This topic is in the 2016 archive. You can read it and like its posts here. It is read only.
Archive 2016Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
p.46 #1Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
senar wrote:
Wow... just ordered a 24-70 GM from Amazon and someone had the gall to replace it with a Sony Zeiss 24-70 A-Mount lens... now I know Amazon definitely resells returned items as new and doesn't even check returns...
Wow and ouch! I would notify their customer service and suggest to them to track that person down. They may have checked the lens but it would be hard to distinguish the two lenses apart if you are not into that kind of level of gear knowledge. True that they resell returns unless reported as faulty, I guess.
Wow... just ordered a 24-70 GM from Amazon and someone had the gall to replace it with a Sony Zeiss 24-70 A-Mount lens... now I know Amazon definitely resells returned items as new and doesn't even check returns...
Wow and ouch! I would notify their customer service and suggest to them to track that person down. They may have checked the lens but it would be hard to distinguish the two lenses apart if you are not into that kind of level of gear knowledge. True that they resell returns unless reported as faulty, I guess.
Aug 12, 2016 at 06:48 PM
p.46 #2Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Dr Tone wrote:
Thank you very much, Guy, for the information. Wow, when you say it's as good as primes from 24-50, I want this zoom more ;-) I think I will keep 55/1.8 because I would miss it badly if I part it. So instead of adding Batis 85, I may just sell B25 and then buy 24-70 G.
So, would you go with 24-70 GM+ 55/1.8 over a set of B25+B85 + Z55? I think I can get good background at 70mm f2.8 and 55 1.8 gives me good environmental portraits of my family members. I'm having A7II, not A7RII.
ThanksYou are lens quandary is identical to mine. Add B85 to the B25 and Z55 or get 24-70GM and sell B25.
If the GM is at least as sharp as the B25 and a uniform copy I'll move to the GM. Tomorrow will tell weather permitting.
Great to hear that! Please let me know how you're happy if you go with 24-70 GM. Thanks!
umsl12 wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If you can be happy at like F4 which I think is very good across all the focal lengths at least on center and most focal lengths even good at 2.8 than yes it's awesome for that. I honestly would count on 24-50 as prime replacements. If you can work at some of the slower apertures. I'm being conservative here too because even wide open some focal lengths are really good. Now corners obviously you need a little more again I'm being conservative because this lens is brilliant . But if you need the speed and don't want to push ISO too high than you need at least one or two fast primes. I have the RXr II at F2 and the new 50 1.4 so when the stuff hits the fan I have those options.So, would you go with 24-70 GM+ 55/1.8 over a set of B25+B85 + Z55? I think I can get good background at 70mm f2.8 and 55 1.8 gives me good environmental portraits of my family members. I'm having A7II, not A7RII.
Thanks
If the GM is at least as sharp as the B25 and a uniform copy I'll move to the GM. Tomorrow will tell weather permitting.
Great to hear that! Please let me know how you're happy if you go with 24-70 GM. Thanks!
Aug 12, 2016 at 07:14 PM
p.46 #3Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
umsl12 wrote:
Thank you very much, Guy, for the information. Wow, when you say it's as good as primes from 24-50, I want this zoom more ;-) I think I will keep 55/1.8 because I would miss it badly if I part it. So instead of adding Batis 85, I may just sell B25 and then buy 24-70 G.
So, would you go with 24-70 GM+ 55/1.8 over a set of B25+B85 + Z55? I think I can get good background at 70mm f2.8 and 55 1.8 gives me good environmental portraits of my family members. I'm having A7II, not A7RII.
ThanksYou are lens quandary is identical to mine. Add B85 to the B25 and Z55 or get 24-70GM and sell B25.
If the GM is at least as sharp as the B25 and a uniform copy I'll move to the GM. Tomorrow will tell weather permitting.Great to hear that! Please let me know how you're happy if you go with 24-70 GM. Thanks!
Initial test drive shows it's no worst than the B25. Renders a little more green and a little smoother. B25 is a little more yellow and renders slightly busier.
