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Please consider buying your photo (or other) goodies through
my B&H link! It won't cost you any more money, and it helps me to continue adding to the site. I've been buying
from B&H for years, and have been very pleased with their service. They have the most efficient and convenient return
policy, along with the best prices. Thanks for your
support! For UK and European Union buyers; B&H can automatically calculate the "to the
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You probably clicked on this page
because you're trying to find the right Sony camera and related equipment to help you take better pictures,
but may not really know what to choose. Below is a list of items that I find particularly useful,
and personally recommend, because I own most of them. This isn't my personal wish list, it's stuff
I use on a daily or weekly basis. I also find the products below
offer a high degree of value---price vs performance, both for the novice, and photographers at the intermediate and
pro levels. This page will be updated often,
as newer and better cameras and equipment are released, and older models are discontinued.
Check out the recommendations on flash and accessories gear on this page.
Consumer grade gear.
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The Sony A35/55 are good models, especially if you like video. These cameras are very small and
light, and are easy to carry all day. If you're stepping up from a point and shoot
camera, you'll notice a huge upgrade in image quality and resolution. I prefer the
A55 for the flip-out screen, otherwise, there isn't much difference between the two. More
info, A35 A55 body only |
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The Sony A580 is the latest and greatest model that offers an optical viewfinder, and the latest image
enhancements, like sweep panorama, multi-frame noise reduction, a super sharp LCD and of course video. This model might
be the last consumer grade Sony DSLR to offer an optical viewfinder. I bought an A580 for a back-up, and find its processing
of HDR is superb. Uses NP-FM500H battery, same as A900/A700 and some other Sony DSLRs. More
info; A580 body only |
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Although the NEX C3 and 5N are similar, I prefer the 5(N) model, as it's slightly smaller and built better.
I've used two NEX-5(N) models recently for an extended period of time, and find they work great, especially with the kit 18-55mm,
or 16mm pancake lenses. These cameras don't make sense with larger lenses such as the NEX 18-200mm because the whole
point is DSLR image quality from a compact camera. The NEX-5(N) with the 16mm pancake lens is the only combination that
you can stick in your jeans pocket, and the 18-55mm combo will fit nicely in a jacket pocket. More
info; NEX-5N body only NEX-5N with 18-55mm |
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The Sony NEX 16mm F/2.8 is a super small lens, and allows you to put the camera in your pants pocket.
There are a couple of neat accessories for this lens too, like the fisheye adapter, and wide-angle converter, which covers 12mm, or the equivalent of 18mm. Review More info |
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The Vivitar 7mm F/3.5 is my favorite fisheye lens, after I reviewed this lens, I bought it, and prefer
it to the much more expensive full frame Sony 16mm f/2.8 fisheye because the Vivitar is for APS-C cameras only, and it makes
no sense to use a full frame fisheye on an APS-C camera as the "fisheye" effect is lost. Image quality is
very good. This is a manual use lens, so you have to set the aperture and focus, however, this is easy; outside in good
light, just stop the lens down to F/8-11 and use infinity focus. You'll have to adjust the exposure a little using exposure
compensation. If you don't know anything about a fisheye lens, or using some basic manual camera controls, stay away
from this lens until you gain a little more knowledge. This lens is sold under at least three names, but
they're all the same, don't worry about the difference in the 7mm/8mm length listed, that's just to make you think there's
a difference. The Vivitar has the nicest finish in my opinion, although the Bower is usually less expensive. Review $249-$289 Vivitar Bower Rokinon |
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The Sony DT 35mm F/1.8 is my favorite prime lens period. If you only have enough money to get one
good lens for your APS-C camera, this is it. This lens is so good it would be a bargain at twice the price. Review More info |
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The Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 is my first medium zoom choice, and will be the only lens you'll need if you're
on a tight budget. Excellent image quality, and fast F/2.8 all the way. A great alternative to the more expensive
(and slower) CZ 16-80mm F/3.5-4.5. Review More info |
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The Sony CZ 16-80mm has a great focal range, and is very sharp at nearly all apertures. I use this
lens quite often for paying jobs, including outdoor Real estate shots. It's not as fast as the Tamron above, but is
noticeably longer in zoom range. Review More info |
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The Sigma 10-20mm F/4-5.6 is a very nice super wide zoom, and I'd prefer it over the Sony 11-18mm.
