Best photography (not video) lens for a6500?

jmeyersnv · Dec 4, 2017

Tomorrow, I shall be receiving my a6500 plus two lenses: the 35mm/1.8 and the 18-105mm/4. Possibly sadder but certainly wiser, I started reading the postings on this forum and reading all the reviews here and elsewhere regarding compatible lenses only after making my purchase.

I always try to avoid buyer's remorse, if possible, by soon thereafter also purchasing what I should have bought in the first place. In that context, here is my question. Since video is of little interest to me, which one lens (probably primary) should I purchase in order to be able to employ the lens which will provide the best optical performance (insofar as sharpness, color rendition, distortion, etc.) when shooting still photos? My only requirements are that (i) I would like it to come from among the E-mount family of Sony or Sony/Zeiss lenses and (ii) I want to be able to enjoy at least some optical stabilization when snapping a picture.

val1 · Dec 4, 2017

jmeyersnv said:
Tomorrow, I shall be receiving my a6500 plus two lenses: the 35mm/1.8 and the 18-105mm/4. Possibly sadder but certainly wiser, I started reading the postings on this forum and reading all the reviews here and elsewhere regarding compatible lenses only after making my purchase.

I always try to avoid buyer's remorse, if possible, by soon thereafter also purchasing what I should have bought in the first place. In that context, here is my question. Since video is of little interest to me, which one lens (probably primary) should I purchase in order to be able to employ the lens which will provide the best optical performance (insofar as sharpness, color rendition, distortion, etc.) when shooting still photos? My only requirements are that (i) I would like it to come from among the E-mount family of Sony or Sony/Zeiss lenses and (ii) I want to be able to enjoy at least some optical stabilization when snapping a picture.

DaFireMedic · Dec 4, 2017

Depending on your needs, the 24-70 2.8 or the 70-200 2.8. But those two are not cheap. My most important stuff usually takes place in the 70-200 range, but everyone's different.

QuietOC · Dec 4, 2017

Sony FE 100 F2.8 STF GM OSS

Unless you are looking for a really bright lens.

myDingling · Dec 4, 2017

You seem new to this. Best IQ is relative to a lot of factors including your own needs, your budget, weight/size,and your willingness to go outside the native system. The lenses you have are staple for the system. You should understand those first before chasing dreams of IQ.

If IQ is your only concern than return all of it and get an A7riii and the only regrets will be on your bank account.

skanter · Dec 4, 2017

jmeyersnv said:
Tomorrow, I shall be receiving my a6500 plus two lenses: the 35mm/1.8 and the 18-105mm/4. Possibly sadder but certainly wiser, I started reading the postings on this forum and reading all the reviews here and elsewhere regarding compatible lenses only after making my purchase.

I always try to avoid buyer's remorse, if possible, by soon thereafter also purchasing what I should have bought in the first place. In that context, here is my question. Since video is of little interest to me, which one lens (probably primary) should I purchase in order to be able to employ the lens which will provide the best optical performance (insofar as sharpness, color rendition, distortion, etc.) when shooting still photos? My only requirements are that (i) I would like it to come from among the E-mount family of Sony or Sony/Zeiss lenses and (ii) I want to be able to enjoy at least some optical stabilization when snapping a picture.

--
J Meyers

The two lenses you bought are excellent for general photgraphy and should fulfill all your needs for a long time if not forever. It is your skill, experience and creativity that will determine the quality of your photography, not the quantity of lenses.

Why do you think you need -more- lenses? Remember, this is a -gear- forum, with many members who love to collect and test lenses, whether they need them or not. Some are advanced or professional photographers whose work or specific applications require specific gear. While there is excellent information to be garnered, one must peruse here with a grain of salt.

--
Sam K., NYC
https://skanter.smugmug.com/Native
http://skanter.smugmug.com/NYC-Street-Photography

sgkoala · Dec 4, 2017

jmeyersnv said:
Tomorrow, I shall be receiving my a6500 plus two lenses: the 35mm/1.8 and the 18-105mm/4. Possibly sadder but certainly wiser, I started reading the postings on this forum and reading all the reviews here and elsewhere regarding compatible lenses only after making my purchase.

No need to be sad, you can surely get good results with these lenses.

jmeyersnv said:
I always try to avoid buyer's remorse, if possible, by soon thereafter also purchasing what I should have bought in the first place. In that context, here is my question. Since video is of little interest to me, which one lens (probably primary) should I purchase in order to be able to employ the lens which will provide the best optical performance (insofar as sharpness, color rendition, distortion, etc.) when shooting still photos?

Difficult to recommend only one lens without knowing what focal length you prefer- ultrawide, wide, normal, short tele, long tele...

While low distortion is preferred, it can be easily corrected with raw profiles (or in-camera for JPG).

