GMPhotography wrote:
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
Actually, you cannot recover micro contrast in post, if it is not captured by the lens. You can raise global contrast and local contrast (Clarity), but that is not the same as showing separation of subtle tonal gradations. This is much like the case with fine detail. You can't create it, if the lens didn't transmit it in the first place. My take on the 24-70 G-M is that it is no match for the Loxia 50, which should surprise exactly no one.
Also the main focus does not seem sharp and not quite in focus. As Tyler mentioned above you have differing planes of focus which may confuse between the right and left side of your shot.
Hmmm... Yeah, based on viewing the "decentered" images you posted, I agree with Charles and others who have opined that given the proximity from which the home was photographed, one may just be seeing typical OOF for a lens shot wide open at f/2.8... The far right edge of the house (and trees) are considerably further away than the left side being compared. Also, looking at the clouds from left to right, all look in focus to the same extent.
To be 100% sure your lens is perfectly centered, I advise you testing it at infinity or long distances. It's just more accurate removing many variables that could affect the results.
You should test for several focal lengths for this zoom.
Either test should not take more than 2 minutes.
Good luck,
Fred
petermendelson wrote:
Here's an example of the issue I found with my 24-70mm GM with softness on the right edge of the photo. I tested it against my Sony 16-35 f4, 11-24mm Canon, Batis 25mm, and Sony 70-200 f/4 on a heavy duty tripod with timed release.
The top is a photo of the whole frame taken at 24mm (I wouldn't use this photo to judge sharpness - I shrunk it a lot to make it fit the photo upload too).
The second photo is the 24-70mm at the far right edge at f/2.8 (the rest of the frame is nice and sharp already wide open).
The third photo is the 24-70mm at F/8, where I would have expected it to sharpen up nicely.
The last photo is the far right edge from the Batis 25mm at f/2.8, which is noticeably sharper than the 24-70mm at f/8.
One might say, "of course the Batis is sharper, it's a prime and you stopped it down from f/2." Yes, however, the 24-70 GM never caught up to the Batis at any aperture, so even at f/8 it is softer than the Batis is at f/2.8.
Again, this is JUST THE RIGHT EDGE in this and other photos. The inconsistency across the frame indicates to me this could be decentering. Hopefully this will not be a widespread problem.
A very impressive zoom! Looks amazing! Bring on the GM wide angle!
I'm mostly a landscape photographer, so I think I'll keep to Contax 35-70mm 3.4 over this lens. Lighter and more compact, which means more wide and Tele lenses!
Easy way to see if it is lens or plane of focus is to shoot two pictures in manual exposure using electronic level to make sure you are level and parallel to ground. First image with camera in normal orientation, and the second hold the camera held upside down. The camera will auto rotate the image so both appear right side up when downloaded. If the soft side of image moves from right side to left it is the lens. If it softness stays on the right, it is the scene.
Manual exposure is required as the automation in meter doesn't like concrete sky and will expose differently upside down. Go figure
chrisgibbs wrote:
...Who you shooting for? Things may have changed with the up and coming PJ crowd...
I worked as a freelancer for at least a couple of dozen different Australian and International motoring magazines. I always used my own gear and I relied on it so I had to look after. It might be different if you don't own the gear.
p.14 #10 · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
How is the focus throw on this lens? I know that it is a focus by wire system, but Sony is supposed to have improved it. Could it be used with a follow focus?
p.14 #13 · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Thanks for all your hard work Fred.
I read all 14 pages so far. I was wondering how much focus breathing affects this lens, I know its more important on telephoto zooms than midrange zooms.
The 24-70mm GM proves that you shouldn't sell your primes if you're looking for maximum quality, but its a very well rounded package that does exceptional in all areas. : )
p.14 #14 · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
chrisgibbs wrote:
Best I heard. "You think I don't pay any attention, but that's a new lens." Well, its going to replace three of the old ones I have on eBay right now.
No out of pocket money dear. That's so worn out that comment. Lol
p.14 #15 · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
snapsy wrote:
At 24mm the zoom is still getting sharper in the corners/edges @ f/8 before entering diffraction territory, so IMO it's sweet spot is f/8 for landscape use. The edges are much better than the 24-70 f/4 FE but I'm not sure if the performance is commensurate with the price.
That's a comparison I'd love to see. I like the 24-70 f4 for it's size and price but if the performance of the 2.8 is that much better, it would be hard to be happy with the F4 for my work.
p.14 #16 · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
stevesanacore wrote: That's a comparison I'd love to see. I like the 24-70 f4 for it's size and price but if the performance of the 2.8 is that much better, it would be hard to be happy with the F4 for my work.
I'm very interested in this lens @24mm; how it compares to the 24-70 f4 and also the 16-35 f4....
24mm is a critical focal length for me, and the 16-35 starts to soften in there, as does the 24-70 f4 lens. It appears to be a bit of a weak spot in the zooms.
I really like the 16-35, and the 24-70 f2.8 would make a great compliment to that lens if it is superior in the 24-35mm range. I'm sure it will be at 35mm, but not sure at the wide end.
p.14 #17 · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
As I sit here waiting for Big Brown to roll up at my office door. I thought i would give you folks the raws from my Big Bronco scene test. In this test is the Loxia 21mm, Sigma 24-35 F2 which i am going to do a direct comparison with the Sony and also the Sigma 35 1.4 Art. So this is the midfield test all wall shots and you can also process the center crops as well. This gives folks something to go by maybe when they are testing the Sony to see how it does. I will do this on this thread and duplicate the same scene with the Sony. I only have the Loxia 21mm left in my kit. Yes I am feeling very naked here , I shipped my precious Batis 85 out about a hour ago. Went to a forum member and i really hope he loves it, nice guy too. My GM 85 i will get later this week maybe by Friday for the weekend.
p.14 #20 · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Its here and its a thing of beauty . Manual focus is very smooth very accurate and good throw even with fly by wire. Very easy to nail it. Af quick , accurate and silent. Yes even in my dark office.
Honestly weight and bulk don't seem so bad. I can tell its a screamer already>obviously need to test it. My one little bummer is it can take one filter at 24mm as two filter rings vignettes a touch. Honestly I may still go with 2 filter rings though as I get better protection but if I run into the need I will just take it off. For my tests though I will remove the extra ring. I may grind down a ring to make it smaller
