Once again GAS has struck. I decided last season that I would like (not need) a set of 2.8 zooms to bridge the gap between my slower daylight zooms that offer a nice wide focal range and my nighttime primes. The primes are faster, yes, but they also limit my focal range (and thus composition) to 24 and 135 unless I want to keep changing to in-between focal lengths.
The day starts with the slower Sony 24-105/4 and the Tamron 50-400/4.5-6.3, usually with polarizers which cost about a stop. I use them with the polarizers until the sun gets low enough there's no more glare, then take them off to get that lost stop back. After that I shoot until ISO starts to get high, then I switch to primes. At this point my positioning is limited. I have maybe two decent shooting positions with each lens unless I want to crop the heck out of the shots to fill the frame, so variety is out the window. That's always going to be the case when I switch to primes, but with a pair of 2.8 zooms I could go another 90 minutes or so before the primes had to come out. In the middle of summer, I may not need to use the primes at all.
I only have one 2.8 lens, the Tamron 17-28.
The long end is easy (ish). I am pretty well decided on the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM II and a 2X TC, which by all accounts is an excellent combination. It's probable that this combo would take the place of my Tamron 50-400. Another choice could be the Tamron or Samyang 35-150/2-2.8. While it's fast, the focal range is kind of ho-hum for my needs, doesn't really get wide enough or long enough. Also have considered the Tamron 70-180 and Sigma 70-200, but due to Sony's crippling of 3rd party lenses when it comes to TCs I've pretty much ruled them out.
I've looked and looked at different options for the short zoom, none of them are perfect, either not wide enough, or long enough. Or, if there's an acceptable focal range, it's not faster. Examples:
There have been some rumored lenses that would be ideal, but so far they don't exist. One, a rumored 28-300/2.8 from Tamron would give me a lot of range, and even though too narrow to cover the wide end at 28, would couple perfectly with the Tamron 20-40.
Along with this wish list (which is really nothing more than bitching) why doesn't someone offer a 200/2 for E-Mount? One of those would take the place of my 135/1.8 in a heartbeat.
It's a lens conspiracy! 🎼🎶All I want it the perfect Cam-er-ah🎵 (LENS!)
The day starts with the slower Sony 24-105/4 and the Tamron 50-400/4.5-6.3, usually with polarizers which cost about a stop. I use them with the polarizers until the sun gets low enough there's no more glare, then take them off to get that lost stop back. After that I shoot until ISO starts to get high, then I switch to primes. At this point my positioning is limited. I have maybe two decent shooting positions with each lens unless I want to crop the heck out of the shots to fill the frame, so variety is out the window. That's always going to be the case when I switch to primes, but with a pair of 2.8 zooms I could go another 90 minutes or so before the primes had to come out. In the middle of summer, I may not need to use the primes at all.
I only have one 2.8 lens, the Tamron 17-28.
The long end is easy (ish). I am pretty well decided on the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM II and a 2X TC, which by all accounts is an excellent combination. It's probable that this combo would take the place of my Tamron 50-400. Another choice could be the Tamron or Samyang 35-150/2-2.8. While it's fast, the focal range is kind of ho-hum for my needs, doesn't really get wide enough or long enough. Also have considered the Tamron 70-180 and Sigma 70-200, but due to Sony's crippling of 3rd party lenses when it comes to TCs I've pretty much ruled them out.
I've looked and looked at different options for the short zoom, none of them are perfect, either not wide enough, or long enough. Or, if there's an acceptable focal range, it's not faster. Examples:
- Tamron 20-40/2.8. This one is close, I'd really like the extra FOV at 20mm, but the 40 is limiting on the long end. Still, it would be a decent companion for the 70-200. It would also take the place of my 17-28, which really only gets used for car shows and museums.
- Sony 24-50/2.8 Kind of a weird in-between range. I'd be back to 24mm on the short end, and still left wanting some at the long.
- Any of the 24-70/2.8s probably make the most sense based on what's currently available and is good for pairing with a 70-200.
- The Tamron 17-50/4 is a very cool range, but the f/4 misses the mark. Release this in 2.8 Tamron! Or better yet, faster!
There have been some rumored lenses that would be ideal, but so far they don't exist. One, a rumored 28-300/2.8 from Tamron would give me a lot of range, and even though too narrow to cover the wide end at 28, would couple perfectly with the Tamron 20-40.
Along with this wish list (which is really nothing more than bitching) why doesn't someone offer a 200/2 for E-Mount? One of those would take the place of my 135/1.8 in a heartbeat.
It's a lens conspiracy! 🎼🎶All I want it the perfect Cam-er-ah🎵 (LENS!)