Some sharp native autofocus lenses with low distortion: Zeiss Touit 12/2.8, Sigma 16/1.4, Sony Zeiss 24/1.8, Sigma 30/2.8, Sony E 50/1.8 OSS, Sony Zeiss 55/1.8, Sigma 60/2.8, Sony FE 85/1.8, Sony FE 70-200/4 OSS, Sony FE 70-300 OSS.

Very sharp native lens with high (but correctable) distortion: Sigma 30/1.4.

jmeyersnv said:
My only requirements are that (i) I would like it to come from among the E-mount family of Sony or Sony/Zeiss lenses and

Suggest you consider Sigma native E-mount lenses also. The newer releases i.e. 30/1.4 and 16/1.4 (according to early reports) focus similarly to Sony lenses. I think the older ones like 19/2.8, 30/2.8, 60/2.8 only have PDAF in the central area and use contrast AF outside the centre.

jmeyersnv said:
(ii) I want to be able to enjoy at least some optical stabilization when snapping a picture

You realise the A6500 has IBIS right? From my tests, OSS does not give any additional benefits for wide to normal lenses. For telephoto I think there is a slight advantage to IBIS+OSS vs IBIS alone.

Gary3000 · Dec 4, 2017

skanter said:
jmeyersnv said:

Tomorrow, I shall be receiving my a6500 plus two lenses: the 35mm/1.8 and the 18-105mm/4. Possibly sadder but certainly wiser, I started reading the postings on this forum and reading all the reviews here and elsewhere regarding compatible lenses only after making my purchase.

I always try to avoid buyer's remorse, if possible, by soon thereafter also purchasing what I should have bought in the first place. In that context, here is my question. Since video is of little interest to me, which one lens (probably primary) should I purchase in order to be able to employ the lens which will provide the best optical performance (insofar as sharpness, color rendition, distortion, etc.) when shooting still photos? My only requirements are that (i) I would like it to come from among the E-mount family of Sony or Sony/Zeiss lenses and (ii) I want to be able to enjoy at least some optical stabilization when snapping a picture.

Click to expand...

Off The Mark · Dec 4, 2017

Out of curiosity, has everyone fallen out of love with the FE 55mm f/1.8 ???

When I first got into Sony cameras a few years back, you couldn't escape at least THREE people recommending it every time you asked for a lens recommendation.

I mean, I remember asking about ultra wide lenses and a few years back and people STILL kept bringing up the FE 55mm f/1.8.

I guess maybe it means that sony has turned out enough new high quality lens that the FE 55 f/1.8 has lost its sex appeal...

SimonB93 · Dec 4, 2017

Off The Mark said:
Out of curiosity, has everyone fallen out of love with the FE 55mm f/1.8 ???

When I first got into Sony cameras a few years back, you couldn't escape at least THREE people recommending it every time you asked for a lens recommendation.

I mean, I remember asking about ultra wide lenses and a few years back and people STILL kept bringing up the FE 55mm f/1.8.

I guess maybe it means that sony has turned out enough new high quality lens that the FE 55 f/1.8 has lost its sex appeal...

sgkoala · Dec 4, 2017

Off The Mark said:
Out of curiosity, has everyone fallen out of love with the FE 55mm f/1.8 ???

When I first got into Sony cameras a few years back, you couldn't escape at least THREE people recommending it every time you asked for a lens recommendation.

I mean, I remember asking about ultra wide lenses and a few years back and people STILL kept bringing up the FE 55mm f/1.8.

I guess maybe it means that sony has turned out enough new high quality lens that the FE 55 f/1.8 has lost its sex appeal...

--
Stay Broke... Shoot Sony!

The E 50/1.8 OSS is the obvious alternative on APS-C, and I remember seeing some comparison where even when pixel peeping the results were almost identical. Tho if anyone has both lenses would be curious to see their opinion.

skanter · Dec 4, 2017

SimonB93 said:
Off The Mark said:

Out of curiosity, has everyone fallen out of love with the FE 55mm f/1.8 ???

When I first got into Sony cameras a few years back, you couldn't escape at least THREE people recommending it every time you asked for a lens recommendation.

I mean, I remember asking about ultra wide lenses and a few years back and people STILL kept bringing up the FE 55mm f/1.8.

I guess maybe it means that sony has turned out enough new high quality lens that the FE 55 f/1.8 has lost its sex appeal...

Click to expand...

rjjr · Dec 5, 2017

sgkoala said:
Off The Mark said:

Out of curiosity, has everyone fallen out of love with the FE 55mm f/1.8 ???

When I first got into Sony cameras a few years back, you couldn't escape at least THREE people recommending it every time you asked for a lens recommendation.

I mean, I remember asking about ultra wide lenses and a few years back and people STILL kept bringing up the FE 55mm f/1.8.

I guess maybe it means that sony has turned out enough new high quality lens that the FE 55 f/1.8 has lost its sex appeal...

--
Stay Broke... Shoot Sony!

