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Archive 2016Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
p.24 #1Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Honestly I had a bad feeling about it all along. The R 28mm 2.8 version II is very nice on our Sonys . I had it and wish I kept it. I get the Oly 28mm F2 Wednesday not sure it's the answer but worth trying at least.
May 02, 2016 at 08:12 PM
p.24 #2Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I get very similar results to Fred on the A7ii (unmodded) plus the original Elmarit-M 28 ASPH, except that the edges are unusable @ f/2.8, poor @ f/4, decent @ f/5.6, and very good @ f/8. Field curvature is bad enough that focussing for the center makes the edges poor, even @ f/8. I love the size and handling of this lens, but the Alpha 7 performance is not workable for me. Fortunately, I also own the D28/2.8. 
May 02, 2016 at 08:34 PM
p.24 #3Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Has anyone tried the Leica 28-70/3.5-4.5 vario-elmar-R 3 on the A7RII?
I've read it was a Leica-designed, Sigma-made lens used as a kit lens for the R7. But is it any good?
I've read it was a Leica-designed, Sigma-made lens used as a kit lens for the R7. But is it any good?
May 02, 2016 at 08:54 PM
p.24 #4Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Fred from memory which stinks at this age. Lol it was just okay , nothing special. There are two zooms for us Sony users to look at the 35-70 F4 and the 21-35. More modern version the 28-90 is killer good. I'll send my ski masks bud you may need them. Lol
Your entering the black hole
Your entering the black hole
May 02, 2016 at 09:21 PM
p.24 #5Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
GMPhotography wrote:
Fred from memory which stinks at this age. Lol it was just okay , nothing special. There are two zooms for us Sony users to look at the 35-70 F4 and the 21-35. More modern version the 28-90 is killer good. I'll send my ski masks bud you may need them. Lol
Your entering the black hole
Hi Fred,
The zooms that Guy has mentioned are very good or excellent. I have the 35mm-70mm f4 Vario Elmar which was made for Leica by Kyocera (who made Contax and Yashica cameras). The 21-35mm has often been cited as the best MF 21-35mm zoom that had been made. The 28-90mm is rare, extremely expensive and killer good as Guy has mentioned. Leica also has/had the excellent 80-200mm f4 Vario Elmar which I also have and was also made by Kyocera.
In addition to the expensive and rare 28-90mm f2.8 zoom there are some of the other really expensive, rare, and super performing zooms including the 35-70mm f2.8, 70-180mm f2.8, and 105-280mm f4.2 zoom lenses.
Rich
Edited on May 02, 2016 at 09:55 PM · View previous versions
Fred from memory which stinks at this age. Lol it was just okay , nothing special. There are two zooms for us Sony users to look at the 35-70 F4 and the 21-35. More modern version the 28-90 is killer good. I'll send my ski masks bud you may need them. Lol
Your entering the black hole
Hi Fred,
The zooms that Guy has mentioned are very good or excellent. I have the 35mm-70mm f4 Vario Elmar which was made for Leica by Kyocera (who made Contax and Yashica cameras). The 21-35mm has often been cited as the best MF 21-35mm zoom that had been made. The 28-90mm is rare, extremely expensive and killer good as Guy has mentioned. Leica also has/had the excellent 80-200mm f4 Vario Elmar which I also have and was also made by Kyocera.
In addition to the expensive and rare 28-90mm f2.8 zoom there are some of the other really expensive, rare, and super performing zooms including the 35-70mm f2.8, 70-180mm f2.8, and 105-280mm f4.2 zoom lenses.
Rich
Edited on May 02, 2016 at 09:55 PM · View previous versions
May 02, 2016 at 09:43 PM
p.24 #6Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
The one that really interest me is the 21 -35 fits smack in the middle of my 21 and 50 and it's really good. If anything maybe 21mm is its weakest but you got the 21 for that. It runs around 2600 on eBay
May 02, 2016 at 09:55 PM
p.24 #7Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Whelp, I done did it - wallet is a little bit lighter, but a 35-70 is on the way. Ya bunch of enablers!
