This topic is in the 2016 archive. You can read it and like its posts here. It is read only.
Archive 2016Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
p.1 #1Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
To Guy and Fred and anyone else who owns or has owned even more lenses that I have...
What is your ultimate f8 and be there lnadscape kit now that you have seen the new 24-70GM?
the obvious are CV 15 - Loxia 21mm then what? .......
24 - 28mm - Contenders are Batis 25 or CY 28mm f2.8 or 24-70 GM
35mm - Loxia 35 or Sony 35 or Contax 35-70 or 24-70 GM
50mm Loxia 50 or Sony 55mm or Contax 35-70 or or 24-70GM
Short tele - Batis 85, Contax 35-70, Canon 70-200 f4 IS, Sony 90mm, 85 GM?
Especially interested in your thoughts at 35mm and 50mm
What is your ultimate f8 and be there lnadscape kit now that you have seen the new 24-70GM?
the obvious are CV 15 - Loxia 21mm then what? .......
24 - 28mm - Contenders are Batis 25 or CY 28mm f2.8 or 24-70 GM
35mm - Loxia 35 or Sony 35 or Contax 35-70 or 24-70 GM
50mm Loxia 50 or Sony 55mm or Contax 35-70 or or 24-70GM
Short tele - Batis 85, Contax 35-70, Canon 70-200 f4 IS, Sony 90mm, 85 GM?
Especially interested in your thoughts at 35mm and 50mm
Apr 06, 2016 at 08:40 PM
p.1 #2Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Lol!!! That's asking to much now 8D
Apr 06, 2016 at 08:52 PM
p.1 #3Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Bill here are my thoughts:
At 28mm I still think it is hard to beat the Leica R 28mm f/2.8 vII. It would be my choice for f/8 landscapes if I could pick any lens. The Otus is likely better, but is so much bigger I would go with the Leica R.
At 35mm I think I would pick the Zeiss C/Y PC 35mm f/2.8. It is just a fantastic landscape lens from all I have seen and unshifted it should be sharp all the way into the corners. The midframe might be better on the 35-70 f/3.4, but I like the performance across the frame better on the PC lens.
At 50mm Fred's tests have already shown that his Loxia is clearly better than his 24-70 GM. I think the Loxia is excellent as a landscape lens and although there are many excellent lenses it would be my choice. Again, the Otus 55 is likely better than the Loxia, but is so much bigger I would prefer the Loxia.
For a short-tele my landscape choice would be a Leica M or R 90 f/2 AA. Just a brilliant lens stopped down like that and quite small for the focal length. Either the M or R perform well on the Sony camera as well. The 35-70 is weakest at the long end and is not much longer than a 50, so it wouldn't be my choice. It wouldn't surprise me if the Otus 85 is better than the Leica, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was hardly noticeable--the Leica is that good. Again the Otus is way way bigger.
My 2 cents, which is about what it is worth.
At 28mm I still think it is hard to beat the Leica R 28mm f/2.8 vII. It would be my choice for f/8 landscapes if I could pick any lens. The Otus is likely better, but is so much bigger I would go with the Leica R.
At 35mm I think I would pick the Zeiss C/Y PC 35mm f/2.8. It is just a fantastic landscape lens from all I have seen and unshifted it should be sharp all the way into the corners. The midframe might be better on the 35-70 f/3.4, but I like the performance across the frame better on the PC lens.
At 50mm Fred's tests have already shown that his Loxia is clearly better than his 24-70 GM. I think the Loxia is excellent as a landscape lens and although there are many excellent lenses it would be my choice. Again, the Otus 55 is likely better than the Loxia, but is so much bigger I would prefer the Loxia.
For a short-tele my landscape choice would be a Leica M or R 90 f/2 AA. Just a brilliant lens stopped down like that and quite small for the focal length. Either the M or R perform well on the Sony camera as well. The 35-70 is weakest at the long end and is not much longer than a 50, so it wouldn't be my choice. It wouldn't surprise me if the Otus 85 is better than the Leica, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was hardly noticeable--the Leica is that good. Again the Otus is way way bigger.
My 2 cents, which is about what it is worth.
Apr 06, 2016 at 09:12 PM
p.1 #4Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Leica 28 R version II is maybe one of my favorite 28 lenses around. You won't find it cheap though. I had it with my DMR and A7r at one time also. Be a nice lens for me now with the zoom when I don't want to carry the zoom
Ton of 50mm out there but for Sony. I like the Loxia 50 it renders really nice and stopped down to about 5.6 great acros the frame.
