All new kit - Canon to Sony A7III - what lenses?

Red-Dirt · Mar 8, 2018

Hi all,

I recently was relieved of all my ancient Canon 5D gear and L lenses by an uncaring thief...

I now have the rare opportunity to replace it all thanks to insurance...

My photography (and some video) is mostly based around four wheel drive travel to the remote Australian bush...occasional buildings (inside and outside), architecture, very occasional wildlife and birds.

Wanting to end up with a versatile, wide-ranging kit and after a little research and much thought I have selected:

the new Sony A7III due here next month (I didn't really want 42MP files) and this new camera looks a cracker!

Sony E MOUNT FE 12-24mm F4 G This or the 16-35?

Sony FE 24-105mm f4 OSS G ...this or the 24-70 F4?

Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS…any 300s out here?

I thought with the new A7III stabilisation and sensor, the extra stop of the F2.8s and the associated extra $ might not be that important to a predominantly landscape person.

Any thoughts, suggestions and ideas from you experienced blokes would be most welcome!

p.s I have read extensively and like all things on the wonderful Mr Google even the ‘experts’ have widely ranging and often conflicting views and findings!

Thanks RD, Perth Australia

noggin2k1 · Mar 8, 2018

Red-Dirt said:
Sony E MOUNT FE 12-24mm F4 G This or the 16-35?

12-24 gets excellent reviews. I'm more than happy with the 16-35 F4, but I'm not a landscape shooter..

Red-Dirt said:
Sony FE 24-105mm f4 OSS G ...this or the 24-70 F4?

24-105G - it's an excellent all round lens.

Red-Dirt said:
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS…any 300s out here?

70-300G gets very good reviews from it's owners.

Red-Dirt said:
Thanks RD, Perth Australia

Red-Dirt · Mar 8, 2018

Thanks Noggin!

Much appreciated...

C47 · Mar 8, 2018

Red-Dirt said:
Red-Dirt wrote:
* Sony E MOUNT FE 12-24mm F4 G This or the 16-35?

This lens doesn't have a filter thread (but afaik there is an adapter). I'd miss some milli meters at the long end so I prefered the 16-35 mm to reduce the number of lens changes.

Red-Dirt said:
Sony FE 24-105mm f4 OSS G ...this or the 24-70 F4?

The 24-70 F4 is pretty light but the IQ is... let's say debatable. I'd buy the 24-105 F4 which weighs and costs a little more but the IQ is outstanding for a lens with that FL range.

Red-Dirt said:
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS…any 300s out here?

The 70-200 F4 seems to be very fragile. There are a lot of reports of the lens being broken in halfs. I'd prefer the 70-300 if you don't mind the smaller aperture. This lens is lighter and smaller but still offers great IQ and AF.

Red-Dirt said:
I thought with the new A7III stabilisation and sensor, the extra stop of the F2.8s and the associated extra $ might not be that important to a predominantly landscape person.

I also think so. Plus I never used F2.8 for shooting landscapes because it delivers a too shallow depth of field.

Red-Dirt · Mar 8, 2018

Thanks C47 - great comments and thoughts!

davelok · Mar 9, 2018

For birds, you should consider the (rather expensive) 100-400mm GM lens, and a 1.4x extender. There have been occasional rumours about a 200-600mm lens being in the works, but they aren't reliable, and lack any hint of specs.

You could also consider getting a Tamron 150-600 G2 lens or a Sigma 150-600mm, with a Metabones IV/V adapter or the Sigma MC-11 (or Viltrox IV, but let's wait for more user reviews) if you want the reach at a lower cost.

Gary H · Mar 9, 2018

C47 said:
C47 wrot

C47 said:
The 70-200 F4 seems to be very fragile. There are a lot of reports of the lens being broken in halfs.

Both halves of mine are still stuck together and I purchased it when the lens was released. Exactly where should I tape it to stop it from breaking in half?

C47 · Mar 9, 2018

Gary H said:
Gary H said:

C47 wrot

The 70-200 F4 seems to be very fragile. There are a lot of reports of the lens being broken in halfs.

Click to expand...

Both halves of mine are still stuck together and I purchased it when the lens was released. Exactly where should I tape it to stop it from breaking in half?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3976992
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4190160
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4261540

Yes I read that this didn't happen from just looking at the lens. But in the first thread the OP claims that the lens was delivered broken and the package didn't have any damages. Maybe only a few lenses are affected by this weak point but I would research this a little more before buying this lens.

