These last two videos could have been made to order for me! After months of saving and deliberating, having sold all my Canon dslr and L zooms a couple of years ago recently took the plunge and bought a Sony A7riiia for $2298 yep should have waited for this sale ( sound of boot bouncing off buttocks ) and Sony 24-105 f4 G, FE 85mm f1.8 as well as FE 35mm f1.8. Struggling to learn the Sony menus after 20 + years of Canon but while a significant advance from my old pro gear they are all just tools even if learning how to get the best from ones tools is important. Always a pleasure to watch and listen to your calm thoughts 👍🏻
Sounds like me! I ordered the A7R IIIa and a Tamron 35-150. Coming from Canon DSLR, this is NOT going to be easy. Yet looking forward to the possibilities of the huge Sony E mount offerings.
Tamron 28-75/2.8 was one of the reasons I switched to Sony 3 years ago! I got a 12-24/4 G for real estate and the Tamron was for events. Otherwise I would've never spent $2200 on a 24-70/2.8. most Sony lenses were really expensive, but now that Canon, Nikon and Panasonic are selling them for the same price, they look normal, but still expensive!
My word! Fantastic video!! Your recommendations were exactly what I needed. I seriously appreciate the way you explained everything so clearly and without heavy photography jargons. The photos as examples were also extremely helpful. I can’t thank you enough. Stay well!
Great video... I decided going forward into FF with Sony a few years ago to buy less glass but the highest quality. I ended up with three primes and one zoom. Sony and Voigtlander only...winced at the pricing...but ponied up and have not been disappointed. So...just a few months ago, I ran across some testing on the Tamron 24mm f/2.8 ... what? Pretty much perfect optics. No bells...no whistles...no anything but electronics and tack sharp glass. It was on sale for $150. I bought it. Did I need it...heck no...but sometimes...you cannot ignore inverse price/quality relationships. There are gems out there...on the cheap... a few. Edit: I have that Sony 135mm f/1.8 ...and while I am sure I have not shot with near as many lenses as you folks have...I concur. It's the best lens I have ever seen...ever.
I have the SIgma 28-70f2.8 and LOVE it. Feels amazing in the hand, is small and light. IQ is perfect. Wish it was weather sealed. Rokinon 35f1.8 - Takes great photos, light, superb IQ. Subpar feels and suffers from ghosting. Rokinon 28mmf2.8 - Works very well, light, great IQ, but ghosting is a much bigger problem as it sees everything. I plan on getting the Rokinon 85mm f1.4 eventually.
I absolutely love my Sigma 65 f2. the build quality is exceptional and its a fun focal length midway between portrait and everyday. Super sharp, lovely color rendition. A little touch of CA but nothing you can't easily fix in post. Great video all around. Thanks for what you do.
I shoot 2 systems, Fujifilm for the out of body analog exposure triangle controls & film simulations, Sony full frame for vintage manual lens shooting. Since I had the full frame body anyway, I decided to get a handful of relatively cheap primes to play around with. Looking to spend as little as possible, but not sacrificing much optical quality, I chose Samyang/Rokinon..... quite satisfied.
Thanks for the vids. I do appreciate your commentary, technical tidbits. Unlike so many others, mind you, you also display some wonderful work to prove your talent not simply your ability to recapitulate technical notes. Lovely work.
I’ve been shooting with the Sony/Zeiss 55mm 1.8 on a Sony A7III and it’s gorgeous. The combination of sharpness and autofocus capabilities is first rate. Also just picked up a nice used Laowa 15mm 2.0 for Sony and I’m looking forward to trying it out.
I recently got the Tamron 28-75 g2 zoom & agree the Hugh- it’s a great general purpose zoom. I also like the Sigma 45 f2.8 compact prime for street work. I’ll add one Hugh didn’t mention- the Tamron 70-180 f2.8. A great tele for landscapes.
Very sharp sand relatively light weight, though I found the 70-180 to have more distortion than I like. Then again, my landscape work is in an urban setting where this characteristic is more likely to be obvious.
I've now got two Laowa lenses and have enjoyed the results from both. The first was the 5.6/9 which I found to be an improvement over the Voigtländer 5.6/10 and I'm not just talking about the extra 5° of FOV. The recently released 0.95/35 was an instant purchase from me as I love very low light shots and I was sure it would outperform the Mitakon Speedmaster 0.95/50 that I sold earlier in the year. I was not disappointed, although the click on the aperture is a little wet and the switch to de-click it is even wetter. I'm tempted to tape the ring in place as I almost always use it wide open.
I also have BOTH… I seem to be leaning in the Voighländer 10mm more then the Laowa 9mm … I think it’s because of the chip in the Voighländer but BOTH produce enjoyable results …NOTE: The Laowa needs to be stopped down to get cleaner frame edges … but I crop deeply in post so I tend to not worry too much.
