p.2 #5 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
Sorry not to have MF lenses in the consideration, but I suppose they are a niche here anyway!
I choose the poor man's quality zoom alternative: Canon EF 24-70/2.8L II, via Sigma MC-11 adapter. Works great for me. If I had the funds, I'd probably upgrade to the newest Canon RF version, to be able to use on both Sony and Canon RF bodies.
p.2 #7 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
Fortunately the cameras are interchangeable lens, so this is not forced. If it has to be one lens I would say the 35GM. Low light ability, contrast, and sharpness. A focal length that is often useful.
As a second choice I often use the 135GM. It seems almost impossible to take a bad photo with that lens.
p.2 #8 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
philip_pj wrote:
It's the GM 50/1.4, a super lens that does what I look for: versatility (portraits, general through to landscapes), practicality, decent weight (516 grams), excellent colour palette, smooth transition zone, near silent and fast focusing, very fine (almost cinematic) bokeh (enough to impress long term reviewers) that does not mean total blur and good for f5.6 as well, 67mm filters, right-sized hood, case, weather sealing, and affordability. Such a balanced product. I agree with many others that it is the finest 50mm Sony has ever made. The bonus is the superb focal plane that permits wonderful separation.
In the critical 50mm space, Sony is actually competing with itself now. It will hopefully soon be joined by an 85mm of the same general specification and performance. ...Show more →
Has anyone compare the FE 50/1.4 GM to the FE 50/1.4 ZA? The latter would be a bigger lens but I remember really liking its performance and rendering as well.
p.2 #10 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
An interesting follow-up might be how many people currently, or plan to, own the lens they listed. I chose the Tamron 35-150 with no intention of ever owning one, but it'd be the lens I'd have no choice but to get to cover a wide range of uses. Which is really the point of that lens anyways IMO.
p.2 #12 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
Fun question Fred! I was going to say the 70-200/2.8 GMII that I own since it has been used for my favorite landscape images last year and is a truly phenomenal optic, but I would need wider focal lengths at times. So, if forced, I’d choose the Tamron 35-150 (which I don’t own - yet ). I’d have most of the telephoto focal lengths that I use so often for intimate landscape and still be able to zoom out to my favorite gentle wide focal length of 35, plus good light gathering for a zoom so works for lower light travel images and portraits also (weight be damned).
p.2 #14 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
I would say the 200-600 since wildlife is my favorite subject overall.
That being said, I currently don't have a long telephoto and am on a break from wildlife for the next few months before getting back into it. Based on my current trends I would go with the 20-70 lens.
p.2 #17 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
j4nu wrote:
Tamron 35-150 as I simply got used to the versatile focal range and aperture it offers, high IQ and nice draw are a bonus .
This will be my choice as well. This lens can be used in good daylight and in low light. It is not too wide, but wide enough. On the tele end, 150 mm (225 mm in the APS-C mode) is long enough for most of what I do. The image quality is never a concern or limiting with this lens
p.2 #19 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
I really, really like the Sony Zeiss 35mm 2.8. It’s small, fairly inexpensive, great IQ, light and perfect for me when it comes to most of what I take pictures of. I can stick the camera in my coat pocket easily and can carry it everywhere.
That said, I just bought a Batis 25mm after falling in love with the look of the images. It’s much bigger than the 35mm though, so I’m still not sure the Batis 25mm will replace the 35mm for me.
p.2 #20 · If you could only have one lens for your Sony...
I own a substantial number of manual primes and one zoom: the 24-70 GM II. I frequently do the one lens challenge and enjoy the process of working with a single focal length. If I were to choose one lens it most likely would be the 40mm f1.2 Nokton.
Edit: missed the autofocus criteria in my earlier read. Given that, I’ve already made that choice. The 24-70 GMII
). I’d have most of the telephoto focal lengths that I use so often for intimate landscape and still be able to zoom out to my favorite gentle wide focal length of 35, plus good light gathering for a zoom so works for lower light travel images and portraits also (weight be damned).
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