Reading mode: Light Dark

If you had only one lens for the day...

Go to last post
E

Elite83

Senior Member
Messages
1,057
Reaction score
130
Location
PA, US
You always hear that "A good photographer is defined not by his/her equipment, but his/her experience/skill."

If you went out for a day of city shooting, and you were limited to one sub-$500 lens, what lens would it be? (Non-Emount, adapter prices add to total.)
 
Elite83 said:
Elite83 wrote:

You always hear that "A good photographer is defined not by his/her equipment, but his/her experience/skill."

If you went out for a day of city shooting, and you were limited to one sub-$500 lens, what lens would it be? (Non-Emount, adapter prices add to total.)

--
-Matt
Click to expand...
City shooting?

I'd take the Sigma 19mm, the Sony 20mm or the Voigtlander 21mm lens for the day.

The Sony 24mm is too narrow for city scapes.

Wider than 20mm will be outside your budget, unless you use the fabled Sony 16mm + ECU.

If it is daytime only - try one of the kit lenses ....

I probably should add that I got some great images with the A85















--
Cheers,
Henry
 
Last edited:
Elite83 said:
Elite83 wrote:

You always hear that "A good photographer is defined not by his/her equipment, but his/her experience/skill."

If you went out for a day of city shooting, and you were limited to one sub-$500 lens, what lens would it be? (Non-Emount, adapter prices add to total.)
Click to expand...
 
Voigtlander Heliar 15mm in screw mount and Cornerfix.
 
Great choices! Keep them coming! :D
 
Tuloom said:
Tuloom wrote:

Voigtlander Heliar 15mm in screw mount and Cornerfix.
Click to expand...
I have a Voigtländer Color-Skopar X 2.8/50, and just ordered a DKL to adapt it to my 5R. Would that DKL also adapt a Voigtlander Heliar 15mm? I haven't shot with my Skopar 50 yet. Is it a 50mm lens? And do you know if it would be a 50mm on my Nex 5R?
 
1prime said:
1prime wrote:
1prime said:
Tuloom wrote:

Voigtlander Heliar 15mm in screw mount and Cornerfix.
Click to expand...
I have a Voigtländer Color-Skopar X 2.8/50, and just ordered a DKL to adapt it to my 5R. Would that DKL also adapt a Voigtlander Heliar 15mm? I haven't shot with my Skopar 50 yet. Is it a 50mm lens? And do you know if it would be a 50mm on my Nex 5R?
Click to expand...
 
At this point, I have only a few lenses - the 18-55mm kit lens in E and a few MF lenses: Kiron 28/2.5, Canon FD 50/1.8, Minolta MD 35-70/3.5, and Konica 40mm/1.8. The lens I've enjoyed the most and which has only rarely been removed since getting it is the Konica. Good length for most shots, good contrast, sharp enough at f/1.8 and very sharp from f/2.8 up.

Ergonomically, the weight, solid aperture clicks, short throw (mine has slightly too much resistance) makes using it very easy and a lot of fun. There's something about is character that really appeals to me.

I'm planning on getting the SEL35F18 soon, but suspect I might still like the MF experience more - unlike E mount lenses, I can do manual aperture and shutter speed with Auto ISO with manual lenses.
 
areichow said:
areichow wrote:

At this point, I have only a few lenses - the 18-55mm kit lens in E and a few MF lenses: Kiron 28/2.5, Canon FD 50/1.8, Minolta MD 35-70/3.5, and Konica 40mm/1.8. The lens I've enjoyed the most and which has only rarely been removed since getting it is the Konica. Good length for most shots, good contrast, sharp enough at f/1.8 and very sharp from f/2.8 up.

Ergonomically, the weight, solid aperture clicks, short throw (mine has slightly too much resistance) makes using it very easy and a lot of fun. There's something about is character that really appeals to me.

I'm planning on getting the SEL35F18 soon, but suspect I might still like the MF experience more - unlike E mount lenses, I can do manual aperture and shutter speed with Auto ISO with manual lenses.
Click to expand...
That's interesting you can have Auto ISO with MF. I'm learning.
 
You can't select Auto ISO in manual mode still, instead you use shutter priority. Since the camera can't change aperture, it moves ISO to meet the shutter speed you've selected.
 
