p.9 #1 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
LBJ2 wrote:
Good reminder and nice summary. I like the way you lined up the existing with the coming. Makes for a compelling native, small and compact FE lens system when looked at as a whole.
I kept my original FE 35 F2.8 and FE 55 F1.8 simply because they are very good lenses when I need to use Sony FF light & tight as possible without giving up native system features and functions.
Personally, I can't wait to see what these new Sony lenses look like. The 2.5 aperture brings a few interesting possibilities particularly when I think about the FE 35 F2.8...or even "pancake"? ...Show more →
Thanks for the nice words. I too have kept my 35/2.8 ZA and 55/1.8 ZA, and I hope the 24/2.8 can match them.
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LBJ2 wrote:
I better send you some more Leica videos...fast
Oh wait, here's a nice one "An Artist taking photos of another artist, Leica Style"
&t=5s
I was once a Leica user, and I try to stay put in the Sony system.
p.9 #3 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
Steve Spencer wrote:
That is no doubt true, but it still doesn't let me put together a set of E mount primes with any longer lenses. In the past 85-90mm lenses seem to have sold very well and 135 mm lenses as well. Maybe there is no market for people who share my preferences and dividing up the pie 5 or 6 ways between 24-50 is the way to go, but I want a set of small primes that includes at least one 85 or 90mm lens or 135mm lens and right now I can't do that on E mount without adapting.
Yes, 85 and 135 still sell well today, but many of these are used for portraits where f2.8 is probably the smallest aperture that would be accepted. So we already have a few 85 1.8 lenses and a nice 135 2.8 lens. I just don't see a 135 f4 lens selling very well as it's use case is limited.
Heck, if I was looking at slow 100 and 135 lenses...I'd just probably go the 70-200 f4 route.
Mar 20, 2021 at 03:05 PM
Steve Spencer Offline Upload & Sell: On
p.9 #4 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
chez wrote:
Yes, 85 and 135 still sell well today, but many of these are used for portraits where f2.8 is probably the smallest aperture that would be accepted. So we already have a few 85 1.8 lenses and a nice 135 2.8 lens. I just don't see a 135 f4 lens selling very well as it's use case is limited.
Heck, if I was looking at slow 100 and 135 lenses...I'd just probably go the 70-200 f4 route.
yeah, but that 70-200 is in now way a compact system anymore, IMO. Perhaps the sweet spot is f/2.5 for 85 or 90 mm (which is still a very good aperture for portraits at this focal length) and f/2.8 for 135mm. An 85 or 90 f/2.5 can be quite small as can a 135 f/2.8 if it were designed thoughtfully. The Batis 135 f/2.8 is 614g and designed with about as little thought as possible for making the lens compact. I think Sony could get such a lens down to 450g or so without too much effort and that would be very nice for those of us who want a compact system.
p.9 #5 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
chiron wrote:
You are the very devil, LBJ! The appeal is very seductive and the work that has been done with that camera line is truly fabulous. I bought the book "Eyes Wide Open! 100 Years of Leica Photography." Oversized, beautifully printed, and a very thick 564 pages (weighs about 9 lbs.). It was cheaper than a Leica Noctilux lens cap.
I do envy the glass and also the slender feel of the most recent bodies that are said to recall the handling of earlier Leicas. But I also feel that for my eyes and my frequent subjects, I tend to need excellent autofocus (especially indoors or in dim light where zone focusing doesn't get you much). Also, I am a big fan of IBIS. I know there are good ways around all these factors, and the work that is done with Leica cameras and lenses is wonderful.
"It was cheaper than a Leica Noctilux lens cap." LMAO
I've seen some of what's in that book online. So many truly inspiring images and I've only seen a snippet of the what must be in all 564 pages!
As we chatted before, I wear my specs when I use the rangefinder. Very similar to the man in this video--even his specs look similar to my own. But not all vision correction is equal and an EVF certainly does dial in to our individual needs.
Just a side note. Leica is super expensive as everyone knows. But when I add up all the Sony cameras I've purchased as upgrades since Nex6, then moving to the original full frame A7r and almost all the full frame alphas that followed to include a sojourn into Amount A77II and Amount lenses along the way and many, many Emount lenses native, adaptables and 3rd party lenses, not to mention all the Sony accessories, what I spent on my M10 kit which will probably last more than a lifetime ( at least the lenses) really doesn't seem so bad in comparison in fact, Sony has the majority of my photography budget. Exactly how that happened...I don't really know
p.9 #6 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
bjornthun wrote:
Thanks for the nice words. I too have kept my 35/2.8 ZA and 55/1.8 ZA, and I hope the 24/2.8 can match them.
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I was once a Leica user, and I try to stay put in the Sony system.
At the moment, I'm able to carry on with both systems. However after two years with specifically with Leica M, my adoration continues to grows, even as Leica prices increase WTH! I guess if I ever decided to sell my Leica M glass, regularly rising Leica prices could be a good thing I've always been of the mind if you buy well you can probably sell well too.
