Good First Lens to Purchase?

solinor · May 8, 2019

Hi

So I have done a lot of research and I am pretty much set on purchasing this Sony A6400 with this kit lens here

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/review...135mm-f-3-5-5-6-oss-lens-black/6324859?page=2

My question is, the 18-135mm lens that this comes with from what I hear is a very capable lens. We have an Alaskan cruise that's coming up next week, so obviously I will be shooting a lot of landscape and wildlife shots. I will also be shooting portraits of my wife. Can this lens do it all or should I buy an additional lens to supplement?

Thanks guys!

solinor · May 8, 2019

Oh one more thing I should note...

I don't have the loot to drop 1k+ on a 70-200mm lens. My budget for a new lens would be $500-800. Thank you!

ac12 · May 8, 2019

A 18-135 lens is a great General Purpose (GP) APS-C lens. I use the Nikon 18-140 and the school where I advise uses the Canon 18-135.

Your only gap is reaching out FAR for the long wildlife shots. The problem with wildlife is how big/small is the wildlife, and how far is it from you?
I don't know what is available for your Sony, but a 70-300 or even better a 100-400 would be my choice for wildlife. It does not have to be a pro grade lens, but the 100-400 will likely be at the high end of your budget and pushing.

You may have a problem finding 3rd party lenses for the Sony.
One option is to get a lens in Canon (or Nikon) mount, then get a smart Canon (or Nikon) to Sony adapter.

As long as you have IS in the camera or the lens, you are good.

pixmedic · May 8, 2019

i have been impressed with my fuji 18-135. i went with that lens because i wanted a versatile range for portraits.
be aware however, 135mm is not very long. its a great lens for close to medium distances, but if you are wanting to do some wildlife
shooting, you might want to consider adding something like the 55-210mm if you are on a budget. not sure what 300mm + lenses are available in sony's E-mount

dunfly · May 9, 2019

IMHO you need a zoom that will reach 300 mm for wildlife. That will give you an equivalent to a 450 mm field of view. Since you are on a budget, I would suggest you look into renting a lens, however, I don't know if that would work with your short time frame. Here is an example (I have not rented from them so it is not a recommendation):
Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens

That is also the lens I would probably buy if I had a Sony system, but it is just north of $1,000. That is the problem with Sony, there aren't a lot of choices in reasonably priced lenses.

dunfly · May 9, 2019

Another option is the Sigma 100-400 for Canon with a Canon-Sony adapter. I have been looking at this lens for my Nikon D7200 (with Nikon Mount). B&H has it for $649, with a bundle option for a Sony Adapter for an additional $49. That would get you in your range.

Sigma100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF

beagle100 · May 11, 2019

solinor said:
Hi

So I have done a lot of research and I am pretty much set on purchasing this Sony A6400 with this kit lens here

My question is, the 18-135mm lens that this comes with from what I hear is a very capable lens. We have an Alaskan cruise that's coming up next week, so obviously I will be shooting a lot of landscape and wildlife shots. I will also be shooting portraits of my wife. Can this lens do it all or should I buy an additional lens to supplement?

Thanks guys!

you will probably want a longer lens for wildlife
not sure about Sony but when I'm in Alaska I use an old 100-400 on a Canon mirrorless

Untitled by c w, on Flickr

Strodav · May 11, 2019

The inner passage cruise is amazing and I hope your experience is as good as ours was. Another thing you might want to consider is bringing a bridge camera with you like the Nikon P900 or Panasonic FZ80. Both are not that expensive, but have a very long reach with very good image quality. Use your dslr for the "city" shots and landscapes and the bridge for critters including whales breaching and glaciers calving. Also suggest you take a fast prime with you like a 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 for lower light situations. Don't forget to take plenty of mem cards and a spare battery.