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Archive 2021Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
p.34 #1Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Placed my pre-order at B&H at 7:00 AM EST. Already posted both my FE Distagon 35/1.4 ZA and FE 35/1.8 in the For Sale forum. Based on my prior experience with the 24/1.4 GM and 20/1.8 G I am willing to do a pre-order. Of course if something comes up in the next four weeks I can cancel it.
Will wait and see what we get.
Will wait and see what we get.
Jan 14, 2021 at 06:34 AM
p.34 #2Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
DavidBM wrote:
For example:
A. Is the massive amount of CA present in raw-files and then it gets corrected once you tick the 'Remove Chromatic Aberration' from the Lens Correction tab? If so, I still think the new GM is not so well corrected since, for example with the Batis 2/40 CF, I never remove the chromatic aberrations in LR and I rarely if ever see them at all.
B. The Adobe Profile is somehow 'broken' and it exaggerates the CA of the new GM.
C. CA corrections are baked in the raw-files already in the camera (for all modern lenses) and for some reasons (how does Adobe profile relate to this) Dpreview gallery shows the unbaked results.
D. Something else...?
Help me to cover the whole story.I don't think it has anything to do with the raw conversion.
It's just that later samples and tests don't show as much CA. And some reliable unbaked carefully done ones too.
No-one yet knows how to explain the difference. I'd love to know. Two possibilities are that what we saw in the DPR is a flukily extreme case, with a perfect storm of backlight, distance, location in frame etc that is very rare, or even that their sample was off. But these are pure speculations. I look forward to seeing more samples and tests, and might even get a review copy myself I'm so intrigued.Over the recent years there has been some changes in LR regarding corrections of chromatic aberrations. I remember that at some point LR had a text in the Lens Correction tab which said something like 'the chromatic aberrations has been automatically corrected to a file' (even if you had bypassed them in camera) and the 'Remove Chromatic Aberration' was unticked. So, some sort of automatical corrections had already taken place before we could see the real aberrations. Some people tested the lenses with electricity cut off for seeing the real image performance. This was the way it was, if I remember correctly..
Now, I'm thinking if the Dpreview samples show the lens performance without automatic corrections which happens 'behind the scenes' (ie. they have some sort of different way to do raw conversions than using the latest LR). Having this sort of 'behind the scenes' automatic corrections of chromatic aberrations also makes sense for the lens manufacturers because they don't have to show how much the lens performance is depended on computational approaches (personally I have nothing against them as long as wise compromises are taken with them; just another tool in designers toolbox).These are corrections of lateral chromatic aberrations. The issue here is longitudinal chromatic aberrations. LR has never automatically corrected them, for the good reason that it Is a lossy process, (unlike lateral correction) and really needs user involvement with a fringing tool tool to balance artefacts and correction. Maybe one day there will be AI based LoCA correction.
"Maybe one day there will be AI based LoCA correction."
You would think it would be fairly easy to do compared to some of the things available today. Like everything though you just have to follow the money. These companies obviously see developing AI for things like sky replacement as more profitable. Just tells us that most (except for here at FM ) don't really care about LoCA.
Kalainen wrote
DavidBM wrote
Kalainen wrote
Can someone explain me why we saw the massive amount of CA in on first dpreview examples, but now it seems everybody agrees that there is none or very little? I hear people saying 'Adobe profile' but nobody seems to explain further why and how Adobe profile is related to this.For example:
A. Is the massive amount of CA present in raw-files and then it gets corrected once you tick the 'Remove Chromatic Aberration' from the Lens Correction tab? If so, I still think the new GM is not so well corrected since, for example with the Batis 2/40 CF, I never remove the chromatic aberrations in LR and I rarely if ever see them at all.
B. The Adobe Profile is somehow 'broken' and it exaggerates the CA of the new GM.
C. CA corrections are baked in the raw-files already in the camera (for all modern lenses) and for some reasons (how does Adobe profile relate to this) Dpreview gallery shows the unbaked results.
D. Something else...?
Help me to cover the whole story.
It's just that later samples and tests don't show as much CA. And some reliable unbaked carefully done ones too.