I was avoiding 1000s of people today and could only shoot shots of the foliage across the river. It wasn't ideal, static less busy objects would be better. I'll maybe try to do the city skyline this evening.
Dr Tone wrote
umsl12 wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If you can be happy at like F4 which I think is very good across all the focal lengths at least on center and most focal lengths even good at 2.8 than yes it's awesome for that. I honestly would count on 24-50 as prime replacements. If you can work at some of the slower apertures. I'm being conservative here too because even wide open some focal lengths are really good. Now corners obviously you need a little more again I'm being conservative because this lens is brilliant . But if you need the speed and don't want to push ISO too high than you need at least one or two fast primes. I have the RXr II at F2 and the new 50 1.4 so when the stuff hits the fan I have those options.So, would you go with 24-70 GM+ 55/1.8 over a set of B25+B85 + Z55? I think I can get good background at 70mm f2.8 and 55 1.8 gives me good environmental portraits of my family members. I'm having A7II, not A7RII.
Thanks
If the GM is at least as sharp as the B25 and a uniform copy I'll move to the GM. Tomorrow will tell weather permitting.
Initial test drive shows it's no worst than the B25. Renders a little more green and a little smoother. B25 is a little more yellow and renders slightly busier.
I was avoiding 1000s of people today and could only shoot shots of the foliage across the river. It wasn't ideal, static less busy objects would be better. I'll maybe try to do the city skyline this evening.
Aug 13, 2016 at 03:43 PM
p.46 #4Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Dr Tone wrote:
Thank you very much, Guy, for the information. Wow, when you say it's as good as primes from 24-50, I want this zoom more ;-) I think I will keep 55/1.8 because I would miss it badly if I part it. So instead of adding Batis 85, I may just sell B25 and then buy 24-70 G.
So, would you go with 24-70 GM+ 55/1.8 over a set of B25+B85 + Z55? I think I can get good background at 70mm f2.8 and 55 1.8 gives me good environmental portraits of my family members. I'm having A7II, not A7RII.
ThanksYou are lens quandary is identical to mine. Add B85 to the B25 and Z55 or get 24-70GM and sell B25.
If the GM is at least as sharp as the B25 and a uniform copy I'll move to the GM. Tomorrow will tell weather permitting.Great to hear that! Please let me know how you're happy if you go with 24-70 GM. Thanks!Initial test drive shows it's no worst than the B25. Renders a little more green and a little smoother. B25 is a little more yellow and renders slightly busier.
I was avoiding 1000s of people today and could only shoot shots of the foliage across the river. It wasn't ideal, static less busy objects would be better. I'll maybe try to do the city skyline this evening.
It would be very interesting to see comparison photos. Are you willing to post any?
umsl12 wrote
Dr Tone wrote
umsl12 wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If you can be happy at like F4 which I think is very good across all the focal lengths at least on center and most focal lengths even good at 2.8 than yes it's awesome for that. I honestly would count on 24-50 as prime replacements. If you can work at some of the slower apertures. I'm being conservative here too because even wide open some focal lengths are really good. Now corners obviously you need a little more again I'm being conservative because this lens is brilliant . But if you need the speed and don't want to push ISO too high than you need at least one or two fast primes. I have the RXr II at F2 and the new 50 1.4 so when the stuff hits the fan I have those options.So, would you go with 24-70 GM+ 55/1.8 over a set of B25+B85 + Z55? I think I can get good background at 70mm f2.8 and 55 1.8 gives me good environmental portraits of my family members. I'm having A7II, not A7RII.
Thanks
If the GM is at least as sharp as the B25 and a uniform copy I'll move to the GM. Tomorrow will tell weather permitting.
I was avoiding 1000s of people today and could only shoot shots of the foliage across the river. It wasn't ideal, static less busy objects would be better. I'll maybe try to do the city skyline this evening.
It would be very interesting to see comparison photos. Are you willing to post any?
