Advise with starting my lens purchases
Dec 10, 2017 14:21:23 #
MiraMeadows wrote:
OK Rook 2c4...the only lens I have is an FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G OSS. It was an open box ( used) lens from Best Buy which was not used at all by previous owner and was 40% off retail. Thats the only reason I purchased it first, the price and I knew it was a decent lens and I love macro shots. This is a really stupid question, can I use a macro lens for nonmacro shooting? Like I would an 85mm? If so I don't need to buy an 85mm in the future.
Worth a read: https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/any-issues-using-macro-lens-as-normal-lens.347256/
Dec 10, 2017 14:24:25 #
They do BebuLamar. They make two 18-200mm f3.5 and FE 24-240mm f3.5 but wouldn't these be pretty heavy?
Dec 10, 2017 14:31:16 #
Thanks Hank. Just read and I may need to get an 85mm down the road.
Dec 10, 2017 14:37:16 #
MiraMeadows wrote:
They do BebuLamar. They make two 18-200mm f3.5 and FE 24-240mm f3.5 but wouldn't these be pretty heavy?
I don't think there is either 18-200 or 35-200 in FE mount as you do need the full frame lenses.
Dec 10, 2017 23:00:13 #
MiraMeadows wrote:
OK Rook 2c4...the only lens I have is an FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G OSS. It was an open box ( used) lens from Best Buy which was not used at all by previous owner and was 40% off retail. Thats the only reason I purchased it first, the price and I knew it was a decent lens and I love macro shots. This is a really stupid question, can I use a macro lens for nonmacro shooting? Like I would an 85mm? If so I don't need to buy an 85mm in the future.
Yes, you can use the 90mm Macro as a regular 'non macro' lens and it is a very good one. However you might find the focal distance a little awkward for anything other than portraits.
Dec 10, 2017 23:24:49 #
MiraMeadows wrote:
I got some wonderful feedback from fellow members ... (show quote)
I suggest waiting for a couple of weeks for some technical reviews on the recently announced FE 24-105mm f4 G OSS. They are in the stores now. Some of the 'first impression' reviews are a bit mixed, but Brian Smith describes it as "Close to the GM. Much better than the 24-70 F4 Zeiss". If it is as good as he says, it could be your 'core' lens. However it is quite a bit bigger and heavier than the 24-70 F4 Zeiss and it will be awhile before you will see a used one. I have the 24-70 Zeiss and I love it. The A7Rii has so much resolution you can afford to crop quite a bit if you need to get in closer than 70mm.
For primes, I see you already have the 90mm macro. I don't see why you would need the 85mm unless you gave up macro and sold the 90mm. The FE 28mm F2.0 is a very good lens, compact, lightweight and excellent value. If you think that isin't wide enough, take a look at the 24mm Batis.
There are 4 or 5 excellent 'normal' 50 mm primes at varying price ranges. The 55mm is the one on my list.
Dec 10, 2017 23:33:53 #
MiraMeadows wrote:
OK Rook 2c4...the only lens I have is an FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G OSS. It was an open box ( used) lens from Best Buy which was not used at all by previous owner and was 40% off retail. Thats the only reason I purchased it first, the price and I knew it was a decent lens and I love macro shots. This is a really stupid question, can I use a macro lens for nonmacro shooting? Like I would an 85mm? If so I don't need to buy an 85mm in the future.
Of course macros can be used to take other pictures. Well except for the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro-it only focus out to about 12" but it does shots of lifesize to 5X lifesize.
I use a Tamron 180 mm f/3.5 macro to do hummingbirds at the feeder, butterflies etc. When I add a 1.4X extender and put it on my APS-C body it gives the angle of view of a 403 mm which is considered a good length for birds.
Dec 11, 2017 02:55:29 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
MiraMeadows wrote:
I read somewhere that zooms are great when you can't use your legs, for what ever reason, to get to the best vantage point. Primes require your legs become the zoom to achieve the best vantage point.
Nonsense!! No matter the lens, you still have to get the camera to the vantage point you want. A zoom lens only makes it easier to get the framing you want from that point, nothing more.
Dec 11, 2017 04:43:57 #
MiraMeadows wrote:
I got some wonderful feedback from fellow members ... (show quote)
If you can shoot manual, which is very easy with your camera and works perfectly for landscapes, then a good lens for you would be a Nikon 28-80 3.3-5.6 G lens from the film era. It is a plastic lens with great optical quality that you can get for $20-50 on Ebay and other sites any day of the year. With a $20 adapter you are all set for your landscape shooting. I use this lens often on a Sony A7r and get just as good shots with it as with any other lens I have. But you must learn how to adjust your lens and focus manually to make this work. It takes about half an hour to learn it.
