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Sony A7M2 Prime lense mounts

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Tuxster

Tuxster

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I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.


Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.

Zeiss makes some compelling lenses as well;
Zeiss Sonnar T 1.5/50
Zeiss Distagon T 1.4/35

If I went with Zeiss lenses though I dont think I would buy Sony E mount buy maybe the M mount or a Nikon mount. Not sure what would be the most efficient setup. A manual lens will slow me down to ensure a more thoughtfull photograph.

Any thoughts on lens mounts, would you strictly buy sony E lenses or buy all Leica mount or stay with Zeiss in Nikon mounts.

Thx
 
Tuxster said:
I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.

Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.

Zeiss makes some compelling lenses as well;
Zeiss Sonnar T 1.5/50
Zeiss Distagon T 1.4/35

If I went with Zeiss lenses though I dont think I would buy Sony E mount buy maybe the M mount or a Nikon mount. Not sure what would be the most efficient setup. A manual lens will slow me down to ensure a more thoughtfull photograph.

Any thoughts on lens mounts, would you strictly buy sony E lenses or buy all Leica mount or stay with Zeiss in Nikon mounts.

Thx
Click to expand...
I use the A7II with two M mount lenses: the Zeiss C Sonnar 1.5 50, and (in the future) the Leica Tele Elmarit 2.8 90 (with a Novoflex M>NEX adapter). This is for my travel and documentary photography. Do not forget about Voigtlander VM lenses, there is some wonderful glass there too.

MF with the A7II and the ZM lens is a breeze, with the aiding coming from the "blinkies" and magnification when required. The only problem thus far for me as been that the EVF is not so good to get focus when shooting in extremely bright light; this is because some light finds its way into the EFV from the side or from the top. But one learns to adapt.

Zeiss make some dedicated FE lenses with MF, it is the Loxia line. So far, they have a 35 and a 50. The advantage is that the lenses communicate with the camera electronically, so you get automatic magnification in the EFV when using the focus ring, plus assurance in EXIF transfer. These are not important to me, so I went with the ZM Sonnar 50; plus, I wanted the Sonnar rendering. The Zeiss MF in Nikon mount (ZF line) lenses are larger than the ZM counterparts, so I would not go for them.

There are plenty of choices to be made, you can not go wrong with Leica, Zeiss MF, Voigtlander VM, or Zeiss AF (the Zeiss FE 55 1.8 is top notch).

You can see some examples of the A7II and the C Sonnar in my blog.
 
I am looking for small primes, with a rendering similar to the leica lenses produce. This is my way of upping my photography skill set.
Thx for the comparison of the Nikon mount, have not sat down and compared physical specs.

I gave heard good things about the 1.8/55 lens but it looks like a beast. Physically larger than any other 50mm similar lens. Is it physically large, someone let me know.

Any one willing to share photos with zeiss, leica or voigtlander lenses on a Sony A7?
 
Tuxster said:
I am looking for small primes, with a rendering similar to the leica lenses produce. This is my way of upping my photography skill set.
Thx for the comparison of the Nikon mount, have not sat down and compared physical specs.

I gave heard good things about the 1.8/55 lens but it looks like a beast. Physically larger than any other 50mm similar lens. Is it physically large, someone let me know.

Any one willing to share photos with zeiss, leica or voigtlander lenses on a Sony A7?
Click to expand...
Have you considered Contax G Zeiss lenses? While Sony A7-series cameras do not pair well with rangefinder lenses wider than 35 mm (with some exceptions, albeit expensive ones), you may still consider three Contax G lenses: 35/2 Planar (good on my Sony A7), 45/2 Planar (excellent on my Sony A7), and 90/2.8 Sonnar (very good on my Sony A7). Here are some sample photos I have taken:



Sony A7, Contax G Planar 35/2

Sony A7, Contax G Planar 35/2



Sony A7, Contax G Planar 45/2

Sony A7, Contax G Planar 45/2



Sony A7, Contax G Planar 45/2

Sony A7, Contax G Planar 45/2



Sony A7, Contax G Sonnar 90/2.8

Sony A7, Contax G Sonnar 90/2.8



Sony A7, Contax G Sonnar 90/2.8

Sony A7, Contax G Sonnar 90/2.8

Best

Jarek
 
Tuxster said:
I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.

Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.

