Top 3 Canon Lens and Top 3 other (Sony, Zeiss,FD) for my A7s?
- Thread starter JoeJITSU
- Start date
Sony SEL18200 18-200 F3.5-6.3, OIS AF
Canon 24-105 F4L IS
Canon 16-35 F2.8L
Canon 70-200 F2.8L II IS
Canon 50 1.4
Ranked in image quality/looks from lowest to highest. Interestingly, the same rank order in versatility from highest to lowest. In terms of usage, also ranked with versatility, from most to least. The Sony SELP18200 is the most clinical lens, however it has the best IS by far, decent autofocus for run & gun, great range from 18-200, is crop mode so less rolling shutter, and it gets used the most. If you plan to do any still photography, stick with Sony lenses to get working autofocus (but still not as good autofocus as a Canon 5D3 with Canon lens). I'd also stick with Sony lenses if you can so you can avoid dealing with adapters.
Canon 24-105 F4L IS
Canon 16-35 F2.8L
Canon 70-200 F2.8L II IS
Canon 50 1.4
Ranked in image quality/looks from lowest to highest. Interestingly, the same rank order in versatility from highest to lowest. In terms of usage, also ranked with versatility, from most to least. The Sony SELP18200 is the most clinical lens, however it has the best IS by far, decent autofocus for run & gun, great range from 18-200, is crop mode so less rolling shutter, and it gets used the most. If you plan to do any still photography, stick with Sony lenses to get working autofocus (but still not as good autofocus as a Canon 5D3 with Canon lens). I'd also stick with Sony lenses if you can so you can avoid dealing with adapters.
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abreu-canedo
Well-known member
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Canon 16-35mm f2.8 does not have Image Stabilization. Many people would say that you don't need it at such a wide range. I agree it's not necessary, but when doing hand-held video, I always find it helpful...even on the wide spectrum. Maybe my hands are more shaky, but it helps remove those micro vibrations, specially for focus pulls.
In any case, those are pretty good suggestions. I'd also consider looking into the sigma art series. Might not be as good as a native Sony E mount in terms of IS or autofocus, but they resolve wonderfully! For video, I'd at least consider them.
In any case, those are pretty good suggestions. I'd also consider looking into the sigma art series. Might not be as good as a native Sony E mount in terms of IS or autofocus, but they resolve wonderfully! For video, I'd at least consider them.
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My favourite zooms, which I consider on par with primes in most aspects, are the Canon 24-70 2.8 II & 70-200 IS 2.8 II. I'm planning to get the 16-35 IS f/4 as well. Mind you I have 3 other sets of lenses, (Zeiss ZE, Nikon AIS, Zeiss Superspeeds MKI), and If I had to keep one set, it would be the Canon zooms (and use filtration for more character), they're just that good. The new Sony zoom 28-135 seems decent, even though the 18-200 has a proven record and can be had for much less.
photochris
Well-known member
Are you looking for E-mount lenses or adapted? Preferred FL's? Zooms or primes?
The 28-135 cine lens is just starting to hit the street. Newsshooter had a great review, its looking like the best lens for video on the E-mount.
http://www.newsshooter.com/2015/02/...-g-oss-lens-the-perfect-companion-to-the-a7s/
The E-mount 16-35 and 70-200 are really, really good. The FE55 is something special. No fussing with adapters either. The 28/2 (with 21 & 16mm adapters), 35/1.4 and 90/2.8 macro are on the horizon. The 24-240 is also coming. Was supposed to be March for all of them, but Sony was tight lipped at CP+ with release dates, so we don't know.
The Zeiss A-mount stuff is amazing, but it needs the LAEA4 adapter.
If I were going Canon with adapters, the 16-35/4 is far better than either F2.8 version, much sharper across the frame, less distortion and it has IS. The 24-70/4 is better than the 24-105, which is also a great all around lens but starting to show its age. The Tamron 24-70/2.8 VC is better than both of those and only a bit behind the 24-70L II in terms of sharpness, its less than half the price and stabilized. Best standard zoom bang-for-the-buck. The 70-200L II is just amazing, its huge, heavy and produces incredible images.
