Originally Posted by
Stefan Sip
Buying a camera is like buying a car, there are so many options at every price level that for the sake of relative simplicity, I leave that question alone.
Based on my needs, the Sony NEX7 suits me very well. I would like your help in picking out the lenses for this camera. Since Sony does not have many choices in their E-mount (for NEX camera) lenses, I thought this would be very straight forward.
1) For wide angle/tight shots, there is the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8, or 16mm f/2.8, and a 10mm-18mm f/4 to choose from. Since the Sony does not have a full frame sensor, the Zeiss 24mm is really a 36mm lens in the conventional 35mm film classification. So I am not sure if 36mm is still wide angle enough.
2) For portrait type of shots, I am thinking about either the 35mm f/1.8 or the 50mm f/1.8. Do you guys have any opinions?
3) Lastly, for a zoom lens, I think I have one in mind already.
Thanks for your help.
I do not use a NEX camera but rather a Nikon APS-C sensor camera (D300), so I am commenting from general experience.
For "true" wide angle shots, the 24 mm and even the 16 mm are rather too long. The 10-18 has a versatile length. It is significantly slower than either of the primes, but I understand the NEX has very good high ISO performance which can compensate for this.
For portraiture, the 50 mm is close to what is often called a classic portrait lens, which tends to have a focal lenght around 85 mm. The 35 mm would make an excellent walk-around lens but the 50 mm gives you added DOF control and near-ideal angle of view without compromising speed. I am not familiar with the optical quality of these particular lenses, but assuming there are no major flaws with the 50 mm, that would be my choice.
Cheers,
T.