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'Wow' factor lens treat

rob_ww
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p.2 #1 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Kevner wrote:
Rob_WW,

This is one of those questions that will generate a lot of options, all based on individual preference. From your initial post it's hard for me to know if you are buying a lens for your own self reward, or to impress your peers. Since I buy 2-3 new lenses a year, I've come up with a bit of a decision tree I follow when considering a new purchase. Maybe it will help you.

Decision 1: MF or AF? For me, the answer is almost always MF but that's a preference not about lens quality
Decision 2: What is my budget range?...Show more →

Thank you. This is absolutely for my own reward, not to impress anyone else. Almost certainly AF -- I just cannot make my peace with MF on the Sony. Different story if I went back to the Leica M of course, or maybe even the M-EV or the Q3 43 which seem to do MF much better than other EVF cameras.

On Decision 5 I could do with at least one wider aperture lens in the 40-50 range (wider than the 2.8 of the Sony 24-50). Decision 7 "a cool factor" also.

Mulling over now. Many of these comments are helping me think it through.

Apr 03, 2026 at 06:42 AM

rob_ww
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p.2 #2 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

mudlake wrote:
If I were in your position and could afford it as a �treat�, I would 100% buy the Leica Q3 43. No hesitation. You�d have a lot more fun with that camera than just buying another 40-50mm lens for your Sony. I�ve owned all the lenses mentioned in this thread (except for the sigma 28-45) and they are all fantastic, especially the Sony 50/1.2 GM. But�the Leica would be far and away more fun as a treat to yourself. 🙂

Thank you. Now, this is what makes the decision difficult!!!

Could you say more about why you say this about the Q3 43 in particular? It would help.

(Should I cross-post in the Leica thread??)

Edited on Apr 03, 2026 at 07:03 AM · View previous versions

Apr 03, 2026 at 06:45 AM

rob_ww
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p.2 #3 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Nifty Fifty wrote:
But only if you like the rendering of the 43mm Summicron. I was excited about the camera after the announcement, since I don't really need anything other than a standard lens anyway, but this lens is far too sharp, too contrasty, too digital for me. Technically, it's certainly top-notch, but I really don't like the rendering; it's not something I'd want. But then again, I'm rather old-fashioned.
You may stone me, but I even prefer the Viltrox Air 2.0/50, which costs 170 euros.
I do like the rendering of the 43 Summicron. Actually, I don't like the 28mm on the Q3 because I think that lens IS too sharp and too contrasty, as you say. No stones from me however. I've been around Leica long enough to give it a good poke before deciding.

I hadn't thought of the Viltrox Air -- are you saying it is special or just that it is better in its own way than the Q3 43?

Apr 03, 2026 at 06:49 AM

Nifty Fifty
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p.2 #4 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

I don't want to criticize the 43 Summicron in general; I'm just saying that what I've seen of it so far isn't to my taste. But if you like the images from the Q3 43, then that's all that matters, not what anyone else thinks. Don't let yourself be influenced by that. Regarding the Viltrox Air: I find the image quality truly outstanding; I wouldn't know what to criticize, but I can't love it anyway. That's probably more down to me than the lens itself, though.

DSC06807 by Werner Wurst, on Flickr

Apr 03, 2026 at 07:13 AM

freaklikeme
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p.2 #5 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

I think the 50/1.2GM is the best answer from your list. It's a great lens. Auto-corrections handle the mild but weird distortion very well, and there's not much else to correct on it. Beautiful boke, fast to AF and accurate, and there is something special about it in use. It's a glorified fast fifty, sure, but the design leans hard into expectations and doesn't disappoint. In short, it's a treat to use, even if it's not your favorite focal length.

The zoom is excellent... for a zoom. It's a nice improvement over the old APSC 18-35/1.8, and I'm sure it's intentional. I do have a question, though: Are you looking for a lens to replace the 24-50/2.8 for times when you want something special? It'll do it with the extra stoppish, but the price is a lens that feels like it's twice as large. To me, that's not a treat. That's a lens you use when you can't make it work at a smaller aperture.

