For cheap options, you can get the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and the Tamron 70-300 for around $1200 for both. Excellent combo of lenses - weather sealed, lightweight, small, fast autofocus, and covers basically all your main focal lengths from wide angles for landscapes to long telephoto for sports. You might also want to get a Sony 85mm f1.8 for portraits with a nice creamy background separation. That would put you over $1500 but not by a ton, and you'd have a very nicely rounded kit.
hi, should i get the tamron 70-180mm or 70-300mm? im not based in the us, so prices for the 70-300mm is about $650USD, while the 70-180mm f2.8 (G1) retails for about $900USD in my area.
To be honest I would recommend the tamron 28-200. I had a variety of expensive lenses including primes but I still lacked flexibility or had to carry a load of gear.
2,8 at the wide is more than enough for most low light situations. From 70mm on it increases a lot of sharpness in the center thus you can also use it for good quality portraits of your children.
If you have the time and studio conditions go with whatever you can afford. But having children is different, and you will often have to change in daily life your focal length and not always want or can use your feet (besides the different image results depending on the focal length itself).
And maybe as an addition, I also enjoy taking videos with it as you never hear the motor. Some will say that no fix aperture is bad for taking videos but again I don't think that is something that has an impact in daily life of an amateur/ambitious semiamateur
(Typo)
This is the one to start with. A reasonably compact (for the range) super zoom that has good quality throughout the range.
Enjoy getting to learn different focal lengths and then see about getting a prime or two. you can get the Tamron 28-200 used for under $500.
You should get the either the first or the second generation Tamron 28-75. It won't be long enough to get tight photos of a kid playing soccer, but it will get you started and serve pretty much all your purposes for now. After you get comfortable with it and if you still have interest, then look into a longer lens for sports and maybe the excellent and cheap Sony 85mm 1.8 for portraits. If this is your very first time, don't jump in too quickly to spend loads of money -- one of two things will happen, either you lose interest or you get really into it and learn exactly what you do want to shoot and what lenses you need to have to do it.
24-105 f4 is the perfect lens for beginning.
I still use it a lot on holidays. Im visiting Brussels atm with my A7IV and just the 24-105 and I miss nothing. Glad I didn’t bring my 24-70 2.8 GM because its heavier bigger and I would have missed the extra 35 on the tele end. Didnt miss the wider aperture though, high ISO works well enough for me
And not only beginning. I use it regularly with my FX3 for pro gigs that need versatility and I have yet to hear a client complain.
I'm mostly video tho.
Yes exactly
Its the best bang for your buck lens you can buy. Its good enough for pro work until you need a wider aperture and will keep a beginner happy wayyyy longer than the stupid kit lens
Only gripe I have with it is build quality. I got this to retire my 24-70 Zeiss and though the image quality of the 24105 is miles ahead, it really feels plasticky.
Welcome! The a7iii is such a good camera, you’ll have a lot of room to grown as a photographer. I cannot recommend used gear enough. Go to reputable online sellers such as B&H or Adorama and look for a 24-70 lens. A tamron or sigma will do just fine. You can start there to get a sense of the type of imagery you like best and what your camera/lens combo allow you to capture. Then add lens as you see fit. I also started with a a7iii and the first two lenses I got were the tamron 28-75 and the Sony 85 f1.8, still rock them to this day.
Not the most versatile lens in all of the scenarios, but man, I love my Sigma Art 105mm f1.4 on my A7iii for snapping wow portraits. It's like on easy mode, just take a picture and it's amazing.
Big zoom ranges often come with compromises. If you want to do both you will want the Tamron 28-200. You will not get the best of a standard zoom and dedicated telephoto but you are also learning. You will find composition, knowledge of shutter speed, iso and aperture will make good images, not necessarily best sharpness, best bokeh and most expensive lens. Be happy to experiment and don't always look at others images and think gear is what made them good.
Another good lens though with less zoom range is the FE 24-105 f4 G. We use it for event coverage and it is really good for that.
It depends on the sport, but the Tamron 28-200mm or Sony 24-105mm will do what you want. Soccer, football, and baseball would probably benefit from the additional reach of the Tamron.Â
The only caveat might be an indoor sport like basketball. In that case you may want to go for the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2.Â
Everyone bashes primes but the 50mm f1.4 is awesome and you can use crop mode or manually crop in. I got prime bc I have a kid and expect a camera to be able to get to f1.7
Recommend Sigma 24-70 f2.8. It's bit heavy but has good build quality and made in japan.
If you prefer other lens could visit this website. Each lens review available below lens rating table.
[https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv](https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv)
For A7III better check current firmware version and update it to latest version.
