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Archive 2017 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

Messier77
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

Since you're willing to use primes, the Batis 18mm is a fantastic and extremely light lens that I can recommend without hesitation. It's especially impressive wide open and has fantastic coma control for the occasional astro shot that may come about while hiking. Plus it has the benefit of AF. The only downside is the oddly bulbous shape that can sometimes make for an odd fitment in certain bags where space is tight.

After much testing, I've still yet to find a lens that can beat it in sharpness into the corners at f/2.8 at the same focal length.

Dec 11, 2017 at 05:15 PM

mrcyc8
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

MrTMan wrote:
It sounds like a fast 35mm is a priority for you. So I don't think you'd be fully satisfied with a zoom.

And given that you don't typically need anything wider than 18mm, I think the ideal combo for you would be Batis 18, Batis 25, and 35/1.4 (or one of the MF options like the Loxia 35/2 or Voigtalnder 35/1.7). That's what I've got, and that's worked well for me. And keep in mind that you can crop the 25 to 35mm on the A7rIII, if you don't want to carry all those lenses with you at all times....Show more →

Yeah a fast 35mm is definitely a priority for me, but I'm hoping to be patient enough to wait for a sigma FE lens or some new 35/1.8 in the coming months. I have some manual lenses that will hold me over until then like a minolta MD 35/2.8 even though they aren't that fast.

I don't know that I am willing to stomach buying two Batis lenses and a future 35mm which is why I've listed the Laowa and Batis 25mm.

I have definitely considered starting with the Loxia 21mm and a 35mm and adding something else at a later date. Is 21mm-35mm a big enough gap to be concerned about?

Dec 11, 2017 at 06:23 PM

Faraday
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

mrcyc8 wrote:
Yeah a fast 35mm is definitely a priority for me, but I'm hoping to be patient enough to wait for a sigma FE lens or some new 35/1.8 in the coming months. I have some manual lenses that will hold me over until then like a minolta MD 35/2.8 even though they aren't that fast.

I don't know that I am willing to stomach buying two Batis lenses and a future 35mm which is why I've listed the Laowa and Batis 25mm.

I have definitely considered starting with the Loxia 21mm and a 35mm and adding something else at a later...Show more →

I don't think so. If it is, you could add the 28mm f/2 Sony which isn't expensive especially at resale. I don't have this, but people love good copies of this lens. But between 21 and 35 is really a couple steps forward or back. If you can't move that much, I recommend a zoom (this is why I use zooms, I prefer primes any day, but I often do not have room to move).

FWIW I still love my 55 1.8, you will be very happy with that lens.

Dec 11, 2017 at 08:54 PM

mrcyc8
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

elizabeth77 wrote:
I don't think so. If it is, you could add the 28mm f/2 Sony which isn't expensive especially at resale. I don't have this, but people love good copies of this lens. But between 21 and 35 is really a couple steps forward or back. If you can't move that much, I recommend a zoom (this is why I use zooms, I prefer primes any day, but I often do not have room to move).

FWIW I still love my 55 1.8, you will be very happy with that lens.

That's true, I probably don't need to worry too much about that gap if I go the route of 21 and 35. I'm still leaning towards the Batis 25mm just because it seems like a great lens to leave on the camera when hiking.

I'm so excited to use the 55/1.8. I'm ready to order the A7riii and 55mm for sure, so I honestly might start out only with that pairing for the very beginning. Wish I could have it to shoot Christmas with the family, but I'm guessing there's no way I will get the camera that fast.

Dec 11, 2017 at 10:33 PM

WestTexas Sky
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

While I don't mind being able to use a lens for landscape and Astro, I actually keep two separate sets.

For landscape it's the A7R with Voigtlander 15, Loxia 21, Sony 55, adapted Nikon 100mm

For Astro it's the A7S with Samyang 24mm/1.4 and 12mm fisheye with the Sony 55 for longer shots.

I never use the 24/1.4 for landscape as it's too big. I can use the Loxia 21 for Astro but I want the two extra stops of the 24/1.4.

So it's two kits but each is idealized.

mrcyc8 wrote:
Thank you! The fact that they are all good options is what makes deciding so Hard!

The only reason I don't grab the 16-35/4 and a fast 35mm is because that is the one option that really limits astrophotography. Which would also be the same situation for the 12-24 and a fast 35mm. I agree with you that the GM seems too big for hiking and backpacking even though it is optically stunning.

Dec 12, 2017 at 11:31 AM

mrcyc8
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

WestTexas Sky wrote:
While I don't mind being able to use a lens for landscape and Astro, I actually keep two separate sets.

For landscape it's the A7R with Voigtlander 15, Loxia 21, Sony 55, adapted Nikon 100mm

For Astro it's the A7S with Samyang 24mm/1.4 and 12mm fisheye with the Sony 55 for longer shots.

I never use the 24/1.4 for landscape as it's too big. I can use the Loxia 21 for Astro but I want the two extra stops of the 24/1.4.

