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Archive 2016 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!

  
 
charles.K
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


I am starting a thread to have different perspectives on having an A7x camera with small and light lenses to go. No bag, no accessories other than your batteries and spare SD card.

Kudos to Sony for introducing many new lenses, but many new lenses are no longer light or small in comparison to Leica M system. We are now fortunate as we have had a lot more experience to know what will work and what wont.

Sometimes you just wish to take one or two lenses, no bag and feel the freedom of just taking shots without the encumbrance of too much equipment.

For myself:

A7rII
Loxia 21
50 Cron IV (Mandler)

Sometimes if I take one lens it is the FE 35/1.4, but it does not fill this criteria well. Ideally the CV 35/1.7?, or 35 Cron Pre Asph or Lux Pre Asph may do well

The other lens I miss is the WATE as this also fills this criteria wonderfully.

The intent is to get back to easy, light lenses that work great and fun to take without having to pack a bag



May 02, 2016 at 04:02 AM
Douglas L
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


That's a great idea to start such a thread, Charles. For me, if I really want to go light, I would just take the FE 35mm f2.8, maybe the new Voigdlander 15mm E too.

Douglas



May 02, 2016 at 04:34 AM
mttran
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


kdrk888 wrote:
That's a great idea to start such a thread, Charles. For me, if I really want to go light, I would just take the FE 35mm f2.8, maybe the new Voigdlander 15mm E too.

Douglas


+1, A7x and FE 35mm f2.8 is tiny and a great performer value: http://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7715/17357789902_01e8a6c689_h.jpg

Edited on May 02, 2016 at 05:16 AM · View previous versions



May 02, 2016 at 05:15 AM
Jannik Peters
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


My two lens setup currently looks like that:

- Loxia 21
- FE 55

I decided to skip the Batis 18 and go with the Loxia 21 due to the size (the Batis 18mm looks like a too fat joint on the A7) and the sun stars.

I know, that this is a pretty huge gap but I felt surprisingly comfortable since there is no 35mm lens that I really like to use. If size&weight is the main concern, the FE 55 can be switched in favor of the 1.8/50. The big gap will be filled with the RX1RII which I will permanently carry in my pocket.

At the tele end, I currently prefer to take the Sonnar 3.5/100 for compactness although I like the Olympus 2.8/100 for it's tiny size too.

The lightest and smallest two lens setup that could be useful for me is the

- FE 2.0/28
- FE 1.8/50

but that doesn't have the magic for me that the above setup has.

For a small, good and reasonably priced legacy travel setup, I'd recommend an Olympus OM combo. Due to the big adapter, the benefit in size comes only if you take more than one lens.

Super small and optically very good would be the following combo:

OM 3.5/21
OM 3.5/28
OM 1.8/50
OM 2.8/100



Edited on May 02, 2016 at 05:22 AM · View previous versions



May 02, 2016 at 05:16 AM
strohscw
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


My quick and light lenses to go:
Loxia 21 2.8
Leica R 35-70 4.0 + Novoflex adapter
protected in a small Crumpler bag.

Maybe there are lighter setups, but I carried my heavy Canon bag for many years.

Wolfram



May 02, 2016 at 05:21 AM
OleAndre
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


If I can only bring one lens with me I tend to opt for Loxia 35. Yeah, it has its deficiencies due to the biogon design, but the rendering is beautiful I think. I also have the other two loxias, which are both marvelous. If I can bring two lenses I would leave the loxia 35 behind and bring the loxia 21 and 50 instead.

Ole



May 02, 2016 at 05:55 AM
Eoin
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


Small and light setup A7 & 35 f2.8 and spare battery in my pocket.
I actually like the limitations of a day with a single focal length, it challenges you.

Not so small and light is A7 & CY28 f2 on camera and either CY 85 f2.8 or CY 100 f3.5 in the pocket.




May 02, 2016 at 05:58 AM
Jannik Peters
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


Eoin wrote:
Not so small and light is A7 & CY28 f2 on camera and either CY 85 f2.8 or CY 100 f3.5 in the pocket.


I did this yesterday - CY 2/28 on camera and 1.7/50 in my pocket Unfortunately, the 2/28 is pretty long and heavy.



May 02, 2016 at 06:02 AM
Chuck Coyne
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


My light kits:

For Landscapes with a light travel tripod and manual focus is preferred:
Loxia 21mm
Loxia 35mm
Loxia 50mm
(Add CV15 III when wider angle is called for)


Kit when AF is desired:
Batis 25mm
Zony 55mm
Batis 85mm
(Waiting to see how Batis 18mm looks. Maybe switch out 55mm or 85mm for 18mm when wider angle is called for)

The above has been my choice for my light kits but since the Sony 24-70 GM has been added it now becomes a possible one lens walk around kit. It's a heavier setup but no need to carry and change lenses. I also find it very easy to carry for hours with my Peak Design sling strap.

This is a great post for giving A7x owners some ideas for lighter kits. There are so many great options for non-native range finder type lenses out there. However, I have been switching to native mount lenses as we have so many very good options of late and not having to add various adapters is my preferred choice. But I see so many others posting some wonderful shots taken with all types of non-native lenses. Different horses for different courses👍



May 02, 2016 at 06:09 AM
rji2goleez
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


Mine is similar to others:

Loxia Trio (21, 35, 50)
Although the CV 35/1.7 is getting more time these days
CV 15/4.5

I can put one lens on camera and one in each pocket

If it's one camera and one lens? Either the Loxia 35 or CV 35.