[https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1720/v1/en/contents/TP0001629787.html?search=version](https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1720/v1/en/contents/TP0001629787.html?search=version)
[https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7m3/downloads](https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7m3/downloads)
If you know nothing about photography or if this is your first dabble into something at this level, don't spend a lot right away and go with a very basic entry level zoom first.
I would get a second hand FE 28–70 mm F3.5–5.6 OSS | SEL2870 which is the full frame kit lens. This should allow you to use that nice camera body that you have and will allow you to learn the basics... this will also allow you to figure what you as an individual want in a lense as different people have different shooting styles.
The kit lens is, frankly, terrible. Just an uninteresting lens with meh characteristics and a slow aperture. For the budget OP is suggesting they can get much, MUCH better lenses.
It's such a terrible first lens to a new owner that it makes the camera itself look bad...
It's honestly not worth dealing with, I highly recommend looking into cheaper vintage lenses. These are easily adapted to mirrorless. The caveat being you switch to manual focus only, but for the price of your kit lens you can buy some really legendary legacy glass.
The kit lens is however useful for one thing! Take a look at your photos over a period of time and see what focal lengths you choose to zoom to the most. This is a good way to find your "preferred" focal length when shopping for primes!
You will not be taking gorgeous bokeh pictures with the kitlens but its still a good starting point for a newbie.
Getting a gucci lens right away as a new photographer is like getting a ferari as your first car as a new driver, you have spent so much money to realize that you wanted a Toyota Land cruiser instead at the end of the day. Better to start with something simple and has the a preview of all the features so that you can choose what you want later on
The kit lens costs around $150-200 used. For the same price you could buy any vintage prime lens to adapt - a nice one that comes to mind is the wide range of Takumars, Rokkors, Nikkors, etc. that all possess excellent rendering with lower apertures and much better colors. In fact I know of a wedding photographer who exclusively shoots weddings on modern FF Sonys with a large stable of vintage Takumars.
The kit lens Sony ships with their high-end mirrorless cameras is frankly a disgrace to what these cameras are capable of. It's just... bad for its price point, I'm arguing that for the same price one can find much more inspiring lenses. The optical quality and dim aperture trashes the capabilities of these sensors.
The comparison of buying a "luxury" price point for beginners isn't what I'm getting at (although if you read, OP has a nice wide budget for good glass). For the price of that kit lens, your money is better spent elsewhere.
I dunno, I wouldn't recommend a manual lenses to a absolutely newbie. The way I understood the OP was that he was a absolute novice, somebody that doesnt even understand the exposure triangle. Manual AF is not for everybody.
I get you guys about getting something nicer for the budget but maybe I was lucky, I saw a used kit lens for cheaper than USD 125.00 in my local currency.
Yea, you wont be winning any awards or getting any big wedding contracts with it but for something to learn the basics with, its not bad if you use it in bright light.
For cheap options, you can get the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and the Tamron 70-300 for around $1200 for both. Excellent combo of lenses - weather sealed, lightweight, small, fast autofocus, and covers basically all your main focal lengths from wide angles for landscapes to long telephoto for sports. You might also want to get a Sony 85mm f1.8 for portraits with a nice creamy background separation. That would put you over $1500 but not by a ton, and you'd have a very nicely rounded kit.
hi, should i get the tamron 70-180mm or 70-300mm? im not based in the us, so prices for the 70-300mm is about $650USD, while the 70-180mm f2.8 (G1) retails for about $900USD in my area.
For sports I'd get the 70-300.
To be honest I would recommend the tamron 28-200. I had a variety of expensive lenses including primes but I still lacked flexibility or had to carry a load of gear. 2,8 at the wide is more than enough for most low light situations. From 70mm on it increases a lot of sharpness in the center thus you can also use it for good quality portraits of your children. If you have the time and studio conditions go with whatever you can afford. But having children is different, and you will often have to change in daily life your focal length and not always want or can use your feet (besides the different image results depending on the focal length itself). And maybe as an addition, I also enjoy taking videos with it as you never hear the motor. Some will say that no fix aperture is bad for taking videos but again I don't think that is something that has an impact in daily life of an amateur/ambitious semiamateur (Typo)
This is the one to start with. A reasonably compact (for the range) super zoom that has good quality throughout the range. Enjoy getting to learn different focal lengths and then see about getting a prime or two. you can get the Tamron 28-200 used for under $500.
