Small or pancake lens for SONY NEX-7, NEX-5T to make it pocketable: I may go on a trip to Europe and have to travel light. I decided to take mirrorless equipment and the Canon DSLRs...

DrJ

I may go on a trip to Europe and have to travel light. I decided to take mirrorless equipment and the Canon DSLRs will stay home. I have two APS-C mirrorless--SONY NEX-7 and NEX-5T, and two micro 4/3 mirrorless--Olympus OM-D-E-M5 and Panasonic Lumix M5. I have the kit lens for each and a 55-210 tele-zoom for the SONY. I'm leaning on taking the SONY cameras. Does anyone know of a decent, affordable wide angle pancake or tiny lens that will make the NEX-5T pocketable? I'm very experienced with legacy MF lenses, but the adapter prevents pocketability. (I may take a non-pocketable, proven 50/1.4 legacy lens for night photos). Leading tiny lens contenders are the: Neewer/Meike/Discover/7artisans 25mm f1.8 ($70), or the Zonlai 22/1.8 ($143). The photozone reviews of the SONY E-mount pancake lenses are disappointing. Suggestions and comments on experience with pancake lenses would be appreciated. DrJ

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

DrJ wrote:

I may go on a trip to Europe and have to travel li... (show quote)

Sony's 16-50mm lens is only about 1" thick, I would think that would do the job for you.

repleo Loc: Boston

DrJ wrote:

I may go on a trip to Europe and have to travel li... (show quote)

The 16-50 is jacket pocketable on my A6000. I would expect it to be just as pocketable on a NEX 7 or 5T. I usually carry my A6000 and 18-105 F4.0 OSS G for walking around during the day in Europe, but I will switch to the 16-50 with just a wrist strap for going out for dinner in the evening.

le boecere

DrJ wrote:

I may go on a trip to Europe and have to travel li... (show quote)

This is strictly my own "FWIW" experience:

When I bought an a6000 (similar size to the NEX-7), I discovered that it won't "pocket" easily with the rubber
eye-cup, and wanted to avoid the two Sony E-mount 20mm & 16mm for the reasons you've given. Bought an a5-series from
KEH in vain hope of pocketing it with the Chinese 35mm f/1.8 (SEL35F18) attached. Nope. That was not the answer
for me, either.

So, I finally listened to a mentor and found a used RX100III, and that has become my EDC pocket camera.

Incidentally, and unintentionally, I discovered that my favorite "pancake" lens/camera combo is the Fujifilm X-E2
w/27mm pancake fitted; carried cross-body, under my left armpit.

(Were I to ever need a "pancake" lens for the a6000, I think I'd just reach to the back of my camera shelf,
dust off the 16-50mm kit lens, and hope for the best ~ in fact, it might be quite tolerable on the 5T)

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

DrJ wrote:

I may go on a trip to Europe and have to travel li... (show quote)

After coming back from Europe with a Fuji X-T20, a lens in the 25 - 27 mm lenses are not going to be wide enough. European streets are hella narrow, to get an entire facade of a building, I almost had to be on the opposite corner crosswise in an intersection, and this was with the 16-50 Fuji lens.

DrJ

Repleo and MT Shooter: I considered the SONY 16-50 pancake kit lens and almost bought one. I saw a deal on an open box SONY a6000 + 16-50 lens and told the salesman I'd buy it. I could use another body and I'd give the lens a try. When I went to pay, the manager said the price was too low and nixed the deal. The review of the 16-50 was terrible in photozone [ http://www.opticallimits.com/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/842-sony1650f3556oss?start=2 ] that I'm hesitant to buy the lens unless it is bundled with a body I want. Thanks for the suggestions.

DrJ

Thanks lebocere: I considered the SONY RX-100 III--great reviews-- and may get one eventually. I'm intruiged with the Fuji X system and may buy a used Fuji X-T1 as my next toy. I played with my friend's Fuji X-T1 and I love the ergonomics and retro dials. For the near term, I'll spring for a pancake lens and may buy a new camera later in the year.

DrJ

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

After coming back from Europe with a Fuji X-T20, a lens in the 25 - 27 mm lenses are not going to be wide enough. European streets are hella narrow, to get an entire facade of a building, I almost had to be on the opposite corner crosswise in an intersection, and this was with the 16-50 Fuji lens.

Good point, thanks for the caution. I have a reasonably sharp copy of the SONY 18-55 which will hopefully cover the narrow streets. A 14 or 16-mm prime would be better, but I don't want to spend too much on a lens before the trip. Thanks

DrJ

repleo wrote:

The 16-50 is jacket pocketable on my A6000. I would expect it to be just as pocketable on a NEX 7 or 5T. I usually carry my A6000 and 18-105 F4.0 OSS G for walking around during the day in Europe, but I will switch to the 16-50 with just a wrist strap for going out for dinner in the evening.

Do you like the SONY 18-105 f4? It seems like the best WA zoom for SONY E-mount that doesn't cost more than the body. I didn't like the power assist zoom feature but i suppose I could get used to it.

le boecere

DrJ wrote:

Do you like the SONY 18-105 f4? It seems like the best WA zoom for SONY E-mount that doesn't cost more than the body. I didn't like the power assist zoom feature but i suppose I could get used to it.

Can you ignore the power zoom and just zoom manually, with that lens?

DrJ

I don't think so, but not sure.

DrJ

Repleo and MT Shooter: I just read Ken Rockwell's review of the SONY 16-50 and he shows some real nice photos. Perhaps his copy was better than the one Photozone tested.

repleo Loc: Boston

DrJ wrote:

Repleo and MT Shooter: I just read Ken Rockwell's review of the SONY 16-50 and he shows some real nice photos. Perhaps his copy was better than the one Photozone tested.

The 16-50 is a little miracle of engineering. It is featherlight, compact, power zoom (nice for video) and has OSS (stabilization). You can pick them up slightly used on eBay for around $80. I don't pixel peek, but I would say it is plenty sharp for travel, family occasions and everyday use. I use the 18-105 more often because of the longer reach and the constant F4.

repleo Loc: Boston

DrJ wrote:

Do you like the SONY 18-105 f4? It seems like the best WA zoom for SONY E-mount that doesn't cost more than the body. I didn't like the power assist zoom feature but i suppose I could get used to it.

Yes I do like 18-105 F4. It is the lens I use most. You can use the manual zoom ring on the lens if you don't like the powere zoom. I have considered changing it for the new(ish) 18-135 which is about 4oz lighter and is physically a little shorter and narrower, but I think I would miss the constant F4 of the 18-105.

DrJ

Hogs: Thanks to all for the comments. You convinced me to reconsider the SONY 16-50 and I intend to bid on several listed on ebay.