Archive 2014 · Sony FE 24-70 lens
p.7 #1Sony FE 24-70 lens
I think most of the people complaining about the lens are expecting something on par with the Canon 24-70 2.8 II for half the price in a lens half the size. I generally see highly positive stuff about the center sharpness and middle focal ranges, with some complaints of softness on the edges at the extreme focal lengths. Mine is a legit bad copy that is just totally soft through the entire frame at all focal lengths. Most of the complaints I have seen have been nitpicking and pixel-peeping nonsense from people who had set their expectations way too high for a $1200 zoom lens in a relatively small body. If it's even marginally sharper than the kit lens, the extra focal distance and constant aperture will be worth the price, but all the reviews I have seen, even the negative ones, have said it is notably better than the kit lens.
Feb 26, 2014 at 04:36 PM
p.7 #2Sony FE 24-70 lens
chb310 wrote:
There seems to be way too many "bad copies" of this lens. I cancelled the order we had. Anyone else have what they think is a poor copy?
Too bad, it seemed like a nice progression from the 35 and 55.
Images or it didnt happen.
amoma wrote
Welp, I got mine today and I either got a defective copy or I have the sharpest A7 kit lens ever made. Tried some test shots and felt like it was way too soft, so I did some comparison shots between the two and it was embarrassing how much better the 28-70 resolved detail. I wasn't even pixel peeping or shooting extremes. Tried center focus at 35mm and 50mm, 5.6 and 1/125th on both lenses and the 28-70 was substantially sharper every single time. Annoying but B&H is overnighting me another one so hopefully the new one will be issue-free and I can do some real comparisons between the two to determine how much better the 24-70 is knowing I have what seems to be a sharp copy of the 28-70.Too bad, it seemed like a nice progression from the 35 and 55.
Images or it didnt happen.
Feb 26, 2014 at 04:38 PM
p.7 #3Sony FE 24-70 lens
I'm thoroughly confused by the significant performance variation being reported by many for both the 28-70 and 24-70 lenses. I wonder what's going on. And I wonder if this has anything to do with that last-minute delay of the 24-70 shipments.
Feb 26, 2014 at 06:16 PM
p.7 #4Sony FE 24-70 lens
snapsy wrote:
I'm thoroughly confused by the significant performance variation being reported by many for both the 28-70 and 24-70 lenses. I wonder what's going on. And I wonder if this has anything to do with that last-minute delay of the 24-70 shipments.
Mine will be here on Friday.
I'm thoroughly confused by the significant performance variation being reported by many for both the 28-70 and 24-70 lenses. I wonder what's going on. And I wonder if this has anything to do with that last-minute delay of the 24-70 shipments.
Mine will be here on Friday.
Feb 26, 2014 at 06:39 PM
p.7 #5Sony FE 24-70 lens
I got mine today, putting the kit lens up for sale...
Feb 26, 2014 at 07:14 PM
p.7 #6Sony FE 24-70 lens
The lens is really nice. Glad i got it instead of 35/2.8. At 35mm hard to see any diff.
Its as good as the best slr zooms. Similar problems.
Its as good as the best slr zooms. Similar problems.
Feb 27, 2014 at 01:35 AM
p.7 #7Sony FE 24-70 lens
nandadevieast wrote:
The lens is really nice. Glad i got it instead of 35/2.8. At 35mm hard to see any diff.
Its as good as the best slr zooms. Similar problems.
I compared mine to a ZE35 and the difference in the corner wasn't small. Most of the frame was pretty similar though.
The lens is really nice. Glad i got it instead of 35/2.8. At 35mm hard to see any diff.
Its as good as the best slr zooms. Similar problems.
I compared mine to a ZE35 and the difference in the corner wasn't small. Most of the frame was pretty similar though.
