fredmiranda.com
Login

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Sony Forum | Join Upload & Sell

       2       3       end
  

Venture into Sony

  
 
photo325
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · Venture into Sony


So I recently put in my order for my first Sony mirrorless camera and ordered a A7R5 (It will be a while before it all arrives). As I love the pictures that come out of that camera but will likely get a faster camera later (possibly a 9III/A1) if this experiment into Sony goes well !!

I have ordered a couple of lenses to get started see below. However am looking for some good suggestions for the wide / general purpose section to get me started for say street photography and a good walk around lens ? As you can imagine my bank account is rather bruised at the moment so cheaper options if possible (although happy to wait and save for a bit if its worth it) and if it can be used for thinks like astrophotography as well that will earn the suggestion bonus points

1. Macro : Sigma 105 / Sony 90mm (Currently out of scope)
2. Wide / General Purpose : ? Looking to buy
3. Medium Zoom : Sony 70-200 f2.8 GM II (Ordered)
4. Long Range / Wildlife Sigma 500mm f5.6 DN DG (Ordered)



Sep 17, 2025 at 03:52 AM
BillinTexas
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · Venture into Sony


I like the Sony 24-105 f4 as a good general-purpose lens. I don't use mine ofte,n but it doesn't let me down when I do.


Sep 17, 2025 at 04:13 AM
rob_ww
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · Venture into Sony


I moved to Sony (from Leica about 4 years ago). You will love it. The sensors are wonderful. The AF is fantastic -- so reliable I don't ever need to check, or even to use the viewfinder at all for some shots. The user interface is a complicated mess, but once you have it set the way you like it, that stops being important.

Having worked through a fair collection of lenses in this new Sony world, I have settled on the Sony G 24-50/2.8 small zoom as my main walkaround lens. It's hardly larger than a typical prime lens and with that wonderful sensor f2.8 is not a problem, unless you really want to blur the background. You can also crop to APS-C in camera to get a 75mm EFOV if needed, and still have plenty of pixels.

I did have a Batis 18/2.8 as my widest lens but am just replacing it with the Sony G 16-35/4.0 PZ. Very similar proposition to the 24-50 but with emphasis on the wider end. I still love the Batis range of lenses, but I can leave the 16-35 on my camera all day and have wide-angle on tap when needed. I still love the Batis range of lenses for Sony, but that's another conversation!

Welcome to Sony and good hunting!




Sep 17, 2025 at 04:31 AM
3catsinky
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · Venture into Sony


the 20-70F4 is a very good general purpose choice. I went back and forth between it and the 24-50, but wanted the wider end and longer reach. So far, it hasn't let me down.


Sep 17, 2025 at 05:48 AM
Steve Spencer
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #5 · Venture into Sony


For macro, I would recommend for at least awhile adapting an older cheaper lens. Would manual focus (MF) be ok? I find it often is necessary for macro anyway, and if it is then the list of pretty good cheap macro lenses is long. My personal favorite is the Tokina 90 f/2.5 (often nicknamed the Bokina), which you can get for around $100. Add a cheap adapter and you have a very nice macro for something like $125. Here is a review of the lens at phillipreeve.net:

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/tokina-x-macro-90mm-12-5-review/

For a wide/walk around, if you want a zoom, here are some of the main contenders:

Sony 20-70 f/4 - Very nice especially if you want the extra width of the 20mm on the wide end, but it does only have an f/4 aperture

Sony 24-50 f/2.8 -- Very good performance and nice and small, but not that much reach

Sony 24-105 f/4 -- Solid performer with an excellent range, but f/4 and not as wide as the 20-70 f/4

Sony 24-70 f/2.8 II - Excellent and expensive

Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 G2 - Very nice performance and a real value in a pretty small size, but it isn't as wide as most of the alternatives.

Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 II - Really great performance at a not sky high price. Wonderful value but a little on the big side.

Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 -- Solid performer, and nice and small but again not as wide.

It really is up to what you value most and there are obvious trade offs between size, performance, and focal length coverage.



