Best Lens Choice for Sony Alpha Full Frame Cameras

Lens Choice for Sony Alpha Full-Frame Cameras
IMPORTANT INFO: Please do not see this as a video about specific lenses or bands of lenses. I have used the word 'Best' as a term that describes 'most appropriate'. What is best for me may not be best for you. It is also not intended as a lens review that compares brands. The main decision that a photographer needs to make is Zoom or prime, f/4 zooms or f/2.8 zooms. If you choose primes, which focal lengths and th idea of using two bodies and two primes (two-from-four). I introduce the idea of zooming with your feet or zooming in post (cropping to cover the focal lengths skipped). I also look at the advantages that high-resolution sensors offer photographers who have chosen to work with primes or APS-C zooms. Please don't tell me that I forgot to mention one lens over another because brand is the least important topic being discussed here. I have purchased non-Sony lenses such as the Zeiss Batis 2.8/135 when I feel there is a lens that will suit my personal needs. Weight is a significant factor in my own choices but maybe not for you. A heavier 35mm f/1.4 over the lighter f/1.8 is a choice I explained in depth in the video. it does not really matter which f/1.4 so long as the AF is fast (another important factor that guides my own choices - but maybe not for you). Best is a subjective term and I have no hidden agenda to promote one lens over another.

Start: 00:00
Introduction 00:10
The Holy Trinity 00:50
F1.8 Primes 01:40
50mm Primes 07:29
Second Body 12:04
F4 Zooms 13:57
Very Small Full Frame Primes 17:54
FE 35 F1.4 GM 22:10
1.5x crop and APS-C Mode 24:54
2 and 2.25x crop 29:06
Two from Four (an alternative workflow to zooms) 2 Primes and 2 bodies 37:02
FE 20mm F1.8 G - extracting a wider angle of view 42:05
FE 400mm F2.8 GM 47:18
APS-C Lenses on Full Frame Bodies 52:14
Concluding remarks 1:10:36

Mark Galer is a Sony Alpha Ambassador for Australia.

#SonyAustralia #SonyAlpha #SonyAmbassador #SonyAlphaANZ

[JasonSputnik]

As a proud A7RIV owner who looks to broaden his lens basket, this videos fits perfectly in the "Holy Trinity" of Mark's videos... THANKS!

[danielchavez]

Great video, Mark! I have come to settle on some combinations that work for me on my a7iii. [20 f1.8/50 f1.2], [35 f1.4/70-200 f2.8], and [24-105 f4/50 f1.2]. Depending on the type of indoor setting, outdoor event, or whether I can use flash, I have come back to these combinations over time. I generally find that one zoom and one prime covers me if I need versatility. Otherwise, I honestly enjoy the challenge of one prime lens and forcing composition choices to continue developing my eye and style. There doesn't seem to be a wrong answer, only lots of learning to be had.

[sydneydance]

The cover photo for this video is a really good summary of the best value for money primes in the Sony arsenal. Also, Mark sounds like a high school science teacher giving you them facts about Sony lenses 👨‍🏫 🥸😄

[macddavid]

The best hour and a quarter I've spent recently. Thanks Mark !!!!

[ljtech]

I jumped into Sony for the amount of lens options available. It’s just a joy knowing that there’s a lens for almost anything I want to shoot. Currently rocking the 35 and 85 f/1.8 primes.

[MarttiSuomivuori]

"Get the best glass". I got the GM35mm f/1.4 and it is ridiculously sharp. I just wanted to tell you.

[MisterBigDave]

Excellent detailed video presentation! Life long Nikon user, chose to go Sony for mirror less kit.
A7ii, A7Riii, 20G, 35FE, 35GM, 85FE, Domke F2 Very happy so far, 35GM on 42MP is stunning.
Happy and healthy 2022!

[suzyrad]

This is a treasure trove of educational information. Thanks to your videos I have been shooting more with primes, thinking about the best combinations of primes for a shoot, and exercising both my brain and my feet!

[bpalme]

This video took a lot of effort to put together. Interesting and informative so thank you. Love my Sony primes too but sometimes want a zoom.. Went a bit broader than APSc and got Olympus EM5.3 for tiny zooms.

[PhotoTrekr]

Several years ago I sold my 24-70mm GM and 70-200mm GM because I was tired of the weight and went to the 24-105mm and 70-200mm f4. The 24-105mm and 70-200mm f4 lenses were great, but I'd started to add a few GM prime lenses to my kit. As I added additional primes, I decided to sell the 24-105mm and 70-200mm and go with all primes. I currently have all GM primes from 14mm to 135mm. I also use an A7R3, A7R4, and a6600. Sometimes I'll put the 135mm GM on the a6600 for a really fast 200mm. I love shooting with the primes. But, I will be interested in the new 24-70mm GM II and 70-200mm GM II.

[flexmtb]

Wow. Great video sir. And love the (now realized) prediction at 1 hour 10 mins in!

[HGQjazz]

I think I could've made this video! I mean, I couldn't from a technical standpoint, but this is exactly how I view (no pun intended) the lens selection process. Sometimes I feel like such an outsider when I am in the socials and everyone gushes over the various 24-70 2.8 lenses to which I always reply "I could get a 35mm 1.4 GM and 85mm 1.8 for that price!" Anyway, I am glad you made this video to comprehensively articulate the reality of opting for primes over zooms.

[syrcular]

I keep coming back to this video! It’s one of my favorites! I have been really enjoying your insights around the Sony Alpha system. Whenever I might feel bored doing the same thing over and over..I’ll hop over to one of your videos and learn something completely new about the Sony system which I can then apply to my photography! Lens choice is a big deal and I think this video is gold standard to explaining what is offered in the FE lineup and how it applies to photography. Well done! I enjoy your videos so much I’m also a member on your Patreon!

[pmehta]

Wonderful coverage of the lenses you chose and why and how you achieved different crops with different camera bodies. I chose the 35 (1.8) during my trip to India and this lens stayed on my A7M3 90% of the time. I had my 24-105 G also which I used during wedding that I was attending. Got great results with this lens but I am itching for the 35 (1.4) GM now! Hopefully soon. Great video Mark! Your knowledge is invaluable as always!

[gregory.chalenko]

Hi Mark,
Thank you for yet another amazing insight into the Sony lens line up!
Many excellent points on primes vs zooms! I've personally always thought of it as quality vs convenience, but the difference in weight and price between a set of primes and similarly performing zooms is stark indeed.

[mtp_studios]

ive been a prime shooter for years now but i just got the tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 and tamron 17-28 2.8 and i just stopped using primes. havent brought myself to sell the primes but its crossed my mind. thanks for all your great videos.

[mpassibarros]

thank you very much for putting this video, really helped me - got my first Sony lens because of you and already seeing the difference

[samarth]

Ohh Mark I have been waiting for this updated video for a long time. Thank you ❤

[aslyansky]

Thank you, very useful video! Lately I was thinking a lot about my lens kit and this information is definitely helpful. Seems like 35mm gm + 135mm gm is the way to go.

[igoryudnikov]

This video has blown my mind. Since I’ve seen it for the first time at 4am one night, i’ve purchased sony 70-200 f4, and all my best shoots are done with it. They are unusual and mind blowing because you usually do not see this pictures in life they are far away. And bokeh at 200 f4 competes with 85 at 1.4 at some point, it is very strong. Also I bought sigma 85 1.4 it is cheaper than gm and some saying it is sharper. Thinking about 24-105 f4, 50 1.2 gm and probably 100-400 gm, but beed to sell last pants for that :). Thanks for the video.