camera/lens advice please |
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QuietOC ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 28 February 2015 Country: United States Location: Michigan Status: Offline Posts: 3515 |
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The copy I tried had an alignment problem, that seems to somewhat common with that lens. I directly compared it to the two newer third-party AF 35mm F2.8's. Both of those were optically better. There are many other reviews comparing it to either of those and in zero instances does the CZ come out ahead. I am sure a well-aligned copy of the CZ is a decent enough lens, but it could also be the worst FE deal, even used.
I am liking the Rokinon AF 35mm F1.8 so far. It is just slightly larger than the 2/28. Perhaps better sealed. It seems somewhat better optically than Sony FE 1.8/35. The Sony will have better AF, and it supports all the latest AF stuff. I like the lowly Sony FE 1.8/50 a lot. It has grown on me. At first I thought it was overpriced. It is not at all sealed. It just make nice images. The Sigma and Samyang 45's are strong alternatives, especially the Sigma. I regret buying the Sony FE 1.8/85. It is not a focal length I use often, and it doesn't compare well with other 85's for how I'd use 85's. It is a better 85 than the Samyang 75/1.8. The Samyang is better at being small, light, and less expensive. Edited by QuietOC - 10 December 2020 at 21:10 |
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Sony A7RIV NEX-5T HVL-F45RM LA-EA5 Metabones-IV Sigma MC-11 Yongnuo EF-E II TLT ROKR MD-NEX KR-NEX DA-NEX
Minolta Maxxum 600si Pentax Q7 5-15 15-45/2.8 8.5/1.9 11.5/9 AF-P/Q |
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addy landzaat ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 22 April 2006 Country: Netherlands Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Posts: 12955 |
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I looked long and hard at normal lenses, I got a Samyang 45/1.8, but I did not like it. Then I looked at the 55/1.8, but I think it is somewhat overpriced then I looked into the 50/1.8 - I almost went for it, but in the end, the colour and contrast of the 55/1,8 made me decide for the 55/1.8 when I found one for a good price. But I think the 50/1.8 is a good lens with later full-frame bodies
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LAbernethy ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 25 November 2015 Country: Canada Location: Ajax, Ontario Status: Offline Posts: 2792 |
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addy landzaat, do you work for Sony? you seem to take criticism of their products personally.
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dCap ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 11 August 2005 Country: United Kingdom Status: Offline Posts: 6154 |
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The 2nd runner in my options here is quite a bit different from the A7II + 28 + 50 macro. This pairing intrigues me:
- a6400 - 10-18/4 OSS Both the a6400 and SEL1018 have mention of WR on their Sony pages. And I've gotten very attached to the RX100 (and GX9) corner viewfinder position. Shame the A7C is so new and out of budget but I'd not view the a6400/10-18 pair as a compromise - just different. I would delve into more wide angle work. It could be my 2 years on APS before I then move to the A7C (when II launches). I'm almost certain that I'd shoot in 16:9 and not 3:2 when I shift to APS or FX anyway with ventures into wider formats too (e.g. Dyxum / Open Talk / Project 21x9) ... so a 10-18mm ('15-28mm') could be a lot of fun. I could treat it the same way as an A7II/28, as a one lens set-up. The negative here is that it is only f4. And I'd not really be stepping back into a world of bokehness (week50mm styley). I can match APS f4 with an f2.8 on m43 and there are plenty of options there. Also conscious that Sony's optics tend to be centred on FX stuff so I'd be moving to Sony APS for pretty much just one lens in their native APS line-up. Since I'm not really looking to build a system bigger than 1-2 lenses that should stop me though. The SEL1018 reviews rather well in here: https://www.dyxum.com/lenses/Sony-10-18mm-F4-OSS_lens708.html - - - The 