Aug 13, 2016 at 04:06 PM
p.46 #5Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
I just placed my order this morning after reading this thread last week. I needed an all-around lens (along with my CV15) for a family trip to New York this holiday weekend.
@GMPhotography -> Will this lens fit the Tenba Slim vertically without removing it from the body? or Do I need to shop for a bigger bag?
@GMPhotography -> Will this lens fit the Tenba Slim vertically without removing it from the body? or Do I need to shop for a bigger bag?
Aug 29, 2016 at 10:17 AM
p.46 #6Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
You can send it down the middle attached to the body. It's a little tight but can be done. I do have the 13 DSLR model for sale which is a little wider . I'm selling it because I'm going to get the 15 for my whole kit. So I'll have a slim and a 15. I think the DSLR unit you gain about 2 inches but it's still a hip hugger. Why I like these bags
Aug 29, 2016 at 10:28 AM
p.46 #7Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Oh great lens for the city with a VC 15 in the corner pocket
Aug 29, 2016 at 10:29 AM
p.46 #8Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Waiting for my 24-70 GM... How is the Pop effect? Noticeable like with certain Zeiss lenses? And I wonder if it will outperform the Sony Zeiss 35mm 2.8. Although weight and size are hard to beat I always found this lens too flat. Hard to describe.
Oct 03, 2016 at 05:17 AM
p.46 #9Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Images speak for themselves in this rolling review. My opinion it's the best 24-70 I have used with regards to look and image quality. I think it's better than the 35 2.8 by far but some may disagree.
Oct 03, 2016 at 07:07 AM
p.46 #10Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
GMPhotography wrote:
Images speak for themselves in this rolling review. My opinion it's the best 24-70 I have used with regards to look and image quality. I think it's better than the 35 2.8 by far but some may disagree.
Thanks, I have no high res. pics on hand - sometimes it's suboptimal to judge 3D pop in internet forums but I will see when the copy arrives this week. My current setup will be the 24-70mm GM, 55mm Sony Zeiss and the 85mm 1.4 GM.
Images speak for themselves in this rolling review. My opinion it's the best 24-70 I have used with regards to look and image quality. I think it's better than the 35 2.8 by far but some may disagree.
Thanks, I have no high res. pics on hand - sometimes it's suboptimal to judge 3D pop in internet forums but I will see when the copy arrives this week. My current setup will be the 24-70mm GM, 55mm Sony Zeiss and the 85mm 1.4 GM.
Oct 03, 2016 at 11:22 AM
p.46 #11Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
I got a mint copy of the 24-70GM the other day. I was very impressed with what I a saw at 24, 35 and even 50mm . From Fred's and Guy's tests I knew that 70mm was the weak spot, but on mine it looked pretty bad. The 70-300G at 70mm f5.6 or f8 looked better, which didn't sound or look right to me. I complained to the store. They couldn't replicate what I saw, but sent the lens in. So it's now at Sony for testing. We'll see. It's an irony that the most expensive Sony lens I've purchased thus far is the first one I'm sending in.
Oct 19, 2016 at 03:34 PM
p.46 #12Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
I need some advice, gentlemen: As mentioned in the previous post, my mint condition 24-70 GM was very soft at 70mm. The store initially said they didn't see any problems, but they sent it in. Sony or a repair shop authorized by them, found the obvious, the lens was way off in the corners. I have been given the choice of getting my money back or getting the recalibrated lens back. What would you do?
Oct 28, 2016 at 06:44 AM
p.46 #13Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Chris_88 wrote:
I need some advice, gentlemen: As mentioned in the previous post, my mint condition 24-70 GM was very soft at 70mm. The store initially said they didn't see any problems, but they sent it in. Sony or a repair shop authorized by them, found the obvious, the lens was way off in the corners. I have been given the choice of getting my money back or getting the recalibrated lens back. What would you do?
