Mid / Normal Zoom for Sony A7Rii: I purchased a Sony A7Rii (FF) a couple of months ago and I am in the process of slowly changing out my APS-C lenses to FF. I kept my A6000 because it...

repleo Loc: Boston

I purchased a Sony A7Rii (FF) a couple of months ago and I am in the process of slowly changing out my APS-C lenses to FF. I kept my A6000 because it is such a great little camera for travel. The lens I use most on both cameras is the Sony 18-105mm OSS G lens. The 18-105 is even better on the A7Rii in crop mode than on the A6000. I am very happy with it, but of course I am not getting the full benefit of the FF sensor. I shoot landscapes mostly. I love the range of the 18-105 but I don't use the long end that much.

The 24-70 G Master is too big and heavy (and expensive) for a walk-about lens. I am considering going for a used FF Sony Zeiss 24-70 F4. However, reviews for the Zeiss seem mixed. I am wondering if I would get any benefit in color, sharpness etc over the crop 18-105 G. Being able to get bigger prints is not a serious consideration for me.

Anybody Hogs been through this scenario? How do the 18-105 and 24-70 compare in terms of IQ when used on a FF Sony?

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...the 24-70 seems like your best choice...unless you go for the 55mm prime...

repleo Loc: Boston

SkyKing wrote:

...the 24-70 seems like your best choice...unless you go for the 55mm prime...

Thanks SkyKing. The 55mm is next on my wish list if the 24-70 doesn't pan out. I like primes, but I want a decent zoom for when I'm feeling lazy.

AnthonyM Loc: Pasadena, CA

Keep an open mind:

The Sony 28-70 is really a pretty nice lens. Maybe a little slow but certainly worth its price if you're being careful with your money. It's FF, AF with exif and not too heavy if you're lazy. The reviews put it close to the [very much] more expensive Zeiss.

There are several really nice mid range zoom that you can adapt. There are a couple of Zeiss in C-Y mount that are good and relatively cheap for what they are. 28-85, 35-70, 24-85 all have good reputations. I had the 28-85 and really miss it. As I suggested, keep an open mind, adapting lenses is a lot of fun and will reward you with really interesting images.

I have the Sony/Zeiss 55 and it lives on my camera.

Definitely get outta crop mode! Any of the lenses I mentioned will not be outresolved by your ginormous 42mp sensor!

Best of luck,
AM

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

repleo wrote:

I purchased a Sony A7Rii (FF) a couple of months a... (show quote)

I got a Tamron 18-200mm for my A6000. Very nice lens. I did comparisons with the Sony 55-210mm, and as a result, I sold the Sony and kept the Tamron.

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

I have the Sony/Zeiss FE 24-70 f4 that I use with my A7RII and I am very happy with it. Nice size and not too heavy. Great all-around lens.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

I was going to initiate a discussion about this topic, so I might as well join in. One of my lens for my Sony a7ii is the 28-70. I haven't used it much, because of its stigma as not as good as the 24-70 Zeiss. I used the 28-70 outside last week and was very pleased with the results.

I've been debating purchasing the 24-70 Zeiss because of my nagging concern that I don't have "the best." Having much more respect for the 28-70 after last week, I believe the lens has a place among my lenses.

Have an open mind to the 28-70.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

I was going to initiate a discussion about this topic, so I might as well join in. One of my lens for my Sony a7ii is the 28-70. I haven't used it much, because of its stigma as not as good as the 24-70 Zeiss. I used the 28-70 outside last week and was very pleased with the results.

I've been debating purchasing the 24-70 Zeiss because of my nagging concern that I don't have "the best." Having much more respect for the 28-70 after last week, I believe the lens has a place among my lenses.

Have an open mind to the 28-70.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

repleo wrote:

I purchased a Sony A7Rii (FF) a couple of months a... (show quote)

Why would you use crop mode on the A7R2 when you have the A6000? The A6000 has 24MPix. In crop mode, the A7R2 has 18.6MPix. How is that "better?"

u1003074 Loc: Goshen, New York

I have a Sony A7r. If you want to save money, I recommend using a Tamron 28-75mm with the proper Sony lens adaptor. It is sharp and doesn't weigh a lot and it's made for full frame cameras.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

AnthonyM wrote:

Keep an open mind: br br The Sony 28-70 is reall... (show quote)

I agree, The Sony FE 28-70mm is really a nice lens and the Sony/Zeiss 55mm is super, for longer reach I use a Minolta 100-300 APO with a LA4 adaptor This lens is small and light weight.

repleo Loc: Boston

jackpinoh wrote:

Why would you use crop mode on the A7R2 when you have the A6000? The A6000 has 24MPix. In crop mode, the A7R2 has 18.6MPix. How is that "better?"

Even in crop mode I still get the benefit of the A7Rii's better ISO, Dynamic Range and Color Depth - 1.5 - 2 stops worth. 18 MPix is plenty for my needs unless I have to do some heavy cropping. I'm not very knowledgeable or sophisticated in these matters, but I can tell that the pictures are just 'better' coming from the A7Rii especially in low or transitional light. I still love my A6000 though and it is my favorite carry around camera when I have nothing special in mind.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

u1003074 wrote:

I have a Sony A7r. If you want to save money, I recommend using a Tamron 28-75mm with the proper Sony lens adaptor. It is sharp and doesn't weigh a lot and it's made for full frame cameras.

Does the Tamron lens with an adopted autofocus on the a7r?

u1003074 Loc: Goshen, New York

With the correct Sony adapter, the autofocus works great.

repleo Loc: Boston

AnthonyM wrote:

Keep an open mind: br br The Sony 28-70 is reall... (show quote)

I've been looking at some of those Zeiss C-Y lenses you mentioned. All of he reviews so far have been very favorable. What adapter do you use? I am OK with a manual adapter, but I came across a 'Fringer' adapter that appears to give autofocus - but at $400 is pretty expensive.