Click to expand...

The E 50/1.8 OSS is the obvious alternative on APS-C, and I remember seeing some comparison where even when pixel peeping the results were almost identical. Tho if anyone has both lenses would be curious to see their opinion.

The E50/1.8 was my first thought when I read the OP. I'd also suggest checking out the E20/2.8 pancake.

Since the body is an A6500 with IBIS and looking at alternative AF primes beyond Sony/Zeiss with OSS, my Sigma 60/2.8 DN A and 30/1.4 Contemporary provide excellent IQ which I find to be better than the Sony/Zeiss offerings in those focal length regions. My Sigma 19/2.8 DN A is also a very good lens but I use the Sony E20 pancake more often for it's pocketability when on my A6500 since the IQ of the copies I have is too close to differentiate at the smaller apertures I use with the 19 and 20.

paulhojo · Dec 5, 2017

val1 said:
jmeyersnv said:

Tomorrow, I shall be receiving my a6500 plus two lenses: the 35mm/1.8 and the 18-105mm/4. Possibly sadder but certainly wiser, I started reading the postings on this forum and reading all the reviews here and elsewhere regarding compatible lenses only after making my purchase.

I always try to avoid buyer's remorse, if possible, by soon thereafter also purchasing what I should have bought in the first place. In that context, here is my question. Since video is of little interest to me, which one lens (probably primary) should I purchase in order to be able to employ the lens which will provide the best optical performance (insofar as sharpness, color rendition, distortion, etc.) when shooting still photos? My only requirements are that (i) I would like it to come from among the E-mount family of Sony or Sony/Zeiss lenses and (ii) I want to be able to enjoy at least some optical stabilization when snapping a picture.

Click to expand...

bloodlmt · Dec 5, 2017

jmeyersnv said:
Tomorrow, I shall be receiving my a6500 plus two lenses: the 35mm/1.8 and the 18-105mm/4. Possibly sadder but certainly wiser, I started reading the postings on this forum and reading all the reviews here and elsewhere regarding compatible lenses only after making my purchase.

I always try to avoid buyer's remorse, if possible, by soon thereafter also purchasing what I should have bought in the first place. In that context, here is my question. Since video is of little interest to me, which one lens (probably primary) should I purchase in order to be able to employ the lens which will provide the best optical performance (insofar as sharpness, color rendition, distortion, etc.) when shooting still photos? My only requirements are that (i) I would like it to come from among the E-mount family of Sony or Sony/Zeiss lenses and (ii) I want to be able to enjoy at least some optical stabilization when snapping a picture.

--
J Meyers

Why do you need OSS when a6500 already has IBIS?

Anyway best photography lens (in terms of sharpness, color renditions etc) should be

- Sigma 16mm 1.4

- Zony 24mm 1.8

- Sigma 30mm 1.4

- Zony 55mm 1.8

- Sony 85mm 1.8 FE

Zony 24mm 1.8 is arguably the most versatile lens for street, landscape, portrait, macro, food close-up...nice size and fast autofocus....the problem is its too expensive for most people.

My ideal lens combo for A6500 in the future is all Sigma - 16mm, 30mm and 50/55mm 1.4

PhotoFactor · Dec 5, 2017

bloodlmt said:
jmeyersnv said:

Tomorrow, I shall be receiving my a6500 plus two lenses: the 35mm/1.8 and the 18-105mm/4. Possibly sadder but certainly wiser, I started reading the postings on this forum and reading all the reviews here and elsewhere regarding compatible lenses only after making my purchase.

I always try to avoid buyer's remorse, if possible, by soon thereafter also purchasing what I should have bought in the first place. In that context, here is my question. Since video is of little interest to me, which one lens (probably primary) should I purchase in order to be able to employ the lens which will provide the best optical performance (insofar as sharpness, color rendition, distortion, etc.) when shooting still photos? My only requirements are that (i) I would like it to come from among the E-mount family of Sony or Sony/Zeiss lenses and (ii) I want to be able to enjoy at least some optical stabilization when snapping a picture.

Click to expand...

paulhojo · Dec 6, 2017

Anyone use the sigma 60 for portraits?

davidt_man · Jun 19, 2018

Both of those lenses are great choices. I have the 18-105 and it is my general purpose lens.... unless i know i will need a specific focal length. One thing to consider is adding a super wide angle lens. I have the Rokinon 12mm. There is a huge difference between 12 and 18, especially for indoor use when you are not able to backup.

liopleurodon · Jun 19, 2018

The 50mm F/1.8 OSS lens is a superlative lens! Its fantastically sharp with great AF and stabilization. Sigma's 30mm f/1.4 lens is the sharpest APS-C E-mount lens you can buy. It's a must have for still photography. For stills my bag would be include a Sony 50/1.8, Sigma 30/1.4 and Sigma 16/1.4.

Best photography (not video) lens for a6500?

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