So it's two kits but each is idealized.

That makes a lot of sense. I'd looked into the samyang 24mm in the past, but it seemes a lot of people had normal samyang/rokinon quality control issues with it. I'm very excited to try out the Sony 55mm for astro. I've never had a longer lens for astro, but I've seen some awesome shots with the 55.

I still drool over the idea of the Laowa 15mm for astro, and it could be interesting for very wide landscapes.

Dec 12, 2017 at 01:10 PM

seurot
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

I use the Loxia 21mm for landscape and astro, and the FE 35mm 1.4 for almost everything else. It's a great combo.

I also have a Rokinon 14mm in case I need wider, but the 21mm suffices in most cases unless I'm going for that exaggerated/distorted foreground look.

Dec 12, 2017 at 01:28 PM

mrcyc8
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

seurot wrote:
I use the Loxia 21mm for landscape and astro, and the FE 35mm 1.4 for almost everything else. It's a great combo.

I also have a Rokinon 14mm in case I need wider, but the 21mm suffices in most cases unless I'm going for that exaggerated/distorted foreground look.

What's your take on the 35/1.4? A fast 35 will be one of the most important lenses I own someday, but I've read it's so hard to find a good copy of the lens and on top of that it's very large. Holding onto hope for a Sigma in the next few months

Dec 12, 2017 at 02:03 PM

carrg1954
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

mrcyc8 wrote:
I'm definitely 100% set on the 55mm! Do you still think the Batis 25mm was the right way to go?

I was planning to stick with native glass, but what's your opinion of the canon 70-200 on an A7 series camera?
I went in the following order, 55, 85, the 25. I am happy with the 25 and don't want anything wider, l also have canon 17-40 f4.
I am in no hurry but will likely get a7r iii sometime in 2018 when the demand drops. Sony may change my mind.
I will then consider whether a Sony 70-200 2.8 would replace the f4 depending on focus speeds,however Sony lenses are at a considerable premium over canon L glass, also longer is no issue as l have existing options with 7d.
I would not replace the canon 70-400 with Sony. Finally don't be in a hurry. Regards
Also
Google anologsenses

Dec 12, 2017 at 03:32 PM

mrcyc8
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

carrg1954 wrote:
Finally don't be in a hurry.

This is honestly very good advice. I might only start out with the 55 and 25, then see what I desire from there.

carrg1954 wrote:
Also
Google anologsenses

Thanks for the advice, looks like some good reads!

Dec 12, 2017 at 08:14 PM

jonrock
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

mrcyc8 wrote:
What's your take on the 35/1.4? A fast 35 will be one of the most important lenses I own someday, but I've read it's so hard to find a good copy of the lens and on top of that it's very large. Holding onto hope for a Sigma in the next few months

The 35 1.4 FE is an excellent lens especially for environmental portraits. My only concern with mine is that it's a relatively large lens. I don't have much faith in Sigma putting out a smaller 35mm f2.0. Most likely they will go with a 35mm f1.4 which should be roughly the same size as the FE 35 1.4.

If you're fine with manual focus or willing to get a Techart Pro adapter (though AF on a A7R III doesn't work that great yet with the current firmware) that allows autofocus, the Voigtlander 35mm f1.7 Ultron (the new edition not the old one) is a great lens. I bought one for the times where I don't want to carry a larger 35mm f1.4 lens with me.

Dec 12, 2017 at 09:10 PM

seurot
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

mrcyc8 wrote:
What's your take on the 35/1.4? A fast 35 will be one of the most important lenses I own someday, but I've read it's so hard to find a good copy of the lens and on top of that it's very large. Holding onto hope for a Sigma in the next few months

I started with the FE 55mm cause I was always a 50mm guy before I switched to Sony a year ago. Then got the Batis 85mm and then Loxia 21mm, and then found a dirt cheap FE 28mm. So I really didnt' need the 35mm, but heard so much about it that when I found a good deal on a used one, I decided to take the leap of faith and try it out. And I now it lives on my camera most of the time!

Is my copy a perfect copy? Probably not, but its not a noticeably bad copy either. I've been happy with the shots from it so I haven't felt the need to perform the pixel peeping tests on it.

Yes, it felt huge compared to what I had before, but you do get used to it. But since I use it so much, I accept the 'sacrifice' I have to make to get the IQ the comes with it.

Dec 13, 2017 at 01:43 AM

justruss
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

mrcyc8 wrote:
Thanks, I've definitely considered that option because I love the Rokinon 12mm on my A6000, and that would be an equivalent focal length. I feel like I would be leaving a huge focal length gap from 18 to 35 though. Especially since a lot of times when hiking you have to shoot from where you're standing rather than zooming with your feet. ie edge of a cliff or lake.

Then let me (as a former Rok12 lover) also suggest Batis 18 and then a 35mm-something.

