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Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

SoundHound
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p.21 #1 · p.21 #1 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

As for filters: I use the Hoya HD3 UV filters which are not $50-more like $150 (depending on diameter). They use 32 layers of coating and are tough, easy to clean as well as fingerprint resistant.

Jan 27, 2019 at 09:52 AM

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p.21 #2 · p.21 #2 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (crop mode) vs RX1R II "rendering" comparison

I've been shooting with the FE 24mm f/1.4 GM for a while and find its rendering superb. I've never seen a fast 24mm lens with such smooth and neutral OOF rendering at any distance while still offering very high resolution and contrast. To my eyes, only the RX1's Sonnar 35/2 and FE 85/1.4 GM lenses share similar rendering characteristics.

I've been getting requests to compare the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (crop mode) vs RX1R II rendering and was not surprised when I saw how similar they are. When cropping the 24mm f/1.4 GM to ~35mm (1.5x crop), we throw away 24 megapixels so this is something to consider depending on your image final output. There is also a hit in DR and SNR but strictly on rendering, I think we can compare the two at web sizes.

The 24/1.4 GM in crop mode will have very similar depth of field compared to the Sonnar 35/2 and aside from a slight crop for the latter, rendering is pretty much identical in color, smoothness and aberration control at pretty much any distance. I always thought that lenses with the best rendering have some axial CA and slight spherical aberration under correction and this is something both lenses share in common as well.

IMO, the 24/1.4 GM in crop mode yields slightly better OOF rendering towards the corners (smoother, less contrast) while specular highlights are more rounded and free of onion ring pattern compared to the RX1RII Sonnar's .

Enough talk...here are the comparisons.

We can only hope for a FE 40/1.4 GM!

Very slight crop for the Sonnar 35/2 compared to the FE 24/1.4 GM in crop mode (~36/2.1)

FE 24/1.4 GM in crop mode (36/2.1) on top | RX1RII bottom

E 24/1.4 GM in crop mode (36/2.1) on bottom | RX1RII top

FE 24/1.4 GM in crop mode (36/2.1) on top | RX1RII bottom

Jan 27, 2019 at 05:09 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.21 #3 · p.21 #3 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

patotts wrote:
Fred, may I asked why the EV is always pushed? Personal preference or you think the 7R3 underexposes?

Those are some great shots btw

The A7R III does not underexpose. The EV compensation you see is due to shooting in Metering "Highlight".
This metering mode exposes the scene for the highlights and I usually push +1.3 to +2.3 EV depending on the scene. It acts as an automatic ETTR and my images get better shadow detail without compromising the highlights.

Jan 27, 2019 at 05:17 PM

patotts
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p.21 #4 · p.21 #4 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
The A7R III does not underexpose. The EV compensation you see is due to shooting in Metering "Highlight".
This metering mode exposes the scene for the highlights and I usually push +1.3 to +2.3 EV depending on the scene. It acts as an automatic ETTR and my images get better shadow detail without compromising the highlights.

Many thanks, Fred. I have only used multi or spot metering and I have never tried any additional types. #homework #maybeIshouldreadthemanual ;-)

Jan 27, 2019 at 07:55 PM

nampramos
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p.21 #5 · p.21 #5 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Thank you Fred!

Jan 28, 2019 at 10:25 AM

pizdets17
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p.21 #6 · p.21 #6 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

So you would recommend using the Highlight metering at times like sunset/sunrise even if shooting multiple exposures?

Fred Miranda wrote:
The A7R III does not underexpose. The EV compensation you see is due to shooting in Metering "Highlight".
This metering mode exposes the scene for the highlights and I usually push +1.3 to +2.3 EV depending on the scene. It acts as an automatic ETTR and my images get better shadow detail without compromising the highlights.

Jan 28, 2019 at 11:12 AM

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p.21 #7 · p.21 #7 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

pizdets17 wrote:
So you would recommend using the Highlight metering at times like sunset/sunrise even if shooting multiple exposures?

Absolutely!
With the A7RII, the zebra pattern technique was my go-to ETTR metering tool but with cameras equipped with metering 'Highlight', I find that it can achieve very similar results automatically.
I usually leave my EV compensation @ +1.7 but that number varies depending on the lighting and scene exposure compensation.

Jan 28, 2019 at 12:00 PM

pizdets17
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p.21 #8 · p.21 #8 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

I used to use the zebra after reading your article, now with an a7r3 in the mail i was wondering if this was still the best practice. Thanks!

Jan 28, 2019 at 12:24 PM

httivals
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p.21 #9 · p.21 #9 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

I found when using ETTR + about 1.7 EV compensation (and bracketing) that the viewfinder was unusually dark. Is this normal? Is there some other setting I may have messed up? Thanks!

