Goodbye Fujifilm - Part 2: New Lenses

In this post, I will dive into my more technical process of replacing my Fuji gear with a more budget constrained and focused Sony setup. Yes, selling off one camera system for another has had a significant financial hit and leaves me with less funding than was initially invested. While I have learned what lenses I do not need, there is also a more significant importance for the glass I do need to acquire.

Lens Choices

Utilizing the funds from the sale of my Fuji equipment has been more difficult than anticipated due to Sony’s lens offerings including vast third-party options. With budget and value in mind I sought three lenses, a fast prime, standard zoom and a telephoto zoom. My first and easiest choice, the Sony 50mm f1.4 GM prime. At my favorite focal length of 50mm, this expensive but desired choice will be a vital component to portrait and creative work.


The second lens took some more consideration, I was looking for a standard zoom that would be light-weight yet capable. While bested by the slightly wider Sony 24-70mm GMII, I selected the Tamron 28-75 G2 for its budget friendly daily versatility, fast constant aperture, and macro like close focus. The affordable Tamron 28-75 has been an excellent choice and made better by recent holiday sales.


So, with the Sony 50mm and its fast aperture delivering captivating depth and razor-sharp images along with the Tamron standard zoom providing flexibility across a range of shooting scenarios, my first two lenses covered. But what about the telephoto? That is where it gets complicated for me.

The Telephoto Dilemma

As I venture into the realm of telephoto lenses, the decisions become much more nuanced. With the limited remaining funds, I have room for only one more lens in my budget. The allure of the Tamron 70-180 f2.8 is a fast and versatile option for events and portraits, particularly in challenging low-light conditions. However, the siren calls for the deep range of wildlife photography prompts contemplation on a longer telephoto lens, such as the Tamron 150-500, Sigma 150-600, or Sony FE 200-600mm, capable of capturing distant subjects in exquisite detail. For my evaluation I am focusing on Tamron because of the value, quality, and close focusing abilities. Sigma is on the table for sure and Sony is more of a high dollar benchmark currently.


Amidst the internal deliberation of telephoto lens options, I sought the realm of numbers and spreadsheets, trying to find a quantitative edge to my decision-making process. Utilizing photo counts based on the past few years of personal and professional photography, I aimed to analyze and extract insights. This approach guided me towards the optimal choice for my photographic needs.

Focal Range Chart (don’t judge me I like charts!)

As I grapple with the quantitative data and personal preferences in the context of lens choices, the transition from APS-C to full frame introduces an additional layer of confusion. The endeavor to translate years of experience with APS-C focal lengths to the realm of full frame has further compounded the complexity of the decision-making process. Fujifilm APS-C sensors have a 1.5x crop factor compared to full frame standard. As an example, my former favorite 33mm lens on Fujifilm now translates to a 50mm on full frame. The challenge lies not only in deciphering the analytical insights but also in reconciling the nuances of my past photographic habits with the new canvas that full frame presents.

Range/count/price analysis

Conclusion

The integration of quantitative data with personal preferences has led to a deeper contemplation rather than offering a definitive solution. This analytical approach, while contributing to a better understanding of the allure associated with different lens choices, it has added another layer of complexity to the decision-making process. Although a foundation for evaluating telephoto lenses in relation to the practical demands I have found no solace or clarity in this process. As I navigate forward, armed with both data and intuition, the lens selection remains ongoing, this exploration seeks to find the delicate balance between artistic expression and the quantitative requirements for capturing the moments that hold the utmost significance to me and my clients.

Previous: Goodbye Fujifilm – Part1

Next: Goodbye Fujifilm – Part 3: Transition To Sony

Updated 1-11-2024: this post was way to long I have separated how the transition is going to part 3.

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