Sony 10-18

[jorg14]

A little background for reference. I'm a keen enthusiasts that has done some professional work and has a number of pictures in publications around the country. I'm comparing this to my previous lens which was a 10-20 for Nikon DSLR's. I switched to Sony mirror-less about a year ago, as I'm retired, do more traveling and didn't want to be encumbered by a big DSLR with a bunch of lenses as I'm a traveler first, and photographer second.

So far I've only taken about two dozen pictures with the new 10-18, but am impressed. It's light weight, operates smoothly, feels solid, and is well made compared to my Nikon lenses. The center of the shots are always clear, with a little degradation towards the edges. Viewed on my 27" monitor, I can find little fault with the lens. Based on what I've seen so far and without getting into technical issues, I can summarize by saying that in my opinion, used with an Nex 7, it is good enough for professional work and excellent for amateurs.

 

[Darren Lee]

A little background for reference. I'm a keen enthusiasts that has done some professional work and has a number of pictures in publications around the country. I'm comparing this to my previous lens which was a 10-20 for Nikon DSLR's. I switched to Sony mirror-less about a year ago, as I'm retired, do more traveling and didn't want to be encumbered by a big DSLR with a bunch of lenses as I'm a traveler first, and photographer second.

So far I've only taken about two dozen pictures with the new 10-18, but am impressed. It's light weight, operates smoothly, feels solid, and is well made compared to my Nikon lenses. The center of the shots are always clear, with a little degradation towards the edges. Viewed on my 27" monitor, I can find little fault with the lens. Based on what I've seen so far and without getting into technical issues, I can summarize by saying that in my opinion, used with an Nex 7, it is good enough for professional work and excellent for amateurs.

I got this lens for my NEX-3N. I noticed when i used the zoom lever on my 3N that there is no sound? Is it that quiet? Of course i can zoom in or out with the zoom ring, but just wondering if it is suppose to not make noise when zooming with the zoom lever on the 3N...also, since it is not quite up to par in low light, what other tip do you suggest besides bumping up ISO and exposure compensation. thanks.

 

[DtEW]

I got this lens for my NEX-3N. I noticed when i used the zoom lever on my 3N that there is no sound? Is it that quiet? Of course i can zoom in or out with the zoom ring, but just wondering if it is suppose to not make noise when zooming with the zoom lever on the 3N...also, since it is not quite up to par in low light, what other tip do you suggest besides bumping up ISO and exposure compensation. thanks.

 

[sjprg]

10-18: when is an e-mount not an e-mount? When they don't bother to label it. Is an E-mount full frame of is it APS-C? How in the H do you tell. If an e-mount is a FF than an APC-C is NOT an e-mount it's something else. Are the e-mount lenses APS-c or FF? Label the D things on the lens like Canon does. Either it's an EF lens or its a EF-S lens and labeled as such.

One of the current ads has an 85mm full frame lens in the big eye catching ad but the fine print says it an APC-C lens.

 

[DtEW]

10-18: when is an e-mount not an e-mount? When they don't bother to label it. Is an E-mount full frame of is it APS-C? How in the H do you tell. If an e-mount is a FF than an APC-C is NOT an e-mount it's something else. Are the e-mount lenses APS-c or FF?

By the "FE" that is always part of the name for the full-frame-light-circle lenses.

Do you really buy lenses without looking up what they are, not to mention study their specs... or is this an attempt at an Andy Rooney-esque gripe routine?

Label the D things on the lens like Canon does. Either it's an EF lens or its a EF-S lens and labeled as such.

Actually...

"EF" and "EF-S" do not stand for the size of the light circle. They are merely mount standards, and neither are obligated for FF nor APS-C light circles. The primary difference is the distance the lens is allowed to extend behind the mount, which of course is related/constrained by the size of the flapping mirror. There are no FF EF-S lenses because the EF-S standard allows the lens to stick out too far back, and into the path of the mirror on a FF camera. There are plenty of EF lenses that are FF or APS-C. It also needs to be considered that some of Canon's most famous and glorious lenses are neither EF nor EF-S (see TS-E lenses).

So there goes your point.

 

[col4bin]

E = APS-C
FE = Full frame

Not sure I understand your post

 

[LynnObie]

A little background for reference. I'm a keen enthusiasts that has done some professional work and has a number of pictures in publications around the country. I'm comparing this to my previous lens which was a 10-20 for Nikon DSLR's. I switched to Sony mirror-less about a year ago, as I'm retired, do more traveling and didn't want to be encumbered by a big DSLR with a bunch of lenses as I'm a traveler first, and photographer second.

