1. It's huge.
2. It starts at 28 and not 24.
3. Too expensive compared to 24-70 GMII
I understand. I’m not interested in hearing from those who don’t want, need or can‘t afford this lens though, but rather those who have this lens and are using it.
I think this is one of the best lenses I’ve ever had.
I’ve sold all my other lenses except for my 14mm prime because I simply don’t need them anymore.
For example, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM was truly outstanding and used to be my favorite lens – but the 28-70mm is actually even sharper.
Many people don’t realize how big the difference between f/2.8 and f/2.0 is when it comes to bokeh and background blur. However, the difference between f/2.0 and f/1.8 – or even f/1.4 – is minimal. It’s so subtle that I can compensate for it in Lightroom in just a few seconds, and no one would ever notice.
Let’s take wedding photographers as an example:
Yes, you can shoot portraits at f/1.4, but the results often look artificial and unnatural due to the extreme blur. The choice of background hardly matters anymore – everything looks almost the same.
Often, it’s actually better to shoot at f/2.0 because you need to consider the background as part of the composition. The result is much more interesting. You can quickly tell whether a photographer is a beginner or more experienced:
Those who struggle with composition almost always default to f/1.4.
But that’s just my personal opinion.
24mm? I don’t miss it at all.
If I need wide-angle, I go all in!
Around 75% of all photos and videos online are taken at 24mm because that’s the standard focal length of most smartphones.
To me, this focal length has become boring. I just can’t stand it anymore.
A zoom lens that performs like a prime is an absolute dream for me.
With the APS-C mode of the A7R V, I can extend the lens to 105mm and still have 26 megapixels!
This truly replaces several prime lenses.
Price & availability
I’m not sure if posting retailer links is allowed here,
but you can get this lens for 1000€ less, and it even comes with a three-year worldwide warranty.
Even prime lenses have struggled with this shot because the streetlights on the right create severe lens flares, reflecting multiple times within the lens elements.
The 28-70mm is the first lens where I didn’t have to retouch anything!
The coating is world-class, and you can really tell that this is an area where technology keeps evolving.
It’s not just about having good glass – lens coatings make a huge difference as well.
For me, this lens has almost no weaknesses – and that’s saying a lot for a zoom.
It’s absolutely worth the price, and I don’t mind the weight at all.
At just 900 grams, it actually makes my camera bag lighter than carrying three or four prime lenses.
What about Sony’s f/1.8 primes?
Honestly? They don’t stand a chance.
Not only in color and character but also in sharpness, they are all inferior to this zoom lens.
Sony’s f/1.8 primes are simply not that sharp when shot wide open.
Only when stopped down do they start to perform well.
The 28-70mm doesn’t have this weakness at all – it’s razor-sharp at any aperture.
Stefan Official wrote:
I think this is one of the best lenses I’ve ever had.
I’ve sold all my other lenses except for my 14mm prime because I simply don’t need them anymore.
For example, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM was truly outstanding and used to be my favorite lens – but the 28-70mm is actually even sharper.
Many people don’t realize how big the difference between f/2.8 and f/2.0 is when it comes to bokeh and background blur. However, the difference between f/2.0 and f/1.8 – or even f/1.4 – is minimal. It’s so subtle that I can compensate for it in Lightroom in just a few seconds, and no one would ever notice.
Let’s take wedding photographers as an example:
Yes, you can shoot portraits at f/1.4, but the results often look artificial and unnatural due to the extreme blur. The choice of background hardly matters anymore – everything looks almost the same.
Often, it’s actually better to shoot at f/2.0 because you need to consider the background as part of the composition. The result is much more interesting. You can quickly tell whether a photographer is a beginner or more experienced:
Those who struggle with composition almost always default to f/1.4.
But that’s just my personal opinion.
24mm? I don’t miss it at all.
If I need wide-angle, I go all in!
Around 75% of all photos and videos online are taken at 24mm because that’s the standard focal length of most smartphones.
To me, this focal length has become boring. I just can’t stand it anymore.
A zoom lens that performs like a prime is an absolute dream for me.
With the APS-C mode of the A7R V, I can extend the lens to 105mm and still have 26 megapixels!
This truly replaces several prime lenses.
Price & availability
I’m not sure if posting retailer links is allowed here,
but you can get this lens for 1000€ less, and it even comes with a three-year worldwide warranty.
Even prime lenses have struggled with this shot because the streetlights on the right create severe lens flares, reflecting multiple times within the lens elements.
The 28-70mm is the first lens where I didn’t have to retouch anything!
The coating is world-class, and you can really tell that this is an area where technology keeps evolving.
It’s not just about having good glass – lens coatings make a huge difference as well.
For me, this lens has almost no weaknesses – and that’s saying a lot for a zoom.
It’s absolutely worth the price, and I don’t mind the weight at all.