The Batis 18 is the best UWA I have ever used when taken in totality. Great coma control, fast/accurate AF (something I never expected to like), extremely light for the FL/aperture/performance, pretty small (minus that ridiculous, but effective, hood), very, very, very sharp right from f/2.8-- and a drawing/rendering quality that I have yet to match with any UWA on any system. In particular, just-oof rendering in the periphery of the frame is superb-superb.

I use the Batis 18 as part of a prime-kit on an A7rII that pairs with an FE28 and Batis 85. It's a kit I use literally around the globe for feature photojournalism in glossy mags (if you check out the November issue of Discover you'll see a feature on a supervolcano near Naples, Italy shot on the kit). I'm planning on switching the 28 to a 35 once something a little smaller than the Zony 1.4 is out there, but faster than the Zony 2.8.

Frankly, the gap from 18 to 28/35 doesn't bother me for a moment, and this is a kit I use in the field all the time when getting the shot is necessary. Before this I had a great copy of the 16-35 f/4... and I still don't miss the FL coverage in the middle. It's true that if I had my druthers I'd have 12mm, 18mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm primes-- but I would NEVER bring such a kit out on a job or a trip. I'd take a set crafted for my needs. I figure I can do 85% of my work with 35mm alone, and get up to 95-98% by adding 18mm and 85mm. So that's the kit. The rest? I'd only take out with a clear need for longer or wider or intermediate.

TLDR: Consider the B18. Buying it was the single best lens decision I made after buying into Sony FF in the first place.

Dec 13, 2017 at 03:07 AM

Viramati
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

I would get the 16-35GM as it really covers it all and is just an excellent allrounder especially if you have the FE55 which is excellent for portraits. I had a whole set of primes in this focal length range and in the end traded them for the GM. It is so good that apart form the Loxia 21 sunstars I can hardly see any IQ difference in real world shooting. also it really isn't that much bigger than the the FE 16-35/f4 and has much better corners

Dec 13, 2017 at 03:22 AM

MrTMan
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

The 35/1.4 is an awesome lens, IF you can find a good copy. I honestly don’t find the size to be an issue, except when I’m also looking to carry it around with more than a couple of other primes. It’s lighter than some other lenses, like the 50/1.4 for example. The rendering and bokeh are really nice, and that’s where it seems to have a significant advantage over the Sigma Art 35/1.4.

On a good copy, the center sharpness should be great at f/1.4. For example, the eyelashes in a portrait should be quite sharp and well defined. But I can attest to the fact that finding a good copy can take some efffort. I’m just really happy that I managed to find one.

Dec 13, 2017 at 09:01 AM

tylerdurden801
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

I can vouch for the Loxia 21. I also have the Batis 18, and the Loxia has a more harmonious performance. The Batis probably has a sharper center, but it falls off more in the corners. The Loxia is just spectacular corner to corner at f8. Even ignoring the top-notch haptics and build quality, it's a special lens.

Dec 13, 2017 at 09:35 AM

Gunzorro
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

I'm not doing any astro, but for a two-lens set for landscape and urban, I prefer the 12-24G and Loxia 35 combo. With options for stitching and cropping this twosome covers a lot of territory.

Dec 13, 2017 at 10:43 AM

MrTMan
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

tylerdurden801 wrote:
I can vouch for the Loxia 21. I also have the Batis 18, and the Loxia has a more harmonious performance. The Batis probably has a sharper center, but it falls off more in the corners. The Loxia is just spectacular corner to corner at f8. Even ignoring the top-notch haptics and build quality, it's a special lens.

Is there much difference between the color/contrast of the Loxia vs. the Batis? Or are they pretty similar in that regard?

Dec 13, 2017 at 10:59 AM

tylerdurden801
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

I would say fairly similar, but it's not something I tend to pay a lot of attention to given that all my keepers get a fair bit of processing so it'll look like I want it to in the end as far as color/contrast go.

Dec 13, 2017 at 11:02 AM

WestTexas Sky
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Another person that can't decide on FE wide angle lenses

The samples I have seen from the Laowa look like poor coma control. The Samyang 14/2.8 and 14SP f/2.4 seem to be better in that regard. I was hoping the Sigma 14/1.8 or Laowa 15/2 would be groundbreaking Astro lenses but that does not appear to be the case.

I use my Sony 55 for Milky Way and find it works well, especially with the high ISO capability of the A7S.

I find the Samyang 24/1.4 a good lens with good coma control and only a little field curvature towards the sides. But it's so big and heavy it's a night only lens. I would never take it on a hike in the daytime. The Loxia 21 goes instead.

mrcyc8 wrote:
That makes a lot of sense. I'd looked into the samyang 24mm in the past, but it seemes a lot of people had normal samyang/rokinon quality control issues with it. I'm very excited to try out the Sony 55mm for astro. I've never had a longer lens for astro, but I've seen some awesome shots with the 55.

I still drool over the idea of the Laowa 15mm for astro, and it could be interesting for very wide landscapes.

Dec 13, 2017 at 11:14 AM

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