Sep 17, 2025 at 06:30 AM
photo325
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · Venture into Sony


Thank you everyone for the suggestions I have been (at lunchtime) looking at video reviews for the lenses you have suggested. Some solid options there I don't have much knowledge of Tamron and other third party lenses for Sony at this point, with the exception of Sigma which I have had some good experiences with.

In regards to macro, yes definitely in favour of manual focus for serious macro. With my last system I was using a Laowa 100mm f2.8 2X Ultra Macro with extension tubes which was very effective even though I was then only using a cropped frame sensor (Fuji XT-4). The logic behind a Sony macro variant would be to potentially tap into the camera based focus stacking. However I will definitely end up with both manual and autofocusing for a bit of casual run and gun autofocusing macro too



Sep 17, 2025 at 08:57 AM
scrappydog
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · Venture into Sony


I have the Sony 24-105/4 and can verify that it's reliable and sharp. It's a tad larger than I prefer, but it's a solid lens and easily acquired used at favorable prices. I also have the Sigma 24-70/2.8 and can confirm that it's a little on the hefty side, but another solid performer. I recently tried the Sigma 20-200, which hasn't been released yet. If you are still hunting for a general purpose zoom, it's really small, light, takes nice shots, and has a great focal range. It's smaller than the other two. It's slow though - f/3.5 to f/6.3 variable aperture. Good luck and welcome to your new camera.


Sep 17, 2025 at 09:08 AM
freaklikeme
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · Venture into Sony


Steve's got a good list going, but you should probably understand the difference between third party and OEM lenses. If you want to keep continuous AF while zooming, you'll need to go OEM. You also can't use TCs with third parties, though that doesn't matter much for the standard zooms, since they don't take them anyway. If you eventually add an a1/II, only OEM lenses will allow for 30fps, and if you add an a9III, only a specific number of OEM lenses will support it's higher frame rates. And, if you plan to do video at all, OEM lenses unlock a host of features that go a long way in justifying Sony's high prices.

None of them present a strong value prop for astro. Not that they're not usable, but there are some inexpensive primes that can get you more; Samyang 24/1.8 and 35/1.8, Viltrox 16/1.8, and even Sony's 16/1.8, which is pricey, but still one of their best bargains. It might make sense to budget for one of those in the future.

To tide you over on the macro front, you could add a good diopter to the 70-200GMII, like the Canon 500D or Kenko Pro AC1 #3, that will get you closer without much impact to quality or AF speed (make sure to use the focus limiter).



Sep 17, 2025 at 09:14 AM
liggy
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #9 · Venture into Sony


3catsinky wrote:
the 20-70F4 is a very good general purpose choice. I went back and forth between it and the 24-50, but wanted the wider end and longer reach. So far, it hasn't let me down.


The 20-70 has become the grab and go/travel lens of choice for me as well. Especially good on an A7 RV with all the megapixels giving you the luxury of cropping to taste. The extra width is great.



Sep 17, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Slalom
Online
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #10 · Venture into Sony


Welcome to Sony.

Currently on a break, at Cragside tomorrow the first electric home. Not sure I can use it. but an a7R3 with a sony 28-60 as a lens cap, in a pocket a light lens lab "Elcan" if I want something with no clear background.

Then off for ridge walks in the Lake district, so for hikes I will use a Tamron 28-200, a marmite lens, which it seems is being upgraded with a 25-??. For evenings i have a voigtlander SE 40mm f1.2 Nokton.

Other options a 14-24mm zoom and a 75mm f1.4, If I feel they are right,

forgot "Elcan" needs one of these:

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1768605/

Edited on Sep 18, 2025 at 10:39 AM · View previous versions



Sep 17, 2025 at 02:34 PM
 


Search in Used Dept. 

shadow9d9
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · Venture into Sony


To me, wide is always going to be one of the 12-24s. They are unique, and make the system.


