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.
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
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.
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 ;-)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 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. Strickly on rendering though, 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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
