It sounds like a very incremental upgrade. It is everything expected, yet nothing exciting. I may still buy one though. I have purposely not ever bought the version I of this lens. I have waited for this. It checks the boxes, but just barely. It is definitely just an evolutionary lens. I am not sure why they didn't put IS in it. It is interesting that they plan on keeping the version I in their line-up.
BrianP wrote:
It sounds like a very incremental upgrade. It is everything expected, yet nothing exciting. I may still buy one though. I have purposely not ever bought the version I of this lens. I have waited for this. It checks the boxes, but just barely. It is definitely just an evolutionary lens. I am not sure why they didn't put IS in it. It is interesting that they plan on keeping the version I in their line-up.
BrianP wrote:
It sounds like a very incremental upgrade. It is everything expected, yet nothing exciting. I may still buy one though. I have purposely not ever bought the version I of this lens. I have waited for this. It checks the boxes, but just barely. It is definitely just an evolutionary lens. I am not sure why they didn't put IS in it. It is interesting that they plan on keeping the version I in their line-up.
Incremental upgrade, but also seems to be a very well rounded and balanced lens.
Sony could have achieved greater wow-factor by packing everything to their new 24-70mm. But I am not sure if the hypothetical loaded 24-70mmm had been a better workhorse lens after all. Internal zoom, IS etc. are all optical compromises and they make the lens bigger. Minimalism is often the best way to go.
I honestly think anybody wanting this lens to be an internally zooming lens is just being unrealistic. tuomkok wrote:
Incremental upgrade, but also seems to be a very well rounded and balanced lens.
Sony could have achieved greater wow-factor by packing everything to their new 24-70mm. But I am not sure if the hypothetical loaded 24-70mmm had been a better workhorse lens after all. Internal zoom, IS etc. are all optical compromises and they make the lens bigger. Minimalism is often the best way to go.
BrianP wrote:
It sounds like a very incremental upgrade. It is everything expected, yet nothing exciting. I may still buy one though. I have purposely not ever bought the version I of this lens. I have waited for this. It checks the boxes, but just barely. It is definitely just an evolutionary lens. I am not sure why they didn't put IS in it. It is interesting that they plan on keeping the version I in their line-up.
It'll be far superior optically, very light and smaller with most of the weight balanced towards the mount (just like they did with the superb 70-200 GM II), has faster AF... yet all these things are still just "barely" enough?
People can be so hard to please.
It looks like version II improved astigmatism at the wide range while increasing resolution/contrast at the long range. All this with a considerably smaller and lighter lens.
The Sigma was the lighter/cheaper alternative with high IQ but the new GM II is 140 grams lighter.
Looks like a great lens all around. However, for me it’s not worth spending more than TWICE what I paid for the Sigma. The Sigma 24-70/2.8 is the reigning value king in this segment.
I will probably wait a bit until EDU or Greentoe offers $300+ discount. I will be selling the Sigma 24-70 which I use often, and the rarely used Sigma 35 f2 (Fred's copy).
tuomkok wrote:
Incremental upgrade, but also seems to be a very well rounded and balanced lens.
Sony could have achieved greater wow-factor by packing everything to their new 24-70mm. But I am not sure if the hypothetical loaded 24-70mmm had been a better workhorse lens after all. Internal zoom, IS etc. are all optical compromises and they make the lens bigger. Minimalism is often the best way to go.
Yes, the Sigma is value king, but Sony have to keep up with Canon and Nikon on price, unfortunately for both Canon and Nikon that Sigma don't make lens for them yet... Hopefully soon.
mudlake wrote:
Looks like a great lens all around. However, for me it’s not worth spending more than TWICE what I paid for the Sigma. The Sigma 24-70/2.8 is the reigning value king in this segment.
