p.12 #1 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
trstahly wrote:
I have the Nokton but also got the 20 1.8 for two different things. Critical landscape work will be with the Voigt but for everyday walk around and switching it quickly to 30mm on my a7riv by pressing C2 for crop mode AF will be welcome.
I think this actually pretty common in this crowd here on FM. If I did not have the sigma 14-24 than this would make sense along with the 35. Most here are more landscape and travel kinds of things. Why I like the 2 lens kit scenario
p.12 #2 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
akashyap wrote:
Blegh. This is exactly the lens I was looking for, but I'm beginning to get turned off by the sample images. I don't see the same pop/contrast/character as the 24 GM and other Zeiss / Voigtlander lenses I like.
Albert Dros pretty much took care of my concerns about that for me with his review pix - I can only hope to use the lens as well as he has already. Was close to going after the Voigtlander 21 but prefer the Sony now - or at least am hoping it satisfies when it arrives.
I will be getting the first one to arrive at Berger Camera so am looking forward to receiving a good sample hopefully.
p.12 #4 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
I dont see this besting any existing MF lenses at the focal length. Is AF needed this wide? Wide shooters of people might like it if they don’t have the Batis 18 already. Seems like a video tool mostly.
p.12 #5 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
KarmaKramer wrote:
I dont see this besting any existing MF lenses at the focal length. Is AF needed this wide? Wide shooters of people might like it if they don’t have the Batis 18 already. Seems like a video tool mostly.
Remember there is only one true plane of focus where ultimum focus is achieved and the whole depth of field focus is just what is considered acceptable focus when an 8x10 print is viewed from arms length.
For all the detailed analysis of sharpness between lenses we do here should just be thrown out if we rely on depth of field focus rather than critical plane focus.
p.12 #7 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
I like having both MF and AF glass so there are definitely places I overlap.
Problem with the Loxia (an not really a problem) is the if you want to switch them out for the Voigtlanders is actually going to cost you because the resale value of the Loxia's has dropped quite a bit so its not even a swap.
So the only thing that I find helpful is to remember that the Loxia the I have (21, 35, 50) are all lighter and smaller than the Voigtlanders of 21/1.4 40/1.2 50/1.2. Got to find some reason not to spend more money and switch.
p.12 #8 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
jhinkey wrote:
So is it also crazy to have:
21/1.4 CV
20/1.8G
21/2.8 Lox
21/3.5 CV
Very subjective but here are my thoughts on them:
Loxia 21/2.8: Very high IQ, compact landscape lens. Still my personal favorite for landscape photography. FE 24/1.4 GM: Negligible field curvature and coma, compact for a f/1.4, high IQ, and a great choice for low light, travel, environment portraits and as a general wide walk around.
Your other lenses:
CV 21/3.5: Cheaper and even more compact than the Loxia but with a noticeable mid-field dip even at smaller apertures. Good alternative for landscapes when carrying weight is a priority. CV 21/1.4: High IQ and distinctive rendering but I prefer the more compact and lighter Loxia for landscapes, especially when shooting against the light. I also prefer the 24/1.4 GM for other applications for its AF and smoother rendering. FE 20/1.8 G: It's almost a stop slower than the 24/1.4 GM but it's lighter, slightly more compact and cheaper. I don't think it will beat the Loxia or Voigtlander in resolution/contrast/flare resistance for landscapes but it could get close and it's weather sealed. Have not tried it yet but seems to be a great all-rounder. Although wider, I think it competes with the FE 24/1.4 GM for those who want a fast wide with AF for general photography. It's more challenging to shoot environment portraits with a 20mm lens.
p.12 #9 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
swldstn wrote:
I like having both MF and AF glass so there are definitely places I overlap.
Problem with the Loxia (an not really a problem) is the if you want to switch them out for the Voigtlanders is actually going to cost you because the resale value of the Loxia's has dropped quite a bit so its not even a swap.
So the only thing that I find helpful is to remember that the Loxia the I have (21, 35, 50) are all lighter and smaller than the Voigtlanders of 21/1.4 40/1.2 50/1.2. Got to find some reason not to spend more money and switch. ...Show more →
Fortunately I bought my 21Lox used, so if I sell it now it won't be as much of a hit. Now is not the best time to buy a new 21Lox for sure, unless it's way on sale.
p.12 #10 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
Fred Miranda wrote:
Very subjective but here are my thoughts on them:
Loxia 21/2.8: Very high IQ, compact landscape lens. Still my personal favorite for landscape photography. FE 24/1.4 GM: Negligible field curvature and coma, compact for a f/1.4, high IQ, and a great choice for low light, travel, environment portraits and as a general wide walk around.
