wide+macro lens recommendations for a Sony APS-C video system?

[bghazzal]

Hello all,

 

I'm started looking into future upgrade options for my video rig, and APS-C cameras seem to be the best in my price range (otherwise I would like a cropped sensor more than FF)

Currently looking into the Sony A6700, which seems to be a better package than the Canon R7 in the APS-C range (though I do have reservations about WB possibilities), and more financially accessible than the Sony FX30

 

However, I'm completely clueless in the Sony ecosystem and practical for lenses for video, so was wondering what your recommendations would be for:

 

- a wide lens

AF is not really important here (I will be shooting in manual), but I would like to avoid corner distortion. Doesn't have to be super-duper wide.
The Sony 11mm F1.8 SEL11F18 has been recommended - maybe rectilinear options?

 

Matching port recommendations for a Nauticam housing would be welcome

 

- a macro lens

This would need good AF support, as main application would be blackwater/bonfire type scenarios (again, video only)

AF is one of the reasons (along with 4K60fps, HDMI monitor support and battery life) prompting the interest in an update, as following fast moving small critters on a tiny focal plane is tricky - there's only some much you can do with elbows and it's too fast for manual adjustements.

Since this is an APS-C cropped sensor with a x1.5 crop, I'm thinking a 60mm macro would be good in this type of scenario?

 

Looking forward to reading your wise insights

 

cheers!

 

ben

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by bghazzal

[ChipBPhoto]

4 hours ago, bghazzal said:

Since this is an APS-C cropped sensor with a x1.5 crop, I'm thinking a 60mm macro would be good in this type of scenario?

Hi @bghazzal,

 

For macro, I have been quite impressed with the Zeiss 50 2.8 macro.  I use it with my a1 and have found it to be a fast and accurate focus with very sharp details.  This translates to an 75mm in FF lingo, which is not much of a difference than 90.  I also tried the Canon EF-S 60 with a Metabones V.  For a Sony solution, I prefer the Zeiss 50 in all aspects over the Canon 60.

For wide, I’m a big fan of the Nauticam WWL-1B, or WWL-C depending on the lens used.  It is super sharp to the corners and allows zooming as needed.  The view range is 130 degree FoV down to ~60 degree FoV.  It also allows super close focus on standard lenses which is great for a near macro closeness or close focus wide angle work.

 

Curious why you’re not interested in the Canon R7?  Canon white balance has traditionally been better, but Sony has made significant improvements.

chip

 

Edited 6 hours ago by ChipBPhoto

[Nikolausz]

The Sony 11mm F1.8 SEL11F18 is actually a rectilinear lens, but I can also recommend the SEL1118 F4 optically stabilised zoom, which is good when you have enough light and it gives you additional flexibility. 

There is a new version (E PZ 10-20 mm F4 G) but I don't have any experience with it.

I think A6700 is an excellent choice. I use A6400 but I would prefer A6700 if I would start from scratch.

For macro I use the 90mm lens but I think it's not the best choice for blackwater video. 

I also have the 30 mm macro, which could be an interesting choice for close-up but not good for extreme macro.

A really good macro lens around 50mm is a bit lacking. Optical quality is there but according to my research AF is not that fast and accurate.