p.1 #1 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
I’m currently a Canon user who is likely to move to Sony, probably when the rumored A7RVI arrives. I’ve been haunting the Sony forum for the past few months to try to get a handle on Sony World, in particular on the lens options that would most likely align with my (well-defined) needs.
One thing that strikes me about this forum is the huge number of threads about non-Sony lenses. My experience with other bands has been to rely almost entirely on native brand lenses, and that strategy has worked very well for me. I’ve been trying to understand why there is so much interest in the third-party lenses here. Some possibilities occur to me:
1. Do Sony users feel that Sony lenses are somehow deficient by comparison to third-part optics.
2. Third party lenses are cheaper than Sony products.
3. The third-party products fill gaps in the Sony lens line-up.
4. Something else.
I’m interested in the thoughts of current Sony users.
p.1 #2 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
@gdanmitchell I agree with your observation. I think the answer is even simpler than the options you've listed: there are just MORE 3rd party lenses for the E-mount. And not only there are more of them available today, but also there have been more discontinued lenses. The E-mount is by far the oldest mirrorless mount.
p.1 #3 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
Sony does not charge royalties to third-party manufacturers, nor does sue them, but limits the AF of third-party lenses to “only” 15 fps. This means that 90% of photographers have a huge choice of E-mount lenses that meet their needs, i.e., without limits to their photography.
p.1 #4 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
I don't observe anything in the Nikon forum (it's enough having RoaminScott here!) but they have even more lenses to discuss, no? Is it the same there. It should be considering the path Nikon is going with no dedicated aperture rings. Cool tele lenses though (right?) and then all the Sony lenses as well. Great.
Third party lenses are often cheaper than Sony lenses. Or, better put, the Sony stuff is often very expensive. Here in the EU the Sony price politics is extreme, as if "expensive" is the same as "good". So, second hand, grey market, third parties come to help.
Then we have the good manual focusing lenses which are a joy to use sometimes. When looking for near perfection for example I use the Voigtländer 50/2 APO. Focusing Sony lenses manually doesn't make you particularly happy.
Sony lens ergonomics is, in my opinion, bad. They have unfortunately decided design is more important than usability.
Having said that I should also mentioned my two most lenses are the Sony PZ 16-35/4 and 40/2.5 G and now with the Viltrox 85/2 EVO at third place. There is obviously room for different types of lenses.
p.1 #5 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
Well, the truth is there are fewer and fewer reasons to pay OEM premium...
If you don't need:
1) TC support
2) more than 15 FPS
3) the most accurate tracking
4) some firmware tricks (active stabilization in video, focus breathing correction, etc.)
then 3rd party lenses offer more variety at similar IQ and lower price.
Of course, Sony still has some native gems in its own lineup, like 28-70/2 or 50-150/2, but 3rd parties also have unique lenses like 35-150/2-2.8 or 28-45/1.8 or 35/1.2. The latest releases especially (e.g. 35/1.4 DG II) show that the gap has basically closed.
p.1 #6 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
There is certainly something to the 3rd party lenses are less expensive argument. For me I like that the Sigma zoom lenses operate like the Canon lenses unlike the Sony brand zoom lenses which operate like Nikon lenses. One less thing to need to think about in the heat of the moment.
If there are Canon lenses in your kit you would hate to part with (for me it was the TS-E lenses), the Sigma M-11 adapter lets you take full advantage of them on Sony bodies.
p.1 #7 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
I’m interested in both OEM and third party. Will get my fill of 30fps via the 135GM when I shoot some tennis. For other genres I’m good with 15 fps thus I’m entertaining cheaper than OEM options like the Sigma ART series which I like very much.
p.1 #8 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
The Op coming from Canon is naturally hesitant with 3rd party lenses. If he switches to Sony or Nikon (with adapters), he will be amazed at what he has been missing.
p.1 #9 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
In Sony land I feel that lenses are lenses. While Sony will generally mean you can expect most things to be above average to outstanding, but you still need to verify. But non Sony lenses can also be outstanding, depending on attributes that matter to you.