DaveDog54 · Mar 9, 2018

I love my 70-200!! Very sharp. I like shooting with a constant aperture zoom. So much better.

JpGomez · Mar 9, 2018

Red-Dirt said:
Sony E MOUNT FE 12-24mm F4 G This or the 16-35?

Sony FE 24-105mm f4 OSS G ...this or the 24-70 F4?

Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS…any 300s out here?

Your list is pretty solid, but I will take 100-400mm instead of 70-200mm.

12-400mm coverage baby! :-D

Rol Lei Nut · Mar 9, 2018

Being contrarian, there are two alternative approaches you could take.

- Go for a prime kit, with mixed native and non-native mount lenses (Loxia 21mm, good legacy 35, 90 & 200mm lenses, for example). Great for landscape & architecture, where working fast & AF aren't necessary. Excellent for minimizing size & weight. Avoiding lens changing in dusty situations, which could be your case, argues more for zooms though.

- Go for adapted Canon zooms. 16-36 4.0 L, 70 - 200 4.0 L (IS or not) or 70-300 4.0-5.6 L are all cheaper, slightly better, very probably more durable, have fewer QC problems, have real focusing rings (not by wire) and have better weather sealing than their Sony equivalents. The disadvantage is more size & weight.

If going Sony, the 24-105 is very nice, though with pretty harsh bokeh. I got a good sample "only" on the second try! ;-)

Red-Dirt · Mar 9, 2018

Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

I'm trying to get a balance of lens types for the fixed money available and the predominant type of travel and photography we do.

I think I mentioned in terms of photography, wildlife is 'occasional', whilst general landscape predominant.

It probably makes sense to then focus the money on lenses to best cover the landscape with using legs to walk closer. Maybe then the cheaper and lighter 70-200 F4 is ideal? The ARIII should make up for that F stop? Especially in the Australian sunlight?

Those big lenses are exorbitantly expensive and buying one would mean no other wider lenses best suits to landscape I guess? They are also probably large and heavy?

Red-Dirt · Mar 9, 2018

Sure sounds like a lustful lens to be coveted.

Ideal if I could make it fit with all the other lenses i need. In Oz the retailer dealing with the insurance company wants $3,500. The A7III will be around $3000. This doesn't leave a lot for an decent lenses at the the wider end of town?

Also the longer end will rarely be used I'm thinking.

Red-Dirt · Mar 9, 2018

Thank you!

My thinking sort of centred around wanting to avoid adaptors and that native lenses will always function better on the high tech camera?

Reviews suggest that a lot of the f4 native Sony lenses are in fact very good and reasonable 'bang for your buck' unless you want to blow prints up to A0 and 'pixel peep'.

What do you think?

PWPhotography · Mar 9, 2018

Red-Dirt said:
Hi all,

I recently was relieved of all my ancient Canon 5D gear and L lenses by an uncaring thief...

I now have the rare opportunity to replace it all thanks to insurance...

My photography (and some video) is mostly based around four wheel drive travel to the remote Australian bush...occasional buildings (inside and outside), architecture, very occasional wildlife and birds.

Wanting to end up with a versatile, wide-ranging kit and after a little research and much thought I have selected:

the new Sony A7III due here next month (I didn't really want 42MP files) and this new camera looks a cracker!

Sony E MOUNT FE 12-24mm F4 G This or the 16-35?

Either one is good depends on your priority. Personally I chose 16-35. Have owned FE 16-35G, then replaced by EF 16-35L/4.0 IS and soon will be replaced by FE 16-35/2.8 GM by end of next week probably.

Red-Dirt said:
Sony FE 24-105mm f4 OSS G ...this or the 24-70 F4?

Between two, FE 24-105G no brainier. Or beef-up with FE 24-70/2.8 GM. Personally I will still adapt EF 24-70L/2.8 II via MB4 adapter.

Red-Dirt said:
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS…any 300s out here?

Either choice will be good. There is QC with FE 70-200G. My copy seems fine but a bit softer at 200mm f4.0 wide open at edges that is not a big deal in my usages. Heard FE 70-300G is pretty good but FE 70-200G still has slightly better contrast from what I have seen. Personally I prefer constant aperture zoom if having a choice. In addition I also own both FE 100-400 GM and FE 70-200 GM. Among these three zoom, each has its position and they don't substitute each other as in Canon counterparts.

