A6000

I wouldn't build up too much hope of the 18-55 working well with a VCL adapter - mine shows severe vignetting (like an APS-C lens on a FF sensor) on the NEX-7 and even worse softness if you move beyond 18mm.

I have both VCLs for the 16mm and they're OK. I haven't used them a great deal, but if you like the results they're an inexpensive edition to the 16mm or 20mm lens. (I'm not sure what the benefit of the -2 version is, unless it is compatibility with the 20mm?)

One example:


Bury Knowle Park | NEX-7 | E 16mm F2.8 | VCL-ECF1 (=10mm)

Sony, also being a camcorder company, had or has a rich history of making lens attachments like this (if rich is the right word there).

Given Phil's comments about phomes as LCDs, perhaps the answer is to get a ILCE-QX1?

Howard_S wrote: Sony, also being a camcorder company, had or has a rich history of making lens attachments like this (if rich is the right word there). Given Phil's comments about phones as LCDs, perhaps the answer is to get a ILCE-QX1?

Visiting an archaeological dig a few years back I saw a chap using a QX of some variety - on a long pole to get overhead shots. I would be interested in getting elevated angles in this way with an A6000/Nex 6 having found an A99ii a bit hard to hold steady a couple of meters above me.

Same site a couple of years later I took a photo of Howard - without knowing it.

Thanks to Howard I had the chance to try out a Nex 7 with an array of lenses, an LA-EA4 and two converters on the 16/2.8 pancake. Pictures.

It was a lot to take in, but it showed me that the camera would fit in well with my prospective use.

My big worry is that I already want a range of extra lenses - which is not really the idea.

I think I have settled on an A6000 + 16-50 OSS as the basic pocketable walkaround. The 55-210 seems the only option to extend the reach and, while not stellar, the images I got from Howard's copy were good enough for my purposes. I suspect I will also add a 30 or 35mm prime for those times when I feel the primal urge.

The Canon EF 75-300 III USM doesn't work too badly with the Yongnuo EF-E II on my NEX-5T. The EF-S 55-250 IS STM is also supported.

The AF prime selection drove me away from APS-C. I had settled on the Zeiss Touit 32, which is somewhat heavy and has a fairly slow DC motor. The little Rokinon 35 F2.8 had better image quality. The 24 F1.8 ZA Sonnar is so expensive. I still have the inexpensive manual 35 F1.6 and 25 F1.8 primes which are quite nice.

Edited by QuietOC - 11 April 2021 at 16:17

The 55-210 seems the only option in terms of size and price with the added advantage of OSS - what else could replace it for less than £150?

I tried Howard's Sigma 30/2.8 and Samyang 35/2.8 (presumably the same as the Rokinon) and found both very useable - AF is important to me. I only had them on the camera for a short time, not enough to develop a preference. The few shots I took came out well, I don't think I'd be disappointed with either and both are within my budgetary horizons.

An LA-EA4 is also high on the want list - perhaps if I get one before the 55-210 my DT 50-200 will suffice for a while, or even the DT 18-200, which I used recently and was surprised by how much I liked it. The adapter will also enable an UWA option with my Sigma 10-18. But, if I'm going to carry a bag of A-mount lenses I'd be better off taking an A-mount body with IBIS.

I'm not really looking for f1.4 performance, I wouldn't turn it down, but I'm not ready to pay for it. To be honest I'd rather have a Minolta/Sony 35/1.4 that I can use on A mount too - still waiting for that one to plummet in price.

One problem is that it is too easy to start thinking of this purchase as the basis for my entire photography - with lots of lens decisions to make - but it isn't, it's a small, easy to carry holiday snapper. I don't see it featuring in many Dyxum challenges.