Advise for 2nd and 3rd lenses

[pcmancini]

Hello all, first post here and I am looking for advice on 2nd and 3rd lenses for my new A7iii.

By way of intro I am a long-time enthusiast, started with Minolta SRTs with 28mm, 55mm, 85mm, 135mm and 200mm.  I moved to a Leica M6 and used 28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses. Had a home darkroom (B&W) for many years.

Now I have moved to digital and bought an A7iii and a Sony FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS to go with it.  This is my first ever zoom and I am trying to cover as many bases as possible with it.  So far I am very happy.

But am looking to round out my kit.  When I was using fixed lenses I mostly used the 85mm and the standard 50mm, followed by the 135mm.  I will be doing a wide range of photography with it: outdoor travel including beachscape and cities, portraits and some food/cooking. 

Would love to hear ideas/thoughts/experiences.  (I am heading to Disney World with the family in June and would have no problem taking just the one lens but having a 2nd with me would be great as well.)

Thanks in advance for the help.

Paul

[Pieter]

Totally depends on your preferred use cases, which is not entirely clear from your post. But based on your previous mostly used lenses, I'd go with the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN if you can spare the premium over the Sony 85mm f/1.8 (which is also a pretty decent lens).

[thebeardedgroundsman]

Hi,

To cover as many bases as possible, I have a wide angle zoom (mines 15-30mm f2.8) Standard zoom and Telephoto zoom (mines 70-200mm f2.8) As your standard zoom covers a wider range you might want a telephoto zoom that goes to 300 or more.

I won't recommend specific lenses because I use A-mount, but lenses with wider apertures seem to be heavier and bulkier and it could be argued that the low light capabilities of more modern cameras are very good so the trade off in lighter weight lenses can be worth while.

I would certainly recommend looking at the reputable used equipment dealers (Most good camera specialists have 2nd hand gear or there are a few good on-line dealers - In Britain/Europe we have a company called MPB. All my lenses are 2nd hand and I have saved hundreds of pounds on really good gear. Most of my lenses were around half the price of a new one.

Have fun at Disney!!

[pcmancini]

On 3/15/2021 at 4:07 PM, thebeardedgroundsman said:

Hi,

To cover as many bases as possible, I have a wide angle zoom (mines 15-30mm f2.8) Standard zoom and Telephoto zoom (mines 70-200mm f2.8) As your standard zoom covers a wider range you might want a telephoto zoom that goes to 300 or more.

I won't recommend specific lenses because I use A-mount, but lenses with wider apertures seem to be heavier and bulkier and it could be argued that the low light capabilities of more modern cameras are very good so the trade off in lighter weight lenses can be worth while.

I would certainly recommend looking at the reputable used equipment dealers (Most good camera specialists have 2nd hand gear or there are a few good on-line dealers - In Britain/Europe we have a company called MPB. All my lenses are 2nd hand and I have saved hundreds of pounds on really good gear. Most of my lenses were around half the price of a new one.

Have fun at Disney!!

Very good advise all around.  Thanks!

[XKAES]

Looks like you might like a 100-300mm zoom.  I don't know what is available in the e-mount, but I know there are plenty to choose from in the a-mount -- and adapters are available.

[AntDX316]

What 135mm do you have?  If it's not the 135mm GM or at least the Sigma 135 then the quality is nowhere near.

I have a 14mm, 20mm, 24-240mm, 50mm, 90mm macro, 135mm, 200-600mm, 2x TC, A7R4.

I think the 135mm GM is a must for the Sony A7R3/4.

Edited April 21, 2021 by AntDX316

[XKAES]

And if you still have your older manual focus lenses, like I do, don't forget that you can use them as well.  Check the GALLERY and you'll see a shot of crocuses that I just took with a 30 year old 100mm Minolta lens on an a850.

Edited April 21, 2021 by XKAES