recommend to use with this lens if I keep it?
Luis Moreno - I have not used this lens but Canon glass usually adapts well on third generation Sony Full Frame cameras. You also need to research Sigma’s MC-11 adapter. Some Previous Canon owners may be able to advise. Unfortunately I can’t comment on gear I have not used.
I also kept some of my Canon glass and use the MC-11 adapter with my A7iii. I can tell you that the Sony focus system enhances almost every Canon lens. Your 70-200 will work very well. One of my greatest surprises was the nifty fifty by Canon. It was good on a Canon, but try it out with Sony and the MC-11 adapter. Focus speed is adequate for portraiture and still subjects, but for some reason the sharpness is off the chart! Funny how the Sony system actually extracts additional value and performance from Canon glass. One other thing... You may be happier with some of the Canon glass color rendering, especially when first switching over. I hope to do a video soon to share with the community.
Strangely omitted is the 50mm 1.4 Planar. I own and have owned several of the lenses on your table and mostly agree with your critique of each, but if you haven't experienced the 50 1.4 Planar on your A7Riii you're doing yourself a disservice. EASILY my favorite lens even over the 85 GM, which I've had a love it/hate it relationship with as I think it renders colors with a bit of an olive cast, and the 16-35 GM (my second favorite, at least in part because it makes me money shooting real estate). Speaking of wide angle zooms and real estate specifically, I'm glad I went with the 2.8 over the F4. Yes, shooting rooms I'm stopped down to ~F8 most of the time, but to be able to zoom in and open it up to a 35mm F2.8 is great for detail shots with some bokeh without having to change lenses. I do a lot of this with house numbers, door handles, and appliance/cabinetry badges. Those would be harder shots to get with the F4...certainly not as dramatic.
I have owned the 50mm f/1.4 and loved the image quality - I felt it gave the 85mm a run for its money when used wide open. It was, however, the same story as my 35mm f/1.4. I travelled with the 35mm f/2.8 and the 55mm f/1.8 so the big lenses were not earning their keep.
Your lens of the year (85mm f1.8) is a perfect choice! Also, I certainly agree with using the 70-200mm f4 for it’s weight savings. The DOF is only about a ½ inch difference when focusing at 10 feet. Of course the real savings is the $1,000 less.
After taking photos for decades, i heard about Voigtlander lenses so i ordered one - 50mm Nokton 1.2. There is something special in the glass of the Voigtlanders that ive never seen before, its like a magical illumination. Im kinda old school from the days of nikon f2 AI lens so its has that appeal. I now have 4 Voigtlander lenses, i really like there build quality and compact size. Ps i have the Sony 24-105, and your right… spectacular!!
Thanks for the video, very informative. I missed the guidance for owning a combination of lenses. For instance, owning the FE 24-70 F2.8 GM, is it advisable to buy FE 55 1.8 ZA for better sharpness (?) and higher aperture? Portrait is the focus of the activity.
I primarily use primes except for the Fe 16-35 GM and 100-400 GM. I prefer the wider apertures of primes. A mid-range zoom is useful if you don’t have time to change a prime
also, why the heck didn't they make a flat front element on the 12-24 f4? i really wanted that lens until i found out about the fixed shade, i like using nd filters... the expense of the nisi thing puts it out of reach for a hobbyist like myself.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills I know that about the bulb, I'm just wondering why not a wider flat front perhaps instead of the big bulb. If the lens flared wider at the front I mean... Anyhow great channel. I devoured hours yesterday at my desk boning up on my a7iii knowledge. I work in animation so I sit and draw all day while listening to /watching lectures on my computer...
Hi Mark. Very nicely done lens recommendations for the Sony System! I am a Fujifilm X-System user, specializing in landscapes and small product photography, and have found the Fujinon XF80mm f/2.8 Macro lens to be the absolute sharpest lens I've ever used in my 40+ years of photography! (Would love to see a comparison test between it and the also superb Sony 90mm f/2.8 G OSS Macro!) When I combine the Fujinon lenses with an X-T3, a solid tripod, and good pre/post processing technique, I am seeing incredible detail in my product photography and macro images. With respect to bokeh, I require sharp detail throughout my product images, so I never shoot wide open, preferring the optimum apertures of f/8-11. And, when I need to use focus stacking to ensure maximum sharpness and detail, I am obtaining detail that would rival FF and possibly even medium format, IMHO. That said, do you think that I would see a "significant" improvement in image sharpness/detail retention in a 24"x36" poster print from the Sony FF System (a7Rlll) over my Fuji X-System? Thank you, sir.
Great video! I have the zeiss 55 and 24mm GM, mostly shooting video. If there was one more lens you could advise, what would it be? I'm leaning towards an all purpose zoom like the 24-105 for travel, the OSS could help so I dont need a gimbal. But maybe a extra prime like the 85 will do it better for the bokeh. Although I feel the 55 in cropmode can do the trick....aah choices!
I can usually advise photographers once I get to know them via my Patreon site but general advice is provided in these movies. If you have all of these top 10 then choices become more specific to what you are shooting.
Hi Mark. Very informative and a great video. As you are predominately a stills photographer that is your choice of lenses. Have you any recommendations/opinions on suitable lenses for video work? I have the A7iii and 80% of my use is video - dog training, scouting events and I hope to get into real estate work. The other 20% is made up of shots of my family and some motor racing (F1). This would be stills. I have the 'standard' FE 1.8/50 at the moment but am looking to expand. I'm think the Sony FE 85mm F/1.8 and dependent on pricing the SONY 70-200MM F/4.0 G FE OSS LENS. I also have the Sony 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 of my A6300 but not sure how that would work with the A7iii for action shots. Any comment would be welcome
If you are looking for lenses for primarily video capture you may want to choose lenses with an aperture ring on the lens you can declick- this allows you to adjust the exposure while recording without any noticeable jumps. Sony also have Powerzoom or PZ lenses that allows you to zoom smoothly without noise from the motors ending up on your movie.
Hi Mark, I just took up photography as a hobby for about a year or so and have been following your lessons to educate myself. A much thank you to you for your generous sharing of your knowledge. I currently have the A7RM3 & macro lens 90mm as macro photography was what brought me to like photography. I wanted to do abit more than macro photography now and hoping to use this camera for traveling. Could you recommend me a mix of prime & zoom lens suitable for traveling / everyday use ? Thanks
I know it is off the topic, but I would appreciate your opinion about Tamron lenses (17-28 f2.8 and 28-75 f2.8) for Sony E mount. It seems they are very popular probably because they are reasonably sharp, light and small in size, and more budget-friendly compared to the Sony FE lenses.
