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Archive 2019 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - ...

Jannik Peters
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Hi folks,

as promised, I collected good copies of all lenses and started a comparison of these lenses which will take quite some time.

Before we get into that discussion once more, let me quote Roger Cicala: “I’ve only tested 5,000 zooms so far so all I can say is the frequency of a zoom perfect at all focal lengths is lower than 1 in 5,000.”

These are just my copies of these lenses although they are good copies of these lenses in my opinion.

I started with a sharpness test. Let me guide you to our blog, the test charts would bloat this page as hell: Shootout at [url=http://www.phillipreeve.net]www.phillipreeve.net [/url]

I am impressed by all these lenses but the GM just came out on top of that bunch with a few exceptions (35mm wide open and 24mm mid zone dip).

Surprisingly, all copies are not that bad at the long end.

I hope this will help some folks to make one of the most difficult decisions in our system.

Cheers,
Jannik

Apr 05, 2019 at 07:04 AM

Chris_88
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Thanks for taking the time to do this comparison, Jannik. I'm sure it will become another important reference point for everybody pondering those options.

I don't have any experience with the Tamron, but I can say my 24-70 GM was extremely impressive from 24 through 50 and very good beyond. However, it took me three copies to get a good one. It took only one try to get a good 24-105. My impression is that the GM reached across the frame sharpness faster than the 24-105 between 24 and 50, but the latter is very consistent all the way up to 105mm.

Apr 05, 2019 at 08:45 AM

Stoffer
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Yes thanks for doing this, Jannik!

Looking forward to the rendering/bokeh comparison. That could be very interesting!

Apr 05, 2019 at 08:47 AM

Tristan.W
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Nice working! Thanks!

V.s your copies, looks like my 24105 is softer at 105 (though it's even).
My 2470GM might have a bit sharper 24-35, including corners.

Apr 05, 2019 at 10:39 AM

Jannik Peters
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Tristan.W wrote:
V.s your copies, looks like my 24105 is softer at 105 (though it's even).
My 2470GM might have a bit sharper 24-35, including corners.

Sample variation is everywhere

Apr 05, 2019 at 03:07 PM

vdo1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

I’m not sure if others are looking at this aspect too, but there are different ways in which lenses may be “soft” especially in the corners. Some are exactly “soft” like slightly unfocused or having a gaussian blur. Others are more dramatic and look like “smeared” and may also be accompanied by chroma artifacts (looking like LaCA and/or ISO noise). I definitely prefer the first kind as it attracts less attention, and, in many scenes, it can be perceived as more of a function of the 3-dimensionality of the objects than a lens fault. The second type nearly always stands out. Any comments from this perspective?

Apr 06, 2019 at 03:12 AM

Tristan.W
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Jannik Peters wrote:
Sample variation is everywhere

Compared to the last copy of the 2.8/24-70 GM, the new one could be a tad weaker at the short end but quite a bit better at the long end. Actually I prefer the behavior of my recent sample as it is more constant across the zoom range and better for portraits.

Exactly! my copy has relative weak corner-sharpness around 70mm. I was trying to change a copy, same situations as yours, really hard decisions, finally keep my current copy.
Maybe i will try my luck some day this summer.

Apr 06, 2019 at 03:33 AM

rji2goleez
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Thanks for this review Jannik! As you state, you can't go wrong with any of these lenses. If the size and weight and cost of the GM don't bother you, get it! But the other two lenses (both of which I own) are stellar.

Apr 06, 2019 at 06:13 AM

timballic
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Apart from the resolution, the Tamron seems to have the greatest contrast and image separation in your tests, though I didn't look minutely.

Apr 06, 2019 at 12:59 PM

Jannik Peters
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

timballic wrote:
Apart from the resolution, the Tamron seems to have the greatest contrast and image separation in your tests, though I didn't look minutely.

I actually think that the Tamron renders a lot warmer. This influences the impression, very much like the Sigma 1.8/135 vs GM 1.8/135 by Fred.

In my opinion, the GM is the lens with the best contrast.

Apr 06, 2019 at 02:16 PM

grahamgibson
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Excellent comparison, I’m looking forward to the bokeh shootout.

Apr 06, 2019 at 04:11 PM

Jannik Peters
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Part 2: Macro capabilities is now online.

Another interesting comparison to get a clearer view on these options.

My summary:

The Tamron 2.8/28-75 looks like a macro specialist under the standard zooms on the paper. Can it live up to that in practical work? Mostly yes! Sharpness is useful at both ends. Macro images at 75mm and f2.8 have a odd characteristic that I dislike a lot. Low contrast of the subject and crazy outlining will be interesting for Trioplan lovers at best, I am not one of them. Stopping down to f5.6 tames the beast and turns this into a good macro option. What makes this lens special is the 28mm macro feature which is a very serious option when it comes to sharpness and rendering.

The Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS takes the good second place in my personal order as it has the longest focal length and the highest magnification at the long end. It renders acceptably there and can be very useful for nature photography.