The 28-135 cine lens is just starting to hit the street. Newsshooter had a great review, its looking like the best lens for video on the E-mount.
http://www.newsshooter.com/2015/02/...-g-oss-lens-the-perfect-companion-to-the-a7s/
The E-mount 16-35 and 70-200 are really, really good. The FE55 is something special. No fussing with adapters either. The 28/2 (with 21 & 16mm adapters), 35/1.4 and 90/2.8 macro are on the horizon. The 24-240 is also coming. Was supposed to be March for all of them, but Sony was tight lipped at CP+ with release dates, so we don't know.
The Zeiss A-mount stuff is amazing, but it needs the LAEA4 adapter.
If I were going Canon with adapters, the 16-35/4 is far better than either F2.8 version, much sharper across the frame, less distortion and it has IS. The 24-70/4 is better than the 24-105, which is also a great all around lens but starting to show its age. The Tamron 24-70/2.8 VC is better than both of those and only a bit behind the 24-70L II in terms of sharpness, its less than half the price and stabilized. Best standard zoom bang-for-the-buck. The 70-200L II is just amazing, its huge, heavy and produces incredible images.
caseywilsondp
Well-known member
Do you have a budget in mind? What type of shooting do you typically do?
If no budget, get some PL mount zeiss glass. Probably not the cp.2's as their aperture is all over the place, but if no budget, get some master primes
Canon Cneprimes are also amazing: Great build quality for the price, very sharp even wide open (1.5's) and a nice selection... and will cover our full frame.
The new (not first gen) Sony Cinealta primes are also amazing. T2's, very very sharp for the price, very little breathing, and match up with sony sensors quite nicely.
For my a7s i didn't have that kind of budget, and being quite tired of shooting on Canon L glass (it's good glass, just... boring?) I decided to try out the Nikon 28-70 and 80-200, which I was able to get (both) for less than $1000
The 80-200 is very sharp, the 28-70 is pretty sharp. They seem to give a little more character than L glass, but the downside to that is they both ghost like crazy and are prone to flares (I'm OK with the flares, ghosting is less ideal).
The other reason I decided to go nikon is at the time the only 'nd throttle' mount was nikon mount, but there is now one for EF mounts, and I'd personally suggest going that route as if you plan on shooting in slog2 you're limited to 3200 iso (granted it exposes more like 1600 compared to other picture profiles, but still quite bright). And the EF mounts were giving a ton of problems (nikon mounts are 'dumb' so they just hold the lens, don't adjust aperture or anything else, and thus no issues). EF-NEX mounts have gotten better though.
There is my .02 (but if you get back with your budget in mind, I could maybe be more helpful
)
If no budget, get some PL mount zeiss glass. Probably not the cp.2's as their aperture is all over the place, but if no budget, get some master primes
Canon Cneprimes are also amazing: Great build quality for the price, very sharp even wide open (1.5's) and a nice selection... and will cover our full frame.
The new (not first gen) Sony Cinealta primes are also amazing. T2's, very very sharp for the price, very little breathing, and match up with sony sensors quite nicely.
For my a7s i didn't have that kind of budget, and being quite tired of shooting on Canon L glass (it's good glass, just... boring?) I decided to try out the Nikon 28-70 and 80-200, which I was able to get (both) for less than $1000
The 80-200 is very sharp, the 28-70 is pretty sharp. They seem to give a little more character than L glass, but the downside to that is they both ghost like crazy and are prone to flares (I'm OK with the flares, ghosting is less ideal).
