Sony's big miss
Aug 25, 2015 09:20:38 #
Just a thought. I'm interested in what others might think so I'll be lurking and reading the answers without getting into what might be a p***ing contest.
In my opinion, although Sony has produced a great a7 series of cameras, they have done us a great disservice by not designing their lenses to use a standard filter size.
Good ND filters and polarizers are pricey, and I would not want to have to have a number of them.
Compare to my Nikon lenses that all use the 77mm diameter filter.
Your thoughts? Maybe someone from Sony will get the message.
In my opinion, although Sony has produced a great a7 series of cameras, they have done us a great disservice by not designing their lenses to use a standard filter size.
Good ND filters and polarizers are pricey, and I would not want to have to have a number of them.
Compare to my Nikon lenses that all use the 77mm diameter filter.
Your thoughts? Maybe someone from Sony will get the message.
Aug 25, 2015 09:25:57 #
Not all my Nikon lenses use the 77mm filter. Certainly not my 50mm 1.8 nor my newest pre-order, the 200-500 which uses an expensive 95mm.
Few things in life and almost everything in engineering involve trade-offs. You can't make a long, 2.8 lens with a small objective. And to make a fixed 35mm or 50mm lens with the bigger filter size would probably make it needlessly heavy and/or more expensive.
Few things in life and almost everything in engineering involve trade-offs. You can't make a long, 2.8 lens with a small objective. And to make a fixed 35mm or 50mm lens with the bigger filter size would probably make it needlessly heavy and/or more expensive.
Aug 25, 2015 09:33:44 #
BobHartung wrote:
Just a thought. I'm interested in what others mig... (show quote)
Bob, Greg touched on it. I've a number of Nikkor lenses. They vary in filter diameters with most at 52mm. The more recent lenses I've purchased are 62 and 77mm.
Each has its own UV filter. However, the more expensive CP and ND filters are a different story. I purchased the largest one I need and use adapter rings for the smaller dia. lenses.
--Bob
Aug 25, 2015 09:48:52 #
BobHartung wrote:
Just a thought. I'm interested in what others mig... (show quote)
My thoughts? should a lens be designed round a filter - or should the filter be designed round a lens?
Aug 25, 2015 10:25:43 #
Delderby wrote:
My thoughts? should a lens be designed round a filter - or should the filter be designed round a lens?
Good point. I was just thinking how nice it is that my three Nikon go-to zoom lenses all use the 77 mm filter size. Saves big $$ when buying high quality variable ND filters especially.
Aug 25, 2015 10:33:32 #
Bob, if you think about it, their A mount high quality lenses DO HAVE for the most, 77mm filters sizes. That includes the G and Sony Zeiss lines with one exception. And Sony offers a full lineup of high quality glass in their A mount category.
But those 77mm's are large, heavy lenses... outside of the intended form factor of the A7 series cameras which are small and light.
In fact, the only lenses that have 77mm filter sizes are the ones that are adapted for use on the A7 series of cameras.
The native lenses are smaller to match the smaller bodies.
THAT'S why most are f/4 and below... because faster lenses would necessitate bigger lens bodies and that would defeat the purpose of having a small light full frame camera with native lenses.
But those 77mm's are large, heavy lenses... outside of the intended form factor of the A7 series cameras which are small and light.
In fact, the only lenses that have 77mm filter sizes are the ones that are adapted for use on the A7 series of cameras.
The native lenses are smaller to match the smaller bodies.
THAT'S why most are f/4 and below... because faster lenses would necessitate bigger lens bodies and that would defeat the purpose of having a small light full frame camera with native lenses.
Aug 25, 2015 10:35:09 #
BobHartung wrote:
Good point. I was just thinking how nice it is that my three Nikon go-to zoom lenses all use the 77 mm filter size. Saves big $$ when buying high quality variable ND filters especially.
Yes - but should we expect Sony to make their equipment compatible with Nikon? After all - it is Sony who will be #1 soon - so they should be calling the shots. :-)
Aug 25, 2015 10:50:25 #
N
I wouldn't worry about all that much Bob!
Even if you bought a filter for every lens Sony makes, you would not have to buy very many.
That's the REAL problem with Sony!!! :lol:
SS
BobHartung wrote:
Just a thought. I'm interested in what others mig... (show quote)
I wouldn't worry about all that much Bob!
Even if you bought a filter for every lens Sony makes, you would not have to buy very many.
That's the REAL problem with Sony!!! :lol:
SS
Aug 25, 2015 10:57:15 #
BobHartung wrote:
Just a thought. I'm interested in what others mig... (show quote)
Buy a 77mm, or whatever the largest you need and use step up rings to attach it to the lens.
Aug 25, 2015 11:14:19 #
Darkroom317 wrote:
Buy a 77mm, or whatever the largest you need and use step up rings to attach it to the lens.
Which is the same conclusion I would seek.
Adapt. But be aware it is a compromise.
Brings to mind my ring flash I got for Macro. It came with enough adapters, I have them left over for lenses I don't have (And may never have).
Now that was intelligent on their part. And happiness on mine. ;)
Aug 25, 2015 11:54:16 #
Delderby wrote:
Yes - but should we expect Sony to make their equipment compatible with Nikon? After all - it is Sony who will be #1 soon - so they should be calling the shots. :-)
You missed my point. I do not expect Sony to adapt to Nikon or vice versa. It is just that Sony does not have internal consistency in their own series of lenses.
Aug 25, 2015 11:54:45 #
My approach to this issue, with my Canon gear, has been to buy my largest filters, and the adapter rings to fit them downwards-it's WAY CHEAPER this way. I'm stepping my 77mm filters down to 72, 67, and 62mm this way. The 58mm filters are stepped down for my 52mm sized lenses.
Aug 25, 2015 11:55:30 #
Darkroom317 wrote:
Buy a 77mm, or whatever the largest you need and use step up rings to attach it to the lens.
I hate to think how many step up and step down rings I have lost in the field, usually while fumbling around in the dark and not using other than a small red light so not to distract/interfere with other photographers.
Aug 25, 2015 11:58:17 #
travisdeland wrote:
My approach to this issue, with my Canon gear, has been to buy my largest filters, and the adapter rings to fit them downwards-it's WAY CHEAPER this way. I'm stepping my 77mm filters down to 72, 67, and 62mm this way. The 58mm filters are stepped down for my 52mm sized lenses.
Did you then purchase a third party lens shade to fit the 77mm thread of the filter? If so, what brand did you find satisfactory?
Aug 25, 2015 12:45:46 #
I did-got it off of Ebay, but don't remember who the vendor was. It was just a "cheapo" screw on. I don't often use filters, so didn't want to invest too heavily into the gear.
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