It has minimal ghosting and is quite sharp in the corners stopped down some. It also makes a great interior and Real
estate lens, just try not to use it at 10mm-11mm with straight lines near the images edges, as the distortion is hard to manage.
I've used this lens for most paying real estate photo jobs for years, and don't plan on switching. Review More info |
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The Sigma 10-20mm F/3.5 would be my first choice for a super wide zoom, assuming I didn't have one.
It has the same focal range as the lens above, but it's noticeably faster at the end of the zoom, and has a really nice build
quality. It's very sharp in the centers at all focal lengths, and has an evenly curved distortion signature, which is
easier to correct than the "mustache" type with the lens above. If you already have the
older Sigma 10-20mm F/4-5.6 above, and won't be doing a lot of low light shooting, I wouldn't bother upgrading, there isn't
much difference in optical quality. Review More info |
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The Sony DT 50mm F/1.8 provides very good image quality, is small and light, and most importantly, inexpensive.
If you look at your images all day on the computer blown up to 100%, go with the more expensive Sony 50mm F/1.4, as seen below.
Review More info |
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The Sony 75-300mm F/4.5-5.6 works well, and is light-weight and inexpensive. If you only want one
telephoto zoom, and don't have much money, this is you best pick. The Sony 55-200mm is good too if purchased as part
of a "kit" but I prefer the longer reach of the 75-300mm. Review More info |
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The Sony DT 30mm F/2.8 macro is very small and easy to put in a pocket for quick access on a hike or
vacation. The image quality is very high, and the price is low, that's good! Watch out when using it as a regular
prime lens because focusing accuracy is critical at longer distances. Review More info |
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The Sony A900 was ground breaking when it was introduced way back in 2008, and is still top-of-the-line
in the Sony camera line-up. It has an excellent 100% viewfinder, with 5 fps speed. I bought an A900 the first
day of release, and am still amazed at the resolution and quality today. In fact, this camera is almost over-kill for
normal jobs where huge enlargements are not needed. It will still be a very good camera at least five years after its
introduction. Review More info |
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The Sony 70-400mm F/4-5.6 "G" is my favorite super telephoto zoom lens period, and is far superior
in image and build quality to any other Sony zoom lens, bar the Sony 70-200mm F/2.8. It is expensive, but worth every
penny in my opinion. Review More info |
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The Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 may be inexpensive, but the image quality is equal to the very expensive Sony
Carl Zeiss 24-70mm F/2.8. If you're using this focal length zoom all day, I'd prefer the Tamron to the Sony Carl Zeiss,
even if the prices were the same. Review More info |
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The Sony Carl Zeiss 16-35mm F/2.8 is the absolute best wide angle zoom for your full-frame camera.
This lens makes a great interior/architectural lens, and performs very well at all focal lengths. I use this lens when
I need to be sure and provide maximum resolution and image quality for picky clients. Review More info |
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The Sony 20mm F/2.8 provides excellent image quality and will out perform the Carl Zeiss 16-35mm,
when focused properly. Another valuable use is interior photography as it has very good ghosting control, and the entire image including
the corners is very sharp stopped down. Review More info |
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The Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 is a super alternative to the more expensive Sony 70-200mm F/2.8. Image
quality is about the same on each lens, although the Sony has a better build quality and faster focusing. If you're
interested in optical performance only, the Tamron is a great buy, and will save you a bunch of money. Review More info |
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The Sony 50mm F/1.4 makes a great landscape or walk around lens, and is the least expensive full-frame
fast lens in the Sony line-up. A classic that should be in every photographer's bag. Review More info |
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The Sigma 50mm F/1.4 is much bigger and heavier than the Sony above, but much sharper at large apertures.
If you require very sharp centers at F/1.4-2.8, the Sigma is your lens, it's stunningly sharp in the centers at F/1.4.
If you're a landscape shooter, and will be using smaller apertures, there isn't much difference between the Sigma and Sony.
Review More info |
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The Sony 85mm F/2.8 is small, light-weight, and easy on the pocket book. Don't be fooled,
this cheap lens provides excellent image quality, and would be a welcome addition to your bag of goodies, either full-frame
or APS-C. Review More info |
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