Smallest / Cheapest Nex-3 lens

[InViVe]

Hi.

I just moved from a superzoom camera to the Nex-3 with the 18-55mm lens. However, as I want to be able to experiment with my style, but also have a body+lens kit that can fit in my pocket to move around (instead of using a carrying case), I want to buy a secondary lens.

Now, as I am not a particularly experienced photographer (nor a beginner though) I am not interested in the quality of the secondary lens. My primary concerns are its price and its size. That is, I want to find the smallest possible lens (or rather smallest lens + mount combo) with the lowest possible price. It would be a plus though if it had a strong and visually appealing bokeh.

I would like to hear your opinions on which used lens + mount I should consider.

For example, I 've already considered the Industar 69 f/2.8 28mm, as well as some larger lenses, such as the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 lens, Industar 50 50mm f/3.5 or a 35mm f/1.7 CCTV Lens (with a C-Mount).

Thank you in advance.

 

[nex5guy]

I always vote for the m42 screw mount adapter, which gives you a PILE of choices when it comes to lenses - from Pentax to Yashica to Russian screw mounts. Personally, I use Super Takumars. Pictured below is the 55mm f1.8, with the 18-55 by it for size comparison.

 

[armanius]

If possible, I'd return the NEX3 w/ the 18-55 and buy the NEX3 with both the 18-55 and the 16/2.8. The 16/2.8 is probably the smallest and lightest lens you can put on the NEX. You get auto focus, and it gets pretty good results if you stop it down a little bit. It's also decent wide open. At BH Photo, the NEX3 with both lenses runs $100 more than the NEX3 with only the 18-55.

Going to a manual lens is nice if you need something with shallow DOF. But, all my M lens are heavier and bigger than the 16/2.8, especially as you will need to stick an adapter on the NEX too.

So that's my two cents.

However, I have tried a Voigtlander 35/1.4sc and 50/1.5 on my NEX with a Rainbow adapter. It works fine and I get slightly sharper photos with much more shallow DOF and a more pleasing bokeh as well. BUT, I have found it much more enjoyable just using the native NEX lenses, because manual focus with the NEX just using the LCD screen isn't all that enjoyable. If we only had an EVF. But that's another whole story.

The 35/1.4 is very small, but not light compared to the 16/2.8. The 50/1.5 is about the same size as the 18-55. But it weighs probably 3x as much. I also have a tiny Voigtlander 50/2.5 which is lighter than the 35/1.4 but the same size. I haven't tried that on the NEX yet. These Voigtlander lenses run from $300 to $550. So they are expensive relative to paying an extra $100 for the double lens kit on the NEX 3.

Best of luck on your decision!

Hi.

I just moved from a superzoom camera to the Nex-3 with the 18-55mm lens. However, as I want to be able to experiment with my style, but also have a body+lens kit that can fit in my pocket to move around (instead of using a carrying case), I want to buy a secondary lens.

Now, as I am not a particularly experienced photographer (nor a beginner though) I am not interested in the quality of the secondary lens. My primary concerns are its price and its size. That is, I want to find the smallest possible lens (or rather smallest lens + mount combo) with the lowest possible price. It would be a plus though if it had a strong and visually appealing bokeh.

I would like to hear your opinions on which used lens + mount I should consider.

For example, I 've already considered the Industar 69 f/2.8 28mm, as well as some larger lenses, such as the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 lens, Industar 50 50mm f/3.5 or a 35mm f/1.7 CCTV Lens (with a C-Mount).

Thank you in advance.

--
Armanius
Total Noob Photographer

 

[isvana]

I have the L39 ($35) + Industar 55/2.8 ($20). The Jupiter 8 50/2 is probably better quality but is bad for handling (aperture ring adjustment vs focus) for me anyway.

For experimenting I suggest:
1. Make a note of adapter prices from your favorite source...

2. Check out your 2nd hand camera shop for cheap lenses of interest eg 135, 90, 50, 35, 28mm lenses.
3. Procure adapter to suit your selected lens...

Good luck...

InViVe wrote:
...

For example, I 've already considered the Industar 69 f/2.8 28mm, as well as some larger lenses, such as the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 lens, Industar 50 50mm f/3.5 or a 35mm f/1.7 CCTV Lens (with a C-Mount).

Thank you in advance.