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Archive 2017 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

patonima
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

Hey guys, I just bought a Sony a7RII which I'll be pairing with my Sony FE 28mm f2.
However I've been looking into more of a portrait lens like a 50mm f1.8 for cheap and I've found nothing decent (within my budget). The Sony FE 50 f1.8 has loud and slow autofocus (even after firmware update, especially at small apertures) and is pricier than its Nikon counterpart. The Zeiss 55mm f1.8 looks great but is of course super expensive. I've been thinking buying a Canon 50mm f1.8 paired with a MC11, but the autofocus will end up being slower than the native Sony and will cost the same... The Samyang 50mm f1.4 is loud and seems to be soft at 1.4 while being relatively pricey. I'm thinking about buying a Sony FE 85mm f1.8, but I'm far from prices I could get for a Nikon 50mm f1.8 and 85mm might be too much of a telephoto for me... Anything I missed that could work for a decent price?
I'm also trying to use my Nikon HSS Flash, but it wouldn't work with HSS. Any shoe mount adapter known that could get the HSS working on Sony hot shoe?
I'm just confirming what I knew already, switching platform is going to cost more than expected

Aug 15, 2017 at 11:56 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

I would recommend going with a manual focus adapted lens in that price range. I think the Minolta MC 58 f/1.2 could be a very good choice. It is a gem of a portrait lens, IMO.

Aug 15, 2017 at 12:41 PM

patonima
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

Thanks Steve,
I already Have a Minolta Rokkor 50mm f1.4. But I'm not big on manual focusing, especially with children... Too bad there's no other options

Aug 15, 2017 at 12:46 PM

GabrielPhoto
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

patonima wrote:
Hey guys, I just bought a Sony a7RII which I'll be pairing with my Sony FE 28mm f2.
However I've been looking into more of a portrait lens like a 50mm f1.8 for cheap and I've found nothing decent (within my budget). The Sony FE 50 f1.8 has loud and slow autofocus (even after firmware update, especially at small apertures) and is pricier than its Nikon counterpart. The Zeiss 55mm f1.8 looks great but is of course super expensive. I've been thinking buying a Canon 50mm f1.8 paired with a MC11, but the autofocus will end up being slower than the...Show more →
Are you not considering the used market? You can get the FE 55mm 1.8 usually between $600-700 depending on condition. If you get a $2000+ beast of a camera like the A7Rii, why not provide it good glass so it can shine?

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:05 PM

Faulta
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

Get a used samyang 50mm 1.4 AF, soft is really not how you should describe it. It's at least as good as the 28mm f2 wide open, I have both. If that's sharp enough the samyang is a good fit.

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:18 PM

patonima
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

the 28mm f2 is pretty nice wide opened happy to hear it's comparable to the Samyang. I was more concern about autofocusing noise being recorded while shooting videos. It's difficult to know through Youtube's reviews. Do you think it's a problem?
Thanks

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:23 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

I certainly didn't say there were no other options, but for your budget I think the Minolta MC 58 f/1.2 is a great option. Manual focus even with kids is really not that hard at all. It just takes a bit of practice and you need to learn to pre-focus and wait until the child moves into the area to which you have focussed. I actually find this way of shooting much easier than AF. I have a four year old and I take all of my shots of him manual focus. That said, everyone has their preferences.

There are tons of options, however, even if you want AF. What I am having a hard time getting my head around is that you bought a pretty expensive camera and you have such a small budget for lenses. What are your long-term plans? Does it make sense to save up for some better lenses? The advice I typically give people is to spend at least twice as much on lenses as on their camera(s). So, I'm not sure if you got the A7rII and you plan to keep the camera for a number of years and slowly build your lens collection (which could make a lot of sense) or if you take a different view and you plan to spend a lot on your camera(s) relative to your lenses even in the long run. If you take this latter view, then Sony may be a challenging system. I guess, I would recommend rethinking that strategy if it is what you plan to do and perhaps go with a cheaper camera like the A7II and put more money into lenses, but if you are convinced you want to stay with the expensive camera/little money for lenses strategy and you also want AF, then I would probably recommend getting the FE 85 f/1.8 as your portrait lens. I think you will find that 85mm is not too long at all on a full frame camera. The FE 85 f/1.8 is a great lens and a real value. You could also adapt many Canon or Sony/Minolta lenses with the right AF adapter and be in pretty good shape as well. So, there are quite a few options out there.