No-one yet knows how to explain the difference. I'd love to know. Two possibilities are that what we saw in the DPR is a flukily extreme case, with a perfect storm of backlight, distance, location in frame etc that is very rare, or even that their sample was off. But these are pure speculations. I look forward to seeing more samples and tests, and might even get a review copy myself I'm so intrigued.
Now, I'm thinking if the Dpreview samples show the lens performance without automatic corrections which happens 'behind the scenes' (ie. they have some sort of different way to do raw conversions than using the latest LR). Having this sort of 'behind the scenes' automatic corrections of chromatic aberrations also makes sense for the lens manufacturers because they don't have to show how much the lens performance is depended on computational approaches (personally I have nothing against them as long as wise compromises are taken with them; just another tool in designers toolbox).
"Maybe one day there will be AI based LoCA correction."
You would think it would be fairly easy to do compared to some of the things available today. Like everything though you just have to follow the money. These companies obviously see developing AI for things like sky replacement as more profitable. Just tells us that most (except for here at FM ) don't really care about LoCA.
Jan 14, 2021 at 06:41 AM
p.34 #3Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Happy pre-order day folks. For the bargain hunters out there, a slew of 24s, 35s and 40s on B/S board! Hopefully the rollout goes smoother than the 24GM which was back ordered for ages after release.
So is the consensus that a 16GM is next?
So is the consensus that a 16GM is next?
Jan 14, 2021 at 06:44 AM
p.34 #4Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
kroyston wrote:
Happy pre-order day folks. For the bargain hunters out there, a slew of 24s, 35s and 40s on B/S board! Hopefully the rollout goes smoother than the 24GM which was back ordered for ages after release.
So is the consensus that a 16GM is next?
Would prefer either a 15mm or even a 14mm - probably an f/2.8 would be great.
Happy pre-order day folks. For the bargain hunters out there, a slew of 24s, 35s and 40s on B/S board! Hopefully the rollout goes smoother than the 24GM which was back ordered for ages after release.
So is the consensus that a 16GM is next?
Would prefer either a 15mm or even a 14mm - probably an f/2.8 would be great.
Jan 14, 2021 at 06:51 AM
p.34 #5Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Jochenb wrote:
This must be the nicest AF 35/1.4 I've ever seen, a lens I've been wanting ever since I got into the A7 series back in 2013.
The EU price difference (compared to the 24GM) bothers me a bit, but it'll still be a must-have lens.
After accounting for the 21% Value Added Tax, the European price is still significantly higher than the U.S price. I assume that this is not arbitrary and reflects real costs of some kind. Any idea what they are?
This must be the nicest AF 35/1.4 I've ever seen, a lens I've been wanting ever since I got into the A7 series back in 2013.
The EU price difference (compared to the 24GM) bothers me a bit, but it'll still be a must-have lens.
After accounting for the 21% Value Added Tax, the European price is still significantly higher than the U.S price. I assume that this is not arbitrary and reflects real costs of some kind. Any idea what they are?
Jan 14, 2021 at 06:52 AM
p.34 #6Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Juist preordered one myself. If its anything like the 24mm GM I will be happy. 35mm is not my favorite focal length to use but when I do use 35mm I have been quite happy with the 35mm 2.8. Sometimes I feel its too small on my A7RIV and not fast enough though. Hopefully the new 35mm GM will be a winner.
Jan 14, 2021 at 06:57 AM
p.34 #7Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
chiron wrote:
Exactly how I feel about it (though the present 50mm is a very fine lens). This 35 GM is the lens that I have wanted to have. Last week I sold a mint copy of my Canon EF 35mm 1.4 to free up funds (and space) for this one.
For the 50mm I am really going to have to see a head to head comparison with the Sony/Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 ZA. I've been very happy with that lens and its size is not a problem for me. If I need smaller I take my Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 or Loxia 50mm f/2.
Chuck Coyne wrote
Just used the Adorama link and ordered it. I've been so looking forward to this GM lens for years! Now that 16mm, 28mm, 50mm to round out the lineFor the 50mm I am really going to have to see a head to head comparison with the Sony/Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 ZA. I've been very happy with that lens and its size is not a problem for me. If I need smaller I take my Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 or Loxia 50mm f/2.