Your other lenses:
CV 21/3.5: Cheaper and even more compact than the Loxia but with a noticeable mid-field dip even at smaller apertures. Good alternative for landscapes when carrying weight is a priority. CV 21/1.4: High IQ and distinctive rendering but I prefer the more compact and lighter Loxia for landscapes, especially when shooting against the light. I also prefer the 24/1.4 GM for other applications for its AF and smoother rendering. FE 20/1.8 G: It's almost a stop slower than the 24/1.4 GM but it's lighter, slightly more compact and cheaper. I don't think it will beat the Loxia or Voigtlander in resolution/contrast/flare resistance for landscapes but it could get close and it's weather sealed. Have not tried it yet but seems to be a great all-rounder. Although wider, I think it competes with the FE 24/1.4 GM for those who want a fast wide with AF for general photography. It's more challenging to shoot environment portraits with a 20mm lens. ...Show more →
I gotta say I've never been bothered by the mid-field dip of my 21./3.5 CV on my A7RIII, but I do notice a slight sharpness increase using my 21Lox, but it's really only noticeable at 100%.
I suspect I'll keep my 21/3.5CV and 21Lox even with the 20/1.8G coming soon. Just like I have the very very good (but not technically excellent) 85/1.8 Sony along with my excellent 85/4 ZM.
On vacation I tend to take AF lenses, out in the hills I'll take the smallest, around town or operating from the car, I'll take the best IQ lens. Guess I need the 85/2.4Lox then ...
p.12 #11 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
jhinkey wrote:
I gotta say I've never been bothered by the mid-field dip of my 21./3.5 CV on my A7RIII, but I do notice a slight sharpness increase using my 21Lox, but it's really only noticeable at 100%.
I suspect I'll keep my 21/3.5CV and 21Lox even with the 20/1.8G coming soon. Just like I have the very very good (but not technically excellent) 85/1.8 Sony along with my excellent 85/4 ZM.
On vacation I tend to take AF lenses, out in the hills I'll take the smallest, around town or operating from the car, I'll take the best IQ lens. Guess I need the 85/2.4Lox then ...
Yes, so many options right now, it's overwhelming.
Although the Loxia 85/2.4 is outstanding, I still prefer the 85/4 ZM for stopped down landscapes. They are pretty much equal starting at f/6.3 while the ZM is way smaller and lighter.
Soon after I posted my review, I bought the CV 21/3.5 and used it for almost a year. It was great stopped down on the A7R III but with a 60MP sensor, the discrepancy between center and mid-field resolution became too obvious for me. Still a light and compact 21mm option for Sony shooters.
It's hard to recommend the Loxia 21/2.8 today at $1,500 new but I expect used prices to drop even lower with the release of the new FE 20/1.8 G.
p.12 #12 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
PhilthePhrame wrote:
The other advantage of the Sony is it doesn’t have the white LED of the Batis, which is quite annoying in dark sky Astro conditions. Thanks for correcting my brain blip - f/2.8, of course, not f/2.
p.12 #13 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
DaveFP wrote:
Easy to shut off.
Yes, as you can note by actually reading this thread, I have described how to shut it off and provided a link to a YouTube video showing how to shut it off.
p.12 #14 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
Fred Miranda wrote:
It's more challenging to shoot environment portraits with a 20mm lens.
I'm considering an environmental/indoor/low light prime, and this looks like it would work well.
I was considering the 35/1.8 before this was announced.
Could you explain? Thanks.
p.12 #15 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
The wider the lens the more facial distortion occurs given the same size Of the human in the frame. 20mm on a human in close quarters is not recommended . Your far better off or let’s say more useful with a 35 lens for that type of shooting to get a little further away and cut that distortion down
p.12 #16 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
Merlin_AZ wrote:
I'm considering an environmental/indoor/low light prime, and this looks like it would work well.
I was considering the 35/1.8 before this was announced.
Could you explain? Thanks.
Facial distortion is not focal length dependent. It depends solely on camera to subject distance. So, as long as you maintain a good distance to your subject you should be ok even with a 20mm but I find it more restrictive to avoid distortion compared to using a longer lens.
p.12 #17 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
Thanks for the replies.
I was reviewing some of the early postings with images, and was surprised by how little distortion there was with at least 3/4-full body environmental portraits.
Even self-portraits hand-holding the camera at arm's length looked fine, but I didn't download them to take a closer look.
I'm just worried about using a 35 indoors at family functions in lower light, and not having enough room to back up if I want to.
I guess we'll see more reviews after the lens releases later this week.
Thanks again.
p.12 #19 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I pre-ordered through FM—excited for this one.
The last lens I pre-ordered was the GM 85.
Does anyone know the exact ship date besides this March? Sorry if I missed it.
My local US dealer has been told that they will have their initial order by the end of this week (March 6). He and I are a bit skeptical but we will see.
p.12 #20 · Back On Sale: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens for only $798 ($100 off)
Boy, I am having a hard time deciding if I want this lens or the CV21/3.5. Assuming I ever manage to sell my Leica 21/3.4 that is (it's on the B&S boards here ).