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:25 PM

Faulta
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1441934/2#lastmessage
I posted some sample images here, judge for yourself. It's plenty sharp wide open for me.
I cannot really say something about the autofocus noise on video since I don't do any video work with my camera, I have to say you can definitely hear the AF motor but I would not describe it as loud. I don't think it would be too bad in videos that you want to use the internal microphone, for more serious video work I would use an external mic anyways.
The problem seems to be similar with the 85mm gmaster

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:30 PM

40Driggs
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

55 ZA or 85 FE if you want AF. They are both excellent and you should be able to get both used if you're patient.

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:34 PM

patonima
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

Awesome pictures Faulta! You make me rethink my strategy. Let's see if I can find one used on the cheap side

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:37 PM

patonima
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

I had a Sony a6000 and I'm selling my Nikon D750 to pay for the Sonya7RII
I loved the Nikon sensor, but loved also the video capability from Sony, + EVF+ IBIS (The mirror chock gives slightly blurred photos below 1/100s on Nikon)+silent shutter (my Nikon shutter is annoyingly loud), 4K etc
So I broke the bank to buy the A7RII hoping to build up my lenses inventiry over time and using my APSC lenses in Crop mode as the high mega pixel counts makes it worth it. I was just hoping finding a good cheap nifty fifty to start with the full frame portraits and to get excited with at first for low money.
I guess I'll follow your advice and train myself with my Minolta 50mm f1.4 MF

Steve Spencer wrote:
I certainly didn't say there were no other options, but for your budget I think the Minolta MC 58 f/1.2 is a great option. Manual focus even with kids is really not that hard at all. It just takes a bit of practice and you need to learn to pre-focus and wait until the child moves into the area to which you have focussed. I actually find this way of shooting much easier than AF. I have a four year old and I take all of my shots of him manual focus. That said, everyone has their preferences.

There are...Show more →

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:44 PM

notherenow
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

I have the FE 85 1.8, the Sony Zeiss 55 1.8 and plenty of other "portrait" lenses MF and Canon EF with (slow) AF on my A7s (would be faster with an A7ii or A7Rii) including a Nikon 50 1.8 AF, Canon FD 85 1.2 and Canon EF 100 f2 and many other lenses from 40mm to 150mm and an old MF 300 2.8 that I like for portraits (if I have the room and the lens with me).

The Sony Zeiss 55 1.8 has rendered all the 50s either gone or unused on the A7s and the 85 1.8 (a recent purchase) is doing the same for the longer portrait lenses.

I will still use some of the others but more so on my M43 camera.

I strongly suggest that before buying anything you at least try the 55 1.8 and FE 85 1.8.

You can often find the 55 1.8 at a lot less than the indicated price (I got mine a lot cheaper not too long after it was released) and the 85 1.8 is pretty much the biggest bargain going in any system (the Canon 40 2.8 STM was for me until this 85 came along).

The 85 is at least 95% as good as Batis 85 and G master 85 1.4 but being a fraction of the price as well as lighter.

I think the 55 and 85 complement each other very well and the choice between them is more for do you want it for full body shots or head shots (though each can do both of course).