Jan 14, 2021 at 07:00 AM
p.34 #8Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
TheDeadTexan wrote:
Just checked B&H and they're still not offering the EDU discount on the 24GM even after all this time, so there's no way they'll discount this one when it launches.
Looks like the 24mm has an EDU price of $1118 at B&H now. (20% off). I imagine the 35mm will get similar treatment if you wait a while.
Just checked B&H and they're still not offering the EDU discount on the 24GM even after all this time, so there's no way they'll discount this one when it launches.
Looks like the 24mm has an EDU price of $1118 at B&H now. (20% off). I imagine the 35mm will get similar treatment if you wait a while.
Jan 14, 2021 at 07:21 AM
p.34 #9Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Well the planar 50mm is a fine lens... But its AF performance is not on the same league than the 135 and 35gm, the rendering is ok but not as smooth as the sigma or the voigtlander nokton, the weight is ok, but not as light as these 24 and 35 GM
Not to say that the sharpness at mid frame is okish at best.
All in all, a fine lens, but definitely not the ultimate 50mm we could expect from a GM lens like the 135 or this 35mm. We definitely know now that sony is capable of making a light lens without these flaws.
Not to say that the sharpness at mid frame is okish at best.
All in all, a fine lens, but definitely not the ultimate 50mm we could expect from a GM lens like the 135 or this 35mm. We definitely know now that sony is capable of making a light lens without these flaws.
Jan 14, 2021 at 07:24 AM
p.34 #10Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
swldstn wrote:
Exactly how I feel about it (though the present 50mm is a very fine lens). This 35 GM is the lens that I have wanted to have. Last week I sold a mint copy of my Canon EF 35mm 1.4 to free up funds (and space) for this one.For the 50mm I am really going to have to see a head to head comparison with the Sony/Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 ZA. I've been very happy with that lens and its size is not a problem for me. If I need smaller I take my Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 or Loxia 50mm f/2.
Yes, the Sony 50/1.4 makes beautiful images.
chiron wrote
Chuck Coyne wrote
Just used the Adorama link and ordered it. I've been so looking forward to this GM lens for years! Now that 16mm, 28mm, 50mm to round out the lineYes, the Sony 50/1.4 makes beautiful images.
Jan 14, 2021 at 07:25 AM
p.34 #11Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Pre-ordered at 7:01 EST at B&H, and, yes, I am among a growing group of sellers that has a lens for sale among the "slew of 24s, 35s and 40s on the B/S board."
Jan 14, 2021 at 07:27 AM
p.34 #12Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Hopped on the pre-order bandwagon. Fully committed at this point to making it work no matter how many times I have to return to B&H for copy variation as I sold my very perfectly centered Sigma 35 1.2 (like almost 100% no joke). I just couldn't ignore the weight and size savings, as this will buy me room in my standard back-country 1-2 day load-out to bring a second body; which will double my productivity since my working style usually involves 5-10 minute long exposure stacks or very long astro sessions.
Jan 14, 2021 at 07:41 AM
p.34 #13Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Seems very likely given rumor chatter that we'll get a 16 1.8 GM. I'd be very happy with this. 15 would be a touch better of course, but beggars and choosers. Hopefully it's small and a lot less $$$$ than the 12-24 2.8 GM. I don't think Sony whiffs anymore with lenses.
In the meantime a 35 1.4 GM will get a lot more use than an ultra wide prime.
kroyston wrote:
Happy pre-order day folks. For the bargain hunters out there, a slew of 24s, 35s and 40s on B/S board! Hopefully the rollout goes smoother than the 24GM which was back ordered for ages after release.
So is the consensus that a 16GM is next?
In the meantime a 35 1.4 GM will get a lot more use than an ultra wide prime.
kroyston wrote:
Happy pre-order day folks. For the bargain hunters out there, a slew of 24s, 35s and 40s on B/S board! Hopefully the rollout goes smoother than the 24GM which was back ordered for ages after release.
So is the consensus that a 16GM is next?
