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New Lens for Sony a6500


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On 2/10/2019 at 01:54, Bryan said:

 

Thanks John. Took some more shots this morning using the tripod and it's not so clear cut! There is a fall of at the edges at the wide end but maybe not as bad as I thought. In a bit of a quandary. This could be a good replacement for the failed 16-50, but maybe not as my principal photo tool :unsure:

 

 

 

I'm not sure that there is a replacement for the 16-50 despite it's shortcomings. Its compactness makes it unique. We're actually getting along much better than I thought we would.

 

P.S. I gave up the quest for perfection long ago (couldn't afford it). B)

Edited by John Mitchell
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3 hours ago, Bryan said:

 

 

 

I have had problems with an adapter where the screws worked loose however, and I now carry a small screwdriver as a precaution!

Threadlock is the thing for this- a tiny bottle will last for ever. If you use the blue type the screw can still be undone if required, but it will never work loose.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC2.A0.H0.Xblue+threadlock.TRS0&_nkw=blue+threadlock&_sacat=0

Just apply to the top of the screw and it will wick its way in.

Edited by spacecadet
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1 hour ago, spacecadet said:

Threadlock is the thing for this- a tiny bottle will last for ever. If you use the blue type the screw can still be undone if required, but it will never work loose.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC2.A0.H0.Xblue+threadlock.TRS0&_nkw=blue+threadlock&_sacat=0

Just apply to the top of the screw and it will wick its way in.

 

Thanks Mark, I should have thought of that.  I was an engineer in a previous existence, although more used to rather larger bolts than these!

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Interesting thread.

 

Bryan, it's hard to beat good prime lenses but, to save my back, I keep thinking about a zoom for my Sony A7rii - my favorite lens on it is my Nikon 20mm f/2.8 that I use with a manual adapter - perfect edge to edge - the 35mm Zeiss is lighter but nowhere near as crisp although it is a great carry around everywhere lens as it's reasonably wide (since my camera is FF) and can also get in close. Good to know the 28-70 f/4 is reasonably light - I assumed it would be heavy and I've heard the 28-70 f/2.8 master lens is a beast.

 

Of course, even primes can be beast, like the  90mm Zeiss macro -  I got some shots of my grandson that are truly superb - the folks at B&H suggested it since it doubles as a portrait lens and it is outstanding. But hiking with it and tripod for nature macros means it's the only lens in my backpack. 

 

First time I really travelled extensively on foot for several days in a row (rather than in and out of car) with both the Sony w/ one lens on - 20 or 35mm and Oly w/super lightweight zoom on foot all day was last month in Louisville - we parked the car and took their free public buses or walked - by the third day, my back was shot - so thinking that I should just get a zoom for the Sony and leave the Oly at the hotel/motel as a backup if something goes wrong.

 

Bryan, wondering if a better option for both of us is a high end fixed lens camera for the extra reach of wide to telephoto zoom with a prime on the Sony - but I already find having so many different cameras with different and confusing menus to be tougher - I don't know if I have the patience to learn another system. But it would solve the problem of having to change lens frequently and have the added benefit of being a backup camera. 

Edited by Marianne
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12 hours ago, Marianne said:

Bryan, wondering if a better option for both of us is a high end fixed lens camera for the extra reach of wide to telephoto zoom with a prime on the Sony - but I already find having so many different cameras with different and confusing menus to be tougher - I don't know if I have the patience to learn another system. But it would solve the problem of having to change lens frequently and have the added benefit of being a backup camera. 

 

I guess that I suffer from pixel peeping syndrome and I'm not sure that I would ever be happy with a fixed lens zoom camera. Part of the pleasure in photography for me is messing about with the kit, I guess that I am nostalgic for the days of film and chemicals etc.

 

However many of the old film era primes, some of  which can be had for peanuts, will blow away these modern zoom lenses. I have an old Pentax 75-150 f4 zoom that produces wonderfully sharp results, yet it cost around £20. It's a far superior lens than the Sony 55-210 that I also possess so gets used in preference. Like Wim I also own a Canon 70-200 that is decentered.