I'm going to come back to this thread though and get my test processed as I want to formulate more opinions on it to talk about other lenses that compliment the zoom or as a single lens maybe better than it. Lenses are a funny choice as they fall in two main categories very tech oriented or very character oriented. It's really a matter of taste. I have had a ton of glass over the years but one problem is they all did not have the same sensor and its tech. Right now we are pushing the mpx very high and it will go higher. So you need to pick your poison carefully.
Ton of 50mm out there but for Sony. I like the Loxia 50 it renders really nice and stopped down to about 5.6 great acros the frame.
I'm going to come back to this thread though and get my test processed as I want to formulate more opinions on it to talk about other lenses that compliment the zoom or as a single lens maybe better than it. Lenses are a funny choice as they fall in two main categories very tech oriented or very character oriented. It's really a matter of taste. I have had a ton of glass over the years but one problem is they all did not have the same sensor and its tech. Right now we are pushing the mpx very high and it will go higher. So you need to pick your poison carefully.
Apr 06, 2016 at 09:55 PM
p.1 #5Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Currently I shoot landscape with 2 cameras: A7RII and RX1RII.
Now you know my choice for 35mm. The Sonnar 35/2 (RX1RII). It's actually 32mm uncorrected which is perfect for me.
I usually go from 21mm >> 28mm >> 50mm (skipping 24mm and 35mm) and the RX1RII works as my "28-35mm" choice. (That's until we see a Loxia 28/2!)
However, if having 24mm, 28mm and 35mm is important to your shooing style, the new 24-70/2.8GM is a great choice from 24-40mm. At 50mm, I would go Loxia.
My go to lens is the Loxia 21/2.8. It's fantastic. The 50mm choice is easy: Loxia 50/2.
For ultra wides, I shoot with both big Zeiss 15/2.8 (adapted) and tiny CV 15/4.5. (I mostly use the 15 distagon for nightscapes)
The new 24-70/2.8GM is a fantastic zoom and it's currently my choice when only carrying 3 lenses. (CV 15, L21 and 24-70GM) -- Zoom mounted and the other two on my pockets!
Now you know my choice for 35mm. The Sonnar 35/2 (RX1RII). It's actually 32mm uncorrected which is perfect for me.
I usually go from 21mm >> 28mm >> 50mm (skipping 24mm and 35mm) and the RX1RII works as my "28-35mm" choice. (That's until we see a Loxia 28/2!)
However, if having 24mm, 28mm and 35mm is important to your shooing style, the new 24-70/2.8GM is a great choice from 24-40mm. At 50mm, I would go Loxia.
My go to lens is the Loxia 21/2.8. It's fantastic. The 50mm choice is easy: Loxia 50/2.
For ultra wides, I shoot with both big Zeiss 15/2.8 (adapted) and tiny CV 15/4.5. (I mostly use the 15 distagon for nightscapes)
The new 24-70/2.8GM is a fantastic zoom and it's currently my choice when only carrying 3 lenses. (CV 15, L21 and 24-70GM) -- Zoom mounted and the other two on my pockets!
Apr 06, 2016 at 10:02 PM
p.1 #6Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
That little pocket lens I just love to. Lol
Apr 06, 2016 at 10:36 PM
p.1 #7Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
After a week in Scotland I feel I have finally found my landscape setup
A7rII with Loxia 21 and CV15 mkIII
A7II with Loxia 50 and FE 90 macro
The new FE mount version of the CV15 may turn out to be slightly better in the corners but the M mount version is very good
Man photographs tree by Viramati, on Flickr
My copy of the FE 90 is Superb across the frame and though a little large is very versatile
1 Dhanakosa Cow by Viramati, on Flickr
A7rII with Loxia 21 and CV15 mkIII
A7II with Loxia 50 and FE 90 macro
The new FE mount version of the CV15 may turn out to be slightly better in the corners but the M mount version is very good
Man photographs tree by Viramati, on Flickr
My copy of the FE 90 is Superb across the frame and though a little large is very versatile
1 Dhanakosa Cow by Viramati, on Flickr
Apr 07, 2016 at 02:23 AM
p.1 #8Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I notice as usual everyone skirts round the 35mm focal length (apart from the seeningly wonderful RX1R, but that's a separate camera).
It seems that this my most used focal length is still a problem, tests of both 35/2.8 and the Loxia are not convincing for landscape stuff. I have been using a 40mm Ultron SLII in F mount and am reasonably happy with it, and was thinking of an Elmarit R of which I have fond memories from the past.
Gerry
It seems that this my most used focal length is still a problem, tests of both 35/2.8 and the Loxia are not convincing for landscape stuff. I have been using a 40mm Ultron SLII in F mount and am reasonably happy with it, and was thinking of an Elmarit R of which I have fond memories from the past.