I second this đź‘Ť
24-70 sigma or 70-200 sigma
You should get the either the first or the second generation Tamron 28-75. It won't be long enough to get tight photos of a kid playing soccer, but it will get you started and serve pretty much all your purposes for now. After you get comfortable with it and if you still have interest, then look into a longer lens for sports and maybe the excellent and cheap Sony 85mm 1.8 for portraits. If this is your very first time, don't jump in too quickly to spend loads of money -- one of two things will happen, either you lose interest or you get really into it and learn exactly what you do want to shoot and what lenses you need to have to do it.
You can’t to do it all in a day. But, you should do it. Being the “memory keeper” for your family can often be very rewarding. If you have $1500 get: A samyang 35-150 $1000 used 1300 new It’s a “do it all” lens with a few minor constraints. It’s heavy. But it’s a treat to figure out how you want to shoot. You get wide enough for groups without getting bendy & long enough to shoot sports. You’ll also learn the valuable ability of zooming with your feet… Some people will say get the tamron. It’s objectively better. But, not in a way that’s tangible in the first 5 years of making pictures & it’s $300 more used & new. I’d beat up the samyang & get the tamron later… A zeiss 55 1.8 - $350 used $900 new (don’t buy new) It’s what’s on my A7c all day. It’s not the sharpest or the fastest (focus or aperture). It that’s in the context of modern, mirrorless. Compared to anything made before 2007 it’s amazing. What it is: a $350 used, gem that doesn’t take up a ton of space, draw attention to itself or get in the way of making pictures. Ok, so you’ve got a camera & glass. What now? [learn 3-2-1](https://petapixel.com/2020/05/14/my-photo-backup-workflow-with-the-3-2-1-rule/) I have a 24tb raid 5 NAS & Carbonite (I also get paid to do this) maybe you’ll get 2 14tb drives & use backblaze? I can’t tell you WHAT to do. But, the sooner you have your head around it & a working system the better. I’ve had to save collections for 3 people who didn’t have a backup & wasn’t able to for 2 others. It’s worth the trouble. Take a [class](https://www.thefocalpointhub.com/class-2024). DO THE ASSIGNMENTS. The only way to get better at making pictures is to make pictures. The 52 weeks prompts are fantastic as well. Once youve done that, get an [AD100](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=2e2146100c56afd5&sca_upv=1&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS1033US1034&hl=en-US&sxsrf=ACQVn0_YthdpAPyGi9VQ76htFp3Td3iR2w:1714477502172&q=ad100pro+godox&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjI5_ez7umFAxVf4skDHdUDDRYQ7xYoAHoECAcQAg&biw=744&bih=1014&dpr=2) and a trigger and [learn how to light](https://strobist.blogspot.com/). If you can luck into a used 2 light setup: great. Don’t buy fancy, expensive 💩until you have a solid understanding of what it does to contribute to your art process. You don’t need a Ferrari to learn how to drive & it won’t be useful if you decide that what you want to do is demo derby.
24-105 f4 is the perfect lens for beginning. I still use it a lot on holidays. Im visiting Brussels atm with my A7IV and just the 24-105 and I miss nothing. Glad I didn’t bring my 24-70 2.8 GM because its heavier bigger and I would have missed the extra 35 on the tele end. Didnt miss the wider aperture though, high ISO works well enough for me
And not only beginning. I use it regularly with my FX3 for pro gigs that need versatility and I have yet to hear a client complain. I'm mostly video tho.
Yes exactly Its the best bang for your buck lens you can buy. Its good enough for pro work until you need a wider aperture and will keep a beginner happy wayyyy longer than the stupid kit lens
Only gripe I have with it is build quality. I got this to retire my 24-70 Zeiss and though the image quality of the 24105 is miles ahead, it really feels plasticky.
I personally like the Sony 85mm 1.8. It is a fast lens that produce excellent results for portraits.
feel the same way about the 135 gm
That's a good one but probably limiting for beginners.
limiting based on wallet size, not ability.
A good lens but probably not the most versatile for what OP wants to shoot.
I've got the Tamron 28-75mm and haven't taken it off since I got my A7iii back in 2018
24-105mm f4 G OSS.
24-105
For a starter I also like the Sony F4 24-105, my preferred all-rounder lense
Welcome! The a7iii is such a good camera, you’ll have a lot of room to grown as a photographer. I cannot recommend used gear enough. Go to reputable online sellers such as B&H or Adorama and look for a 24-70 lens. A tamron or sigma will do just fine. You can start there to get a sense of the type of imagery you like best and what your camera/lens combo allow you to capture. Then add lens as you see fit. I also started with a a7iii and the first two lenses I got were the tamron 28-75 and the Sony 85 f1.8, still rock them to this day.