Chris, I would say that it would depend on your comfort level with the repair facility and also if you are given another chance of getting your money back after the calibration, just in case the lens still doesn't meet your satisfaction. Another option would be to get/buy a brand new lens from the refund money without going through calibration process if you are not comfortable. Is the lens readily available in Japan?
I need some advice, gentlemen: As mentioned in the previous post, my mint condition 24-70 GM was very soft at 70mm. The store initially said they didn't see any problems, but they sent it in. Sony or a repair shop authorized by them, found the obvious, the lens was way off in the corners. I have been given the choice of getting my money back or getting the recalibrated lens back. What would you do?
Chris, I would say that it would depend on your comfort level with the repair facility and also if you are given another chance of getting your money back after the calibration, just in case the lens still doesn't meet your satisfaction. Another option would be to get/buy a brand new lens from the refund money without going through calibration process if you are not comfortable. Is the lens readily available in Japan?
Oct 28, 2016 at 06:57 AM
p.46 #14Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
AGeoJO wrote:
Chris, I would say that it would depend on your comfort level with the repair facility and also if you are given another chance of getting your money back after the calibration, just in case the lens still doesn't meet your satisfaction. Another option would be to get/buy a brand new lens from the refund money without going through calibration process if you are not comfortable. Is the lens readily available in Japan?
Thanks, Joshua. The lens is readily available in Japan by now, but a new copy would cost me an additional 300-400 bucks over the mint condition copy with a one-year warranty from the store.
Honestly, I have no clue what repair facility handled the lens. The store only told me that it's a Sony-approved facility. The store has excellent service and hence I've been a loyal customer for many years. I apparently have the chance to check whether the lens meets my standards.
I wonder what was wrong with the lens, since it wasn't just one corner or side, but 10-20% on the far left and far right of frame that looked pretty bad at 70mm. The other FL's, especially 24mm and 35mm looked promising.
Chris, I would say that it would depend on your comfort level with the repair facility and also if you are given another chance of getting your money back after the calibration, just in case the lens still doesn't meet your satisfaction. Another option would be to get/buy a brand new lens from the refund money without going through calibration process if you are not comfortable. Is the lens readily available in Japan?
Thanks, Joshua. The lens is readily available in Japan by now, but a new copy would cost me an additional 300-400 bucks over the mint condition copy with a one-year warranty from the store.
Honestly, I have no clue what repair facility handled the lens. The store only told me that it's a Sony-approved facility. The store has excellent service and hence I've been a loyal customer for many years. I apparently have the chance to check whether the lens meets my standards.
I wonder what was wrong with the lens, since it wasn't just one corner or side, but 10-20% on the far left and far right of frame that looked pretty bad at 70mm. The other FL's, especially 24mm and 35mm looked promising.
Oct 28, 2016 at 07:11 AM
p.46 #15Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Chris_88 wrote:
Thanks, Joshua. The lens is readily available in Japan by now, but a new copy would cost me an additional 300-400 bucks over the mint condition copy with a one-year warranty from the store.
Honestly, I have no clue what repair facility handled the lens. The store only told me that it's a Sony-approved facility. The store has excellent service and hence I've been a loyal customer for many years. I apparently have the chance to check whether the lens meets my standards.
I wonder what was wrong with the lens, since it wasn't just one corner or side, but...Show more →
Chris, will the store ding you for the difference in price, since yours is considered used now? My understanding under getting money back, at least here in the US is that you will be getting the full price you paid for the lens. And that should cover for another lens, meaning it is pretty much an exchange. You buy a lens and you exchange the lens that is still under warranty with another one. As long as it is done within a certain period, that is an acceptable practice over here. Maybe there is something in the circumstances that I am not aware of.
If you have to pay for the exchange and you still can get your money back later on, if the lens is still not OK, then I would go for calibration, if I were you. As long the repair process is not excessively long, that is, of course.