Dec 11, 2017 06:24:48 #
MiraMeadows wrote:
I got some wonderful feedback from fellow members ... (show quote)
Don't be afraid of non-Sony lenses. When you narrow down your choices, look for reviews and comparisons. I have lenses in the 18-200 and 300mm range as general purpose lenses.
Below are links recommending lenses for Sony E-mount cameras.
http://briansmith.com/sony-a7-a7r-a7s-lens-guide/
https://www.slrlounge.com/first-5-lenses-buy-sony-a7-series-camera/
https://www.dxomark.com/sony-a7r-ii-best-prime-lenses-review/
http://cameratimes.org/best-lenses-sony-a7rii/
https://www.digitalrev.com/article/5-must-have-lenses-for-the-sony-a7r-ii
Dec 11, 2017 07:18:19 #
MiraMeadows wrote:
I got some wonderful feedback from fellow members ... (show quote)
FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS Lens
Dec 11, 2017 07:22:58 #
sr71 wrote:
FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS Lens
sr71 - do you have the lens yet? If so, I'm assuming it's met your expectations...? I've been awaiting detailed reviews before deciding to take the plunge on this one. Welcome your thoughts / insights. Thanks.
Dec 11, 2017 08:03:05 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
MiraMeadows wrote:
I got some wonderful feedback from fellow members ... (show quote)
Should a, Could a, went with this. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1326750-REG/sony_alpha_a7r_ii_mirrorless.html
Dec 11, 2017 08:15:44 #
Mira, I see many things from a practical standpoint and cameras are one of them. The Sony a7RII has to be a professional full frame camera. I have never used one but I have seen the images it produces and with good optics they are spectacular. I know the camera is very expensive and wonder, did you really need that? At over $2000 that has to be an expensive camera, at leas it is for me.
Since that is what you wanted, not necessarily what you needed, I have to say that it is fine but you have more than you need for your photography. I know that the a6500 is an excellent camera and even the old a6000 is very good and has an attractive price. Both of the cameras I have mentioned have enough features to make even a professional happy and I know a professional who uses them.
Your dilemma now is to buy the lenses that will bring the best performance from the camera you bought. Since I am not familiar with Sony I will not make any comments about the lenses but if so you are inclined there are excellent Zeiss lenses available for it and they are pricey also.
Now save some of the money you will spend on lenses and use it to learn basic photography. Cameras tend to perform better when we have basic photographic knowledge.
Good luck to you...and Merry Christmas.
Since that is what you wanted, not necessarily what you needed, I have to say that it is fine but you have more than you need for your photography. I know that the a6500 is an excellent camera and even the old a6000 is very good and has an attractive price. Both of the cameras I have mentioned have enough features to make even a professional happy and I know a professional who uses them.
Your dilemma now is to buy the lenses that will bring the best performance from the camera you bought. Since I am not familiar with Sony I will not make any comments about the lenses but if so you are inclined there are excellent Zeiss lenses available for it and they are pricey also.
Now save some of the money you will spend on lenses and use it to learn basic photography. Cameras tend to perform better when we have basic photographic knowledge.
Good luck to you...and Merry Christmas.
Dec 11, 2017 08:24:24 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
My first camera evolved into three lenses, a 24mm f1.8, a 50 mm f1.2 and a 125 mm f1.8. I{ was really happy with all of them. Eventually I added a zoom, a 100-200 mm f2.8. In time I eventually added macro lenses and telephoto zooms too. But then that was fifty years ago when the technology was a lot different.
Today I went for the 12-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm zooms each f2.8. That gives me an amazing range for the different things I take pictures of, the only problem with them is that they tend to be expensive and heavy. There are f4 versions available which could save you money and weight.
Thinking back to all the gear I've had and still have, I have a hunch that I'd likely now go with a 24mm, a 24-70mm, and a 200mm. That gives me a wide angle perspective and a telephoto one and in the middle if have a range for capturing people at events.
Today I went for the 12-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm zooms each f2.8. That gives me an amazing range for the different things I take pictures of, the only problem with them is that they tend to be expensive and heavy. There are f4 versions available which could save you money and weight.
Thinking back to all the gear I've had and still have, I have a hunch that I'd likely now go with a 24mm, a 24-70mm, and a 200mm. That gives me a wide angle perspective and a telephoto one and in the middle if have a range for capturing people at events.
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