I’m going to try and run the Big Bronco test Thursday morning before I have to ship the loaner back but I am going to buy one soon here. Trick is going to find one. Lol I’ll purchase in. Couple weeks when money comes in from smugmug sales.
My initial impressions of the lens is that it is quite nice, but my 24-70 GM clearly beats it in sharpness in the corners at all apertures and all wide angle focal lengths. It looks like the 24-105 is a little better at the 70mm end, and maybe it is a wash at 50mm.
It appears that it is possible to make both look similar with different sharpening levels, etc. but clearly, there is less there to work with in the 24-105.
It also appears to show lower contrast and a bit more purple fringing on trees than the GM, but again, that is possible to resolve.
The GM also appears to be more pleasing for OOF rendering behind the focus plane at the same aperture. This is a bit expected, but the difference is larger than I expected possibly. More tests are needed for that.
I will try to do a more comprehensive comparison over the weekend, but it's clear that the GM is the superior lens when comparing the two samples I have in my hands.
Not surprising considering the price difference...
@mjm6: I have both lenses and agree with you completely. I bought the 24-105 solely as a travel lens. If the 24-70 2.8 was lighter I wouldn't have even considered the 24-105. I plan to travel with the 12-24, 24-105, and Loxia 21. I'm not absolutely sure that I really need to take the Loxia, but I want to have a fast prime for indoor shots of cathedrals, etc. I am wondering if an even lighter fast prime like my Batis 18 would be better. I have no wider or faster primes than the Batis 18. I've considered purchasing the Laowa 15, but I believe that lens is pretty heavy...).
Neurad1 wrote:
@mjm6@: I have both lenses and agree with you completely. I bought the 24-105 solely as a travel lens. If the 24-70 2.8 was lighter I wouldn't have even considered the 24-105. I plan to travel with the 12-24, 24-105, and Loxia 21. I'm not absolutely sure that I really need to take the Loxia, but I want to have a fast prime for indoor shots of cathedrals, etc. I am wondering if an even lighter fast prime like my Batis 18 would be better. I have no wider or faster primes than the Batis 18. I've considered purchasing the Laowa 15, but I believe that lens is pretty heavy...). ...Show more →
The Laowa is a little on the the heavy side but it’s also well worth the weight in IQ. It’s the best 15 on the market in my mind. For me and this is rare it’s a keeper.
Neurad1 wrote:
I plan to travel with the 12-24, 24-105, and Loxia 21.
No fast 35 or 50/85? Just asking about your style, really- but I've found that the two lenses I use the most when traveling are a UWA zoom first, a fast 35 second, and an 85 third, with the standard zoom coming in last...
Neurad1 wrote:
@GMPhotography@: Did you ditch your Sony 12-24? Still loving mine. Still haven't gotten the Nisi filter holder....
Yes the Laowa 15 was beating it and the Loxia 21 so given the filter and manual focus decided to stay prime here. So I’m getting this lens but I did sell the Loxia and deciding now whether to buy back the 21 or wait for the Loxia 24. Or go back to the Tokina Firin 20 which I liked. First this zoom. Heading out now to Big Bronco to give it a test. Also need to send the loaner back this morning.
johnctharp wrote:
No fast 35 or 50/85? Just asking about your style, really- but I've found that the two lenses I use the most when traveling are a UWA zoom first, a fast 35 second, and an 85 third, with the standard zoom coming in last...
But that's me!
I have a Loxia 35 and like (not love) its IQ. But I find that I just don't use 35mm, especially indoors where I need fast. When outside in good light 35mm will be covered adequately by the 24-105. This (as you imply) is a very personal preference...There is no "right" when it comes to FL choices. I also have a 55 1.8 and both the Batis 85 and 85 1.4 GM. The Batis would certainly be light enough to be travel-worthy, but again I don't use that FL enough to take it along. The only prime FL that I really expect to use enough to bring is at the wide end...and I struggle with whether 18 or 21 would be better.
The Laowa 15 beat the zoom at 15. The Loxia 21 was better than the zoom at 21 but not by much. The Firin is actually sharper than the Loxia but less in the sun stars and flare. Overall the Loxia 21 is nicer though. But don’t count out a very sharp Firin 20 here. It’s sharp even wide open