May 05, 2016 at 07:05 AM
p.24 #8Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
The maligned Vario-Tessar FE 24-70 f4.
I can second everything everyone has said about the C/Y 35-70/3.4. It's my go to lens when IQ matters, in this case better than the FE 35/2.8. I just picked up the Zony 24-70/4 to have an AF zoom for general purposes. While the 24-70 is definitely not a good landscape lens I discovered that it's much better at moderate to closer distances. This is pretty much throughout its range, except maybe for 70 mm. I may use this lens for closer distances more than I thought. Has anyone else noticed this.
PS: Because of other expenses right now the 24-70/2.8 is out, so I am not making a comparison with that.
I can second everything everyone has said about the C/Y 35-70/3.4. It's my go to lens when IQ matters, in this case better than the FE 35/2.8. I just picked up the Zony 24-70/4 to have an AF zoom for general purposes. While the 24-70 is definitely not a good landscape lens I discovered that it's much better at moderate to closer distances. This is pretty much throughout its range, except maybe for 70 mm. I may use this lens for closer distances more than I thought. Has anyone else noticed this.
PS: Because of other expenses right now the 24-70/2.8 is out, so I am not making a comparison with that.
May 05, 2016 at 08:12 AM
p.24 #9Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I am now in Mallorca for a month and will be doing some serious testing of the 24-70GM. So far after a long walk today the images I am getting confirm my initial thoughts. The lens is superb at all apertures and focal lengths until you hit 70mm. At 70mm centre sharpness is very good from f4 but the corners and edges don't really pick up fully even at f8 but if you don't go beyond 65mm then it all seems to be good. It does make for a big and quite heavy combo with the A7rII but if you are happy with shooting between 24 and 65mm then it means you only need one lens and body. If Iwas going for ultimate IQ I would probably stick with my Loxia 50 and 21 on 2 bodies
At 70mm f5.6
Untitled by Viramati, on Flickr
At 70mm f5.6
Untitled by Viramati, on Flickr
May 05, 2016 at 09:23 AM
p.24 #10Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
After I got a damaged (maybe due to transport from Japan) C/Y 35-70 3.4 I took the second possible path and switched to the Leica 35-70 4.0, because I am leaving to USA-WEST this weekend and therefore had no more time left to find a new Zeiss.
The price is about 400 $ higher (for a completely new, untouched version) but it is very well built, is a two ring solution and also with macro.
Yesterday I did the first comparisons with my FE 35/2.8 and the FE55/1.8.
And I have to say that it was a complete surprise for me:
I took the photographs at f8, because I wanted to see the zoom performance at my normal working fstop for my landscape photography using my A7R ii on a stable tripod and want to know it is a good addition.
Result:
In the center:
as expected, all lenses at all FL very good performance, all on about the same level with nice micro contrast.
At the edges:
35mm: the FE35/2.8 has a little better contrast and sharpness than the Zoom, little CA
55mm: the Zoom had better contrast and sharpness than the FE55/1.8, almost no CA !! Maybe f8 is already too much for the FE55/1.8
70mm, the Zoom is perfect sharp and contrasty, about the same level as the TS-E 90, which is very good, even if it is a different FL and therefore not directly comparable.
I know that I am not used to do tests but I was really surprised how good this zoom is and I am looking forward to visit Americas West for the coming three weeks.
Wolfram
The price is about 400 $ higher (for a completely new, untouched version) but it is very well built, is a two ring solution and also with macro.
Yesterday I did the first comparisons with my FE 35/2.8 and the FE55/1.8.
And I have to say that it was a complete surprise for me:
I took the photographs at f8, because I wanted to see the zoom performance at my normal working fstop for my landscape photography using my A7R ii on a stable tripod and want to know it is a good addition.
Result:
In the center:
as expected, all lenses at all FL very good performance, all on about the same level with nice micro contrast.
