p.5 #1 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
JVan_02 wrote:
@nehemiahphoto@ I mean, to be fair you almost have that in the Batis line. Personally, my only regrets with the 40 are the low light performance and the size—and the former is the main reason I'm considering a replacement. I didn't grow up where I'm living now so I didn't think about it when purchasing, but the sun goes down before 14:00 today... and every other day until sometime in March .
If you live in an area with more consistent lighting for more of the year I'd give it a strong recommendation if you can find it on sale as I think it's overpriced considering the quirks—but the output is excellent. ...Show more →
I find the Batis line to not have that nice of a draw--at least the 40 and the 85--while the build is pretty bulky and I found the ergo crappy--I hate those slick textureless focus rings and unnecessary OLED displays and such. I did really enjoy my Batis 18 overall though. I've never shot the 135 or 25 Batis lenses.
For a premium line, I'd like good technical IQ + small size + excellent ergo + rendering and personality + quick AF and nice FBW implementation.
I am over the arm's race for lack of aberrations and resolution. And I would be very happy to pay premium pricing for that combo.
p.5 #2 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Steve Spencer wrote:
I think Sony could develop a high quality f/1.8 lens series. They have a good start with the 20 f/1.8 G. It would be easy to image a really nice 28 f/1.8 G and that would fill a hole in the lineup. If they added to that a 45 f/1.8G, a 75 f/1.8G, (they already have the 90 f/2.8G macro), just those five lenses would make a really nice G series of lenses and would complement well the 24 f/1.4 GM, (the rumored ) 35 f/1.4 GM, 50 f/1.4 ZA, 85 f/1.4 GM, and 135 f/1.8 GM (here we might expect a 50 f/1.2 or f/1.4 GM as well). I think those two lens series would be great and complement each other well. So, I think we have reason to hope that the ship hasn't sailed on that high quality f/1.8 lens series from Sony....Show more →
When I heard that Sony is going to start refreshing their lenses, the first lens I thought of was the FE 28/2. A redesign of that lens would do wonders for the line if they did it right.
p.5 #3 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
j4nu wrote:
Yes, but Batis 40 is closer to Sony FE 35 than Sonnar RX1...
To me 24GM is the best match (IQ, handling, size, weight - Sigma 85 dg dn gets pretty close too) for A7 bodies, so if we could get something similar for 35mm I'd jump in immediately. While I Love the output of the Sigma, I always notice the difference when I change the lens to something else ...
I agree that we missed our chance for premium ~f2 compact-ish lens series, but others are doing it (Nikon, Leica?) .
I'd say the 40 CF has its own unique look, but I agree with the general premise that the GM and sonnar lenses are more similar and a bit unique when considering the general scope of the market.
As for Nikon... well, if the Z6 had the same AF it does now back in 2018 when I upgraded from the OG A7r... those S-line 1.8 primes would have made me a Nikon shooter lol. The waters are a bit more murky now that the α7C + 28-60/35 1.8 FE/55 ZA/75 Samyang is a combination that exists—while I don't deny that Nikon's lenses have an advantage in general here in terms of output & construction... this is the form factor I have always been looking for. And who knows? Sony might pull off a miracle with the 35 GM and maybe hit something amazing like 520g for this lens.
As for Leica though... I feel like Nikon made fools of them by releasing lenses 1/10 the price and 1/2 the weight that are... 90% as good? 95%? 98%? It is exceedingly close, and truly at the absolute height of diminishing returns on money and weight.
p.5 #4 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I find the Batis line to not have that nice of a draw--at least the 40 and the 85--while the build is pretty bulky and I found the ergo crappy--I hate those slick textureless focus rings and unnecessary OLED displays and such. I did really enjoy my Batis 18 overall though. I've never shot the 135 or 25 Batis lenses.
For a premium line, I'd like good technical IQ + small size + excellent ergo + rendering and personality + quick AF and nice FBW implementation.
I am over the arm's race for lack of aberrations and resolution. And I would be very happy to pay premium pricing for that combo. ...Show more →
Have to disagree with you on the draw. Sure, it's not 35 sonnar sink your feet into 5 feet of Egyptian carpet comfortable—but it's undeniably better than most.
p.5 #5 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
JVan_02 wrote:
Have to disagree with you on the draw. Sure, it's not 35 sonnar sink your feet into 5 feet of Egyptian carpet comfortable—but it's undeniably better than most.
hmmm...I always find the Batis 40 relatively harsh for rendering, specifically the bokeh as it's high contrast with rough transitions, outlining, onion rings and non-circular specular highlights. It's a great lens, but not one I'd pick for bokeh in the 35mm to 50mm range. But, admittedly, I am picky about bokeh.
p.5 #6 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nehemiahphoto wrote:
hmmm...I always find the Batis 40 relatively harsh for rendering, specifically the bokeh as it's high contrast with rough transitions, outlining, onion rings and non-circular specular highlights. It's a great lens, but not one I'd pick for bokeh in the 35mm to 50mm range. But, admittedly, I am picky about bokeh.
I mean, I can make the 35 sonnar bokeh look bad too. From the public flickr gallery:
Though I'd never say the 40 is as smooth as the sonnar... I still think you're overemphasizing every bad quality about the lens. If the 35 1.8 FE is the working man's lens in terms of functionality in that it always does what you need, I'd say the 40 is the same way in terms of the output image. It may not shine in the same situations the 35 sonnar might... but I never have to worry about it either. It always captures its subject with lifelike accuracy due to its almost complete lack of optical flaws in the plane of focus, along with excellent cross frame resolution, great global and micro contrast, color reproduction, etc.
p.5 #7 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
JVan_02 wrote:
If the 35 1.8 FE is the working man's lens in terms of functionality in that it always does what you need, I'd say the 40 is the same way in terms of the output image. It may not shine in the same situations the 35 sonnar might... but I never have to worry about it either. It always captures its subject with lifelike accuracy due to its almost complete lack of optical flaws in the plane of focus, along with excellent cross frame resolution, great global and micro contrast, color reproduction, etc.