@@Peter-ij7rn the Laowa 9mm f/5.6 Dreamer is fun…. Pretty much everything is always in focus. The F Stop ring is a bit easy to move accidentally…so there that. The edges at 5.6 are WONKY… so stop down. BUT…. It’s a fun lens, can get up close and will give a decent shot…. And like any wide lens… if you play with the angles… you can get a creative photo. NOTE: since the Laowa is not chipped, it will not AUTO ZOOM the EVF in Focus Assist as you must manually do that with whatever Button you assigned.
You missed one: the Tamron 2.8/70-180 which is lighter and more portable than any 70-200. It almost lives on my a7Riv where its images can be cropped to the equivalent of 270 mm fov still with 26 mp. And at 70mm focused manually it functions as a decent macro. It's a no-brainer for the 70-200 range.
Great video! Some great ideas here. So far my favorite “Bargain” lenses for Sony FF are the Sony 28mm F2, Samyang 45mm 1.8, Sony SEL 50mm 1.8 and the Sony 85mm 1.8. You can do so much with just these and find them cheap. I do have my eyes on the new Sony 40mm G lens though.
I own a lot of Sigma primes on the E-mount. 24,28,40,85,105 F1.4. I think the best bargain i got for these lenses are Sigma 28mm F1.4 and 40mm F1.4. I got them when they were discounted for less than $500 each brand new.
This is a wonderful roundup of lenses and comparisons of them. Well done! When it comes to the Sony 200-600mm, the main aspects that sold me on it is that it's an internal zoom and its focusing capabilities. Being of similar length and weight as the competition, once at the long end, it's much more manageable than the others. Also, without the camera body attached, it will fit in one side of a Peak Design Everyday backpack 30 L. It does take up the entire side and you will have to play Tetris to make other lenses fit with it inside. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 nearly lives on one of my bodies. It's an incredible lens, but large and heavy. The Sony 55mm f/1/8 is another one that I won't leave home without. That is one of the sharpest, most versatile lenses I own. The focusing is quick and the contrast is lovely.
A recently-released lens that is a SUPERB value, is the new Viltrox 20mm f/2.8. Image quality is decent, the lens is tiny and light weight, and it may be the best $158 you'll ever spend on camera gear. It's become the wide leg of my three-lens prime kit. The other two lenses in the bag, are the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN (not HSM), which I found on sale for $720 (missed out on an even better deal, at $689), and my Sony 85mm f/1.8, which ran about $598. Three quite good lenses, for under $1,500 plus shipping and tax. They, along with my caged A7III and accessories, fit in a bag about the size of the Peak Design 6L sling.
Hi Hugh, Great video... I'm trying to decide between the Sony 40mm 2.5 and the Sigma 45mm 2.8 which is $100 cheaper. Which one would you buy? I have a Sony a7C camera. Thanks in advance!
The Sony for AF, clinical sharpness across the field; industrial design matched to the a7C, and ultimate compactness; the Sigma for build, feel, joy - and a more muted kind of sharpness (it’s still there, it just doesn’t wear it on its sleeve) which you may or may not prefer. I really like my 45/2.8 for street, but I also really liked the 40 for street, preferring it to the G 50.
I'm gonna give that 24mm 2.8 a go. I'm in need of a wider angle lenses. I only own a 35mm 2.8 Zeiss and a Sony 85mm 1.8 prime right now and want to have a wider angle lenses in my kit. I want a wider view for my streaming and as another option for street photography
The Sony 20mm 1.8g is a fantastic lens for landscape and possibly even better than the 24mm g master for wide field astrophotography. Great rendition and a steal compared to the 24mm. Compact and light it is also a great gimble lens for videography.
It is remarkable for its quality and. versatility, especially for landscapes while hiking or backpacking. On an A7R 2, the images are sumptuous and if when I have had to be very weight-conscious or want to be discrete for street and travel, I put it on my A6000. I look forward to using it on an A7C or A7C II when one comes.
I got the gen one Tamron 28-75 yesterday and will get the 17-28 next both will be the RDX, not the gen two VDX as you demonstrated. My Australian Peso is worth less and import tax plus mark up really good glass is what I can afford, all the prices show look great until you go that's the US currency, even the cheaper lenses are expensive here. Enough whinging about $$$, Thank for some good food for thought, Cheers.
What a great video, great delivery. I emphatically agree with all the points made. And I'll second your point abut how nice to use the Sigma 24-70 is - it's a beast. I would really miss the 24 when talking about a 28-75 from Tamron. One more point I totally agree with: that the Sony GM 24 and 35 1.4's are other-worldly awesome! They are really special and exceptional - every photographer should consider one of these.
I picked up a Used Voighländer 10mm Heliar-Hyper Wide f/5.6 FE Mount for a steal at Robert’s Camera in Indianapolis…. It hasn’t been taken off my Sony A7riv in 3 months.
I needed this guide about a couple of months ago when I was deciding to get into Sony and choosing between full frame and crop. Ended up going crop for the lens affordability but looks like I missed some things. May sell/exchange and try FF.