At the edges:
35mm: the FE35/2.8 has a little better contrast and sharpness than the Zoom, little CA
55mm: the Zoom had better contrast and sharpness than the FE55/1.8, almost no CA !! Maybe f8 is already too much for the FE55/1.8
70mm, the Zoom is perfect sharp and contrasty, about the same level as the TS-E 90, which is very good, even if it is a different FL and therefore not directly comparable.
I know that I am not used to do tests but I was really surprised how good this zoom is and I am looking forward to visit Americas West for the coming three weeks.
Wolfram
May 09, 2016 at 06:50 AM
p.24 #11Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Would be something to compare the Leica R 35-70 and the GM.
May 09, 2016 at 07:36 AM
p.24 #12Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Those results match mine and Fred's testing both for infinity and mid range. 70 is the weakest and on center F4 really kicks in and F8 on corners
Given that I stopped thinking about the 35-70 range what I would like to test is the Leica 21-35 so if anyone has one that would like me to test it. let me know. I'm not buying anything until I test it first, my new rule after several fails. Unless it's brand new and I can return it.
Viramati wrote:
I am now in Mallorca for a month and will be doing some serious testing of the 24-70GM. So far after a long walk today the images I am getting confirm my initial thoughts. The lens is superb at all apertures and focal lengths until you hit 70mm. At 70mm centre sharpness is very good from f4 but the corners and edges don't really pick up fully even at f8 but if you don't go beyond 65mm then it all seems to be good. It does make for a big and quite heavy combo with the A7rII but if you...Show more →
Given that I stopped thinking about the 35-70 range what I would like to test is the Leica 21-35 so if anyone has one that would like me to test it. let me know. I'm not buying anything until I test it first, my new rule after several fails. Unless it's brand new and I can return it.
Viramati wrote:
I am now in Mallorca for a month and will be doing some serious testing of the 24-70GM. So far after a long walk today the images I am getting confirm my initial thoughts. The lens is superb at all apertures and focal lengths until you hit 70mm. At 70mm centre sharpness is very good from f4 but the corners and edges don't really pick up fully even at f8 but if you don't go beyond 65mm then it all seems to be good. It does make for a big and quite heavy combo with the A7rII but if you...Show more →
May 09, 2016 at 07:52 AM
p.24 #13Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
This should be Freds new rig being a corner freak he would appreciate this. This was my rig 5 years ago. That's a 60 Mpx back on the back end. Rodenstock lens that would smoke anything out there.
May 09, 2016 at 08:01 AM
p.24 #14Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
inglis wrote:
Would be something to compare the Leica R 35-70 and the GM.
Yes... I have both the CZ and the Leica, but don't have the GM (yet).
I much prefer the rendering of the Leica to the CZ, but I believe the CZ to be slightly sharper.
Regardless, somewhere in the thread, I said that neither of the 35-70 zooms have what I want, which is the 24mm focal length! So even if they out perform the 24-70, they just won't get much use by me.
If I can get my hands on the GM, I can do a few tests, but I really want to sell these two to cover part of the GM cost, so I should put them up I suppose.
Anyone know of any 24-70 lenses available? Still seem to be backordered everywhere.
Would be something to compare the Leica R 35-70 and the GM.
Yes... I have both the CZ and the Leica, but don't have the GM (yet).
I much prefer the rendering of the Leica to the CZ, but I believe the CZ to be slightly sharper.
Regardless, somewhere in the thread, I said that neither of the 35-70 zooms have what I want, which is the 24mm focal length! So even if they out perform the 24-70, they just won't get much use by me.
If I can get my hands on the GM, I can do a few tests, but I really want to sell these two to cover part of the GM cost, so I should put them up I suppose.
Anyone know of any 24-70 lenses available? Still seem to be backordered everywhere.
May 09, 2016 at 10:00 AM
p.24 #15Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Ill check with my dealer sending email now.