May 02, 2016 at 06:44 AM
sootyvrs
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


I have a few lightweight combos to choose from -

Option 1
Ricoh GR 250g
GW-3 adapter (21mm) 220g

Optional Slik Compact II tripod 500g

Option 2
Sony RX1R 498g
SEL075UWC modified (24mm) 267g

Option 3
Sony A7RII 625g
WATE 385g inc adapter
Sony FE35/2.8 120g

Option 2&3 I may bring along my Sirui T-025X tripod with FLM-18 ball head (680g)



May 02, 2016 at 07:12 AM
gocolts
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


The A7RII and 28 f/2 is my usual lightweight kit, although like others have said the 28/2 seems a little big, and I'd love a 35 f/2.8, but for the price they're going for I just can't justify one at this point, especially with the other lens wants/needs.

Part of the appeal of the Batis 18mm I have on preorder is the size and weight. Our annual pilgrimage to Maui will be pretty simple this November, as I see the Batis 18mm, 28mm f/2, and 24-70 f/4 covering all my needs for the trip. And for the majority of it, my guess is the Batis & 24-70 will be all I'll carry.

As for a single lens...I have to go to NYC in July for work, and I have a feeling if all I took was the A7RII & 18mm Batis I'd be fine....



May 02, 2016 at 07:23 AM
TheEmrys
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


My prime kit is:
Sony 28/2 w/21mm converter - the converter makes me a little angry. It should not perform this well at this price. I don't need a 24-xx zoom, because of this. But I WANT one, because 24mm is what I believe I need. The 28/2 is excellent. Considering the price, it is amazing.
Sony CZ 55/1.8 - Sometimes I swap the Summicron-R 50.
Minolta 100/2 - Amazing lens. Tiny, but dense. About the same size as the 55/1.8.

Zoom:
Minolta 28-135 - this lens, if you have a good copy, is amazing. I had a bad copy and was totally unimpressed. This copy? Wow.
Minolta 80-200/2.8 HS G - I won't get another 7/80-200/2.8. Amazing.
Minolta 100-300 APO D - Small, small, small. Amazing performance. I thought I would settle for a Tamron 70-300 USD, but this lens is better. First copy wasn't this good. There are two models, only distinguished by the presence or absence of the D. The D version has 8 pins on the mount, which provides 5 axis IBIS. Very handy in a long lens. And this lens is made out of composites and has a 55mm filter. A lens that gives me the "wow" feeling. So much performance in a small package. I doubt there is a better xx-300 lens that is smaller and/or lighter.

My fun lens is a Minolta 35-70/3.5. Sometimes a Minolta Rokkor 50/1.4 PG if I want the speed or look. Special lens.



May 02, 2016 at 08:43 AM
Jannik Peters
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


sootyvrs wrote:
Option 2
Sony RX1R 498g
SEL075UWC modified (24mm) 267g


Could you please explain the modification?



May 02, 2016 at 08:50 AM
Luvwine
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


This heavily depends upon what I am doing. Say I am going to a party and light will be low but I want to take some pics, I might take a CV 35/1.2 and a Leica M 75/2. The CV is not light but it is small. I could sub the 35/2.8 for a really light weight setup. If autofocus is more of a priority, then Batis 25, FE 35/2.8 and Sony 55/1.8 work. More wide angle/cityscapes? Leica WATE, 35/2.8 and 55/1.8. I view the 35/2.8 as a "freebie" in that it is so light and small it always comes unless I am taking the CV 35/1.2. Outdoor portrait, telephoto needs, Leica R 180/2.8 apo will come along with either the 75/2 or 90/2 Apo.


May 02, 2016 at 09:02 AM
darrellc
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


Lately, Ricoh GR plus A7RII/FE55. I just bought the GW-3 adapter to give 21mm with the GR. I am very happy with this combo.

I often take FE 35/2.8 only.

The ability to crop liberally makes the A7RII with wide glass a flexible one lens option for me. I'd be happy with a high quality slow zoom like a 24-50/f3.5 or so lens as a single lens solution but something like a Batis 25 and cropping gets close to covering my needs. I wish the A7RII had a one button crop toggle like the GR...

Other lenses I have or have had and taken out as one or two lens minimal kit include:

OM 24/2.8
Batis 25 (fat but not long and very light)
FE 28
Loxia 35
Voigtlander 40/1.4
Sonnar 50/1.5
Loxia 50
OM 50/3.5



May 02, 2016 at 09:20 AM
Kirin
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


Although there are a few prime lens options, are there any zoom lenses with AF that are small/light?



May 02, 2016 at 09:40 AM
Jannik Peters
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


Minolta 4/35-70
Sony 28-70 and 4/24-70... But i don't like either of them.



May 02, 2016 at 09:45 AM
rji2goleez
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!


Jannik Peters wrote:
Minolta 4/35-70
Sony 28-70 and 4/24-70... But i don't like either of them.


The minolta 35-70/3.5 macro is smaller than the Zeiss Contax 35-70/3.4 and almost as good.



May 02, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Jannik Peters
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Small and Light lenses to go with your A7x camera !!




rji2goleez wrote:
The minolta 35-70/3.5 macro is smaller than the Zeiss Contax 35-70/3.4 and almost as good.


You're right, Bob. These were just my suggestions because he asked for an AF lens



May 02, 2016 at 10:14 AM
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