Switching from Canon. Need advice on lenses

[killswitch]

Hi,

 

First post for me. I am contemplating switching to Sony, and have my eyes set on a used A7R II or a A7R III (if it comes out in a couple of months). I have been a Canon user for nearly 7 years and currently using the 5D3. I mainly do landscapes, street photography, and family events. Lenses I use the most in descending order: 16-35 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, 50 f1.2, 24-70 f2.8. I am looking to replace these lenses with it's Sony equivalent or anything as close as possible. My reason for switching is reducing weight, and amount of space it takes up in my backpack.

 

Can anyone here (especially former Canon users) shed some light if the size and weight while using the mirrorless system or it's (lens especially) made a big difference? Or are the sony equivalent lenses feel the same as Canon's version in terms of size, weight and balance?

[heron]

 

Can anyone here (especially former Canon users) shed some light if the size and weight while using the mirrorless system or it's (lens especially) made a big difference? Or are the sony equivalent lenses feel the same as Canon's version in terms of size, weight and balance?

 

Yes it makes a big difference for me. But it probably won't for you if you're sticking to the f/2.8 zooms. Sony has equivalents for all your lenses and you can just look up the specs online to see how much weight you'd save (probably not much except for the body).

[killswitch]

Thanks heron. I see there are two 70-200 2.8 from Sony. One costs $2300 give or take and the other $3000. Need to read up the difference between the two. Anyone used Tamron's new 70-200 2.8 on A7 bodies, and how responsive is the AF when you pair the two together? It seems like Sony's 16-35 2.8 is heavier than Canon's. Trying to understand if body alone will make a big difference with these 2.8 lenses.

[heron]

One is probably the a-mount version. For the a7 lineup you want E or FE mount lenses.

[killswitch]

Ah, you are right. Just checked BnH, one is indeed an A-mount.

[PHDX]

Hi,

 

I have been a canon user for 10 years  and switched to Sony a few years ago :

 

If you are targetting the good quality Sony zoom lenses, it will be very comparable in terms of size and weight (I did have the Canon 24-70 L, and 70-200 L,  and now shoot with the Sony 24-70 GM paired with my A7 RII).

 

So, the big difference is the camera body by far smaller and lighter  as you already know : it's quite a change when you come from a 5D series but you get used to that quickly. However, in order to get a more balanced system with the Sony, I got a grip which brings also other advantages such as battery life (a sony weakness). all in all, it is still smaller than a 5D III or IV.

 

I am pretty happy with my Sony today and would certainly not come back to Canon, but not for weight reasons : the DR, the pixel count (which enable to crop more), and other features are better.

 

If you do not want the native Sony zooms, may be you could have a look on the last Sigma ones rather than Tamron : they seem quite attractive in terms of quality.

 

Now, despite the rather small difference for the lenses between Sony and canon, a keeping a comparable set of lenses (4), I had the capacity to carry a smaller Lowerpro bag with the Sony gear than with my former canon one. Some of the Sony (Zeiss) lenses like the 55 F1.8 being quite small and light (same for the 12-24 zoom).

 

[killswitch]

Hi,

 

I have been a canon user for 10 years  and switched to Sony a few years ago :

 

If you are targetting the good quality Sony zoom lenses, it will be very comparable in terms of size and weight (I did have the Canon 24-70 L, and 70-200 L,  and now shoot with the Sony 24-70 GM paired with my A7 RII).

 

So, the big difference is the camera body by far smaller and lighter  as you already know : it's quite a change when you come from a 5D series but you get used to that quickly. However, in order to get a more balanced system with the Sony, I got a grip which brings also other advantages such as battery life (a sony weakness). all in all, it is still smaller than a 5D III or IV.

 

I am pretty happy with my Sony today and would certainly not come back to Canon, but not for weight reasons : the DR, the pixel count (which enable to crop more), and other features are better.

 

If you do not want the native Sony zooms, may be you could have a look on the last Sigma ones rather than Tamron : they seem quite attractive in terms of quality.

 

Now, despite the rather small difference for the lenses between Sony and canon, a keeping a comparable set of lenses (4), I had the capacity to carry a smaller Lowerpro bag with the Sony gear than with my former canon one. Some of the Sony (Zeiss) lenses like the 55 F1.8 being quite small and light (same for the 12-24 zoom).

 

Some great insight PHDX. Have to checkout how adding a battery grip feels with a 16-35 or 70-200 on. How do you like the ergonomics of the A7's grip with body when using it for an hour or two? I know I will miss Canon's ergonomics and the joystick. I am looking at the following lenses from Sony, consolidating my lens collection to 3. Looking at FredMiranda for used (9 and above condition) ones. I have to checout the Classified section in this forum though.

 

1) Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

2) Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 GS OSS

3) Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens

 

Any suggestions on the lenses listed above? 

 

Would be cool if they made lens tailored for mirrorless systems so that they are lighter and smaller in size, then again I guess it is hard to design optics with large aperture and keep the size/weight down.

[Mr_A7s]

I switched from Canon 1Dx and all well know L lenses to Sony(not missing Canon at all)

 

To answer your question. In term of f2.8 zooms, Sony has all native lenses you looking for - from 16mm to 200f2.8. These are Gmaster lenses. Price tags are higher than Canon, however, IQ is better. These Sony Gmaster lenses will not save you much in size and weight compared to your Canon L lenses. They are great lenses for events shooting. You will be in square one if you plan to shoot with these Gmaster zoom lenses.

 

If you really want something smaller and lighter, FE28f2, FE35f2.8 FE55 and FE85f1.8 are great sets for A7 & A9. 

