Seriously in general out of all the images I have shot already I only saw a handful with onion rings, so their marketing on this was pretty accurate here. Many of the tests I have done which i was really going after this issue and this pretty much passed. Sure their are a few but for the most part extremely well done
GMPhotography wrote:
All I can say if you don't buy this lens you got a screw lose.
Im kidding of course but man that bokeh is just Funnnnnnnnnnnnn!
Overall, I can't see a huge difference to the Batis, unless shooting backlit scenes with with a lot of leaves and trees or scenes with light sources, where the nice bokeh-balls of the GM produce a better image. Oftentimes I need to look hard to see a difference between the lenses, unless the described scenario is existent. When being very close to the subjects, as seen in some of your shots, the background is strongly out of focus anyway. Out of experience having shot many models and clients with the Batis, I see the swirly Bokeh mostly with full body shots. Getting closer for half body shots or even tighter, the background is very smooth. For larger distances I prefer the 70-200 at 200 anyway.
Nevertheless, I apologize if the question was asked already many times, I just don't want to go through 20 pages of comments again, how do you judge focus speed vs. the Batis?
I can't really answer that because I'm not sure I have a issue with this particular lens. I'm exchanging it for another. But as it is today the Batis is faster and if your shooting people this GM is better it has slightly lower micro contrast and a softer look . Batis has more macro contrast and a little harsher look. Pick your poison but there is no swirl at any distance in the GM . I like both lenses but if I was shooting people the GM in my mind is the better choice. Landscape than the Batis would serve you maybe better. I added some black point and clarity to every shot from today to give it a little extra punch. I also think you get more 3D look with the GM as the transition OOF is just smoother.
GMPhotography wrote:
Im nailing just about everything with regards to focus. I think mine is a touch slow though and that maybe because of my issue.
I was asking Roger about association between loudness and AF-speed/reliability. Here his answer: "That I can't say because I haven't tested reliability. But speed, yes, at least to some degree. Video AF is much quieter and slower."
It's not a scientific test though and it's not sure if there is a difference in speed at all, because of the last sentence. So take it with a grain of salt. But it's something that Sony should adress, when they will comment this issue.
My own copy does show a big difference in performance at AF-S instead of AF-C. AF-S is much slower, AF-C is fine, but I can feel the vibration while refocussing. And it looks like my copy is getting more quiet and faster with use. But this may be, because I adapt myself to the slow lens.
I have to say kudos to Sony for stretching the envelope. The reality is all these lenses are new designs and breaking new ground. It is so much easier to evolve and improve on existing designs as in comparison with the evolving A7 and A7r bodies.
Each of these lens designs pose extreme challenges, particularly the GM 85/1.4 and still at a cost point that we will accept.
Sony do have to get it right no doubt!
The issue I do find is that setting to AF-C is faster and more responsive to AF-S with the FE 35/1.4, Batis 85 and FE 55/1.8 with the AF set to a dedicated button. Also I set the AF to sensitive and fast and this seems to help.
charles.K wrote:
I have to say kudos to Sony for stretching the envelope. The reality is all these lenses are new designs and breaking new ground. It is so much easier to evolve and improve on existing designs as in comparison with the evolving A7 and A7r bodies.
Each of these lens designs pose extreme challenges, particularly the GM 85/1.4 and still at a cost point that we will accept.
Sony do have to get it right no doubt!
The issue I do find is that setting to AF-C is faster and more responsive to AF-S with the FE 35/1.4, Batis 85 and FE 55/1.8 with the AF set to a dedicated button. Also I set the AF to sensitive and fast and this seems to help.
Good luck, they are coming soon. You will love it.
I think the prize is a good point in this discussion. I'll keep my copy, because it's quite cheap for the power this lens has. And I have two years of guarantee. If there is an issue with lubricant, slow AF or loud vs. silent copies, I'm sure this will be solved in this two years and I will get a replacement. Until then, I just enjoy it.
GMPhotography wrote:
Batis has more macro contrast and a little harsher look. Pick your poison but there is no swirl at any distance in the GM . I like both lenses but if I was shooting people the GM in my mind is the better choice. Landscape than the Batis would serve you maybe better. I added some black point and clarity to every shot from today to give it a little extra punch. I also think you get more 3D look with the GM as the transition OOF is just smoother.
I think that is a very nice summery of the difference in rendering in regards to what I'm seeing. I can also see why you might want to add a touch of Clarity - and especially Structure in Capture One - on some subjects shot with the Sony 85 GM. Just to get a touch more "bite" and a touch less smooth files on the GM.
For portraits the ladies should love the look of their skin a lot more with f/1.4 on the GM than f/1.8 on the Batis. Just another reason for your wife to support getting the GM!
charles.K wrote:
I have to say kudos to Sony for stretching the envelope. The reality is all these lenses are new designs and breaking new ground. It is so much easier to evolve and improve on existing designs as in comparison with the evolving A7 and A7r bodies.
Each of these lens designs pose extreme challenges, particularly the GM 85/1.4 and still at a cost point that we will accept.
Sony do have to get it right no doubt!
The issue I do find is that setting to AF-C is faster and more responsive to AF-S with the FE 35/1.4, Batis 85 and FE 55/1.8 with the AF set to a dedicated button. Also I set the AF to sensitive and fast and this seems to help.
I'm of 2 minds at the moment. No doubt the Batis is the more complete package. Fast enough for all applications, great micro-contrast for landscape, good bokeh, build and focussing speed. That being said, theres something painterly in the rendering of the GM that reminds me of old Olympus OM glass i used to love. Such a small thing against so many negatives but sometimes its the unquantifiable 5% that we fall in love with.
charles.K wrote:
Thank you for the heads up! Supposedly my Sony contact was to meant to have the first batch of GM's.
The 85 Gm has been in stock at my local pro dealer for over a week now. I just checked online, and it is still here. Looking at me and begging to take it with me home. Like a puppy without an owner, . I have put up impressive restrain until now, not sure how much longer I can stand firm on this!
MJKoski wrote:
Mr. Chambers reported that a7r2 is not capable of achieving accurate focus @ f/1.4.
Eeh, it seems that he hadn't updated the firmware of his A7r2 to work with the new GM lenses. Most of the info is behind a paywall, so other will have to do further readings on his findings:
MJKoski wrote:
Mr. Chambers reported that a7r2 is not capable of achieving accurate focus @ f/1.4.
for as critical as he is of everyone else ("it's always someone else's fault"), he really is a dope sometimes. the first thing i do when i get new equipment of any type is make sure everything is up to date.
in fact, he has updated his review to state he had v3.0 and will "get back to everyone after he updates to v3.1"
the reckless thing is that he leaves all of his initial criticism up stating that the lens CANNOT focus and that "HE" MUST manually focus if he wants things done right.
he should take all of his comments down that were based on having the wrong firmware on his camera. instead he has a whole page (#2) dedicated to "focus accuracy" - he should feel like a real hump for having spent that much time taking shots with outdated firmware and a hack for having posted and leaving up a page criticizing the AF. on the next page, he states "Note well, focused manually"
It reminds me of the time he didn't realize he had something set wrong with stabilization while on a tripod and it ruined his shots - he still posted all the stupid shots and complained about the camera having ruined them - instead of saying "hey, that was my mistake, i need to go back and re-shoot those and post/analyze the best shots this camera/lens can produce"
he does finally get around to saying the lens produces 'jaw-dropping' this or that and all the usual stuff when he gets excited for the first few days until he finds something else to pick apart-- but who cares....(not sure why i re-subscribed and won't be in the future - this board produces the best reviews anywhere)
