Invest in FE lenses

[rickw]

Hi,

 

I will probably buy the successor of the a6000 camera.

My question is: Should I invest in buying FE lenses(for instance: FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS) ? (with in mind to switch to Full Frame later).

Will use it 80% for video.

 

Thanks

[LeButler]

80% video? Unless the “A6100” is exceptional for video (includes IBIS AND mic-in AND 4K at >50Mbps) or you specialise in low-light shooting, you should probably consider getting a dedicated video camera too. They’ll offer much better stabilisation, mic quality, and zoom range flexibility.

 

As for Crop Vs Full Frame: the latter is obviously preferable if their larger size and pricetag don’t put you off, but they're maybe not so important for a filmmaker: even crop lenses can resolve 4K and all FE bodies offer the option of shooting in crop mode.

 

Given the limited native lens options, your preferrred lens zoom range & aperture may decide this for you.

The 24-240mm FE is the only highish-quality option that provides anywhere near the flexibility a typical camcorder lens offers.

The 16-35mm FE mentioned is great, but rather wide & restrictive - is that the range you'll most often need?

A 16-70mm E for example would cover a more useful range and you could have that PLUS a Sony AX33 or Panasonic equivalent for the same price.

[Mark Galer]

I run both full-frame and APS-C ILCE systems. The advantage of the APSC-C system is that, with some exceptions, the lenses are much lighter than their full-frame equivalent.

The SEL1018, for instance, has full frame coverage between 14 and 16mm and is a fraction of the weight of the FE1635. If the camera is being used in a rig then this is of little concern.

If the camera is hand-held without a rig then the weight of the lens is something to consider.

 

The full frame lenses I would, however, invest in are the FE28F2, FE35F2.8 and FE55F1.8 primes.

I would however use the SEL1018 and SEL1670 zooms.

 

If you are not worried by budget or weight then purchase the Sony A7S, FE28-135 f/4 G OSS, Steady-cam rig and Atomos Shogun 4K.

[rickw]

Thanks for the feedback. Budget is limited

I currently own a 5dmk2 and a bunch of L lenses. Thinking of sell all and make a switch

Basically I want a small/lighter walk around system now (near future)for fun with a good AF system. But capable of doing serious video. I think (hope)the new a6000 will be exactly what I need. And a more pro camera later (like a7s).

So I want to buy lenses that I can use on both systems.

[steve of stonehenge]

Why not just get the Metabones EF to E adapter and use your Canon L glass.  I have an A7 Mk ii with the Metabones adapter and love it.  I have several L lenses from Canon and they work very well.  Fast auto-focus and image quality is outstanding.  I'm looking to acquire the Sony 55MM f1.8 soon, but for now am doing well with the Canon glass.

[andersmontgomery]

Hi,

 

I will probably buy the successor of the a6000 camera.

My question is: Should I invest in buying FE lenses(for instance: FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS) ? (with in mind to switch to Full Frame later).

Will use it 80% for video.

 

Thanks

 

I use the sony a7s with ef manual focus glass. I´m doing about 90% video and 10% stills, and since the FE mount lenses mostly uses focus by wire it´s impossible to pull off a focus pull the same way every time.

[3dit0r]

For serious video work (unless you're a run & gun news reporter) you'll be on a tripod and manual focusing. In which case I'd recommend you look at some legacy MF lenses. Some are very nice- sharp, light, fast, nice bokeh. You'll get repeatable focus pulls and save a ton of money buying native glass which probably won't be as nice for video focusing anyway. Make sure the A7000, if that's what it's called, is actually going to be better than what you had - although the 5Dii is technically, on paper, behind the game now, my experience was that it produced lovely images, way beyond what it had a right to. Magic Lantern made it a much nicer cam for video too. Are you sure you don't want to save up for a 5D3? The only cam in Sony's consumer range I'd swap for that, for video, right now would be the A7S.

[panzerbjorne]

Why not just get the Metabones EF to E adapter and use your Canon L glass. I have an A7 Mk ii with the Metabones adapter and love it. I have several L lenses from Canon and they work very well. Fast auto-focus and image quality is outstanding. I'm looking to acquire the Sony 55MM f1.8 soon, but for now am doing well with the Canon glass.

Which L lenses do you have? Im especially interested in the longer primes as Sony doesn't really have anything like a 135L2.

 

I just bought the a7ii with a 28/2 and 55/1.8 after 15 years of using Canon digital bodies and L lenses. I really think there is a huge benefit to selling all my old Canon stuff and moving to native lenses. But that's based on my particular situation and the kit that I have/want.

 

 

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[steve of stonehenge]

Which L lenses do you have? Im especially interested in the longer primes as Sony doesn't really have anything like a 135L2.

 

I just bought the a7ii with a 28/2 and 55/1.8 after 15 years of using Canon digital bodies and L lenses. I really think there is a huge benefit to selling all my old Canon stuff and moving to native lenses. But that's based on my particular situation and the kit that I have/want.

 

 

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Since posting this two weeks ago, I have decided to sell most of my Canon glass with the exception of the 70-200 f4 L IS.  My main photography interest is landscape/travel but with a new grand baby I'm doing more portraits.  There are some really nice features available with native Sony lenses: eye focus, face recognition, center lock-on AF, and others.  These features will come in handy for tracking a moving baby for still and video.  I am just learning these features by using Gary Fong's premium video tutorials.  There really isn't a good guide yet for the A7 Mk ii but for the time being I'm using The Unofficial Quintessential Guide.  

 

I just returned from two weeks with the grand baby.  I got some great shots of the baby with the Canon 24-70 f2.8 L II and Sigma 24mm f1.4 Art using the Metabones IV adapter.  But there is a weight premium you pay with fast zooms.  I just got my first Sony/Zeiss FE lens (35mm f2.8) and have ordered the 55mm f1.8.  Going forward I'll most likely lean toward these two lenses.  And I'll use the Sigma 24mm and Canon 70-200 f4 some too.  And I'll sell the Canon zoom too once there is a good Sony prime in the 85 mm range.

 

But for travel, l'll stick to the Sony primes.  They are fast and light.  I will say the Canon 24-70 f2.8 L is the best overall lens I have ever used.  I think it is really more of a portrait lens anyway.  But it is really heavy and expensive and not really suitable for travel unless you have a porter.  LOL.  But the image quality of the Canon 24-70 f2.8L is absolutely awesome with the Sony A7 Mk ii.  

[panzerbjorne]

Amen to the 24-70 2.8L. I have version 1 since 2004. I had six other primes and zooms for EOS. I think this lens gave me more keepers than the others put together.

 

I think it worked dimensionally on the EOS FF bodies. But on the 7II with an adapter it will feel front heavy.

 

That and the 135 I will keep for my older film Canon bodies. The rest will go.

 

Can I ask how you sold your lenses?

 

 

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[RRRoger]

If you are going to shoot 80+% Video, you should get the A7s. That and low light is what it is optimized for.

The only lens I need is the FE 28-135 Cine.

 

Not so sure you should call this an investment as I am having trouble selling my other Sony (24-70) lens.