ADVICE: Should I buy the SEL85F14GM or SEL2470GM?

[JapanMan2]

Hi guys, 

I do photography as a hobby and have been saving up for quite some time now but am at a brick wall as I can only afford one of the two lenses: 85mm 1.4 or 24-70 2.8.

Whichever one I go for, I would use, which is why it's so hard to choose.

Below is a list of current lenses I use and I'm hoping someone will be able to recommend which one I should go for based on what I already have; any tips would be awesome.

- 16-35 f/4
- 28mm f/2
- 55mm f/1.8
- 90mm f/2.8 macro

I own an A7M2 camera if that helps.

Thank guys! 

[notspurs · Accepted solution]

In my opinion, save yourself a bucket load of money, and get the FE 70-300 4.0, as you do not have anything long in your lens collection, also for the sensor size of your camera, the 24-70 4.0 is a perfect match for the a7mk11 . I have both of these lenses and the same camera, and the PQ is fantastic. don't forget with 5 axis stableisation, you can get pin sharp images using a slower shutter speed in low light, which some what negates the need for a lower f stop.But all this of course, is down to what you normally take pictures of. I would buy the lenses you are thinking of  if i had the A7s or R, due to the much larger sensor size Just to add, the bokeh on the 4.0 is very good hope this helps

[JapanMan2]

Thank you for the advice, I've now put the  'FE 70-300' on my wish list as a future possible lens.

I had been looking for the 24-70 F/4 as I could get a second hand one for a decent price, though a couple of months back when I was indoors, my 90mm F/2.8 handled the conditions better than my 16-35 F/4, which is why I was leaning towards the 24-70 F/2.8.

If money was no object I'd just buy them all, but sadly that isn't the case for me aha. 

[notspurs]

I use the 55 1.8 for indoors, fab lens for that.(fab lens full stop) SEL85 & SEL2470GM are high end lenses for high end cameras such as the A7S2 & A7R2,  so in effect on a 24mp sensor you would not get the best out of these lenses which you would using the FE 2470,which is designed to work best on a smaller sensor camera.just a thought, you must live in a big house using 90mm indoors lol

just want to add, i took some shots of my xmas tree using the 55 1.8 in very low ambient light, so i could capture the effect of the lights etc on the tree, for correct exposure i has to use a shutter speed of 20secs(hand held) i was amazed at the sharpness and quality of the picture, as using a slower shutter speed to focal length defies a common rule in photography which is SS should at least match focal length, all due to the 5-axis stablisation so 55 1.8 indoors fe 2470 & 70300 outdoors and 2 grand saved!

[JapanMan2]

Aha, my house is rather small, it was at a friends wedding venue.

I don't earn a lot, so I don't think i'll ever get the chance to buy the A7R2; though I thought that whilst there is a difference in MP, I thought they were both the same sensor size?  I guess the extra pixels will result in more detail which is where the higher end lenses benifit more?

After a lot of though and looking at reviews, I'm still tempted by the 85mm 1.4; however I think I may have to take your advice and get the 24-70 F/4 (most likely used) once I've recouped the money; spending a further £1800 is probably a bit too much for a hobby 

[notspurs]

yes sorry you are right same sensor size, i just say larger sensor in regards to MP, just my way of putting it. Yes more detail, that's why you would probably not notice any difference in PQ from a lens costing a grand from one costing 2  good luck

[JapanMan2]

I appreciate all your advice, thank you.