Buying A7rii: 35mm 1.8 + 55mm 1.8 OR 24mm 1.4 + 50mm 1.8

So I've briefly used all the equipment I'm going to mention. I'm planning on picking up an A7rii. I'm thinking of a 2-prime lens setup and emphasizing solid IQ along with compactness. I don't want a lens bigger than the 24mm 1.4.

For budgetary reasons I'm considering one of the 2-lens setups in the title.

The 35mm 1.8 + 55mm 1.8: 35mm is definitely my personally most used/favorite focal length. Maybe I tried a really good copy of the 35mm, but I found the overall sharpness, contrast, rendering etc to not be too far off/different from the terrific 24mm. I know to some pairing a 55mm is going to be very odd/close, but I don't really use anything longer than 50ish very much (like an 85mm prime). And I like that 55mm does give me a tad more spacing from the 35mm, and the A7rii's cropping ability means I can use it as a defacto 82mm lens in APS-C mode if I want to.

24mm 1.4 + 50mm 1.8 : I probably do use 35mm more than 24mm. But the 24mm 1.4 is a lovely lens, and I can use APS-C mode and essentially get a 36mm 2.1 lens at 17mp. And there are times I want to go wider than 35mm, but very infrequently do I want/need anything wider than 24mm. And 24/50 is a more traditional spread, and I found the 50mm 1.8 to be a decent enough if unspectacular lens. I think this decision would be based more on a more sensible focal length spread, while the above 2 lenses I think gives me 2 lenses that I'm a bit more excited about but doesn't give me as much focal length versatility.

I would go with 24 + 50. 35 and 55 is too close imo. Everything about the 24 is better than the 35

The 50 AF is pretty bad, but is quite sharp in the center and has the same aperture as the 55 1.8. The 55 is still a very good lens (really over priced if buying new), It’s just that the difference from the 50 and 55 is not as great as the 24 GM and 35

24mm + 55mm i would say is the most popular focal length combo used when it comes to prime lenses, that's what I use, In my opinon it doesn't make sense to get a 35mm when it's in the middle of 55mm and 24mm in field of view and bokeh, the 24mm could be your primary lens to shoot everything, and the 55mm could be for portrait looks.

I personally use the 24mm 1.4, sony 55mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8, and I wouldn't personally choose the 35mm over the 24mm or the 55mm, those two lenses are the best lenses in their perspectives fields of view, plus they're razor sharp!, that's why they're one of the most popular sony prime lenses

Yep agreed,

The 24mm + 55mm combo would be my preferred choice as well, though I personally went for the Voiglander FE 21mm f3.5 as I prefer 21mm over 24mm.

I don't need f1.4 in a wide angle, but if I did, the 24mm f1.4 GM would be my first choice.

Den

I went for a 24mm + 45mm combo. Tamron 24mm f2.8 and Samyang 45mm f1.8 to be specific.

Prior to getting my A7Rii in December I had been using a 45mm equilvalent fixed lens camera (Sigma DP2M) as more or less my only camera for a few years so I knew that focal length would work for me, and the main thing I have been missing was the option for wide angle so adding a 24mm seemed like a good idea.

Typical dpreview responses when the OP asks for a SPECIFIC combo, people throw out random responses that isn’t even an option asked by the OP.

anyway, I would pick the 24 + 50 out if the two options.

Who are you, the forum police?

If other's think there's a better option than what the OP states, then why not suggest them?

Den

Och Elo said:

So I've briefly used all the equipment I'm going to mention. I'm planning on picking up an A7rii. I'm thinking of a 2-prime lens setup and emphasizing solid IQ along with compactness. I don't want a lens bigger than the 24mm 1.4.

For budgetary reasons I'm considering one of the 2-lens setups in the title.

The 35mm 1.8 + 55mm 1.8: 35mm is definitely my personally most used/favorite focal length. Maybe I tried a really good copy of the 35mm, but I found the overall sharpness, contrast, rendering etc to not be too far off/different from the terrific 24mm. I know to some pairing a 55mm is going to be very odd/close, but I don't really use anything longer than 50ish very much (like an 85mm prime). And I like that 55mm does give me a tad more spacing from the 35mm, and the A7rii's cropping ability means I can use it as a defacto 82mm lens in APS-C mode if I want to.

24mm 1.4 + 50mm 1.8 : I probably do use 35mm more than 24mm. But the 24mm 1.4 is a lovely lens, and I can use APS-C mode and essentially get a 36mm 2.1 lens at 17mp. And there are times I want to go wider than 35mm, but very infrequently do I want/need anything wider than 24mm. And 24/50 is a more traditional spread, and I found the 50mm 1.8 to be a decent enough if unspectacular lens. I think this decision would be based more on a more sensible focal length spread, while the above 2 lenses I think gives me 2 lenses that I'm a bit more excited about but doesn't give me as much focal length versatility.

Click to expand...

going M3 or R3 if 24gm is picked up

if 1.8 is your primary Prime lens, Nikon Z might be better choice

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Tristan.W

TristanW said:

Och Elo said:

So I've briefly used all the equipment I'm going to mention. I'm planning on picking up an A7rii. I'm thinking of a 2-prime lens setup and emphasizing solid IQ along with compactness. I don't want a lens bigger than the 24mm 1.4.

For budgetary reasons I'm considering one of the 2-lens setups in the title.

The 35mm 1.8 + 55mm 1.8: 35mm is definitely my personally most used/favorite focal length. Maybe I tried a really good copy of the 35mm, but I found the overall sharpness, contrast, rendering etc to not be too far off/different from the terrific 24mm. I know to some pairing a 55mm is going to be very odd/close, but I don't really use anything longer than 50ish very much (like an 85mm prime). And I like that 55mm does give me a tad more spacing from the 35mm, and the A7rii's cropping ability means I can use it as a defacto 82mm lens in APS-C mode if I want to.