May 09, 2016 at 10:56 AM
p.24 #16Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Here is the issue I have and I mentioned this to Fred privately as we are soul searching for lenses to cover landscape needs we have in our hands maybe the best of the lot with the 24-70 GM. Its amazing at 24mm and honestly Im not sure a lens could touch it at that focal length even the Batis 25mm. Than it does not let up at 28mm either , 35mm is still extremely good and even the dang 50 is great although the Loxia 50mm is better but your looking at a range from 24-50 that many primes can't match. Even 70mm is not that bad not its strongest focal length. For me after 50 Im reaching for a 85 anyway. Now would I like to take the 24-70 hiking or traveling, no i would not always want to do that as Im lazy sometimes or just don't want to deal with the weight especially on stuff for me. So really given I have the 15,21,50 all i really need is a screaming 28 but I would not mind having something I don't have to carry the 85mm GM either so maybe more my focus would be finding something 85-100 that is small. Than I could leave the two GMs home for those occasions. I know what I want for a 28mm its just a need to go rob a bank to do it. 
And what really gets my goat is I owned it twice the Leica 28mm R version II. I want it back but the price is stupid. You can buy the GM zoom for the same costs.
And what really gets my goat is I owned it twice the Leica 28mm R version II. I want it back but the price is stupid. You can buy the GM zoom for the same costs.
May 09, 2016 at 11:05 AM
p.24 #17Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I have a very nice contax 28/2.8 on route to me, boxed and looking mint I'm hoping it delivers, used to have one back in the day on a 5D. Will be using novoflex adapter, having used various adopters on Sony and back in the day on 5d, it's not worth the lottery of cheap Chinese adapters imo.
I did recently get a used fe28 but has some large dust spots so may return it, not a fan of having that much distortion that requires correction. Also been a huge fan of the zf 25/2.8 and it likely is a better performer than the contax 28 but is nearly 500g and on the end of an adapter that by much unbalances my a7r.
I did recently get a used fe28 but has some large dust spots so may return it, not a fan of having that much distortion that requires correction. Also been a huge fan of the zf 25/2.8 and it likely is a better performer than the contax 28 but is nearly 500g and on the end of an adapter that by much unbalances my a7r.
May 09, 2016 at 11:43 AM
p.24 #18Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
GMPhotography wrote:
And what really gets my goat is I owned it twice the Leica 28mm R version II. I want it back but the price is stupid. You can buy the GM zoom for the same costs.
Had one of those. I actually turned a nice profit on it when I sold it!
I never used that focal length, so just couldn't justify keeping it. I would either go to 24mm or up to 35mm. 28mm just seems like a bit of a 'tweener and never fit my shooting style.
Yes, occasionally, it was the only lens that would do the job, but it was never my lens of choice.
The thing about the 24-70 that I like in the images I've seen is that while it may not best some of the fixed lenses, the bokeh is very much better than many of them in my opinion. The 85, too, for that matter, but I won't get that one.
Sharpness isn't all that important in my opinion, and while this has very good sharpness, it also has a rendering style that feels very good to me.
---Michael
And what really gets my goat is I owned it twice the Leica 28mm R version II. I want it back but the price is stupid. You can buy the GM zoom for the same costs.
Had one of those. I actually turned a nice profit on it when I sold it!
I never used that focal length, so just couldn't justify keeping it. I would either go to 24mm or up to 35mm. 28mm just seems like a bit of a 'tweener and never fit my shooting style.
Yes, occasionally, it was the only lens that would do the job, but it was never my lens of choice.
The thing about the 24-70 that I like in the images I've seen is that while it may not best some of the fixed lenses, the bokeh is very much better than many of them in my opinion. The 85, too, for that matter, but I won't get that one.
Sharpness isn't all that important in my opinion, and while this has very good sharpness, it also has a rendering style that feels very good to me.
---Michael
May 09, 2016 at 12:44 PM
p.24 #20Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Fred Miranda wrote:
I've seen some of your images with it Helena!
I have a good copy of the FE 28/2 (I went through a few of them). For those who follow DXOmark, the test is done at close range and center only. It seems to be optimized for that. It is also a 26mm lens and has high distortion.
The CY Distagon 28//2.8 is just better when comparing them side by side at infinity distances. It definitely has more micro-contrast and resolution. At f/8, it's excellent everywhere. For landscapes, the mechanical MF is very nice. Its inwards field curvature could be an asset for landscapes if focused properly.
