p.29 #4 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
SpecFoto wrote:
A lot of folks keep mentioning they are surprised by the low price, in the USA the new 35 f1.4GM is the exact same price as the 24mm f1.4GM. When you compare these 2 lenses they are almost identical in size and functions, but the 35mm has 1 more standard element than the 24mm. However the 24mm has 5 special elements vs. only 3 for the 35mm. Let’s call the production costs a wash and thus I think the 35mm is priced exactly where it should be.
Many thought the 24mm was underpriced too, but by lowering the price maybe $200 from what they might have initially priced it at, Sony received a backlog of lens orders that took over a year to fill and they never had to put the 24mm on sale to help boost sales. Unlike some other new Sony lenses that were overpriced to begin with and had sales prices within 6 months of release. Constant sales/revenue makes financial planning and production departments happy and my feeling is that Sony wanted to repeat this with the new 35mm lens, thus they priced it less than they could have. But I would not expect to see this lens go on sale for quite a while. ...Show more →
I'm only surprised at the price difference between the US and EU...
p.29 #5 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
For whatever reason, this lens makes me want to trade in my R5 for an a7riv. I think it’s mostly because the Canon alternatives to Sony are so expensive and so heavy.
patotts wrote:
I think this is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Canon is position hard with outstanding pro glass, but in reality it kind of sucks carrying around $2,200-$2,700 primes that weighs upwards 2.6 lbs/1,200 gr.
Sony has great position being viewed as the technology leader/innovator, and by delivering top-notch but more sensibly weighted and priced GM glass, they can attract a much bigger market and install base. This 35/1.4 GM fits perfectly in that strategy and builds on already excellent glass like the 24/1.4 GM and the 135/1.8 GM. All that Sony will have to do at this point is to fix the menu system, refinements to grip/handling and add a full touch back-screen interface of higher quality/resolution - that is all doable. And oh yeah, option to keep the shutter down when changing lenses :-)
This 35/1.4 GM on a A7iV is going to be the bee’s knees (whenever that camera will become available). ...Show more →
Jan 13, 2021 at 03:36 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.29 #6 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I am not as surprised about the size of this lens as others, though I love it. What does surprise me is the price—I find it very odd that this lens totally outmodes the ZA 35 1.4 (small, faster, sharper, better corrected globally and seems to have better rendering) and that Sony plans on keep both in production simultaneously. I wonder it if reduces to contract and/or a legal obligation with Zeiss. Odd too as the G 35 was panned a bit for being overpriced. I also wonder if an RX1R3 is facing some contractual hurdle with Zeiss, or if Sony is any more likely to release it now that it’s GM and G 35’s are out. Or, if it really is just dead. Still hard for me to believe—the RX1R2 weighs less than this GM 35/1.4 lens alone.
Sony seems to grasp how important size and intelligent tradeoffs are for many shooters. This also gives me hope that Sony’s rumored 16 GM will be sized compactly for it’s class and specs, though I think it will be pried higher as the competition in fast UWA AF land is minima (similar to the GM 135)l. I am also super curious and hopeful Sony will keep pumping out a couple GM’s a year. I’d love to see a fast 100, 28 and 58-75 GM’s 1.4-2’s. A prime in the 58-75 range wold allow Sony to not duplicate/crowd the 50/1.4 ZA and 85/1.4 GM while offering different FL. Fuji’s upcoming 80/1.7, and the X 50/1 and Nikon 58/1.4 are great examples of these long 50mm’s/short tele’s that hit the spot for many shooters. I feel bad for Sigma here—Sony ate Sigma’s lunch for both the 35/2 and 35/1.2 with one lens. I know they are different prices and specs, but I do think when you offer this quality at this size, Sony is hurting Sigma sales.