So far I've only taken about two dozen pictures with the new 10-18, but am impressed. It's light weight, operates smoothly, feels solid, and is well made compared to my Nikon lenses. The center of the shots are always clear, with a little degradation towards the edges. Viewed on my 27" monitor, I can find little fault with the lens. Based on what I've seen so far and without getting into technical issues, I can summarize by saying that in my opinion, used with an Nex 7, it is good enough for professional work and excellent for amateurs.

Jorg, Thanks for your comments on this lens. I am thinking of buying this lens for the a6000 I am now trying out, should I decide to keep the Sony. My goal is to replace my large / hefty Canon 7D with something lighter as my 70 year old body would undoubtedly prefer. I have the Canon 10-22 which is a fine lens & looking for something that could replace that it on the a6000. Assuming the Sony 10-18 is a good replacement, I will also be looking for suitable replacements for my Canon 15-85 and 70-300 L.

 

[Scottelly]

10-18: when is an e-mount not an e-mount? When they don't bother to label it. Is an E-mount full frame of is it APS-C? How in the H do you tell. If an e-mount is a FF than an APC-C is NOT an e-mount it's something else. Are the e-mount lenses APS-c or FF? Label the D things on the lens like Canon does. Either it's an EF lens or its a EF-S lens and labeled as such.

One of the current ads has an 85mm full frame lens in the big eye catching ad but the fine print says it an APC-C lens.

What is an APC-C lens? I know what an APS-C lens is, but I've never heard of or seen the designation APC-C.

--
Paul

 

[RGBaker]

10-18: when is an e-mount not an e-mount? When they don't bother to label it. Is an E-mount full frame of is it APS-C? How in the H do you tell. If an e-mount is a FF than an APC-C is NOT an e-mount it's something else. Are the e-mount lenses APS-c or FF? Label the D things on the lens like Canon does. Either it's an EF lens or its a EF-S lens and labeled as such.

One of the current ads has an 85mm full frame lens in the big eye catching ad but the fine print says it an APC-C lens.

 

[Wateraddict]

The 10-18mm will also work on the A7 , A7R and the A7 Mark II as a full frame lens without a crop factor from what I hear . The only problem that occurs on the 10-18 on a full frame Sony camera is the lens is only useful between 11mm and 17mm because you will see the inside of the lens ring at 10mm and 18mm .

 

[RickHogben]

I'm taking the a6000 on an extended trip because - mainly - flight weight restrictions make it almost impossible to tote a full range of full frame DSLR equipment along. I'm also getting the 10-18 f4. How did your trial go - have you stayed with the A6000?

 

[LynnObie]

I'm taking the a6000 on an extended trip because - mainly - flight weight restrictions make it almost impossible to tote a full range of full frame DSLR equipment along. I'm also getting the 10-18 f4. How did your trial go - have you stayed with the A6000?

Rick, I decided to return the a6000 and went with the Olympus E-M1 and a few lenses. I liked the a6000 but opted for the E-M1 for greater flexibility and lens selection.

 

[Dr JLW]

I recently returned from three weeks in France with my luggage limited to a carry on bag and messenger bag. I took my Nex 7 with the SEL 10-18 and a super zoom. I took most of my photos withhte Nex and 1018 and was very happy with it.

I use the Nex and SEL 1018 because it covers what I can't get with my superzoom and does the low light and high dynamic range stuff.

I make photobooks and panorama books with prints up to 20 inches on the long dimension and the Nex shat are clean and crisp up to three times that size.

The Nex with ths lens is compact and light. I did invest in a bod cap so I can carry the Nex with lens unmounted to save space. I also carry the small flash which covers well enough since i usually bounce it.

 

[Jesper Frickmann]

It's a great little lens. What else could shoot a redwood from the top to bottom? ;-)

Sure, there is a bit of CA, but no lens is perfect, and the details and color are very good IMHO.

 

[PC Wheeler]

It's a great little lens. What else could shoot a redwood from the top to bottom? ;-)

Actually, that shot is from the bottom to the top; the other would be a more impressive feat with a redwood

 

[kevindar]

but by all other accounts a good lens. canon, sigma, tamron, tokina, all make several lenses in the range for apsc, which are a fair bit cheaper.

the canon 11-22 f4 IS for for canon mirrorless is optically sterllar, bettering the sony, and is 450 retail. I use a canon 10-18 with adapter, which I would not call stellar, but pretty good, and the lens costs 250.

the sony e-mount has a few compelling lenses. the 35 1.8 oss (good though slightly over priced) the 50 1.8 oss, well priced and high quality, 55-210, which is actually decent for the price. what they need is a good and affordable midrange zoom range, and a good affordable ultrawide, and a wider fster prime (20 f2 maybe).