I have not tested these lenses. I am not really a gear reviewer. I only review the gear I test and then add to my personal equipment that I will then go on to shoot regularly with.
Hello there, Mark I was watching all videos on you tube trying to figure out which glass I need for A7 r3, and I am watching in 4K. I need to say that the quality of your video is outstanding, it is bright and sharp, unlike any other videos I have seen so far. So the question is what glass and camera do you use for shooting youtube videos? It's simply amazing. Also thank you a lot for the example images they are very useful, I am so tired of "talking head" videos. Have a good day and keep up the good job!
You've helped me make informed purchasing decisions. Thank you. One area that I struggle with - is purchasing a new retail Sony lens (here in the US) or discounted import "grey market" Sony lens (new, but no mfgr extended warranty). Also, thousands of used Sony lenses on eBay, etc. Is it possible from the serial label, identifying features, or Sony online registry, etc. for you to tell the difference between the two ? My apologies if this is an awkward question.
Mark, I’m very excited today! I’m shooting my event out of a controlled environment (not for a church). I will be doing video and pictures, but I was asked to setup a photo booth to take the guests portrait. “Never done that”. All I have is speed lights (3), 34" Impact Silver Folding Beauty Dish, and a small on camera style soft box. The speed lights zoom 24-100mm I think. It’s set to 35mm at the moment. I want to put one in the beauty dish and the second in the soft box as a rim light to add separation. What “mm” should I set the beauty dish to? THANK YOU!
maf36 - take a picture with the flash setup while looking in a mirror so you can see if the spread of light covers the lighting modifier. It would be possible for someone to do the math if they knew the size of the modifier and the distance of the modifier from the flash.
Mark Galer's Alpha Creative Skills So much for point and shoot 📸 lol I didn’t need the extra flashes or modifiers. Under estimated a7iii, I thought it was gonna be similar to the a6000.
Thanks for your concern - on the mend now. I went to a metal shop and asked the owner to remove it with an angle grinder. He protected the front element during the process and told him that it was my risk and not his. The heat build-up created condensation inside the lens that disappeared after a few minutes. In retrospect we should have proceeded a little more slowly.
My logic for primes was to bookend the standard zoom range, with 85 Gm and Batis 25/2. I wondered if you ever auditioned Batis 25 for the role of wide angle prime (and what you thought)? I guess size is a reason to prefer FE 35/2.8, although to quote you (up to a point) "a little more (wide) is almost enough". Now the 24 Gm is out, but its so hard to put my hands on, and I love Batis 25 so much, I am in no rush yet. "Having to be practical" I am seriously considering down-grading my 85 Gm to the FE 85/1.8 based on your recommendation and the weight saved and capital freed up. I only have the FE 70-200/4 G of your marvelous zoom collection, and just heard that Tamron will release a 70-200 (-ish) 2.8 lens in Q1 (on SAR) and given my incredible experience with the G2 series lens for Nikon, and how much I loved their 28-75 lens (until I replaced it with 24-105 G), my expectations are high. They would knock it out of the park if it were 60% the weight and 50% the cost of the GM. The concessions of a non-standard zoom range (75-215?) would be a small concession to make for that tradeoff.
Sergio DuBois - I tested the 25mm Batis and Zeiss let me keep it. After two years of ownership it was a lens that again did not see much use (although it was a very sharp lens). In the spirit of how much is enough - just a little bit more - I also tested the Batis 18mm prime. You will find a review for this one on my channel. This saw a lot of use (because I really liked it) until it was stolen at a Sony event where I was showcasing ultra wide angle e-mount lenses. Zeiss refused to replace it and my insurance wouldn’t cover it as it was technically still owned by Zeiss.
Hi Mark, A7rii user here. What do you think about using the 100-400 with an A7rii? Also, if you think that is a good combo how does a teleconverter work with it? Thanks!
The focus of an A7Rll is still pretty good. PDAF coverage is down to 45% and buffer can be a little limiting but no worse than most DSLRs. So long as you are aware things improved with the A7Rlll and again with the A7lll and A9
Mark I know this is an old video but I have a question. I don't have an 85mm but do have the 90mm macro which I love. I've been shooting portraits lately with it and really like the look. Do you think it makes sense for me to pick up an 85mm 1.4? Thanks for your help.
That’s not a short answer so I will be creating a 2021 video to answer these questions at length. The bokeh of the 85 GM is vastly superior to the 90mm Macro but maybe the 50 1.2 or 135 1.8 would be better options if you need very fast AF (check out my reviews for these lenses).
Something that most people forget to mention about the sony 85 1.8 is that it has MASSIVE purple fringing at high contrast areas. Nothing that can't be fixed in post. But it helps to manage your expectations
I like to watch all your videos. It helps us to shoot photo in great manner. Will you pls suggest lenses for Sony A 7 3 camera. I would to us in generally portrait wedding and landscape?
Most wedding/social photographers choose the holy trinity of f/2.8 primes so they limit how often they need to change lenses. I prefer using mostly primes + the 100-400 and 16-35 GM zooms.
Great video. I recently purchased an a7sii and I started noticing some beautiful alpha a mount lenses. What is your opinion on adapting a mount lenses to the Sony mirroeless e mount?
The Focus by wire will adapt quite well via the LA-EA3 adapter. The ones that focus via screw drive require the LA-EA4 adapter and are slower to focus with limited AF options.
Quite a reasonable list and I own or have owned most of the lenses on the list. My question to you Mark is between Zeis 35 2.8 and Sony 28 2.0, why did you pick Zeiss. I found 28 F2 just as sharp. It is also cheaper and the aperture is brighter when you do need to open the aperture more.
I already owned the 35mm when the 28 was released. I have tested and like the 28mm f/2 but it wasn’t significantly different for me to replace the 35mm. I have always owned the 35mm focal length (30 years) and I instinctively know what field of view I will capture before I raise the camera to my eye. The 35mm focal length is often considered the standard focal length for documentary and street photographers of my generation. As explained in the movie I don’t tend to use the wider apertures on these wide angle lenses so the difference of one f/stop would not be enough to entice me to swap my 35 for the 28. If I made a movie of the most affordable Sony FE lenses it would be right there alongside the 85mm f/1.8 😀
My 20mm 1.8 G lens is not here!!!!!!!! Outrage!!!! Awesome lens......the only modern prime i own though, ....haha... but it is a great lens and i love it (never thought i would say that about a modern lens, actualy)
Oh monsieur Sony Ambassador, with these lenses you are really spoiling us! I was encouraged to see four that I own (plus the 135mm Batis and 90mm macro) make it onto your buffet table :)
Rokinon/Samyang makes a native FE 24mm f/3.5 that I own and use. Not the sharpest of the bunch, but does the architectural job without adapters. Still manual focus, as expected.