Gerry
Apr 07, 2016 at 02:45 AM
p.1 #9Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
35mm is a long discussion that I would like to tackle after I get this test up. Bottom line there is not a perfect one for landscape. We need a More flat field with character F2 35mm. Really is not one per say. Most have a lot of field curvature and some do not render very nicely.
One lens I always liked in the past was Zeiss 35mm F2 ZE or Zf.2 but than we are back to adapters. Loxia 35 F2 needs to be stopped down but the bokeh is not the best. Really the Sony 35mm 1.4 is great but find me a perfect copy and it is big for some folks to do landscape with.
One lens I always liked in the past was Zeiss 35mm F2 ZE or Zf.2 but than we are back to adapters. Loxia 35 F2 needs to be stopped down but the bokeh is not the best. Really the Sony 35mm 1.4 is great but find me a perfect copy and it is big for some folks to do landscape with.
Apr 07, 2016 at 03:32 AM
p.1 #10Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I agree that 35mm is a tough choice. There are a lot of very good choices: FE 35 f/2.8, Loxia 35 f/2, FE 24-70 GM zoom, Zeiss C/Y 35-70, Leica R 35 f/2.8, Canon 35 f/2 IS, Zeiss Milvus 35 f/2, but it is difficult to argue for an excellent option. If they made an adapter the Leica S 35 f/2.5 would, IMO, qualify as excellent, but it is large and expensive. I went with the Zeiss C/Y 35 f/2.8 PC because it is almost as good and smaller, but it is still big. On a Kolari modified Sony camera I would rate the Zeiss ZM 35 f/1.4 as excellent as well, but the last part of the image circle suffers on an modified camera.
I would love to see a better 35mm landscape lens developed, but there are a lot of conflicting wants in a 35mm and it always seems to end up as some sort of a compromise between being good at landscapes, being a good reportage lens, and being a good portrait lens.
I would love to see a better 35mm landscape lens developed, but there are a lot of conflicting wants in a 35mm and it always seems to end up as some sort of a compromise between being good at landscapes, being a good reportage lens, and being a good portrait lens.
Apr 07, 2016 at 04:55 AM
p.1 #11Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
FE 35mm f/2.8 packs a punch. Not very attractive bokeh but punchy all over. Then there is Canon 35mm 1.4 LII which, though pricey, is probably the best performing thing at the moment.
My landscape setup, if Pentax K-1 does not win me over will be:
15mm IRIX (astro)
17mm TS-E if the new Sigma MC-11 works better (shimmed MB4-T always an option)
21mm Loxia
35mm something (yea...geez)
90mm TS-E, best FF 90mm option ever due to elevated capabilities in functionality
My landscape setup, if Pentax K-1 does not win me over will be:
15mm IRIX (astro)
17mm TS-E if the new Sigma MC-11 works better (shimmed MB4-T always an option)
21mm Loxia
35mm something (yea...geez)
90mm TS-E, best FF 90mm option ever due to elevated capabilities in functionality
Apr 07, 2016 at 05:04 AM
p.1 #12Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
MJKoski wrote:
FE 35mm f/2.8 packs a punch. Not very attractive bokeh but punchy all over. Then there is Canon 35mm 1.4 LII which, though pricey, is probably the best performing thing at the moment.
The Canon 35 f/1.4 is a wonderful lens, very sharp from wide open in the centre, surprisingly nice bokeh (given that the previous version of the lens this was pretty bad), very solid build, and very nice colour correction.Despite these strengths I am not convinced that its performance across the frame, especially given its size, makes it a compelling landscape lens. It seems to me to be the poster child of when having to meet so many demands at 35mm, compromises for landscape use need to be made.
FE 35mm f/2.8 packs a punch. Not very attractive bokeh but punchy all over. Then there is Canon 35mm 1.4 LII which, though pricey, is probably the best performing thing at the moment.
The Canon 35 f/1.4 is a wonderful lens, very sharp from wide open in the centre, surprisingly nice bokeh (given that the previous version of the lens this was pretty bad), very solid build, and very nice colour correction.Despite these strengths I am not convinced that its performance across the frame, especially given its size, makes it a compelling landscape lens. It seems to me to be the poster child of when having to meet so many demands at 35mm, compromises for landscape use need to be made.
Apr 07, 2016 at 05:12 AM
p.1 #13Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I hesitated on Zeiss 35mm PC Distagon for a while and one day it was gone when I decided to pull the trigger :F
Apr 07, 2016 at 05:16 AM
p.1 #14Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
In all this discussion of ideal landscape lenses, I see no mention of the FE 55/1.8. Is there something about this lens that makes it less than ideal for landscape photography?