Nor can I give up my Sony camera tech and zooms for events, sports and wildlife...I guess at some point I can imagine using Leica M mainly for primes and Sony for zooms..but that decision is down the road...maybe
p.9 #7 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
Steve Spencer wrote:
yeah, but that 70-200 is in now way a compact system anymore, IMO. Perhaps the sweet spot is f/2.5 for 85 or 90 mm (which is still a very good aperture for portraits at this focal length) and f/2.8 for 135mm. An 85 or 90 f/2.5 can be quite small as can a 135 f/2.8 if it were designed thoughtfully. The Batis 135 f/2.8 is 614g and designed with about as little thought as possible for making the lens compact. I think Sony could get such a lens down to 450g or so without too much effort and that would be very nice for those of us who want a compact system....Show more →
I too want a compact system...but I'm a realist, not a dreamer. I just can't see them building a 90 2.5 lens when they have a 85 1.8 lens that does not weigh much. How many 90 2.5 lenses do you think they would sell? See...that's the problem, I don't see a huge demand for such a lens.
I also feel when most photographers get into the 100-300 range, they gravitate to zooms, not primes.
p.9 #8 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
I had a Batis 135mm at one point and it was a very dense lens compared to some of the other ones that felt more hollow. I can't imagine Sony being able to shrink it further without compromising on something that would make it flawed compared to the Batis, which was excellent.
That said, I can see Sony coming out with a 90mm f2.8 or 100mm f3.5 - lots of small lenses like this in the past and I assume they'll eventually release one but the 85mm f1.8 would make a good stop gap for now.
Mar 20, 2021 at 04:51 PM
Steve Spencer Offline Upload & Sell: On
p.9 #9 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
chez wrote:
I too want a compact system...but I'm a realist, not a dreamer. I just can't see them building a 90 2.5 lens when they have a 85 1.8 lens that does not weigh much. How many 90 2.5 lenses do you think they would sell? See...that's the problem, I don't see a huge demand for such a lens.
I also feel when most photographers get into the 100-300 range, they gravitate to zooms, not primes.
I guess we'll see where things go.
Yet they expect a 40 f/2.5 lens to be a big seller when they have both a small and compact 35 f/1.8 and a 35 f/2.8? It seems the 40 f/2.5 is in even a worse position than a 90 f/2.5 would be or at least the 90 f/2.5 could add more than the 40 f/2.5 could to the system and that is especially so when you are also making a 50 f/2.5. For the longer focal length that would be like adding a 90 f/2.5 and a 105 f/2.5 at the same time. I can't see how that expands the use of the system. All I can say is that for me, I am not interested in a small or compact Sony system where the 85 f/1.8 is the longest and smallest focal length. They aren't going to get me to use Sony for my travel/street set up if that is all they provide. If I am going to adopt Sony for my travel and street camera I want different compact longer lenses than that one option. Perhaps everyone who want a small system either won't want a longer lens or will be happy with the one option, but I suspect there are other people like me who would like more than just that one option.
p.9 #11 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
Steve Spencer wrote:
Perhaps everyone who want a small system either won't want a longer lens or will be happy with the one option, but I suspect there are other people like me who would like more than just that one option.
Obviously not enough of you out there for Sony...nor any 3rd party to worry about.
p.9 #12 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
Steve Spencer wrote:
Yet they expect a 40 f/2.5 lens to be a big seller when they have both a small and compact 35 f/1.8 and a 35 f/2.8? It seems the 40 f/2.5 is in even a worse position than a 90 f/2.5 would be or at least the 90 f/2.5 could add more than the 40 f/2.5 could to the system and that is especially so when you are also making a 50 f/2.5. For the longer focal length that would be like adding a 90 f/2.5 and a 105 f/2.5 at the same time. I can't see how that expands the use of the system. All I can say is that for me, I am not interested in a small or compact Sony system where the 85 f/1.8 is the longest and smallest focal length. They aren't going to get me to use Sony for my travel/street set up if that is all they provide. If I am going to adopt Sony for my travel and street camera I want different compact longer lenses than that one option. Perhaps everyone who want a small system either won't want a longer lens or will be happy with the one option, but I suspect there are other people like me who would like more than just that one option....Show more →
I think I would buy a 90/2.5 or 100/2.5 if it were compact enough. I'm not sure how compact Sony could get one or if they'd sell many, but it would be of interest to me. I have the Loxia 85/2.4 and it's my most used landscape lens. It's not small or light, but it's amazing. I wonder how much smaller they could make it and still meet the performance demands of a 60+ mp sensor. Lighter, sure. I also have the 100/2.8 STF, but it's bigger for an obvious reason. The could shave a lot off that for a normal, non-STF f/2.5 or f/2.8.
