Zoom at 28 is clearly better. I do see a hint how good the zoom really is at F11 it actually diffracts more than the 28 at F11. Basically a better higher resolving lens will diffract faster. The zoom is killer good at 5.6 again but I would say maybe 6.3 maybe optimum at 28 not sure why though. But it is tough to read this one a little so I could be off slightly. Regardless I'll take 5.6 any day of the week.
Fred how does it feel in hand?
Is manual focus feel smooth and accurate or does it jump a little like other fly by wire.
I know there is a trick with focus hold button. You can actually assign that to something else and acts like a custom function button. I'm going to make mine the magnification zoom so when I flip the switch on lens to MF my magnification is right there on the lens so I have there and on C1.
Here is how the FE 24-70GM performs at 50mm and compares to the Loxia 50/2 prime. I knew this one would be challenging but the zoom did great starting at f/5.6.
Something I noticed: The zoom performs better from 24-35mm wide open. At 50mm there is a slight drop in resolution.
Looks like 5.6 again. Loxia 50 does look stronger though sooner. Looks like I will buy back my Loxia 50 after the dust settles. I did not want to sell that lens it was certainly a money raising sale
Regarding the 24mm performance, it does look best at f/5.6, but the performance at f/2.8 shouldn't break anyone's heart. The corners look about the same (maybe even a little better) than my ZF 25/2 at like apertures.
Now, the zoom meets its "match". The Loxia is a better lens until about f/5.6 but when I looked closely by enlarging the images, the Loxia images are not sharper but they are a tad contrastier and therefore appear sharper. Is that your impression, too, Fred, Guy & others?
Exactly mine. The Loxia has better micro contrast and that's where Zeiss usually comes out to play. If we put a little clarity boost on the zoom my bet is it would be snappier looking. The zoom overall could certainly be a lower contrast lens over a typical Loxia Zeiss glass. Bet we will see this in the 21 as well. Good news we can control this in post. No big deal
GMPhotography wrote:
Looks like 5.6 again. Loxia 50 does look stronger though sooner. Looks like I will buy back my Loxia 50 after the dust settles. I did not want to sell that lens it was certainly a money raising sale
I told you you would regret selling that Loxia 50/2.
I think the GM's corners look best at f/8 at 50mm (extreme corners). The Loxia performs better here as I suspected.
However, at f/8, the zoom is no slouch.
50mm is the only FL so far, I would have to stop down to f/8 to get the most from the very extremes of the field.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I told you you would regret selling that Loxia 50/2.
I think the GM's corners look best at f/8 at 50mm. It performs better at 24mm but I don't want to break hearts comparing it to the Loxia 21mm.
Lol I know I know I did NOT want to sell it but I need that 85 too. Breaking my heart now. I will get it back soon for sure
Well in regards to the 21 we all saw what it did in my Sigma 24-35 test. It killed it but we do expect that. The damn 21 is great even st 2.8. Sooooooooo glad I have that one
Hmmm 70 looks very good on center at F4 maybe a touch better at 5.6 and corners look to nail it at 5.6. Interesting F11 does not look like its diffracting
Here are crops from "Center" and "Extreme Edges" (In this order)
I didn't compare the 24-70/2.8GM with any other lens but I already know it performs better than my FE 70-200/4G at 70mm.
Wow! I have been impressed with my FE 70-200/4 G at 70mm. If the G Master lens can beat that, then I would be totally stoked. The sweet spot is f/8 although f/5.6 is excellent, too.
GMPhotography wrote:
Interesting F11 does not look like its diffracting
True for the corners and I just doubled check to see if this is the correct crop. It is at f/11 (you guys can check the EXIF)
However, it diffracts in the center slightly.
