Considering switching my camera to Sony FF. Some questions

I'm considering switching from a Nikon eco system cropped sensor camera (D7100 with the kit 18-140mm and a 50mm f1.4 ) to a FF Sony (preferably the A7R III) and am wondering what lenses I should consider first.

I'm not a professional, but a hard core hobbyist I generally shoot portraits and landscapes.

I've taken a basic course on photography (and have been very actively shooting in manual for about 2 years now and I think my images are not bad now.

I suspect I don't need to get a FF camera any time soon. However wanting something and needing something are two completely different things. So please indulge me and don't judge.

I would prefer one lens to start with - something like an 85mm f1.8.

What lens would folks here that have a couple of Sony lenses advise I get based on my requirements?

SilverGS said:

I'm considering switching from a Nikon eco system cropped sensor camera (D7100 with the kit 18-140mm and a 50mm f1.4 ) to a FF Sony (preferably the A7R III) and am wondering what lenses I should consider first.

I'm not a professional, but a hard core hobbyist I generally shoot portraits and landscapes.

I've taken a basic course on photography (and have been very actively shooting in manual for about 2 years now and I think my images are not bad now.

I suspect I don't need to get a FF camera any time soon. However wanting something and needing something are two completely different things. So please indulge me and don't judge.

I would prefer one lens to start with - something like an 85mm f1.8.

What lens would folks here that have a couple of Sony lenses advise I get based on my requirements?

Click to expand...

24-105 f4 and 85 f1.8

SilverGS said:

I'm considering switching from a Nikon eco system cropped sensor camera (D7100 with the kit 18-140mm and a 50mm f1.4 ) to a FF Sony (preferably the A7R III) and am wondering what lenses I should consider first.

I'm not a professional, but a hard core hobbyist I generally shoot portraits and landscapes.

I've taken a basic course on photography (and have been very actively shooting in manual for about 2 years now and I think my images are not bad now.

I suspect I don't need to get a FF camera any time soon. However wanting something and needing something are two completely different things. So please indulge me and don't judge.

I would prefer one lens to start with - something like an 85mm f1.8.

What lens would folks here that have a couple of Sony lenses advise I get based on my requirements?

Click to expand...

I have two recommendations- maybe 3

first, take a look at what focal length you use the most to help guide you to a lens

second, I think for a serious hobbyist the 2470 GM is a good place to start if you only have 1 lens.

Finally, my go to lens is the Sony 35 1.4 - wide enough generally, certainly fast enough and great quality. But I don’t own the 2470.

Sony's 'cheap' 85mm f1.8 is bonkers good value for money - you'll struggle to hear a bad word said about it.

Try not to replace your versatile zoom for a like for like - you just won't get that sensor singing with the 24-240.

There's numerous ways of doing it on Sony - the fact that theres 4x natives 85mm's says it all.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Batis glass - the right balance between aperture and weight/size, fast AF, build quality, consistent rendering and Zeiss colours.

When I decided to go FF the thought was to go with primes. Primarily the Basis group. However, got a good deal on the 24-70mm, f/4, and thought for travel it would be nice to have. Big mistake, it has prevented me from getting any prime lenses. Whenever I think of getting a prime lens I look at the photos I'm getting with the 24-70, f/4, and conclude the prime would not improve upon what I'm getting with the 24-70, f/4.

Clayton1985 said:

24-105 f4 and 85 f1.8

Click to expand...

Thanks!

caplanner said:

I have two recommendations- maybe 3

first, take a look at what focal length you use the most to help guide you to a lens

second, I think for a serious hobbyist the 2470 GM is a good place to start if you only have 1 lens.

Finally, my go to lens is the Sony 35 1.4 - wide enough generally, certainly fast enough and great quality. But I don’t own the 2470.

Click to expand...

Thanks! Excellent advice regarding looking at my current images to determine what focal length I shoot at mostly now.

noggin2k1 said:

Sony's 'cheap' 85mm f1.8 is bonkers good value for money - you'll struggle to hear a bad word said about it.

Try not to replace your versatile zoom for a like for like - you just won't get that sensor singing with the 24-240.

There's numerous ways of doing it on Sony - the fact that theres 4x natives 85mm's says it all.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Batis glass - the right balance between aperture and weight/size, fast AF, build quality, consistent rendering and Zeiss colours.

Click to expand...

Thanks!

