Could just be the sky outside changing, but the GM appears to render brighter highlights. And in general, has slightly higher contrast. (Also it drank the beverage behind the dog...if that was a beer, I’m not sure what it says about its ‘character’...)
p.82 #2 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
abadger wrote:
Could just be the sky outside changing, but the GM appears to render brighter highlights. And in general, has slightly higher contrast. (Also it drank the beverage behind the dog...if that was a beer, I’m not sure what it says about its ‘character’...)
p.82 #3 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
abadger wrote:
Could just be the sky outside changing, but the GM appears to render brighter highlights. And in general, has slightly higher contrast. (Also it drank the beverage behind the dog...if that was a beer, I’m not sure what it says about its ‘character’...)
I added a third image where I quickly tried to match the GM to the Leica, lowered contrast and added a slight green to midtones - pretty close
p.82 #4 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
In search for LoCA.
Edit: A day later and after having checked the images again I see this was an idea that didn't worked out as I hoped. I was trying to get an idea about "how much compared to other lenses" but this didnät give a clear ansvwer. It worked partly but not as expected. Read only if interested in. /end edit
This comparison is, at best, a try at some pseudo science. I decided to try something I never done earlier. Now I know it won't be necessary to do again.
In the compilation below the distance from the camera to the wooden clown is 2.5 meters. There are two sheets of aluminum foil, one in front of the clown and one behind it. The sheets are 0.7m long.
Setting it up nearly all went well. There are two LED lights, one at the opposite side of the clown and a small one at the side giving me something to focus on.
Then I got a phone call and now, looking at the images on the computer, I see i forgot to adjust the small LED color temperature and redirect it. So it goes... Try not to let the nice golden tones disturb you...
The images are mildly processed with minor adjustments for exposure for matching only. Then the crops were placed next to each other and everything was downsized to 25%.
How flawed all things homemade may be they most often can be useful for comparisons. In the case of the 35GM some concerns have been rised about LoCA as DPR posted an ugly image of a skyline with water in the foreground.
I don't think there is a way to really measure LoCA - so a few other lenses can serve as references.
The compilation above tells me that the 35GM (at this isolated instance - your results will without a doubt be better) has less LoCA than the RX1 which in turn is on par with the Samyang AF 35/F1.8 and that the SMC-Pentax FA31/1.8 limited as usual is worst.
The RX1 has been my favourite camera for years. From time to time the LoCA has bothered me but for the most part there has been no problems. In real life use the 35GM will probably be a little better.
It is what it is. Careful focusing may help (don't let the AF lock at wrong place). The images should have been brighter and that would have taken some of the LoCA effect away. Local desaturation will sometimes be necessary.
p.82 #8 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
GMPhotography wrote:
Hmmm that is not good LoCa. Lets take the water images when does the LoCa disappear what aperture and naturally without post
I can't say for sure. It can be seen for anyone wanting to see it down to at least f/8.
I don't have a full aperture series at the same location as above. Here is another series though.
Here is an image taken at a rather dull day, no high contrast situation really. No PP except for minor exposure adjustment (from raw to Adobe ACR to JPG with no other adjustments but "sharpen for screen"). The camera (A7C) is set to Creative style STANDARD and Picture Profile OFF so I don't think there is much post process data carried over to ACR.
p.82 #10 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
"In search of LoCA."
I'm sorry but it is like people are trying to find the smallest thing wrong with this new lens. If I was taking the photo 2 posts above, I would put a CPL on the lens to cut down the reflection in the water and bring back the lost highlights in the clouds. Or instead of shooting directly into the sun and water with small waves and bright reflections, I would turn around and shoot in any direction of a 345 degree arc except for this one, i.e without the sun directly in front of me. So in my case loCA is a non-issue, because I understand basic photography and can shoot around field conditions that may negatively effect the photos final look.
Please lets drop the witch hunt and get back to productive photos showing what the lens is capable of... thanks
EDIT-The above post was written at the time in the 35mm GM Image Thread and not were the post has been later moved to, the Pre-Order Thread. At that time the 35mm GM Image Thread had become a place for a couple of page discussion on LoCa and my comment above was an attempt to get the Image Thread back on track with proper showcase images, not those intended for a technical discussion. The fact that 8 other FM members agreed with me along with Fred Miranda, who said in post #20 below he decided to open a NEW image thread and place non-image comments and their images here in the Pre-Order Thread, showed that at the time, my comment was appropriate. Nothing against technical discussions and photos trying to prove a point, just not in the Image Thread
p.82 #11 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
SpecFoto wrote:
I'm sorry but it is like people are trying to find the smallest thing wrong with the lens. I was taking this photo, I would put a CPL on the lens to cut down the reflection and bring back the lost highlights in the clouds. Or instead of shooting directly into the sun and water with small waves, I would turn around and shoot in any direction of a 345 arc except for this one, i.e without the sun directly in front of me. So in my case loCA is a non-issue, because I understand basic photography.