3rd option is to re-consider my dismissal of any third party lenses. I'm not a fan of the advisory notes that I've seen. And have had historically two poor experiences of Sigma. Luckily nothing Sigma does today (while pretty impressive and liked) is something that fits my need. But Sony have licensed their mount/specs so these third parties are not working from a reverse engineer start point. Tamron have a triplet of 20/24/28mm primes that deliver 1/2 size macro. And the lenses are kinda small, sort of 28/2 sized. My fave macro of olde was the Minolta 50/3.5 (1:2 macro) - I rarely bumped into close focus limit and appreciate a macro as a close-up lens as much as anything else. Tamron also mention some form of sealing (although the trust/performance of that sealing is questioned in the one review each lens has in here). A Tamron 24/2.8 or Tamron 35/2.8 on A7II could be a well placed alternative to 28/2 + 50 macro as a ONE lens option. I wish they hadn't skipped 28mm! I'm sure I could adapt to 24 or 35 view if it means I also always have my 'macro' mounted. - - - I could even combine the Tamron 24/2.8 with the a6400 and have a '37mm' walkabout which also does macro. I'm not really a fan of full-frame lenses on APS bodies (departed that when I left dSLR for mirrorless in 2008). But at least the Tam 24 is small and designed for mirrorless. size and shape is pretty similar: camera size > a6400 / 10-18 / Tam 24 / A7II / 28 / Tam 35 |
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QuietOC ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 28 February 2015 Country: United States Location: Michigan Status: Offline Posts: 3515 |
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I just sent my Tamron 24mm F2.8 in for warranty service because it is misaligned. I compared it yesterday to their 17-28 zoom which I just received. The zoom is aligned better. I recommend this zoom, though it is not as wide on FF as the 10-18 on APS-C. My Tamron 20mm F2.8 is very well aligned.
These Tamron M1:2 primes are not flat-field at 1:2, but they do render nicely. They focus a little slower than the Sony FE 1.8/50. I don't find that much of an issue. The 24 and 20 have more barrel distortion than the FE 2/28. All are fine after Distortion Compensation. Edited by QuietOC - 12 December 2020 at 16:24 |
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Sony A7RIV NEX-5T HVL-F45RM LA-EA5 Metabones-IV Sigma MC-11 Yongnuo EF-E II TLT ROKR MD-NEX KR-NEX DA-NEX
Minolta Maxxum 600si Pentax Q7 5-15 15-45/2.8 8.5/1.9 11.5/9 AF-P/Q |
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addy landzaat ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 22 April 2006 Country: Netherlands Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Posts: 12955 |
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I like the APS-C 35/1.8 OSS and 50/1.8 OSS. Sigma also has some nice offerings for a small APS-C set-up.
I tend to bring full frame for really serious stuff, but the A6400 for anything else. Used it a lot during my lock-down hikes. I am in the market for a 20mm lens, but I ruled out the Tamron 20mm based on the reviews of that lens. It seems the 24mm and 35mm are fine. |
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pegelli ![]() Admin Group ![]() Dyxum Administrator Joined: 02 June 2007 Country: Belgium Location: Schilde Status: Online Posts: 33745 |
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I have the E10-18/4 and am very happy with it.
I gets mostly used on my A6000 allthough it's also used on my A7Rii. On full frame and without hood it's usable without significant vignetting between 12 and 16 mm and when switching to APS-C it still gives ~18 MP and 15 to 28 mm FF fov. 18 MP is more than the NEX 6 I have for which I bought the E10-18 as the wide angle zoom. Using it this way on the A7Rii avoids investing in a much heavier/bigger FE16-35/4 (for the time being, I never know when lens lust gets the better of me ![]() |
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dCap ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 11 August 2005 Country: United Kingdom Status: Offline Posts: 6154 |
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Thank you @peg - it might be your review in the database here that helped me consider the 10-18/4?
