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Native lenses and diminishing returns - where to compromise & where to splash out?

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Caetocerous

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Having recently moved from APSC (a6000) to FF (a7), I'm realising that after reading about the paucity of native lenses for the last few years, there is now a decent selection at most focal lengths, with most examples being good to stellar (at least technically).

However, I am struggling with deciding which examples are worth paying extra for (the 55 f1.8 over the fe 50 1.8 might be a worthwhile example), and those which the extra performance might be questionable value (Batis 85 vs FE85, Zeiss/Sony 35 2.8 vs Rokinon version etc). I'm generally a prime user but I will wait and see what Sigma bring to the table in the autumn and possibly buy a walk around/events zoom.

As the APSC line had a better selection of truly budget glass I found the process of identifying which lenses suited my needs on a price/performance ratio much easier(Rokinon 12mm f2, Sigma 30mm 2.8, SEL50, 55-210)

I guess one of the issues with enthusiast /Pro glass is that it's often produced to excel at a specific niche or job, so the compromises in general use are possibly more limiting than crop lenses?
I just wondered if more experienced users of a7/ a9 bodies had any advice for which compromises in lens performance, versatility and price are worthwhile and which lenses really have no substitute?

Thanks, and I look forward to discussing these wonderful bodies, lenses and the images they produce!

K
 
Just some of my experiences. Note that there is no across the board answer.

Zeiss 55mm v/s Sony FE 1.8/50. The Zeiss is a Jaguar compared to the Jugo 1.8/50. My copy of the 1.8/50 has the slow focusing/hunting and noisy motor I read about in the reviews even though I have updated the firmware.

The FE 1.8/85 on the other hand is a real winner. Sharp, fast & silent focusing, beautiful bokeh. I can't compare it directly with the Batis or G Master (if I owned one of them I wouldn't have bought the 1.8) but it impresses the heck out of me. Go to You Tube and check out Jason Lanier's review videos.
 
FE 55/1.8 is a winner and a must if you like that focal length.

FE 28.2 is another winner and very affordable.

THESE TWO MAKE A WONDERFUL 2-LENS TRAVEL COMBO.

Next, add either a wide angle or a portrait prime. Loxia 21 is hard to beat but $$$ and for portrait I love my Batis 85.

You may also consider skipping the FE 55/1.8 and choose Batis 25 plus Batis 85 instead for a two-lens hard to beat prime combo.
 
Everyone loves the 55mm/1.8 unless they hate LoCA or are on a very tight budget or they can stand the cost and weight of the 50mm/1.4.

Beyond that you need to say something about what you shoot, your budget and priorities. For example I have the Canon 24mm TSE ii and am thinking of adding the Loxia 21mm. I had no problem choosing the 90mm G over an 85mm, etc.

If I wanted a zoom, it would be the Canon 16-35mm f/4 or the Sony f/2.8.

Andrew
 
If you have the money, buy the better lenses. They may be better not only optically, but also in terms of construction and noise of AF motors.

If not, buy the cheaper lenses, they are good too.
 
Caetocerous said:
Having recently moved from APSC (a6000) to FF (a7), I'm realising that after reading about the paucity of native lenses for the last few years, there is now a decent selection at most focal lengths, with most examples being good to stellar (at least technically).

However, I am struggling with deciding which examples are worth paying extra for (the 55 f1.8 over the fe 50 1.8 might be a worthwhile example), and those which the extra performance might be questionable value (Batis 85 vs FE85, Zeiss/Sony 35 2.8 vs Rokinon version etc). I'm generally a prime user but I will wait and see what Sigma bring to the table in the autumn and possibly buy a walk around/events zoom.

As the APSC line had a better selection of truly budget glass I found the process of identifying which lenses suited my needs on a price/performance ratio much easier(Rokinon 12mm f2, Sigma 30mm 2.8, SEL50, 55-210)

I guess one of the issues with enthusiast /Pro glass is that it's often produced to excel at a specific niche or job, so the compromises in general use are possibly more limiting than crop lenses?
I just wondered if more experienced users of a7/ a9 bodies had any advice for which compromises in lens performance, versatility and price are worthwhile and which lenses really have no substitute?

Thanks, and I look forward to discussing these wonderful bodies, lenses and the images they produce!

K
Click to expand...
Without knowing your specific preferences I can simply comment on what I have found so far.

Loxia 21 2.8 an amazing lens for astro nightscapes and landscapes in general.

Batis 25 my usual walk around lens. Light, fast, quiet, beautiful colour, super sharp, Gorgeous.

Batis 85 for portraits but I do read the Sony 85 is very good.

55 1.8 everyone likes this lens and its a beauty.

24-70 F2.8GM I want more zooms for travel so no change of lenses and perfect framing. I don't mind the extra weight.

I think the 12-24mm F4 Zoom will be another one of these amazing to have native lenses.

Greg.
 
Caetocerous said:
Having recently moved from APSC (a6000) to FF (a7), I'm realising that after reading about the paucity of native lenses for the last few years, there is now a decent selection at most focal lengths, with most examples being good to stellar (at least technically).

I just wondered if more experienced users of a7/ a9 bodies had any advice for which compromises in lens performance, versatility and price are worthwhile and which lenses really have no substitute?

Thanks, and I look forward to discussing these wonderful bodies, lenses and the images they produce!
Click to expand...
I bought most of my FE lenses for the a6000, and only acquired the a7 about a year later. Sharing the lenses between the two bodies makes a good travel combination. Did you keep your a6000?

16-35mm f/4, and 70-200mm f/4 were easy choices, and they do not disappoint. The 70-200mm combined with the AF of the a6000 is impressive, and it's also fine for the more "gentle" arts on the a7.

