How to solve the NEX7 lens dilemma?

I have both the NEX7 and the camera of the year, the Olympus OMD. I use the NEX7 but seldom use the Olympus. The Sony delivers good results with the kit 18-55 lens but I would like a better quality lens with a wider and longer zoom, something like 16-80.

The dilemma is this: stick with E mount but be limited in choice and quality or 1. Get the EA2 adapter and buy a good Sony zoom or 2. Get the recent Metabones auto focus Canon adapter to use my collection of those lenses?

Metabones adapter is expensive and AF doesn't work with most Canon zoom lenses, eg 24-105, 16-35, 8-15, 17-40, 70-300L, that I have.  AF works with 70-200 F4is. The others will work using manual focus. Same goes for my macro lenses.

Sony EA2 adapter is also expensive and additional lenses would have to be purchased, like the 16-50 or 16-80. AF is fast but this is a bulkier and more expensive option. If size gets too big I might as well use my Canon dslrs.

It would be valuable to hear how others have solved the NEX dilemma. Has anyone kept the 18-200 E lens as their  walk around lens?

Vince

--
Everyone is an expert on dpreview!

G series zoom are on the way. As well as power 18-200. E-mounts are only going to get better.

Not relevant or anything but why bother getting the said "camera of the year" and not using it?

If I were in your shoes, I'd sell the OMD, and get the LA-EA2 and the 18-200.

It sounds like you want a single lens solution, so in my opinion (and echoed by others throughout the forum) the 18-200 is a very good solution as far as walk around.

If I'm mistaken and you aren't limiting yourself to a single lens, then a set of primes would be the way to go.

You might wanna expound on this "dilemma" of yours. From what I can gather, money isn't a problem, yet you say the adapter is expensive  o.o.....

You can consider Techart or RJ adapter instead of Metabones. Their AF should work with your zoom lenses too. But forget about usefulness of AF for anything that moves. It might help if you are lazy to focus yourself for a static scenes though.

There is also Metabones Speed Booster. Even more expensive, but unique in performance. Wide angle Canon FF lenses would remain WA on your NEX 7. On top of that, it can speed up maximum aperture by 0.71. AF is again useless.

It is big, but doesn't feel as big as DSLR. It is basically the same size as Metabones, not a big difference there.

If you already have Canon lenses, you might consider Metabones or some cheaper clone. If not, don't bother. Take LA-EA2 or wait for E-mount G standard zoom.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/viktor_viktor/
http://verybiglobo.blogspot.com/

The NEX7 and OMD are excellent for flower photos. I have macros lenses for both.  I have the 16-80 lens for the OMD and that gives 24-120 equivalent which is handy. The Olympus I have sucks and behaves erratically so I leave it at home. Will take it to Olympus soon to see what gives. No way this was COTY!

Size is important and IQ. I could live with a 16 to 80 E mount but such a lens doesn't exist. I like the focus peaking option of the Sony and this is a feature Olympus doesn't have. The OMD screen is superior to that on the NEX7 and is easier to see it on sunny days. Also is a touch screen. So the ideal mirrorless camera doesn't exist.

If I had unlimited funds I would get the Canon 5DIII with 24-70 II lens. The NEX7 is handy for walkaround, flowers, snapshots with flash and a carry anywhere camera. On outings I will take 3 dslrs and the NEX7.

Vince

--
Everyone is an expert on dpreview!

screw zooms - if you really want the best shoot primes and be willing to change lenses or adjust your shooting style to the lens you have.

zooms will always be a compromise - even the best will never be as good as a lens optimized for a single focal length

--

NEX-7 & Sigma 30mm f/2.8
NEX-5 & 18-55 OSS
And a spare black 18-55

I recently did several panoramas at Coogee beach in Sydney. The NEX7 was set at 55mm. Very sharp photos which surprised me. Makes me want to use this camera more and have a longer zoom.

Your advice is also what I have concluded. A pity the system is limited by the E lenses.

Vince

--
Everyone is an expert on dpreview!

16-80 on OMD is FF equivalent of 32-160.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/viktor_viktor/
http://verybiglobo.blogspot.com/

what is the advantage of canon adapter of ea2?

my mistake. The Olympus lens is the 16-60 used with an adapter. Sharp but slow focus.

Everyone is an expert on dpreview!

I wouldn't say limited to E-mount lenses for sure, because there are endless options via adapters. AF is probably limited to E-mount and A-mount lenses via LA-EA2 (considering Metabones AF useless feature).

You should think of few more things though...

a) If you already have 18-55 and it makes you happy, consider to add SEL 55-210, instead of 18-200. That is cheaper option with almost same image quality and same lens speed. Both solutions gives you OSS.

b) Using most of the A-mount lenses with LA-EA2, you will gain AF speed of DSLR (PDAF), something that no other solution will offer you on NEX 7, but with most lenses you will loose OSS. (There are few Sigmas OS though)

c) Using Metabones adapter you will loose AF (well, not on paper with some lenses), but you can profit from Canon IS system, if the lens has it.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/viktor_viktor/
http://verybiglobo.blogspot.com/

I have an Olympus E-PL1 and use that camera with the nice small light 40-150R lens (80-300 equivalent.)   But mostly I use a NEX-5R.