Please lets drop the witch hunt and get back to productive photos showing what the lens is capable of... thanks ...Show more →
The 35GM is a fantastic long-awaited new lens from Sony and now its users and prospective buyers are interested in discovering what the lens’ shortcomings might be. This is the Fred Miranda forum and the most significant new lenses and cameras get stress-tested here. Maybe this is not for you?
p.82 #12 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
SpecFoto wrote:
"In search of LoCA."
I'm sorry but it is like people are trying to find the smallest thing wrong with this new lens. If I was taking the photo 2 posts above, I would put a CPL on the lens to cut down the reflection in the water and bring back the lost highlights in the clouds. Or instead of shooting directly into the sun and water with small waves and bright reflections, I would turn around and shoot in any direction of a 345 arc except for this one, i.e without the sun directly in front of me. So in my case loCA is a non-issue, because I understand basic photography and can shoot around field conditions that may negatively effect the photos final look.
Please lets drop the witch hunt and get back to productive photos showing what the lens is capable of... thanks ...Show more →
I agree it's kind of silly, but I understand why some folks are interested in exposing the flaws. It's informational.
I am definitely more interested in seeing people try to take good photos with the lens instead of intentionally taking bad photos
I think we can all agree that any lens in the hands of a capable photographer can be used to take a good photo. Hopefully we will see that trend pick up when the lens becomes generally available to everyone.
p.82 #14 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Would you buy a car without getting some information?
It's a $1,400 lens and there are a lot of alternatives. Reviewers are basically useless, because there is no such thing as a negative lens review.
I don't necessarily think flaws make or break a lens. There are always compromises made in the lens design to hit a specific design and/or price point. I think its useful to know where those compromises were made to see which lens is the best fit based on the criteria that one prioritizes.
p.82 #15 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
darbo wrote:
The 35GM is a fantastic long-awaited new lens from Sony and now its users and prospective buyers are interested in discovering what the lens’ shortcomings might be. This is the Fred Miranda forum and the most significant new lenses and cameras get stress-tested here. Maybe this is not for you?
Oh the lens is for me, I have been waiting for it since the 24 f1.4GM was announced. But Fred does not populate the "Image Thread" set up for a new lens with his excellent stress tests, he does that in other threads where things can be debated ad nasuem.
p.82 #16 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
The issue is that the thread is titled '..Image Thread', not an 'Announcement' Thread. Readers rightly expect to find actual images here, ones similar to what they might wish to take, to see what the lens can produce. Image-centric not flaw-centric. But that's a matter of taste and is much harder.
So lens reviews often come across like a medical examination: blood pressure (check), heart rate (check), sir you passed and are good to go!
The problem is that these two very different aspects (image appreciation and lens flaws) overlap and each member is bothered differently. Some want 'perfection' and forensically pursue possible offending lenses at great length for gotchas. Who knows how many great lenses never got bought because of this. Others can overlook flaws if they see great images made with the lens.
'How many images do you lose to LoCA with this lens?' is a better question. Image quality in lenses does not consist of absence of imperfections. Glass half full, glass half empty - it's a balancing act, but comparisons of real images from competing lenses tell all.
p.82 #17 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
This lens looks like it might be a nice "all-arounder" but it is certainly not an RX1 replacement.
Certainly not a Bigma replacement either.
OOF areas look fine when there is nothing of significance behind the subject but if there is something there they are too structured, too high in contrast, too busy.
Shame because the only reason to pay more/carry more for a fast lens is a delicious OOF area.
I know a 35 can never be a cream machine in the way a 50 or 85 can but I was hoping for better with this one.
At the risk of insulting somebody I would say that the overall feel is not very far off the 35/1.8.
Perhaps that impression will improve as more images are put up.
Hope so; was looking forward to this one and my pre-order should be here in less than two weeks.
p.82 #18 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Like on p1 and in many reviews, it's key feature is ultra sharp close subject / creamy bokeh. Hey, it's an f1.4 lens. Stopped down it's easy to see your comments applying here, but early days yet. You need 500 images to be close to deciding (!)
p.82 #19 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Look I don't care who I piss off doing a review and being brutal about it. Sorry this is my career and my money. I don't overlook anything. That LoCA looks like crap and not afraid to say it for 1400 let's get real here, should not be there. Now am going to test the crap out of it and be very brutal if I have too. So nicely better grow some skin
p.82 #20 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
The problem is that this thread started before the lens was widely available...So few images and more tests and discussions. Perhaps when the lens is finally available we can start a new "Image Thread" for it while renaming this one to something else.
