All Around Lens with a6000

[BigJohno]

Hello all,

I purchased a Alpha 6000 the other week to replace my aging A700. I will be taking a week long trip to New York and Boston and really didn't want to lug my a700 around. So far I really like the portability and quality of the a6000. The pictures (with kit 16-50mm) are not bad but I am looking to get a lens with more flexibility and better glass.

I tend to shoot mostly landscape/ architecture with the occasional portraits. On my a700 I had a 18-250mm lens and loved the range and clarity so I want to get something thing that comes within that range.

At the moment I am looking at 2 lenses. I wanted to get some feedback on your (everyday) thoughts on the lenses. Is the Zeiss glass worth it over say the Sony G Lens? How does the size and weight work on the a6000 or nex line? I do like size of the zeiss lens but that price is just killer. I know about the distortion issues with both but that doesn't bother me because it will be fixed in post.


16-70mm Zeiss

18-105mm G lens

 

[ChrisA]

Hello all,

I purchased a Alpha 6000 the other week to replace my aging A700. I will be taking a week long trip to New York and Boston and really didn't want to lug my a700 around. So far I really like the portability and quality of the a6000. The pictures (with kit 16-50mm) are not bad but I am looking to get a lens with more flexibility and better glass. ....

I'd have to say the 16-70 is enough range for the subjects you list. 70mm is longer than you'd need for most architecture and landscapes. For portraits you don't need more then 70mm. 50mm is really enough. the Ziess is an f/4 I'd prefer a fast lens for people shots but f/4 will do. You might also buy the 50mm f/1.8 lens in addition.

Are the (presumably) sharper Zeiss lenses worth it? I think that depend on the display media. Are you making large size prints? Are you showing you work on a cell phone screen? Something between? There is little need for sharpness that no one will see, except you if you are into "pixel peeping".

One other thing. don't spend so much on one zoom lens that you can't afford an f/1.8 prime. Have just the "kit" lens you do now plus the 50mm f/1.8 is better then having only one Zeiss zoom. The option to use the fast f-stop is worth more than the small gain in IQ. Few viewers if any will notice the difference in the brand of lens but the effect of f/1.8 would be obvious and it allows you to fake different kinds of images.

Summary
1) I'd want the 16mm wide end. 18 is not enough
2) Can't see a use for more than 70mm or 100 at the absolute most.
3) allow budget for one fast prime, even if that means a cheaper zoom.