My copy of the 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens is good enough that I haven't looked for a "better" lens. I also have several zooms for my Nikon cameras that cover the 28-105mm (FF equiv.) range.

I opted for the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 because of its compact size, but there are valid arguments for the 28mm f/2 alternative. The 35mm f/2.8 is so good on the a6000 (equiv. 52mm), that I have no particular urge to buy the 55mm f/1.8. Again, I have the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 for Nikon when required.

DxO maintains lists of "Best Lenses for Sony", and these are worth a look.
 
Caetocerous said:
As the APSC line had a better selection of truly budget glass

K
Click to expand...
If you're on a budget and need native FF e-mount glass:

Rokinon 14mm 2.8 - best price performance ratio UWA lens in the market. Need some work to find that "good" copy.

Sony 28mm 2.0 - for the price this is a great option for normal wide.

Sony 55mm 1.8 - this one you have to see/try for yourself. Two words = killer lens! Sony 50 1.8 is POS (sorry). Try both in the store if you can.

Sony 85mm 1.8 - most affordable and yet no compromise with IQ .Competes head to head with other pricier native 85 offerings.

Of course there are "the better" alternatives (GM and Batis) but they are 2x or 3x the price of these affordable options. Not sure how much you are willing to spend.

Note: I came from Sony Crop (but SLT) to Sony FF too. And used 55 for two solid years, and added 28 recently. 14mm and 85mm on my wishlist. Oh and welcome to the forums mate.

--
The best gear is the one you have.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpgomez/
 
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Thank you all for your advice - as far as my preferred subjects go, I'm generally into landscapes (I enjoy climbing, mountain biking etc) including nightscapes/aurora shots.

I'm starting to do a bit of portrait and candid people shots at events and weddings using the fe50 and the Rokinon 135 f2 but it's huge and my copy was vignetting heavily on one side so it's gone back, which is a shame as it's a great lens for the money .I think the FE 85 might be a more versatile, lightweight option though.

I'm pretty sold on the fe 28 next as having just picked up a used Rokinon 14mm f2.8 it's a bit weighty to be dragging up hills - I think I might end up with a Voigtlander 15mm for landscapes on the move.

I'm starting to have a few tentative steps into wildlife but I think I'll stick with the a6000 body for the crop and fast focussing, the 55-210 is ok for now.

Long term, I'm thinking of getting back into underwater photography - I had a great time with my trusty old powershot s80, but the expense and extra gear involved means I shouldn't let this possibility influence my decisions today.
 
Thanks JpGomez, I think I've confused the look and " quality" of the FE50 images with the move from APSC to FF - I like the images but the autofocus speed and noise is pretty poor - I got it as an add on to the body for £150 so was hard to turn down at that price.

I think the 28, 55 and 85 might be the way to go to start off with and get used to the system - I'm still pressing the body where my old a6000 buttons used to be!

I'll be looking at some legacy and modern manual focus lenses in future, no doubt, but this set of AF lenses should cover most situations. It'll be interesting to see how the 7artisans line up is received!
 
BBQue said:
FE 55/1.8 is a winner and a must if you like that focal length.

FE 28.2 is another winner and very affordable.

THESE TWO MAKE A WONDERFUL 2-LENS TRAVEL COMBO.

Next, add either a wide angle or a portrait prime. Loxia 21 is hard to beat but $$$ and for portrait I love my Batis 85.

You may also consider skipping the FE 55/1.8 and choose Batis 25 plus Batis 85 instead for a two-lens hard to beat prime combo.
Click to expand...
If I were buying FF lenses today, these are the two lenses I'd start out with. You can also throw in the FE 85mm f1.8 for good measure and you're got most focal lengths covered.

The Batis 85 is so much more expensive than the FE 85 that I can't recommend it at this point. The only reason I have it is because there was no native 85 besides the Batis when I was looking to get this lens. Heck, I might sell the Batis and pocket some money in the process.
 
Take the 28-70 kit lens. I used this one only for the first year. It's a good enough lens for most.

The lenses you should pick if not only the price matters:

below 16: Voigtländer 12/5.6
16-25: Sony 16-35/4 or Loxia 21/2.8
26-40: Sony 28/2 or 35/2.8
41-70: Sony 55/1.8
71-90: Sony 85/1.8 or if you do macro Sony 90/2.8 G Macro
90+: 70-300/4.5-5.6 or 70-200/4

I don't have much love fore the batis series. Too much pop and very bad manual focus handling. Others love them. For me they are not made into my prefered direction. :)

If you have money, there would be all f1.4-primes (35, 50, 85 and 135 sigma) and f2.8-zooms (24-70, 70-200) you should consider.

--
flickr
 
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Caetocerous said:
Thanks JpGomez, I think I've confused the look and " quality" of the FE50 images with the move from APSC to FF - I like the images but the autofocus speed and noise is pretty poor - I got it as an add on to the body for £150 so was hard to turn down at that price.

I think the 28, 55 and 85 might be the way to go to start off with and get used to the system - I'm still pressing the body where my old a6000 buttons used to be!

I'll be looking at some legacy and modern manual focus lenses in future, no doubt, but this set of AF lenses should cover most situations. It'll be interesting to see how the 7artisans line up is received!
Click to expand...
You might consider the Sony 90mm/2.8 macro as against the 85mm. It's a bit more money but there is a cashback in the UK at the moment. The IQ and snap manual focus are attractive for landscape and the macro allows to pick out details. May be a bit slow for portraits, depending on your style. Not had enough experience with mine yet but AF may be a bit slow, even with the range limiter. Not a problem for me.

Andrew
 
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