Zeiss makes some compelling lenses as well;
Zeiss Sonnar T 1.5/50
Zeiss Distagon T 1.4/35

If I went with Zeiss lenses though I dont think I would buy Sony E mount buy maybe the M mount or a Nikon mount. Not sure what would be the most efficient setup. A manual lens will slow me down to ensure a more thoughtfull photograph.

Any thoughts on lens mounts, would you strictly buy sony E lenses or buy all Leica mount or stay with Zeiss in Nikon mounts.
Click to expand...
I would (and did) stay with Nikon mounts, whether it's Zeiss or some other brand. That way you could use them on both systems.

 
I'm sorry but it looks like I have misattributed one of the photos.That one was actually taken with a Canon FD lens (other attributions are correct though):
jarek leo said:
75c2ec3097ac4f81b98e46354831bad6


Sony A7, Canon FD 80-200/4L
Click to expand...
 
Tuxster said:
I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.

Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.
Click to expand...
Then you'll be pleased to know that the 'lux 50 has corner smear on the a7x cameras:

50 Summilux & 55 Otus/Sony a7S corner crops - the last word

Here are crops of the upper right corner of the images from the preceding post. Both are darkened by the corner falloff -- usual for f/1.4 lenses used wide open. It's clear that there is something seriously wrong with the Summilux on this camera. Getting better, but the Leica lens still has...
blog.kasson.com blog.kasson.com

Jim
 
Tuxster said:
I am looking for small primes, with a rendering similar to the leica lenses produce. This is my way of upping my photography skill set.



I gave heard good things about the 1.8/55 lens but it looks like a beast. Physically larger than any other 50mm similar lens. Is it physically large, someone let me know.
Click to expand...
Yes it's big, but it's pretty light. Certainly a lot lighter than my brass version of the 50 'lux-M ASPH.
Tuxster said:
Any one willing to share photos with zeiss, leica or voigtlander lenses on a Sony A7?
Click to expand...
Here are some links to a7S tests with various RF lenses. The a7 sensor stack being the same thickness, it has the same corner smear on all a7x cameras, although the higher res ones show it the most.

Loading…

blog.kasson.com

Corner color casts get worse as the a7x resolution goes up, so they're at their worst on the a7R. If you don't see corner color casts on the a7R, you won't see it on the other cameras.

Here are some lens tests on the a7R:

Loading…

blog.kasson.com

Jim
 
Tuxster said:
I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.

Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.

Zeiss makes some compelling lenses as well;
Zeiss Sonnar T 1.5/50
Zeiss Distagon T 1.4/35

If I went with Zeiss lenses though I dont think I would buy Sony E mount buy maybe the M mount or a Nikon mount. Not sure what would be the most efficient setup. A manual lens will slow me down to ensure a more thoughtfull photograph.

Any thoughts on lens mounts, would you strictly buy sony E lenses or buy all Leica mount or stay with Zeiss in Nikon mounts.

Thx
Click to expand...
Well, I have several native FE lenses but I also adapt my Zeiss ZM lenses and Canon EF mount lenses. I use Metabones adapters for both mounts. I've used the ZM 1.5/50, 2.0/50, and 4/85 some but in the end I got the Loxia 2/50 and 2/35 which I love. Their combination of manual focus design with their link to the EVF magnification is a great combo. I did want to try the ZM 1.4/35 and still might but I want to read more about how it performs on the A7II and A7R. Right now I'm hoping Zeiss will create a 2.8/21.
 
Tuxster said:
I am looking for small primes, with a rendering similar to the leica lenses produce. This is my way of upping my photography skill set.
Click to expand...
Well, similar to Leica but not Leica? That is very tricky and subjective... I would stay with Leica then.
Tuxster said:
Thx for the comparison of the Nikon mount, have not sat down and compared physical specs.
Click to expand...
Well, the ZF lenses are larger and heavier, compared to M mount (Leica, ZM, or VM).
Tuxster said:
I gave heard good things about the 1.8/55 lens but it looks like a beast. Physically larger than any other 50mm similar lens. Is it physically large, someone let me know.
Click to expand...
It really is not a beast by any means. You should try it out.
Tuxster said:
Any one willing to share photos with zeiss, leica or voigtlander lenses on a Sony A7?
Click to expand...
Some here:

 
JimKasson said:
Tuxster said:
I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.

Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.
Click to expand...
Then you'll be pleased to know that the 'lux 50 has corner smear on the a7x cameras:

http://blog.kasson.com/?p=6382

Jim
Click to expand...
 
Hey Tuxster,

Have you considered Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Biogon T* and Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar T* lenses?

They offer all the best qualities of great prime manual focus lenses plus tey optically designed for an Sony fullframe digital sensors and they provide electronic communication that transmits EXIF data and they enables features like focus magnification without the need to press a Custom button.
 
Tuxster said:
JimKasson said:
Tuxster said:
I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.

Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.
Click to expand...
Then you'll be pleased to know that the 'lux 50 has corner smear on the a7x cameras:

http://blog.kasson.com/?p=6382

Jim
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I've posted almost all the results of testing the following lenses:
  • Zeiss 85mm f/4 ZM (Leica M mount) Tele-Tessar.
  • Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Otus.
  • Leica 90mm f/2 Apo Summicron-M ASPH.
  • AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 G.
  • Tamron SP AF Di 90mm f/2.8 Macro.
on the a7II.

A bunch of medium telephotos on the a7II - the last word

I thought I'd try testing five medium telephotos -- 85 and 90 mm focal lengths -- on the Sony alpha 7 Mark II, aka the a7II. The lenses: The delightfully diminutive Zeiss 85mm f/4 ZM (Leica M mount) Tele-Tessar. Slip this beauty on the a7II and you'll have a tiny, inconspicuous package. Can it...
blog.kasson.com blog.kasson.com

You'll be pleased to see that the 'cron does very well except wide open when compared to the Otus at f/2.

Jim
 
Last edited:
JimKasson said:
Tuxster said:
JimKasson said:
Tuxster said:
I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.

Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.
Click to expand...
Then you'll be pleased to know that the 'lux 50 has corner smear on the a7x cameras:

http://blog.kasson.com/?p=6382

Jim
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Tuxster said:
I read your conclusions, the Otus comes in first with the Leica second. The Otus is just too big so in this round the clear choice for me is the Leica.
Click to expand...
Actually, I haven't written the conclusions post yet.

For me, the happy surprise was the Tele-Tessar. It's a nearly-unbeatable combination of size, performance, and cost.

Jim
 
Tuxster said:
I read your conclusions, the Otus comes in first with the Leica second. The Otus is just too big so in this round the clear choice for me is the Leica.
Click to expand...
Now there's a summary posted:

Testing 5 medium telephotos on the a7II — summary - the last word

I will attempt to summarize what I've found over the last few posts, starting here. This is a complicated subject. I'll tell you what my conclusions are, but you may have different priories, and I welcome your comments. The lenses: Zeiss 85mm f/4 ZM (Leica M mount) Tele-Tessar. Zeiss 85mm f/1.4...
blog.kasson.com blog.kasson.com

Jim
 
Tuxster said:
I have plans to purchase the sony A7M2 to add to my existing Nikon system.

My question is lense choices.
The Sony would be used when I travel on motorcycle and on photowalks.

I am looking for three prime lenses for this camera.

Leica Elmar 21 f/3.5
Leica Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASP
Leica Summicron 90

Since these lenses would cost me a vacation for each lens it would take some time to get all three.

Zeiss makes some compelling lenses as well;
Zeiss Sonnar T 1.5/50
Zeiss Distagon T 1.4/35

If I went with Zeiss lenses though I dont think I would buy Sony E mount buy maybe the M mount or a Nikon mount. Not sure what would be the most efficient setup. A manual lens will slow me down to ensure a more thoughtfull photograph.

Any thoughts on lens mounts, would you strictly buy sony E lenses or buy all Leica mount or stay with Zeiss in Nikon mounts.

Thx
Click to expand...
Even if one can afford them, buying expensive lenses for the purpose of "adapting" deserves serious thoughts. For street, PJ, documentary, . . . I mainly use Leica-M lenses on my A7R, as I already have the lenses, FREE. (I also have Canon EF and Nikon G/AIS lenses, adapting occasionally.)

So, if it were me, for motorbike travel, walk around etc, I will go with the FE 24-70/4 to start. Then I may add the FE 35/1.4 or FE 55/1.8 for some night street outings, depending on shooting style. Less is more.

Steven

PS: Contrary to some postings in this thread, I use a 1950's, and, a modern ASPH FLE 50Lux on my A7R, and encounter no issues.
 
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