I believe the FE 28/2 could be better at closer distances and likely be more flare resistant.
These Contax lenses are just excellent especially for the price they are going for. CA is is very apparent towards the corners but not too difficult to fix in post. Micro-contrast and colors have the Zeiss signature.Another 28mm that someone should examine on the A7rII is the new Leica M 28 f/2.8 Elmarit ASPH. Leica has just released a new version of this lens designed for digital, whereas the old version was designed for film. Actual copies are just making their way into people's hands and the new version looks a ton better on the Leica SL than the old version. See this post at getDPI:
http://www.getdpi.com/forum/leica/57393-new-leica-lenses-announced.html#post681796
The lens has a lot of virtues including a very small size (tiny) and it weighs only 180g. And Fred, I think you would be happy to know it has a 10 blade aperture like the Loxia lenses, so it ought to make very nice sunstars. It may loose some of its luster on the A7rII, but it might not. If performance does drop off on the an unmodified A7rII, then it ought to be spectacular on a Kolari modified camera. The price is $2,200 as this lens is introduced, but you ought to be able to get used copies for about $1,500 in a couple of years and although that is expensive at that price I don't think it is a horrible value. It is a fairly unique in being such a strong performer at such a small size.I remember reading about these new lenses at the beginning of the year. The new 35/2 Summicron has 11 blades!
Where did you see the pricing for the new Summicron-M 28/2 and Elmarit f/2.8 versions?
I am hoping Zeiss will release a Loxia 28/2 soon but it will probably cost ~$1,500. The Leica at $2,000 is not too much if it works well with Sony's cover glass.I do think they will make a Loxia 28, but I wonder whether it will be f/2 or f/2.8. An f/2.8 would be a bit disappointing but it wouldn't surprise me. I expect it to be a distagon so very different from the ZM 28, which was in my mind pretty mediocre anyway. A good revision of the C/Y 28 for digital with modern glass including an aspherical or two and some anomalous partial dispersion glass could be excellent. I guess we will have to see what they do.
With the Leica lenses, I think the new 28 Elmarit ASPH looks better than the new 35 cron ASPH--at least by the MTF charts--and I know I would prefer the 10 blades for landscapes to the 11 blades (although 11 would be nice for portraits). I really wish that Leica would standardize on 12 bladed apertures for M lenses. To me that is a nice middle ground. Plenty of blades for portraits and still very nice sunstars. I am getting a few Zeiss CP.2 lenses before long and it will be interesting to see their sunstars. They have a 14 blade aperture. I'm not sure if that will be gorgeous or perhaps a bit too many. I won't have them for a couple of months, but when I do I will post what they look like.
Leica hasn't published the datasheet for the new 28 summicron ASPH yet. It will be interesting how many blades it has. The old one had 10 blades like the Elmarit, so the new one might as well, but they might bump it up to 11 like the 35 cron ASPH. We ought to know soon. If someone out there has one and can let us know that would be great.I have a feeling the next Loxia will be a tele. I believe the L28 will come but it may take a while.
Definitely 10 blades for landscapes!
I'm curious what's the best A7RII 28mm option for landscapes right now. Aside from the GM at 28mm, I tested the CY 28/2.8 which is excellent at f/8 with moderate field curvature and CA.
Next, I will test the new Leica M 28/2.8 Elmarit and the famous Olympus 28/2. -- Guy convinced me.
If the Leica Elmarit R 28/2.8 II wasn't so hard to find, I would try it out as well.
Within a budget,...Show more →
lol. How crazy do you want to get? I have the Oly 28/3.5 and Nikon 28/2.8 AIS I'd be willing to ship over and I've been wanting to buy a Rokkor MC 28/2 because of the near field images I've seen that are lovely. I'd buy one at KEH and have it shipped to you to see how it fares at landscape.. Pairing back to the Oly's, it would be interesting to see how the Oly 2.0 compares with the 3.5... I think the 3.5 was tossed in a package deal trade I made.
