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Archive 2017 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

Bearpics16
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

This is a stupid question I'm sure, but I haven't found a clear answer online. I just bought an A7RII with a metabones IV T adapter. The following are the canon EF lenses I own:

Canon 16-35 f4 IS
Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VR
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II

Feb 26, 2017 at 04:54 PM

3catsinky
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

Yes, you should. You won't regret it.

Feb 26, 2017 at 04:57 PM

arbitrage
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

I'd give what you have a try first. I've considered buying a Sony A7 series a number of times and my plan was always to first try my Canon glass (16-35/4, 24-70/4 and 70-200/2.8ISII) on the Metabones first before investing in Sony lenses. I think Sony's 16-35 comes close to Canon's but I don't think their 24-70/4 is as good as the Canon (not sure how your Tamron compares). I find the 70-200/2.8 to be rather big on any mirrorless and the native GM one isn't any smaller. I'd consider the native Sony FE 70-200/4 or the Canon 70-200/4 IS which can be had for a great price used these days. Unless you really need f/2.8 for your work.

That all said there is something nice about having native lenses and not having to use adapters so if you are switching full bore into Sony and all the Canon bodies are gone then maybe a transition over to native FE would be best eventually. But I'd give the camera some trial time first as there are many who try the A7 series and go back to whatever they had before...still many more who love it...but you need some time to see if you love it. I wouldn't make the huge investment in FE lenses just yet.

Feb 26, 2017 at 05:05 PM

charles.K
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

It will depend very much on your budget. You have already the MB IV T adapter and with this group of lenses, the cost to replace with the same native lenses is high. Personally while I still have the lenses, I would opt maybe for 1 or 2 native primes, like the 21 Loxia for landscapes and the GM 85 or Batis 85 for portraits, all of which are exceptional.

Feb 26, 2017 at 05:18 PM

ISO1600
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

You have some great lenses that will work well for you on the Sony, but native lenses will be more chill to use and easier to live with.

Feb 26, 2017 at 05:26 PM

virtualrain
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

Bearpics16 wrote:
This is a stupid question I'm sure, but I haven't found a clear answer online. I just bought an A7RII with a metabones IV T adapter. The following are the canon EF lenses I own:

Canon 16-35 f4 IS
Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VR
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II

Is there any reason for me to get a native Sony lens? I primarily do landscapes and portrait, not really action shots. I've heard mixed reviews on adapting Canon to Sony lenses regarding the autofocus features. Should I get the Sony 24-70 f4 and/or a sony prime to get the most out of my camera?

Thanks!

You don't need Sony lenses, but you will probably want native lenses for portraits due to the eye-AF feature which is a game changer.

When I switched, I opted to go primes over zooms. One of the cool things about the A7RII is the 42Mpx sensor enables incredible flexibility in cropping. So I carry a trio of primes: 25, 55, and 85mm. When you combine these with the cropping options of this sensor, you effectively end up with 25-135 covered with fast, high quality glass that weighs little more than a fast 24-70 zoom. Shooting primes and cropping on my Canon just wasn't an option with it's anti-aliased 22Mpx sensor. It's a whole different world on the Sony.

If you want to stick with Zooms, I'm not sure how the Tamron performs on a 42Mpx sensor, but that may be the first one to replace, but which ever lens you most often use for portraits might be a good candidate also just so you can take advantage of Eye-AF (unless Metabones has support for that now).

Lastly, I wouldn't worry about selling your Canon glass... You will probably be happy with how much you can get for your Canon lenses. When I switched, I found resale values to be shockingly good.

Feb 26, 2017 at 05:39 PM

GabrielPhoto
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

Bearpics16 wrote:
This is a stupid question I'm sure, but I haven't found a clear answer online. I just bought an A7RII with a metabones IV T adapter. The following are the canon EF lenses I own:

Canon 16-35 f4 IS
Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VR
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II

Is there any reason for me to get a native Sony lens? I primarily do landscapes and portrait, not really action shots. I've heard mixed reviews on adapting Canon to Sony lenses regarding the autofocus features. Should I get the Sony 24-70 f4 and/or a sony prime to get the most out of my camera?

Thanks!

Well, I actually sold the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 and bought the Canon 35mm 1.4 L ii because for my needs, the fantastic sharpness across the frame at 1.4 was a much better fit. So since adapters are so good right now, it depends on what you need of a particular lens.
Yes, the Continuous Eye AF is amazing and the only reason I am still hoping to get good news about the 70-200mm GM IQ but so far, I have not seen any images that compare to what my current Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS ii can do at 200mm wide open.
I am using the MC-11 adapter after testing vs the Metabones IV. Specially with the wide angle lenses like my Tamron 15-30mm 2.8, the MC-11 was better. I need to take time to create a full post about why I say this but it was VERY revealing for me.

Anyways, dont feel pressured to go native right away but for sure, the native AF features are amazing.

Feb 26, 2017 at 05:45 PM

notherenow
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

If you are absolutely certain you will be using Sony E mount only, then it MIGHT make some sense to get native lenses.