 

[ericN2]

but by all other accounts a good lens. canon, sigma, tamron, tokina, all make several lenses in the range for apsc, which are a fair bit cheaper.

the canon 11-22 f4 IS for for canon mirrorless is optically sterllar, bettering the sony, and is 450 retail. I use a canon 10-18 with adapter, which I would not call stellar, but pretty good, and the lens costs 250.

the sony e-mount has a few compelling lenses. the 35 1.8 oss (good though slightly over priced) the 50 1.8 oss, well priced and high quality, 55-210, which is actually decent for the price. what they need is a good and affordable midrange zoom range, and a good affordable ultrawide, and a wider fster prime (20 f2 maybe).

 

[kevindar]

but by all other accounts a good lens. canon, sigma, tamron, tokina, all make several lenses in the range for apsc, which are a fair bit cheaper.

the canon 11-22 f4 IS for for canon mirrorless is optically sterllar, bettering the sony, and is 450 retail. I use a canon 10-18 with adapter, which I would not call stellar, but pretty good, and the lens costs 250.

the sony e-mount has a few compelling lenses. the 35 1.8 oss (good though slightly over priced) the 50 1.8 oss, well priced and high quality, 55-210, which is actually decent for the price. what they need is a good and affordable midrange zoom range, and a good affordable ultrawide, and a wider fster prime (20 f2 maybe).

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevindar/

Is there an adaptor to fit the Canon 11-22 EF-M lens to the A6000 ... and does it retain Auto-focus ??

--
/eric
Staffordshire, UK

Nope. there is an adapter that you can use with canon ef/efs mount, such as the 10-18 stm. it does have AF, but for all practical purposes, its a MF lens. however, it does retain IS function. Its possible that a7000 (or whatever its called) will inherit the much better AF compatibility of A7RII, where canon lenses become a lot more practical.

However, the ultrawide is one place where I can live without AF. I use the 10-18 AFS and am generally happy with it on the a6000

10mm f9

100% crop of the extreme bottom left corner

--

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevindar/

 

[ericN2]

but by all other accounts a good lens. canon, sigma, tamron, tokina, all make several lenses in the range for apsc, which are a fair bit cheaper.

the canon 11-22 f4 IS for for canon mirrorless is optically sterllar, bettering the sony, and is 450 retail. I use a canon 10-18 with adapter, which I would not call stellar, but pretty good, and the lens costs 250.

the sony e-mount has a few compelling lenses. the 35 1.8 oss (good though slightly over priced) the 50 1.8 oss, well priced and high quality, 55-210, which is actually decent for the price. what they need is a good and affordable midrange zoom range, and a good affordable ultrawide, and a wider fster prime (20 f2 maybe).

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevindar/

Is there an adaptor to fit the Canon 11-22 EF-M lens to the A6000 ... and does it retain Auto-focus ??

--
/eric
Staffordshire, UK

Nope. there is an adapter that you can use with canon ef/efs mount, such as the 10-18 stm. it does have AF, but for all practical purposes, its a MF lens. however, it does retain IS function. Its possible that a7000 (or whatever its called) will inherit the much better AF compatibility of A7RII, where canon lenses become a lot more practical.

However, the ultrawide is one place where I can live without AF. I use the 10-18 AFS and am generally happy with it on the a6000

10mm f9

100% crop of the extreme bottom left corner

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevindar/

Thanks .. that's what I thought... since the EF-M is and always has been a bit of an oddity - even for Canon users... but your example of the 10-18 is further re-assurance as that is the lens I really feel more likely to be one that I'd take to.. and the pic is a good example. I doubt if I want the extreme low end but it's really a sort of "freebie" to get the 18 end which does attract me and know that the whole lower range is also there.. who knows.. maybe I'll like it when used !!... must say I've seen some very nice shots with it.

Those are superb pics on Flickr !!



--
/eric
Staffordshire, UK

 

[kevindar]

Thanks Eric.

rokinon 12mm as another option, which is extremely good and much cheaper than sony if you are ok with a prime. Of course it does not have AF or IS, but optically very very good and does not require an adapter. I also happen to shoot canon, so canon lenses on my a6000 make a lot more sense.