Thank you for the video. The problem with Sony is that there are way too many great lenses causing me to buy twice as many lenses for my Sony FF bodies as I have got my Canon RF based system. So I own most of the GM and G series zooms and primes from 14-600mm and then the small Sigma DG DN Contemporary iSeries for street work and zoom 16-28mm f/2.8 and 28-70mm f/2.8 for travel.
Complete novice here, just taking my first steps in photography with an A7iii, I'm still a bit lost with these recommendations but can anyone recommend a decent lens for some landscape work to learn on? Love these vids btw, subbed!
If you're on a tight budget, Samyang/Rokinon have some good "starter" lenses. Their 35mm f/1.8 is pretty good. 35mm is a good all-around focal length. Just a bit wider than "normal" but not so wide that your subject gets lost. If you have a bit more to spend. Sigma's 35mm f/2 will give a bit better image quality, as will Sony's 35mm f/1.8. All three lenses are small and light enough that schlepping them into the boonies isn't a problem. A lot of landscape photographers like to have a tele in the bag, to home in on details, when it's not practical to get closer. Tamron's 70-180 f/2.8 is lightweight, compact and costs half what the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 runs. If you feel you NEED superwide, there are a lot of good choices. One of the best values is the new Viltrox 20mm f/2.8. Sigma, Tamron and Sony also have good 20s.
I used to think about buying EF mount lenses to adapt to any system, but the weight price and selection is simply no comparison against the FE mount. And I can pick up used super light zeiss lenses at very reasonable prices vs the EF equivalents.
Maybe the Tamron 35 f/2.8 is a bargain but the one I bought is ok sharp on the right side of the frame but very blurry on the whole left side almost til the center of the frame. So I returned it. Do your self a favor and check the lens before you decide to keep it.
Thank you for another great video! I have Sony 135 f1.8 and I adore this lens coupled with Sony a7m3) if I can get the right distance between me and a subject, I can for sure wait for fantastic results) Now I’m looking for Tamron 35-150 f 2.0-2.8, for great versatility and to get nice results when it hard to get far enough from a subject
Just traded in my 70-200mm 2.8 for that Tamron. I played with it at wppi Las Vegas 2023 and I was super impress enough to get it. Now I have the Tamron 20-40 and the 35-150 mm as my 2 event photography lenses
Nice to see what I got so far after moving to sony is featured in this video , i got a used 70-200 f4 as well as a used 55 1.8 and both are really amazing. Then I added sigma 90mm 2.8 which is a very nice lens with its own character. On the wide side I got sony 20mm 1.8 which is one of my favorite wide focal lengths. Thank you for another awesome video :)
wow I almost feel Like I'm missing out. but I'm still exploring what I have ....love what your saying in terms of autofocuss it is a bear when trying to get what you see I go to manual and old school seems to get me there . Its like zen.
The one Sony lens I own was not mentioned. A mistake I think, because it is a really good lens. 24-105 f4 G. It is chunky, and hefty, and pricy at 1200$ new, $750 used. But it does more than a 28-70, sharp, good colors, and even a bit of macro to boot. IMHO, the ONE to have.
The first 24-105 we ever had in hand was terrific, but that was a pre-production unit. The one we actually bought was not nearly the same. A good friend of ours lives his, however, so I chalk it to lens variability - something I just don’t want to have to deal with. We sold ours.
@@3BMEP I understand. But I'm thinking that could happen to any lens. My retailer, Allen's Camera in Levittown Pa, let me try before I bought. Had to pay full price! After viewing the images on my live view, I could not live without it! Be warned, It is a bit big, and has some gravity to it!
Hugh, thank you for a very valuable introduction to what is available in the Sony FE mount landscape. I just purchased an A7Rii on your recommendation. I’ll let you know how that works out. I use Fuji and m43 Panasonic bodies. From that perspective the FE glass seems expensive. Yes it is full frame so the lenses require more glass. I have the Sony 50mm f1.8. Inexpensive and adequate for street photography. As I’m not committed to full frame yet, I don’t want to spend upwards of $500 for glass I may be Craigslisting soon. If I stay with Sony, you know I’ll be revisiting and taking notes from this video. This is a great companion to your A7Riiia price alert a couple days ago. Season’s greetings. Mask on Nurse Marty
The Samyang lenses mentioned at the beginning of the video are wonderful. Light, fast, low chroma, low flare and generally nice sunstars. The 24/1.8 is superb but the tiny 18mm and 45mm are good too. The 85/1.4 is stellar and goes head to head with the Sony GM.
Awesome video!, very informative, I sold some old film equipment to KEH, and then I was able to buy the Sony 85mm f1.8 prime lens for only $400. I Love this lens!, I mainly use it on my a7iii, for my a7iv, I paired it with the Tamron Trinity ( with the G2 ), and I am one happy camper!. I have a Laowa 105mm f2.0 ( awesome bokeh! ), and a Laowa 100mm 2x macro, all very sharp lenses, I highly recommend them. have a great day, Peace!