Rob
Rob
Apr 07, 2016 at 08:41 AM
p.1 #15Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Would love to hear about the zoom vs zoom question.
Apr 07, 2016 at 09:01 AM
p.1 #16Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
The Contax 35-70 I remember this lens back in my Canon days. Great rendering but I don't think it has the resolving power of the new GM 24-70. We also need to think ahead on next gen cams which may jump to 60 Mpx. I want the GM as they are design for higher Mpx cams. I would say right now the new GM is the best zoom over any legacy lenses.
Edited on Apr 07, 2016 at 11:55 AM · View previous versions
Edited on Apr 07, 2016 at 11:55 AM · View previous versions
Apr 07, 2016 at 09:09 AM
p.1 #17Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Tagging on...I wonder what would be the ultimate landscape stitching lenses if you prefer 28-25ish. I'm hoping the GM will do it on the 7r2. The Loxia 21 sounds perfect if I wanted a single shot but I'm rarely satisfied with a single shot...I want to vacuum up the environment and allow for more pixel peeping of the details. This is my work around for not being able to get a 100mp medium format.
Apr 07, 2016 at 09:40 AM
p.1 #18Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
robgo2 wrote:
In all this discussion of ideal landscape lenses, I see no mention of the FE 55/1.8. Is there something about this lens that makes it less than ideal for landscape photography?
Rob
Great lens if you get a good copy. Mine is slightly decentered and is fine for people photography but I use the Loxia for landscape
In all this discussion of ideal landscape lenses, I see no mention of the FE 55/1.8. Is there something about this lens that makes it less than ideal for landscape photography?
Rob
Great lens if you get a good copy. Mine is slightly decentered and is fine for people photography but I use the Loxia for landscape
Apr 07, 2016 at 12:14 PM
p.1 #19Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Handels wrote:
Tagging on...I wonder what would be the ultimate landscape stitching lenses if you prefer 28-25ish. I'm hoping the GM will do it on the 7r2. The Loxia 21 sounds perfect if I wanted a single shot but I'm rarely satisfied with a single shot...I want to vacuum up the environment and allow for more pixel peeping of the details. This is my work around for not being able to get a 100mp medium format.
I think the trick if your doing panos with the GM 24-70 is get to at least 28/30 mm as I did not notice any real distortion there and be a lot easier to stitch a pano together. 24 is kind of heavy and you maybe fighting a distortion battle. Maybe same is true with flat stitching on a rig.
Your bringing back my medium format tech cam days. Lol
Tagging on...I wonder what would be the ultimate landscape stitching lenses if you prefer 28-25ish. I'm hoping the GM will do it on the 7r2. The Loxia 21 sounds perfect if I wanted a single shot but I'm rarely satisfied with a single shot...I want to vacuum up the environment and allow for more pixel peeping of the details. This is my work around for not being able to get a 100mp medium format.
I think the trick if your doing panos with the GM 24-70 is get to at least 28/30 mm as I did not notice any real distortion there and be a lot easier to stitch a pano together. 24 is kind of heavy and you maybe fighting a distortion battle. Maybe same is true with flat stitching on a rig.
Your bringing back my medium format tech cam days. Lol
Apr 07, 2016 at 12:21 PM
p.1 #20Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I agree, the TS-E 90/2.8 is amazing and very versatile.
MJKoski wrote:
FE 35mm f/2.8 packs a punch. Not very attractive bokeh but punchy all over. Then there is Canon 35mm 1.4 LII which, though pricey, is probably the best performing thing at the moment.
My landscape setup, if Pentax K-1 does not win me over will be:
15mm IRIX (astro)
17mm TS-E if the new Sigma MC-11 works better (shimmed MB4-T always an option)
21mm Loxia
35mm something (yea...geez)
90mm TS-E, best FF 90mm option ever due to elevated capabilities in functionality
MJKoski wrote:
FE 35mm f/2.8 packs a punch. Not very attractive bokeh but punchy all over. Then there is Canon 35mm 1.4 LII which, though pricey, is probably the best performing thing at the moment.
My landscape setup, if Pentax K-1 does not win me over will be:
15mm IRIX (astro)
17mm TS-E if the new Sigma MC-11 works better (shimmed MB4-T always an option)
21mm Loxia
35mm something (yea...geez)
90mm TS-E, best FF 90mm option ever due to elevated capabilities in functionality
Apr 07, 2016 at 12:34 PM