Thanks for making great videos, very insightful. I am torn between the 55mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4 plantar. I want something light and for video as well as photography. A lot of reviews I've watched all say similar things about problems with chromatic aberration etc on the 55mm which is holding me back from making the purchase. I am wondering though, a lot of the reviews for the 55mm are from a few years ago and I was looking on the Sony website today, and it says about the 55mm "T coating reduces all forms of aberration". I'm wondering if Sony has made some design changes to fix the CA issues in 2020? Do you know about this? I'm new to photography, no one on youtube likes chromatic aberration, this lens seems to have it as a major problem going by the reviews, but yet you still give it the thumbs up? Can CA be easily fixed in post? Thank you.
The vast majority of wide aperture prime lenses have colour fringing at the widest aperture (event the FE 85 F/1.4 G-Master has colour fringing). General Chromatic Aberration can automatically be fixed in camera or in post. Colour fringing only occurs when a very bright highlight is in the frame alongside a much darker edge. Colour fringing can be fixed in stills in Lightroom by clicking on colour in Lens Corrections tab. The 55 is one of the most highly regarded lenses ever designed. It was rated as the sharpest autofocus prime ever made when it was first released. The design has not been changed since it was first released.
Hi Mark, quick question... Sony 70 - 300 F4.5 - 5.6 or Sony 70 - 200 F4 with a 1.4X teleconverter? And is the 2X teleconverter too soft to consider? Cheers
How refreshing... calm delivery and well explained reasoning, underscored with some spectacular images. No yelling, annoying intros and other pointless shenanigans. Thanks.
Thank you so much for all the free support you're offering! I am new to the community and the system and appreciate all you do.
Hi Mark,
I fall in love with each of your reviews (plenty more to watch ) ! The reason for that is as someone mentioned below "info from a doer makes a difference". I am sick of watching youtube "influencer" wannabies with click-baity titles and shallow content.
People like you make youtube review worth watching, please keep posting these! And i would live to understand and implement everything you are teaching in my photography! (As of recent Sony AIII user).
Thanks for your positive feedback and make sure you go to my website in order to access the free to download eBook for your camera.
Like always Mark Thanks for all of your hard work, great video and have a great day.
"Not sure why it has to be top ten, makes a good name for the movie I suppose" hahahaha love it. These lens reviews are just a wealth of knowledge, much appreciated.
Thank You Mark - it have been vrey usefull to follow Your "clips" here - I´m a photographer myself (80 Years now) but learning a lot of You
Just part exchanged my Canon 5D Mk3 and a 17-40 and 24-105 Canon lens for my excellent and wonderful Sony A7Mk3, I just love it. Great review and look forward to reading your website.
Mark, as always another excellent review. I appreciate your calm voice and sincere coverage. :)
Great session Mark, as always! I'm new to the Sony Alpha system (A7III this summer) and 3 of my four lenses are in your list. I gave much thought to each selection, and I was amazed at how similar our reasoning and thought process was on picking the lenses. My kit includes the 24-105 G, (purchased with the camera), then 16-35 GM (landscape, etc. and doubles as a faster walkaround set at 35mm), 35mm Distagon 1.4 (this is where we part briefly, I wanted that speed and bokeh when it was useful), and finally the 70-200 G. I also bought the a6500 afterwards with two lenses, and I love using it with the 70-200 G when I need 300mm.
Awesome stuff. Happy to see my three FE lenses are on the list. Thank you Mark for the amazingly helpful and detailed videos.
Totally agree with you mark on the 35mm. Have had it in my bag and on my camera for about 99% of what i shoot. I have since bought the 35 f1.4 and another nikon 35 and an adapter but the zeiss is just immaculate. The size, weight and inconspicuous profile is something that photographers often forget in pursuit of pure image resolve. I was thinking of getting the 24 - 70 and selling this 35 but its just too versatile on its own.
Another really nice thing about selecting the 24-105 f4 G over the 24-70 f2.8 GM is that you when you know you will want the extra reach of the 100-400mm you can can skip entirely the 70-200 without losing focal range coverage.
Thank you for the pleasantly unagitated lecture. That was worth hundreds, I think.
I feel pretty good after watching this video . . . up until yesterday I only owned 3 lenses for my a7iii . . . 100-400 GM, 16-35 2.8 GM, and 24-105 F4 G ! I 'almost' bought the 85mm FE, but I got such a great deal on a new-in-box 85mm Batis ($700 U$) I couldn't pass it up. A couple reasons I went with the Batis, was the great weather sealing, lens stabilization, and I love the way it renders colors. Well, I guess 3 out of 4 Mark Galer's top 10 pics isn't doing too shabby !!! Thank you Mark for your continued help and wonderful guidance. Cheers. PS . . . I have the 1.4X teleconverter as well . . . so I guess that makes 4 out 5 ! ;-)
Great video.. I own 6 out of your 10. At one point I owned all the lenses but limited my selection down to only 6 lenses. I as well still own my original purchase from 5 years ago 55 1.8 and 35 2.8, I have sold and bought so many lenses over the years.. I am surprised as well I have kept these two lenses so long.
I have all but a couple of the lenses mentioned, but mostly impressed with the G Master lenses. Seems you get what you pay for. The 90mm 2.8 macro is also in that league.
Your videos are so, so helpful Mark - been a huge part of my happy switch to Sony. Thank you!
Wow, so good. great information and calmly explained. Liked and subscribed 👍 thank you and omg what a great pictures 👌
Top notch review and recommendations. I noticed your links do not reference the 70-200 you discuss. Keep the videos coming. I’m starting from ground zero. You are my favorite!
I’ll have to add that link as this is a new review.
Hello from 2020! This video is still relevant and (regardless of brand) a great explanation of lens attributes to look out for, thank you!
(also great to see shots of Western Australia, hurrah!)
I'm still using my 24-70mm GM 2.8, as I do a lot of event work where I have limited control on framing (especially where I can stand), so primes are out, as I'm jumping around focal lengths from moment to moment. It's a beautiful workhorse lens, and I don't mind slugging the extra weight, but oh how I miss working with primes!