Loved the video, very informative! I have my eyes locked on Tamron primes. Can you just not talk as fast while describing details? It seemed as I was watching an auction at a garage sale. Might be good for those with little attention spam, but it was hard to catch up sometimes.
The samyang 18mm is agreat wide angle, very small & light. So is the Samyang 45mm..the Sony 85 1.8 all in combination with the A7C keeps it very versatile and lightweight. No more big backpacks for me. Oh,and the Tamron 28-200 for travel and tele in landscapes..
@@3BMEP i have seen part of the video upon release and the last bits today, yet I think the tamron would have fit the bill in this video given that a newcomer can test and learn almost everything on that lens (but that’s only my opinion)
I have absolutely fallen in love with the Sony 50mm f/2.5. I've been all over DC with it for my street and landscape photography. It's pretty much replaced my 24-70 DG DN for most applications. I definitely have grown into more of a primes guy than zooms over the last several years. That all said... had I to do it all over again, I think I'd buy the Sigma versions instead of buying the 24, 135 and 100-400 GM's... well I lie. Not the 135 GM. You'll pry that lens out of my cold, dead hands...
I tried to buy a Sony camera in Japan, but they stupidly require all their cameras to have Japanese language only, unless you can find a “tourist model” which of course don’t exist in the age of Covid. Sadly their choice made me become a Nikon customer instead, sayonara Sony.
Interesting video. I agree with some of the points but not all. I own the Sony 85mm f1.8 and it's a fine lens but from what I've read the bokeh is better on the Viltrox. Many state that actually the Tokina is the best all round 85mm f1.8. I also own the Sony 70-200 f4. It's ok without being spectacular. I've been looking at extreme telephoto lenses. The 150-500 Tamron is too much of a compromise. Yes probably well made and fairly compact but here in UK more expensive than the sigma 150-600. Price isn't the only negative either, I find the 6.7 maximum aperture and only 7 aperture blades unforgivable. I own both the Tamron 17-28 and 28-75. Both decent lenses at fair prices. However I'm still keen on a fast prime in the 50mm region..... maybe the new Samyang will fill that need. I love bokeh lenses which is why I can't justify 2.8 primes, even though they are probably lovely lenses. Bang for buck is important to most of us. However I think it's worth splurging if there is a 'magic' lens in a focal length you use a lot. For me that was the Sony 135mm f1.8 which I love and was my most recent lens purchase. It's spoilt me though as I now want that magic in every lens I buy from this point forward but at better prices. It's the reason I just can't justify the 50mm f1.2
Haven't had that experience, but my experience is only one data point. Would be a shame if a significant issue. Can you point to a couple of specific videos with minute markers?
I've heard the same, and that they added new seals in early 2021 so it may be better now. My sigma 24-70 is indeed pretty dusty (used) but I have never noticed it in pictures
These last two videos could have been made to order for me! After months of saving and deliberating, having sold all my Canon dslr and L zooms a couple of years ago recently took the plunge and bought a Sony A7riiia for $2298 yep should have waited for this sale ( sound of boot bouncing off buttocks ) and Sony 24-105 f4 G, FE 85mm f1.8 as well as FE 35mm f1.8. Struggling to learn the Sony menus after 20 + years of Canon but while a significant advance from my old pro gear they are all just tools even if learning how to get the best from ones tools is important. Always a pleasure to watch and listen to your calm thoughts 👍🏻
Enjoy!
Sounds like me! I ordered the A7R IIIa and a Tamron 35-150. Coming from Canon DSLR, this is NOT going to be easy. Yet looking forward to the possibilities of the huge Sony E mount offerings.
Tamron 28-75/2.8 was one of the reasons I switched to Sony 3 years ago! I got a 12-24/4 G for real estate and the Tamron was for events. Otherwise I would've never spent $2200 on a 24-70/2.8. most Sony lenses were really expensive, but now that Canon, Nikon and Panasonic are selling them for the same price, they look normal, but still expensive!
How do you think the Tamron holds up against Sigma and Sony? Debating myself.
They know pros will buy 24-70 so they price it up
My word! Fantastic video!! Your recommendations were exactly what I needed. I seriously appreciate the way you explained everything so clearly and without heavy photography jargons. The photos as examples were also extremely helpful. I can’t thank you enough. Stay well!
Happy to be of service. 😊🖖🏻
Great video... I decided going forward into FF with Sony a few years ago to buy less glass but the highest quality. I ended up with three primes and one zoom. Sony and Voigtlander only...winced at the pricing...but ponied up and have not been disappointed.
So...just a few months ago, I ran across some testing on the Tamron 24mm f/2.8 ... what? Pretty much perfect optics. No bells...no whistles...no anything but electronics and tack sharp glass.
It was on sale for $150.
I bought it.
Did I need it...heck no...but sometimes...you cannot ignore inverse price/quality relationships.
There are gems out there...on the cheap... a few.
Edit: I have that Sony 135mm f/1.8 ...and while I am sure I have not shot with near as many lenses as you folks have...I concur. It's the best lens I have ever seen...ever.