Sep 17, 2025 at 03:41 PM
Craig Gillette
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · Venture into Sony


I use the Tamron 28-200 as my main walk-around lens. But that's Southern California and great southwest US for the most part. The advantage is the long end in a single lens. size wise, essentially the same as the Tamron 28-75/2.8. A 25-200 announced now.

If you're mostly urban, tighter quarters, the 20-70/4 might be useful.



Sep 17, 2025 at 05:21 PM
mudlake
Online
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #13 · Venture into Sony


Wide:
Sony 20/1.8G.
One of the sharpest lenses ever made. It’s a terrific astro lens. Great for landscapes and even street.

General purpose:
Sony 40/2.5G
Sony 50/2.5G
Sigma 50/2i
Sigma 35/2i

Lots of choices with Sony!



Sep 17, 2025 at 07:14 PM
Ross Martin
Online
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #14 · Venture into Sony


Congrats on your entrance into the Sony world! I switched over 2.5 years ago and it’s been a superb system for me (not so superb for my wallet - I can’t quit buying fantastic E mount glass ). I see you ordered the 70-200/2.8GII and Sigma 500/5.6, I have both and they are top notch. You mentioned needing something wide for astro and street, and I will recommend the Sony 20/1.8. My copy is sharp into the furthest corners wide open, the size/weight/handling are wonderful, and it can be purchased used on our forum for really good pricing (I think I paid $525 for LNIB).

Other lenses I have that I can highly recommend to complement your telephotos are the Sony 35/1.4 (also sharp corner to corner wide open), 16-35/4 PZ (very sharp, lightweight), 24-70/2.8GMII, Tamron G2 28-75/2.8 (great at budget price). I have more lenses I love but will stop there.



Sep 17, 2025 at 07:24 PM
sonofjesse2010
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #15 · Venture into Sony


A7R5 and 70-200mm II your going for the HOME RUN out of the gate, I like it. Great combo.

500mm I hear great things.

Don't be afraid of some budget simga/tamron lenses as well some great choices we have as Sony shooters.

Look at used lenses locally to you.

Sigma/Tamron 24-70mm 28-75mm, are great and you can find some used at great prices.
Sony 20mm 1.8 is great, but bit wide for general use in my experience. (I have one still though and love it).

Finding you a standard used zoom 3rd party will save your pocket book, and offer you a chance to get into the system and start taking pictures. You can always sell it later if you want to switch it up and not be out a lot (think of it as a long term rental).

I'm a ar7V shooter feel free to PM me if I can help.

A7RV is a great body, menu system does take a bit to get used to on Sony.



Sep 17, 2025 at 08:19 PM
scrappydog
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · Venture into Sony


I will give you some Sony E-mount astro options, just so you get some coverage on that front. None of these lenses are general purpose normal range lenses. All are for wide-field astro photography.

Sigma 14mm f/1.4: very fast, very sharp in the center wide open and very sharp in the corners wide open, but not flat field so you have to focus in the middle, mid-field, or corners and work from there. I focus in the mid-field, then noodle out the astigmatism in the extreme periphery to get good performance across the entire field wide-open at 100% (i.e., no astigmatism in the corners, decent mid-field, decent center). I've seen shots from this lens of pinpoint stars across the frame at f/1.4, but that's a golden version of this lens (mine requires a little more work). This is a specialist astro lens with killer astro features (super fast aperture, focus lock, aperture lock, built in collar, designed to handle dew heaters, back filter holders in cap, etc.). It's big, heavy, and fairly expensive. If you do wide-field astro, it does not get better than this, irrespective of the platform. You can tell that this lens was designed by someone who does astro. People complain about the size and weight - if you care about astro, it's generally not a big deal. This is a good lens to pair with the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM for an astro kit.

Sigma 14mm f/1.8: never shot it. It's supposed to be good, but not as good as the Sigma 14mm f/1.4.

Sony 14mm f/1.8: small lens for the FL and speed. It is sharp. My spouse has it. It's not flat field, at least not her copy so you have to generally stop down a little to get better overall performance across the frame (e.g., f/2.2). It's fast and light and definitely the preference for folks who prefer a lighter bag. This lens has no special astro features like the Sigma 14mm f/1.4.

