35mm R lens selection

[Shu_downunder]

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Can anyone please give some recommendation on selection of a 35mm R lens?

My current R lenses are 21-35, 28PC, 50/2 3cam Canada, 80/1.4, 80-200/4. My only body is a A7 and a R6.2.

I found my self always struggling find a proper lens to shoot kids and family at home, ie 1.5-3m away and often in a low light condition. My 50 is a bit narrow and the 28PC is excellent but only 2.8 wide open.

I therefore start to think of a good 35mm lens but get confused in front of that many versions. Second though is to get a 35mm M lens for obvious reason but I don't have a M body. I only have a Sony A7 and planning to add a A7iii. Q2 is really attractive as well. 

Any comments? Thanks in advance.

 

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[jaapv]

I think that you should get some structure in your hobby. You have some great R lenses there which you should hang onto and the R6.2 is the most desirable R body IMO.

However, the Sony is the odd man out and not optimal should you decide to move to M lenses.  Then consider use: If you tend to shoot kids in low light you would benefit from a fast AF lens. That basically leaves you with one option:  A (used) CL and 23/2.0 TL. Get the Leica L-M adapter and a cheap M-R adapter and you have all your options open. If you think that you want full-frame on your R lenses, get a used SL. They are affordable right now and will take the TL lens in automatically adapted mode.

Don't go for high-megapixel cameras. They'll complicate your low-light - moving subject shooting.

[Shu_downunder]

Thanks @jaapv.

Let me double check if I understand you correctly:

For the existing R lenses, use them with R6.2.

For kids in low light, invest a AF system.

Option 1. a 23/2 TL + CL
Option 2. a 23/2 TL + SL(so that the R lenses can be used as well）

I have never though of these. Lots to learn:)

Edited February 23, 2021 by Shu_downunder

[Charles Morgan]

If you want a lens to use on your R6.2 and/or your Sony with adapter or whatever you might shoot, and find f2.8 too slow, you have the choice of the 35mm Summicron R f2 or the 35mm Summilux f1.4.

Both are exceptional lenses. Your budget will determine which is affordable - the Summilux is very expensive, the Summicron cheaper. In theory - I can't actually find a 35mm Summilux on sale on my hunt through most prominent European dealers.

Using M lenses ensures you can't use the R6.2, and as has been pointed out, confines you to a mirrorless system only if you lack an M body.  

Frankly in your shoes I'd buy an AF lens for the Sony, but the advice on the Leica bodies is sound.

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by Charles Morgan

[Shu_downunder]

8 hours ago, Charles Morgan said:

Frankly in your shoes I'd buy an AF lens for the Sony

That's probably the most practical solution for me now.

To invest another body, the M or Q/2 are more attractive than a 4/3 system to me, in the long run. But I don't think I'm ready to get into M yet, as it require not only a deep wallet, but more time, technique, and some passion... This leaves me the following options:

1. a Sony AF lens, say 35/1.8, and another A7iii body. Approx. AU$2700

2. a 23/2 TL + CL(used) Approx. AU$5200 

3. Option 2. a 23/2 TL + SL Approx. AU$5500

4. Q2 Approx. AU$7700

Option 2 is out as after spending $5200, I'm still in short of a second body to use the R lenses.

Option 3, the TL lens is not using the full sensor of the SL if I'm right. and the big body of the SL is not ideal to shoot at home.

My heart goes for option 4 now, and my head goes for 1, while my wife ask me to go for neither, but to clean the rubbish...

 

 

 

[Shu_downunder]

Correction: Option 1 my go for a Sony E 35/1.4 and an a7 body for AU$3200

[AZN]

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Alternatively, you could buy a Sony 24mm GM lens and use it in APSC mode on the A7.  Not many megapixels, but you will have AF and a very good quality lens.

I use this lens on my Sony A7RIV: 60 MP full-frame (24mm) and 25 MP in APSC mode (36mm equivalent).

