I'm moving from my beloved, carefully selected kit of an OM 21 2.0, Leica 35 2.0 and Oly 90 2.0 on a 5DII (all trickling onto the B+S) to a Nex 7 kit. Basically, I want to replace this kit lens for lens, obviously within reason. I shoot a mix of travel stuff and candid portraits (when I shoot, which I haven't been lately, thus the downgrade).
So at the moment, the Sigma 30 is a no brainer to kind of replace the Leica, the Voigt 15, despite its limitations, seems the best bet to replace the OM, the remaining question is for the portrait/short tele. At the moment, I'm leaning towards the FD 50 1.4 (price is right, the reports seem good, and it's small), but would like to get suggestions about small 55-60mm lenses, as 50 is probably a smidgeon short.
These aren't going to be as good as my previous kit, which was selected over 5 years of trading and testing many expensive lenses - these really were the perfect lenses for me. I seem to shoot lenses 1-2 stops down, even for portraits, but character matters to me, and my previous lenses had that in abundance... Anyway, if anyone cares to respond, I'd appreciate it.
I don't know if autofocus or IS is important to you, but the Sony 50/1.8 OSS seems like a no brainer for what you're looking for. It's not that small, but not that big either. Like the Sigma 30, it seems to be a lot of lens for the money.
Maybe Douglas can chime in, I think he went from a ZM 50/1.5 to the Sony 50.
The Sony 85mm F2.8 on LA-EA1 or EA2 is another option. Great portraits on that relatively inexpensive lens. They really need to convert that compact lens into E-Mount.
You will at least get electronic aperture control which is extremely handy on an EVF/LCD.
My 40D had 14 bits but still got that splotchiness/posterization in blue skies at times.
I had not seen that article before. Thanks! It's funny as I seem to keep reading positive things about the Pentax K5. Here, the article states it is one of the cameras which actually does take advantage of the extra 2 bits at low ISO's.
Man, I've used several 50s on NEX at this point, but it's going to be hard to find both small and 55-60mm. I've not tried one myself, but maybe look into a Pen F 60/1.5??
My favorite 50 on any camera body I have mounted it is the Leica Summicron R. At F4/5.6, I find it pretty magical. That said, it's certainly not light nor small on the NEX-7.
douglasf13 wrote:
Man, I've used several 50s on NEX at this point, but it's going to be hard to find both small and 55-60mm. I've not tried one myself, but maybe look into a Pen F 60/1.5??
Douglas, the ZM 50 Sonnar, which you owned for a while, is both small and good for portraits, yes?
Again, if AF or IS is important, then the Sony 50, which is not small, especially with the "generous" hood.
I guess if one hasn't bought into the system yet and small, AF and IS is important, then the best solution today would be the OM-D with 45/1.8.
douglasf13 wrote:
Yeah, that's a great lens, Tariq. I used to use that on my A900.
I was very happy and surprised when I tested it on the NEX-7 and found it able to easily resolve the resolution of that high density sensor. That tells me it would sing on something like the Nikon D800 and even on any future 50MP FF cameras.
Wow, thanks for the info. The pen f 60 sounds interesting, but first guess is it will be expensive and seems rare. AF and IS aren't important to me, though I have yet to put my hands on any NEX, so hopefully MF on the NEX suits me. I've had the Cron 50 on a 5DII (2 copies, I think) and it never really grabbed me. In fact, I never fell in love with any 50 on FF. I liked slightly shorter at 35-40 and longer at 85-90. I will consider the SEL 50, and look further into the SAL 85 which could be a good compromise, but was hoping there would be some still low demand 55-75mm bargain for a few hundred euro (or $ - the number is the same regardless of the currency). Maybe I'll just go with the FD and wait and see what other slightly longer native lenses come out. Who knows, maybe the premium zoom will be a good option... If only the NEX system could use the X-Pro lenses...
Anyone used the Hexanon 57s or the Rokkor 58 1.4 (have owned the 1.2, and it's too big for the NEX, I feel)?
That 85 2.8 looks interesting. Anyone know if the AF is still as bad as it looks on the youtube videos? Otherwise may as well get the C/Y 85 2.8 again (which was certainly on the cards as it's fantastic)...
Justin,
If AF isn't important to you, then a nice compact 75mm lens which I think is good for portraits is the CV 75/2.5. Here's a couple examples of the 75/2.5, first on the NEX 5N and second on the NEX 7 - both wide open:
Lovely shots, Jeff. Yes, I owned and loved a CV 180mm and that looks to have a similar signature. That may be a goer. It could be something between the 90 and 135 equivalent at ~112mm...
The Konica M 60 1.2 looks like it would be the perfect lens, but again, rare and expensive, and the whole point of the exercise is to reduce my investment in camera gear...
Trying to track down reliable comparisons/reviews of the 1.4 57s and 58s, but I find other forums less reliable than FM.
Justin D wrote:
That 85 2.8 looks interesting. Anyone know if the AF is still as bad as it looks on the youtube videos? Otherwise may as well get the C/Y 85 2.8 again (which was certainly on the cards as it's fantastic)...
I have the LA-EA1 and it's frustratingly slow with SAM lenses and just slow with SSM lenses. The LA-EA2 is DSLR speed but bulky and you have the pellicle mirror robbing .2-.5 a T stop.
Justin D wrote:
Lovely shots, Jeff. Yes, I owned and loved a CV 180mm and that looks to have a similar signature. That may be a goer. It could be something between the 90 and 135 equivalent at ~112mm...
The Konica M 60 1.2 looks like it would be the perfect lens, but again, rare and expensive, and the whole point of the exercise is to reduce my investment in camera gear...
Trying to track down reliable comparisons/reviews of the 1.4 57s and 58s, but I find other forums less reliable than FM.
i have shot with both versions of the rokkor 58/1.4 and found it a bit disappointing on the NEX (both 3 and 7). it has quite funky bokeh, low contrast, and takes a while to sharpen up. i much prefer my rokkor MC PG 50/1.4 in direct comparison (and that is my favorite 50 so far). i actually do like the 58/1.4 on film though where it's weaknesses are less obvious and more of it's character comes through. unfortunately, i have no experience with the hexanon.
Thanks again guys. I know the Zeiss 24 is probably going to suit me more than the Sigma 30 based on FL usage history, but the price and size difference is significant. Looking at a good deal on the Zeiss 24 at the moment, so I may get it in addition to the Sigma as a premium lens, but one of the reasons I want to go to NEX is size, and the Sigma is right in that regard as a daily lens which will encourage me to start taking photos regularly again.
