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Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

chiron
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

ramesesthe2nd wrote:
All super compact lenses have compromises:

Sigma I Series: AF system. IMO AF is acceptable on all I lenses except the 45mm. 45mm is borderline useless for any moving subject. Sigma in general seems to struggle more with AF than all other vendor in the Sony ecosystem. I feel rendering and IQ of Sigma I series lenses are better than other alternatives in this category.

Sony Compact G: Busy, point and shoot, style rendering. Expensive for what you get for your money. Image sharpness is the key priority of these lenses, not bokeh and rendering. I wish Sony kept 20 G...Show more →

I agree with most of what you say, though I think you are too dismissive of the G Trio's rendering and other qualities; I think Dustin Abbott gets these lenses about right.

The GM lenses also have their downside--their size and weight (putting aside the issue of cost). If a large and heavy lens does not interfere with your photography, then the GM lenses are a strong choice. If size and weight matters to you or changes the way your subjects relate to you or the camera, then that is a downside for those lenses.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:03 AM

QuietOC
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

The exterior parts of my 40G do not fit together well. The focus control allows a noticeable amount of fore-aft movement. The 24 G's focus control didn't seem as bad but was still not as nice as other Sony lenses. The aperture index marks on both rarely align. The detents are vague. The aperture controls on my GM and ZA primes are pretty similar.

The exterior parts of the plastic Tamron primes at least fit together pretty well. Don't watch those focus though. I am amazed 2 out of the 3 work as well optically as they do. And they claim to have seals unlike most of the Samyangs and Sigmas and the Sony FE 1.8/50. The warranty was useless.

The external parts of the polycarbonate Samyangs fit together well even the 24/2.8 and 35/2.8.. The 45/1.8 does seem below average. It would be nice if they updated the older lenses to match the sealed design of the 24/1.8. I really liked the handling of the 50/1.4 II--more 20 G like.

The alloy Sigma i-series do feel even better. But I use my camera outdoors, so the Sigma all alloy, unsealed construction is mostly a negative to me. But they are very nice indoor toys.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:13 AM

smpetty
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

ramesesthe2nd wrote:
All super compact lenses have compromises:

Sony compact G lenses are not bad lenses, but they offer little to nothing extra to stand out from the rest in this crowded segment.

The tiny trio Sony lenses have AF that is head and shoulders above all of the other lenses that you described. That's a big deal when comparing AF lenses. If AF wasn't a big deal to me, I would never shoot anything but my Voigtlanders and Loxias.

I also am a big fan of the rendering of all three of the tiny trio. The bokeh is sometimes busy, but usually not. The colors these lenses produce are excellent, as is the contrast. They are a lot of fun to use casually with even the bigger bodies like my A7R V. Easy to shoot from the hip or one-handed, kind of the way I shoot the Ricoh GR cameras. And all of the pictures are in focus and sharp. Wide open, they are all three sharp in the center. By f/4, they are all three sharp in the far corners. People complain about CA and flaring and sunstars and etc., but I rarely shoot backlit fountains or images straight into the sun. No lens is free of aberrations when used in certain ways.

Each of these lenses weighs significantly less than 200 grams. They make the Sigma i-series lenses seem heavy, and relatively speaking, they are. A bagel is heavier than a Sony tiny trio G lens, and it takes up more room. You can stick these lenses in a pocket or your sock or cram 30 or 40 of them into a small backpack. Size matters.

When I must have the best image quality, I use my GMs and the 20 G and my MF lenses. When I am photographically farting around, the Sony 24/40/50 trio make great images and never get in the way.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:21 AM

smpetty
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

QuietOC wrote:
The exterior parts of my 40G do not fit together well. The focus control allows a noticeable amount of fore-aft movement. The 24 G's focus control didn't seem as bad but was still not as nice as other Sony lenses. The aperture index marks on both rarely align. The detents are vague. The aperture controls on my GM and ZA primes are pretty similar.
.

I have not had any issues or regrets about the build quality of the 24/40/50 G lenses. The parts all fit together perfectly. They are very small lenses with lots of controls, so space was tight when they designed this series. They are typical high-quality Sony AF lenses in my experience and IMO. The relative heft of the Sigma i-series lenses makes them feel more solid in the hand, but the light-as-air on-camera feel of the Sony tiny G's is hard to beat.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:32 AM

ramesesthe2nd
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

I think you have your heart set on a G lens and nothing will change that at this point. I feel like this too when I develop serious GAS for a new lens. I just purchased 50 1.2 GM and although I knew it was too big and too heavy for what I could tolerate, I still convinced myself.