There are real limitations that Sony puts in non-Sony lenses, but those limitations aren’t always critical depending on a persons intended use of a lens.
In the less open mounts,I feel they are less open in order to protect the OEM. In the more open mounts I feel they let you put the big boy pants on, and make an informed decision, based on your priorities.
In general I think competition can lift all the boats, and is generally a win for consumers.
p.1 #10 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
The E-mount lens ecosystem is the primary reason I use Sony. Glass is a longer term investment compared to cameras. More or less, every camera brand offers similarly performing cameras at various levels. Availability of glass is really the differentiating factor between mounts.
Feb 27, 2026 at 02:48 PM
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p.1 #11 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
gdanmitchell wrote:
I’m currently a Canon user who is likely to move to Sony, probably when the rumored A7RVI arrives. I’ve been haunting the Sony forum for the past few months to try to get a handle on Sony World, in particular on the lens options that would most likely align with my (well-defined) needs.
One thing that strikes me about this forum is the huge number of threads about non-Sony lenses. My experience with other bands has been to rely almost entirely on native brand lenses, and that strategy has worked very well for me. I’ve been trying to understand why there is so much interest in the third-party lenses here. Some possibilities occur to me:
1. Do Sony users feel that Sony lenses are somehow deficient by comparison to third-part optics.
2. Third party lenses are cheaper than Sony products.
3. The third-party products fill gaps in the Sony lens line-up.
4. Something else.
I’m interested in the thoughts of current Sony users....Show more →
Let me try to answer your questions:
"Do Sony users feel that Sony lenses are somehow deficient by comparison to third-part optics?"
I think the answer to this question is basically no. Sony makes good lenses and although in a few cases third party lenses might be a little better, such cases are few and far between and almost always debatable.
Are "Third party lenses are cheaper than Sony products?"
In many cases they are and this does to a fair extent drive interest in third party lenses.
Do "The third-party products fill gaps in the Sony lens line-up?"
In some cases yes, but there aren't a lot of gaps in the Sony lineup. It is quite complete and extensive. In fact of Canon, Nikon, and Sony I think Sony has the fewest gaps. I say that despite railing about Sony not having cheap light telephoto primes like Nikon (I like the 400 f/4.5S and the 600 f/6.3 PF a lot but don't want to shoot Nikon to get them. Sigma has filled this gap pretty well for Sony with their 500 f/5.6
Is there, "Something else?"
I think the something else is the deep commitment of several very good lens makers to the Sony E mount. That includes Sigma which brings out all their mirrorless lenses in Sony E mount and has some really top level lenses including the 28-45 f/1.8, the 35 f/1.2 (now in version II), the 135 f/1.4, the 200 f/2, the 300-600 f/4, and the aforementioned 500 f/5.6 and they just announced an 85 f/1.2 that will be available in the fall. None of these lenses have a Sony equivalent. I wouldn't call these holes in the Sony lineup, but rather Sigma pushing boundaries that haven't been crossed by anyone yet. Then on the manual focus side there is Cosina/Voigtlander that has an extensive set of really high quality small and capable manual focus lenses. Some people including me love the Voigtlander lenses. Some of these lenses are available in other mounts, but their most extensive catalog of lenses for FF mirrorless are for Sony E mount. Viltrox has a lot of lenses that are interesting to a lot of people too. Canon shut them down. Nikon is now suing them. Sony lets them produce lenses for the mount. Samyang also has some interesting lenses and their new collaboration with Schneider looks really interesting. Canon shut them down too, when they tried to make an RF mount lens.So more good third party lenses are just being made for Sony and I think that is the something else.
p.1 #12 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
I think tsdevine, jeffbuzz, and Steve Spencer have summed it up quite nicely.