Feb 27, 2014 at 02:19 AM
p.7 #8Sony FE 24-70 lens
I've recently bought the A7R, and am starting from scratch, having disposed of my Leica some years back (possibly a mistake) along with lots and lots of Leica glass (a huge mistake) when in an aberrant moment of madness I decided that purse size point and shoot was the practical way to go. So ... having bought this A7R plus the two Zeiss FE primes, the 35mm f2.8 and the 55mm f1.8, I'm in a dilemma as to whether it's worth getting the Zeiss 24-70mm f4. Whereas part of me says you have what you have, now have patience and wait for a 21/24mm fast dedicated prime from Zeiss coupled with a 90mm'ish lens from the same stable, another part of me says compromise get the 24-70mm now regardless of any primes I might consider once (if?) they become available, as it'll always come in handy as a travel lens. Any thoughts?
Feb 27, 2014 at 05:04 AM
p.7 #9Sony FE 24-70 lens
People: yes, go for it
Landscape: F8-F11/29-60mm
Phillip...yes 35 could be better in the corners, i don't have one. My 24-70 is fine...i am not a landscape shooter.
Landscape: F8-F11/29-60mm
Phillip...yes 35 could be better in the corners, i don't have one. My 24-70 is fine...i am not a landscape shooter.
Feb 27, 2014 at 05:10 AM
p.7 #10Sony FE 24-70 lens
Jenny_h wrote:
I've recently bought the A7R, and am starting from scratch, having disposed of my Leica some years back (possibly a mistake) along with lots and lots of Leica glass (a huge mistake) when in an aberrant moment of madness I decided that purse size point and shoot was the practical way to go. So ... having bought this A7R plus the two Zeiss FE primes, the 35mm f2.8 and the 55mm f1.8, I'm in a dilemma as to whether it's worth getting the Zeiss 24-70mm f4. Whereas part of me says you have what you have, now have patience and...Show more →
Personally I decided to skip the 24-70 and wait for a fixed 21/24 or a 16-35 which suits me better than 24-70. I have some Contax/Zeiss SLR lenses to fill some of the gaps meanwhile. I am impressed by, and do like the FE 35 and 55, but they are not totally immune to the competition from the Contaxes.
So wait would be my cents though I do think the downsides of the 24-70 may be a bit over exaggerated here.
I've recently bought the A7R, and am starting from scratch, having disposed of my Leica some years back (possibly a mistake) along with lots and lots of Leica glass (a huge mistake) when in an aberrant moment of madness I decided that purse size point and shoot was the practical way to go. So ... having bought this A7R plus the two Zeiss FE primes, the 35mm f2.8 and the 55mm f1.8, I'm in a dilemma as to whether it's worth getting the Zeiss 24-70mm f4. Whereas part of me says you have what you have, now have patience and...Show more →
Personally I decided to skip the 24-70 and wait for a fixed 21/24 or a 16-35 which suits me better than 24-70. I have some Contax/Zeiss SLR lenses to fill some of the gaps meanwhile. I am impressed by, and do like the FE 35 and 55, but they are not totally immune to the competition from the Contaxes.
So wait would be my cents though I do think the downsides of the 24-70 may be a bit over exaggerated here.
Feb 27, 2014 at 05:41 AM
p.7 #11Sony FE 24-70 lens
snapsy wrote:
I'm thoroughly confused by the significant performance variation being reported by many for both the 28-70 and 24-70 lenses. I wonder what's going on. And I wonder if this has anything to do with that last-minute delay of the 24-70 shipments.
I agree. Seems like a lot of variation, but I do agree with the poster who also posited that perhaps our expectations were a bit high due to having excellent primes available first? I have the Touit 12mm, FE35 and FE55 so I knew there was no way the 24-70 was going to match those!
After using a crappy (really, really crappy) kit lens (28-70) and now getting a copy of the 24-70, I can honestly say that other than the extreme corners my copy is very similar to the FE35 at f/5.6 and above. Obviously I don't expect this at 24mm f/4 but by f/11 the corners are plenty good for me on the A7r - the lower left corner isn't the best, but I'm talking extreme pixel peeping here, which I don't usually bother with.
I've used the CaNikon 24-70 (mark 1) and this is certainly as good as those, with better color / contrast IMHO, but I'm probably a bit biased on that front.
I'm thoroughly confused by the significant performance variation being reported by many for both the 28-70 and 24-70 lenses. I wonder what's going on. And I wonder if this has anything to do with that last-minute delay of the 24-70 shipments.