Jan 14, 2021 at 07:43 AM
p.34 #14Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I have two other 35mm lenses--the 35/1.8 and the 35/1.4 ZA. I don't think that I am going to sell either one, at least not now. The 35/1.8 is very small and light, is sharp, and has a documentary look in its images that I like for many purposes. The 35/1.4 ZA has gorgeous rendering, and I think it may be a quite different look than the new 35/1.4. The 35mm focal length is one of my favorites. I really lean toward the middle ranges, from 24mm to 135mm. So I am happy to have these.
Jan 14, 2021 at 07:50 AM
p.34 #15Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
My preorder is in now the waiting game.
Jan 14, 2021 at 08:16 AM
p.34 #16Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I'm all for using Fred's links whenever possible, but if you buy from B&H or Adorama be prepared for a wait and keep your other lenses for a while longer! Best bet is to have a good relationship with a brick and mortar. I've been able to get scarce gear from Mike's Camera in Boulder many months ahead of availability on-line. GM24, 24-105, and many others
Jan 14, 2021 at 08:50 AM
p.34 #18Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
For those that had to wait for the 24GM, how long was the backlog for backorders? A couple of months maybe? It’s not available yet here even for pre-order and I’m wondering if I need to order it stateside for pickup in the summer. Also not willing to pay a heavy premium just for a few months head start. Like they said in Japan it’s $1,900ish, and I just can’t stomach that at this point. The 35 f/1.8 was priced virtually the same as in the USA here so I am hoping for something similar. But no announced price yet. So I wonder about the timing of ore-ordering and receipt when scheduling travel and such.
Jan 14, 2021 at 09:13 AM
p.34 #19Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
abadger wrote:
For those that had to wait for the 24GM, how long was the backlog for backorders? A couple of months maybe? It’s not available yet here even for pre-order and I’m wondering if I need to order it stateside for pickup in the summer. Also not willing to pay a heavy premium just for a few months head start. Like they said in Japan it’s $1,900ish, and I just can’t stomach that at this point. The 35 f/1.8 was priced virtually the same as in the USA here so I am hoping for something similar. But no announced price yet....Show more →
Wouldn't it be cheaper for you to order from Hong Kong? As I understand Hong Kong has the lowest prices anywhere.
For those that had to wait for the 24GM, how long was the backlog for backorders? A couple of months maybe? It’s not available yet here even for pre-order and I’m wondering if I need to order it stateside for pickup in the summer. Also not willing to pay a heavy premium just for a few months head start. Like they said in Japan it’s $1,900ish, and I just can’t stomach that at this point. The 35 f/1.8 was priced virtually the same as in the USA here so I am hoping for something similar. But no announced price yet....Show more →
Wouldn't it be cheaper for you to order from Hong Kong? As I understand Hong Kong has the lowest prices anywhere.
Jan 14, 2021 at 09:32 AM
p.34 #20Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nhsonyshooter wrote:
I am going to keep Sigma 35/1.2 as my indoors and around the neighborhood lens and use Sony Zeiss 35/2.8 as my walk around/travel lens for now. Those of you pre-ordering this lens tomorrow, you are the real MVP. As someone else said earlier, next holiday season when half of you realize that 35mm is not the FL for you and Sony is discounting this lens ~ 30% (like they did for 24 GM last month) is when I will happily buy this lens for $1000 on B&S Forum. Cheers!Interesting take? So you want the GM but you feel it's somehow only worth it when you get it for 30% less. Yet you just paid more than the GM for the same focal length lens that's twice as heavy? Hmmmm.
I am all about small and light system. That is why I am interested in Sony 35/1.4. Otherwise Sigma meets and exceeds my expectations and sets the bar pretty high up. My main reason to switch to Sony from Nikon was availability of high quality compact lenses on the Sony system and eye AF. Before purchasing this Sigma, all my lenses were under a lb each. I purchased Sigma with intention of just trying it for a while to see how I would feel about a giant lens. I fully expected to hate it and sell it on the B&S forum (basically a long term rental), but as I said earlier, I am amazed by the lens performance and I think the IQ and rendering totally make up for its giant size and hefty weight.
