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Alaska Cruise Lens selections

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addy landzaat View Drop Down
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Posts: 14380 		Post Options Post Options   Quote addy landzaat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 January 2023 at 11:12
If the LA-EA5 behaves like the LA-EA3, fine is a fine description. Compared to the Sony/Zeiss 24-70/2.8 on the A7r4 it is noticeably less snappy and at times a little hesitant. But then, the 70-400G is not known as a fast focussing lens and the Sony/Zeiss gets more light with the f/2.8 aperture.

My native E-mount lenses in this range (Sony 70-350G and Tamron 150-500) are quicker to focus. The 70-400G is snappier on my A99m2 then on my A7r4 with the LA-EA3. But then, I think it focuses fine in most situations.
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Hezu View Drop Down
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Posts: 4073 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Hezu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 January 2023 at 14:21
Originally posted by Fred_S Fred_S wrote:

My 70-400 works fine on A99ii and A7IV + LA-EA5 for me, so I guess A7RIV will work too
I have no experience with 70-400G and LA-EA5 since 70-400G happened to be one of the lenses that were exhanged for α1 + LA-EA5, but I think when using that lens adapter, the AF performance can be slightly different depending on what camera body use: α7R IV may not yield as good AF performance compared to the newer camera bodies (my experiences are with α1, which I guess have similar AF performance as α7 IV). Granted, the difference in AF perfomance is there also with the native lenses, although for most uses, α7R IV's AF still works very nicely.
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nandbytes View Drop Down
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Posts: 3531 		Post Options Post Options   Quote nandbytes Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 January 2023 at 15:54
I appreciate the desire to have lenses that work on a-mount and e-mount but optics have come a long way since a-mount days.
As wonderful as the 70-400G/2 was you can get better lenses now. There's plenty of options for all focal ranges...
Tamron 50-400mm
Tamron 150-500mm
Sigma 150-600mm and 60-600mm
Sigma 100-400mm
Sony 100-400mm
sony 200-600mm

All probably faster focussing and as sharper if not sharper than the 70-400G. Many of them are lighter too.

So feels worthwhile to go native e-mount.
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AudioDoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 3228 		Post Options Post Options   Quote AudioDoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 January 2023 at 17:32
Of course adapted A mount lenses to E mount is a cost saving measure over selling the A mount lenses at a loss and buying new E mount glass. I made the switch from A to E but I didn't have as much invested in G class A mount lenses so the switch wasn't as painful for me as for others, though I probably should consider selling some of my A mount lenses.

Probably the most critical AF situation that might be encountered in Alaska would be birds in flight or those float planes in flight. Most of the eagles we saw were perched in trees and not flying. I've used my Minolta 70-200mm f2.8 SSM G adapted with LA-EA3 on my A7III for railroad photography and it worked just fine, but trains normally are not moving as fast as flying things!

BTW, another thing to consider on a cruise is food photography if you are interested in that. The food on our Holland America cruises was wonderful and often worth taking photos, so a close focusing lens is always a good thing to have. Of course a good mobile phone camera can to the same thing and be more convenient when dining.
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arrow34 View Drop Down
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Posts: 154 		Post Options Post Options   Quote arrow34 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 January 2023 at 23:58
I would love to move over fully to ef glass, I will make the move one of these years. Fast focus isnt a main focus for me :) I do like fast focus, but sharpness and the ability to nail focus is important and most of my adapted glass with my a7r iv + la-ea5 nail focus 90% of the time. I have started to swap some of my primes to ef glass. Thanks for all of the lively discussion!

I am going to go with the SAL70400G, that I was able to get for a bargain price of $539 shipped... It only weighs a bit more than my SAL70200G. Should perform just as well on both my a7r iv + la-ea5. addy landzaat - The la-ea5 works amazing on the a7r iv. For example my sigma 35mm f1.4 art amount works great.

Now to start figuring out my other lenses - most likely the Tamron 15-30 f2.8. and maybe a few primes + the sal70400g. I think the sal2870z might be a contender for my walk around, but not sure yet.

Edited by arrow34 - 30 January 2023 at 00:14
Sony A7RIV, A99II, Sony 24-70SAL2470Z, Sony 70-200 f2.8, Minolta 17-35, 24-50 f4, 28 f2, 50 f1.4, 35-105, 28-105, 70-210, 100-200, 100-300. Samyang 35 1.4, reflex 500
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Hezu View Drop Down
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Posts: 4073 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Hezu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 January 2023 at 08:16
Originally posted by arrow34 arrow34 wrote:

I would love to move over fully to ef glass, I will make the move one of these years. Fast focus isnt a main focus for me :)
Just a little nitpicking: EF is the lens mount of Canon AF (D)SLRs, Sony mirrorless lens mount is E and the designation FE is used for those Sony lenses that are for full frame sensors. You can use EF lenses also on E mount cameras with adapters (that usually even support AF, although there is variation on how well AF works with certain adapter and lens combinations), but certainly on α7R IV the native FE lenses offer the best performance.
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arrow34 View Drop Down
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Posts: 154 		Post Options Post Options   Quote arrow34 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 January 2023 at 12:37
Originally posted by Hezu Hezu wrote:

Originally posted by arrow34 arrow34 wrote:

I would love to move over fully to ef glass, I will make the move one of these years. Fast focus isnt a main focus for me :)
Just a little nitpicking: EF is the lens mount of Canon AF (D)SLRs, Sony mirrorless lens mount is E and the designation FE is used for those Sony lenses that are for full frame sensors. You can use EF lenses also on E mount cameras with adapters (that usually even support AF, although there is variation on how well AF works with certain adapter and lens combinations), but certainly on α7R IV the native FE lenses offer the best performance.
you are 100% correct, ef is Canon. I did mean FE. I should have typed that, I had never mentioned Canon in this thread, but it doesn't change my sentiment that I can't change all of my glass...
Sony A7RIV, A99II, Sony 24-70SAL2470Z, Sony 70-200 f2.8, Minolta 17-35, 24-50 f4, 28 f2, 50 f1.4, 35-105, 28-105, 70-210, 100-200, 100-300. Samyang 35 1.4, reflex 500
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arrow34 View Drop Down
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Posts: 154 		Post Options Post Options   Quote arrow34 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 February 2023 at 06:26
Bit the bullet and got the sigma 150-600mm fe... double the money, but, Damm does it feel good to have a modern lens lol
Sony A7RIV, A99II, Sony 24-70SAL2470Z, Sony 70-200 f2.8, Minolta 17-35, 24-50 f4, 28 f2, 50 f1.4, 35-105, 28-105, 70-210, 100-200, 100-300. Samyang 35 1.4, reflex 500
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Jozioau View Drop Down
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Posts: 9487 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jozioau Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 February 2023 at 23:40
Congrats on your new lens.
Really from what you've got, you can't go wrong. Main thing will be which lenses to decide to cart with you within baggage weight limits as well as the practicalities of what to carry when you're out shooting. Presumably you'll be making landings and walking about sometimes.
Just having returned from an Antarctic expedition cruise, I found I made do 90% of the time with my a7iv camera and SEL2470GM and SEL200600G OSS. I occasionally swapped the big zoom for my SAL70200G2 SSM ZA via LA-EA5 when I wanted to lighten the load and when I thought I wouldn't need the extra reach.
Those 3 lenses really covered everything as far as I was concerned. I did have my a99ii as backup as well as my CZ 16-35mm f2.8 Vario-Sonnar but those hardly got used.
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst" - Henri Cartier-Bresson
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arrow34 View Drop Down
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Posts: 154 		Post Options Post Options   Quote arrow34 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 February 2023 at 00:06
Yeah, I have a a99ii also, but wasnt sure if i would take it. I am probably going to bring my tamron 15-30 and sal2470z, Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 for a ultra light walk around and a 35mm prime. Not sure about the sal70200g...
Sony A7RIV, A99II, Sony 24-70SAL2470Z, Sony 70-200 f2.8, Minolta 17-35, 24-50 f4, 28 f2, 50 f1.4, 35-105, 28-105, 70-210, 100-200, 100-300. Samyang 35 1.4, reflex 500
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Jozioau View Drop Down
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Posts: 9487 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jozioau Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 February 2023 at 02:15
Having been on an small ship Alaska nature cruise many years ago, I'd certainly recommend you take a lens with good telephoto reach for when you see distant whales (orcas and humpbacks), seals on ice floes, birds roosting and in flight, and wildlife on shore from the passing ship.
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst" - Henri Cartier-Bresson
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arrow34 View Drop Down
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Posts: 154 		Post Options Post Options   Quote arrow34 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 February 2023 at 17:41
Agreed, I wanted to pair it with my a7r iv, I almost got an a-mount ot save some money, but... i figure making the jump for the zoom was a good idea. I dont see myself upgrading my sal70200g anytime soon, works great with the la-ea5. Just not sure if i want to bring it to alaska.
Sony A7RIV, A99II, Sony 24-70SAL2470Z, Sony 70-200 f2.8, Minolta 17-35, 24-50 f4, 28 f2, 50 f1.4, 35-105, 28-105, 70-210, 100-200, 100-300. Samyang 35 1.4, reflex 500
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AudioDoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 3228 		Post Options Post Options   Quote AudioDoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 April 2023 at 17:07
Edward,

In the meantime I bought my wife an Alaska cruise for her birthday and we sail from Vancouver in May. Have you already had your Alaska cruise? Be sure to share a few photos with us.

Regards,

Kelly
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