Sony nex lenses help pls

[disneypls]

I'm trying yo decide on a new camera for every day shots and our trip to wdw.
I am a total beginner on cameras.
I'm really liking don't nex cameras but I havent a clue on lenses. I need to be able to take pics fast.
If I were to buy a nex camera which lenses are a must for a beginner. I don't want to buy another camera for a few years.
Thanks

 

[Animagic!]

Is there any particular reason you are looking into the Sony's NEX system instead of a DSLR? As far as interchangeable lens cameras go, NEX are a solid choice for a mirrorless, compact system. With lenses, faster usually means more expensive. Generally, faster lenses are prime lenses. Prime means a fixed focal length (AKA they don't zoom). I would recommend the 50mm f/1.8 OSS. It's $300 and should be "fast" enough. Your next best bet would be the 35mm f/1.8, which is $450. 35mm is a much more useful focal length than 50mm on a "crop sensor" camera, which the NEX is. But is it worth an extra $150? Depends on your budget.

Also, is your heart set on an NEX instead of a DSLR? The reason I ask is the relative cost and diversity of lenses. The NEX uses Sony's E-Mount. Sony's DSLR's use Sony's A-Mount. They are two different sized mounts and are not interchangeable. Just FYI, Sony A-Mount will give you significantly more lenses to choose from and the equivalent lenses will be much cheaper.

Example:
Sony 50mm f/1.8, A-Mount version = $168. E-Mount version = $300.
Sony 35mm f/1.8, A-Mount version = $218. E-Mount version = $448.

If you got a telephoto lens you could get the E-Mount Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 for $348. Or you could get the A-Mount Sony 55-200 f/4-5.6 for $198. The A-Mount version is both faster and cheaper. Just a thought.

 

[havoc315]

When comparing Sony dSLR to Sony NEX, you can get even cheaper thanks to the compatibility of some very solid used Minolta lenses, like 50/1.8 for about $70, and 70-210/f4 for $125ish. 100-300 apo for $150, etc.

But put that aside, I assume OP likes the compact feel of the NEX.

You said take pictures "fast"-- fast means something different to photographers.
I assume you are using the term as a non photographer-- you want to be able to click the picture fast.

That has very little to do with lenses. That's about the responsiveness of the camera, the quality of the autofocus system, and your own speed as a photographer.

Some lenses may focus slightly faster or slower than others, but within NEX lenses, there aren't big differences.

For the most part, lenses are about 2 main features:
1-- focal length. In lay men's terms, "how much zoom."
2-- maximum aperture. Photographers call a lens "fast" if it has a larger aperture. It doesn't take pictures faster, it just has a bigger opening to let in more light. By allowing more light, it allows for pictures in darker environments and can allow faster shutter speeds. But a fast shutter speed is about freezing action, it still doesn't really take pictures faster. You won't really perceive the difference between 1/500 second and 1/800 second. Both are instantaneous.

Imaging Resource.com reviews include measurement of the responsiveness of the camera in their reviews. Their reviews tell you how fast a camera takes the shot from the moment you press the shutter.

The fastest Sony to my knowledge, is a dSLR-- the Sony A77.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It would be helpful to know more exactly what types of photos you plan on taking and what you mean by "fast"? In all likely hood since you are a beginner the kit lens that comes with the NEX will be fine but a little more information would help to give better recommendations.

 

[disneypls]

Thanks for help.
I'd be using it mainly for holiday pics disney world and beaches, fireworks and pics of kids

 

[havoc315]

Thanks for help.
I'd be using it mainly for holiday pics disney world and beaches, fireworks and pics of kids

Kit lens is fine for all those things. Add a tripod for fireworks.

 

[Stumpy]

I just bought a Nex 5 and I believe there are adapters you can buy that are relatively cheap that allow you to use A mount lenses with the Nex system. I think you have to use manual focus for them but you should look into this if interested.

As for me, I'm still learning how to use the camera with the kit lens so I haven't even ventured into the expanded lens options yet.

 

[Animagic!]

I just bought a Nex 5 and I believe there are adapters you can buy that are relatively cheap that allow you to use A mount lenses with the Nex system. I think you have to use manual focus for them but you should look into this if interested.

As for me, I'm still learning how to use the camera with the kit lens so I haven't even ventured into the expanded lens options yet.

If you do chose to go this route and use an A-Mount adapter than I would highly recommend that you look into old Minolta lenses. If you are going to be shooting manual focus anyway you'll save a significant amount of money by buying Minolta glass. Why pay for new lenses with autofocus if you can't use the auto focus? Besides, old Minolta lenses are very well built and optically great.

Havoc315 could probably offer a lot of advice if you have any questions about the old Minolta lenses.