Fred Miranda wrote:
Absolutely!
With the A7RII, the zebra pattern technique was my go-to ETTR metering tool but with cameras equipped with metering 'Highlight', I find that it can achieve very similar results automatically.
I usually leave my EV compensation @ +1.7 but that number varies depending on the lighting and scene exposure compensation.

Jan 28, 2019 at 12:32 PM

grahamgibson
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p.21 #10 · p.21 #10 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Interesting RX1 comparison--thanks, Fred. Did you just sell your RX1rII? Using the 24GM instead now?

Jan 28, 2019 at 01:48 PM

trogdon
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p.21 #11 · p.21 #11 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

That’s an interesting comparison, thanks for posting it! I do love my RX1, but the bokeh really does not feel like an f2 lens, I know my sigma art 35 1.4 stopped down to f2 provides more blur. Seems like the slower equivalent 24mm does here as well!

Jan 28, 2019 at 07:07 PM

elicious
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p.21 #12 · p.21 #12 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Fred Miranda wrote:
Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (crop mode) vs RX1R II "rendering" comparison

I've been shooting with the FE 24mm f/1.4 GM for a while and find its rendering superb. I've never seen a fast 24mm lens with such smooth and neutral OOF rendering at any distance while still offering very high resolution and contrast. To my eyes, only the RX1's Sonnar 35/2 and FE 85/1.4 GM lenses share similar rendering characteristics. (The 50/1.4 ZA comes close as well)

I've been getting requests to compare the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (crop mode) vs RX1R II rendering and was not surprised when...Show more →

Thanks for posting those, Fred...very impressive results!

Also, my answer is: YES, I will attend the FM Forum backyard cooking you're hosting...that's why you posted these images, right?

Jan 28, 2019 at 07:57 PM

Coltrane
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p.21 #13 · p.21 #13 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Fred, your sample shots on page 20 are really outstanding!

Jan 28, 2019 at 08:23 PM

cdub77
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p.21 #14 · p.21 #14 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Wasn't sure how much use I'd get in a lens like this, but after watching the movie 'Roma' I'm dying for a 24mm prime. Every frame is a masterpiece in that film.

Jan 29, 2019 at 02:57 PM

jtra
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p.21 #15 · p.21 #15 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Cameralabs now has 24 GM review including comparison with Batis 25, Sigma 24 and Otus 28.

https://www.cameralabs.com/sony-fe-24mm-f1-4-gm-review/

Jan 29, 2019 at 03:22 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.21 #16 · p.21 #16 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

cdub77 wrote:
Wasn't sure how much use I'd get in a lens like this, but after watching the movie 'Roma' I'm dying for a 24mm prime. Every frame is a masterpiece in that film.

24mm is the new 35mm.

Jan 29, 2019 at 06:57 PM

Tommygun45
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p.21 #17 · p.21 #17 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Is the 24 1.4 on a FF body similar in use (albeit bigger) to the Zeiss 24 1.8 on the A6xxx bodies? I loved that combo but had to sell that lens. I am thinking of getting this 24 1.4 for family related stuff, gimbal work, indoor stuff mainly. I already have the 24-70 2.8 and 12-24 so I have the FL just want a nice fast wide prime. Because why not.

Jan 29, 2019 at 07:05 PM

ricmsm
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p.21 #18 · p.21 #18 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Tommygun45 wrote:
Is the 24 1.4 on a FF body similar in use (albeit bigger) to the Zeiss 24 1.8 on the A6xxx bodies?

Not the same, 24.14 on a FF body behaves like 24mm , the 24/1.8 on a A6xx body is aps-c (factor 1.5x) so the late behaves like a regular 35/36mm in Full Frame.

Jan 30, 2019 at 07:29 AM

Viramati
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p.21 #19 · p.21 #19 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

Just bought this lens and it will now be goodbye to the Leica Q. It really does seem to be a little gem and I am happy to use it in crop mode on the A7rIII which at 18mp is just fine for street work

Jan 30, 2019 at 09:40 AM

KarmaKramer
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p.21 #20 · p.21 #20 · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Review

So,a $1500 lens on a $3000 camera,cropped down to a different focal length and sized down to less than half its megapixels. Hmmm ? Sounds like a different camera/lens would be better.
Why not crop in editing and maintain the mp

Viramati wrote:
Just bought this lens and it will now be goodbye to the Leica Q. It really does seem to be a little gem and I am happy to use it in crop mode on the A7rIII which at 18mp is just fine for street work

Jan 30, 2019 at 09:44 AM

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