Choosing a new lens

[Alforno]

Hello,

Wonder if the post topic fits the forum topic.  Whatever...

Anyone knows how to test any lenses  without buying ?I'd like to try different focal lengths before choosing one.

I've got a sony a7 i body, EF frame 

Thank you 

🙂

[Cameratose]

Depends on where you live. There are lens rental places on-line. Local camera stores will also rent lenses, some will eat the rental cost if you end up buying. 

[Alforno]

Hello Cameratose,

I actually live in Belgium. Here, there are also rental possibilities. But they are expensive. I don't think they are worth it.

[Cameratose]

3 hours ago, Alforno said:

Hello Cameratose,

I actually live in Belgium. Here, there are also rental possibilities. But they are expensive. I don't think they are worth it.

I dislike renting as well, but if you don't have any friends you can borrow from and no local stores you don't have much choice. I guess whether it's worth it all depends on how much money you're risking if you don't like the lens.

One thing you can do is read/watch reviews and above all, look at sample photos from the average person. Those are more valuable to me than any review. Many forums have active photo pages with forums dedicated to specific lenses. 

Also, check resellers like MPB, who offer a liberal return policy and a 180-day warranty on their gear. I have used them successfully many times. 

[Alforno]

MPB? Great 

[Pieter]

If you're not after the latest and greatest, might I suggest buying used lenses? If you end up disliking the lens, you can sell it again at hardly a loss. Much cheaper than renting.

[FunWithCameras]

On 2/11/2025 at 2:13 AM, Alforno said:

Hello,

Wonder if the post topic fits the forum topic.  Whatever...

Anyone knows how to test any lenses  without buying ?I'd like to try different focal lengths before choosing one.

I've got a sony a7 i body, EF frame 

Thank you 

🙂

Is your camera the original A7? There is a known issue with that body, in that the mount isn't metal (there are disagreements over whether it is plastic or some other material). Just be aware that you may see issues sooner or later with it.

Also, the mount is sometimes referred to as "FE" because it's a full-frame E mount. It's never called EF - that's the old Canon EOS DSLR mount. So be careful not to buy an EF mount lens - you can use EF mount lenses on a Sony E mount camera, but you required an adapter.

[Alforno]

 

25 minutes ago, FunWithCameras said:

Is your camera the original A7? There is a known issue with that body, in that the mount isn't metal (there are disagreements over whether it is plastic or some other material). Just be aware that you may see issues sooner or later with it.

Also, the mount is sometimes referred to as "FE" because it's a full-frame E mount. It's never called EF - that's the old Canon EOS DSLR mount. So be careful not to buy an EF mount lens - you can use EF mount lenses on a Sony E mount camera, but you required an adapter.

Yes, it's a sony a7 mark i