Red-Dirt said:
I thought with the new A7III stabilisation and sensor, the extra stop of the F2.8s and the associated extra $ might not be that important to a predominantly landscape person.

True. But f2.8 is still much needed in low light event, wildlife and action type photos. Therefore personally I must own both f2.8 and f4.0 of 70-200mm zoom.

Red-Dirt said:
Any thoughts, suggestions and ideas from you experienced blokes would be most welcome!

p.s I have read extensively and like all things on the wonderful Mr Google even the ‘experts’ have widely ranging and often conflicting views and findings!

Thanks RD, Perth Australia

Do you still have any Canon lenses left? If you still have some L lenses, then adapted option is very valid such as I still adapt EF 24-70L/2.8 II and 17L TS-E as well as EF 16-35L/4.0 IS (but will be replaced by FE 16-35 GM soon as I need f2.8).

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums

Red-Dirt · Mar 9, 2018

Thanks you for taking the tome to reply!

No Canon gear left a battery pack and remote cable.

As you suggest there are many lenses that would be the perfect choice with unlimited dollars.

Sadly the insurance company will harshly restrict this so it will become a considered balancing act.

I have read that native lenses will usually perform much better on these high tech cameras than an adaptor and foreign stuff even Canon. Many of the tests suggest that many of the native are equal or better than the Canon, Sigma, Tamron and other OEM equivalents where it counts.

So with the available cash, the balance of the travel work being landscape I tried to make it all fit.

e.g. the 24-70 and 70-200 F2.8 would seem to be the best of the best, but expensive and heavy - so to blow the budget with perfection or to seek a a happy medium.

I just wish I'd won the lottery instead of being robbed

Thanks again!

Rol Lei Nut · Mar 9, 2018

Red-Dirt said:
Thank you!

My thinking sort of centred around wanting to avoid adaptors and that native lenses will always function better on the high tech camera?

What is "better"?

Red-Dirt said:
Reviews suggest that a lot of the f4 native Sony lenses are in fact very good and reasonable 'bang for your buck' unless you want to blow prints up to A0 and 'pixel peep'.

What do you think?

As I said, the Canon f/4.0 equivalents probably have slightly better image quality, are cheaper and more reliable, at the cost of extra weight and dealing with adapters ("Horrors! or "No Problem", depending on your take on things).

Red-Dirt · Mar 9, 2018

Hi all,

Thanks for your advice, ideas and help.

The Insurance company approved the claim and an order has been placed today for:

Sony A7M3 Body FF 24MP
Sony E Mount FE 12-24mm f4 G Zoom
Sony E Mount FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Zoom
Sony E Mount FE 70-200mm f4 G OSS Zoom
Sony NP-FZ100 Battery for ILCE-A9/A7RM3
SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB SDHC Card >MBS:300R/260W 2 off
Hoya 72mm Pro1D UV DMC Filter
Hoya 77mm Pro1D UV DMC Filter

Just have to wait for the A7III release and the other stuff to arrive in stock...

Thank you again.

Red Dirt Australia

Gary H · Mar 9, 2018

C47 said:
Gary H said:

C47 said:

C47 wrot

The 70-200 F4 seems to be very fragile. There are a lot of reports of the lens being broken in halfs.

Click to expand...

Both halves of mine are still stuck together and I purchased it when the lens was released. Exactly where should I tape it to stop it from breaking in half?

Click to expand...

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3976992
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4190160
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4261540

Yes I read that this didn't happen from just looking at the lens. But in the first thread the OP claims that the lens was delivered broken and the package didn't have any damages. Maybe only a few lenses are affected by this weak point but I would research this a little more before buying this lens.

davelok · Mar 9, 2018

Red-Dirt said:
Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

I'm trying to get a balance of lens types for the fixed money available and the predominant type of travel and photography we do.

I think I mentioned in terms of photography, wildlife is 'occasional', whilst general landscape predominant.

It probably makes sense to then focus the money on lenses to best cover the landscape with using legs to walk closer. Maybe then the cheaper and lighter 70-200 F4 is ideal? The ARIII should make up for that F stop? Especially in the Australian sunlight?

Those big lenses are exorbitantly expensive and buying one would mean no other wider lenses best suits to landscape I guess? They are also probably large and heavy?

Sorry for the late reply. I blame time zones. I read your purchase list and I think it is as good as it gets. If you need the reach, you might be able to get a lens on rent anyway. Yes, the zooms are heavy.

All new kit - Canon to Sony A7III - what lenses?

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