Steve Spencer wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
Steve Spencer wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
HelenaN wrote
Like Fred I have both FE 28 and C/Y 28/2.8 and my findings mirror his exactly. I like my FE for people photography and close-ups, but for landscapes I much prefer the C/Y. There's not a big difference in sharpness between mine, but the photos from the C/Y come out more vivid, detailed and clear. It's apparent on my screen even without pixel peeping.I have a good copy of the FE 28/2 (I went through a few of them). For those who follow DXOmark, the test is done at close range and center only. It seems to be optimized for that. It is also a 26mm lens and has high distortion.
The CY Distagon 28//2.8 is just better when comparing them side by side at infinity distances. It definitely has more micro-contrast and resolution. At f/8, it's excellent everywhere. For landscapes, the mechanical MF is very nice. Its inwards field curvature could be an asset for landscapes if focused properly.
I believe the FE 28/2 could be better at closer distances and likely be more flare resistant.
These Contax lenses are just excellent especially for the price they are going for. CA is is very apparent towards the corners but not too difficult to fix in post. Micro-contrast and colors have the Zeiss signature.
http://www.getdpi.com/forum/leica/57393-new-leica-lenses-announced.html#post681796
The lens has a lot of virtues including a very small size (tiny) and it weighs only 180g. And Fred, I think you would be happy to know it has a 10 blade aperture like the Loxia lenses, so it ought to make very nice sunstars. It may loose some of its luster on the A7rII, but it might not. If performance does drop off on the an unmodified A7rII, then it ought to be spectacular on a Kolari modified camera. The price is $2,200 as this lens is introduced, but you ought to be able to get used copies for about $1,500 in a couple of years and although that is expensive at that price I don't think it is a horrible value. It is a fairly unique in being such a strong performer at such a small size.
Where did you see the pricing for the new Summicron-M 28/2 and Elmarit f/2.8 versions?
I am hoping Zeiss will release a Loxia 28/2 soon but it will probably cost ~$1,500. The Leica at $2,000 is not too much if it works well with Sony's cover glass.
With the Leica lenses, I think the new 28 Elmarit ASPH looks better than the new 35 cron ASPH--at least by the MTF charts--and I know I would prefer the 10 blades for landscapes to the 11 blades (although 11 would be nice for portraits). I really wish that Leica would standardize on 12 bladed apertures for M lenses. To me that is a nice middle ground. Plenty of blades for portraits and still very nice sunstars. I am getting a few Zeiss CP.2 lenses before long and it will be interesting to see their sunstars. They have a 14 blade aperture. I'm not sure if that will be gorgeous or perhaps a bit too many. I won't have them for a couple of months, but when I do I will post what they look like.
Leica hasn't published the datasheet for the new 28 summicron ASPH yet. It will be interesting how many blades it has. The old one had 10 blades like the Elmarit, so the new one might as well, but they might bump it up to 11 like the 35 cron ASPH. We ought to know soon. If someone out there has one and can let us know that would be great.
Definitely 10 blades for landscapes!
I'm curious what's the best A7RII 28mm option for landscapes right now. Aside from the GM at 28mm, I tested the CY 28/2.8 which is excellent at f/8 with moderate field curvature and CA.
Next, I will test the new Leica M 28/2.8 Elmarit and the famous Olympus 28/2. -- Guy convinced me.
If the Leica Elmarit R 28/2.8 II wasn't so hard to find, I would try it out as well.
Within a budget,...Show more →
lol. How crazy do you want to get? I have the Oly 28/3.5 and Nikon 28/2.8 AIS I'd be willing to ship over and I've been wanting to buy a Rokkor MC 28/2 because of the near field images I've seen that are lovely. I'd buy one at KEH and have it shipped to you to see how it fares at landscape.
. Pairing back to the Oly's, it would be interesting to see how the Oly 2.0 compares with the 3.5... I think the 3.5 was tossed in a package deal trade I made. May 10, 2016 at 01:57 PM