Have you considered getting the cheaper EA-1 instead? The main disadvantage would be the need to manual focus. But with Peaking, that is so easy! And the EA-1 is smaller.

I dont have the stats, but i think that considering the age of the NEX range, it has a good selection. I would put money on most people buying an NEX kit and then a lens or two later, rather than buying a camera and 5-10 lenses in one go.

Lens range quality is subjective. A 16-80 doesn't go to something like 200mm, and so the 18-200 lens really covers a huge range.

The NEX range will get better, but it takes time. In two years, I wonder what complaints people will have... not enough FF NEX lenses?

Furthermore, m4/3 is more than one manufacturer, with mounts working on either system.

--
http://www.martinirwinphotography.com

Note: There are several Canon EF/NEX "Smart" adapters, 2 from Metabones, and few from other producers, such as Techart or RJ.

Size and weight - approximately same. Both are rather big and bulky, if the size matter.

Metabones = 0, Sony = 0

Metabones Smart adapter allow slow AF only with some EF lenses, LA-EA2 - fastest AF with A-mount lenses, that you can achieve with NEX. Metabones = 0 - Sony = 1

Several Canon lenses have Image stabilization. Metabones can engage it. Very few A - mount lenses have image stabilization. Metabones = 1, Sony = 1

Metabones Speed Booster (new adapter from Metabones) allow use of the almost identical FL on FF and APS-C. In other words, 35mm f2 FF lens will result in a 25mm f 1.4 lens on APS-C, which after multiplying it with a 1.5 crop aspect, will result in a 37mm f2.1 FF equivalent. Using 35mm f2 lens with LA-EA2 will result in a 52.5mm FOV, f3 DOF - FF equivalent. Metabones SB =2, LA-EA2 =1

Canon EF lens range is much wider than A-mount lens range, including some unique solutions such as MP-E65 and TS-E 17. (no, I will not mention EF 1200 f5.6. It's too small for the NEX)
Metabones = 3, Sony = 1

Metabones Smart adapter cost 399 USD, Speed Booster - 599 USD without shipping. Sony LA-EA2 - 279 USD. Cheaper versions of EF/NEX smart adapters could be found for 212 USD including shipping. I would give a point here to Sony, because it is more probable to find used one LA-EA2 than EF smart adapter.

So, final - Metabones = 3, Sony = 2

But all that doesn't mean nothing, if you need AF.

If you have A mount lenses, LA-EA2 is the way to go.

Metabones, for those who comes from Canon is certainly interesting option.

If you don't have either, don't bother IMHO. There are many other, cheaper, smaller, IQ wise comparable solutions, including some native E-mount lenses. (I consider SEL 10-18, 24 f1.8, 35 f1.8 and 50 f1.8 - very good lenses, and probably best overall solutions in the respective FL for NEX system).

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/viktor_viktor/
http://verybiglobo.blogspot.com/

I prefer AF. My eyes aren't good enough for manual focussing except for macro when I wear my glasses.

I like rapid AF for street and landscape photography. I have tried the EA2 with 16-50 F2.8 and it is quick and not too big. Will have a look at the 16-80 as well. That would be a good compromise.

--
Everyone is an expert on dpreview!

Section10,

I agree 100%. Just bought a 10-18mm E lens, it is fantastic, but ...... I use it on my 5n and NEX 6. I don't know how it would work on the NEX 7 with it's wide angle color cast issues.

wll

While I agree that the E primes plus wide zoom are a good solution the bulk of the kit isn't so attractive. Would be nice to have one or two lens solution. Sigma have the 19 and 30mm that are highly regarded and reasonably priced. 10-18 plus 18-200 is the closest kit that does the job.

--
Everyone is an expert on dpreview!

Be patient?

A mid-range tele-zoom G lens should be announced this year. It is expected to be about 16-80 or so, and f/2.8-f/4.0, give or take. Could be a derivative of the SAL Zeiss version, we'll see.

If you don't mind bulk, the SAL1650 with constant f/2.8 gets great reviews. You'll need the LA-EA2 adapter, and you loose OSS. The assembly is comparable to the SEL18200 (orig) in bulk, and as expensive.

The SEL18200 is a great and versatile lens, but it is bulky as a 'walkaround' lens, and it is not a great lens for low light conditions.

If I were you, I'd consider the 1650PZ as a walkaround lens and the SEL35F18 as a lowlight lens.

Then wait another year for a high IQ zoom lens option, there are several on the roadmap.

--
Cheers,
Henry

Thanks, Henry. Waiting seems to be the name of the game with Sony. Will have a look at the 16-50 PZ. Will be great if they have an E-mount 16-80. Would be worth the wait.....if we knew for sure it was coming soon we would all wait.

Vince

--
Everyone is an expert on dpreview!

Just note that 1650PZ have horrible distortion with RAW. Which might and might not be a problem depending on your PP software of choice.