I have the SIgma 28-70f2.8 and LOVE it. Feels amazing in the hand, is small and light. IQ is perfect. Wish it was weather sealed.
Rokinon 35f1.8 - Takes great photos, light, superb IQ. Subpar feels and suffers from ghosting.
Rokinon 28mmf2.8 - Works very well, light, great IQ, but ghosting is a much bigger problem as it sees everything.
I plan on getting the Rokinon 85mm f1.4 eventually.
I absolutely love my Sigma 65 f2. the build quality is exceptional and its a fun focal length midway between portrait and everyday. Super sharp, lovely color rendition. A little touch of CA but nothing you can't easily fix in post.
Great video all around. Thanks for what you do.
😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
I shoot 2 systems, Fujifilm for the out of body analog exposure triangle controls & film simulations, Sony full frame for vintage manual lens shooting. Since I had the full frame body anyway, I decided to get a handful of relatively cheap primes to play around with. Looking to spend as little as possible, but not sacrificing much optical quality, I chose Samyang/Rokinon..... quite satisfied.
Thanks for the vids. I do appreciate your commentary, technical tidbits. Unlike so many others, mind you, you also display some wonderful work to prove your talent not simply your ability to recapitulate technical notes. Lovely work.
Truly appreciate your comment. Thank you. 🙏🏻😊🖖🏻
I’ve been shooting with the Sony/Zeiss 55mm 1.8 on a Sony A7III and it’s gorgeous. The combination of sharpness and autofocus capabilities is first rate.
Also just picked up a nice used Laowa 15mm 2.0 for Sony and I’m looking forward to trying it out.
I love that lens too.
A little heavy but great on gimbal
The pull of the Hugh. Having left the Sony fold with the A7R2 being the last body I bought, I wonder why I watched this, but I did.
I recently got the Tamron 28-75 g2 zoom & agree the Hugh- it’s a great general purpose zoom. I also like the Sigma 45 f2.8 compact prime for street work. I’ll add one Hugh didn’t mention- the Tamron 70-180 f2.8. A great tele for landscapes.
Very sharp sand relatively light weight, though I found the 70-180 to have more distortion than I like. Then again, my landscape work is in an urban setting where this characteristic is more likely to be obvious.
I've now got two Laowa lenses and have enjoyed the results from both. The first was the 5.6/9 which I found to be an improvement over the Voigtländer 5.6/10 and I'm not just talking about the extra 5° of FOV.
The recently released 0.95/35 was an instant purchase from me as I love very low light shots and I was sure it would outperform the Mitakon Speedmaster 0.95/50 that I sold earlier in the year. I was not disappointed, although the click on the aperture is a little wet and the switch to de-click it is even wetter. I'm tempted to tape the ring in place as I almost always use it wide open.
Very interesting, rented the Laowa 10-18 awesome manual lens too. The 9mm is on my list.😊
I also have BOTH… I seem to be leaning in the Voighländer 10mm more then the Laowa 9mm … I think it’s because of the chip in the Voighländer but BOTH produce enjoyable results …NOTE: The Laowa needs to be stopped down to get cleaner frame edges … but I crop deeply in post so I tend to not worry too much.
@@Peter-ij7rn the Laowa 9mm f/5.6 Dreamer is fun…. Pretty much everything is always in focus. The F Stop ring is a bit easy to move accidentally…so there that. The edges at 5.6 are WONKY… so stop down. BUT…. It’s a fun lens, can get up close and will give a decent shot…. And like any wide lens… if you play with the angles… you can get a creative photo. NOTE: since the Laowa is not chipped, it will not AUTO ZOOM the EVF in Focus Assist as you must manually do that with whatever Button you assigned.
You missed one: the Tamron 2.8/70-180 which is lighter and more portable than any 70-200. It almost lives on my a7Riv where its images can be cropped to the equivalent of 270 mm fov still with 26 mp. And at 70mm focused manually it functions as a decent macro. It's a no-brainer for the 70-200 range.
Great video! Some great ideas here. So far my favorite “Bargain” lenses for Sony FF are the Sony 28mm F2, Samyang 45mm 1.8, Sony SEL 50mm 1.8 and the Sony 85mm 1.8. You can do so much with just these and find them cheap. I do have my eyes on the new Sony 40mm G lens though.
I own a lot of Sigma primes on the E-mount. 24,28,40,85,105 F1.4. I think the best bargain i got for these lenses are Sigma 28mm F1.4 and 40mm F1.4. I got them when they were discounted for less than $500 each brand new.
This is a wonderful roundup of lenses and comparisons of them. Well done!
When it comes to the Sony 200-600mm, the main aspects that sold me on it is that it's an internal zoom and its focusing capabilities. Being of similar length and weight as the competition, once at the long end, it's much more manageable than the others. Also, without the camera body attached, it will fit in one side of a Peak Design Everyday backpack 30 L. It does take up the entire side and you will have to play Tetris to make other lenses fit with it inside.
