Lens choice question for Sony a7 II

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>Decided to buy a Sony A7 II. Just want to wait a bit to save some money for camera and lenses.<br /> I have 5d II with Zeiss 25 mm f/2.8, Canon 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2, 24-105mm f/4, 70-200mm f/4, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 and planning to buy Sigma 50 mm art and Sigma 150-500 or 150-600.<br /> Also have 503 CW with 40mm, 60mm, 100mm and 180mm. Waiting for a good second hand 44 MP Leaf digital back. Also a Sinar F with many lenses and Horseman FA with 5 lenses...</p>

<p>I like sharp lenses. Primes : one wide, one normal, one for portraits, one zoom for daily use and one tele...</p>

<p>My question is: Which lenses should I mention for A7 II? Should I buy Sony or Zeiss Lenses ready made built and announced for A7 like 35mm and 55mm together with 28-70mm ?<br /> Or can I use any lenses which I have for my 5d II? If yes which adapters do I need?</p>

<p>P.S.: I plan to use a7 primarily for my travels. Would prefer smaller/lighter lenses.<br>

<br /> Thank you</p>

<p>I've read Voightlander lenses to use with A7 II. No experience with this lenses. And don't know which adapters I need for this lenses also.<br /> Manual lenses are ok for me...</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I like sharp lenses. Primes : one wide, one normal,....</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>The 35mm and I believe also normal focal length Zeiss optics made for the Sony are reviewed as being quite remarkable. Otherwise your primes may fit well using an adapter, but I am not familiar with their performance. If you are happy with them, why not try them on a camera storeroom a7II if you plan on buying the camera there. </p>

<p>Get an adapter for you Canon lenses. Since you have to buy only one adapter it's not too expensive. Later on buy additional Sony or Zeiss lenses to have full features.</p>

<p>So far I'm satisfied with my A7ii, using Leica, Zeiss ZM and Nikon SLR lenses from other cameras. You could (and should) buy an adapter for your Canon lenses. You will find their performance somewhat disappointing compared to the better lenses designed for rangefinder cameras or the A7. Still, it is an economical way to get started. Recycled lenses don't communicate with the Sony, and must be focused manually.</p>

<p>Somewhere down the line you should consider getting a totally compatible lens or two, preferably of the Zeiss ilk. The ZA 35/2 and 55/1.8 are outstanding. I will probably spring for the Vario-Tessar 24-70/4 later this year.</p>

<p>Wide symmetrical lenses, like the Zeiss Biogon, 28 mm and shorter, don't do well on the Sony. The rear element is too close to the sensor, and the angle of incidence near the edges too oblique. To this extent, I get excellent results with my Nikon 20 and 24 mm lenses (and 17-35/2.8), which have a long back focus. The Sony/Zeiss 16-85 has excellent ratings as well, with full integration.</p>

<p>I ran a series of tests with a Nikon 300/4 AF-S and the A7ii this week. The in-camera image stabilization works very well. I can use this lens, hand-held, down to 1/30 second with results nearly indistinguishable from the same lens used on a tripod (with IBIS turned off). This detail is comparable to viewing a section of an 11'x16" print</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17944293-lg.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="1400" /></p>

<p>I put Leica M lenses on AII. 28mm, 50mm and 90mm. Will not consider to use lenses other than Leica...</p>

<p>what kind of adapters do you use for this lenses which not made for a7ii? any brand or link ? </p>

<p>I bought Novoflex adapters for Leica and Nikon SLR lenses. They are definitely on the upper end of the price range, but seemed worth the toss for daily use with thousands of dollars worth of lenses. In each case the fit and finish is perfect. The mount is equal to that on the Leica or D3 itself. The body is machined internally with anti-reflection ridges. The Nikon adapter has a setting ring for the aperture. Set to "closed" if the lens has an aperture setting ring, or between open and closed for a subjective setting for G lenses. The setting ring is stiff, and not likely to be accidentally changed.</p>

<p>For "technical" reasons, says the manual, the mount is a little shorter than the theoretical infinity value. How much I can't say, but not by a noticeable amount.</p>

<p>You will find lenses not made for the Sony a7 using an adapter will be larger and probably heavier than the Sony lens. I use Nikkor Canon and Contax on my a7. The Zeiss made lens are promising but heavy. Pick your compromise.</p>

<p>I received my a7ii a week ago and loving it. I bought it for travel and have found manual focussing easy using magnification which I have allocated to C1, near the shutter button.<br>

The only short adapters tried are for leica screw and canon fd. Pentax nikon and minolta add about 30mm, so if length is relevant?. I don't consider it to be but weight is! I ruled out the laea4 because of weight and bulk, but if you need AF the minolta dynax lenses are value (consult dyxum to find the best)<br>

I have tested all my fifties and the pentax A smc 50 1.7 was a clear winner over canon fd 1.8, nikon E 50 1.8, nikkor pre Ai 50 f2, and rokkor FG 55 f1.8 ,all for best combination of sharpness and contrast at f2. But if I wanted to take the odd portrait I'd use the rokkor whose boket and low contrast is sublime.<br>

Of my 135s , tested at f4 and at 4m for portraits, this is the order from best to worst. 1.nikkor Q auto 135 f2.8 (the focus peaking lit like a xmas tree), but boy is it heavy!. 2. M42 TITAR preset135mm f3.5 (what? and I've seen one for $10 AU recently. 3. canon fd breech lock 100mm f2.8. 4. rokkor 135 f2.8 ( lots of different versions of this lens ). 5. SANKYO KOHKI SUPER KOMURA 135 F2.8 with interchangeable komura mount.<br>

I think the nikkor too heavy and the titar only focusses to 2m , the rokkor is heavy and long so the canon will do and it is short too.<br>

I have a 20mm fd 2.8 and a rokkor mc 24 f2.8, a rokkor mc 35 f1.8 so I won't be looking any further.<br>

Cheers from OZ</p>

<p> </p>