Elite83 said:
Elite83 wrote:

You always hear that "A good photographer is defined not by his/her equipment, but his/her experience/skill."

If you went out for a day of city shooting, and you were limited to one sub-$500 lens, what lens would it be? (Non-Emount, adapter prices add to total.)
Click to expand...
 
For only one lens less than $500 it would be my SEL35F18

For two lens less than $500 would be Sigma 19mm and SEL50F18
 
areichow said:
areichow wrote:

At this point, I have only a few lenses - the 18-55mm kit lens in E and a few MF lenses: Kiron 28/2.5, Canon FD 50/1.8, Minolta MD 35-70/3.5, and Konica 40mm/1.8. The lens I've enjoyed the most and which has only rarely been removed since getting it is the Konica. Good length for most shots, good contrast, sharp enough at f/1.8 and very sharp from f/2.8 up.

Ergonomically, the weight, solid aperture clicks, short throw (mine has slightly too much resistance) makes using it very easy and a lot of fun. There's something about is character that really appeals to me.

I'm planning on getting the SEL35F18 soon, but suspect I might still like the MF experience more - unlike E mount lenses, I can do manual aperture and shutter speed with Auto ISO with manual lenses.
Click to expand...
Well you're not alone there my friend, my tiny collection is very similar.

What NEX body do you have? I am still on the original NEX-5 and my only gripe with manual lenses is the lack of a viewfinder. Sure, peaking makes it a bit easier but it still feels unnatural not to mention impossible in sunlight despite the LCD hood.

I want to upgrade to a EVF-equipped body just so I can use MF lenses ia bit more effectively.
 
I have a NEX 5R. I didn't cut my teeth on a film SLR and haven't used a VF much for since going digital. There are certain times I'd really like an EVF, but for me it isn't a priority. I generally prefer shooting from the waist with the screen flipped up. Peaking has worked well for me, but I'll also zoom in to make sure eyes/eyelashes are sharp, depending on how much movement is going on. I feel I can trust the peaking more with some lenses than others also.

I'd really like it for bright sun, as the 5R screen isn't great outside. Sunny mode is OK, but the way it makes everything look overexposed always gets me and I end up wasting time trying to correct a metering problem that doesn't exist.
 
areichow said:
areichow wrote:

I have a NEX 5R. I didn't cut my teeth on a film SLR and haven't used a VF much for since going digital. There are certain times I'd really like an EVF, but for me it isn't a priority. I generally prefer shooting from the waist with the screen flipped up. Peaking has worked well for me, but I'll also zoom in to make sure eyes/eyelashes are sharp, depending on how much movement is going on. I feel I can trust the peaking more with some lenses than others also.

I'd really like it for bright sun, as the 5R screen isn't great outside. Sunny mode is OK, but the way it makes everything look overexposed always gets me and I end up wasting time trying to correct a metering problem that doesn't exist.
Click to expand...
Heh, I never even had the opportunity to go for a film SLR, by the time I was old enough to get my own camera, digital was/is the norm. My NEX-5 was, and is currently my first "real" camera.

I had the opportunity to try the NEX EVF though and I absolutely loved it--which made it a priority for me on the next NEX body I get if I ever have the chance to upgrade.

I love my Canon FD 28mm F2. Found it on eBay at a great price (I think I paid less than $200?) and optically it is in mint condition. There is .5mm of play in the focus but from what I've read about this lens other users have the same issue.
 
Elite83 said:
Elite83 wrote:

You always hear that "A good photographer is defined not by his/her equipment, but his/her experience/skill."

If you went out for a day of city shooting, and you were limited to one sub-$500 lens, what lens would it be? (Non-Emount, adapter prices add to total.)
Click to expand...
 
I loved my Sigma 19 to death when I first got my Nex7. It stayed almost glued to the camera even though I had the kit lens and the Sigma 30 but I saved for a year and I can say that the 10-18 is the new lens glued on my camera.
 
RGBCMYK said:
RGBCMYK wrote:

I loved my Sigma 19 to death when I first got my Nex7. It stayed almost glued to the camera even though I had the kit lens and the Sigma 30 but I saved for a year and I can say that the 10-18 is the new lens glued on my camera.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top