 

You would have thought that in this day and age, it would be possible to test lenses automatically and then trace back flaws in manufacture to ensure de-centred glass or other faults didn't enter the supply chain.

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2 hours ago, John Mitchell said:

I always find with zooms that you have to determine the best apertures at each focal length. The DxO Labs tests can be helpful in this regard, although I don't think that anything beats one's own experience as we all use lenses differently and have varying expectations.

 

I confess that I generally shoot at a default f8, unless there is good reason (Devilish Dark or more depth of field) to do otherwise. I therefore always compare lenses at that aperture. 

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25 minutes ago, Bryan said:

 

I confess that I generally shoot at a default f8, unless there is good reason (Devilish Dark or more depth of field) to do otherwise. I therefore always compare lenses at that aperture. 

 

Not sure that's a good idea with zooms. Different focal lengths tend to have different sweet spots IME.

 

For instance, I've been experimenting with these (published on this website) for the 16-50 and they seem to be fairly accurate:

 

16mm -- f/7.1

21mm -- f/5.6

24mm -- f/5.6

30mm -- f/7.1

37mm -- f/8

50mm --f/10

 

Overall -- f/6.3

 

 

Edited by John Mitchell
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If this is the 16-50 lens with power zoom that is being discussed I see MPB have a lot in for sale at £69 - £79.

 

Allan

 

 

Edited by Allan Bell
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On 2/14/2019 at 11:34, Allan Bell said:

If this is the 16-50 lens with power zoom that is being discussed I see MPB have a lot in for sale at £69 - £79.

 

Allan

 

 

 

Mine wasn't too bad, consistency of edge performance better than either the Zeiss badged 16-70 or the Sony 28-70 that I tried, although resolution across the frame and contrast rather disappointing, certainly not as good as my old lenses. However mine died and couldn't be fixed. A friend had a similar experience - bought one that died but got his money back, while my local friendly camera technician claims to have a box of them in bits. They are not  very durable and are difficult/impossible  to fix. Pity as they are a miracle of miniaturisation and great for carrying around with acceptable quality in that circumstance.

 

Getting back to the Sony 28-70 FF lens. I tried using it with the stabilisation switched off and that did seem to bring about an improvement, but far from perfection, while I wasn't keen on having a camera with IBIS, a feature that  I couldn't use with what would have been my most expensive (Sony fit) lens. Ironical that  IBIS works fine with my old film era glass!  Having lost the lens cap, I had to buy another genuine Sony cap in order to send the lens back. :(

 

Again a pity as the lens handles and focuses  well and appears reasonably well constructed, I guess I got a bad copy. 

 

Update, I've posted some results on my blog

Edited by Bryan
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On 2/12/2019 at 04:14, Bryan said:

 

I guess that I suffer from pixel peeping syndrome and I'm not sure that I would ever be happy with a fixed lens zoom camera. Part of the pleasure in photography for me is messing about with the kit, I guess that I am nostalgic for the days of film and chemicals etc.

 

However many of the old film era primes, some of  which can be had for peanuts, will blow away these modern zoom lenses. I have an old Pentax 75-150 f4 zoom that produces wonderfully sharp results, yet it cost around £20. It's a far superior lens than the Sony 55-210 that I also possess so gets used in preference. Like Wim I also own a Canon 70-200 that is decentered.

 

You would have thought that in this day and age, it would be possible to test lenses automatically and then trace back flaws in manufacture to ensure de-centred glass or other faults didn't enter the supply chain.

 

 I know, I'm a real pixel peeper too, but I'd love to have a light backup with acceptable quality that doesn't require carrying two full bodies and assorted lenses - which I guess would be where a good zoom comes in, except that if something goes wrong with a camera then you are in trouble without a backup, although I suppose that if a camera died on a trip away from home, I'd be really bummed if my second camera option was a point and shoot, however good.