I see that 135mm f1.8 in the background. It’s my favorite portrait lens!
Great video Mark, thanks! My favourite auto focus lenses from Sony is 24-105mm.f.4 + 55mm.f.1.8 + 85mm.f.1.8 and if it is manuel lenses it is the two Zeiss Loxia 35mm.f.2 + 50mm.f.2 and the Tokina FiRIN 20mm.f.2 :)
that 55mm 1.8 zeiss is my baby, god tier portrait lens. so sharp, so crisp, great bokeh while being so small and light
Thanks, Mark for the information...very helpful!
Awesome video Mark. The 16-35 2.8 GM was the lens I always had in mind to buy because of the zoom flexibility and filter usage. About to finally buy it for my A7RIII. And after testing the 135 1.8 GM, that is one I must have as well!!
My 16-35 is due to be delivered today!
@@34589k Nice! You will love it!😁
Good list.
Love the 55mm Sony. It has something every other lens doesn't have and really sharp wide open. A lot of chromatic abarration, but it is worth it.
Also like the 85mm a lot, again nice and sharp wide open.
I would like a proper 35mm in the f/1.8 range or below (and also below 1000 euro/dollar). Luckily the Sigma f/1.4 35mm Art with FE mount has filled that gap perfectly and I am blown away by the image quality.
Another great video Mark.. I own the 35 2.8 85 1.8 and 24-105 all awesome lenses. Hopefully add the 70-200 F4 soon :)
We have similar taste. I absolute love the 85 1.8. And the 100-400 is on my camera as much as any other lens. I have the 12-24 2.8 which came out later and love it. I feel like i need a 16-35 but i can't decide between the f4 and the 2.8. Will just wait and see. Thanks for all your videos, they are exceptional. Definately my favorite reviews of sony gear.
I have produced two lens-choice videos since publishing this video. The first is publicly available on RUclips and the most recent one is available for my Patrons on my Alpha support channel ( Patreon.com/markgaler ). I tend to favour lighter lenses these days so would suggest you also check out my 16-25 F2.8 G lens review. I am currently using tiny 11mm and 15mm primes on an A6700 for my wide-angle work.
Spectacular images! I'm quite certain that's more you than the gear. That being said, I've suddenly become very interested in the a7riii.
Elvin Lewis , me too... I run an A7Rii through a 24-70GM & 70-200GM (& 1.4TC) and the Riii just seems to fill in all the pieces missing from the Rii...
Nice mate. I love your St kilda pier photo. I’m from melbourne. That’s where my wedding was filmed. 👍🏻
If I’m going to do Astro work, I’ll be using the 20mm f:1.8.
Awesome choice lens review.... I too love the little 35mm and the 24-105 lives on my A7RII.
Thx Mark, i use the 55mm on my α7 III and also on my α6400 and I agree that it is absolutely sharp already at f/1.8.
Same with my 24mm f/1.4
Now that was a lot of info!
Info from a doer makes a difference.
Another great video. These are great lenses. I like batis 25mm as well.
Perfect timing...
I was waiting for this video.
Thank you.
Hi Mark, great vid, informative and it has helped me since I have viewed on several occasions. Now 18 months on, things have changed and I wonder how that now affects your choices (e.g. 135, 20, 35)? My growing lens assortment currently matches 4 in your top 10 for similar reasons. I do love the 55/1.8 and it allowed me to forgo the hefty 24-70 GM and pick the 24-105 f4 G augmented by an occasional prime for low light. I decided to buy the newer f1.8 35mm instead of the pancake f2.8 (great for street use).
More recently my attention has been caught by independents too. I toyed with Laowa and briefly owned a 12mm f2.8 but couldn't get along with it - too hefty and slow for all but occasional specialised use. Didn't like no exif data and felt edge resolution wasn't all it should be. So it got sold. I might have gone with Laowa's 15mm f2 (for astro) but, once burned, I was more wary. The Voitglander 15mm f4.5 is too slow and has other issues that deter me. So, like others, I'm hoping to see Sony design and make a good, small, fast prime around the 14,15 or 16mm focal length (pref 14mm f2.8 or 15/16mm f2). Sigma (esp. with Art series) make some exceptionally good glass but it doesn't get on my radar on account of excess heft.
So that leaves Tamron (owned circa 10% by Sony I believe). Initially my stubbon prejudice, snobbery and memories of bad glass from their earlier days (in the film era) had me ignore their offerings. Perhaps that's changed? As a Sony ambassador are you able to embrace non Sony brand glass? I just bought a Tamron 70-180 f2.8 after hearing great reports that it rivaled Sony's 70-200 f.8 GM in terms of IQ and AF speed. Like you I had passed on the GM and bought a smaller f4 G version (easier to travel with). I'm still doing careful testing but if it proves as good as the hype then I may end up selling my 70-200 G. I know I will lose out on robustness, absolute top end reach and OSS but I suspect it will comfortably better my G f4. This now makes me wonder about their sister optics - 17-28 and 28-75 both f2.8. I hear the 17-28 can hold its own on IQ with the GM 16-35 albeit missing out on the top end but rewarding with useful savings in size, weight and cost. Any views and is it time for Sony to update their GM range zooms?
Things have changed for me over the last 28 months and the 135, 35 and 20 were all embraced - happy to discuss at length on my Patreon site.
Thanks for your video and perspectives which I appreciate. You look to have made some great choices and have done so with the benefit of time, experience and familiarity with Sony kit, over many years.
I'm now 14 months into Sony (ex Nikon) and appear to have made broadly similar decisions - having 'jumped' just after N's underwhelming Z7 launch. Initially in researching my switch, in quest of smaller/better, I was dismayed to find that a 70-200mm f2.8 Sony was almost identical in mass/size to my excellent Nikkor equivalent (I reasoned that physics is physics, whatever the brand). I also reasoned that with improving sensor performance there was less need now vs. a few years ago for the fastest glass - so if making careful choices then I could still get top quality and make practical real-world mass and bulk savings. My move must have been 'mirrored' by many others too (no pun intended) judging from recent financial performance by Sony and Nikon.
I'm a generalist shooter, so believe I need a broad range of glass, but wanted to go native e-mount (rather than converters, so sold 12+ Nikkors). Following multiple cash disposals I was fortunate (as an amateur) to be able to afford several Sony lenses. I couldn't justify 'glass at any price' (so no 400mm f4 for me) either! I share your line up with 4 optics: 24-105, 70-200 zooms both f4 and 55 plus 85 primes f1.8. It's not just financial cost, I'm attempting to balance great quality, versatility and relatively compact size/mass. n.b. slightly smaller size was one key element in my switch to Sony/mirrorless - so although Sony body ergonomics and weather sealing are currently inferior to N (at least in any fair minded comparison) that wasn't a 'show stopper' so you won't find me complaining too much (everything in life is a trade off).
