Help with Lens choice

As I mentioned in another thread, I am seriously considering the A7RII. I plan on getting the Metabones adapter and using my Canon Glass. However, my budget should allow me to get 1 Native Lens. My main use will be candid shots of my family (kids & grandkids) mainly indoors. Speed of the lens is definitely important. I have considered the 28 f/2, but I am afraid it will be a little too wide for my shooting style. I am hearing great things about the 55 f1.8, but I already have the Sigma 50 A, so I am afraid it would be redundant. What about the 2 35mm choices? Is the Distagon that much better than the Sonnar 35? I know it is 2 stops slower, so that could be a limiting factor for me. Are there any other lenses I am not considering?

Thanks

tim1970 wrote in post #17847321
As I mentioned in another thread, I am seriously considering the A7RII. I plan on getting the Metabones adapter and using my Canon Glass. However, my budget should allow me to get 1 Native Lens. My main use will be candid shots of my family (kids & grandkids) mainly indoors. Speed of the lens is definitely important. I have considered the 28 f/2, but I am afraid it will be a little too wide for my shooting style. I am hearing great things about the 55 f1.8, but I already have the Sigma 50 A, so I am afraid it would be redundant. What about the 2 35mm choices? Is the Distagon that much better than the Sonnar 35? I know it is 2 stops slower, so that could be a limiting factor for me. Are there any other lenses I am not considering?

Thanks

I think if you can afford the FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA then that would be amazing. The f/2.8 version is sharp and very small/light, but doesn't have a good bokeh, if that's important to you. BUT, since you're already covered at 50mm I wouldn't be afraid to give the 28mm a try.

Personally I'd go with either the 28 or the 55. One of the glorious things about this system is the ability to go SMALL. With your adapted Canon/Sigma glass, the camera itself will still feel very small in your hand, but the overall package will still be rather large. I don't have the 28, but on casual family trips out, I LOVE removing my grip and slapping the relatively tiny 55 on.

If you don't care about size though, yeah, the 35 f/1.4 would probably make you more giddy in post (if not in the size department)

I am using A7 with tons of MF lenses for almost 2 years. Yesterday I got a "Commlite" Adapter for about $80 to adapt my canon lens to tryout AF. I guess metabones would be not significantly different. I am returning the adapter. Pathetic slow Auto focus. I tried 24-105, 17-40, 50/1.4 and 70-300. I can Manually focus way way faster with precision using focus peaking.

About family gathering etc, I am trying out a cheaper alternative ($100), very close to FE 35/2.8. Sigma EX DN 30/2.8 . This is a tiny lens designed for APSC cameras, however with 1 minute hack (remove 3 screws), it can cover almost 90% of full frame with hint of vignetting (that can be corrected in Lightroom). Not bad when compared to $800 FE 35/2.8. I will post some pictures when get time.

Check this out : http://www.dpreview.co​m/forums/thread/359369​3

mzondeki wrote in post #17848587
Yesterday I got a "Commlite" Adapter for about $80 to adapt my canon lens to tryout AF. I guess metabones would be not significantly different.

Metabones is significantly different. You pay significantly more, but you get MUCH better AF performance, and compatibility with far more Canon lenses. (they've updated the firmware 3 or 4 times since I bought mine - 135L wasn't supported when I bought it, but it AF's like a champ now)

bpaulette wrote in post #17848843
Metabones is significantly different. You pay significantly more, but you get MUCH better AF performance, and compatibility with far more Canon lenses. (they've updated the firmware 3 or 4 times since I bought mine - 135L wasn't supported when I bought it, but it AF's like a champ now)

mzondeki has an A7, which is a totally different beast than your A7RII. A7 autofocus with adapters (even the Metabones) is still painfully slow and often inaccurate; I also manually focus my Canon lenses rather than use AF. One of the reasons I plan to upgrade to the A7RII at some point (the IBIS is another).

No point getting.the sony 35 1.4 IMO as its dslr big. If your going that big get a 35 art canon mount or a 35L and save some money. The canon 35 IS is also a great lens and smaller/cheaper.

yellowt2 wrote in post #17849981
mzondeki has an A7, which is a totally different beast than your A7RII.

AH, very true - hadn't noticed that, thanks. In that case, yeah, not much difference between the Commlite and MB.

For the OP, though, who's thinking about the A7Rii, the difference is substantial.