 

I agree with your assessment of old primes. My Nikon 50mm f/1.4 that I bought on ebay for $40 back in 2006 when I got my first Nikon digital camera - A D70 which seemed like a big expense at the time, so I turned to ebay to supplement the kit lens (LOL as I type on my new $4,500 laptop) - is my absolute favorite - the bokeh is amazing. My old Olympus Zuiko 50mm prime (from my first and only SLR, the Olympus OM-1) is also a beauty as far a bokeh is concerned.  I have the original leather cases too  for both of them! I should really sell one of them.  I've seen the same Nikon lens go for nearly $450 - which, ironically, is why I didn't want to sell it, because the price only reinforced my love for the thing. I have used it very often on a variety of cameras and even as a lightweight semi-macro with one of those screw-on Nikon diopter lenses, and it never disappoints. 

Edited by Marianne
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On 18/02/2019 at 04:04, Marianne said:

 

I agree with your assessment of old primes. My Nikon 50mm f/1.4 that I bought on ebay for $40 back in 2006 when I got my first Nikon digital camera - A D70 which seemed like a big expense at the time, so I turned to ebay to supplement the kit lens (LOL as I type on my new $4,500 laptop) - is my absolute favorite - the bokeh is amazing. My old Olympus Zuiko 50mm prime (from my first and only SLR, the Olympus OM-1) is also a beauty as far a bokeh is concerned.  I have the original leather cases too  for both of them! I should really sell one of them.  I've seen the same Nikon lens go for nearly $450 - which, ironically, is why I didn't want to sell it, because the price only reinforced my love for the thing. I have used it very often on a variety of cameras and even as a lightweight semi-macro with one of those screw-on Nikon diopter lenses, and it never disappoints. 

 

I believe that the OEM companies tried particularly hard to get their standard 50mm lenses right, as that was the feature that the photo comics would concentrate on in their reviews of cameras. In addition it is perhaps a focal length that is relatively easy to succeed with, my tests of much wider old lenses are not always as profitable.

 

I've a collection of old 50s from Pentax, Olympus and Canon all inherited or bought for peanuts and they are all excellent on the crop frame a6500. While I have  the f1.4 and f1.8/f1.7 variants of both the Olympus and Pentax brands, my fitment of choice is the f1.8 Olympus. It's smaller and lighter than the f1.4 and, at f8 where I do most of  my shooting, I can't tell the difference between them.  I love the corner to corner resolution that this lens provides and, at an equivalent 75mm focal length, it provides a slight compression of perspective which I often find useful. The only downside is that the contrast is a little low, the Pentax equivalent gives a more punchy image, but this is nothing that can't be sorted in PS, while it is sometimes a useful attribute!  I tend not to use the Canon FD as it's heavier and the adapter a bit more troublesome.

Edited by Bryan
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  • 2 weeks later...
On 2/18/2019 at 03:11, Bryan said:

 

I believe that the OEM companies tried particularly hard to get their standard 50mm lenses right, as that was the feature that the photo comics would concentrate on in their reviews of cameras. In addition it is perhaps a focal length that is relatively easy to succeed with, my tests of much wider old lenses are not always as profitable.

 

I've a collection of old 50s from Pentax, Olympus and Canon all inherited or bought for peanuts and they are all excellent on the crop frame a6500. While I have  the f1.4 and f1.8/f1.7 variants of both the Olympus and Pentax brands, my fitment of choice is the f1.8 Olympus. It's smaller and lighter than the f1.4 and, at f8 where I do most of  my shooting, I can't tell the difference between them.  I love the corner to corner resolution that this lens provides and, at an equivalent 75mm focal length, it provides a slight compression of perspective which I often find useful. The only downside is that the contrast is a little low, the Pentax equivalent gives a more punchy image, but this is nothing that can't be sorted in PS, while it is sometimes a useful attribute!  I tend not to use the Canon FT as it's heavier and the adapter a bit more troublesome.

 

LOL - you gave me a good laugh on a gray sleeting and snowy day...I don't mean to be critical since I agree with everything you've said. Gotta love spellcheck. It's like the doddering old uncle who doesn't realize his malapropisms. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I may have cracked this one.

 

I dug out an old Tamron adaptall 28-80 f3.5 - F 4.2 27A lens and tried it on the Sony. I had tried this lens on my FF Canon years ago and rejected it on the grounds of edge performance, but the crop frame camera is a different animal.

