Archive 2013 · Native Sony A7(r) lenses

Steve Spencer
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Native Sony A7(r) lenses

I don't understand this criticism of the Sony/Zeiss 35 f/2.8. So it is a bit longer than 35mm. A lot of lenses are a bit longer than their listed focal length - like almost all 50mm lenses. It is good to know, but hardly a major flaw.

It has a little more colour cast and isn't quite as sharp as the lens in the RX1(r). Well the RX!(r) lens was built for the sensor and it has a sensor similar to the A7. Given the sensor it is not surprising it has less colour cast, and given that the lens is fixed and the sensor can be tuned to the lens, it is not surprising that it can get a little better performance. I don't know why anyone would expect a $800 tiny (very close to pancake) lens to be the ultimate in performance. It is what it is. A very small quite high performing lens. Not the pinnacle of performance, but very strong performance. If you only shoot 35mm and want better performance, yes the RX1(r) will be better (I imagine Sony still wants to sell a few of these cameras so where is the surprise here), but if you want to use multiple focal lengths then get one of the A7s. If you want even better performance you will have to wait for more lenses. I am betting that the Zeiss MF lenses will include a 35mm and the A7r with that lens will at least rival the RX1 and probably produce slightly better images, but it won't be as small. There is no free lunch, just tradeoffs.

Dec 01, 2013 at 09:17 AM

douglasf13
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Native Sony A7(r) lenses

michaelwatkins wrote:
Is it a given that A7/r (and future) camera successes for Sony must automatically mean Death For Leica (tm)?

Maybe not death, but some M-ecosystem weakness at the very least, providing Zeiss and others really step up to the table with new MF lens designs, made explicitly for this short back-focal length digital age we live in.

Leica is as much about the journey as the end result, and it would take a nice Zeiss Ikon digital rangefinder to have a chance to sink Leica. Rangefinder shooting is still a unique and desired experience. Add to that the issues of wider M glass on the A7, and the probable size of native wide angle primes for the A7, and I think Leica will be ok.

Dec 01, 2013 at 09:25 AM

Tariq Gibran
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Native Sony A7(r) lenses

Regarding focal length of the FE 35, like anything else, it would matter to some more than to others. If it was way off - 40mm instead of 35 - it certainly would be a bigger deal. That does not appear to be the case given more user feedback. It's also the case that as one goes wider, each mm of difference translates into a greater AOV change. So comparing a 50 + or - 2 or 3mm is not going to have as much affect on AOV as with a 35mm lens (and obviously, an 18mm vs a 20mm will be an even more dramatic change in AOV). So, for someone who finds a 35mm at the absolute long side of acceptable, if that lens is closer to a 40mm lens, this matters. As I mentioned earlier, the RX1 35 errs on the wide side, which makes it an even more acceptable focal length to someone who might prefer something closer to a 28mm lens. Ultimately, it all comes down to user preference.

As far as the RX1 comparison to the A7r + FE 35, note this is the more expensive A7r 36MP camera with the FE 35 that shows NO IQ advantage and indeed worse performance at the borders than the 24MP RX1. If this comparison is valid, that's extremely relevant to many, particularly say an RX1 user who is considering a move to the A7r + FE 35 thinking they might actually be getting more IQ at 35mm in the move to 36MP's.

Dec 01, 2013 at 09:28 AM

michaelwatkins
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Native Sony A7(r) lenses

Douglas, I agree. Weakness in the M ecosystem I would expect to center around Leica lens sales to those who don't ever intend to buy a digital rangefinder.

That might not affect Leica overly much, but will have a spillover effect to other companies like Voigtlander and Zeiss.. still, I expect the impact on digital rangefinder camera and lens sales to be rather minor for quite some time. as you say the experience has a lot to do with their success.

Dec 01, 2013 at 11:14 AM

Samuli Vahonen
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Native Sony A7(r) lenses

ISO1600 wrote:
Yes, it seems like most of the adapted alt lenses will NOT be as good as the (limited) native solution, but they are plentiful and fun.
Heh, I see the problem just opposite. Sony has said that they will concentrate to compact and slow lenses. For me it seems native FE lenses are not on level I expect from lenses.

I don't see myself finding native FE lenses in near future to replace Carl Zeiss Otus 1.4/55, ZE/ZF 2/135, ZE/ZF 2.8/21, ZE/ZF 1.4/35 and Leica 180 APO. However on wide angle native FE-mount may surprise - hopefully with 1.4/28 if I could decide what lens Zeiss first makes to FE-mount

While waiting that to happen ZE/ZF 25mm/28mm can be used like they have been used this far.

Samuli

Dec 01, 2013 at 11:14 AM

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