The other reason I decided to go nikon is at the time the only 'nd throttle' mount was nikon mount, but there is now one for EF mounts, and I'd personally suggest going that route as if you plan on shooting in slog2 you're limited to 3200 iso (granted it exposes more like 1600 compared to other picture profiles, but still quite bright). And the EF mounts were giving a ton of problems (nikon mounts are 'dumb' so they just hold the lens, don't adjust aperture or anything else, and thus no issues). EF-NEX mounts have gotten better though.
There is my .02 (but if you get back with your budget in mind, I could maybe be more helpful
)
Erik Naso
Veteran
After using the Metabones EF adapter I decided to buy native lenses. Not a lot to choose from but it really makes a difference in weight and size using the Sony Zeiss E Mounts. I have the FE 55mm 1.8, FE 35mm 2.8 and E 30mm 3.5 macro. I decided to get the FE 16-35 f4 to cover the wide stuff plus it has image stabilization.
It took some time for me to commit to buying into the system but I'm feel Sony has some mojo going and the next generation A7 will be very good so I'm in. In fact next month I'm selling all my GH4's. I have three and a YAGH I purchased for a three camera project.
If you intend to actually use the A7s as a hybrid (stills as well as video) then native is the way to go.
It took some time for me to commit to buying into the system but I'm feel Sony has some mojo going and the next generation A7 will be very good so I'm in. In fact next month I'm selling all my GH4's. I have three and a YAGH I purchased for a three camera project.
If you intend to actually use the A7s as a hybrid (stills as well as video) then native is the way to go.
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Erik Naso
Veteran
I wish Sigma would offer the ART line in E-Mount.
Yes. This.
Using adapters is great if you are switching systems and already have a ton of glass, but if you're starting from scratch (which it sounds like you are), just get native lenses. The Sony glass is great and the ISO performance of the a7s negates any downsides to the slow(ish) native glass. Plus these native lenses work fantastic on the FS100/700 & FS7.
#Best Sony FE glass:
16-35/4
55/1.8
70-200/4
#Best Sony E glass (the s35 crop works great on the a7s):
The Zeiss Touits
The Sigma DNs (they're slow but ridiculously good sharpness-wise for the price)
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caseywilsondp
Well-known member
The only downside to the Sony glass is the focus system is fly by wire, which makes setting focus marks impossible... But that might not matter to the op.
Lenilenapi
Carbonite Member
Unfortunately, the Canon 70-200 series II is seriously Flawed as a video lens. I've looked at 3 of them and they all have the same issue so i assume its a design issue though feedback from others is invited.. When you reverse direction on the zoom even just nudging the zoom the focus will jump slightly out . It will be OK as long as you keep zoom in they same direction but jump again as soon as you change direction. Very noticeable at 4x's in the eyepiece. Its subtle so you might miss it on a monitor. Could blindside you in 4K though.
Metabones Nikon adapters have a problem smoothly reaching the last stop or half stop to fully open. Another big drag.
I have a Nikon 80-200 but want to use speed booster. The Nikon>EF adapters are loosy-goosy, so I'm going to try a Leitex hard mount adapter for it and will have the iris de-clicked. The only alternatives are . Canon I which is supposed to be soft. Tamron which is not par focal and Sigma which is supposed to be soft at 180 - 200. I would prefer an IS lens though. Anyone try the Sigma?
Metabones Nikon adapters have a problem smoothly reaching the last stop or half stop to fully open. Another big drag.
I have a Nikon 80-200 but want to use speed booster. The Nikon>EF adapters are loosy-goosy, so I'm going to try a Leitex hard mount adapter for it and will have the iris de-clicked. The only alternatives are . Canon I which is supposed to be soft. Tamron which is not par focal and Sigma which is supposed to be soft at 180 - 200. I would prefer an IS lens though. Anyone try the Sigma?
JoeJITSU
Veteran
No Sony Glass yet
What are you using your A7s for? I'm using Contax Zeiss lenses on mine as standard, but I generally don't need autofocus and hate Sony's focus by wire system. If you have different needs/budget the answer for you might be different.
One thing I'd say no matter what you end up with: don't forget the filtration.