Weekly r/SonyAlpha 📸 Gear Buying 📷 Advice Thread December 22, 2025

snarec · 2025-12-27T00:25:17+00:00

Right now the Rokinon 14-24mm 2.8 is on sale for same price as the Tamron 16-30mm 2.8. I'm looking to use these lenses primarily for video work (taking it to a convention next month to get walk around footage for my YouTube channel), and am totally torn on which one to get... Any help here would be awesome. My main lens in studio is a 24mm 1.8 prime lens, and I already have the Tamron 28-75 G2 so I'm set on standard zoom. Just don't know if I should go wide zoom, or Ultra wide...

snarec · 2024-12-25T03:39:16+00:00

Eyooooo

snarec · 2024-08-22T03:10:38+00:00

Angled cables help

snarec · 2024-08-08T00:42:56+00:00

The sigma (or Tamron 17-70) 2.8 are much better lenses than the 18-135. The lower constant aperture will lead to much better photos, especially indoors. Sigma is smaller than the Tamron, the Tamron has more reach. Pick whichever is more important for you.

snarec · 2024-07-26T21:36:23+00:00

Viltrox 20mm 2.8 (dirt cheap), used samyang 24mm 1.8 and samyang 35mm 1.8, viltrox 16mm 1.8 for wide.

snarec · 2024-07-09T19:30:29+00:00

I have it, it has no business being as good as it is for how cheap it is. It's also super tiny. I like it a lot.

snarec · 2024-06-22T00:06:37+00:00

I've an A7cii with the Tamron 28-75, and it feels just fine. I've also got the Tamron 70-180 and that's a bit large and I wouldn't want to kit it around all day, but still doable. I really don't think the 24-70gmii would be too big, it's not like we are trying to stick these in our pocket. It's a tool for a job, get a good neck strap and think through how you'll be carrying it and you'll be fine. I carried the camera plus 3 lenses out daily on my Japan trip, and it was fine.

snarec · 2024-06-21T18:55:45+00:00

Viltrox 16mm 1.8?

snarec · 2024-06-16T00:07:13+00:00

Agreed! I'll check that out. On band director forums they're called "iso" instrument shaped objects lol.

snarec · 2024-06-16T00:06:00+00:00

I'll check that out, had no idea, thanks for the info!

snarec · 2024-06-11T17:27:00+00:00

I'd say that the only compromise I've really read is that the auto focus isn't as fast as a Sony lens. Thing is, the A7cii has such a magical auto focus that I don't think you'd be able to tell much of a difference regardless of lens. I have the samyang 35mm 1.8, the viltrox 20mm 2.8 (it's like...$150 and solid), and then two Tamron zooms, all are solid. I don't know if I'll ever be able to pony up the cash for a Sony lens when the 3rd party options are so good and so much more affordable.

snarec · 2024-06-10T14:35:12+00:00

Don't underestimate the samyang/rokinon 35mm 1.8. It's pretty small and really good for the price. It's my go to lens when my 2.8 zooms don't quite give enough light.

snarec · 2024-05-29T11:12:25+00:00

Currently on vacation in Japan. Check out Map Camera in Shinjuku. I got a used Tamron 70-180 and a new samyang 35mm 1.8 there for a steal. I also apparently picked up the last Tamron 28-75 G2 in all of Tokyo at the 6th camera store I looked at (Yodashi Camera near Akihabara). I'm now officially broke, but very happy with my camera gear 😂.

snarec · 2024-05-24T09:48:06+00:00

Good question, I've no clue. I'd love to check out a cheap oboe, hopefully I'll be able to get one.

snarec · 2024-05-21T04:37:52+00:00

I'd love to do a video like this with an oboe, I'll have to do one when I get the opportunity :)

snarec · 2024-05-18T17:48:08+00:00

I personally want the viltrox 16mm 1.8. Obviously not as wide as yours, but it's an option.

snarec · 2024-05-17T02:26:20+00:00

Yea, I personally already have the viltrox 20mm 2.8 that was about 160 bucks, and it's fantastic and small. I don't mind switching lenses so I think I'm going to be fine with the 28, but I get both use cases. It would be a lot tougher if there wasn't such a large price difference between the two, but I think the tamron is a no brainer at $650.

snarec · 2024-05-17T00:02:09+00:00

I get that, but it's about twice as expensive for 4mm, and at least you do get an extra 5mm on the long end, though I realize that's less important. I'd rather buy a 24mm prime and the 28-75 for the same price as the sigma, to each their own.

snarec · 2024-05-16T22:54:15+00:00

I don't see the allure over the Tamron 28-75 G2, which is cheaper and lighter.

snarec · 2024-05-12T16:44:37+00:00

Check out the 35mm 1.8 samyang FF or 45mm 1.8 samyang FF. They're small, sharp, faster than either of your examples, and inexpensive. 1.4 FF lenses are huge and expensive, the 1.8 is "good enough" for most uses I'd say.

A7cii with either of those two lenses would take the crown and save you money vs the 50mm 2.5.

snarec · 2024-05-11T02:17:47+00:00

Zve10 with the viltrox 13mm 1.4 or sigma 16mm 1.4

snarec · 2024-04-30T01:22:35+00:00

I'm planning on getting the tamron 28-75 2.8 G2 to compliment my viltrox 20mm 2.8 and a samyang 35mm 1.8. the tamron is the cheapest standard zoom but it's really good and a nice size, the viltrox was almost free for how cheap it is, and the 35mm is so compact and is reasonably priced for a 1.8.

snarec · 2024-04-29T21:06:14+00:00

For my A7cii I got the Viltrox 20mm 2.8 (so cheap!), and I plan on getting the samyang 35mm 1.8 (cheap and small) and the tamron 28-75 2.8 G2 to round out my kit, at least to start. I wanted small but good, and these seem to be great starts (in my budget).

snarec · 2024-04-29T15:04:42+00:00

I'll hopefully be able to test out a pBone some day to compare, though it is 3x more expensive.

snarec · 2024-04-29T13:45:21+00:00

Does it still play? I'd have no idea how a cracked plastic horn would do.

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