Initial Lens for Sony A7 III

Hello,

I am getting ready to purchase the Sony Alpha A7 III as my first foray into the mirrorless world as well as into Sony as I am coming from Canon. I have settled on the choice for the camera but I can't seem to settle on the lens I should start off with. I generally do all types of shooting as a hobbyist being my kids, sports, street, pets, wildlife, etc. I know I am not looking for a telephoto lens just yet but something that can fill a general purpose need. Any suggestions on what I should go with being a zoom in the low to mid-range or a prime in either of those ranges as well? I was thinking the 24 f/1.4 prime may be a good choice but also the 24-70 f/2.8 zoom lens or maybe even a lower range zoom like 16-35 or somewhere along there.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Ron

Do you prefer native Sony lenses? You may have tried this already, but I see you have a couple of Canon lenses which you may also use via an adapter.
I got an A7II about a month ago and a Sigma MC11 adapter. It has been working great so far with my current Canon and Sigma lenses.

Look at the Tamron 70-180, 2.8

randalcandari wrote in post #19203696
Do you prefer native Sony lenses? You may have tried this already, but I see you have a couple of Canon lenses which you may also use via an adapter.
I got an A7II about a month ago and a Sigma MC11 adapter. It has been working great so far with my current Canon and Sigma lenses.

I do not have a preference between Sony, Sigma or Tamaron right now. My Canon lenses are going to my daughter who is getting her first DSLR, a used one from my brother. So I am looking to start building a Sony lens collection at some point. I was looking at the Tamaron recently, 17-28mm f/2.8 as it was not an expensive start but not sure if I just take the plunge and spend the extra on a prime at f/1.4 or 1.8 especially as I like to take pictures of my kids or family probably the most. The reason I think a zoom may be better though is it will be a bit before I get another one so probably need something to cover a range.

Bill in Texas wrote in post #19203702
Look at the Tamron 70-180, 2.8

Thanks Bill... my only concern is 70mm being the lowest focal length and is not going to be good enough especially as I am not always in situations where I can move away in order to zoom out and get everything in frame I need. Maybe the 24-105 from Sony may be the option seeing that focal range seemed to work with the canon.

Monti wrote in post #19203836
Thanks Bill... my only concern is 70mm being the lowest focal length and is not going to be good enough especially as I am not always in situations where I can move away in order to zoom out and get everything in frame I need. Maybe the 24-105 from Sony may be the option seeing that focal range seemed to work with the canon.

I was going to mention that one too but didn't. It is a very good lens. I wish I used mine more.

Years back i dived into the Sony system after coming from Canon, had crop 50D and 7D but also owned a 5D and 5Dii. First A7 wasn't perfect and the Sony lenses were limited and expensive, most really good but coming from Canon just to high priced. After a while had the A7ii and several native Sony lenses next to my adapted Canon lenses. Now owning a A7iii and A7Riii and several Sony and Sigma for Sony lenses, got rid of the adapted Canon lenses. Even with the better adapters on a A7iii the speed and AF acuracy is just 60/90 % ( depends on used lens) of the native Sony lenses.

Favorit allround lens for me is the Sony 24-105 f/4, never worried about the f/4 because of the excellent high iso performance of the A7iii. For inside and light walkaround always have my Sony/Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 ( biggest tip i can give for the Sony A7 series )

If portraits is your thing the 85mm f/1.8 is a fantastic buy, sold mine for a Zeiss Batis 85 after having the chance to by one in new condition for half the price.

Just my ideas but maybe the don't fit your needs if you're more a wide angle shooter.