p.1 #1 · Anyone observed decentering in a 24-70 GMII on the long end?
I finally bought this lens after I rented it for a while; It is a truly outstanding zoom.
I usually test the lenses I buy very thoroughly. The copy I got is decentered mostly in the right upper corner in the 50-70mm range. It's pretty obvious (seen best zoomed at 100%,) and it only starts improving around f8 but it's still there.
For those who test their lenses (this involves pixel peeping so pardon to those who don't): have you seen something like this before? I shoot mostly landscapes so these sorts of defects show up in big prints.
I'm asking because I was surprised seeing this in a GM lens. Also, I'd like to calibrate my expectations. Anyway, I'll return it and ask for a second copy.
p.1 #3 · Anyone observed decentering in a 24-70 GMII on the long end?
Thanks. I read the thread. I missed it because I wasn't searching with the right keywords.
I really liked this lens when I rented it but I never run the tests that I normally do (like FM himself). I probably never caught that issue on the upper right corner at 50-70mm because that's usually pointing at the sky, both at landscape and portrait orientations (and If I have to choose a soft corner, this is the right one - could this be intentional from Sony?). Or maybe that one copy was stellar.
I am going to try a second copy and see what happens. I was really looking forward to this zoom - I recently sold the 24-105 as I wanted a better zoom in this range especially since upgrading to the a7rv. Seems like Sigma could be another option but it's heavier and weight is an issue since I am planning to take the lens on a long trip with lots of hiking.
As a side note, I tried the new 20-70/4 and it doesn't come close to the 24-70GMII (soft corner and all). If I had infinite money then probably I'd keep it too for shoots when I need a lighter albeit not-so-great zoom.
p.1 #4 · Anyone observed decentering in a 24-70 GMII on the long end?
zuru wrote:
Thanks. I read the thread. I missed it because I wasn't searching with the right keywords.
I really liked this lens when I rented it but I never run the tests that I normally do (like FM himself). I probably never caught that issue on the upper right corner at 50-70mm because that's usually pointing at the sky, both at landscape and portrait orientations (and If I have to choose a soft corner, this is the right one - could this be intentional from Sony?). Or maybe that one copy was stellar.
I am going to try a second copy and see what happens. I was really looking forward to this zoom - I recently sold the 24-105 as I wanted a better zoom in this range especially since upgrading to the a7rv. Seems like Sigma could be another option but it's heavier and weight is an issue since I am planning to take the lens on a long trip with lots of hiking.
As a side note, I tried the new 20-70/4 and it doesn't come close to the 24-70GMII (soft corner and all). If I had infinite money then probably I'd keep it too for shoots when I need a lighter albeit not-so-great zoom....Show more →
You liked the lens when you rented it but not so after you tested your own copy. That’s the reason I stopped testing lenses years ago. Somehow, I enjoy photography way more by using lenses intended for capturing real life instead of test images. You will find yourself on a slippery slope, “obsessing” about getting the holy grail of a lens or lenses. This is a gear-related forum and a lot of folks here are like that. This is only my opinion, to each his/her own and no offense intended…
p.1 #5 · Anyone observed decentering in a 24-70 GMII on the long end?
AGeoJO wrote:
You liked the lens when you rented it but not so after you tested your own copy. That’s the reason I stopped testing lenses years ago. Somehow, I enjoy photography way more by using lenses intended for capturing real life instead of test images. You will find yourself on a slippery slope, “obsessing” about getting the holy grail of a lens or lenses. This is a gear-related forum and a lot of folks here are like that. This is only my opinion, to each his/her own and no offense intended…
I think of myself as a pretty balanced photographer, and not obsessed about the specs of the gear I use without considering its use. I do run my gear pretty hard for my use in landscape photography (you can check on my website or 500ps/flickr). I do care about sharpness a lot because many of my landscapes are shot at infinity and I print big. As I said in my original post, the reason I didn't spot any flaw in the lens I rented was because when you shoot landscapes, a soft upper right corner would normally be pointed at the sky, and who cares about sharp clouds . And let's face it, for other styles, some softness in some corner doesn't do much (i.e., portraits, wide open shots of animals, etc). There is also the possibility that I got a really good copy from the rental company.
. And let's face it, for other styles, some softness in some corner doesn't do much (i.e., portraits, wide open shots of animals, etc). There is also the possibility that I got a really good copy from the rental company.