 

[havoc315]

If you do chose to go this route and use an A-Mount adapter than I would highly recommend that you look into old Minolta lenses. If you are going to be shooting manual focus anyway you'll save a significant amount of money by buying Minolta glass. Why pay for new lenses with autofocus if you can't use the auto focus? Besides, old Minolta lenses are very well built and optically great.

Havoc315 could probably offer a lot of advice if you have any questions about the old Minolta lenses.

I do love some old Minolta glass... but..
I haven't done it, but I'm not enthusiastic about using the adapters on NEX cameras.

For A-mount to NEX, Sony makes 2 adapters. One of which will turn A-mount lenses into manual lenses -- LAE1/3 adapter -- About $199.

But I don't get buying a technologically advanced camera.... then adding another $200... for the joy of attaching old cheap lenses and using them as manual focus. It would be like paying $2,500 for a top of the line computer.. then stripping out the CPU and guts..... and turning it into a type writer.

They also make an adapter -- LAE2/4 -- About $375--- That fully supports auto focus on NEX cameras. But it also adds a fair amount of bulk to the NEX. NEX cameras are mirrorless ---- The LAE2/4 has a mirror --- it overrides the NEX AF system, and basically turns the camera into a dSLT.

It can make sense if you already own a bunch of A-mount lenses that you wanted to use. But wouldn't make sense to spend $375... and turn your sleek mirrorless camera into a bulky mirrored camera, just so you can add A-mount lenses. Plus, use of the adapter hurts the camera's high ISO performance.

Spend $400 on the NEX... another $375 on an adapter to turn it into an A-mount dSLT -- For $775, you could have gotten the Sony A77, the premium top of the line APS-C Sony dSLT.

Instead of buying the adapter and then the lenses -- it would be cheaper to just by an A-mount camera in the first place, OR simply buy the native NEX lenses. Yes, the lenses are more expensive -- but still cheaper than buying the lens + adapter. (You'd have to buy several lenses before you are "saving".... and the lenses won't work as well as native lenses designed for the NEX. They will also add bulk, and hurt ISO performance).

 

[hakepb]

Unless I'm mistaken, I think the main use of Legacy Minolta lenses on NEX are the older MC/MD Minolta lenses, and not the newer A mounts.

The MC/MD lenses would be full manual and just require a cheaper mechanical adaptor.

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/lens_glossary.asp

 

[havoc315]

Unless I'm mistaken, I think the main use of Legacy Minolta lenses on NEX are the legacy MC/MD Minolta lenses, and not the newer A mounts.

The MC/MD lenses would be full manual and just require a cheaper mechanical adaptor.

Not sure what you mean by "main" --
On the Nex, you can use a cheap adapter for just about any old lens. Leica, Canon, Nikon, Minolta MC/MD.

But they also promote the LAE4 adapter-- much more expensive adapter, which allows full functionality of a-mount lenses. And that includes Minolta AF glass.

 

[zackiedawg]

I generally agree with not using A-mount adapters on NEX - of course, I may be biased since I also own an A mount camera alongside my NEX so I don't need to share lenses between them - I love the NEX for staying relatively compact, so those types of adapters don't suit my needs with the NEX.

However, manual lens adapters I love on the NEX. They're very cheap - usually $20-40 - glassless so they don't impact quality from the lens - and let you have access to tens of thousands of inexpensive lenses to experiment or play with, and sometimes get some real quality lenses for very little money. The physical experience of shooting with old manual lenses for me is wonderful - it feels more in touch with the photographic process, and is actually more instinctual and easier to manually choose settings than with native e-mount lenses - you have the aperture ring easily accessible and readable right on the lens, a nicely damped, mechanical focus ring, and set the shutter on the camera's jog wheel - simple, elegant, and fast. It might be for those of us who came from film SLRs or rangefinders back in the day, who like that manual, hands-on feel, and might not be so nostalgic and fun for someone brought up on digital P&S cameras.

 

[fractal]

Sigma makes a 19mm 2.8 and 30mm 2.8 for Emount. Both are above average lenses, small, light and very reasonably priced.

I also have the Rokinon 8mm 2.8 fisheye for my NEX-7 and get a lot of use from that lens.

 

[Stumpy]

By the way, thanks for everyone's input here. I know it wasn't my threat but I had the same question as the OP. Now, having had my first foray into the world of cameras beyond the simple point and clicks I'm hooked. Though daunting at first I came to love the manual capabilities afforded by having a more advanced camera and found myself experimenting with all sorts of features. I can also understand some of the sentiment here about the kit lens and why you would also want to purchase additional lenses as I found myself time and time again thinking about how much more I could experiment using different lenses.

So, thanks for the advice on this post. I need to flag it for future reference. My only regret is now that I have had a taste I'm ready for more of this expensive hobby, so now I need to somehow keep a straight face when I tell the wife I need XXX amount of dollars for a new lens.