I'd rent the Q43 before making any decisions about it. It's a nice camera, but you need to go into it knowing what it's like using it and what kind of adornment may or may not be needed, like a grip and/or thumbs up.

Apr 03, 2026 at 12:59 PM

Grenache
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p.2 #6 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

I have both the 50/1.2 GM and Q43 and love both of them. I have many other lenses in that range, but these days, the others seldom come out of the cabinet.

50GM
Incredibly sharp, even wide open. Very well corrected but yet nothing �clinical� about its rendering. It has really lovely bokeh that allows you to create moody, dreamy scenes when you want them. Its sharpness, colors and corrections make it a stellar landscape lens as well as its obvious use for portraits. It has respectable magnification at MFD. between it and the 135GM, I almost never use my nice macro lens any more. I find its weight perfect, but I don�t shoot with a 7c/R body to be able to comment on balance there. Easily my favorite lens.

Q3-43
Lens here is stellar as well but with its shorter focal length and tighter aperture, you mostly will have images with what I would characterize as �documentary style� or almost reportage. This is not a critique, but it is a difference. I am usually an overpacker, even for short trips, that involve photography. I have taken just the Q3-43 on several recent trips and got every shot I wanted, never missing the bag of gear I would have otherwise brought. That has been fun. Sure, in theory I could have just taken a camera and one lens and likely had a similar outcome, but there is something psychologically freeing about not having the option to pack another lens. With the new firmware, focusing is accurate and pretty snappy. AF is comparable to a7Riii. I added the Helium grip and found that very helpful for the ergonomics. I have a bit of a hand tremor but have yet to take a photo that is less than tack sharp, in spite of the camera �only� having lens stabilization.

The two options you mentioned have VERY different price points. You could basically buy another Sony body AND the 50GM for the price of the Q3-43. Or, you could buy the GM and take a spectacular trip�or buy three Sony GMs.

Even if you are willing to drop $7k, you should still carefully weigh the best use of that kind of cash for your needs and interests.

Jim

Apr 03, 2026 at 03:55 PM

EB-1
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p.2 #7 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

rob_ww wrote:
I am very pleased with my kit: A7CR, 16-35 and 24-50, plus some wide and longer lenses for special circumstances. It's great for travel, family, events, gatherings, walks, etc. Everyone loves the results.

I have the opportunity to indulge myself by adding another lens, something which duplicates the existing 40-50 range I have covered. Size and weight no object this time. What would you choose, as a complete treat?

So far it seems to me either the 50/1.2 GM or the Sigma 28-45/1.8 based on perusing many, many pictures and comments on this forum. Out of left field, I also really like...Show more →

What does your EXIF data show from those zooms? Export to Excel and do a histogram 1mm bins.
I'd take whatever is the peak of the usage and find a fast prime closest to that FL.

EBH

Apr 03, 2026 at 04:01 PM

Mystik
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p.2 #8 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Nifty Fifty wrote:
I agree with everything you said, but I'd like to add that when it comes to large and heavy prime lenses, it can just as easily be the other way around. For example, I originally planned to buy just a 50mm lens for my mirrorless camera. Since I had been shooting 6x6, always focusing manually, and wanted a lens that was as fast as possible but also as small and light as possible, I opted for the Nokton 1.2/50 SE and was absolutely thrilled with it. After a few months, I thought I should try autofocus, as focusing was...Show more →

Yeah I mean on one hand, Sigma 35 1.2 and 85GMI OOF rendering wide open to me are unique to a point that I would haven't parted with either lens even though they have had MKII versions that I consider inferior.

OOTOH I've been testing out these TTartisan and Viltrox lenses that I picked up for some up coming travel, and am blown away with how well they do, particularly from a rendering standpoint, at a 1/3 of the price and size and weight.

DSC07049 by Mystik, on Flickr

DSC07040 by Mystik, on Flickr

DSC06880 by Mystik, on Flickr

Apr 03, 2026 at 06:46 PM

rico
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p.2 #9 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

rob_ww wrote:
I hadn't thought of the Viltrox Air -- are you saying it is special or just that it is better in its own way than the Q3 43?