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 nearly lives on one of my bodies. It's an incredible lens, but large and heavy. The Sony 55mm f/1/8 is another one that I won't leave home without. That is one of the sharpest, most versatile lenses I own. The focusing is quick and the contrast is lovely.
A recently-released lens that is a SUPERB value, is the new Viltrox 20mm f/2.8. Image quality is decent, the lens is tiny and light weight, and it may be the best $158 you'll ever spend on camera gear. It's become the wide leg of my three-lens prime kit. The other two lenses in the bag, are the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN (not HSM), which I found on sale for $720 (missed out on an even better deal, at $689), and my Sony 85mm f/1.8, which ran about $598. Three quite good lenses, for under $1,500 plus shipping and tax. They, along with my caged A7III and accessories, fit in a bag about the size of the Peak Design 6L sling.
Hi Hugh, Great video... I'm trying to decide between the Sony 40mm 2.5 and the Sigma 45mm 2.8 which is $100 cheaper. Which one would you buy? I have a Sony a7C camera. Thanks in advance!
The Sony for AF, clinical sharpness across the field; industrial design matched to the a7C, and ultimate compactness; the Sigma for build, feel, joy - and a more muted kind of sharpness (it’s still there, it just doesn’t wear it on its sleeve) which you may or may not prefer. I really like my 45/2.8 for street, but I also really liked the 40 for street, preferring it to the G 50.
Absolutely love the Laowa 105mm F2 STM for portraits… it’s manual but worth the extra work on focusing. Also the Laowa 15mm F2 Zero D.
Im fan of laowa Wide lenses so sharp!! But for portraits sigma 85 1.4 dg dn it's so fast and sharp .
I'm gonna give that 24mm 2.8 a go. I'm in need of a wider angle lenses. I only own a 35mm 2.8 Zeiss and a Sony 85mm 1.8 prime right now and want to have a wider angle lenses in my kit. I want a wider view for my streaming and as another option for street photography
Go for the 20mm g 1.8. Half the price, optically as good and so versatile.
The Sony 20mm 1.8g is a fantastic lens for landscape and possibly even better than the 24mm g master for wide field astrophotography. Great rendition and a steal compared to the 24mm. Compact and light it is also a great gimble lens for videography.
I'm selling my 20mm 1.8G, only used it a handful of times! I switched to Fuji for travel and Panasonic for video. 🙏
It is remarkable for its quality and. versatility, especially for landscapes while hiking or backpacking. On an A7R 2, the images are sumptuous and if when I have had to be very weight-conscious or want to be discrete for street and travel, I put it on my A6000. I look forward to using it on an A7C or A7C II when one comes.
Fantastic lens recommendations, I love the pictures shared by you (monochromes) & especially your confident content delivery 😀
Thanks! While I may be a Sony, maximum aperture snob, the Sony 85 f/1.8 is bitingly sharp as is the 24-105 f/4 G OSS lens.
Very informative video Sir! Pics taken with Viltrox 85 are lovely. What is missing from all of those glasses is a solid 28mm. Please sony...
I got the gen one Tamron 28-75 yesterday and will get the 17-28 next both will be the RDX, not the gen two VDX as you demonstrated. My Australian Peso is worth less and import tax plus mark up really good glass is what I can afford, all the prices show look great until you go that's the US currency, even the cheaper lenses are expensive here. Enough whinging about $$$, Thank for some good food for thought, Cheers.
What a great video, great delivery. I emphatically agree with all the points made. And I'll second your point abut how nice to use the Sigma 24-70 is - it's a beast. I would really miss the 24 when talking about a 28-75 from Tamron. One more point I totally agree with: that the Sony GM 24 and 35 1.4's are other-worldly awesome! They are really special and exceptional - every photographer should consider one of these.
I picked up a Used Voighländer 10mm Heliar-Hyper Wide f/5.6 FE Mount for a steal at Robert’s Camera in Indianapolis…. It hasn’t been taken off my Sony A7riv in 3 months.
Make video for apsc sony too?
I needed this guide about a couple of months ago when I was deciding to get into Sony and choosing between full frame and crop. Ended up going crop for the lens affordability but looks like I missed some things. May sell/exchange and try FF.
the irony behind the lens ecosystem is when it was first out competing with the big boys, the claim of a lack of lens.
Thank you for the video. The problem with Sony is that there are way too many great lenses causing me to buy twice as many lenses for my Sony FF bodies as I have got my Canon RF based system. So I own most of the GM and G series zooms and primes from 14-600mm and then the small Sigma DG DN Contemporary iSeries for street work and zoom 16-28mm f/2.8 and 28-70mm f/2.8 for travel.
Hah!
What about the Tamron 17-70? For APS-C? Good?
The samyang 135 f2 is built like a tank and takes aaaaaamaaaaaaaazing photos, razor shaaarp at f2, creamy bokeh.
Complete novice here, just taking my first steps in photography with an A7iii, I'm still a bit lost with these recommendations but can anyone recommend a decent lens for some landscape work to learn on? Love these vids btw, subbed!