I differ from you slightly at the wide end as I again saved cost/weight with the f4 16-35mm but 'splurged' on a 24mm f1.4 for astro (also for when I need extra speed - usually rare in wides). For a 35mm prime I was tempted by your Zeiss f2.8 as a tiny but great 'street' optic, yet coming to Sony's party later, went for the newer f1.8 (greater versatility, IMO whilst still pretty compact).
I had contemplated going wider still and eventually bought a Laowa prime 12mm f2.8 (thinking astro) - lovely quality, but quite slow to use, no electronic exif and pretty heavy too, so I'm not certain it will stay long term.
I'm slightly surprised you chose both a f1.8 and f1.4 in 85mm prime for your 'top 10'? Clearly both are excellent but it looks like 90%+ duplication? I originally owned a 85mm f1.4 in Nikkor flavour, but experience with minimal DOF helped me understand that a f1.8 85mm 'portrait' optic was no real-world practical loss vs. f1.4 (apart from perhaps GM weather sealing and modest bokeh gain) and it saved considerably on cost, mass and bulk.
At the longer end I had contemplated a 100-400 GM but Sony complicated matters for me by introducing a 200-600mm (constant length) optic so I went that way. It's too early to know for sure if it's right for me - it looks good but certainly isn't small, light, inconspicuous or particularly cheap (unless your frame of ref. is a Sony prime 400/600mm).
I wonder if you would still retain your same 'Top 10' as newer optics get introduced? It's an academic question from me as I'm happy with (and making) my own choices. My own decisions were made post launch of Sony's 35mm f1.8 and 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 optics and I had initially considered your choices, but note your review pre-dates availability of the newer lenses I bought.
Hi. Shame you decided to part with your nikkor glass, it could have been a interesting mix with the mirrorless sony. Hope to see somebof your work. Cordially.
I own the 55mm. Truly an amazing lens. 😊
My 85 mm f/1.8 is on the table. And it is a really good lens. It is one of the best portrait lens at that price. I really wish Sony release a 35 mm f/1.8
I have 3 of the top ten and the 90mm macro. All amazing lenses that make me happy i switched to Sony.
Phenomenal movie Mark. It may be the best work you have ever done! Now I hope you will take the ten and get it down to just three lenses for a travel kit. I know this would be like choosing your favorite child, but for travel you have got to keep it light. I feel for me my kit would be: A7R m3, Sony 16-35 f2.8 GM, Sony 55 f1.8, and Sony 24-105 f4. If you need a little more reach you could substitute the Sony 70-200 f. Now lets see a movie on your most current travel kit.
I have a what's in my Bag movie from my A7RII Days that needs updating. I recently did a what's in my kit movie for Australian TV
Thanks Mark, so interesting to hear your choices. I have a 70- 200 f.4 and a few of your other picks but my everyday walkaround is the much praised Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and I am very happy with my choice. My wish is for Tamron to continue to make E mount glass and give us another spectacular , reasonably priced and easy to carry lens in 2019 ( possibly a wide angle zoom please?) Thank you for all your amazing and informative videos this year, Mark and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Can’t argue with your justification for the Tamron - it’s basically a f/2.8 zoom priced as if it was an f/4 zoom.
My choices are (which I own) Sony 24mm 1.4 GM, Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 and Sony 135mm 1.8 GM, only primes for me !
I have the 24-105mm and the 70-200mm GM. My plan was to invest in primes over getting the 24-70mm GM. This video helped me feel better about that decision. Getting an astrophotography lense and that 90mm macro lense for sure.
I miss a 1-5 macro from Sony something link the canon 65 MP-E. The macro community is quite large in my mind and the existing lowa 20mm lens for e mount isn’t as good as the Canon. The 90mm is amazing lens absolutely in my first 5 lens. Great video.
Love your reviews. thank you Mark!
Thank you very much Mark Galer for your always excellent explanation, my warm greetings from Miami Fl.
Good video... surprised there are 2 85s there, but I can totally understand why. You have a 4 of my lenses in there, 100-400, 1.4tc, 35mm, and 55mm. I don't shoot a lot of portraits, but I do shoot a lot of macro - when I do shoot portraits the 90mm Macro is good enough (it's almost too sharp though). I have a 12mm F2.8 Laowa that I won in a photography contest which is good for wide angle, wide angle macro, and astro (is super heavy and certainly not small - would definitely prefer something that was not designed for DSLRs). I have been tempted to get a wide angle zoom, but honestly, I rarely go ultra wide (secretly I am hoping Sony does a 16-35 in the same way they did the 85... something that is great value for money). The last lens I have is the Sony 24-240 - which I have because I do a lot of travel/hiking, and really don't want to change lenses (if I do, it's to a prime or the 100-400mm). The 24-240 is pretty good - you just need to know how to work around its limitations. Since getting the 100-400 I have been tempted to swap it out for a 24-105 or supplement it with the Tamron 28-75 but, the 24-240 works fine, i might miss the long end, and takes a good beating so is not worth much for a trade-in.
Hi Sony Australia (Santa), Christmas is just around the corner. Please make Mark Galer wishes comes TRUE. He has been working so hard for Sony and because of Mark we (the general public) have purchased so many Sony Cameras and lenses. He is a TRUE Sony Global Imaging Ambassador. Do the right thing, loan your FE 400 F2.8 GM lens permanently to Mark without any strings attached. Sony Australia (Santa), I am convinced, Mark Galer is going to make you proud! I can't wait to see the SMILE on Mark Galer's face when that happens! All the best to you Sony, have a lovely year ahead.
Thanks Jenny Yip - Of course it is Sony Japan who should see that this course of action makes complete sense - and that I would then reward them with lots of grade A action images captured using a Mirrorless system.
Just moved over from Canon to Sony, very impressed with the system so far, great video with which I now have a list :)
Got all Sony lenses, great lenses! Thanks Mark
You were great as Commissioner Gordon in Batman.
