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Archive 2013 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?

  
 
mco_970
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


I am trying to shrink my NEX 5N & avoid buying a RX100 II. I am using the 18-55 kit lens quite a bit at the moment for my motorbiking adventures, I have a good copy of it and it doesn't offend me, plus it's cheap if I crash-land on it.

However, if the 16-50 is much smaller and with better IQ, I'd consider it...

So can those of you who have owned and used both please comment on the two lenses for me? I have read reviews, but I trust Alters here more.

I thought about going to a fixed pancake lens, but I do find myself using both ends of the zoom lens quite a bit, so I'd rather stick with a zoom if possible. Changing lenses involves parking the bike, dropping my pack & digging in it, taking off gloves, etc. and it's so much easier to just use the zoom.

Thanks!!
Michelle



Aug 02, 2013 at 10:35 AM
FlyPenFly
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


I think from the tests I've seen, the 18-55 is actually the optically better lens.

The massive vignetting on the 16-50 seems pretty bad to me even when you stop down.



Aug 02, 2013 at 10:41 AM
mco_970
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


Darn. Thanks Jae. Some of the reviews mention the 16-50 retracting when you review shots, etc. which seems like it would get annoying, too.

How is that Sony 20 that you picked up? Like it??



Aug 02, 2013 at 10:45 AM
FlyPenFly
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


Hah, I sold all my Sony stuff.

I'm just shooting MFT and probably picking up an X-M1, I think...



Aug 02, 2013 at 10:47 AM
mco_970
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


I should have guessed...

I will not look at MFT.
I will not look at MFT.
I will not look at MFT.
I will not look at MFT!
I will not look at MFT!!






Aug 02, 2013 at 10:52 AM
FlyPenFly
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?




they're calling your name!!!








Aug 02, 2013 at 12:07 PM
TMaG82
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


Ill be honest, the new GX7 looks awfully nice. Spec wise it looks good.


Aug 02, 2013 at 12:13 PM
ytwong
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


I have a 16-50 OSS, yet I'm thinking to get a 18-50. The corners are very soft and close distance at larger aperture.
It's not that bad when stop down.

I think you haven't considered an issue of your 5N with the 16-50. Older NEX models does NOT correct lens distortion during preview, so you are going to see a fisheye like picture during preview since distortion of the 16-50 is massive at the wide end. The jpg engine does correct the distortion after the picture is taken.
(My NEX-7 behave like that)

Capture one still doesn't have a lens profile for 16-50.




Aug 02, 2013 at 12:13 PM
vovkinson
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


both lens (16-50 & 18-55) are $hitty. Even if there IS some difference, it's subtle.
I don't think you should upgrade/downgrade to the same crap.
I have black 18-55 and keep it in closet in case I feel like shooting some video but it seems to me Nex6 is not very good for video, so this lens goes to ebay pretty soon. Got panasonic X920 for video and can't be happier.
I would check new Zeiss or even Sigma which is a decent lens for it's price.

Anyway, good luck with your research!



Aug 02, 2013 at 12:21 PM
mco_970
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


ytwong wrote:
I have a 16-50 OSS, yet I'm thinking to get a 18-50. The corners are very soft and close distance at larger aperture.
It's not that bad when stop down.

I think you haven't considered an issue of your 5N with the 16-50. Older NEX models does NOT correct lens distortion during preview, so you are going to see a fisheye like picture during preview since distortion of the 16-50 is massive at the wide end. The jpg engine does correct the distortion after the picture is taken.
(My NEX-7 behave like that)

Capture one still doesn't have a lens profile for 16-50.



That's interesting... and I can see how it would get obnoxious at the wide end.



Aug 02, 2013 at 07:09 PM
mco_970
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


TMaG82 wrote:
Ill be honest, the new GX7 looks awfully nice. Spec wise it looks good.


The Olys and Panas are all attractive little beasts... Worst thing about NEX is still no one seems to make a compact little case for it. Mine is still rattling around in a Lowepro TLZ mini. At least a m43 would properly fit in a small case of some sort.