At just 900 grams, it actually makes my camera bag lighter than carrying three or four prime lenses.
What about Sony’s f/1.8 primes?
Honestly? They don’t stand a chance.
Not only in color and character but also in sharpness, they are all inferior to this zoom lens.
Sony’s f/1.8 primes are simply not that sharp when shot wide open.
Only when stopped down do they start to perform well.
The 28-70mm doesn’t have this weakness at all – it’s razor-sharp at any aperture....Show more →
Great image!
Agree with most of what you said except for experienced photographers not using f1.4. It all depends on the distance to your subject. My 50/1.2 looks fantastic at f1.2 for many portraits but if course I stop down to even f4 or 5.6 when I need to. I’m looking at this lens seriously now. Thanks for the good comments and image. 🙂
MRK2019 wrote:
This lens has been out for a while now. Where are the photos or real world reports of experiences with this lens?
Is this F2 zoom lens better or worse than a normal F2.8 Gm II?
Would love to hear from people who have this lens….
I have this lens (for about 2 months now). Unfortunately, I have not had a ton of opportunities to use it yet. I sold off my excellent (well centered) 24-70 GMII and 35 GM to pay for this. Also letting go a couple other primes around this FL range. My main goal was to avoid carrying extra gear and lens changes in the field.
I don't have any direct comparisons with my 24-70 GMII, but I do believe the 28-70 is at least as sharp as the excellent 24-70 GMII. I notice the micro-contrast is excellent, on the same level as a GM prime.
Stefan Official wrote:
[...]
Price & availability
I’m not sure if posting retailer links is allowed here,
but you can get this lens for 1000€ less, and it even comes with a three-year worldwide warranty.
[...]
It's certainly allowed to tell the world where you bought the lens.
Of course, not everything with f/1.4 or f/1.2 should be criticized.
But to better understand why f/2.8 makes it difficult to separate the background nicely, you can see it very clearly here:
?feature=shared&t=972 (timestamp 16:12)
At f/2.8, something is missing that you do get at f/2.
Here’s a comparison between f/2 and f/1.4 in the next video:
?feature=shared&t=251 (timestamp 4:11)
The difference between f/2 and f/1.4 is quite small – more subtle and a matter of taste.
Personally, I find f/1.4 too soft most of the time. I prefer shooting at f/2 because it makes the image more interesting.
With f/1.4, almost any beginner can achieve good results quickly, but for me, it often lacks the photographer’s individual touch. With f/2, you already need more knowledge to compose the background properly and integrate it into the image.
F/2.8, on the other hand, lacks that special something – the background is still a bit too busy.
That’s just my opinion. I find f/2 portraits much more exciting to look at when the photographer understands their craft.
I also included a guide on how to unlock all languages in the Sony firmware, in case you need more than just English.
If it’s allowed, I can translate the article into English and post it in a new thread. However, I’m not sure if this is welcome here – I don’t want to risk getting banned as a new user.
I'm very happy with mine. It gives the distinctive rendering that you can see from the sample pics that you can see. It's sharp, and certainly sharp as a prime for much of its range.
I thought that I would not like the weight, having a 24-70 GM II but, particularly in the winter, when I often end up shooting in the dusk, I don't notice the weight as much as expected and like the extra stop.
I like the 24mm focal length, but haven't missed it as much as I expected.
So, I've ended up using it much more than I expected.
Should I swap it out for the 20-70mm f4, in the summer, for travel shots? I'm not so sure. The rendering and versatility over primes sells it to me.
Goodrich wrote:
Should I swap it out for the 20-70mm f4, in the summer, for travel shots? I'm not so sure. The rendering and versatility over primes sells it to me.
Why not own both the 28-70/2 and 20-70/4?
They are complementary with vastly different strengths & use cases:
20-70/4 Strengths:
- wider and more versatile focal length
- easy to filter
- small
- light
- discrete
- cheaper
- better suited for travel & street
28-70/2 Strengths:
- much better capability for subject isolation
- better bokeh
- much better in low light
- (arguably) better sharpness and IQ across all apertures and focal lengths
- can replace fast primes in the same/similar focal range
- better suited for events and weddings
chrisd999 wrote:
Why not own both the 28-70/2 and 20-70/4?
They are complementary with vastly different strengths & use cases:
20-70/4 Strengths:
- wider and more versatile focal length
- easy to filter
- small
- light
- discrete
- easier for travel
- cheaper
28-70/2 Strengths:
- much better capability for subject isolation
- better bokeh
- much better in low light
- (arguably) better sharpness and IQ across all apertures and focal lengths
- can replace fast primes in the same/similar focal range
Fast primes for me are f1.4 f2 are primes boarding on slow.