I agree. Seems like a lot of variation, but I do agree with the poster who also posited that perhaps our expectations were a bit high due to having excellent primes available first? I have the Touit 12mm, FE35 and FE55 so I knew there was no way the 24-70 was going to match those!
After using a crappy (really, really crappy) kit lens (28-70) and now getting a copy of the 24-70, I can honestly say that other than the extreme corners my copy is very similar to the FE35 at f/5.6 and above. Obviously I don't expect this at 24mm f/4 but by f/11 the corners are plenty good for me on the A7r - the lower left corner isn't the best, but I'm talking extreme pixel peeping here, which I don't usually bother with.
I've used the CaNikon 24-70 (mark 1) and this is certainly as good as those, with better color / contrast IMHO, but I'm probably a bit biased on that front.
Feb 27, 2014 at 08:53 AM
p.7 #12Sony FE 24-70 lens
wfrank wrote:
[So wait would be my cents though I do think the downsides of the 24-70 may be a bit over exaggerated here.
Take what you've experienced with any other 24-70, including the A-mount Zeiss 24-70 and you'll know what to expect here. Just remember, if you're putting it on an A7r, you have to consider comparing to similar FF cameras...
[So wait would be my cents though I do think the downsides of the 24-70 may be a bit over exaggerated here.
Take what you've experienced with any other 24-70, including the A-mount Zeiss 24-70 and you'll know what to expect here. Just remember, if you're putting it on an A7r, you have to consider comparing to similar FF cameras...
Feb 27, 2014 at 09:04 AM
p.7 #13Sony FE 24-70 lens
I think someone should compare this to Canon and Nikon 2.8 lenses, to be able to realistically set the bar.
The point about expectations is bang on.
The point about expectations is bang on.
Feb 27, 2014 at 09:08 AM
p.7 #14Sony FE 24-70 lens
Why would you compare it to the 2.8 lens when Canon has a 24-70 F4 with IS at a more comparable price point? I would expect the 24-70 2.8 II to soundly beat the Sony in all respects, but it's also $1000 more and much larger.
Feb 27, 2014 at 01:10 PM
p.7 #15Sony FE 24-70 lens
Maybe when we compare these, it will help us digest what we already know: That no 24-70 zoom can give sharp corners wide open and sometime even stopped down and IQ wise they are a compromise at the extremes. Also there is nothing called distortion free images when it comes to these tools.
Feb 27, 2014 at 01:17 PM
p.7 #16Sony FE 24-70 lens
Fair point.
I got my second 24-70 today and it's exactly the lens I hoped it would be. It does fine detail noticeably better than the kit lens, but honestly the 28-70 still holds up really well and without pixel peeping I doubt untrained eyes would even be able to tell the difference if you showed them identically composed images. Going to try to do some comparison tests later and will post some examples when I do for anyone who isn't sure if they need the upgrade.
I got my second 24-70 today and it's exactly the lens I hoped it would be. It does fine detail noticeably better than the kit lens, but honestly the 28-70 still holds up really well and without pixel peeping I doubt untrained eyes would even be able to tell the difference if you showed them identically composed images. Going to try to do some comparison tests later and will post some examples when I do for anyone who isn't sure if they need the upgrade.
Feb 27, 2014 at 06:00 PM
p.7 #17Sony FE 24-70 lens
EJ at Naturescapes has a pretty good rundown of the 7r and lenses available
http://www.naturescapes.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=242348.
http://www.naturescapes.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=242348.
Feb 27, 2014 at 08:09 PM
p.7 #19Sony FE 24-70 lens
So, how is the lens at the extreme focal lengths (especially 24mm) when stopped down between f8 and f16? I think right now this is where the lens would be used for me. Fred, if you're listening, do you plan on posting a review of the copy you get? I am debating ordering mine. Thanks folks! I am really excited about this little camera!
Feb 28, 2014 at 09:10 AM
p.7 #20Sony FE 24-70 lens
You can check Tim Ashley's comment and samples after his third 24-70mm:
http://www.getdpi.com/forum/570715-post270.html
http://www.getdpi.com/forum/570715-post270.html
Feb 28, 2014 at 09:28 AM