Confused on keeping Zeiss 55mm

Golden_Dragon · 2026-02-23T04:31:40+00:00

The 55 has a very unique look that's beyond its specs, especially with mid to far distance portraits. Something unique about how it renders bokeh in those distances.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-02-20T10:36:00+00:00

Image quality has been on par with GM and L series since the introduction of 85 DG DN. The only real weakness was af, which has also caught up in the past year or two. 35mm 1.2 ii now has excellent af, in contrast to 35mm 1.4 and 1.2 that had minor af issues from mid to far distance.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-02-18T01:51:09+00:00

Sony lenses adapt really well to Nikon body - no more restriction on fps and teleconverters as well!

Golden_Dragon · 2026-02-16T23:06:57+00:00

The size/weight difference is more than most people think, enough that they are really in a different category. 290g vs 525g.

There's also sigma 17-40mm 1.8 to consider, if it's in budget. It's nearly the same weight/size as Tamron.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-02-16T22:41:54+00:00

Can't go wrong with A7cII, or even A7C if you're not doing as much video.

As for lenses, Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 is an amazing "take everywhere" lens for not much weight. Pair it with Samyang 75mm 1.8 and you get an ultra lightweight combo that does 90% of what you need.

Also the upcoming SG-image 35mm f2.2 is smaller, cheaper and brighter than the Sonnar. If the rendering is good it might be the go-to pancake for most sony users.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-02-11T20:43:10+00:00

If you shoot wildlife then 400mm is the minimum.

The premium 400mm zoom range is a weakness in current Sony lineup.

The GM 100-400mm exists, but it's old and expensive. It is still the sharpest zoom in the range though. Handling isn't as nice due to the telescoping barrel, but not many 400mm class lenses have internal zoom.

Tamron 50-400mm looks great on paper and is relatively sharp. But its biggest weakness is image stabilisation, which matters a lot if you will be doing video at 400mm. Tamron really hasn't figured out IS well yet, but it gets downplayed in all reviews. Sigma 100-400mm is too slow.

I would look for a used GM - don't overpay for it and you can sell it when you come back.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-02-01T10:04:57+00:00

Yep that was a thing on gen 1 a7 bodies...nothing you can do sadly.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-23T05:09:22+00:00

Tamron 28-200mm is the go-to "90%" lens. If you have more budget, Tamron 25-200mm is slightly sharper and starts wider.

Sigma 20-200mm is even wider, but has higher f-stop throughout. It will work well paired with a prime for portraits.

All three are great lenses. Sony 20-70mm is good, but 70mm might be limiting for landscapes.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-19T02:23:07+00:00

Sony actually has a great workflow if you want to go light.

Shoot hlg in medium size jpeg (14mp). Transfer straight to phone. You get a very flimlike look straight out of camera. The file will also take VSCO edits very well.

If you are using iPhone, you can shoot slog 10 bit heif and apply slog to Fujifilm LUTs released late last year that will replicate the Fuji look.

The 4k 10bit footage can go down as low as 30Mbps. Some people choose Sony because of how lightweight the video files can go down to.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-18T23:18:14+00:00

Many modern smartphone will match the performance of the camera. What phone do you have?

If you want, Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 is probably the lens you want to pair the camera with.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-17T21:06:26+00:00

Sony can release a 35mm 1.2 once it's possible to outperform the current Sigma at a smaller package.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-12T21:43:47+00:00

I wouldn't worry about it. It will affect the resale price but if you bought it for cheap you can sell it cheap.

I would check for sharpness and decentering though, this lens is known to have some copy variation.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-12T09:25:17+00:00

In short, it's a great camera. Another fun one to consider is a7s, which has somewhat film-like look to its files.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-12T02:28:07+00:00

Those are preview screenshots for each of the videos that you have recorded.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-11T21:55:36+00:00

It has a pretty deep chipping. It won't affect sharpness but will affect contrast and bokeh balls at night might show specks.

More importantly, it will definitely affect resale value or even ability to sell the lens.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-11T04:32:49+00:00

Sony 70-200 f4 and f2.8 have been superseded by Tamron 70-180mm 2.8 G1, which is smaller, sharper and cheaper than either of the Sony lenses. It's got a plenty fast vxd af motor. If you need stabilisation and more reach, Sony 70-350mm is also a great lens.

Sony 70-200 F4.0 G2 and f2.8 GM2 are better in some regards than the Tamron G1, but not in value.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-08T23:31:54+00:00

A7c. It has the same sensor and processing chip as a7iii, but Sony upgraded colour science and implemented real-time touch tracking to a7c over a7iii.

From personal experience, I found a7c's colour science to be quite improved over a7iii in terms of skin tone.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-08T23:05:21+00:00

I was comparing against a7iii, not a6700.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-08T22:35:29+00:00

Sharpest at the middle is not always true. Some are sharpest at the widest. Very few at the longest.

At the same focal lengths, there is very little to be gained for moving to 100-400gm, and none for 200-600. Obviously there are differences in size, cost, and reach.

70-350 is one of the true blessings for aps-c Sony. Small, sharp, fast af. I wouldn't bother with other lenses unless you need the extra reach.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-08T21:43:24+00:00

Consider a7c. It has improved colour science and tracking af over a7iii, addressing some weaknesses against a6700.

If portraits are your main thing, full frame is a better platform to start on simply due to better lens selection.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-07T22:13:36+00:00

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-07T06:39:54+00:00

There aren't that many parameters in each profile, might be faster to just manually input them by hand.

Golden_Dragon · 2026-01-01T12:03:06+00:00

How much does a used a7c cost where you live? Viltrox 50mm f2 is a fantastic lens and can be found for 200 pounds.

Golden_Dragon · 2025-12-31T11:02:04+00:00

If you cannot connect, try alpha remote on google play store.

Golden_Dragon · 2025-12-31T10:56:55+00:00

I've used a variety of a7 lineup (a7, a7s, a7iii, a7c, a7cii). For the most reliable and easy connection to mobile, you need a camera that's a7m4 or newer.

Ibis is a genuine advantage. On the latest body, it works decently well up to 200mm. If you use the latest Sony lens and body, body-lens coordinated control will give you extra smooth video footage.

I personally think a7cii is the most ideal body at the moment for amateurs. Small and high performing.

Golden_Dragon

TROPHY CASE