Nifty Fifty and myself are the head cheerleaders for the Viltrox 50/2 Air, so take our comments with a grain of salt�or not! I like to claim that the Air is the best standard lens in the world, and just happens to cost $200. I do own VERY expensive glass of various kinds and don't use the word "best" in a casual way. Leica lens caps cost more, no joke. If you want a standard prime that costs more money for some reason, and will be a lot of fun, then consider the Canon TS-E 502.8L Macro which mounts perfectly with a Sigma adapter and will give you top-notch performance with tilt/shift/rotate movements. No AF, however. Price new right now is $2.5K. I own the 135/4L version and love the damn thing.

Apr 03, 2026 at 09:16 PM

philip_pj
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p.2 #10 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Mystik, very good focal plane impact (presence), neat background handling, assured color. You look for serious issues and find none. In a post-tariff time, their lenses may even get cheaper thanks to supply chain optimization, automation and productivity gains. It's happened in many other industries already, and they are still new to the field.

Apr 03, 2026 at 09:34 PM

Mystik
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p.2 #11 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

philip_pj wrote:
Mystik, very good focal plane impact (presence), neat background handling, assured color. You look for serious issues and find none. In a post-tariff time, their lenses may even get cheaper thanks to supply chain optimization, automation and productivity gains. It's happened in many other industries already, and they are still new to the field.

Thanks Philip!

GM type lenses are definitely sharper and you can achieve a greater degree of blur for sure, but you're right, can't really find a flaw in these lenses aside maybe the vignetting in the 40 F2. Usually with these budget lenses you're dealing with a lack of sharpness, dull contrast/colors/rendering, and/or nervous bokeh. None of that here.

rico wrote:
Nifty Fifty and myself are the head cheerleaders for the Viltrox 50/2 Air, so take our comments with a grain of salt�or not! I like to claim that the Air is the best standard lens in the world, and just happens to cost $200. I do own VERY expensive glass of various kinds and don't use the word "best" in a casual way. Leica lens caps cost more, no joke. If you want a standard prime that costs more money for some reason, and will be a lot of fun, then consider the Canon TS-E 502.8L Macro which mounts perfectly...Show more →

Viltrox 50 air arrives for me tomorrow. I'm not a 50mm guy but excited to try it out.

I do have the 14 air currently. Only shot I've taken on it is this one of my neighborhood on it but also is an extremely competent lens in a focal length where lenses tend to be terrible unless you're spending thousands of dollars.

DSC06765-Edit by Mystik, on Flickr

Apr 03, 2026 at 10:03 PM

Nifty Fifty
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p.2 #12 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

philip_pj wrote:
You look for serious issues and find none. In a post-tariff time, their lenses may even get cheaper thanks to supply chain optimization, automation and productivity gains. It's happened in many other industries already, and they are still new to the field.
And for a brief moment, I actually considered the possibility that a lens thread might, for once, manage without Philips' daily paean to Chinese industry. I'm such a daydreamer. 🙄

Apr 04, 2026 at 02:17 AM

Nifty Fifty
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p.2 #13 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Mystik wrote:
OOTOH I've been testing out these TTartisan and Viltrox lenses that I picked up for some up coming travel, and am blown away with how well they do, particularly from a rendering standpoint, at a 1/3 of the price and size and weight.
It's a shame you don't have a 1.2/50 GM alongside your TTA 2/75. I'd be interested in a 1:1 wide-aperture image comparison between the TTA in full frame and the GM in APS crop mode.

Apr 04, 2026 at 02:25 AM

rico
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p.2 #14 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Mystik wrote:
Viltrox 50 air arrives for me tomorrow. I'm not a 50mm guy but excited to try it out.

Congrats! Post pics and comments here, or in an appropriate FM thread. I'm interested in your assessment.

