p.78 #2 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I have to say, after 5 years of being a bit annoyed at the (lack of) sharpness of the ZA outside a tight central circle, the GM astounds me - it's unbelievably sharp in the corners. I was flabbergasted when I tested mine. The ZA did have nice falloff, however the onion ring bokeh was a letdown. This lens takes the crown.
p.78 #3 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
lukecookphoto wrote:
E-Infin has the 35 GM in stock for $1800 or so, over here I can buy the lens but the price is higher than in the US. I'm going to wait for the US to receive stock and import it from there, or buy it on E-Infin when they drop the prices down (which I think they will when it's available internationally).
I really like the Sigma 35 f/2, but as 35 is my preferred focal length and I have my Ricoh GR for when I want to go light, I am going to pick up the 35 GM later this year... at least that's how I'm feeling now.
Edit: Also something that annoys me is Sony are running a new cashback campaign but the 35 1.4 isn't part of it......Show more →
Why would you even expect Sony to give you a cash back on a newly released lens?
p.78 #4 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I am new to the Sony game, but I don't expect a $1400 lens to be in a huge demand in the middle of pandemic, but, who knows, may everyone will decide to spend their Biden money on the new GMs.
Sure it is a huge hit on FM and everyone wants one, including me, but I doubt the vast majority of Sony shooters are in the same category as us lensaholics. In all fairness, $1400 is a pretty good price for this GM, but I know that it will go on sale and discounts by the end of the year, so I am not gonna be an early adopter and wait. If lenses kept value long term, I would be all for pre-ordering, but (un)fortunately, that's not the case.
p.78 #5 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I am new to the Sony game, but I don't expect a $1400 lens to be in a huge demand in the middle of pandemic, but, who knows, may everyone will decide to spend their Biden money on the new GMs.
Sure it is a huge hit on FM and everyone wants one, including me, but I doubt the vast majority of Sony shooters are in the same category as us lensaholics. In all fairness, $1400 is a pretty good price for this GM, but I know that it will go on sale and discounts by the end of the year, so I am not gonna be an early adopter and wait. If lenses kept value long term, I would be all for pre-ordering, but (un)fortunately, that's not the case....Show more →
The real value in a lens is the images and memories it captures...not how well it's used value stands up.
p.78 #7 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
chez wrote:
The real value in a lens is the images and memories it captures...not how well it's used value stands up.
It's not like it is the first 35 ever. I have Bigma and Baby Zony to cover 35 FL in the meantime. Both produce great images and memories as far as I can tell.
I am not suggesting that everyone should boycott the lens and wait for a price drop, but as a cautious hobbyist, I certainly don't want to preorder knowing it would tank hundreds in value, like every other premium lens, within months of release.
p.78 #9 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I am new to the Sony game, but I don't expect a $1400 lens to be in a huge demand in the middle of pandemic, but, who knows, may everyone will decide to spend their Biden money on the new GMs.
Sure it is a huge hit on FM and everyone wants one, including me, but I doubt the vast majority of Sony shooters are in the same category as us lensaholics. In all fairness, $1400 is a pretty good price for this GM, but I know that it will go on sale and discounts by the end of the year, so I am not gonna be an early adopter and wait. If lenses kept value long term, I would be all for pre-ordering, but (un)fortunately, that's not the case....Show more →
Your read on the economic effects of the pandemic may not be quite accurate. Many of the folks who have $1400 to spend on a lens, or $6000 to spend on a medium format camera (note the high popularity of a recent Fuji release), are doing pretty well. But regardless, inherent to preordering an expensive lens is the implication of a significant loss in resale, regardless of the overall economic picture. Buying a lens on sale doesn't exactly make you immune to that, either, though it may lessen the blow.
p.78 #10 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
My justification at this price tag, which is my ceiling, is that any loss due to lower resale value is easily worth the memories it will capture. If I lose $200 on a lens but it hung pictures on my walls, or enshrined memories for a lifetime, I can deal with the loss. I also look at the difference in resale value over a period of time as more of a rental cost vs a bad investment.
I have noticed fewer ZAs on the b&s forum than I expected - I still think that is an amazing lens at an amazing price right now.
p.78 #11 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
GMPhotography wrote:
Buy a brand new car . Drive off the lot. Bottom line you lose and nothing can be done about it
True!
GMPhotography wrote:
Photography is a investment in yourself nothing more. Treat it that way
I don't consider either to be an investment honestly. It is quite the opposite actually IMO. The difference is that I keep my cars 10 years minimum and put hundreds of thousands of miles on them, so I can justify buying a brand new car. With photography, GAS hits hard every 3 months, so I got to be more careful.
401K, 529, Roth IRA, mutual funds, etc are what I consider to be investments.
Dont want to ruin the GM party, so i will shut my mouth and enjoy the excitement and excellent images.
p.78 #14 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Big price drop finally on the Zony 35mm 1.4 (999.00). You knew that was coming at some point. Wonder if Sony is just eating Zeiss's share to move stock (or maybe the contract is up?) I'll be interested to see how long they produce this lens. Also wondering if these later copy's have less issues. Years ago I had a perfect copy of this lens that I should never had sold.
p.78 #19 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I am new to the Sony game, but I don't expect a $1400 lens to be in a huge demand in the middle of pandemic, but, who knows, may everyone will decide to spend their Biden money on the new GMs.
Sure it is a huge hit on FM and everyone wants one, including me, but I doubt the vast majority of Sony shooters are in the same category as us lensaholics. In all fairness, $1400 is a pretty good price for this GM, but I know that it will go on sale and discounts by the end of the year, so I am not gonna be an early adopter and wait. If lenses kept value long term, I would be all for pre-ordering, but (un)fortunately, that's not the case....Show more →
Maybe you are not aware of what happened with the 24 f1.4GM release, being new to Sony. That lens released in Sept 2018 at the same US price for 35 GM, $1,398, and it was 20 months before the backorders were filled It. It wasn't until this year, almost 30 months after release, that Sony knocked a $100 off the lens and put it on sale. By dumb luck when calling around, I got the 24GM 2 months after release and kept it for 12 months. I sold it for 93% of what I paid for it new.
Look at it from Sony's perspective, I really doubt it will be on sale anytime soon. And when it does go on sale, Sony will probably stick to the $100 discount. I have been waiting for a 35mm GM designed like the 24GM, since the day I got the 24, as it is a simple stunning lens, but 35mm is my favorite FL. The $100 potential saving a year or more down the line mean nothing, as I want this lens NOW.
