Almost Ready To Order, would love opinions!

[Chad Nikolaus]

In the next day or two i plan to order the FS700. Whoo!

To me, the hardest thing to do was figure out which lenses to buy. For what i do (you tube!) I'm usually in front of the camera as well as behind. That said, i feel like maybe my best bet is to put my trust in Sony's E-Mount system. It's a bit limited right now, but i think a good 2 or 3 lenses are due to arrive in the coming months.

What i like about it is the idea that everything would work at all times. OS, AF, we'd have Aperture control. Kind of wary of buying various lenses and adapters. Maybe later, assuming the camera is popular, more will arrive that allow more control.

First question - Is that a terrible decision? E mount? I considered buying the LA-EA2 adapter and maybe some Sigma lenses with OS, but they're a bit more costly and i think i'd like to just get started with E Mount and pick up more of the lenses as they release. Unless the IQ is not nearly as good, i'm thinking E Mount lenses for now.

Second question - SEL18-200 vs. SEL18-55 + SEL55-210? I'm more interested in IQ than ease of use, weight, or anything else. I don't mind carrying two if each looks better than the 18-200. None of the lenses have stellar reviews, but still pretty darn good for a reasonable price.

Also, i'm really considering an NEX-5N, which would actually come with the SEL1855 lens. For the price, it's like getting the camera for not much more than a couple hundred dollars. Then both it and the FS700 could share lenses with ease.

I plan to buy the SEL50mm 1.8 to have a fast prime around! Supposed to be the best of Sony's E Mounts.

Overall, my thinking is that i'd be off to a SAFE enough start at a modest price until i really know what i'm doing.

What do you think about it? And thanks for any replies, it's a huge step for me. New to all this, and it's been extremely educational reading everyone's great posts around here.

[morgan_moore]

IMO you want the kit lens and a bunch of old vintage lenses..

[Nirv]

IMO you want the kit lens and a bunch of old vintage lenses..

Seconded.

I have kit lens + 30mm Macro and 16mm Pancake the latter two for the steadicam and their focus rings are better than the horrid kit lens.

I have a Nikon 50mm F1.8 as an initial foray into Nikon glass and I'll get more but better old glass rather than contemporary stuff.

I Recently became interested in vintage glass for creating different (softer) looks but will look to get high quality IQ vintage glass if for nothing other than build quality.

@Sam, I was impressed by the smooth and accurate focus pulls in your Allies Farmhouse piece, a great advert for good manual focus lenses.

[joy new media]

All three Sony E-zooms are average lenses, good AF, OSS - but very slow. I bought the FS100 body only, no need for the crazy zoom. I have the kit 18-55 that came with my Nex7 and its been on my FS100 once, just to tinker, never shot anything with it. I also have the E-mount 24/1.8 and 50/1.8. My go-to lens is the SAL16-50/2.8 with the LAEA1 adapter, constant 2.8, great range (24-75 FF FOV), very sharp and its parfocal so you can zoom after focusing without the need to refocus. The 50 is a no brainer at $300, is sharp, fast and has OSS. The Zeiss is good, but I'm considering selling it because I rarely swap the 16-50 for it, the extra stop or so hasn't held me back with the FS100.

I agree with morgan moore, everything else for me is shot with Rokkors, old MF glass is so much better because the glass is great, manual aperture and focus rings that don't spin forever like today's AF lenses - and they're cheap. I paid $50 or $60 (can't remember) for my 50/1.4, which is a stop faster than the Sony 50, sharper and renders so much better than the Sony lens. I had Zeiss C/Y lenses on a 5d2 before going to Minolta, old lenses make such great video lenses.

[Chad Nikolaus]

Hmm, nice replies. I'll definitely reconsider going straight up E Mount lenses. Might go back to the idea of getting the LA-EA2 adapter and take another look at some Alpha lenses. I like the idea of having OS, so maybe Sigma since it's on the lens.

I wonder about the Sigma A Mount 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM as a go-to lens, the Sony 50mm 1.8, and then maybe a Sigma A mount or Sony E mount long zoom with OSS to round things out?

[morgan_moore]

The kit less gets you the stabilisation - and a great range in a small package - great on the hoof

no adapter no F3.5 issues, for AF etc

and the manual stuff does the rest.. IMO

[Chad Nikolaus]

That makes a lot of sense, Morgan. I think I've been very stuck on stabilization for every lens when
it's probably not needed huh?

[joy new media]

To the OP, if lens stabilization is a must-have feature, why mess with adapted lenses and the issues that come with the Sony adapters? Focus will be slower and there's the f3.5 issue mentioned. Just get the kit and call it good. I went for the 16-50 because up to about 50mm is where I'm comfortable shooting without OS and I wanted the extra stops. Anything longer and I'm on a tripod. If I come across a good deal on the 18-200 I'll probably pick it up just for the OSS at the long end of the zoom range.

[morgan_moore]

That makes a lot of sense, Morgan. I think I've been very stuck on stabilization for every lens when
it's probably not needed huh?

You need to get some lenses in hand.

Firstly stabilization only works sometimes- if you are panning it can see the begining of a pan as a wobble and try to correct it
Stabization creates a weird look
Really - IMO its only useful when you are handheld and would ideally be using sticks but cant due to time pressure to get lots of shots fast- maybe event coverage or weddings

In cinematography you handhold for a look.. and dont want IS

Secondly the fly by wire lenses (kit lens) are terrible to manually pull focus

The alpha lenses OK, but not like a proper manual lens

The alpha lenses seem to have some issues like only offereing AF at 3.5

And of course there is cost and resale values of alpha lenses - compared to a $100 nikkor 50 1.8 - which will sell in three years for .. $100

And alpha wont fit your.. Scarlet , BMD, 4k Nikon whatever.. next camera

I think the kit lens is great but have limited my exposure to Sony glass to that..

I have done two bigger shoots recently - one nearly 100% with the kit lens.. the other it was not even in the bag

S

[MattDavis]

Dudes, the whole point of the FS line is that, with an adaptor, you can choose what you want.

Get a bunch of Nikkors if you want some primes with manual iris control if that floats your boat

Get a bunch of EOS lenses with IS

Get a couple of Alpha lenses with the LE-EA2 mount for your 'robot caffeinated focus puller' look

Get a bunch of Antique FD lenses for that Super16mm film look - Lens Families are the new film stock, baby! Yeah...

It looks like the FS700 is due to become the next EX3, it will probably last you a long time. E-Mount factors out the issue of mount choice. You can have them all.

I've had a few FD lenses to see me through until I got the Metabones adaptor, and so now I'm back on track with EOS L-Series, WITH IS. I need it in my niche of the videography business, but I don't to narrative - and those guys can invest in their case full of PL lenses (or rent them). A colleague recently ditched his lens collection to go completely Nikkor, and I respect that. That's what he needed to do. A good set of lenses, a good wad of cash. But he's set up, even if his camera body changes.

I had a sudden shock today. My most expensive lens, my go-to lens, was used for charts. It was distorting. I switched to an FD lens, and at f8 it was plenty sharp enough. It's nice to have the choice.