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08/19/2017 09:38:35 AM · #1
Ok -- getting close to buying the Sony a6500 instead of the Canon 7D mark ii.

But I know nothing about native lenses...

The biggest need is good quality lens for a wedding in October. (best friend's daughter is getting married).

The 24-70 2.8 seems like the one to get. Not feasible because of cost. So what's my next best bet?

Would the 18-105 f4 be good enough?

How do the Zeis sony lenses compare to the regular sony lenses? Would the 16-70 f4 zeis be a better wedding lens than the 18-105?

The my canon 85mm is awesome, but not really functional inside because of the cropped sensor. Is it worth getting the 50mm 1.8? It's only $200. Is it any good?

Or should I be getting the 70-200 f4, which will be difficult on a cropped sensor and just fill in with the canon lenses I have.

I'm incredibly grateful for all the help you guys have been giving. I'm so nervous about this change because I'm spending more than I have, and don't want to make a stupid decision. But it's time for better quality than I have.

Message edited by author 2017-08-19 09:40:44.
08/19/2017 10:06:22 AM · #2
Originally posted by vawendy:

How do the Zeis Sony lenses compare to the regular sony lenses? Would the 16-70 f4 Zeiss be a better wedding lens than the 18-105?

I assume you mean the 24-70mm f/4 Zeiss. Penny and I both have that. In general the Zeiss optics ARE better, but Sony are also making some high-quality "G" optics of their own now. The f/2.8 24-70mm, from what I've heard, is better than the f/4 we have, but it wasn't an option when we bought in and we're satisfied with what we have.
08/19/2017 11:23:26 AM · #3
It's funny, know that Sony is starting to fill out their lineup of glass it should be a good thing, but it does make it more challenging to figure out the "which one" question. $$$ is very much a factor as I find much of their new stuff outside of my reach, especially for casual photography. I own the a7II, yet only have one e-mount lens (cheapo, but decent, 28-70).

To your question ... I did own the 18-105 for a little while, coupled with the A6000, and I really liked that lens. Kind of wish I'd kept it to use in APS-C mode on the a7II. I don't know of any major flaws with it that wouldn't allow you to get some quality photos for the wedding, especially if you have time for some post work. Indoors the F4 may be a bit slower than you need.

Have you considered using manual focus lens? The focus peaking is excellent and it's really hard to miss focus nowadays in manual mode unless the subject is moving too quickly. For portraits, group shots, still life photos (basically anything that is staying put in a focal zone) using a manual lens is very easy. There is some great gear out there for very reasonable $$$ in the used market (for me I like the m42 gear). Lots of glass in the 50/55/85/135 range. Also, many manufacturers are making new equipment in manual focus format.

Sorry ... I rambled a bit. Good luck with your decision making!
08/19/2017 07:38:22 PM · #4
Thanks guys!

Regarding manual focus -- I suck with it. I'm looking forward to the focus peaking, but until I have a massive amount of practice, I'd never trust my eyes with manual focus. I've never been able to see it well.

I originally thought I'd just do the 18-105. But I think it's going to be either

70-200 f4 or
24-70 f4

Maybe it's just because wedding lens reviews never mention the 18-105, but the consistently mention the other 2...
08/19/2017 09:02:55 PM · #5
I have the Zeiss 16/80 on my a550.,and it is a cracker of a lens also I have a 28/75 Minolta 2.8 great performer also.( 35-105 crop sensor )

In fim days I used a 35/105 for weddings, found it was a good all rounder .

Message edited by author 2017-08-19 21:10:07.
08/19/2017 10:17:12 PM · #6
Don't know if the A6500 has it, but I just got the Sony A7 ll. It came with a Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS E-mount lens. The lens has been great. There is some distortion with the lens, however, when you try photographing on its widest setting. It is marvelous, though, mid length, maybe around 50 mm. So far, it has been great for macros and portraits. The best feature of this camera, I think, is the Direct Manual Focus. You get the benefit of auto focus, then you can tweak the focus with the dmf. What is really neat, is it zooms to max in your viewer, so you can see the smallest details to focus on. It is only a problem when you are focusing off center. The zoom only zooms to the center of the picture. I have discoveed I can move the camera to focus on what I want, then I move it back to its original composition. It takes a little practice, but the photos I am getting now are so much better focused. If you aren't totally sold on the A 6500 you might want to consider the A7 ll. The price is similar, but there is no built in flash on the A7.
08/21/2017 03:48:58 AM · #7
Hi Wendy, congrats on your decision.

I think the best way to look at it from an X-Canon user is like this.

Sony branded glass is like Canon branded glass, if you want L quality, get the Zeiss branded.

I honestly think that if you are making the switch, I would sell off my Canon stuff and aim to get

Zeiss 24-70 (f2.8 is best but f4 is superb too)
Zeiss 70-200 f4
Zeiss 58mm f1.8

This would give you an excellent arsenal for weddings and for general use. Looking at your pictures, you like portrait and animals.