Dustin Abbott has three different videos on Samyang 45. That's how much he likes this lens. However, my experience with the lens is shaping up much different than his, so I would say YMMV.

GM lenses are large and heavy compared to these slow consumer grade lenses, but GM lenses are the lightest and smallest lenses, except some older exceptions (e.g., 85 GM), in their respective categories. I am finding 35 GM to be the biggest size I can personally tolerate. Anything bigger eventually gets replaced with something else, but I guess that's part of the fun of this hobby. Good luck with your decision.

Edited on Apr 29, 2023 at 07:48 AM · View previous versions

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:33 AM

smpetty
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I think you have your heart set on a G lens and nothing will change that at this point. I feel like this too when I develop serious GAS for a new lens. I just purchase 50 1.2 GM and although I knew it was too big and too heavy for what I could tolerate, I still convinced myself.

Dustin Abbott has three different videos on Samyang 45. That's how much he likes this lens. However, my experience with the lens is shaping up much different than his, so I would say YMMV.

GM lenses are large and heavy compared...Show more →

I agree with you on all of the above except that I have used and owned the 24 G and the 40 G since they were released, so my fondness of the small G's isn't GAS driven, it is based on experience.

I reserve GAS (and boy do I have GAS for lenses and guitars) for things I don't yet own :P

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:38 AM

swldstn
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

While I like the size and functionality built ito the compact G lenses I came to be disappointed by the f/2.5 aperture limitation. I only own the 40 and 50mm. Ended first getting the 50mm because I owned the Batis 40/2 (like both focal lengths) but in the end decided to try 40/2.5 as well. Also trying the Sigma DG DN I Series Contemporary at f/2 and prefer the wider apertures. Maybe should have kept my Batis 25/2 and 85/1.8 bur sold this for the GM 24/1.4 and 85/1.4.

I own the GM at 14, 24, 35, 50, 85, 135 mm and G at 20 and 90 that I use on my A1 and I A7RV but want smaller lens for street work and the Sigma 35, 65, and 90/2.8 are very nice. Also have the 2/2 an tryin the new 50/2 as well. They are bigger and heavier than the Mini Sony G.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:44 AM

ramesesthe2nd
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

smpetty wrote:
The tiny trio Sony lenses have AF that is head and shoulders above all of the other lenses that you described. That's a big deal when comparing AF lenses. If AF wasn't a big deal to me, I would never shoot anything but my Voigtlanders and Loxias.

I also am a big fan of the rendering of all three of the tiny trio. The bokeh is sometimes busy, but usually not. The colors these lenses produce are excellent, as is the contrast. They are a lot of fun to use casually with even the bigger bodies like my A7R V. Easy...Show more →

Interesting perspective and I agree that if AF wasn't a big deal to me, I too would mostly shoot Voigtlander lenses (not enough research on Loxia on my part).

Sigma I series have two sub categories: First category include 17/4, 24/3.5, 45/2.8 and 90/2.8; all super compact and beautifully built and not much heavier than Compact G lenses. Second category is their f/2 primes; also beautifully built, but not small enough and light enough for me to really make a difference. Sigma AF for sure leaves a lot to be desired.

My farting around lenses include Sigma 24/3.5, Samyang 45/1.8 and Sigma 90/2.8 and honestly I really enjoy how small and tiny these lenses feel compared to my bigger and heavier lenses.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:46 AM

smpetty
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

swldstn wrote:
While I like the size and functionality built ito the compact G lenses I came to be disappointed by the f/2.5 aperture limitation. I only own the 40 and 50mm. Ended first getting the 50mm because I owned the Batis 40/2 (like both focal lengths) but in the end decided to try 40/2.5 as well. Also trying the Sigma DG DN I Series Contemporary at f/2 and prefer the wider apertures. Maybe should have kept my Batis 25/2 and 85/1.8 bur sold this for the GM 24/1.4 and 85/1.4.

I own the GM at 14, 24, 35, 50, 85, 135...Show more →

For my shooting style, I just don't find that much difference between f/2 and f/2.5.

Apr 29, 2023 at 08:04 AM

Jonas B
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

Well, I put a user review of the 40G together back in 2021.

Re-reading my own words I found no reason to re-phrase myself about the lens.

Here is what I wrote at the time:

My conclusion
The lens is small, kind of ugly but the haptics are decent. Could have been better if Sony went out from the lab and took some images. The weight is great (of course, there are no big or advanced lens elements involved).