IMO neither Sigma nor Sony are compact enough to be a comfortable walk around lens. Both are big (Sigma is just on the extreme end of that big). In my mind, Sigma gives me the justification to keep Sony 35/2.8 ZA or Sigma 45/2.8 C around as a general purpose walk around lens; both are compact enough and cheap enough that I wouldn't worry too much about handing it over to my wife for taking kids pictures when we are outdoors and my wife doesn't mind carrying the camera in her purse/bag (a huge feature for me).
Sony 35/1.4 will no doubt be a hit, but I don't know if it will replace the rendering of Sigma 35/1.2 for me. Sigma is just magical. For now my GAS is under control by Sigma, but I am sure the Sony image thread on this forum will soon give me GAS problems again. I think Sony is totally worth its full price and some more, if you are a pro and make money using your camera. I don't. I just like to take beautiful pictures or my kids and enjoy this hobby. This lens, as good as it is, will lose roughly quarter of its value in a year (as evident by Sony discounts and B&S posts this past holiday season). I want this lens. I just don't want it enough to pay the early adopter price. That's all what I was saying. After discovering the FM forum, honestly I don't think I will ever buy a brand new lens again as a hobbyist. Not only it is cheaper to buy almost brand new lenses here, you are more likely to get well tested copies and less variance.
ramesesthe2nd wrote
I purchased Sigma 35/1.2 last week and my jaw is still on the floor from its amazing IQ. The Sony seems as good, if not better, than the Sigma. Kudos to Sony for keeping these high quality GM lenses small and compact and not go the Canon and Nikon route of making oversized giant lenses. That being said, this lens is almost the same weight as Tamron 28-75mm zoom. I don't think it will be pleasant to walk around with this lens on a full frame body. It certainly is better than Sigma 35/1.2, but nobody buys that lens hoping they will get used to its weight.I am going to keep Sigma 35/1.2 as my indoors and around the neighborhood lens and use Sony Zeiss 35/2.8 as my walk around/travel lens for now. Those of you pre-ordering this lens tomorrow, you are the real MVP. As someone else said earlier, next holiday season when half of you realize that 35mm is not the FL for you and Sony is discounting this lens ~ 30% (like they did for 24 GM last month) is when I will happily buy this lens for $1000 on B&S Forum. Cheers!
I am all about small and light system. That is why I am interested in Sony 35/1.4. Otherwise Sigma meets and exceeds my expectations and sets the bar pretty high up. My main reason to switch to Sony from Nikon was availability of high quality compact lenses on the Sony system and eye AF. Before purchasing this Sigma, all my lenses were under a lb each. I purchased Sigma with intention of just trying it for a while to see how I would feel about a giant lens. I fully expected to hate it and sell it on the B&S forum (basically a long term rental), but as I said earlier, I am amazed by the lens performance and I think the IQ and rendering totally make up for its giant size and hefty weight.
IMO neither Sigma nor Sony are compact enough to be a comfortable walk around lens. Both are big (Sigma is just on the extreme end of that big). In my mind, Sigma gives me the justification to keep Sony 35/2.8 ZA or Sigma 45/2.8 C around as a general purpose walk around lens; both are compact enough and cheap enough that I wouldn't worry too much about handing it over to my wife for taking kids pictures when we are outdoors and my wife doesn't mind carrying the camera in her purse/bag (a huge feature for me).
Sony 35/1.4 will no doubt be a hit, but I don't know if it will replace the rendering of Sigma 35/1.2 for me. Sigma is just magical. For now my GAS is under control by Sigma, but I am sure the Sony image thread on this forum will soon give me GAS problems again. I think Sony is totally worth its full price and some more, if you are a pro and make money using your camera. I don't. I just like to take beautiful pictures or my kids and enjoy this hobby. This lens, as good as it is, will lose roughly quarter of its value in a year (as evident by Sony discounts and B&S posts this past holiday season). I want this lens. I just don't want it enough to pay the early adopter price. That's all what I was saying. After discovering the FM forum, honestly I don't think I will ever buy a brand new lens again as a hobbyist. Not only it is cheaper to buy almost brand new lenses here, you are more likely to get well tested copies and less variance.
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:15 AM