I've seen mention of it working on FF a few times now. Odd on it's own. Odder than it only works at 12-16 (not at either end, zoom tech huh). I doubt I'd get into an 'R' body (I would take a 12mp FF sensor in a snap, Nikon D700 era please). This shouldn't really be a factor but the biggest thing keeping me away from the a6400/10-18 is the price of the a7II/28f2. I just cannot get my head around dropping more money on an APS outfit than full-frame. I think the a6400 is well spec/price-d. Perhaps it just shows what an absolute bargain the A7II is. And as a general thank you to all for making your lens reviews - as a rusty gear geek I'm seeing lots of helpful info in that resource. The Tam 1:2 macro triplet will still be considered. 24/2.8 would prevent me from getting the other two. But Tam 20 + Tam 35 are also a near match for Sony 28/2 + Sony 50/macro price. There is also Tam 24 + Sony 50 as an option on A7II (24 as a small walkabout, 50 for proper macro) - I shoot details a lot. Ideally I want just one lens (and happy for that to be prime or SMALL zoom). The 28/2 is top of my list. Shame I'm not ready to drop A7C budget. Also that there aren't many small APS lenses with mention of WR. I know the 'WR' labeling is suspect on some items with lack of rubber ring but I do need some protection. I'm getting close to a decision - thanks all for your help. |
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I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
- Don McLean |
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QuietOC ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 28 February 2015 Country: United States Location: Michigan Status: Offline Posts: 3515 |
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You might have to try a few examples of the less expensive wide lenses if you want an excellent one. I expect that is especially true for the 10-18. The longer focal lengths of wide angles lenses for larger formats is an advantage.
I've decided today to sell my FE 2/28. I might sell all of my 18-28 mm primes except maybe the Samyang AF 24mm F2.8. Edited by QuietOC - 13 December 2020 at 16:48 |
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Sony A7RIV NEX-5T HVL-F45RM LA-EA5 Metabones-IV Sigma MC-11 Yongnuo EF-E II TLT ROKR MD-NEX KR-NEX DA-NEX
Minolta Maxxum 600si Pentax Q7 5-15 15-45/2.8 8.5/1.9 11.5/9 AF-P/Q |
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addy landzaat ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 22 April 2006 Country: Netherlands Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Posts: 12955 |
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Why not follow me on Instagram? @Addy_101
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onsplekkie ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 23 October 2011 Country: Netherlands Status: Offline Posts: 3399 |
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For a one lens solution a good sensor + one excellent prime should be your goal, no? This combo can give you the possiblity to make some excellent work.
I do not consider the FE 2/28 to be excellent prime..... If it would be my choice I buy into a secondhand A6300 or A6400 with Zony 1.8/24 if AF is needed. my two cents |
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"take life as it is, not as you want it to be"
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Miranda F ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 11 January 2014 Country: United Kingdom Location: Bristol Status: Offline Posts: 4019 |
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If you like narrow DOF (as most here seem to do, judging by the lenses they choose) there is an argument for using FF lenses on APS-C sensors (or FF sensors in crop mode) to avoid the dreaded 'cat's eyes' in OOF light sources. I always find these particularly annoying this time of year which is why I generally pair the A58 with Minolta primes for my Christmas light photography. The old Minolta 50mm f1.7, for example, gives particularly good bokeh circles away form the centre when used on APS-C. The 28mm f2.8 is also good. |
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Miranda F & Sensorex, Sony A7Rii, A58, Nex-6, Dynax 4, 5, 60, 500si/600si/700si/800si, various Sony & Minolta lenses, several Tamrons, lots of MF primes and *far* too many old film cameras ...
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dCap ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 11 August 2005 Country: United Kingdom Status: Offline Posts: 6154 |
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Thank you for the additional comments/thoughts yesterday/today.
I live 200 metres from the beach and about half my photos are taken while my feet are under water on the beach. WR is essential for the sand and salt spray. It narrows my choses a bit. Looks like time to also consider some other brands to see if there is a better fit in terms of budget and QC. Edited by dCap - 14 December 2020 at 22:50 |
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I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
- Don McLean |
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dCap ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 11 August 2005 Country: United Kingdom Status: Offline Posts: 6154 |
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Perhaps the RX100 is just right for me?
Not WR but fits in my pocket and I can get one a year if the salt/sand kills it. I would 'like' a proper camera though. I'm as tempted as anything to just sell all the trial cameras I got (X-E3, X-T3, 16/2.8, 35/2, Pan GX9, 14, 20, 25, 12-60) and continue with the RX100 until something viable comes along. None of that lot is as much fun to use as the RX100. The thoughts of grabbing a used Nikon D700 and then a used Canon 5D II for 6 months at a time were legit. I'd find a used prime in the 24/28/35/50 zone and show it what sand and salt spray looks like. No bag, just the camera and one prime on a strap. A beater. |
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I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
- Don McLean |
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