Apr 04, 2026 at 02:45 AM

Newenglandrocks
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p.2 #15 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

I would consider renting all options you are considering for a weekend each. Spend quality time shooting with them and see what you think. Your local shop may also allow you to apply some of your rental towards the new lens

Apr 04, 2026 at 05:55 AM

chez
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p.2 #16 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Nifty Fifty wrote:
And for a brief moment, I actually considered the possibility that a lens thread might, for once, manage without Philips' daily paean to Chinese industry. I'm such a daydreamer. 🙄

And for once it would be nice that you wouldn�t pollute a good thread. Oh to dream.

Apr 04, 2026 at 07:00 AM

Nifty Fifty
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p.2 #17 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

chez wrote:
And for once it would be nice that you wouldn�t pollute a good thread. Oh to dream.
However, unlike you, I've actually contributed something meaningful to the topic. You're just doing what you always do: making stupid comments. Well, I guess you want to get 30,000 posts somehow, right? 😄

Apr 04, 2026 at 07:09 AM

Mystik
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p.2 #18 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Nifty Fifty wrote:
It's a shame you don't have a 1.2/50 GM alongside your TTA 2/75. I'd be interested in a 1:1 wide-aperture image comparison between the TTA in full frame and the GM in APS crop mode.

I mean if you're questioning how a compact $200 lens compares against the center part of a larger $2,000 lens, then I think we know what the answer will be. The fact that the two lenses are even in the same conversation says a lot though. I think the main question to ask is whether the technical differences matter enough to rationalize both the cost and the size/weight, outside of camera fanatics on the internet and whether the differences matter in real world shots. For my the ttarisans 75 is more a compact alternative to my 85GM, and if I were to be honest with myself, from what I've seen so far, it feels like the ttarisans can do most of what I've done on the 85GM for 10 years. But the gear nerd in me loves the GM.

My main hobby these days is guitar and its interesting that a similar type of debate occurs when people compare $2k American made custom guitars to mass produced Chinese sub-brands. I have my American Fenders but fully acknowledge that the Chinese Squiers can do just as much at a fraction of the cost.

?si=VIciFA-x-__8F9Bt&t=225

Edited on Apr 04, 2026 at 09:26 AM · View previous versions

Apr 04, 2026 at 09:09 AM

KarmaKramer
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p.2 #19 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

Sounds like GAS to me

You get great results and people like the photos sooo you just wanna splurge on a lens. Which is fine, just be prepared to sell one of them in a few months.
The options are laid out all over this forum so just pick the one that suits your eye best. 35,40,50,55�.GM,Voigtlander,Zony�
Throw a dart you cant go wrong really unless you dislike manual lenses.

rob_ww wrote:
I am very pleased with my kit: A7CR, 16-35 and 24-50, plus some wide and longer lenses for special circumstances. It's great for travel, family, events, gatherings, walks, etc. Everyone loves the results.

I have the opportunity to indulge myself by adding another lens, something which duplicates the existing 40-50 range I have covered. Size and weight no object this time. What would you choose, as a complete treat?

So far it seems to me either the 50/1.2 GM or the Sigma 28-45/1.8 based on perusing many, many pictures and comments on this forum. Out of left field, I also really like...Show more →

Apr 04, 2026 at 09:17 AM

ramesesthe2nd
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p.2 #20 · 'Wow' factor lens treat

I�ve owned a lot of �wow factor� lenses over the years, and my favorite on Sony mount is still the Sigma 35mm f/1.2. The rendering is just special. Ultimately, though, it�s a huge lens, and the grass always feels greener, so I swapped it for the Sony 35mm GM. The GM is a great lens in its own right, but after using the Sigma, I never enjoyed it quite as much.

I later picked up the 50mm f/1.2 GM, which I also find spectacular, but 50mm can feel a bit too tight for indoor shooting. It�s also a chunky lens, not as heavy as the Sigma but still very noticeable in use. Because of that, I�ve been thinking about selling the 50 GM and going back to the Sigma 35mm f/1.2.

The only challenge is availability. Not many Sigma 35 f/1.2 copies show up in the buy‑and‑sell forum, so it may take a while before I can grab one again.

Apr 04, 2026 at 09:22 AM

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