AGeoJO wrote
Chris, I would say that it would depend on your comfort level with the repair facility and also if you are given another chance of getting your money back after the calibration, just in case the lens still doesn't meet your satisfaction. Another option would be to get/buy a brand new lens from the refund money without going through calibration process if you are not comfortable. Is the lens readily available in Japan?Honestly, I have no clue what repair facility handled the lens. The store only told me that it's a Sony-approved facility. The store has excellent service and hence I've been a loyal customer for many years. I apparently have the chance to check whether the lens meets my standards.
I wonder what was wrong with the lens, since it wasn't just one corner or side, but...Show more →
Chris, will the store ding you for the difference in price, since yours is considered used now? My understanding under getting money back, at least here in the US is that you will be getting the full price you paid for the lens. And that should cover for another lens, meaning it is pretty much an exchange. You buy a lens and you exchange the lens that is still under warranty with another one. As long as it is done within a certain period, that is an acceptable practice over here. Maybe there is something in the circumstances that I am not aware of.
If you have to pay for the exchange and you still can get your money back later on, if the lens is still not OK, then I would go for calibration, if I were you. As long the repair process is not excessively long, that is, of course.
Oct 28, 2016 at 07:21 AM
p.46 #16Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
AGeoJO wrote:
Chris, will the store ding you for the difference in price, since yours is considered used now? My understanding under getting money back, at least here in the US is that you will be getting the full price you paid for the lens. And that should cover for another lens, meaning it is pretty much an exchange. You buy a lens and you exchange the lens that is still under warranty with another one. As long as it is done within a certain period, that is an acceptable practice over here. Maybe there is something in the circumstances that I...Show more →
Joshua, sorry, I should have made that clearer: The lens was already used, in mint condition when I bought it from them. They are willing to refund the full amount I'd paid for this mint condition lens. Exchanging it for a brand new one would cost me an additional 300-400 dollars, which I'd rather not pay at this point.
Chris, will the store ding you for the difference in price, since yours is considered used now? My understanding under getting money back, at least here in the US is that you will be getting the full price you paid for the lens. And that should cover for another lens, meaning it is pretty much an exchange. You buy a lens and you exchange the lens that is still under warranty with another one. As long as it is done within a certain period, that is an acceptable practice over here. Maybe there is something in the circumstances that I...Show more →
Joshua, sorry, I should have made that clearer: The lens was already used, in mint condition when I bought it from them. They are willing to refund the full amount I'd paid for this mint condition lens. Exchanging it for a brand new one would cost me an additional 300-400 dollars, which I'd rather not pay at this point.
Oct 28, 2016 at 07:29 AM
p.46 #17Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
As said, try to get a deal that you will be able to get a refund should the calibration fail.
Oct 28, 2016 at 07:35 AM
p.46 #18Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
Chris_88 wrote:
If you have to pay for the exchange and you still can get your money back later on, if the lens is still not OK, then I would go for calibration, if I were you. As long the repair process is not excessively long, that is, of course.Joshua, sorry, I should have made that clearer: The lens was already used, in mint condition when I bought it from them. They are willing to refund the full amount I'd paid for this mint condition lens. Exchanging it for a brand new one would cost me an additional 300-400 dollars, which I'd rather not pay at this point.
I got it now
, Chris. If this lens works well, it would easily replace 2-3 prime lenses, IMHO. Yes, it is big and yes, it is heavy but it is that good. Yes, you can send that in for calibration. But and a big but at that, let me tell you my personal experience with trying to get a whacked lens calibrated.
My first FE 16-35mm had major issues before and I went to a local guy to get his opinion. And after taking a look at the lens he told me that it could not be calibrated. The optical unit is like a self contained unit that has the elements, for a lack of a better word, "baked-in" as a single unit. The focusing mechanisms with a few elements are separate. If there is something wrong with newer lenses, they just replaced the optical units and no longer doing calibration according to him. So, I sent the lens in to Sony, and after a week or so, I noticed that the states changed to "waiting for optical part" and 2 weeks later it changed to "unrepairable" and a week later I got a notification from Sony that they would send a new lens to me and they did.The second lens is awesome.