I bought into the Sony eco-system due to the ability to easily adapt almost every existing lens mount to e-mount. Current manufacturers have taken that adaptability and expanded it with new and interesting products, each with its own defining characteristics. I believe the reason there is so much content in the Sony Forum about lenses is because it touches on what each of us are passionate about and seeking in the equipment they use. That drives discourse. Back in the old days, this would have been called "Tastes Great!, Less Filling!".
p.1 #13 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
Dan,
I shot Canon for 30 years and switched to Sony in 2017 with the brand new A7R3. After one day with that camera, I knew I would never shoot Canon again. I could adapt almost ANY lens I wanted. Within a couple of years there were many lenses available that were all superb from not only Sony but Voigtlander, Sigma, Tamron, etc. And now with Viltrox, TTArtisan, and especially for me - Thypoch, I couldn't be happier. When I think of people shooting Canon who are limited to Canon lenses, I kind of cringe. Thirty years was enough for me.
p.1 #14 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
A bit of context about my thinking…
mogul wrote:
The Op coming from Canon is naturally hesitant with 3rd party lenses. If he switches to Sony or Nikon (with adapters), he will be amazed at what he has been missing.
Background is Canon and Fujifilm. I’m still on EF on the Canon side, so I’m not unfamiliar with third-party options there.
- - -
mudlake wrote:
…When I think of people shooting Canon who are limited to Canon lenses, I kind of cringe. Thirty years was enough for me.
I never felt limited by Canon lenses. In fact, I’ve had more than enough options and I’ve been very happy with all of the Canon lenses I have owned and still own. I’m not a big believer in magical lenses, I am reassured by the full functionality and compatibility of OEM lenses, and the specific kinds of lenses that I would get seem to be available from Sony.
There is one exception. I am interested in bringing along one (or more) MF lenses with a tilt shift adapter. I currently use a Mirex adapter for that purpose on Canon and I assume that such things exist for Sony, too?
- - -
Thanks to all who have posted so far. It helps me get a bit more understanding of SonyLand.
p.1 #15 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
Because third party options pretty much don't exist on the consumer hostile mounts... The third party sony lenses are native, and part of the allure of sony's open system. They fill in gaps(8-15 fisheye, 35-150, 200 primes for example) and offer varying price points.
p.1 #16 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
Sony make maybe 10% of lenses many are interested in, so OEM is a non-starter for them. Sony make great lenses and always did from Minolta days. The combination of open mount and best-in-industry sensor tech, 600-700g small bodies - these things gave us the same access to lens choice that cine users have always had. It's the ancient duopoly that is the aberration here.
Anyone happy with in-house OEM lens ranges has rather narrow tastes, by definition. Sony grew the a7 series out of their failure to impress the DSLR world, so they changed course. Sony had it all themselves so Alt Lens fans flooded in.
Most of them (us) were already hip to the fact that CZ and Leica made better (much better) lenses than anyone else (some like me used them on early Sony DSLR/SLTs like a900, a99, a77). Sony welcomed other lenses in, they rolled out the red carpet in fact. They sent me a gift of an M to E adapter.
It just developed from there, and there was no reason to leave Sony. There still is not. And now crossover into hybrid usage has arrived in force. Sony's $50,000 Venice uses the same mount as the 2010 NEX5. So do the ZV, FX, Burano. And the Chinese outfits taking advantages of it all. Anyone who has not seen what many of them can do is not paying attention. With little fanfare, Sony is at the heart of all of it.
It took five long years for the others to wake up to the optical and operational advantages of mirrorless in full frame. Shame on them, the corporate rogues. The Nikon-Viltrox stoush is on March 2.
p.1 #17 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
gdanmitchell wrote:
I’m currently a Canon user who is likely to move to Sony, probably when the rumored A7RVI arrives. I’ve been haunting the Sony forum for the past few months to try to get a handle on Sony World, in particular on the lens options that would most likely align with my (well-defined) needs.