 

It's heavier and bigger  than either the Zeiss 16-70 f4 or the Sony 28-70 and, of course there is no autofocus, so not ideal - but low and behold, it's sharper to the edges than either of them. So with patience and a bit of messing about it will do a job.

 

I had a bit of difficulty in getting focus at 28mm, turns out my M42 adapter wasn't to its liking, but with an Olympus adapter in use it appears OK. I can't get really close focus at 28mm, but from about 1m upwards it looks fine.

 

I'll post some shots on my blog in due course.

 

Edit - job done results here

 

 

Edited by Bryan
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2 hours ago, John Mitchell said:

You are a patient pilgrim. Good luck on your continuing quest.

 

I still have an adaptall adapter lying around somewhere, but I sold all my Tamron lenses. They did serve me well, though.

 

Thanks John.

 

You would have thought that one of the independent manufacturers would have seen the opportunity here, presumably they could use an existing design and modify the mount and control system. 

 

Sigma does have a range of fixed focal length lenses for E fit, but no zooms that I am aware of?  Confess that I haven't explored Tamron. 

 

From memory there are some large range Sony zooms on the market, but given that they cannot seem to  get the more modest glassware right, I would have no confidence in those offerings.

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Sigma just announced new Sony zooms:

https://www.fullexposure.photography/sigma-e-mount-lenses-sony/

 

EDIT: I posted too soon - it looked like there were zooms from my search and then I started reading - just two prime art lenses for now with 7 more (primes) to come and rumors of zooms in the works...

 

Edited by Marianne
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Thanks Marianne. These are all full frame lenses, and, as you say ,currently all primes. I guess they reckon that's where the money is. Possibility of zooms to come later, but I'm not holding my breath. 

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11 hours ago, Bryan said:

Thanks Marianne. These are all full frame lenses, and, as you say ,currently all primes. I guess they reckon that's where the money is. Possibility of zooms to come later, but I'm not holding my breath. 

 

...and all much too pricey for my slender budget. The original Sigma e-mount primes for APS-C were really inexpensive and sharp.

 

I imagine those rumoured zooms would be FF as well.

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  • 5 months later...

I've dug out another antique lens, a Pentax 28-80 zoom and tried it on my Sony a6500. It's better suited to the Sony than the Tamron referred to above as its lighter and focuses happily throughout the zoom range.  First results here.

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On 31/12/2018 at 14:47, John Mitchell said:

 

An inexpensive 18-55 might make an OK replacement for the 16-50. There seems to be a lot of them out there. Bought mine used in 2012 and it's still going strong. De-centering can be an issue, of course. My copy isn't bad in that department. Enjoy the Horlicks.

 

Early silver barrel versions of this appeared to be more problematic than later black barrel versions made in Thailand.  Some were made in Japan and are supposed to be the best.   One came with my a3000 and went to a friend later.  I've been tempted to figure out how to get it back.

 

In my experience, the best prime for the APS-C Sony cameras is the Sony/Zeiss 24mm f/1.8.   It will do close  focusing and is the same angle of view as a 35mm lens on the full frames.

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2 hours ago, MizBrown said:

 

Early silver barrel versions of this appeared to be more problematic than later black barrel versions made in Thailand.  Some were made in Japan and are supposed to be the best.   One came with my a3000 and went to a friend later.  I've been tempted to figure out how to get it back.

 

In my experience, the best prime for the APS-C Sony cameras is the Sony/Zeiss 24mm f/1.8.   It will do close  focusing and is the same angle of view as a 35mm lens on the full frames.

 

Can't afford the 24mm, unfortunately, but I've heard that it's a very good lens. I still have my  trusty 18-55. However, I now use the very compact 16-50 on my a6000 most of the time. I've discovered that using manual focus to tweak the autofocus (DMF) with this lens greatly improves sharpness across the frame. The 16-50 has a lot of field curvature, especially at 16mm, so you often have to move the main focus point away from the centre of the frame, against the advice of AF. I find the 16-50 to be a cool little lens now that I've made friends with it more or less.

Edited by John Mitchell
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