p.100 #1 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I was out this morning trying to test mine but obviously still confused on how to do it. I will go back and read Fred’s directions again. In saying that the shots I have taken look great. In the images I have not seen any evidence of decentering or other flaws. To be honest I usually just buy a lens and take photos and if they look good and AF is accurate I just move on. I have received only a couple of bad copies over the years and each time it was easy to notice problems just by using them. Maybe I need to really start testing them the correct way even though my OCD may not be able to handle it. Lol. I sure noticed one thing about my 35mm GM. It is tact sharp. Also I love the contrast and colors it produces. AF is fast and accurate as well.
p.100 #2 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
FYI: looks like Amazon orders have started to ship. Ordered 1/22, received a second delay notice earlier this week but it shipped this afternoon. Exciting to give it a go.
p.100 #3 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
photosbyjaron wrote:
Yeah, I may have unrealistic expectations and could probably be convinced to keep it if the other copies I have on order aren't any more centered. I have two more coming from different places, so I figure I'll keep the most centered of the three and return the others. My Sigma 14-24 isn't 100% centered either but is good enough for all of the apertures I use it at, so I kept it. Since I intend to shoot this a lot at f/1.4, I'd like it to be as centered as possible. At f/5.6, it clears up pretty well, but at 1.4, there's quite a bit of difference - to my eye at least. If I'm being overly unrealistic though, I appreciate the reality check....Show more →
I see what you see, but dont think you’d ever notice it except in testing - you can’t unsee it, so test the few you get, keep the best, and enjoy the lens.
p.100 #4 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Alex W wrote:
I was out this morning trying to test mine but obviously still confused on how to do it. I will go back and read Fred’s directions again. In saying that the shots I have taken look great. In the images I have not seen any evidence of decentering or other flaws. To be honest I usually just buy a lens and take photos and if they look good and AF is accurate I just move on. I have received only a couple of bad copies over the years and each time it was easy to notice problems just by using them. Maybe I need to really start testing them the correct way even though my OCD may not be able to handle it. Lol. I sure noticed one thing about my 35mm GM. It is tact sharp. Also I love the contrast and colors it produces. AF is fast and accurate as well. ...Show more →
Not incredibly hard. You could use a wall too. Big key is being level. Side to side but also no tilt up or down . Another trick 10 foot high wall camera should be 5 ft straight at it. Do not swing tilt or any movements. On tripod of course just shoot the wall. Look at all 4 corners see if you are the same in each corner. Fred's is basically the same except your rotating camera around one corner per say. My way is exactly what I do on Big Bronco. Several ways to do this but it's all about being square
p.100 #6 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Remember there is not a lens on the planet that 1.4 and 5.6 are identical in a corner. Maybe close but not the same. I don't care how much money you spent. Watch your expectations
p.100 #7 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Alex W wrote:
I was out this morning trying to test mine but obviously still confused on how to do it. I will go back and read Fred’s directions again. In saying that the shots I have taken look great. In the images I have not seen any evidence of decentering or other flaws. To be honest I usually just buy a lens and take photos and if they look good and AF is accurate I just move on. I have received only a couple of bad copies over the years and each time it was easy to notice problems just by using them. Maybe I need to really start testing them the correct way even though my OCD may not be able to handle it. Lol. I sure noticed one thing about my 35mm GM. It is tact sharp. Also I love the contrast and colors it produces. AF is fast and accurate as well. ...Show more →
To be honest, it takes out most of the fun of getting a new lens for me nowadays. I wish I had never learned about this decentering stuff . On the other hand, it all depends on the degree and type of decentering, e.g. if focusing on the weak corner improves it, then it's often good enough for me.
The GM is great, I'm still a bit torn about it though. The wide open uniform sharpness across the frame and focusing distance is super nice, but sometimes I wonder who came up with the idea of a fast super sharp 35mm wide open (and with what intended purposes).
p.100 #10 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
GMPhotography wrote:
Not incredibly hard. You could use a wall too. Big key is being level. Side to side but also no tilt up or down . Another trick 10 foot high wall camera should be 5 ft straight at it. Do not swing tilt or any movements. On tripod of course just shoot the wall. Look at all 4 corners see if you are the same in each corner. Fred's is basically the same except your rotating camera around one corner per say. My way is exactly what I do on Big Bronco. Several ways to do this but it's all about being square...Show more →
Thanks. I think you have an A7C? If so I think you will really like how the GM performs on it. Doesn't feel to big or heavy either. Matters of fact it feels great on my R4 and A7C. Even tried a little video shooting today. Just to see how it performed as I am 99 percent photography and it also performed fantastic for video. Quite a lens. In my opinion.
p.100 #11 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
j4nu wrote:
To be honest, it takes out most of the fun of getting a new lens for me nowadays. I wish I had never learned about this decentering stuff . On the other hand, it all depends on the degree and type of decentering, e.g. if focusing on the weak corner improves it, then it's often good enough for me.
The GM is great, I'm still a bit torn about it though. The wide open uniform sharpness across the frame and focusing distance is super nice, but sometimes I wonder who came up with the idea of a fast super sharp 35mm wide open (and with what intended purposes)....Show more →
p.100 #12 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Alex W wrote:
Thanks. I think you have an A7C? If so I think you will really like how the GM performs on it. Doesn't feel to big or heavy either. Matters of fact it feels great on my R4 and A7C. Even tried a little video shooting today. Just to see how it performed as I am 99 percent photography and it also performed fantastic for video. Quite a lens. In my opinion.
Yes Alex I do have the A7c. I bought it when the pandemic hit. I want a A1 but I’m just waiting.
p.100 #15 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I wouldn't test a lens on a brick wall - it's difficult to line it up perfectly perpendicular, and as you're testing at 1.4 a very slight deviation will not produce accurate results. Find an object at infinity, focus centre of frame, put on manual focus, place the object at each corner without changing focus and take a photo and compare; if they're roughly the same it's ok. Fred's technique involves flipping the camera upside down which complicates things a bit though you can try that as well (and is more accurate?).
To compare the corners with both methods you can use the following site where you drag each photo to the right location and it focuses on the appropriate corner.
p.100 #16 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
The lens seems to have a very nice rendering. I still have the 35mm ZA 1.4 and I would like to upgrade it with the 35mm GM. I'm not interested by super sharp lenses but more about rendering and 3D pop. The Sigma 35mm I f/2 looks very nice too and very light. Which one do you prefer between these lenses ?
p.100 #17 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
groune wrote:
The lens seems to have a very nice rendering. I still have the 35mm ZA 1.4 and I would like to upgrade it with the 35mm GM. I'm not interested by super sharp lenses but more about rendering and 3D pop. The Sigma 35mm I f/2 looks very nice too and very light. Which one do you prefer between these lenses ?
I don't think the GM will beat your ZA in general smoothness, but it has some advantages like less CA / bokeh fringing or no onion rings.
I'd say that if your top priority is rendering and you don't care for the combination of f1.4 aperture and compactness, there are other valid options, like both of the Sigmas.
p.100 #19 · Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I have the 35mm Sigma 1.2 and because of its size and weight don't take it with me very often.
I am torn between the new Sony GM 35 1.4 and the Voigt Apo lanthar f2. If I was shooting landscapes exclusively based on what I have seen would go with the Voigt. However the new Sony might be a good walk around lens as well.
. On the other hand, it all depends on the degree and type of decentering, e.g. if focusing on the weak corner improves it, then it's often good enough for me.