Since the Rx1 is a joint Sony Zeiss project, at this point I assume that the Zeiss ZX1 put an end to that joint project. I don't think we will see a new version of that camera again. I think Sony carefully planned for the 35 f/1.8 (not a G just a plain Sony) to complement each other at this focal length. The GM has a faster aperture, better correction for aberrations, looks to be just as sharp, but to my eye a much nicer rendering. Still the 35 f/1.8 is a compelling package for a lot of people. It is very small focusses very fast, and is sharp. Add to that the tiny Sony/Zeiss 35 f/2.8 and Sony now has quite a compelling set of 35mm lenses.
p.29 #7 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Steve Spencer wrote:
Since the Rx1 is a joint Sony Zeiss project, at this point I assume that the Zeiss ZX1 put an end to that joint project. I don't think we will see a new version of that camera again. I think Sony carefully planned for the 35 f/1.8 (not a G just a plain Sony) to complement each other at this focal length. The GM has a faster aperture, better correction for aberrations, looks to be just as sharp, but to my eye a much nicer rendering. Still the 35 f/1.8 is a compelling package for a lot of people. It is very small focusses very fast, and is sharp. Add to that the tiny Sony/Zeiss 35 f/2.8 and Sony now has quite a compelling set of 35mm lenses....Show more →
I agree, and I highly doubt we are getting another RX1. The appeal is probably too low for the hassle of production, esp. as you pointed out, Sony now has 3 distinctly and thoughtfully placed 35mm’s. And then there’s the a7c...
But I do think the RX1x line is widely distinct and its one of the 3 releases I’ve wanted for the last 3 years. Oh well I guess.
p.29 #9 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nandadevieast wrote:
Batis is not for the gear nuts like me who want their lens to be great and great-looking both
I really do like the look and functionality of the GM lenses. I think they're my favourite so far...maybe I'd put the Sigma 'I' series alongside too. But the whole gestalt of the GM series is very good, Sony nailed it and I'm glad they've stuck with it. As for the Batis, I'm not a big fan of how they look or maybe even how they function, but I really like the 'feel'. They strike a very good balance of feeling solid yet light.
p.29 #13 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Dave Sanders wrote:
I really do like the look and functionality of the GM lenses. I think they're my favourite so far...maybe I'd put the Sigma 'I' series alongside too. But the whole gestalt of the GM series is very good, Sony nailed it and I'm glad they've stuck with it. As for the Batis, I'm not a big fan of how they look or maybe even how they function, but I really like the 'feel'. They strike a very good balance of feeling solid yet light.
And most importantly is the images delivered by the Batis lenses are outstanding, sharpness, colours and contrast.
p.29 #14 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
ShootPDX wrote:
For whatever reason, this lens makes me want to trade in my R5 for an a7riv. I think it’s mostly because the Canon alternatives to Sony are so expensive and so heavy.
When you realize the 24 and 35 GM combined weigh 969g and the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 weighs 950g...
p.29 #18 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Some more slightly more reliable takes on the GM 35 are out (eg lenstip) and I’m mystified. They show it having better CA control than most 35s, albeit not perfect, and being utterly sensational in other regards. Could DPR have shot a bad sample with the terrible CA in some of their samples? Their bokeh was messed up by EFCS ( unforgivable in a reputable site) but that shouldn’t induce CA. Maybe a worst case distance/subject combo that rarely would impact images? I’m tempted to try to get a review copy to find out what’s going on!
p.29 #19 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
DavidBM wrote:
Some more slightly more reliable takes on the GM 35 are out (eg lenstip) and I’m mystified. They show it having better CA control than most 35s, albeit not perfect, and being utterly sensational in other regards. Could DPR have shot a bad sample with the terrible CA in some of their samples? Their bokeh was messed up by EFCS ( unforgivable in a reputable site) but that shouldn’t induce CA. Maybe a worst case distance/subject combo that rarely would impact images? I’m tempted to try to get a review copy to find out what’s going on!
I don't see the issue with posting EFCS bokeh shots...many people will shoot that way and shows a "worst case" scenario.
p.29 #20 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Steve Spencer wrote:
Since the Rx1 is a joint Sony Zeiss project, at this point I assume that the Zeiss ZX1 put an end to that joint project.
The mid-february ship date is suspiciously close to 5 years after the ZA 35/1.4 was announced on March 5th afair. I wonder if there was some sort of moratorium or maybe it's just coincidence and Sony figured it's been long enough to not disgruntle ZA buyers.