The Sony FE 2.8/24-70 GM does nothing special for me at macro distances although it keeps image quality and sharpness mostly under control which makes it still useful for documentary work.

Apr 08, 2019 at 02:01 AM

milkod2001
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

grahamgibson wrote:
Excellent comparison, I’m looking forward to the bokeh shootout.

I second that. Bokeh comparison would be great.

Apr 08, 2019 at 05:46 AM

Jannik Peters
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

I shot already several scenes, this article will follow next

A small preview is already visible in the macro article (at close up distance).

Apr 08, 2019 at 05:48 AM

eyal
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Nice job Jannik and I really like your opening line - "Standard zooms are the swiss knifes for photographers who need flexibility, can’t change lenses or prefer exact framing over prime qualities."

Too often I feel like zooms are labeled as 'lazier' approaches whereas I greatly prefer the flexibility (especially in rapidly changing light conditions) and the 'exact framing' as you put it.

Apr 08, 2019 at 06:13 AM

grahamgibson
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Another very nice and well-considered article. Interesting bokeh on that Tamron for sure.

I might suggest another section (if possible) that could compare carrying one of these zoom lenses to a set of primes. I currently have a 28/2, 55/1.8, and 85/1.8, but have considered trading 2 or all 3 of these in for a zoom. It would be interesting to see the look and bokeh that these lenses display at their extremes capturing a similar subject. How does a waist-up portrait look at 55/1.8 vs 75/2.8 vs 85/1.8 vs 105/4 (adjusting distance to keep the subject the same size in frame)?

Apr 08, 2019 at 12:03 PM

Charlie N
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

grahamgibson wrote:
Another very nice and well-considered article. Interesting bokeh on that Tamron for sure.

I might suggest another section (if possible) that could compare carrying one of these zoom lenses to a set of primes. I currently have a 28/2, 55/1.8, and 85/1.8, but have considered trading 2 or all 3 of these in for a zoom. It would be interesting to see the look and bokeh that these lenses display at their extremes capturing a similar subject. How does a waist-up portrait look at 55/1.8 vs 75/2.8 vs 85/1.8 vs 105/4 (adjusting distance to keep the subject the same size in...Show more →

primes > zooms, no question

all about convenience and good enough.

the 24-105, while not that big, is substantially bigger than a single small prime mounted. F4 indoors, the iso goes up pretty quick.

28-75, a little smaller than the 24-105, less range, better in low light compared to the zoom.

small primes are much smaller than single zooms, however, if carrying many, then they can add up and end up heavier. 1 stop of light, and additional blur. Decision isnt easy, pros and cons to all. Nice thing is that all have pretty good image quality. A home, I typically have the zoom mounted, but when I go out, I often pick the primes. Cant really make up my mind on which is superior, so I simply keep whatever I can.

Apr 08, 2019 at 12:28 PM

Ronny Olsson
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Jannik Peters wrote:
Part 2: Macro capabilities is now online.

Another interesting comparison to get a clearer view on these options.

My summary:

The Tamron 2.8/28-75 looks like a macro specialist under the standard zooms on the paper. Can it live up to that in practical work? Mostly yes! Sharpness is useful at both ends. Macro images at 75mm and f2.8 have a odd characteristic that I dislike a lot. Low contrast of the subject and crazy outlining will be interesting for Trioplan lovers at best, I am not one of them. Stopping down to f5.6 tames the beast and turns this into a...Show more →

Nice review Jannik

not as good as a macro lens but 24-105G work quit ok

A7R II+Sony FE 24-105/4,0 G OSS by Ronny Olsson, on Flickr

Apr 08, 2019 at 12:46 PM

codyconway
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

Good review. I’ve been on the fence about the three. Deciding if it’s time to fetch up and pickup a used Gm for 1700 or a greentoe 24-105 or just find a good priced tamron. I ultimately decided on the tamron since it will be used for a lot of macro style photographs of wildlife in the wild to replace my current 28-70 kit lens (which frankly is an amazing copy) one of my favorite situational photographs from Vietnam was with my a7r and 28-70 just over two years ago.
https://flic.kr/p/TsfbZs

With an upcoming live aboard expedition to Komodo before its closure in 2020, this lens will instrumental for my dragon shots. I plan to pair it with either the tamron 17-28 or the Sony 14-24 (likely) as well as my 90mm macro and 100-400 with Both TC in order to have a does all kit that fits in a single ICU large. While the bokeh is semi distracting in the tamron, the weight savings will help as will cost savings in the end.

Cheers

Apr 08, 2019 at 01:19 PM

fplstudio
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Sony 2.8/24-70 GM vs. Tamron 2.8/28-75 vs. Sony 4/24-105 side by side - The big shootout

I am surprised about the not that great performance of the 24-105 around its wider settings...I don't recall that . Yes, probably good enough when primes are out of the game but definitely might give disappointment.

Apr 08, 2019 at 06:26 PM

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