Great Banded Grayling
11 July 2021
Sony A7Rm2
Sony 90mm f2.8
f/4, 1/800 sec., ISO-400, 90mm
Code: A72110721
Boloria Dia Butterfly
Boloria Dia Butterfly
Photographed 0n 6 June 2024
Sony A7R2
f/8, 1/1000 sec., ISO-800, 400mm
Code: A2060624
Sony 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens
This is a very handy multipurpose zoom lens that provides good image quality and is relatively inexpensive. Great for travel if your gear capacity is limited.
Dyxum gives this lens a sharpness rating of only 4.29 and a user rating of only 4.40 (out of 5.00). My own experience has been better.
From Brian Smith’s Ultimate Lens Guide
Full-frame E-Mount telephoto zoom lens with the versatility to stretch from true wide-angle to super telephoto perspectives. Its advanced optical design includes 5 aspherical elements and 1 ED glass element for reduced chromatic and spherical aberrations in a compact design. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization facilitates sharper imaging in low light situations and when shooting at long telephoto lengths.
Professional reviews:
Here are some sample images of my own.
Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Zeiss Vario-Tessar T*
I have always felt this lens is a bit under-rated. Its attributes — constant aperture, OSS, and useful range — belie its relatively low ratings (Dyxum 4.53 overall; 4.43 sharpness). I got some pretty good results with this lens on my A7R cameras.
Here is a description from Brian Smith’s Ultimate Guide:
Compact wide-angle to short telephoto zoom with constant f/4 aperture lens that remains fixed in length while zooming. Features one extra-low dispersion element and five aspherical elements to combat aberrations as well as a Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating to keep flare and ghosting to a minimum.
Professional reviews:
Sample images:
Sony DT 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM
I have had great success with this lens which I have owned and used often since 2007. It is an a-mount lens designed for cameras with crop-framed sensors.
Reviews
Sample images
Minolta 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 APO
Large and heavy, this lens has a tendency toward chromatic aberration. Still, I have gotten some great wildlife and butterfly shots. I took it to the Frejus zoo and got a few keepers. The lens also gave me some good bird, butterfly and damselfly photos.
Here are some professional reviews:
…and here are some of my sample photos using this lens. Click on an image for details.
My Tamron Lenses
One prime and four zooms. I love ’em all:
Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD
Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD
Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
All but the long zoom have a constant max aperture of 2.8. All are sharp — Dyxum rates them 4.72, 4.53, 4.90, 4.83 and 4.75 respectively for sharpness. And the 35mm and 70-180mm lense earn the top 5.0 rating overall. I could pack these 5 lenses in my camera bag, along with my Sony A7Riii and go anywhere needing no other lenses, save maybe a wider wide than the 35. Perhaps supplement with my Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM? Right. That should do it.
Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
what a greeat lens!
Here is the Tamron official description:
“The Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A056) is a large-aperture telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. The greatest feature is its outstanding performance even while attaining a fast F/2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range and offering the world’s lightest and most compact package with a filter diameter of 67mm, maximum diameter of 81mm, 149mm (5.9 in) length (at the 70mm setting) and a weight of 810g (28.6 oz). Thanks to the generous use of special lens elements, the 70-180mm F/2.8 achieves excellent image quality, and with the short MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.85m (33.5 in), it also broadens the possibilities for photographic expression. For enhanced AF drive efficiency, Tamron has newly developed the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive), a linear motor focus mechanism that delivers excellent quietness and agile performance, thereby producing the highest level of autofocusing speed and precision in Tamron’s history. Additionally, a floating system is used to achieve excellent optical performance at all shooting distances. By simultaneously operating two VXD units via electronic control, the system produces clear and sharp images of all objects near and far. Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating are employed to facilitate outdoor shooting, and the lens is fully compatible with camera-specific features like Fast Hybrid AF. This remarkable 70-180mm F/2.8 is the third member of Tamron’s exciting trio of fast F/2.8 zoom lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras.”
…. and I have all three!
Here are links to a few reviews by professionals:
Here are some sample photos produced using this lens on one of my Sony A7R cameras. Click on an image to see a full-screen photopost and image details.
Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
A favorite for wildlife photography. I have gotten some great butterfly shots with this lens on my Sony A7R cameras.
Quoting the Tamron description:
“The 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Model A067) is an unprecedented, nextlevel ultra-telephoto zoom lens with added versatility that starts at 50mm and delivers an 8x zoom ratio. With its wide 50mm starting focal length, full-body shots of subjects like wildlife can be captured in the surrounding environment. The generous and effective use of special lens elements, including XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion), LD (Low Dispersion) and Hybrid Aspherical lens elements, effectively delivers uncompromising high image quality throughout the entire 50-400mm zoom range. Along with its superb performance, the lens is just 183.4mm (7.2 in) long and weighs only 1,155g (40.7 oz). Offering about the same light weight and compact size as a conventional 100-400mm zoom, it’s easy to pack and comfortable to carry all day. Clearly, the TAMRON 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 is a brand-new kind of ultra-telephoto zoom lens that combines a 50mm standard focal length, outstanding image quality and highly nimble mobility—plus the sheer power of a 400mm telephoto! This one lens captures a lively world with all the clarity you desire and can transport you to exhilarating new photographic experiences.”
I certainly concur! In addition to wildlife photography I enjoy sniping with this lens, catching people from a distance when they are unaware that I am photographing them. Plus the wide end is great for landscape and street shots.
Here are some links to reviews by professionals:
Cameralabs
… and here are some sample images from my studio. Click on an image to see a full-screen photopost and image details
Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8
Small, compact, very sharp (Dyxum 4.98 out of 5; 4.92 out of 5.0 overall), versatile lens. I have used it for landscapes, street, and social and civic events. The large max aperture makes it perform well in lower light situations.
Links to professional reviews:
Below see sample images produced using this lens. Click on an image to see a full-screen photopost with details.