So I'm in a quandary. I have the Loxia 35 2 and actually like it for landscape shots. It seems plenty sharp stopped down and I like the color rendition of the lens. But I rarely use it. Not sure exactly why, but it is possible I'd employ that lens/FL more with a lens that brought more joy. TBH, I probably need to practice more composing shots at that particular focal length.
The question: Are the speed of the GM, the autofocus, the isolation of object at 1.4, and better bokeh wide open the major advantages of stepping up to the GM or am I missing others? If I buy the GM I really need to sell something, and it will probably be the Loxia 35. Decisions decisions.
Finally, I'm still sporting an A7RII. Would my money be better spent on a new body?
Neurad1 wrote:
So I'm in a quandary. I have the Loxia 35 2 and actually like it for landscape shots. It seems plenty sharp stopped down and I like the color rendition of the lens. But I rarely use it. Not sure exactly why, but it is possible I'd employ that lens/FL more with a lens that brought more joy. TBH, I probably need to practice more composing shots at that particular focal length.
The question: Are the speed of the GM, the autofocus, the isolation of object at 1.4, and better bokeh wide open the major advantages of stepping up to the GM or am I missing others? If I buy the GM I really need to sell something, and it will probably be the Loxia 35. Decisions decisions.
Finally, I'm still sporting an A7RII. Would my money be better spent on a new body?...Show more →
I would always prioritize a lens purchase over a body; however, it seems that you don't really "need" a new 35 atm so a new body should really improve your shooting experience if you think you can take the advantage of a more responsive AF system.
The GM also offers dust and water resistance. But shooting with this lens, IMO, is greater than the sum of its parts. The responsiveness, the latest optics tech, and the relatively small size and light weight really make it much more enjoyable than any lens in this focal length for me.
Neurad1 wrote:
So I'm in a quandary. I have the Loxia 35 2 and actually like it for landscape shots. It seems plenty sharp stopped down and I like the color rendition of the lens. But I rarely use it. Not sure exactly why, but it is possible I'd employ that lens/FL more with a lens that brought more joy. TBH, I probably need to practice more composing shots at that particular focal length.
The question: Are the speed of the GM, the autofocus, the isolation of object at 1.4, and better bokeh wide open the major advantages of stepping up to the GM or am I missing others? If I buy the GM I really need to sell something, and it will probably be the Loxia 35. Decisions decisions.
Finally, I'm still sporting an A7RII. Would my money be better spent on a new body?...Show more →
I’ve seen your Flickr feed before. Pardon any wrong assumptions here, but you seem to be attracted to the wider side of things. I saw very few night shots also. So if I’m looking for the benefits of this lens, it might be for what, better subject isolation at f/1.4, or better low light ability due to the wide aperture. And yes it has great corner to corner sharpness. But ultimately I don’t remember seeing many 35mm shots from you. Even people pictures (not many of these either) were either shot at 24 or 50+ And not much in between. So if I were you buying a lens like this I might think more about the 24GM. You still get the wide shots you like, you have options for background separation from subjects. You’ll get great landscape performance, and this FL still works great for environmental portraits. While the 35GM is a great lens, I just don’t see the benefit of chasing a focal length that you don’t really use or “see” in through gear acquisition.
If you really want to challenge yourself to use this focal length, I would suggest pushing yourself with the Loxia and asking yourself what you feel you are missing. Or set your larger zoom to 35 if that has autofocus and see if AF causes you to like the focal length more. If it is the lack of features only that would make you like the focal length more, then by all means go for this lens. But if the focal length itself is not going to be your favorite, I would spend money somewhere else first.
Also I’m not entirely sure about your need the improved AF for on the body/lens. To be honest I see a lot of static subjects in your photos where it wouldn’t be hard to take your time focusing and composing with the gear you have already (maybe you do need it for images you don’t post, like for family and such). I know the newer bodies starting with the A7iii and up have quite a bit better AF system than the one you have. And as you have an R body now, the Ar7IV seems a logical choice for an upgrade. You will certainly appreciate those improvements immediately across the board. But it’s probably a ‘nice to have’ sort of thing. The one thing you might really appreciate is battery life improvements. It improved significantly after the model you have currently.
Just some food for thought. Again, sorry if any of the above are wrong assumptions on my part. And, if you decide you do like the 35mm focal length, this lens is an amazing buy!
hiepphotog wrote:
I would always prioritize a lens purchase over a body; however, it seems that you don't really "need" a new 35 atm so a new body should really improve your shooting experience if you think you can take the advantage of a more responsive AF system.
The GM also offers dust and water resistance. But shooting with this lens, IMO, is greater than the sum of its parts. The responsiveness, the latest optics tech, and the relatively small size and light weight really make it much more enjoyable than any lens in this focal length for me.
Honestly I would go with a newer body in this case. A GM is built for the need of speed and light gathering if your not going to take advantage of that so much than you should really jump up to like the A7rIV . Actually been seeing them used for 2300 which is a nice price. But do jump to the IV. Pretty big improvements from 2 to 4.
abadger wrote:
I’ve seen your Flickr feed before. Pardon any wrong assumptions here, but you seem to be attracted to the wider side of things. I saw very few night shots also. So if I’m looking for the benefits of this lens, it might be for what, better subject isolation at f/1.4, or better low light ability due to the wide aperture. And yes it has great corner to corner sharpness. But ultimately I don’t remember seeing many 35mm shots from you. Even people pictures (not many of these either) were either shot at 24 or 50+ And not much in between. So if I were you buying a lens like this I might think more about the 24GM. You still get the wide shots you like, you have options for background separation from subjects. You’ll get great landscape performance, and this FL still works great for environmental portraits. While the 35GM is a great lens, I just don’t see the benefit of chasing a focal length that you don’t really use or “see” in through gear acquisition.