If you're on a tight budget, Samyang/Rokinon have some good "starter" lenses. Their 35mm f/1.8 is pretty good. 35mm is a good all-around focal length. Just a bit wider than "normal" but not so wide that your subject gets lost. If you have a bit more to spend. Sigma's 35mm f/2 will give a bit better image quality, as will Sony's 35mm f/1.8. All three lenses are small and light enough that schlepping them into the boonies isn't a problem. A lot of landscape photographers like to have a tele in the bag, to home in on details, when it's not practical to get closer. Tamron's 70-180 f/2.8 is lightweight, compact and costs half what the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 runs. If you feel you NEED superwide, there are a lot of good choices. One of the best values is the new Viltrox 20mm f/2.8. Sigma, Tamron and Sony also have good 20s.
I used to think about buying EF mount lenses to adapt to any system, but the weight price and selection is simply no comparison against the FE mount. And I can pick up used super light zeiss lenses at very reasonable prices vs the EF equivalents.
Maybe the Tamron 35 f/2.8 is a bargain but the one I bought is ok sharp on the right side of the frame but very blurry on the whole left side almost til the center of the frame. So I returned it. Do your self a favor and check the lens before you decide to keep it.
Thank you for another great video!
I have Sony 135 f1.8 and I adore this lens coupled with Sony a7m3) if I can get the right distance between me and a subject, I can for sure wait for fantastic results)
Now I’m looking for Tamron 35-150 f 2.0-2.8, for great versatility and to get nice results when it hard to get far enough from a subject
Just traded in my 70-200mm 2.8 for that Tamron. I played with it at wppi Las Vegas 2023 and I was super impress enough to get it. Now I have the Tamron 20-40 and the 35-150 mm as my 2 event photography lenses
Nice to see what I got so far after moving to sony is featured in this video , i got a used 70-200 f4 as well as a used 55 1.8 and both are really amazing. Then I added sigma 90mm 2.8 which is a very nice lens with its own character. On the wide side I got sony 20mm 1.8 which is one of my favorite wide focal lengths.
Thank you for another awesome video :)
😊🖖🏻
wow I almost feel Like I'm missing out. but I'm still exploring what I have ....love what your saying in terms of autofocuss it is a bear when trying to get what you see I go to manual and old school seems to get me there . Its like zen.
The one Sony lens I own was not mentioned. A mistake I think, because it is a really good lens. 24-105 f4 G. It is chunky, and hefty, and pricy at 1200$ new, $750 used. But it does more than a 28-70, sharp, good colors, and even a bit of macro to boot. IMHO, the ONE to have.
The first 24-105 we ever had in hand was terrific, but that was a pre-production unit. The one we actually bought was not nearly the same. A good friend of ours lives his, however, so I chalk it to lens variability - something I just don’t want to have to deal with. We sold ours.
@@3BMEP I understand. But I'm thinking that could happen to any lens. My retailer, Allen's Camera in Levittown Pa, let me try before I bought. Had to pay full price! After viewing the images on my live view, I could not live without it! Be warned, It is a bit big, and has some gravity to it!
Hugh, thank you for a very valuable introduction to what is available in the Sony FE mount landscape. I just purchased an A7Rii on your recommendation. I’ll let you know how that works out.
I use Fuji and m43 Panasonic bodies. From that perspective the FE glass seems expensive. Yes it is full frame so the lenses require more glass. I have the Sony 50mm f1.8. Inexpensive and adequate for street photography. As I’m not committed to full frame yet, I don’t want to spend upwards of $500 for glass I may be Craigslisting soon.
If I stay with Sony, you know I’ll be revisiting and taking notes from this video. This is a great companion to your A7Riiia price alert a couple days ago. Season’s greetings.
Mask on Nurse Marty
Looking forward to hearing more about your journey, Marty!
The Samyang lenses mentioned at the beginning of the video are wonderful. Light, fast, low chroma, low flare and generally nice sunstars. The 24/1.8 is superb but the tiny 18mm and 45mm are good too. The 85/1.4 is stellar and goes head to head with the Sony GM.
Great video. Very helpful. Not that I'm new, but, still, it is useful for consideration.
I enjoy all the I series Sigma lenses on my Sigma fp and fp L. Hope they will also make a 45mm f2, then the set would be complete.
Awesome video!, very informative, I sold some old film equipment to KEH, and then I was able to buy the Sony 85mm f1.8 prime lens for only $400. I Love this lens!, I mainly use it on my a7iii, for my a7iv, I paired it with the Tamron Trinity ( with the G2 ), and I am one happy camper!. I have a Laowa 105mm f2.0 ( awesome bokeh! ), and a Laowa 100mm 2x macro, all very sharp lenses, I highly recommend them. have a great day, Peace!
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Great video post. Love the style. A definite fan!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great one. My favourite bargain lens is the Samyang 50mm 1.2 Awesome on a Fullframe A7xy camera
thoughtful and helpful review Hugh...hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Paul! 😍
@@3BMEP and I could not agree more about the 24, 35 and 135 GMs and I would also add the 50 1.2GM
Oh, absolutely right!