Edited on Aug 15, 2017 at 01:54 PM · View previous versions

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:51 PM

Faulta
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

I started with a Minolta 50mm 1.4 as well but I didn't like the bokeh. It's nervous - as is the bokeh of the 55mm 1.8. but a lot of people like it so that's just my personal preference. what I like about the samyang is, that the bokeh is super super smooth compared to the Minolta or the 55mm Sony.
And I like the sunstars, that's something I really don't like that much with the 28mm f2.
But that's about it with cheap good Sony Fe mount lenses. Sony Fe mount is expensive compared with Canon especially.
Other good cheap options overall are the 85mm 1.8, not really cheap but therefore really good and the 135mm samyang manual focus lens. Used for around 350 bucks gives you Apo quality that rivals the new sigma 135mm in sharpness and bokeh. But only manual focus.
I haven't tested the new samyang 35mm f2.8 jet.
Also the 28-70mm kit lens is not too bad. Nothing great but for a kit lens it really delivers and it's dirt cheap used.

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:53 PM

patonima
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

I would go for the 55 1.8 in a heart beat as I'm more accustomed to this focal length and it might be less of a problem in tight paces. But the Price is significantly higher than the 85 f1.8. I think I could get the 85 around $500 through Greentoe, but I didn't find any bargain close to $500 on the 55mm Zeiss. If you have an idea where to look, it'll be much appreciated

notherenow wrote:
I have the FE 85 1.8, the Sony Zeiss 55 1.8 and plenty of other "portrait" lenses MF and Canon EF with (slow) AF on my A7s (would be faster with an A7ii or A7Rii) including a Nikon 50 1.8 AF, Canon FD 85 1.2 and Canon EF 100 f2 and many other lenses from 40mm to 150mm and an old MF 300 2.8 that I like for portraits (if I have the room and the lens with me).

The Sony Zeiss 55 1.8 has rendered all the 50s either gone or unused on the A7s and the 85 1.8 (a...Show more →

Aug 15, 2017 at 01:57 PM

notherenow
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

patonima wrote:
I would go for the 55 1.8 in a heart beat as I'm more accustomed to this focal length and it might be less of a problem in tight paces. But the Price is significantly higher than the 85 f1.8. I think I could get the 85 around $500 through Greentoe, but I didn't find any bargain close to $500 on the 55mm Zeiss. If you have an idea where to look, it'll be much appreciated

I got my 55 1.8 a while ago on Ebay from Hong Kong though I am in Australia. I paid a little bit more than $500 US ( I paid about 580 US) for the 85 1.8 (On Ebay from Japan) and from memory, the 55 1.8 was about $100 more than that.

Just looking on Ebay now and it does seem the prices are a bit higher now (which just goes to show how good the lens is) and the cheapest I can see is a used one for a buy it now of about $600 US.

You might have to wait and shop carefully but it is worth it.

If you don't have anything in the 85mm range, then maybe look at the FE 85 and use what you have in the 50mm range until you get what you want later?

They are both worth it and I can not imagine not having both now.

I did have a Canon EF 50 1.8 ii for a while and it was ok (used on an A7 and A7s) and a bargain but I think the 55 1.8 is a bigger bargain even at full retail (and the 85 even more so).

Edited on Aug 15, 2017 at 02:35 PM · View previous versions

Aug 15, 2017 at 02:30 PM

GabrielPhoto
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

notherenow wrote:
The 85 is at least 95% as good as Batis 85 and G master 85 1.4 but being a fraction of the price as well as lighter.

I will have to respectfully disagree with this. I did a video review of 4 85mm lenses and there are clear differences between the 85mm 1.8 and the GM which for me, made the GM the better option. Of course we all have different needs and requirements for our jobs.
In any case, since the OP has the 28mm and wants a Portrait lens, I would go with the 85mm 1.8 if that is the budget limit or Batis (again I would look at the used market for best deals be it from forum members or from B&H, Adorama).

When I go with a small setup, I carry the Canon EF 35mm 1.4 L ii and 85mm 1.4 GM as my deadly portrait combo so a 28mm and 85mm sounds like a good plan.