 

Here few shots from my A9 + Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens: 

http://www.sonyalphaforum.com/topic/7893-sony-a9-fe-50mm-f14/

 

 

Best wishes,

D

[killswitch]

I switched from Canon 1Dx and all well know L lenses to Sony(not missing Canon at all)

 

To answer your question. In term of f2.8 zooms, Sony has all native lenses you looking for - from 16mm to 200f2.8. These are Gmaster lenses. Price tags are higher than Canon, however, IQ is better. These Sony Gmaster lenses will not save you much in size and weight compared to your Canon L lenses. They are great lenses for events shooting. You will be in square one if you plan to shoot with these Gmaster zoom lenses.

 

If you really want something smaller and lighter, FE28f2, FE35f2.8 FE55 and FE85f1.8 are great sets for A7 & A9. 

 

Here few shots from my A9 + Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens: 

http://www.sonyalphaforum.com/topic/7893-sony-a9-fe-50mm-f14/

 

 

Best wishes,

D

Wow, beautiful photos Mr_A7s. 50 1.4 is on my list. Off topic, is that a joystick on the new A9? Can you control focus points with that? =O

[Mr_A7s]

Wow, beautiful photos Mr_A7s. 50 1.4 is on my list. Off topic, is that a joystick on the new A9? Can you control focus points with that? =O

 

Yes and yes.

[PHDX]

Some great insight PHDX. Have to checkout how adding a battery grip feels with a 16-35 or 70-200 on. How do you like the ergonomics of the A7's grip with body when using it for an hour or two? I know I will miss Canon's ergonomics and the joystick. I am looking at the following lenses from Sony, consolidating my lens collection to 3. Looking at FredMiranda for used (9 and above condition) ones. I have to checout the Classified section in this forum though.

 

1) Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

2) Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 GS OSS

3) Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens

 

Any suggestions on the lenses listed above? 

 

Would be cool if they made lens tailored for mirrorless systems so that they are lighter and smaller in size, then again I guess it is hard to design optics with large aperture and keep the size/weight down.

To answer your questions :

 

For the grip, the ergonomics are quite good with no problem in using this for one hour or more. It's even better since you can really keep the camera in your hand without effort. In addition, it's much easier to shoot hands held on portrait mode.

 

For the lenses, I would just say that the Zeiss 55 F1.8 is a good option, quite sharp and light, if you do not need a faster aperture. 

[killswitch]

Thanks PHDX,

 

I am extremely intrigued with the joystick in A9 and hoping will make it to the A7III (expected announcement is Oct-Nov ?). How soon after the announcement do Sony typically ship their cameras to retail stores? If A7III ships next year I will go get the A7II now (A7R II file size is something I dont want, unless you have SRaw, MRaw like Canon's?).

 

Based on everyone's feedback regarding the lenses I listed, I am considering lighter alternatives or primes. Possible focal range I am looking to get are 10-16mm for ultra-wide (for milky way, long exposures, travel and landscapes), 35mm or 50mm (for streets, portrait, family events). I will leave 70-200 out for now(although that is my all time favorite lens from Canon), looking at all my photos in Lightroom I have a habit of using both extremes of the zoom range, so may be a 135mm prime a lighter alternative to the 70-200?

 

I was looking at Carl Zeiss's Batis lineup, as well as some from Rokinon, Voigtlander. For third party lenses with AF, how well do they pair with A7II system, especially how effective is in keeping up with Sony's Eye-tracking feature? I can see this being super handy for tracking toddlers eyes as they move around so fast.

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

Just make sure the tail doesn't wag the dog. If you're a regular zoom user, switching to primes is a big step. It will throw your habits. Would you do it if you were sticking to Canon?

 

Lenses is the big issue when switching to Sony FF mirrorless. You really have to be prepared to spend big on the latest lenses to harness the full potential of the system.

[killswitch]

Just make sure the tail doesn't wag the dog. If you're a regular zoom user, switching to primes is a big step. It will throw your habits. Would you do it if you were sticking to Canon?

 

Lenses is the big issue when switching to Sony FF mirrorless. You really have to be prepared to spend big on the latest lenses to harness the full potential of the system.

 

Hi Jaf-Photo, yes currently I have started to switch to Canon primes (like I mentioned earlier I tend to use both extremes of the zoom range in 95% of the shots), I replaced my 24-70 with a 50 as I tend to shoot around 70mm only. and for wide shots I used 16mm of the 16-35 zoom the most. Looking at my entire photo library rest of the zoom range shots are within 5%. I tend to move about a lot when taking shots, and with primes it plays well as it forces me to be creative, and try different distance to get the same framing I have in mind. The only zoom I cant think of giving up is the 70-200. It is such a joy to use that lens, but I want to try a 135mm and see if I like the way it feels and if it goes with my shooting style or not. But like you said, I wont jump for primes all at once, I will start with my transition with a 50 on a A7II or A7III, and maybe a third party ultra-wide prime. 16-35 G Master is so tempting as it will take all my 82 filters I have for my current Canon 16-35 (which uses a 82mm filter thread as well).

 

I am enjoying reading up on all Sony lenses, and stuff. Appreciate the responses from Sony users here in the forum. Waiting to hear more on A7III before I decide to pull the trigger.

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

Ok. Zooms are useful/essential in many situations, if you're on the move, restricted in movement, in unfamiliar circumstances, fast-changing situations, need to get a picture etc. So, not having zooms can impact your production of images. But if you're switching to primes anyway, it's not much of an issue.