Sorry forgot about the crop, edit to adjust

Message edited by author 2017-08-21 04:13:59.
08/21/2017 06:27:34 AM · #8
It is quite tricky with crop. Fuji are the only apsc make that make excellent lenses designed specifically for the crop sensor . With Sony (and Nikon/Canon) you kind of have to muddle together a kit from teh full frame offerings in many cases.

When I used Sony the native lenses i used were...

Sony/Zeiss 35mm f1.4FE - absolutely stunning lens with a beautiful rendition but big, heavy and expensive.

Zeiss Batis 18mm f2.8 and 85mm f1.8 - Both of these were also amazingly good lenses.

There are some really amazing lenses for the Sony E system and i really miss them. They often leave the Nikon/Canon alternatives way behind.

I think MAK has given you the best kit for crop if you prefer zoom. Just the 24-70mm and the 55mm would make a good two lens wedding kit.

08/21/2017 07:28:20 AM · #9
Can't comment on the Zeiss options but I love the 24-70 so much I have 2 of them (f4 and f2.8). Been using the f4 on the 70D and the f2.8 on 6D and very pleased with results on both.
08/22/2017 01:53:00 AM · #10
Hiii
I am new user of this site.
08/22/2017 07:00:21 PM · #11
Originally posted by rooum:

It is quite tricky with crop. Fuji are the only apsc make that make excellent lenses designed specifically for the crop sensor . With Sony (and Nikon/Canon) you kind of have to muddle together a kit from teh full frame offerings in many cases.

When I used Sony the native lenses i used were...

Sony/Zeiss 35mm f1.4FE - absolutely stunning lens with a beautiful rendition but big, heavy and expensive.

Zeiss Batis 18mm f2.8 and 85mm f1.8 - Both of these were also amazingly good lenses.

There are some really amazing lenses for the Sony E system and i really miss them. They often leave the Nikon/Canon alternatives way behind.

I think MAK has given you the best kit for crop if you prefer zoom. Just the 24-70mm and the 55mm would make a good two lens wedding kit.


Ack. Was looking at the 70-200 F4 and the 35mm 1.8 because I couldn't afford better. Neither are Zeiss. Neither are in yours or mak's lost.

There is a zeis 35mm, but it's a 2.8 and pricey. I might be about to swing that, but isn't 2.8 getting a bit slow?
08/23/2017 05:38:29 AM · #12
Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by rooum:

It is quite tricky with crop. Fuji are the only apsc make that make excellent lenses designed specifically for the crop sensor . With Sony (and Nikon/Canon) you kind of have to muddle together a kit from teh full frame offerings in many cases.

When I used Sony the native lenses i used were...

Sony/Zeiss 35mm f1.4FE - absolutely stunning lens with a beautiful rendition but big, heavy and expensive.

Zeiss Batis 18mm f2.8 and 85mm f1.8 - Both of these were also amazingly good lenses.

There are some really amazing lenses for the Sony E system and i really miss them. They often leave the Nikon/Canon alternatives way behind.

I think MAK has given you the best kit for crop if you prefer zoom. Just the 24-70mm and the 55mm would make a good two lens wedding kit.


Ack. Was looking at the 70-200 F4 and the 35mm 1.8 because I couldn't afford better. Neither are Zeiss. Neither are in yours or mak's lost.

There is a zeis 35mm, but it's a 2.8 and pricey. I might be about to swing that, but isn't 2.8 getting a bit slow?


I think you might struggle at the wide end with just those two. In full frame terms thats a 105-300 and a 52mm. Fine if you've got a huge amount of space but indoors it may be tricky.

Another alternative is the 28mm f2 which is pretty cheap but meant to be quite good.. There is also a wide angle adapter for it to make it a 21mm. That would give you a FF equivalent of 30mm, 42mm and 105-300mm. I would be much more comfortable with that set up at a wedding

Message edited by author 2017-08-23 08:08:25.
08/23/2017 06:45:09 AM · #13
I'm really appreciating that you guys are sticking with me on this. I'm getting so close to actually ordering.

Down to a few more questions:

Mak: I don't see a zeis 70-200 f4 is the G designation the equivalent?

These are the combinations I'm thinking about. Which package should I do? I'm stubbornly sticking to the 70-200 even though it's a cropped sensor, simply because that's what I know. I know how to zoom in and get a nice shot with a creamy bokeh compressing background. Anything 50 or under scares the crap out of me because I don't know how to use it effectively. I WILL LEARN. Its just why I'm struggling with the low end.

Package 1
a6500
kit lens (16-50) (sale so it's just $100 for a cheap kit lens for fun not wedding, so why not...)
sony 35mm 1.8
metabones
70-200 f4

Package 2 (get rid of $100 kit lens, get zeis 35mm 2.8 instead of sony 1.8 to get better quality?)

a6500
35 2.8
70-200 g
metabones

package 3 (this leaves me with no fast primes. Is this a huge mistake? or can I up the ISO enough on the sony to make it a nice combo? Or I have a 28-70 tamron 2.8 that I could use with the adapter which might make it really slow)
a6500
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens
Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens

Thanks heaps and loads! I'm so close to ordering. Hoping to do it really soon1 (actually, immediately! I'm hoping that maybe I can get it before the weekend.)
08/23/2017 08:06:24 AM · #14
Originally posted by vawendy:

I'm really appreciating that you guys are sticking with me on this. I'm getting so close to actually ordering.