If you really want to challenge yourself to use this focal length, I would suggest pushing yourself with the Loxia and asking yourself what you feel you are missing. Or set your larger zoom to 35 if that has autofocus and see if AF causes you to like the focal length more. If it is the lack of features only that would make you like the focal length more, then by all means go for this lens. But if the focal length itself is not going to be your favorite, I would spend money somewhere else first.
Also I’m not entirely sure about your need the improved AF for on the body/lens. To be honest I see a lot of static subjects in your photos where it wouldn’t be hard to take your time focusing and composing with the gear you have already (maybe you do need it for images you don’t post, like for family and such). I know the newer bodies starting with the A7iii and up have quite a bit better AF system than the one you have. And as you have an R body now, the Ar7IV seems a logical choice for an upgrade. You will certainly appreciate those improvements immediately across the board. But it’s probably a ‘nice to have’ sort of thing. The one thing you might really appreciate is battery life improvements. It improved significantly after the model you have currently.
Just some food for thought. Again, sorry if any of the above are wrong assumptions on my part. And, if you decide you do like the 35mm focal length, this lens is an amazing buy!...Show more →
Thanks. You are correct on all counts. I had actually ordered the lens (it was in stock at B&H) and cancelled my order. I will work harder at trying to shoot at 35mm and see how I feel afterwards. I was operating/justifying my GAS under the assumption that I didn't use my 35 Loxia much due to being less than delighted with my results...but maybe it's a deeper disconnect with that focal length.
Alex W wrote:
Really starting to like this lens. I just am not use to shooting with a 35mm so trying to practice.
Great images Alex!
On the last one, I can see the ill-effect of EFCS as it causes weirdness on rendering at high shutter speeds. The remedy is to turn off "EFCS" or use silent electronic shutter.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Great images Alex!
On the last one, I can see the ill-effect of EFCS as it causes weirdness on rendering at high shutter speeds. The remedy is to turn off "EFCS" or use silent electronic shutter.
Thanks. I seem to forget to do that quite a bit. Now that you have pointed it out I see it too. Will try to remember.
Alex do me a favor . First one with dog that hot spot over his nose just burn that down in post. Little distracting . I d like the shots that one just bugs me. I think you will like it
GMPhotography wrote:
Just flip it into electronic mode and you don’t have to think about it. Mechanical I only use for electronic flash stuff
I keep forgetting too. But the electronic shutter affects the dynamic range , doesn't it ? At least with the A7riii, I think we are losing something if we shoot electronic only.
Neurad1 wrote:
Thanks. You are correct on all counts. I had actually ordered the lens (it was in stock at B&H) and cancelled my order. I will work harder at trying to shoot at 35mm and see how I feel afterwards. I was operating/justifying my GAS under the assumption that I didn't use my 35 Loxia much due to being less than delighted with my results...but maybe it's a deeper disconnect with that focal length.
BTW, I already own the 24 1.4 GM.
Ah! Sorry I missed that about the 24GM. You know, you could also use this lens in crop mode as a 35...if you are testing that focal length. It works very well for this purpose on R bodies.
GMPhotography wrote:
Alex do me a favor . First one with dog that hot spot over his nose just burn that down in post. Little distracting . I d like the shots that one just bugs me. I think you will like it
My bad it’s a girl. Lol
lol. Yep Ellie Mae. I left that area because I like it. I thought the background looked kind of boring without it. Subjective I guess. Yes I will use the electronic shutter in situations like this. If I was using my A9 I would not even have to think about it I guess.
GMPhotography wrote:
Just flip it into electronic mode and you don’t have to think about it. Mechanical I only use for electronic flash stuff
Guy, are you saying if electronic/silent shutter is used like in A7RIV or A1, it will not have that weird bokeh at wide aperture/high shutter speed? Only EFCS causes it?
Douglas L wrote:
Guy, are you saying if electronic/silent shutter is used like in A7RIV or A1, it will not have that weird bokeh at wide aperture/high shutter speed? Only EFCS causes it?
Thanks.
I never use full e-shutter on the A7RIV. Too many variables and things that could mess up an image, IMO. If I had an A1, I would be using full e-shutter for everything unless I had to shoot high-speed sync using off-camera flash, in which I would switch to full mechanical shutter.
This video by Mark G. on EFCS is a good refresher:
Fboss wrote:
I keep forgetting too. But the electronic shutter affects the dynamic range , doesn't it ? At least with the A7riii, I think we are losing something if we shoot electronic only.
Sorry to derail the 'image thread' with this technical stuff but you don't lose DR with the A7R III or IV but you do with the RII.
Let's see more pictures now.
We're heading to Great Sand Dunes NP this weekend, so looking forward to taking the 35GM out for some nice f/1.4 night landscapes with the mostly full waning gibbous moonlight. In the mean time, all I have are dog photos.