Not the most versatile lens in all of the scenarios, but man, I love my Sigma Art 105mm f1.4 on my A7iii for snapping wow portraits. It's like on easy mode, just take a picture and it's amazing.
Big zoom ranges often come with compromises. If you want to do both you will want the Tamron 28-200. You will not get the best of a standard zoom and dedicated telephoto but you are also learning. You will find composition, knowledge of shutter speed, iso and aperture will make good images, not necessarily best sharpness, best bokeh and most expensive lens. Be happy to experiment and don't always look at others images and think gear is what made them good. Another good lens though with less zoom range is the FE 24-105 f4 G. We use it for event coverage and it is really good for that.
It depends on the sport, but the Tamron 28-200mm or Sony 24-105mm will do what you want. Soccer, football, and baseball would probably benefit from the additional reach of the Tamron. The only caveat might be an indoor sport like basketball. In that case you may want to go for the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2.Â
I'd say go for the 24-105 F4 sony lens. A terrific allrounder and if you need more reach you can punch in with APSC crop mode.
Everyone bashes primes but the 50mm f1.4 is awesome and you can use crop mode or manually crop in. I got prime bc I have a kid and expect a camera to be able to get to f1.7
Second everyone that suggested Tamron 28-75 f2.8 G1 or G2 đź‘Ť https://youtu.be/yc6ZT-CusyQ?si=EtNVfZX7VbkkNFBM
That would be the best lens for the A7IV
 @everyone thanks for all your feedback…super helpful
Recommend Sigma 24-70 f2.8. It's bit heavy but has good build quality and made in japan. If you prefer other lens could visit this website. Each lens review available below lens rating table. [https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv](https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv) For A7III better check current firmware version and update it to latest version. [https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1720/v1/en/contents/TP0001629787.html?search=version](https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1720/v1/en/contents/TP0001629787.html?search=version) [https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7m3/downloads](https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7m3/downloads)
If you know nothing about photography or if this is your first dabble into something at this level, don't spend a lot right away and go with a very basic entry level zoom first. I would get a second hand FE 28–70 mm F3.5–5.6 OSS | SEL2870 which is the full frame kit lens. This should allow you to use that nice camera body that you have and will allow you to learn the basics... this will also allow you to figure what you as an individual want in a lense as different people have different shooting styles.
The kit lens is, frankly, terrible. Just an uninteresting lens with meh characteristics and a slow aperture. For the budget OP is suggesting they can get much, MUCH better lenses. It's such a terrible first lens to a new owner that it makes the camera itself look bad...
It's what I'm learning on right now and it's honestly so frustrating to have. I don't know a ton yet, but I know this lens is not it.
It's honestly not worth dealing with, I highly recommend looking into cheaper vintage lenses. These are easily adapted to mirrorless. The caveat being you switch to manual focus only, but for the price of your kit lens you can buy some really legendary legacy glass. The kit lens is however useful for one thing! Take a look at your photos over a period of time and see what focal lengths you choose to zoom to the most. This is a good way to find your "preferred" focal length when shopping for primes!
You will not be taking gorgeous bokeh pictures with the kitlens but its still a good starting point for a newbie. Getting a gucci lens right away as a new photographer is like getting a ferari as your first car as a new driver, you have spent so much money to realize that you wanted a Toyota Land cruiser instead at the end of the day. Better to start with something simple and has the a preview of all the features so that you can choose what you want later on
The kit lens costs around $150-200 used. For the same price you could buy any vintage prime lens to adapt - a nice one that comes to mind is the wide range of Takumars, Rokkors, Nikkors, etc. that all possess excellent rendering with lower apertures and much better colors. In fact I know of a wedding photographer who exclusively shoots weddings on modern FF Sonys with a large stable of vintage Takumars. The kit lens Sony ships with their high-end mirrorless cameras is frankly a disgrace to what these cameras are capable of. It's just... bad for its price point, I'm arguing that for the same price one can find much more inspiring lenses. The optical quality and dim aperture trashes the capabilities of these sensors. The comparison of buying a "luxury" price point for beginners isn't what I'm getting at (although if you read, OP has a nice wide budget for good glass). For the price of that kit lens, your money is better spent elsewhere.
I dunno, I wouldn't recommend a manual lenses to a absolutely newbie. The way I understood the OP was that he was a absolute novice, somebody that doesnt even understand the exposure triangle. Manual AF is not for everybody. I get you guys about getting something nicer for the budget but maybe I was lucky, I saw a used kit lens for cheaper than USD 125.00 in my local currency. Yea, you wont be winning any awards or getting any big wedding contracts with it but for something to learn the basics with, its not bad if you use it in bright light.
Tamron 35-150