One thing that strikes me about this forum is the huge number of threads about non-Sony lenses. My experience with other bands has been to rely almost entirely on native brand lenses, and that strategy has worked very well for me. I’ve been trying to understand why there is so much interest in the third-party lenses here. Some possibilities occur to me:
1. Do Sony users feel that Sony lenses are somehow deficient by comparison to third-part optics.
2. Third party lenses are cheaper than Sony products.
3. The third-party products fill gaps in the Sony lens line-up.
4. Something else.
I’m interested in the thoughts of current Sony users....Show more →
I think it is partly the culture of the folks that went MILS earlier when Sony had a puny selection of lenses not about the quality of them. Sony still have fewer lenses of certain types so you may want to adapt some of the Canons like TSEs, teles, or macros. Their selection of teles especially is still anemic compared to Canon or Nikon, but may not matter to you. 3rd party lenses sure don't fill all the gaps for me but YMMV.
As someone who has used Nikon and Canon for over 25 years each Sony is definitely rough to use in some ways. The reason I use Sony is because they have the 61MP sensor, not because I like the cameras. And the sensor is excellent not just because it has 61MP. If Canon or Nikon had that sensor I'd prefer many of their native lenses and better camera ergos (other than the Z8/Z9's lack of 3 control dials). Sony has a lot of primes, and there are a gaggle of 3rd party primes. You have to see which are good for landscapes corner to corner since many are designed for closer distances and the borkahs at wide apertures.
I suggest renting some gear now, including the a7rV and several lenses, to figure out what will work for you or not. It could be a long time before the a7rVI arrives and you may find the a7rV adequate now.
p.1 #18 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
I hope observations from a non-Sonyite are welcome: in the early days of Sony mirrorless, the A7 was a pioneer but it was also decidedly alternative gear, with DSLRs being the mainstream technology. When the A7 launched there were only a few native lenses, but the potential of the mount to adapt other lenses — Leica, prominently, but also lots of other glass — made Sony attractive to enthusiasts looking for a modern camera on which to use these lenses.
I suspect that the current state of Sony shooters who post on forums is similar. Sony still attracts those who want to try different things and to share their findings. Companies have realised this and often helpfully provide their lenses in FE mount.
I do think that Sony’s openness to third-party lenses has been a genuinely innovative approach to meeting customer demand and expectations.
p.1 #19 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
gdanmitchell wrote:
A bit of context about my thinking…
snip...
There is one exception. I am interested in bringing along one (or more) MF lenses with a tilt shift adapter. I currently use a Mirex adapter for that purpose on Canon and I assume that such things exist for Sony, too?
- - -
Thanks to all who have posted so far. It helps me get a bit more understanding of SonyLand.
Unfortunately the Mirex adapters are no longer made and are rare and highly sought after on the used market. But using a Canon EF to E adapter (like the Sigma MC-11 I mentioned earlier) will let you use your Mirex adapted MF lenses on a Sony. There are also a number of direct MF to E tilt-shift adapters for certain MF brands but they do not seem to be as highly regarded regarded as the Mirex.
As an aside, the focus peaking makes using a tilt lens on a Sony a joy... Much faster and more accurate than on the 5DSR...
p.1 #20 · Observation/Question about Forum Lens Topics
You will like it in Sony, Dan.
1. No, Sony lenses are by no means deficient (or at least since they listened to Roger Cicala about decentering and MFT). However, there are some lenses that do some things differently (the Zeiss Batis 40/2 or 135/2.8 come to mind, as they are not replicated in Sony's catalog) than Sony's OR do good enough in enough ways that there is a better value to be had. IE, if you just love sharpness, Sigma is fabulous.
2. But if budget is a primary driver in choice, Sony's CAN be a great option (40/2.5, 24/2.8,etc) but so is Tamron for Zooms, Sigma for Primes, as well as the numerous others.
3. Sometimes folks don't care a bit about bokeh or sharpness or need something unique, and through Sony's benevolent nature in opening up the mount, there are just so many options people want to try them. The CV manual focus lineup for Sony is so good, its hard to point out any lens that is a poor choice if you want the mf experience.
The old adage in the CaNikon era was that you were buying into a lens system. Well, it will be hard to catch Sony's amazing options without opening up the mount. Funny how CaNikon apologists (NOT the normal folks who tend to frequent FM) don't preach much about lens system anymore.