But my lens was sent in to Sony and it was under warranty. If somehow feasible, I would try to get a new lens, if I were you.
AGeoJO wrote
Chris, will the store ding you for the difference in price, since yours is considered used now? My understanding under getting money back, at least here in the US is that you will be getting the full price you paid for the lens. And that should cover for another lens, meaning it is pretty much an exchange. You buy a lens and you exchange the lens that is still under warranty with another one. As long as it is done within a certain period, that is an acceptable practice over here. Maybe there is something in the circumstances that I am not aware of.If you have to pay for the exchange and you still can get your money back later on, if the lens is still not OK, then I would go for calibration, if I were you. As long the repair process is not excessively long, that is, of course.
I got it now
, Chris. If this lens works well, it would easily replace 2-3 prime lenses, IMHO. Yes, it is big and yes, it is heavy but it is that good. Yes, you can send that in for calibration. But and a big but at that, let me tell you my personal experience with trying to get a whacked lens calibrated.My first FE 16-35mm had major issues before and I went to a local guy to get his opinion. And after taking a look at the lens he told me that it could not be calibrated. The optical unit is like a self contained unit that has the elements, for a lack of a better word, "baked-in" as a single unit. The focusing mechanisms with a few elements are separate. If there is something wrong with newer lenses, they just replaced the optical units and no longer doing calibration according to him. So, I sent the lens in to Sony, and after a week or so, I noticed that the states changed to "waiting for optical part" and 2 weeks later it changed to "unrepairable" and a week later I got a notification from Sony that they would send a new lens to me and they did.The second lens is awesome.
But my lens was sent in to Sony and it was under warranty. If somehow feasible, I would try to get a new lens, if I were you.
Oct 28, 2016 at 07:49 AM
p.46 #19Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
AGeoJO wrote:
I got it now, Chris. If this lens works well, it would easily replace 2-3 prime lenses, IMHO. Yes, it is big and yes, it is heavy but it is that good. Yes, you can send that in for calibration. But and a big but at that, let me tell you my personal experience with trying to get a whacked lens calibrated.
My first FE 16-35mm had major issues before and I went to a local guy to get his opinion. And after taking a look at the lens he told me that it could not be calibrated. The optical...Show more →
Thanks, Joshua. I will think about this a bit and see whether I can't find any deals on a new 24-70 GM.
I got it now
, Chris. If this lens works well, it would easily replace 2-3 prime lenses, IMHO. Yes, it is big and yes, it is heavy but it is that good. Yes, you can send that in for calibration. But and a big but at that, let me tell you my personal experience with trying to get a whacked lens calibrated.My first FE 16-35mm had major issues before and I went to a local guy to get his opinion. And after taking a look at the lens he told me that it could not be calibrated. The optical...Show more →
Thanks, Joshua. I will think about this a bit and see whether I can't find any deals on a new 24-70 GM.
Oct 28, 2016 at 08:08 AM
p.46 #20Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Rolling Review
This lens has been kind of rare to see issues. Sure any zoom lens with all the elements can have them and this is no exception. I guess you could look at this two ways. A repair carries a repair warranty at least normally it does. Check on that so if it came back still messed up you can send it back in. Second option take the money and run than you can buy used off a forum member as we have seen a few on the board or bite the bullet add the 300 and get new. The lens is certainly worth paying for it new. I did and it has become the most important lens in my kit. Honestly screwing around with all the legacy glass and TAP is a lot of fun but when it comes to paid work, nothing can touch the zoom for getting it done. Happened two nights ago doing a low light event . The TAP and my ZM 35 had a hard time focusing in low light outside the ballroom event in the hallway doing cocktail hour. It just would not confirm focus. Pulled out the GM 24-70 and no problem, missed maybe one shot in total. So foe me at least it's a very important lens so full price is not the worst thing to happen to me. Just depends on that need.
Oct 28, 2016 at 08:09 AM