If just dabbling or not sure or a dual/multiple system user, it might make sense to keep your current lenses at least for a while.

I would try what you have first as I think they should be fine for most things.

I would consider getting one native lens at least, just to see what you think and maybe something different to what you currently use?

I mostly use adapted lenses but have the native 55 1.8 Sony Zeiss (which is a very nice lens) and the FE kit lens (might not be the best choice on the higher res FF E mount cameras though is great on the 12 and 24mp varieties I think).

Lenses not available in E mount make more sense adapting if buying new lenses but when you already have some, it is well worth trying at least.

Feb 26, 2017 at 06:23 PM

johnahill
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

Those are very good lenses and will perform perfectly on the Sony.
I would keep them and add a few nice native primes as and when you find good deals.

I currently have the 16-35 in both Canon and Sony mount and as much as I would like to stay with the native one, I find the Canon easier to use (less field curvature, better manual focus etc)

Feb 27, 2017 at 08:24 AM

tylerdurden801
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

If you had a first gen body as I do, then you absolutely want native. On the second gen bodies like you have it's much less critical, but in the end I think the AF options are still a compelling reason to go native.

Feb 27, 2017 at 10:36 AM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

I juggle several systems, including Canon DSLR and Sony a7R and a7RII.

I've found the Canon lenses work very well, and my 16-35L IS is a prize with the Sigma MC-11 adapter. I don't feel the need to get the Sony at this time.

But some lenses are great to have in native Sony mount. I love my 24-70/4 for what it is -- small, inexpensive and colorful. I also love the Loxia 35 and look forward to getting the Loxia 21 at some point.

So, fill in the gaps with Sony mount to increase your versatility. But you can go a long way using adapted EF lenses or other Alt lenses, like Canon FD mount and Nikon AIS mount.

Feb 27, 2017 at 11:20 AM

maestrofilms
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

I have a 6D and an a6300 with Metabones adapters. No Sony glass yet.

Even with the Canon lenses, I get better autofocus options with the a6300. I am seriously contemplating picking up an A7RII, and if that happens I probably will start getting some Sony lenses. Even using Eye AF in advanced mode which just uses contrast detection AF, I can see how native glass would be beneficial.

I will say, however, there doesn't seem to be any compromise in image quality with the Canon lenses.

Need? No
More AF options? Absolutely

Feb 27, 2017 at 12:30 PM

matthewm
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

I tried the adapted lens thing for a while when I switched from Canon to Sony. Granted, that was before the MBIV (more along the MBII / III days) and I just found the focusing to be slow and erratic. Definitely not suitable for professional use and barely acceptable for personal/family use.

That being said, I see better results online from folks using newer bodies and lenses and adapters.

Regardless, I find that Sony's lens lineup is fairly well-rounded and comparably priced with Canikon alternatives so, in my opinion, it'd likely benefit you to go native where possible. The 16-35 should be an easy swap. You'll have to decide if you want the 24-70 f/4 Sony or if you want to go for the larger and more expensive 24-70 G-Master. On the long end, you have the option of the 70-200 f/4 Sony or the 70-200 f/2.8 G-Master.

I've seen excellent results from the f/4 lenses across the board, but if f/2.8 is highly important, you'll likely have to come up off some cash.

Feb 27, 2017 at 01:30 PM

Aztatlan
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

I'm assuming you don't shoot portraiture with the 16-35 so if this is your main landscape lens I'd be keeping the Canon, assuming it pairs nicely with your adapter. The Canon lens is better than Sony's and you already own it - may as well use it. Just check the optics work properly as adapters can cause issues if they are too thin or misaligned.

The 24-70 GM will smash the performance of the Tamron, and be native to boot, but it's not cheap.

Feb 27, 2017 at 03:02 PM

billsamuels
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

I recently got the a6300 with the MC-11 adapter. I heard too many negatives about the Metabones and not many positives. So far the MC-11 works terrific and I've had no reason to even consider getting native lenses because the MC-11 works so well. The photos are sharp and the AF works just as fast as when they're on the Canon. I too have the EF 16-35 F/4 and it's also a great lens on the Sony too. I also have and use regularly the EF 70-200mm F/4 and again, no problems focusing.

If I really see a difference in the long-run between the Sony and the Canon, I may get a Sony FF and that's when I may consider selling off some of my less-used Canon "L" lenses and getting native Sony lenses. But I'm happy with what I have now and I'm still in the "get to know" phase.

Feb 28, 2017 at 03:44 PM

chez
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · From Canon to Sony: Do I need native Sony lenses?

Those are good zooms. I'd focus on some small primes such as the Sony 28mm or 35mm 2.8 or the batis lenses to complement your zooms and to use whenever you want a much lighter kit to carry. That is what I've done. I still have my 70-200 and my 135L etc..., but have added primes to take advantage of compact and light designs for when I'm traveling and don't want to lug around heavy equipment.

Feb 28, 2017 at 04:39 PM


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