Glenn Gulia why??? 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️😂😂
Lol 🤣
Hi Mark - I was green with your ability to swim in fabulous glass! One I have found to be a total surprise packet is the Sony E mount 1.8 50m lens. Yes, it's APSC, but that gives me a wonderful portrait lens, and mounted on my Sony A7Rii with megapixels to spare, I get fabulous results! Ultra sharp, great bokeh and value for money wise, in my opinion, nothing can touch it. All this on top of its' fabulous performance on my A6000. Thanks for your work - keep it up! :-)
Another APS-C lens that does well on the full-Frame bodies is the 10-18 f/4
Sigmas new 56mm F1.4 outperformes it though
Gotta love Voigtlander. I have the 40mm 1.2 and I love it when I have the time to shoot manual
I’m happy to see no softening of focus with the 2x. Yes, you do lose more light, but if its sunny out-rock on!
Very usefull since i just bought a a7RIII wit the 24-105 F4 and it’s in your top 10! Thx.
about to by that lens along with the a7iii. How do you like it?
@@orlandogarcia1455 I've had great luck with it. I don't know if it's optically the best lens, but for how I shoot it has been a beauty investment. I don't have time to change lenses and I have to carry them into the mountains, so the 24-105 ticks a lot of boxes.
Hey Mark. Nice Video. Thanks for sharing. Your gear looks very good. No scratches or other signs of use. Do you handle it with such care or do you have a special tipp ?
My tip would be to use a camera bag that is big enough to put the lens straight back into its individual compartment when changing lenses. I see so many photographers who don’t seem to have practiced changing lenses very much and struggle to know what to do with the lens they have removed from the camera. If you use a backpack and cant return the lens quickly and safely to its safe housing then you may need to consider a messenger bag.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks
I sold my Canon 5D Mark III for Sony A7RIII. I kept my canon 70 - 200 f2.8. II. Would you recommend getting the Sony glass over this? Would there be any major gain in quality with the Sony glass vs Canon glass? Also which metabones adapter would you recommend to use with this lens if I keep it?
Luis Moreno - I have not used this lens but Canon glass usually adapts well on third generation Sony Full Frame cameras. You also need to research Sigma’s MC-11 adapter. Some Previous Canon owners may be able to advise. Unfortunately I can’t comment on gear I have not used.
I also kept some of my Canon glass and use the MC-11 adapter with my A7iii. I can tell you that the Sony focus system enhances almost every Canon lens. Your 70-200 will work very well. One of my greatest surprises was the nifty fifty by Canon. It was good on a Canon, but try it out with Sony and the MC-11 adapter. Focus speed is adequate for portraiture and still subjects, but for some reason the sharpness is off the chart! Funny how the Sony system actually extracts additional value and performance from Canon glass. One other thing... You may be happier with some of the Canon glass color rendering, especially when first switching over. I hope to do a video soon to share with the community.
You should do an updated video of your 10 Favourite FE Mount lenses Mark Galer since there’s been so many new FE lenses in the last 2 years
I am working one one now but it keeps getting put on hold as I review yet another new Sony lens (35 GM, 50mm GM and the the new compact primes).
many sony lens out there! can I have one among these are THANK YOU for your tips.
Fantastic video. Just came across your channel and subbed. I love the 55 it's my go to lens
Strangely omitted is the 50mm 1.4 Planar. I own and have owned several of the lenses on your table and mostly agree with your critique of each, but if you haven't experienced the 50 1.4 Planar on your A7Riii you're doing yourself a disservice. EASILY my favorite lens even over the 85 GM, which I've had a love it/hate it relationship with as I think it renders colors with a bit of an olive cast, and the 16-35 GM (my second favorite, at least in part because it makes me money shooting real estate). Speaking of wide angle zooms and real estate specifically, I'm glad I went with the 2.8 over the F4. Yes, shooting rooms I'm stopped down to ~F8 most of the time, but to be able to zoom in and open it up to a 35mm F2.8 is great for detail shots with some bokeh without having to change lenses. I do a lot of this with house numbers, door handles, and appliance/cabinetry badges. Those would be harder shots to get with the F4...certainly not as dramatic.
I have owned the 50mm f/1.4 and loved the image quality - I felt it gave the 85mm a run for its money when used wide open. It was, however, the same story as my 35mm f/1.4. I travelled with the 35mm f/2.8 and the 55mm f/1.8 so the big lenses were not earning their keep.
Your lens of the year (85mm f1.8) is a perfect choice! Also, I certainly agree with using the 70-200mm f4 for it’s weight savings. The DOF is only about a ½ inch difference when focusing at 10 feet. Of course the real savings is the $1,000 less.
After taking photos for decades, i heard about Voigtlander lenses so i ordered one - 50mm Nokton 1.2. There is something special in the glass of the Voigtlanders that ive never seen before, its like a magical illumination. Im kinda old school from the days of nikon f2 AI lens so its has that appeal. I now have 4 Voigtlander lenses, i really like there build quality and compact size. Ps i have the Sony 24-105, and your right… spectacular!!
Great content and analysis. Thanks Mark!
Great videos you do on the Sony system Mark. Question.... which is best; 85mm f1.4 gm or Zeiss 135mm f1.8 T* lens?
I prefer the 85GM and the 135 is problematic via the LA-EA4 adapter
Thanks for the video, very informative.
I missed the guidance for owning a combination of lenses. For instance, owning the FE 24-70 F2.8 GM, is it advisable to buy FE 55 1.8 ZA for better sharpness (?) and higher aperture?
Portrait is the focus of the activity.
I primarily use primes except for the Fe 16-35 GM and 100-400 GM. I prefer the wider apertures of primes. A mid-range zoom is useful if you don’t have time to change a prime
My number 1 top pick, is the Sony 28-70, 3.5-5.6 oss, because it's the only one I got. I guess there's room enough to advance 🙏
WOW, that shot of the (is it an owl?) at 4:25 is killer! holy cow what a cool shot!
also, why the heck didn't they make a flat front element on the 12-24 f4? i really wanted that lens until i found out about the fixed shade, i like using nd filters... the expense of the nisi thing puts it out of reach for a hobbyist like myself.
All of the ultra wide-angle lenses have this bulbous front element so it is common to use this fixed lens hood approach to the design.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills I know that about the bulb, I'm just wondering why not a wider flat front perhaps instead of the big bulb. If the lens flared wider at the front I mean... Anyhow great channel. I devoured hours yesterday at my desk boning up on my a7iii knowledge. I work in animation so I sit and draw all day while listening to /watching lectures on my computer...
