Hey Steve. Good review. You touched down on pretty much every thought I've had about this lens. I've been using it for a while, and I also assumed the sound came from a broken lens element at first. A great buy, but I do, however, think the af-speed is too slow. Even for a cheap lens.
I have this lens and the new SEL35F18. It really does make the clunking sound when powered off but it's very sharp beating my SEL35F18. SEL35 is only able to catch up in F/5.6 to F/11. AF is equally fast as my SEL35 on a Nex 5R. SEL35 have better bokeh and Image stabilization w/c is very helpful when video recording. But for $200, I agree w/ Steve as bang for the bucks lens of 2012. :)
I am unclear on how non-Sony AF lenses work in regards to autofocus. Will this lens be able to still autofocus or is manual focus the only option? Thanks for all the great info Steve.
Rex, this is an e-mount AF lens (Sigma also makes it in fuji X and m43 mounts), the AF works just fine. Non e-mount AF lens would require a 'smart' adapter (with electronic contacts) to keep AF.
Hi steve, awesome review. Got a NEX 6 with a Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 fixed lens. Just wondering if this lens would be a great asset to add to my combo... or if I you would recommend me another lens - thanks
How does this lens handle video (aside from your comment on autofocus sound)? For video, is it worth dropping twice the price for the Sony 35mm f/1.8, which has OSS? (I'm not concerned about sound as I plan on using a different source for audio)
Theres a new one coming out very soon for anyone watching this. But if you still wanna get this its at a good deal along with the 19mm, both together for 199
Hi Steve, just want to ask if it still makes the clunking noise when mounted on a powered off nex camera? Coz mine make the clunking sound even when mounted on the camera, clunking sound is gone when I power-on the camera.
I'm having trouble understanding the equivalence thing with micro 4/3 lenses. Is the 19mm a wide-angle lens or is it more like an everyday 40mm lens? And does the 30mm look like 30mm or like a portrait lens?
Hey Steve. Good review. You touched down on pretty much every thought I've had about this lens. I've been using it for a while, and I also assumed the sound came from a broken lens element at first. A great buy, but I do, however, think the af-speed is too slow. Even for a cheap lens.
its an Emount lens, so yes it is compatible.
I have this lens and the new SEL35F18. It really does make the clunking sound when powered off but it's very sharp beating my SEL35F18. SEL35 is only able to catch up in F/5.6 to F/11. AF is equally fast as my SEL35 on a Nex 5R. SEL35 have better bokeh and Image stabilization w/c is very helpful when video recording. But for $200, I agree w/ Steve as bang for the bucks lens of 2012. :)
All NEX cameras use the E-mount, so yes, it would work.
Excellent review! Thank you very much for sharing. Please keep up the good work.
I am unclear on how non-Sony AF lenses work in regards to autofocus. Will this lens be able to still autofocus or is manual focus the only option? Thanks for all the great info Steve.
Rex, this is an e-mount AF lens (Sigma also makes it in fuji X and m43 mounts), the AF works just fine. Non e-mount AF lens would require a 'smart' adapter (with electronic contacts) to keep AF.
Hi steve, awesome review. Got a NEX 6 with a Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 fixed lens. Just wondering if this lens would be a great asset to add to my combo... or if I you would recommend me another lens - thanks
How does this lens handle video (aside from your comment on autofocus sound)? For video, is it worth dropping twice the price for the Sony 35mm f/1.8, which has OSS? (I'm not concerned about sound as I plan on using a different source for audio)
Theres a new one coming out very soon for anyone watching this. But if you still wanna get this its at a good deal along with the 19mm, both together for 199
This will not mount to my 5R, the camera says E-mount, the instructions for the lens say E-mount, won't go on... I'm at a loss.
will you show some video tests? (:
Hi Steve, just want to ask if it still makes the clunking noise when mounted on a powered off nex camera? Coz mine make the clunking sound even when mounted on the camera, clunking sound is gone when I power-on the camera.
Hey I was just wondering how this lens compares againts the Sony 30 dt A-mount lens with LA-E1 adapter, and the Sony E mount 30 3.5 lens?
I'm having trouble understanding the equivalence thing with micro 4/3 lenses. Is the 19mm a wide-angle lens or is it more like an everyday 40mm lens? And does the 30mm look like 30mm or like a portrait lens?
look at "Crop factor" on wiki, it will tell you way more than i could in a youtube comment
that lens design is from sigma dp2 merrill insn't it? please can you do compare sigma/sony
hey steve i am using NEX 5k is this compatible with the same camera
Is this compatible with the NEx-6?
Awesome, great tip. Thankkyou very much.
I'm just about to buy =) confident now~
yes, the new one is the aluminium one
Shame I just brought it for my Sony A7, and I payed and ordered it already.
its polished aluminum.
What is the peak sharpest f stop for this?
From what I've read f/5.6 is the sweet spot for all e mount lenses!
Thank you Anirudh Shankar
yep he mentions that the clunk is normal
Plastic metal? It's called aluminum... lol