Witch one are specifically for APS-C Sony, E mount camera?
This is why I need to click the 🔔
(I hope I didn't miss the sales...)
Loved the video, very informative! I have my eyes locked on Tamron primes. Can you just not talk as fast while describing details? It seemed as I was watching an auction at a garage sale. Might be good for those with little attention spam, but it was hard to catch up sometimes.
Hah! Noted!
@@3BMEP In addition to adding Rs at the end of words, New Yorkers (and recovering New Yorker) talk rapidly. We do more with less.
Mask On Nurse Marty
@@martingreenberg870 👊🏻😊
I am actually surprised by the viltrox 23 1.4
The samyang 18mm is agreat wide angle, very small & light. So is the Samyang 45mm..the Sony 85 1.8 all in combination with the A7C keeps it very versatile and lightweight. No more big backpacks for me. Oh,and the Tamron 28-200 for travel and tele in landscapes..
This is exactly my setup too!
Thanks for sharing!
Very mobile and expressive face. Engaging intonation too....
I was surprised to hear nothing about the tamron 35-150 f/2-2.8, any thoughts ?
See my review.
@@3BMEP i have seen part of the video upon release and the last bits today, yet I think the tamron would have fit the bill in this video given that a newcomer can test and learn almost everything on that lens (but that’s only my opinion)
I have absolutely fallen in love with the Sony 50mm f/2.5. I've been all over DC with it for my street and landscape photography. It's pretty much replaced my 24-70 DG DN for most applications. I definitely have grown into more of a primes guy than zooms over the last several years. That all said... had I to do it all over again, I think I'd buy the Sigma versions instead of buying the 24, 135 and 100-400 GM's... well I lie. Not the 135 GM. You'll pry that lens out of my cold, dead hands...
I understand. 😎
Great sophisticated video, got my attention.
40! Glad you like them!
i love my viltrox, i also use it with extension tubes
The sigma 85 f1.4 is a beauty but my favourite has to be the 55 f1.8 zeiss has an image all of it’s own……
They’re both superb!
200-600 is a big confusion to me. I want to get the Sony. However, it's form factor worries me.
Start pumping iron. 😉
Start pumping iron. 😉
Actually Tokona 85mm f1,8 is much better than Viltrox and has better autofocus, bokeh, and Is sharper in corners also contrast is slightly better.
I tried to buy a Sony camera in Japan, but they stupidly require all their cameras to have Japanese language only, unless you can find a “tourist model” which of course don’t exist in the age of Covid. Sadly their choice made me become a Nikon customer instead, sayonara Sony.
I doubt lens brand is transmitted to the camera. You are looking at some software interpretation of the exif.
Correct.
Thank you!
Interesting video. I agree with some of the points but not all. I own the Sony 85mm f1.8 and it's a fine lens but from what I've read the bokeh is better on the Viltrox. Many state that actually the Tokina is the best all round 85mm f1.8.
I also own the Sony 70-200 f4. It's ok without being spectacular.
I've been looking at extreme telephoto lenses. The 150-500 Tamron is too much of a compromise. Yes probably well made and fairly compact but here in UK more expensive than the sigma 150-600. Price isn't the only negative either, I find the 6.7 maximum aperture and only 7 aperture blades unforgivable.
I own both the Tamron 17-28 and 28-75. Both decent lenses at fair prices. However I'm still keen on a fast prime in the 50mm region..... maybe the new Samyang will fill that need. I love bokeh lenses which is why I can't justify 2.8 primes, even though they are probably lovely lenses.
Bang for buck is important to most of us. However I think it's worth splurging if there is a 'magic' lens in a focal length you use a lot. For me that was the Sony 135mm f1.8 which I love and was my most recent lens purchase. It's spoilt me though as I now want that magic in every lens I buy from this point forward but at better prices. It's the reason I just can't justify the 50mm f1.2
I think the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 is optically superior to the GM.
I agree with you (optically - the GM has better AF).
@@3BMEP And the sigma af isn't bad either
love your videos. 🙂🙂
I recently got the 50mm f2.5 G, awesome for stills with sharp IQ and it fits like a glove on the A7C 👌
Enjoy!
I saw in many videos that the Sigma 24-70 has some dust accumulating issue
Haven't had that experience, but my experience is only one data point. Would be a shame if a significant issue. Can you point to a couple of specific videos with minute markers?
I've heard the same, and that they added new seals in early 2021 so it may be better now. My sigma 24-70 is indeed pretty dusty (used) but I have never noticed it in pictures
Thanks,like it
Olympus om f1.8
I wanted to buy a Canon R5.
Until I checked their lens selection.
No fast 20mm, no fast 14mm, not even on their road map.
Exactly.
#TeamSony Approves!
Great shot at 10.37. Movement V wheelchair bound. Well done.
sonys a7 I does not have iBIS tho lol
Correct.
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