People love to poo-poo the 35 FE but I really enjoy mine for all the reasons you list, as well as size, and price.
p.5 #8 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I think we're starting to miss the point here, nobody is saying Batis 40 or Sony FE 35 is a bad lens.
However, they are not on the same level of "bokeh smoothness" / rendering as RX1 Sonnar or 24 GM...
It's like that one Sony ambassador who claimed that FE 35 is the Sonnar for e-mount, then proceeded to post pictures taken using both lenses and claim they are the same. I could pick every single one of them taken with the Sonnar .
... and that smoothness, coupled with impressive resolution, is what people expect from 35 GM...
p.5 #9 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
j4nu wrote:
On paper, 35mm f1.4 will not excite anyone nowadays... so will it be another one but in a really refined iteration or will there be some killer feature in it like half the size/weight of ZA
I can't speak for everyone but a 35/1.4 GM with similar properties to the 24/1.4 GM would be very welcome. It wouldn't need to be anything like half the weight of the ZA, I would heppily settle for the same weight - the ZA just didn't quite cut it for how much was being charged.
I have the Sigma 35/1.2 (a recent purchase, my timing is pretty terrible) and there is a huge difference in how a 1.1 KG lens will feel on camera compared to a 630g lens. If the GM turns out to be anything close to that I'll be selling the Sigma.
TheEmrys wrote:
Not to mention that in terms of light gathering, Sony is the best at T/#. Several lenses have the same aperture and transmission values.
DXO state some impressive transmission figures for Sony lenses, but I've also heard a lot of criticism for how they've reached those figures. I'd be very interested if anyone has any other source for Sony transmission figures.
p.5 #10 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Matt Grum wrote:
I can't speak for everyone but a 35/1.4 GM with similar properties to the 24/1.4 GM would be very welcome. It wouldn't need to be anything like half the weight of the ZA, I would heppily settle for the same weight - the ZA just didn't quite cut it for how much was being charged.
I have the Sigma 35/1.2 (a recent purchase, my timing is pretty terrible) and there is a huge difference in how a 1.1 KG lens will feel on camera compared to a 630g lens. If the GM turns out to be anything close to that I'll be selling the Sigma.
DXO state some impressive transmission figures for Sony lenses, but I've also heard a lot of criticism for how they've reached those figures. I'd be very interested if anyone has any other source for Sony transmission figures.
Though I'd never say the 40 is as smooth as the sonnar... I still think you're overemphasizing every bad quality about the lens. If the 35 1.8 FE is the working man's lens in terms of functionality in that it always does what you need, I'd say the 40 is the same way in terms of the output image. It may not shine in the same situations the 35 sonnar might... but I never have to worry about it either. It always captures its subject with lifelike accuracy due to its almost complete lack of optical flaws in the plane of focus, along with excellent cross frame resolution, great global and micro contrast, color reproduction, etc. ...Show more →
We can disagree. In the photo you posted from Flickr, most other wide angles, or many of them, would look much worse. Plus, that doesn’t really have a transition zone. I don’t think that photo looks that bad given the context.
The Batis does have a lot of positives, and that’s why it’s generally positively reviewed. And like most lenses, it will produce fantastic photos in the hands of a good photographer.
My comments only extend to the oof areas which I find to be average at best. The on axis aspects—resolution, micro contrast, axial CA, and color look like a modern Zeiss lens – which is to say very good. It just lacks the smoothness of rendering. That very sharp with rich colors and smooth bokeh and transitions are an awfully rare thing for wides.
I am hoping the GM 35 1.4 is essentially marriage of the GM 24, Sigma 35 1.4 and the RX1 Sonnar.
p.5 #12 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nehemiahphoto wrote:
When I heard that Sony is going to start refreshing their lenses, the first lens I thought of was the FE 28/2. A redesign of that lens would do wonders for the line if they did it right.
p.5 #13 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
j4nu wrote:
I think we're starting to miss the point here, nobody is saying Batis 40 or Sony FE 35 is a bad lens.
However, they are not on the same level of "bokeh smoothness" / rendering as RX1 Sonnar or 24 GM...
It's like that one Sony ambassador who claimed that FE 35 is the Sonnar for e-mount, then proceeded to post pictures taken using both lenses and claim they are the same. I could pick every single one of them taken with the Sonnar .
... and that smoothness, coupled with impressive resolution, is what people expect from 35 GM...
p.5 #14 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Any idea when the 35 1.4 GM will be available? I know they said soon but historically once the rumors start, how long do they usually take to be announced?
p.5 #15 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I'm sure others will have better assessments, but from rumormill to announcement, I'd say 3 or so months, and then another 3-6 months after that for the release.
UConn140point6 wrote:
Any idea when the 35 1.4 GM will be available? I know they said soon but historically once the rumors start, how long do they usually take to be announced?
p.5 #17 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
UConn140point6 wrote:
Any idea when the 35 1.4 GM will be available? I know they said soon but historically once the rumors start, how long do they usually take to be announced?
With SAR, all bets are off. They still bring up the mythical a7000 and a9R every now and then.
p.5 #20 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I bet early December. Usually when nokishita has the actual product name, it’s a matter of days/weeks. Most certainly this year. I can’t recall when it took longer.
Usually the ones that take longer are the code registrations.
UConn140point6 wrote:
Any idea when the 35 1.4 GM will be available? I know they said soon but historically once the rumors start, how long do they usually take to be announced?
.
.