Hi Mark. Very nicely done lens recommendations for the Sony System! I am a Fujifilm X-System user, specializing in landscapes and small product photography, and have found the Fujinon XF80mm f/2.8 Macro lens to be the absolute sharpest lens I've ever used in my 40+ years of photography! (Would love to see a comparison test between it and the also superb Sony 90mm f/2.8 G OSS Macro!) When I combine the Fujinon lenses with an X-T3, a solid tripod, and good pre/post processing technique, I am seeing incredible detail in my product photography and macro images. With respect to bokeh, I require sharp detail throughout my product images, so I never shoot wide open, preferring the optimum apertures of f/8-11. And, when I need to use focus stacking to ensure maximum sharpness and detail, I am obtaining detail that would rival FF and possibly even medium format, IMHO. That said, do you think that I would see a "significant" improvement in image sharpness/detail retention in a 24"x36" poster print from the Sony FF System (a7Rlll) over my Fuji X-System? Thank you, sir.
I am not really a gear reviewer- I am a photographer providing educational support and in this movie showcased the gear that I own.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks for the information, Mark. I'm still in "research" mode anyway.
look forward to your review of the new 135mm 1.8 G Master
Great video! I have the zeiss 55 and 24mm GM, mostly shooting video. If there was one more lens you could advise, what would it be? I'm leaning towards an all purpose zoom like the 24-105 for travel, the OSS could help so I dont need a gimbal. But maybe a extra prime like the 85 will do it better for the bokeh. Although I feel the 55 in cropmode can do the trick....aah choices!
I can usually advise photographers once I get to know them via my Patreon site but general advice is provided in these movies. If you have all of these top 10 then choices become more specific to what you are shooting.
Thanks for the insight, much appreciated !
Hi Mark. Very informative and a great video. As you are predominately a stills photographer that is your choice of lenses. Have you any recommendations/opinions on suitable lenses for video work? I have the A7iii and 80% of my use is video - dog training, scouting events and I hope to get into real estate work. The other 20% is made up of shots of my family and some motor racing (F1). This would be stills. I have the 'standard' FE 1.8/50 at the moment but am looking to expand. I'm think the Sony FE 85mm F/1.8 and dependent on pricing the SONY 70-200MM F/4.0 G FE OSS LENS. I also have the Sony 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 of my A6300 but not sure how that would work with the A7iii for action shots. Any comment would be welcome
If you are looking for lenses for primarily video capture you may want to choose lenses with an aperture ring on the lens you can declick- this allows you to adjust the exposure while recording without any noticeable jumps. Sony also have Powerzoom or PZ lenses that allows you to zoom smoothly without noise from the motors ending up on your movie.
The 70-200 f/4 is excellent on the crop of full/frame lenses. The SEL 55-210 is sharp enough for APS-C but it’s AF is a little slow for action.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks Mark. Any suggestions?
Hi Mark, I just took up photography as a hobby for about a year or so and have been following your lessons to educate myself. A much thank you to you for your generous sharing of your knowledge. I currently have the A7RM3 & macro lens 90mm as macro photography was what brought me to like photography. I wanted to do abit more than macro photography now and hoping to use this camera for traveling. Could you recommend me a mix of prime & zoom lens suitable for traveling / everyday use ? Thanks
Check out this movie where I highlight my personal top 10:
Top 10 Sony Alpha Full Frame E Mount lenses ruclips.net/video/Ac7xzpcWwLo/видео.html
I know it is off the topic, but I would appreciate your opinion about Tamron lenses (17-28 f2.8 and 28-75 f2.8) for Sony E mount. It seems they are very popular probably because they are reasonably sharp, light and small in size, and more budget-friendly compared to the Sony FE lenses.
I have not tested these lenses. I am not really a gear reviewer. I only review the gear I test and then add to my personal equipment that I will then go on to shoot regularly with.
Hello there, Mark I was watching all videos on you tube trying to figure out which glass I need for A7 r3, and I am watching in 4K. I need to say that the quality of your video is outstanding, it is bright and sharp, unlike any other videos I have seen so far. So the question is what glass and camera do you use for shooting youtube videos? It's simply amazing. Also thank you a lot for the example images they are very useful, I am so tired of "talking head" videos. Have a good day and keep up the good job!
I am usually shooting 4K on an APS-C camera such as the A6500 or A6400. Glass varies but is often the 18-135 lens.
Thank you for the excellent lens review, Mark.
You've helped me make informed purchasing decisions. Thank you. One area that I struggle with - is purchasing a new retail Sony lens (here in the US) or discounted import "grey market" Sony lens (new, but no mfgr extended warranty). Also, thousands of used Sony lenses on eBay, etc. Is it possible from the serial label, identifying features, or Sony online registry, etc. for you to tell the difference between the two ? My apologies if this is an awkward question.
This is a very interesting question by unfortunately I am not aware of any registry of serial numbers to help identify the origin of a lens.
Great information from a trusted source! Thank you for your time and thoughts .
Mark, I’m very excited today!
I’m shooting my event out of a controlled environment (not for a church). I will be doing video and pictures, but I was asked to setup a photo booth to take the guests portrait. “Never done that”. All I have is speed lights (3), 34" Impact Silver Folding Beauty Dish, and a small on camera style soft box.
The speed lights zoom 24-100mm I think. It’s set to 35mm at the moment. I want to put one in the beauty dish and the second in the soft box as a rim light to add separation. What “mm” should I set the beauty dish to?
THANK YOU!
maf36 - take a picture with the flash setup while looking in a mirror so you can see if the spread of light covers the lighting modifier. It would be possible for someone to do the math if they knew the size of the modifier and the distance of the modifier from the flash.
Mark Galer's Alpha Creative Skills
So much for point and shoot 📸 lol
I didn’t need the extra flashes or modifiers. Under estimated a7iii, I thought it was gonna be similar to the a6000.
I love this video. The photos are great.
Hope you have recovered Mark. How did you remove the hood on the Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Super Wide Heliar III Aspherical?
Thanks for your concern - on the mend now. I went to a metal shop and asked the owner to remove it with an angle grinder. He protected the front element during the process and told him that it was my risk and not his. The heat build-up created condensation inside the lens that disappeared after a few minutes. In retrospect we should have proceeded a little more slowly.