"Sharpness" is good with high resolution power and decent high contrast. Bokeh balls are ugly, bokeh is a bit so-so, LoCA is present but not very disturbing. AF is good and silent.

It's expensive. I guess that's what we have to pay for a metallic barrel and a button on the lens.

I bought and I'll keep it. That's not thanks...Show more →

Link to the review: click here

Apr 29, 2023 at 08:23 AM

chiron
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

EDIT: THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECOND IMAGE IN THIS COMPARISON, SO IT IS INVALID. THERE IS A NEW COMPARISON, THIS TIME OF FOUR 50MM LENSES, THAT APPEARS ON PAGE 3 BELOW.

Just for fun...

Here are three shots, SOOC jpegs resized to 1500X1000. Three different 50mm lenses were used, all shot at f2.5, handheld, 1/200th sec on an A1 body. The EXIF data has been removed. The three lenses were the Loxia 50mm, the Sony 50mm 1.2 GM, and the Sony 50mm 2.5 G (not necessarily in that order). Focus was on the top of the purple flowers. All three shots were taken within two minutes.

What do you think of the rendering of each of the three lenses? In terms of the overall effect on the viewer, are any more handsome to look at than any others? Do you like one more than the others? Are they all pleasing, or do you dislike some or at least like some less?

Edited on Apr 30, 2023 at 08:32 AM · View previous versions

Apr 29, 2023 at 05:39 PM

jay w
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

I'll stick my neck out. My preference is 3, 1, and then 2. Both 3 and 1 have sharp flowers and I prefer the #3 background.

Apr 29, 2023 at 06:16 PM

tsdevine
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

Same as Jay...3,1,2. Guessing (1) Sony G, (2) Loxia, (3) GM. And I'm sure I'll be wrong.

Edited on Apr 29, 2023 at 07:56 PM · View previous versions

Apr 29, 2023 at 06:19 PM

ramesesthe2nd
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

My preference is 2,1, and then 3, but honestly I wouldn't be able to tell them apart if you didn't post them side by side in this comparison context.

I commented too many times on this thread, so I had to participate.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:33 PM

Tarekith
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

My preference would be 2,3,1.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:48 PM

fotografur
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

tsdevine wrote:
Same is Jay...3,1,2. Guessing (1) Sony G, (2) Loxia, (3) GM. And I'm sure I'll be wrong.

As is my guess.

Apr 29, 2023 at 07:49 PM

smpetty
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

Me too…. Prefer 3, then 1, lastly 2

Apr 29, 2023 at 09:06 PM

chiron
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

Since people have different preferences (none of which has anything to do with being right or wrong), it might be interesting if folks said a bit more about what appeals to them about the rendering(s) they prefer. I think it might be educational for all of us to see how other people see images.

Apr 29, 2023 at 09:19 PM

soholingo
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

araudan wrote:
I do think that lens is a great idea. But I have the 20G and th 24-105G that I'm happy with. I couldn't justify a change in my own mind. Plus the primes are just so light in hand. I think I enjoy that most of all.

I sometimes want to go wider than 28mm (2860), but never want to swap out to the 20G that I have. So the 2070/4 is the ideal lens for me as it will replace my 20/1.8 2860 and 85/1.8.

I returned the 40G just because it was boring. It wasn't great it wasn't bad, and while it felt perfect on my A7C I just didn't want to shoot with it...

The 2070/4 is small enough to replace the cupcake lenses, all three of them.

Apr 29, 2023 at 09:20 PM

OscarF
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Two years of the Sony Small G Trio: User Experiences & Comments?

chiron wrote:
Just for fun...

Here are three shots, SOOC jpegs resized to 1500X1000. Three different 50mm lenses were used, all shot at f2.5, handheld, 1/200th sec on an A1 body. The EXIF data has been removed. The three lenses were the Loxia 50mm, the Sony 50mm 1.2 GM, and the Sony 50mm 2.5 G (not necessarily in that order). Focus was on the top of the purple flowers. All three shots were taken within two minutes.

What do you think of the rendering of each of the three lenses? In terms of the overall effect on the viewer, are any more handsome to...Show more →

It looks like with photo #2 you missed focus on the flowers. The slats on the seat of the chair to the left look a little more in focus than on the other two shots; and the background is more blurred. The weed growing in the lower-right-middle is out of focus on this shot, but more in focus on numbers 1 + 3. I'm guessing this photo was shot with the manual focus Loxia.
Photos #1 and #3 seem interchangeable. Their Bokeh isn't helped by the streaks of rain that are running through it. It gives a weird vertical choppiness.

Apr 29, 2023 at 10:35 PM

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