Aug 15, 2017 at 02:33 PM

patonima
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

Thanks for the tip, It's true I never experimented with a FF 85mm. Maybe now is the time. I have the 50mm f1.8 APSC version which should give about the same focal length on a full frame but with less blurry background... I loved this focal length on my Sony a6000 especially outdoor and indoor portrait. but full body photos indoor where impossible though and it was quite annoying to have to change lens. Anyway, at the end of the day I think I'll go with this one the price seems fair, the quality is almost Zeiss like, it's silent and the bokeh might even be better than the 55mm 1.8.
Thanks for your help

Aug 15, 2017 at 02:38 PM

slacklaporte
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

just a suggestion here, u bought one of the best resolution camera on the market, to exploit it, u will need quality lenses. The cheapest solution in my point of vue its to find a used Sony Zeiss 55mm 1.8 Thats an amazing lens, really sharp, with a great personality. This lens will do honor to your A7R II. Batis 85mm is also an excellent choice for portrait, but more expensive.

Aug 15, 2017 at 02:39 PM

patonima
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

It might be too expensive right away though. I'm already debating buying the 85 1.8 where I already used all my budget buying the camera body. But I don't regret it. I know everyone says good lenses is better than a good camera body. But I would say it's not as obvious as it looks. My D750 sensor helped me achieve photos in the dark that I wouldn't be able to get with any other camera than the a7RII. The IBIS is going to help a lot and the autofocus in low light can't be replaced by good lenses. All in all, it's a combo to get the best images. I'd say also that good use of flashes can increase the photo quality even better than an expensive lens or camera. It's all a matter of choice and knowing how to push your gear at its best. I could afford the 55mm 1.8 certainly around the end of the year. But I could stretch a little bit my budget, sell my 50mm 1.8 APSC and get the Sony FE 85 1.8 right away... Do you think it would be a mistake and I'm better off waiting and purchase the 55 Zeiss ?

slacklaporte wrote:
just a suggestion here, u bought one of the best resolution camera on the market, to exploit it, u will need quality lenses. The cheapest solution in my point of vue its to find a used Sony Zeiss 55mm 1.8 Thats an amazing lens, really sharp, with a great personality. This lens will do honor to your A7R II. Batis 85mm is also an excellent choice for portrait, but more expensive.

Aug 15, 2017 at 02:48 PM

notherenow
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Any Cheap portrait lens for Sony a7RII?

GabrielPhoto wrote:
I will have to respectfully disagree with this. I did a video review of 4 85mm lenses and there are clear differences between the 85mm 1.8 and the GM which for me, made the GM the better option. Of course we all have different needs and requirements for our jobs.
In any case, since the OP has the 28mm and wants a Portrait lens, I would go with the 85mm 1.8 if that is the budget limit or Batis (again I would look at the used market for best deals be it from forum members or from B&H, Adorama).

When I...Show more →

Agreed that we all have different requirements.

If you need 1.4 then the 85 1.8 can not help there either.

I have not used the GM either but am just going of my use of the 1.8 and also most of the reviews I have seen comparing them.

For example DXO rates the GM a fraction better overall than the FE 85 1.8 and Batis 85 but with the FE rated as sharper (I find DXO useful but not the be all and end all).

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-FE-85mm-F18-on-Sony-A7R-II-versus-Sony-FE-85mm-F14-GM-on-Sony-A7R-II-versus-Zeiss-Carl-Zeiss-Batis-85mm-F18-Sony-FE-on-Sony-A7R-II__1818_1035_1680_1035_1536_1035

Lens Rentals also likes it (along with the others).
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/06/sharpness-tests-of-the-sony-fe-85mm-f1-8-g/

Note, I didn't say the FE was better though I actually think it is for me as I don't need 1.4 (I can use my FD L 85 1.2 if I did) and it is a nice size and mine at least is a nice copy I think.

For the price of the GM you could probably get the FE 85 1.8 AND the 55 1.8 and you would not be lacking in image quality.

We are very lucky with 85mm lenses in FF E mount with half a dozen top notch choices and the same for normal (50ish) lenses.

Aug 15, 2017 at 02:48 PM

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