p.1 #1 · People who own both the 24-70 GM II and 35 1.4 GM, when/how do you use each lens?
I'm fortunate to have both of these incredible lenses, but find myself rarely using my 35 GM 1.4. I've found that I prefer zooms and the 24-70 GM II is a great versatile lens that has taken some of my best images. The 35 GM is also incredible, but I often consider selling it just because it doesn't get used as much as it should. However when I do use it, it always delivers as well. Emmett Sparling is a pro photographer who's work I love and he said he uses the 24-70 GM II 90% of the time and will break out the 35 GM 1.4 or 50 GM 1.2 for portraits only. I'm curious to hear how others use these two lenses and in what situations they gravitate to one or the other.
p.1 #2 · People who own both the 24-70 GM II and 35 1.4 GM, when/how do you use each lens?
Your favorite pro photographer mentioned that already. If you want to get more subject isolation and more background blur, you use the GM 35mm. Maybe the GM 50mm f/1.2 is more suitable for you; a little longer and aperture-wise even faster for yet even better subject isolation.
p.1 #3 · People who own both the 24-70 GM II and 35 1.4 GM, when/how do you use each lens?
I have both the GM 24-70 2.8 II and the GM 35mm 1.4.
I used the 35mm 1.4 GM exclusively on my A7RIII on a trip to Venice, and it was superb in the night even with an older camera body.
Venice is spectacular in the night and the Sony GM 35mm 1.4 captured its beauty extremely well. That was in 2022.
I purchased the GM 24-70 2.8 II in 2023 and used it on a trip to Hawaii along with the GM 70-200 2.8 II. They were great for capturing landscapes on a hike up the sleeping giant mountain in Kauai. I did all my photography in daylight. The 24-70 2.8 II is sublime. It’s fantastic for portraits too, which makes thus an amazing lens.
I think for cityscapes in Europe especially in the night I prefer the 35mm 1.4 GM.
So, it’s different lenses for different reasons. I wouldn’t part with either. These 2 lenses are some my favorite lenses in any system.
p.1 #5 · People who own both the 24-70 GM II and 35 1.4 GM, when/how do you use each lens?
I have a 24-70/2.8 (Sigma rather than Sony) and a 35GM. FWIW my reasons for having the 35GM as well as the 24-70 are (in no particular order of priority):
1. low light photography
2. shallower depth of field / more blurred out of focus areas
3. when I want a lens which is relatively small and light
I am undecided about whether to add better image quality to that list or not. In my real world use (eg I'm usually shooting hand-held) I think the 35GM is a little better (speaking in general terms ) but I am not sure the difference is enough for it to be a factor in why I keep the 35GM.
There are times when I think about switching out the 35GM for a 35/1.8 option, for the smaller size and lighter weight. I don't think I can do it though. The combination of image quality, fast auto-focus, and ability to go to f/1.4, while still being pretty compact and light for what it is, make it hard for me to part with the 35GM, as much as I would be happy to have something smaller and lighter (and therefore in that sense more different from the 24-70/2.8). For now, at least, my thinking is if I really want convenience there is always my phone camera so if I am going to carry a dedicated camera, I'll carry the 35GM.
p.1 #6 · People who own both the 24-70 GM II and 35 1.4 GM, when/how do you use each lens?
I have both and mainly use the 35mm. The process is simpler for me when I have a single focal length to work with. Besides, the prime is a bit lighter and two stops faster.
The primary use case for the 24-70mm is when I'm going on a hike and want the most lightweight setup possible, so instead of taking the usual 24-50-85 trio of primes I take the zoom.
Optically I have not observed any differences between them in real life images.
p.1 #7 · People who own both the 24-70 GM II and 35 1.4 GM, when/how do you use each lens?
24-70 GM II is a go anywhere lens. I use it for landscapes, photowalks and when I need to quickly get multiple different framings in event type photography. When I "have to get the picture" I use zoom. 35 GM does much of the same but is lighter, brighter and - the obvious thing - does not zoom. Using prime is very natural when photographing people or personal snapshots, but fixed pocal length has its limitations.
Very often my 2 lens setup consists of these two lenses. they are different enough to compliment each others nicely.
old-gregg wrote:
Optically I have not observed any differences between them in real life images.