Aug 02, 2013 at 07:19 PM
mco_970
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


vovkinson wrote:
I would check new Zeiss or even Sigma which is a decent lens for it's price.

Anyway, good luck with your research!


Yeah, I think I mentioned I need a zoom. Otherwise, I would use my primes (ZA24, etc.). I wish Sig would make a nice 1.8 zoom for NEX.



Aug 02, 2013 at 07:21 PM
Jeff Kott
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


mco_970 wrote:
The Olys and Panas are all attractive little beasts... Worst thing about NEX is still no one seems to make a compact little case for it. Mine is still rattling around in a Lowepro TLZ mini. At least a m43 would properly fit in a small case of some sort.


I've got a couple of compact cases that work great with my NEX 5n and 7. Are you looking for a case for the camera and one lens, two or three?



Aug 02, 2013 at 07:59 PM
mco_970
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


Thanks Jeff - I would like the smallest case for 5N + 18-55 attached. It would need to be sealed to keep out dust and be able to go on my belt loop on my backpack. Any ideas?

I keep a telephoto lens (Jena 135) in my pack, stowed in a Lowepro lens case.

I thought about buying a Lowepro Photosport 200, it would have a place for the camera, extra lens, Camelback, fuel bottle, and some gear. It is probably too big in the camera compartment, but I could stow some other stuff in there (first aid kit stuff or lunch or whatever). Otherwise, it really looks about perfect, esp. since it has a waterproof cover built in. I just rock a garbage bag over my pack now when it rains...

http://www.lowepro.com/photosport#prettyPhoto

Not sure if it would be a pain to get the camera in and out of it easily... I wear a jacket with built in chest protector & shoulder pads, and it's kind of a pain to get the backpack straps over the shoulder pads.



Aug 02, 2013 at 09:02 PM
Jeff Kott
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


mco_970 wrote:
Thanks Jeff - I would like the smallest case for 5N + 18-55 attached. It would need to be sealed to keep out dust and be able to go on my belt loop on my backpack. Any ideas?
.


I use this one for my Nex 7 plus 18-55 or with the Touit 32

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666347939

It zips shut and is the perfect size. Kind of a firm neoprene which gives the camera a lot of protection.

Edit: If anybody is interested the included battery case is padded and the perfect size for the optional EVF to the 5N.



Aug 02, 2013 at 09:29 PM
mco_970
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


Thank Jeff! Amazon has those for $25. Just a bit cheaper than Sony store.


Aug 02, 2013 at 10:22 PM
Craig Gillette
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


I think one can safely say the 16-50 is smaller and not get too much argument. Otherwise discussions about relative performance and quality go all over the map very quickly. Having neither, it seems (from looking at numerous discussions, blogs, etc.) that there may be a slight edge "quality" wise to the 18-55. There are those who look to the focal range of the zoom mechanics to be their deciding points as well. Or lens color.


Aug 02, 2013 at 11:24 PM
freaklikeme
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


IQ-wise, it's pretty close, but the PZ's 2mm advantage at the wide end is useless. The "power zoom" would be enough to turn me off of it, though. To me, that seems much more likely to fail then the mechanical zoom of the 18-55. The 20mm's JPEGs are yawn-inducing, and the RAWs show how much Sony is relying on software to make the pancake work. Despite the size difference, the Siggy 19mm's still the best value.


Aug 03, 2013 at 01:17 AM
alundeb
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


mco_970 wrote:
& avoid buying a RX100 II.


My resistance lasted only one week. Good luck to you!



Aug 03, 2013 at 05:33 AM
john_edwards
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · NEX 16-50 - any better than 18-55 lens?


I found one of these in my local camera shop and it works great for the nex. I can squeeze in the nex5n w/18-55, the bigger Sony flash (for NEX).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488172-REG/Tamrac_551303_5513_Adventure_Zoom_3.html

John



Aug 03, 2013 at 08:18 AM
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