Yes, I've read the reviews on the 85mm f1.4 and I'm leaning towards that as that lens and the camera body will be around $4500 CAD which won't be too hard on the wallet to start.

Which specific Batis lense are you referring to? Or maybe you're referring to all?

While I agree that the 24-240 will not produce the best possible images from a Sony full frame body, I estimate the quality to be at least on the same level as the Canon 18-135 (latest version) on a Canon 80D (both just sold).


In the not so bright forest. Having a quick rest. Cat joined me and dog on the daily walk.

If your one lens is a prime, 1.8/55

If your one lens is a zoom, 4/24-105 or 2.8/24-70 (if you don’t mind the size and cost)

How much of an upgrade do you want? Maybe choosing A7Riii over A7iii is a clue?

I'd start with 24-105/4, add whichever 85mm best fits your budget/needs and then the Loxia 21/2.8. In the UK, Zeiss lenses currently have offers.

Second zoom option is the 24-70/2.8. Second prime option is the 90/2.8 macro.

Andrew

For an enthusiastic amateur ( aka lover) of photography I think the A7 R III is an amazing camera. Huge resolution, pretty flexible and some innovative technology and usability. The only caveat I see with these cameras is strobe in a studio setting (color temp) and ergonomics when shooting over an extended period, most of this wouldn’t apply to you I hope.

As for lenses, we all know the current generation of zooms are outstanding and often compete with fixed focals, the trade off being the weight, good glass and wide openings result in considerable lenses.

i personally shoot the GM 24-70-200, huge but I don’t compromise for image quality. And using a zoom reduces the possibility of getting dust on the sensor.

But shooting with primes makes these cameras so much more portable and fun to use, so I can see having both. My personal choice are the Zeiss Loxia that are a bit of a throwback to Leica M with outstanding image quality.

And as for lenses,look at your editing software and see if you can find the focal length that you use most and start there, I hear great things about Sony’s current own lenses, but my suggestion is to look at the GM 24-70 as an outstanding, versatile ( but expensive) landscape to portait lens.

best of all, don’t hung up on the technology, keep shooting and growing and back up your archive...

SilverGS said:

I'm considering switching from a Nikon eco system cropped sensor camera (D7100 with the kit 18-140mm and a 50mm f1.4 ) to a FF Sony (preferably the A7R III)

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Why Sony? Why that camera? Do you print big?

SilverGS said:

and am wondering what lenses I should consider first.

I'm not a professional, but a hard core hobbyist I generally shoot portraits and landscapes.

I've taken a basic course on photography (and have been very actively shooting in manual for about 2 years now and I think my images are not bad now.

Click to expand...

Can you post some?

SilverGS said:

I suspect I don't need to get a FF camera any time soon. However wanting something and needing something are two completely different things. So please indulge me and don't judge.

I would prefer one lens to start with - something like an 85mm f1.8.

Click to expand...

Are you keeping the Nikon gear?

SilverGS said:

What lens would folks here that have a couple of Sony lenses advise I get based on my requirements?

Click to expand...

Jim

Start with a kit lens. It costs almost nothing in bundle with camera and may be sold for the same amount of money at any moment. In return you'll get the idea, which lens you need (and if you really need anything besides the kit glass).

The main advantage of latest Sony FE cameras over C/N counterparts is not the optics, but the success ratio while shooting people (IMHO).

SilverGS said:

I'm considering switching from a Nikon eco system cropped sensor camera (D7100 with the kit 18-140mm and a 50mm f1.4 ) to a FF Sony (preferably the A7R III) and am wondering what lenses I should consider first.

I'm not a professional, but a hard core hobbyist I generally shoot portraits and landscapes.

I've taken a basic course on photography (and have been very actively shooting in manual for about 2 years now and I think my images are not bad now.

I suspect I don't need to get a FF camera any time soon. However wanting something and needing something are two completely different things. So please indulge me and don't judge.

I would prefer one lens to start with - something like an 85mm f1.8.

What lens would folks here that have a couple of Sony lenses advise I get based on my requirements?

Click to expand...

Since you are a "hardcore" hobbyist, I'm assuming you would be willing to invest.

For portrait, you can choose one from the 85 GM, Sigma 85 Art and the FE 85 1.8.

For landscape, you can get the Laowa 15mm f2, the Batis 18mm f2.8, or the Sigma 14mm f1.8.