Excellent video as always
My logic for primes was to bookend the standard zoom range, with 85 Gm and Batis 25/2. I wondered if you ever auditioned Batis 25 for the role of wide angle prime (and what you thought)? I guess size is a reason to prefer FE 35/2.8, although to quote you (up to a point) "a little more (wide) is almost enough". Now the 24 Gm is out, but its so hard to put my hands on, and I love Batis 25 so much, I am in no rush yet. "Having to be practical" I am seriously considering down-grading my 85 Gm to the FE 85/1.8 based on your recommendation and the weight saved and capital freed up. I only have the FE 70-200/4 G of your marvelous zoom collection, and just heard that Tamron will release a 70-200 (-ish) 2.8 lens in Q1 (on SAR) and given my incredible experience with the G2 series lens for Nikon, and how much I loved their 28-75 lens (until I replaced it with 24-105 G), my expectations are high. They would knock it out of the park if it were 60% the weight and 50% the cost of the GM. The concessions of a non-standard zoom range (75-215?) would be a small concession to make for that tradeoff.
Sergio DuBois - I tested the 25mm Batis and Zeiss let me keep it. After two years of ownership it was a lens that again did not see much use (although it was a very sharp lens). In the spirit of how much is enough - just a little bit more - I also tested the Batis 18mm prime. You will find a review for this one on my channel. This saw a lot of use (because I really liked it) until it was stolen at a Sony event where I was showcasing ultra wide angle e-mount lenses. Zeiss refused to replace it and my insurance wouldn’t cover it as it was technically still owned by Zeiss.
Hi Mark, A7rii user here. What do you think about using the 100-400 with an A7rii? Also, if you think that is a good combo how does a teleconverter work with it? Thanks!
The focus of an A7Rll is still pretty good. PDAF coverage is down to 45% and buffer can be a little limiting but no worse than most DSLRs. So long as you are aware things improved with the A7Rlll and again with the A7lll and A9
Mark I know this is an old video but I have a question. I don't have an 85mm but do have the 90mm macro which I love. I've been shooting portraits lately with it and really like the look. Do you think it makes sense for me to pick up an 85mm 1.4? Thanks for your help.
That’s not a short answer so I will be creating a 2021 video to answer these questions at length. The bokeh of the 85 GM is vastly superior to the 90mm Macro but maybe the 50 1.2 or 135 1.8 would be better options if you need very fast AF (check out my reviews for these lenses).
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks Mark! As always I'm looking forward to your videos!
Great video. I own a few of these. Should check out the voigtlander 10mm f5.6. I Have one on the way
Something that most people forget to mention about the sony 85 1.8 is that it has MASSIVE purple fringing at high contrast areas. Nothing that can't be fixed in post. But it helps to manage your expectations
Even the 85 GM has fringing at f/1.4. Many lenses have fringing when used wide open. The 135 GM, however, appears to be immune from this problem.
I like to watch all your videos. It helps us to shoot photo in great manner. Will you pls suggest lenses for Sony A 7 3 camera. I would to us in generally portrait wedding and landscape?
Most wedding/social photographers choose the holy trinity of f/2.8 primes so they limit how often they need to change lenses. I prefer using mostly primes + the 100-400 and 16-35 GM zooms.
Great video. I recently purchased an a7sii and I started noticing some beautiful alpha a mount lenses. What is your opinion on adapting a mount lenses to the Sony mirroeless e mount?
The Focus by wire will adapt quite well via the LA-EA3 adapter. The ones that focus via screw drive require the LA-EA4 adapter and are slower to focus with limited AF options.
Are the a200 still good to use? In 2021? I just bought one for 100$ with the standard lens 18-70.
Quite a reasonable list and I own or have owned most of the lenses on the list. My question to you Mark is between Zeis 35 2.8 and Sony 28 2.0, why did you pick Zeiss. I found 28 F2 just as sharp. It is also cheaper and the aperture is brighter when you do need to open the aperture more.
I already owned the 35mm when the 28 was released. I have tested and like the 28mm f/2 but it wasn’t significantly different for me to replace the 35mm. I have always owned the 35mm focal length (30 years) and I instinctively know what field of view I will capture before I raise the camera to my eye. The 35mm focal length is often considered the standard focal length for documentary and street photographers of my generation. As explained in the movie I don’t tend to use the wider apertures on these wide angle lenses so the difference of one f/stop would not be enough to entice me to swap my 35 for the 28. If I made a movie of the most affordable Sony FE lenses it would be right there alongside the 85mm f/1.8 😀
My 20mm 1.8 G lens is not here!!!!!!!! Outrage!!!! Awesome lens......the only modern prime i own though, ....haha... but it is a great lens and i love it (never thought i would say that about a modern lens, actualy)
Oh monsieur Sony Ambassador, with these lenses you are really spoiling us!
I was encouraged to see four that I own (plus the 135mm Batis and 90mm macro) make it onto your buffet table :)
Very helpful. Thanks Mark! For my wish list, I would like to see SONY make a tilt shift lens :)
Rokinon/Samyang makes a native FE 24mm f/3.5 that I own and use. Not the sharpest of the bunch, but does the architectural job without adapters. Still manual focus, as expected.
love your videos..really great. Thanks!
Thanks for making great videos, very insightful. I am torn between the 55mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4 plantar. I want something light and for video as well as photography. A lot of reviews I've watched all say similar things about problems with chromatic aberration etc on the 55mm which is holding me back from making the purchase.
I am wondering though, a lot of the reviews for the 55mm are from a few years ago and I was looking on the Sony website today, and it says about the 55mm "T coating reduces all forms of aberration". I'm wondering if Sony has made some design changes to fix the CA issues in 2020? Do you know about this?
I'm new to photography, no one on youtube likes chromatic aberration, this lens seems to have it as a major problem going by the reviews, but yet you still give it the thumbs up? Can CA be easily fixed in post? Thank you.
The vast majority of wide aperture prime lenses have colour fringing at the widest aperture (event the FE 85 F/1.4 G-Master has colour fringing). General Chromatic Aberration can automatically be fixed in camera or in post. Colour fringing only occurs when a very bright highlight is in the frame alongside a much darker edge. Colour fringing can be fixed in stills in Lightroom by clicking on colour in Lens Corrections tab. The 55 is one of the most highly regarded lenses ever designed. It was rated as the sharpest autofocus prime ever made when it was first released. The design has not been changed since it was first released.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Wow, thank you Mark, for this information, I appreciate your reply, that's really helpful.
Hi Mark, quick question... Sony 70 - 300 F4.5 - 5.6 or Sony 70 - 200 F4 with a 1.4X teleconverter?
And is the 2X teleconverter too soft to consider?
Cheers
The 70-200 f/4 does not work with the teleconverters- the 70-300 is OK but not as sharp or as fast focusing as any of the white lenses.