TL
R
About 7% of my photo inventory is shot in the range of 70-200mm and only 8% are above that with most of them taken at 700-800mm on my M4/3 gear. The f2.8GM is out of the question. I’m split between the 70-200/f4G or an adapted Canon which is less than half the cost of the Sony. The third alternative is to just use my E55-210 in crop mode.
What do you recommend especially those who’ve used the crop lens.
FULL POST
I’ve been shooting M4/3 and APS-C for the past few years. I did try an A7 a few years ago but it didn’t thrill me nor did the Z24-70/f4 I had then. Sold both. At the time I liked Sony’s APS-C bodies but the lenses were mostly a bit soft at the edges and corners for my travel/landscapes. I only shoot wildlife when I see it rather than go looking for it.
I’ve been really happy with M4/3 for the past 18months since getting an EM1.2 and some good lenses. For reach for say birds and wildlife, the PL100-400 on the Oly is hard to beat. I’d previously sworn off going back to FF due to the higher end lens costs. And that remains, as I’m retired so although comfortable, money does matter. But I like to indulge my hobby. And then a few weeks ago I was scanning our local eBay listings and picked up a near mint A7RII + kit lens and a bunch of batteries for a very good price. I frankly was surprised I won the auction. So here I am with the camera, 28-70 and since bought a Samyang 24/f2.8. I feel I should add a longer FF lens to augment them without resorting to my existing APS-C lenses. I have a A6300 + 18-135, a 55-210, Canon 10-18 + adapter and a Sigma 19. I’m actually surprised how good the three zooms look in crop mode to be honest. In fact the 55-210 is isn’t bad at all. But I really should give those 42Mp a FF lens for when I want longer than 70mm. So......
I had thought of the 24-105G. I’m sure it’s a top lens, but I still want to go longer. Beside my 28-70 is a very good copy. It put it as better than the Zony 24-70 I had though no doubt the A7RII is a better camera in every respect than my old A7. So I’ve ruled the 24-105.
I’m thinking about getting a 70-200/f4G. I thought about the 70-300G but the DXO scores are not so flash from 200 to 300. Plus, I’ll be keeping the M4/3 gear at least for now. I have 200-800mm covered with that format. The IQ is perfectly fine for my needs. I simply couldn’t get close to that IQ without spending far too much and burdening my bags AND BACK!
I did a study of my archive of focal lengths last night. Only 8% of my keepers are over 200mm though I shoot about twice that as a percentage. Of the rest, 85% are up to 70mm. So only 7% are between 70-200mm. Though they make up an important part of the inventory.
So do I buy:
Appreciate your thoughts.
RAbout 7% of my photo inventory is shot in the range of 70-200mm and only 8% are above that with most of them taken at 700-800mm on my M4/3 gear. The f2.8GM is out of the question. I’m split between the 70-200/f4G or an adapted Canon which is less than half the cost of the Sony. The third alternative is to just use my E55-210 in crop mode.
What do you recommend especially those who’ve used the crop lens.
FULL POST
I’ve been shooting M4/3 and APS-C for the past few years. I did try an A7 a few years ago but it didn’t thrill me nor did the Z24-70/f4 I had then. Sold both. At the time I liked Sony’s APS-C bodies but the lenses were mostly a bit soft at the edges and corners for my travel/landscapes. I only shoot wildlife when I see it rather than go looking for it.
I’ve been really happy with M4/3 for the past 18months since getting an EM1.2 and some good lenses. For reach for say birds and wildlife, the PL100-400 on the Oly is hard to beat. I’d previously sworn off going back to FF due to the higher end lens costs. And that remains, as I’m retired so although comfortable, money does matter. But I like to indulge my hobby. And then a few weeks ago I was scanning our local eBay listings and picked up a near mint A7RII + kit lens and a bunch of batteries for a very good price. I frankly was surprised I won the auction. So here I am with the camera, 28-70 and since bought a Samyang 24/f2.8. I feel I should add a longer FF lens to augment them without resorting to my existing APS-C lenses. I have a A6300 + 18-135, a 55-210, Canon 10-18 + adapter and a Sigma 19. I’m actually surprised how good the three zooms look in crop mode to be honest. In fact the 55-210 is isn’t bad at all. But I really should give those 42Mp a FF lens for when I want longer than 70mm. So......
I had thought of the 24-105G. I’m sure it’s a top lens, but I still want to go longer. Beside my 28-70 is a very good copy. It put it as better than the Zony 24-70 I had though no doubt the A7RII is a better camera in every respect than my old A7. So I’ve ruled the 24-105.
I’m thinking about getting a 70-200/f4G. I thought about the 70-300G but the DXO scores are not so flash from 200 to 300. Plus, I’ll be keeping the M4/3 gear at least for now. I have 200-800mm covered with that format. The IQ is perfectly fine for my needs. I simply couldn’t get close to that IQ without spending far too much and burdening my bags AND BACK!
I did a study of my archive of focal lengths last night. Only 8% of my keepers are over 200mm though I shoot about twice that as a percentage. Of the rest, 85% are up to 70mm. So only 7% are between 70-200mm. Though they make up an important part of the inventory.
So do I buy:
- A new or used Sony 70-200/f4 G or
- A used Canon 70-200/f4 IS or non-IS for about half the Sony (I realise the AF performance will be lower than the Sony and that is a concern) or
- Just keep using the E55-210 in crop mode.
Appreciate your thoughts.