Just a thought…

[Shu_downunder]

1 hour ago, AZN said:

Alternatively, you could buy a Sony 24mm GM lens and use it in APSC mode on the A7.  Not many megapixels, but you will have AF and a very good quality lens.

I use this lens on my Sony A7RIV: 60 MP full-frame (24mm) and 25 MP in APSC mode (36mm equivalent).

Just a thought…

Thanks for that! So the benefit is having a really nice wide angle, as well as APSC mode for a narrower view with a very good quality lens?

Does that mean I'd better use A7riii instead of A7iii?

[AZN]

7 hours ago, Shu_downunder said:

Does that mean I'd better use A7riii instead of A7iii?

If you go down this route - yes.  APSC mode is a bit bigger at 18 MPix.

Edited February 24, 2021 by AZN

[Shu_downunder]

1 hour ago, AZN said:

If you go down this route - yes.  APSC mode is a bit bigger at 18 MPix.

Just to double check, are you using the 24mm GM a lot for video, when not for landscaping or architecture?

[AZN]

4 hours ago, Shu_downunder said:

Just to double check, are you using the 24mm GM a lot for video, when not for landscaping or architecture?

I don't shoot video.  But if I was, then I would use it in manual focus mode.  Even when shooting stills I often use it in MF.

[dkCambridgeshire]

A friend uses an A7 with a LTM Summaron 35/3.5 ... excellent results some have been published. Adapters easy to source

dunk

[Shu_downunder]

5 hours ago, AZN said:

I don't shoot video.  But if I was, then I would use it in manual focus mode.  Even when shooting stills I often use it in MF.

I see, I though  you would do a lot of video to make best use of the wide angle,.

 

4 hours ago, dkCambridgeshire said:

A friend uses an A7 with a LTM Summaron 35/3.5 ... excellent results some have been published. Adapters easy to source

dunk

That's good know. I might need a faster one though.

[dkCambridgeshire]

4 hours ago, Shu_downunder said:

I see, I though  you would do a lot of video to make best use of the wide angle,.

 

That's good know. I might need a faster one though.

There is also a Summaron 35/2.8 usually in M bayonet mount ... scarce in LTM ... Superb and sought after lens and sells for over £1000 nowadays 

[Keith (M)]

For what it is worth, I have used my 35mm Summaron-M f2.8 on my A7III and was pleased with the results.  Also a test shot with 35mm Elmarit-R f2.8 at MFD looks fine but I have not used it since (it is generally on my R5).

[Shu_downunder]

Thanks @dkCambridgeshire and @Keith (M).

------

I think I need to work backwards:

Purpose:

I need a system for family especially kids, in low light condition often.

Background:

I love my R lenses but my manual focusing speed and success rate for kids is much lower than a decent automatic system.

So I need an automatic system. And since it's for kids and family, ideally it's a compact system.

Initially I though I need a second digital body for my R lenses, but then I realised if I get a decent compact system, I might take it with me ALL the time, and use its automatic focus function, while I can still using my R lens with a7 and/or R6.2. In other word, I don't need to consider using my R lenses on this new system.

Therefore, My options are:

1. 23/2 TL + CL(used) Approx. AU$5200 

2. Fujifilm x100v AU$2000

3. Q2. AU$7700

As I don't want to built another system and only need 1 x compact system, option 1 become less competitive.

So for x100v and Q2, which one would you choose?

 

 

[Charles Morgan]

Probably better to ask in the Q2 section than the R, I have no idea!

[pgk]

6 hours ago, Shu_downunder said:

Purpose:

I need a system for family especially kids, in low light condition often.

Sony A7 + 35/1.8 Sony lens is absolutely fine for this. I have A7II and 35/1.8 .....

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[Shu_downunder]

53 minutes ago, pgk said:

Sony A7 + 35/1.8 Sony lens is absolutely fine for this. I have A7II and 35/1.8 .....

Weight wise, do you feel it’s acceptable?

[pgk]

8 minutes ago, Shu_downunder said:

Weight wise, do you feel it’s acceptable?

More than acceptable. Its a light lens - not the 1.4 and fast enough for most situations.