Anyways, a G series that was lighter and slower and included an 85 and a 100 or 135 would be pretty cool. Maybe Sigma gets there first with their 'I' series. Given how 'bored' and uninterested people here proclaim to be with these rumours, maybe we won't see longer, slower lenses.
p.9 #13 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
"I too want a compact system...but I'm a realist, not a dreamer. I just can't see them building a 90 2.5 lens when they have a 85 1.8 lens that does not weigh much. How many 90 2.5 lenses do you think they would sell? See...that's the problem, I don't see a huge demand for such a lens.
I also feel when most photographers get into the 100-300 range, they gravitate to zooms, not primes.
I guess we'll see where things go."
Lost the quotes. Above is from Chez.
I decided to add an A7C. I compared the 28-60 to the Contax G 28 and 45. Yes, with the front correction lens in a filter frame. I liked the 28-60 better, which made me feel old. Usually I need a mirror to produce that effect.
So. I'm trying, as a small carry, A7C with 28-60, 20 1.8, and Contax G 90. Very small and light. The 90 in a manual adapter is optically great, but would I like a native compact 90 or 105? Yes.
I have been tossing the A7C in my bag along with the A7R4. Useful, especially for impromptu video.
Mar 20, 2021 at 05:36 PM
Steve Spencer Offline Upload & Sell: On
p.9 #14 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
Dave Sanders wrote:
I think I would buy a 90/2.5 or 100/2.5 if it were compact enough. I'm not sure how compact Sony could get one or if they'd sell many, but it would be of interest to me. I have the Loxia 85/2.4 and it's my most used landscape lens. It's not small or light, but it's amazing. I wonder how much smaller they could make it and still meet the performance demands of a 60+ mp sensor. Lighter, sure. I also have the 100/2.8 STF, but it's bigger for an obvious reason. The could shave a lot off that for a normal, non-STF f/2.5 or f/2.8.
Anyways, a G series that was lighter and slower and included an 85 and a 100 or 135 would be pretty cool. Maybe Sigma gets there first with their 'I' series. Given how 'bored' and uninterested people here proclaim to be with these rumours, maybe we won't see longer, slower lenses. ...Show more →
I have the Loxia 85 f/2.5 too (and like it very much) and I think the size is fine, but I would like it to be about 100g lighter. I would think even with adding AF if they made the lens out of plastic instead of metal that they could make it light enough to interest me. I hope Sony takes up the challenge. I just wish they would have done so this time.
p.9 #15 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
I have the Loxia 85 f/2.5 too (and like it very much) and I think the size is fine, but I would like it to be about 100g lighter. I would think even with adding AF if they made the lens out of plastic instead of metal that they could make it light enough to interest me. I hope Sony takes up the challenge. I just wish they would have done so this time.
I feel like they could get 300g or more off the Loxia 85 if they really put their minds to it. The 85/1.8 is about 370g, it would be interesting to see how light and small they could go if they kept the 52mm filter thread of the L85...or even if they went to 55mm like the A Mount 85/2.8, which at 175 grams was a downright featherweight.
I always thought the Zeiss ZM f/4 was a cool lens. Small, very sharp. For people like me who use 85mm a lot for landscapes, there is an appeal to a lens like that. Horses for courses, I'm happy to own two lenses in a focal length if they are optimized for different tasks.
p.9 #16 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
I’m excited to see what Sony brings to the table here. If they are ultra compact lenses, built the same as the 20mm 1.8 including the aperture ring, then they will be excellent additions to the lineup IMO.
And if they sell well, I would love a compact 90mm 2:5 or 2.8 for portraits. I mostly used the 85 1.8 at those apertures anyways, so the added glass was not needed.
More options are better and I’m sure Sony has evaluated the markets needs to make their business case to produce. Not sure why anyone would care so much about extra choice. If you don’t want/need, move on to the plenty of other larger, faster, more expensive glass.
p.9 #17 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
If these first compact G lenses with smaller apertures and smaller size work out in concert with the A7C, no doubt Sony will expand the range to the 85/135 or so arena and also expand the C bodies range in some way. The Samyang 75/1.8 is a very attractive lens. I'd probably prefer a 75mm to the longer lengths, actually.
Maybe they'll even make a G 28mm lens!
I think Sony have shown themselves to be both superb in the imaginative development of technology into finished products and also very insightful and adept in their marketing.
With the A1, the new GM lenses, and now a possible expansion (or a return to the future) into high quality compact lenses and camera bodies, we may be entering the golden age of Sony photographic technology.
p.9 #18 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
I admit the surprising IQ of the 28-60 has me really curious on how these things will perform. I feel like their goal will be to be fast & small enough for casual use, yet sharp enough stopped down for more serious photographers. At least that's my theory.
p.9 #19 · Pre-order Sony G lenses: FE 24mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2.5, 50mm f/2.5
gocolts wrote:
I admit the surprising IQ of the 28-60 has me really curious on how these things will perform. I feel like their goal will be to be fast & small enough for casual use, yet sharp enough stopped down for more serious photographers. At least that's my theory.
My problem is they are starting out slow lenses, and if one has to stop them down to get sharp...that's a problem.