I would be quite happy to have this information! I’m not in charge of banning anyone but people here frequently mention other opportunities to get discounted gear, so the topic in general doesn’t seem to be objectionable . at the very least if you do translate it, you could PM it to people who are interested.
Stefan Official wrote:
Of course, not everything with f/1.4 or f/1.2 should be criticized.
But to better understand why f/2.8 makes it difficult to separate the background nicely, you can see it very clearly here:
?feature=shared&t=972 (timestamp 16:12)
At f/2.8, something is missing that you do get at f/2.
Here’s a comparison between f/2 and f/1.4 in the next video:
?feature=shared&t=251 (timestamp 4:11)
The difference between f/2 and f/1.4 is quite small – more subtle and a matter of taste.
Personally, I find f/1.4 too soft most of the time. I prefer shooting at f/2 because it makes the image more interesting.
With f/1.4, almost any beginner can achieve good results quickly, but for me, it often lacks the photographer’s individual touch. With f/2, you already need more knowledge to compose the background properly and integrate it into the image.
F/2.8, on the other hand, lacks that special something – the background is still a bit too busy.
That’s just my opinion. I find f/2 portraits much more exciting to look at when the photographer understands their craft.
I also included a guide on how to unlock all languages in the Sony firmware, in case you need more than just English.
If it’s allowed, I can translate the article into English and post it in a new thread. However, I’m not sure if this is welcome here – I don’t want to risk getting banned as a new user....Show more →
Is it not the case that these HK companies just pretend that they are sending you a tax-free gift and, if they are caught by customs, just pay the VAT / duties / fines? Since they don't get caught every time, they share the VAT / customs savings with their customers. Tax evasion by any other name. Sorry, but I couldn't get to the page as it was asking me about cookies, in German, so I gave up, in my legitimate interest.
Goodrich wrote:
Is it not the case that these HK companies just pretend that they are sending you a tax-free gift and, if they are caught by customs, just pay the VAT / duties / fines? Since they don't get caught every time, they share the VAT / customs savings with their customers. Tax evasion by any other name. Sorry, but I couldn't get to the page as it was asking me about cookies, in German, so I gave up, in my legitimate interest.
EDIT: Stefan has now provided a translation. See the next post if you want the complete text.
------------------
I declined the cookies (in German) as all I wanted to do was reading the text Stefan linked us to.
In short: Yes, it's grey import, a discussion about pros and cons and why it can be totally OK to use grey import. Discussion about the global companies maximizing their profit by avoiding price wars in [at least] Germany [I see it clearly here in Sweden as well]. Then the writer tells us about a god experience from having bought a camera body from Hong-Kong thanks to different tax and custom rules. Further, good experience from buying from the company named Panamoz where support and warranty seems to work just fine. Saving varies and is highest for high end gear.
Please correct me if I missed something essential Stefan!
I have now inserted it here as a new text in English.
Please note, however, that I can only speak for Europe.
But more about that here in the post: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1894258/
FWIW, I was able to pick up this lens at a substantial discount on the b&s board. By far the best lens I own - I love the out of focus rendering. What I wanted to add, though, is for those put off by the weight; I haven’t used this on an extended shoot yet, but I’ve been shooting it one-handed on my A7iv fairly often and found this set up totally workable. I imagine a similar setup with the Canon equivalent would be a different story. I plan on getting a hand strap for my camera soon as well, which should make this even easier.
MRK2019 wrote:
I understand. I’m not interested in hearing from those who don’t want, need or can‘t afford this lens though, but rather those who have this lens and are using it.
I have the lens and I compare it to my 35mm f1.2… I don’t feel as much joy shooting with it than vs the prime. It is a heavy and expensive lens but the photos out of it is similar to a cheap and good f2 prime. It just does not spark joy in me. Still trying to love it
wind30 wrote:
I have the lens and I compare it to my 35mm f1.2… I don’t feel as much joy shooting with it than vs the prime. It is a heavy and expensive lens but the photos out of it is similar to a cheap and good f2 prime. It just does not spark joy in me. Still trying to love it
I think a prime is always more fun. This lens is more for working professional, or someone that prioritize not missing any photos imo.
This lens is incredible. I recently picked one up and find it near perfect for the focal range it offers. I often shot my 85gm at f2, and with the 70 at f2, I may end up selling the 85 now.
wind30 wrote:
I have the lens and I compare it to my 35mm f1.2… I don’t feel as much joy shooting with it than vs the prime. It is a heavy and expensive lens but the photos out of it is similar to a cheap and good f2 prime. It just does not spark joy in me. Still trying to love it
For me it is the opposite, never had so much fun shooting with a lens.
I love character and good rendering.. have the 85mm 1.4 GM, had Rxrii and Nikon 58mm 1.4G. Some of the best rendering lenses, but man the versatility is just too hard to beat. I am just able to take better pictures now imo.
