Sony 18-105mm f/4 with Nex

[mydisneymoney]

I have a Nex 6. Has anyone used Sony's 18-105mm lens? What did you think? I want something with a little more range then the 16-50mm it came with. I want something I can put on and use pretty much 95% of the time. Thoughts on this lens?

 

[fractal]

I have a Nex 6. Has anyone used Sony's 18-105mm lens? What did you think? I want something with a little more range then the 16-50mm it came with. I want something I can put on and use pretty much 95% of the time. Thoughts on this lens?

Hi!

I have an NEX-7. Are you referring to the 18-200mm or the 55-210mm in Emount - or - is the Sony lens you are referring to an A-mount lens?

 

[mydisneymoney]

Hi!

I have an NEX-7. Are you referring to the 18-200mm or the 55-210mm in Emount - or - is the Sony lens you are referring to an A-mount lens?

Nope, it is the E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (SELP18105G). It is an E mount lens that I believe came out in November or December 2013.

 

[havoc315]

I have a Nex 6. Has anyone used Sony's 18-105mm lens? What did you think? I want something with a little more range then the 16-50mm it came with. I want something I can put on and use pretty much 95% of the time. Thoughts on this lens?

Keep in mind that 16 is really a lot wider than 18. Personally, I'd really miss the wide angle.

Also keep in mind, that the real benefit of a system camera, is the ability to change lenses -- the right lens for the right job. Lenses that you can "use 95% of the time" don't tend to be the best lenses. (I own 5 zoom lenses and 5 primes).

In regards to that lens, it appears to be aimed primarily at video shooters. Gets mixed reviews..

Didn't like it as a still lens:
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sony-e-18-105mm-f-4-pz-g-oss-lens-review-24056

Loved it:
http://www.thephoblographer.com/201...18-105mm-f4-g-oss-aps-c-e-mount/#.U1As7PldWjl

But concluded it is a bit too big and heavy. Part of the reason to own the NEX, is to have a compact system. This is a very big and heavy lens, to be using "all the time."

 

[fractal]

Sorry, my bad.

I see the 18 -105mm G f/4 emount lens you are referring to. It is relatively new lens and has gotten mixed reviews. Seems like it is a bit soft at the long end and has some distortion there as well.


I have the original 18-200mm (silver) that is a bit bulky (it was really designed for the NEX video recorder ) that I used to use for a overall lens. Except for the size of the lens, I do like it. I use it now primarily for my kids sports events.

 

[fractal]

Here is a pretty comprehensive review...

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sony-e-18-105mm-f-4-pz-g-oss-lens-review-24056


and their conclusion...

Sony 18-105mm f/4 PZ G OSS Verdict
Clearly, as this lens is aimed at video shooters, some of the optical issues may not be a concern for people recording moving images with this lens on an NEX camera. In fact, it is very good for this job.

Those shooting stills may be wary of the poor performance towards the edges of the frame at the telephoto end of the zoom, and the wild distortion that is present, as well as the high levels of fringing present. These issues make the lens difficult to recommend to those who may shoot stills with this lens, unless shooting JPEG only.

 

[fractal]

You may want to check out the 55-210mm which seems like a better camera lens and will also give you more reach. It's also smaller and lighter than the 18-105mm G lens. Although it wouldn't be a "all-in one" lens, it would be a great compliment to the existing zoom kit lens you have. And the kit lens you have is nice and small so it really wouldn't be that much more to carry those two lens. In fact, I think their combined weight and size may still be less than the G lens.


Here is a review of the 55-210mm

http://sonyalphalab.com/product-rev...0-55-210mm-f4-5-6-6-oss-lens-hands-on-review/