Samyang 14-24mm f/2.8: small and light lens, takes 77mm filters. My spouse owns this one too. Her copy is super sharp across the frame wide open. I haven't tested how to get the best performance from this lens, but it is impressively sharp across the frame at f/2.8. I tested this lens in a dark location and if you focus in the center, you will get elongated stars in the corner, so testing is needed to get the best out of it. This lens has no special astro features like the Sigma 14mm f/1.4. That said, if you like a general purpose wide-angle lens, this one is small, light, and a good copy will result in excellent performance.

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN: I own it. It's my go-to general purpose wide angle landscape lens and astro lens. Moderately heavy, heavier than the Samyang 14-24, does not take front filters, but you can get a Nisi 150mm filter kit if want a polarizer, NDs. My copy is very sharp across the frame at all focal lengths, so it replaces a lot of primes for me. For astro, it's very good wide open. It's not as good as the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 though. I will never sell this lens because it is so good at every focal length and has a decent balance of size, weight, range, and speed. I recently went on a two-week trip to Namibia focused on astro and this was my astro lens.

People also use the Sony 16mm f/1.8, Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 II, and Sony 20mm f/1.8 for astro. No comments on those options.



Sep 17, 2025 at 08:29 PM
q-w-z
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #17 · Venture into Sony


1. Macro. Sony 90mm OSS is pretty old, rather sharp but not the sharpest one. Rendering is great though. Sigma 105mm is as well as latest Tamron version of 90mm macro is sharper. MF 110mm APO Voightlander is great (1:1 too, my mistake), Laowa made a bunch of 85-100 range MF macro lens, some reach 2:1 scale.

Edited on Sep 19, 2025 at 07:04 AM · View previous versions



Sep 17, 2025 at 11:02 PM
bdbits
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #18 · Venture into Sony


Slight correction: the Voigtlander 110mm is 1:1 otherwise I agree it is a great macro lens. Perhaps you were thinking of the Voigtlander 65mm macro which is indeed 1:2 and also a great lens. Both are in the APO Lanthar series.




Sep 17, 2025 at 11:58 PM
duncangr
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #19 · Venture into Sony


photo325 wrote:
So I recently put in my order for my first Sony mirrorless camera and ordered a A7R5 (It will be a while before it all arrives). As I love the pictures that come out of that camera but will likely get a faster camera later (possibly a 9III/A1) if this experiment into Sony goes well !!

I have ordered a couple of lenses to get started see below. However am looking for some good suggestions for the wide / general purpose section to get me started for say street photography and a good walk around lens ? As you can imagine
...Show more

Skip the Sigma 500 - you will regret that purchase if you get and A1 or A9iii and find you are limited to 15fps. The 300 /f2.8 + 2xTC or 400-800 or 200-600 would be a better option I think.

A7r5 + 200-600 is very very sharp. Seems to be a better pair than A1 + 200-600, except of course for fast action.



Sep 18, 2025 at 12:52 AM
NikRecob
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #20 · Venture into Sony


photo325 wrote:
So I recently put in my order for my first Sony mirrorless camera and ordered a A7R5 (It will be a while before it all arrives). As I love the pictures that come out of that camera but will likely get a faster camera later (possibly a 9III/A1) if this experiment into Sony goes well !!

Welcome to Sony. The A7RV is excellent. Don't overlook Sony's GM's like the 24 & the 35 1.4's. I love those 2 lenses. And as already mentioned, the 20-70 f/4 is also nice.
Finally, if you get a chance look up Sony Ambassador Mark Galer from Australia & his "PAL" camset/workflow

(if you haven't already).
He has a Patreon channel worth looking into.
Enjoy!




Sep 18, 2025 at 02:41 AM
       2       3       end






FM Forums | Sony Forum | Join Upload & Sell

       2       3       end
    
 

Welcome back
Log in to your account