24mm 1.4 + 50mm 1.8 : I probably do use 35mm more than 24mm. But the 24mm 1.4 is a lovely lens, and I can use APS-C mode and essentially get a 36mm 2.1 lens at 17mp. And there are times I want to go wider than 35mm, but very infrequently do I want/need anything wider than 24mm. And 24/50 is a more traditional spread, and I found the 50mm 1.8 to be a decent enough if unspectacular lens. I think this decision would be based more on a more sensible focal length spread, while the above 2 lenses I think gives me 2 lenses that I'm a bit more excited about but doesn't give me as much focal length versatility.

Click to expand...

going M3 or R3 if 24gm is picked up

if 1.8 is your primary Prime lens, Nikon Z might be better choice

Click to expand...

Yeah the Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 looks very impressive:


Den

I don’t want to sound like a bad guy, but the options the OP provided is within his budget and already narrowed down his decision. Giving him options that’s outside his budget because you think it’s better doesn’t mean it’s better for the OP. From the original post he appears to have done his thorough research to narrow down his two options.

he’s decided what’s best for HIM while everyone’s suggestions are what’s best for them.

24mm 1.4 + 85mm 1.4 ;-)

sye46 said:

I don’t want to sound like a bad guy, but the options the OP provided is within his budget and already narrowed down his decision. Giving him options that’s outside his budget because you think it’s better doesn’t mean it’s better for the OP. From the original post he appears to have done his thorough research to narrow down his two options.

he’s decided what’s best for HIM while everyone’s suggestions are what’s best for them.

Click to expand...

If "he’s decided what’s best for HIM" then why post here?

Den

I only have the 55/1.8 of those lenses. I was attracted to the 24mm GM but already have too many lenses around that FL. I also have a Canon 35/2 that I sometimes shoot wide open. I have been wondering about adding a faster 35mm, like the Sigma f/1.2 or adapting the Tamron f/1.4.

There isn't much point paying for and carrying a fast lens, unless you intend to shoot it wide open. Are you sure you need lenses that fast or would slower, lighter and cheaper ones be good enough? That opens up the choice and offers some cheaper options.

If you like very fast lenses and you don't go much above 55mm, then the 24 GM seems made for you. If you want a fast 35mm and are prepared to stitch, then why not consider the Sigma 35/1.2 and Sony 85/1.8, etc. etc.

Andrew

The 50mm F1.8 is sharp, but slow to autofocus. So if AF speed is important, then avoid that lens.

I am probably going for the Samyang 45mm f1.8, when I find a deal. It has gotten pretty good reviews.

sye46 said:

I don’t want to sound like a bad guy, but the options the OP provided is within his budget and already narrowed down his decision. Giving him options that’s outside his budget because you think it’s better doesn’t mean it’s better for the OP. From the original post he appears to have done his thorough research to narrow down his two options.

he’s decided what’s best for HIM while everyone’s suggestions are what’s best for them.

Click to expand...

Just my opinion, but I think we should let the OP decide whether or not they want to exclude other suggestions, rather than assuming they arent open to other options.

In the 24-70mm thread, the OP specifically excluded the 28-75mm comparison, but people kept bringing it up. This OP says they have two options that they are considering, but its possible that they dont know of other good options.

DenImage said:

sye46 said:

I don’t want to sound like a bad guy, but the options the OP provided is within his budget and already narrowed down his decision. Giving him options that’s outside his budget because you think it’s better doesn’t mean it’s better for the OP. From the original post he appears to have done his thorough research to narrow down his two options.

he’s decided what’s best for HIM while everyone’s suggestions are what’s best for them.

Click to expand...

If "he’s decided what’s best for HIM" then why post here?

Den

Click to expand...

he narrowed down the two options that's best for him and seeking advice for the best of the two options. His post suggests he has thoroughly thought about this and did his homework.

so far, only 1 person actually answered his question.

Out of the two options, I would select the 24mm 1.4 GM + Sony 50mm F1.8.

I've owned the 35mm 1.8 and while it's a good lens, it has pretty nervous bokeh and really bad LoCA. $750 was a little too much for this lens when the 85mm 1.8 is only $550. The 55mm 1.8 is a good lens but drastically overpriced if buying new.

Also, OP, I would suggest you post a Poll next time.

sye46 said:

DenImage said:

sye46 said:

I don’t want to sound like a bad guy, but the options the OP provided is within his budget and already narrowed down his decision. Giving him options that’s outside his budget because you think it’s better doesn’t mean it’s better for the OP. From the original post he appears to have done his thorough research to narrow down his two options.

he’s decided what’s best for HIM while everyone’s suggestions are what’s best for them.

Click to expand...

If "he’s decided what’s best for HIM" then why post here?

Den

Click to expand...

he narrowed down the two options that's best for him and seeking advice for the best of the two options. His post suggests he has thoroughly thought about this and did his homework.

so far, only 1 person actually answered his question.

Click to expand...

It should be noted that the OP posted on a public forum that is read by many. Some of those readers may have similar questions on this general topic and would benefit from the broader answers that are being posted.

If budget is an issue then you should also consider the Tamron 24/2.8 in place of the 24GM. Smaller, lighter and cheaper and optically much better than the 50/1.8 you are considering and not far off the 24GM. Of the four lenses you mention I would go 24/55.

Love my 28mm/f2, super sharp, light, great AF.

Still can't choose though if I add Samyang 45/1.8 and 85mm later or 55mm now and no 85 at all.

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Cheers,
Alex