Smallest lenses for A7

[Itamath]

Hi guys,

I've decided to buy the A7 but I want to keep it small as much as I can (I own the A6000+Ziess touit 32mm 1.8 which is quiet light weight and compact). Which lenses to consider in the range of 20-50mm? MF is an option in case it's easy to focus. I read about the Voigtlander 40mm 1.4 which looks cool.

Thanks in advance,

 

[mike_j]

The VM 40mm f1.4 is an excellent lens. I used to own one for my Leica but it suffered from focus shift which doesn't matter on a live view camera but is a nuisance on a rangefinder. Apart from that it was great, sharp, contrasty, perhaps a little to much so.

It does benefit from a lens hood and doesn't come with one. A generic type should do but the bayonet fit ventilated original looks the business (the slots are for the rangefinder to look though).

 

[Mathieu18]

Great lens, very very contrasty, lots of 3D pop. More pop with slightly more muted colors vs. Zeiss. Central sharpness is okay at 1.4 but its a bit dreamy. f/2 is real nice for portraits etc. f/2.8 sharpens up pretty good. f/8-f/11 work pretty well for landscapes.













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[Alpha Photo]

Maybe not quite as small as the V40 - but sill tiny and feather light: FE35/2.8 - it's so light, when you receive this in the mail, you probably will think someone sent you an empty box.

Razor sharp, and don't underestimate the benefit of full EXIF and support of all AF modes. The Sony 16mm is even smaller (true pancake lens), but fills only 25mm.

 

[SQLGuy]

This was covered recently in this thread: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3831800

Edit: Sorry, that was an older (but also good) thread on this topic. The newer one is here: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/57579164

 

[NetSlob]

Another vote for the FE35 Sony/Zeiss f/2.8 . It's shockingly light - 4.23 ounces (120 grams)! The lens is plenty sharp and delivers the trademark Zeiss microcontrast and colors. It's a great 'walkabout' lens.

 

[Si019]

I have been using the Sony fe28 f2, similar size to the fe35, gives great results in the studio and as a walkabout lenes. But everyone that uses the fe35 loves them and pretty seem to say it's there favourite lenes.

 

[LCT]

CV 21/4, Rokkor 28/2.8, CV 35/2.5, ZM 35/2.8, Leica 40/2, ZM 50/1.5, Leica 50/2 v4, Leica 50/2.8 v2.
Best,
LCT

 

[Rol Lei Nut]

Leica M Summicron 35mm 2.0 type IV. The benchmark for small & good...

 

[Rol Lei Nut]

CV 21/4, Rokkor 28/2.8, CV 35/2.5, ZM 35/2.8, Leica 40/2, ZM 50/1.5, Leica 50/2 v4, Leica 50/2.8 v2.
Best,
LCT

The C/V 21 4.0 does NOT play well with the A7 sensor. IIRC, some of the ZM lenses listed don't as well.

 

[LCT]

Rol Lei Nut wrote:
The C/V 21 4.0 does NOT play well with the A7 sensor. IIRC, some of the ZM lenses listed don't as well.

I should have said that i have a Kolari mod A7s sorry. Forget my post above folks if you're not interested in the mod.
Best,
LCT

 

[Itamath]

Have not said earlier but I'm looking for a used lens in the range of $200-400.

 

[mg_k]

Have not said earlier but I'm looking for a used lens in the range of $200-400.

Don't bother with adapted lens. By the time you add an adapter the combo isn't small anymore.

Save your money and get the FE35.

 

[LCT]

Many RF lenses are still smaller despite of the adapter.
Best,
LCT

 

[Si019]

Have not said earlier but I'm looking for a used lens in the range of $200-400.

Don't bother with adapted lens. By the time you add an adapter the combo isn't small anymore.

Save your money and get the FE35.

 

[meanwhile]

Have not said earlier but I'm looking for a used lens in the range of $200-400.

Don't bother with adapted lens. By the time you add an adapter the combo isn't small anymore.

Save your money and get the FE35.

Very blanket statement, it's not that simple. The FE35 is a great lens, I have it, but Leica-M to E-mount adaptor is very small. Throw the tiny Minolta M-Rokkor 40/2 on there and you have a beautiful combination for ~US$400.

Here's a photo of the Sony FE35 and the Minolta 40/2 + adaptor (sorry for the quick and dirty photo).






Fair Go. A7II + Minolta M-Rokkor 40/2.

 

[olstrup]

Have not said earlier but I'm looking for a used lens in the range of $200-400.

Don't bother with adapted lens. By the time you add an adapter the combo isn't small anymore.

Save your money and get the FE35.

 

[Tuloom]

Have not said earlier but I'm looking for a used lens in the range of $200-400.

Don't bother with adapted lens. By the time you add an adapter the combo isn't small anymore.

Save your money and get the FE35.

Agree. And I use almost exclusively MF, adapted lenses. You won't find ---all three--- smaller, lighter, and better than the FE35 for the money.

120 wee grams of excellent with the exception of some blue/green fringing in the bokeh.

Turns the A7 series into a FF point-n-shoot.



Full size sample:

 

[olstrup]

Have not said earlier but I'm looking for a used lens in the range of $200-400.

A cheaper alternative to the Summicron M could be the older Summaron M 35/2.8. It's also a fine lens. I used one for a couple of years back in the day before getting the 'cron. It's still somewhat over your budget though.

BTW, a nice, small and lightweight short tele is the Tele-Elmarit M 90/2.8 or the Elmar C 90/4. They don't come smaller than that.

Those older Leica lenses work well on mirrorless from 35mm and longer. I'd say that they are impossible to wear out for an amateur photographer. The Summicron 35, I use now with my A7S is the one I used to photograph my sons birth. He's 30 years old by now. The lens still works as well as it did back then. The same goes for my Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8.

If you intend to keep your lenses for many years, I can recommend saving for those older Leica lenses. A well kept 30-40 years old sample will be in use many years after a brand new modern lens with numerous lens elements and fragile electronics has stopped working. However, if you intend to swap lenses regularly to always have the newest , the Leica lenses are likely not for you.

I won't say anything about "investment" because being an amateur, I don't buy gear for reselling with a profit but to get gear I like to use.

 

[mg_k]

Have not said earlier but I'm looking for a used lens in the range of $200-400.

Don't bother with adapted lens. By the time you add an adapter the combo isn't small anymore.

Save your money and get the FE35.

Agree. And I use almost exclusively MF, adapted lenses. You won't find ---all three--- smaller, lighter, and better than the FE35 for the money.

120 wee grams of excellent with the exception of some blue/green fringing in the bokeh.

Turns the A7 series into a FF point-n-shoot.

Full size sample:

Well said.

I bought mine brand new for ~$350 USD during cashback and it's glued on my A7RII.

Also buying vintage adapted lens is like a lucky draw unless you really know your stuff. I'd rather spend a lil more for a brand new native AF lens that is proven to be a great little performer.

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