Down to a few more questions:

Mak: I don't see a zeis 70-200 f4 is the G designation the equivalent?

Wendy, the 24-70 f4 and 70-200 are Sony/Zeiss lenses (you can see the Zeiss on the side of the lens here) I believe that is what MAK is referring to.
08/23/2017 08:15:56 AM · #15
Out of your 3 options I would go for Package 1

The 16-50 kit lens might even turn out to be the most useful of the bunch. Stopped down it's probably more than adequate and you've got plenty of room on the wide end if you need it.

The 35mm f1.8 would be good for indoor low light stuff and the focal length is great for candid stuff and portraits.
08/23/2017 09:19:13 AM · #16
You might want to slow down and buy a single lens to start. Have you considered taking your Canon along with your new Sony to the wedding? One camera set for portraits and the other for candids/group shots? Less time changing lenses and camera settings and more time focussing on your subjects.
08/23/2017 12:01:42 PM · #17
I'm bringing both bodies, but the Canon has a lot of noise now. I want something I can trust for quality. The long lens would be for the ceremony and the prime would be for reception. They are actually lenses that I lack for the Canon, as well. My Canon 50mm is dead. Don't have a shorter prime. I have a relatively fast tamron 28-70.
08/23/2017 12:47:29 PM · #18
Package 1 is a nice option. However, I have never owned a cheap kit lens that was any good really, maybe at f8? even at a bargain $100 I'd rather spend it on burgers and beer ;)
If you can find a way to slip the 35mm f1.8 into Package 3, I would say that would be excellent kit for any professional.

Actually sorry,I did mean the Sony Zeiss 70-200 :) Thanks Sarah.
08/23/2017 01:03:43 PM · #19
Going back to read everything in a bit, but I'm still not seeing a Zeis 70-200. The 16-70 is Zeis, but the 70-200 just is a"g" ( for for F4). Can anyone find a link to where it says azeis one?

Thanks!

Going back to catch up on the responses now
08/23/2017 01:09:38 PM · #20
Originally posted by vawendy:

the 70-200 just is a"g" ( for for F4).


Thats the one, looks like a canon lens ... sorry thought it was a zeiss, my bad :)
08/23/2017 01:30:08 PM · #21
Originally posted by MAK:

Originally posted by vawendy:

the 70-200 just is a"g" ( for for F4).


Thats the one, looks like a canon lens ... sorry thought it was a zeiss, my bad :)


Thanks, just making sure.

So, MAK, if you couldn't sneak in the 35mm into package 3, would you still do it? Or would you just do package 1? (Package 3 is already straining things to a breaking point)
08/23/2017 01:58:30 PM · #22
Are you planning on getting a flash?

f/4 is very slow for weddings and events unless you are using a flash. I do think the camera would struggle with high ISO otherwise. Image stabilisation is great for some situations but is of little use when people are in the shot.

Of course, if most of the wedding is outside in good light and you can use a flash indoors then Package 3 is great.
08/23/2017 05:49:52 PM · #23
Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by MAK:

Originally posted by vawendy:

the 70-200 just is a"g" ( for for F4).


Thats the one, looks like a canon lens ... sorry thought it was a zeiss, my bad :)


Thanks, just making sure.

So, MAK, if you couldn't sneak in the 35mm into package 3, would you still do it? Or would you just do package 1? (Package 3 is already straining things to a breaking point)


To be fair, you would benefit from the odd prime lens, especially for weddings. f4 is a little slow yes but I have managed to shoot weddings fine using f4 (Canon 24-105 L) without a flash.
Personally I would go for set 3 and then grab a used 35mm on eBay at a later date. I have found the importance of a decent WA lens crucial and set 3 offers a decent WA and a decent Zoom.
08/23/2017 06:42:02 PM · #24
If I skip the metabones, I could add the 35mm in. I wouldn't be able to do wildlife photography for awhile (no 100-400 Canon or 100mm Canon macro. Id just have to stick with the old camera for a bit for that. But it would force me to get used to a smaller focal length world for awhile. )

I haven't researched whether my Canon flashes could work. I do have a yongnuo flash.
08/23/2017 06:50:54 PM · #25
Originally posted by vawendy:

If I skip the metabones, I could add the 35mm in. I wouldn't be able to do wildlife photography for awhile (no 100-400 Canon or 100mm Canon macro. Id just have to stick with the old camera for a bit for that. But it would force me to get used to a smaller focal length world for awhile. )

I haven't researched whether my Canon flashes could work. I do have a yongnuo flash.

Any "smart flash" should work, as far as I know...

We use the FotoDiox Adapter and it works fine for us; about $100.00 at B&H. We had a Metabones at first when we thought we'd keep all the Canon L glass, but sent it back when we decided to sell the L Glass and go Zeiss. Bought the FotoDiox so we could use the LensBaby and the 100-400mmm.
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