p.1 #1 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
So I've been a fan of 24mm for decades. Even my zooms are often shot at the 24 end. I had the 24mm f1.8G on my D750 and loved it.
I made the switch to Z 4 yrs ago because the things I was seeing from the lenses were beyond convincing. I bought the Z7II & 50mm f1.8s to start and was blown away by the lens. As good as any lens I've ever owned. Now I have the 14-24/24-70/70-200 2.8 zooms and the 50 & 85 1.8s. Every last one is amazing AFAIC.
Even though the reviews of the 24 1.8s weren't as overwhelmingly positive as the other z glass I picked one up. Shot with it for a year. tested side by side with both zooms with 24mm @ 24mm and the prime just didn't quite match up to the zooms. I reluctantly sold it because I really wanted my wide prime but wasn't about to use one when I had a sharper (bigger and heavier) zoom. I picked up the 20mm 1.8s as a compromise because the reviews were consistently better. I really wanted to stay in system (for no good reason I guess). I must have got a bad copy because it was decidedly unsharp. Bought new, I took it right back. Perhaps bad luck on my part and I definitely thought I was going (even more) crazy. My standards had to be ridiculous, it couldn't be the glass.....
The whole time I've been searching for a 24 prime I've been reading about the Sony 24mm f1.4G so I finally took the leap, picked one up mint used for $700 and a megadap adapter, $250 new.
OMG this lens is amazing. First frame I opened in Capture One was undoubtedly perfectly sharp. The AF works great with the adapter. Wish I'd done this from the start. I'm still sold on all my other Z glass but the Sony 24 1.4G is as good as any of my other Z primes, 1/3 of a stop faster, and surprisingly small for a 1.4. I've only shot some tests so far but I'll post some samples here when I get out in better weather tomorrow.
p.1 #2 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
I must admit, I am scratching my head with this. I had the Z 24 f1.8S and it was superb, razor sharp wide open and sharp across the frame once stopped down.This is borne out by the reviews on both Photography Life and Camera Labs. Looking at both these glowing reviews, I wonder why there is not more love for this lens. I guess that most people have it covered with their zooms and most people stop down for landscapes and would rarely need the f1.8 ability and thus why the lens isn't more popular. The 20mm f1.8 is probably more apt for night-time skies. Admittedly, I sold the Z 24 f1.8S but that was because I didn't use it enough to warrant having it and I needed the funds to help purchase another lens at the time. I just didn't need the f1.8 ability to really take advantage of it, I mostly shot stopped down at this focal length for landscapes etc as I assume most others would also. At f8 it was still sharper than my Z 24-70 f2.8 S I and the same would be said for the 24-70 f2.8 S II that I now own. Bokeh was very nice wide open and stopped down, considering it is a 24mm wide angle. Over all IQ was exceptional, IMO.
p.1 #3 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
When a Z lens, or lens from any company, is generally reputed to be an excellent optic, and the first copy you obtain is lousy, you get another copy. Assuming, of course, that you have convinced yourself that you genuinely need/want that lens. Both my first copies of the Z14-24 and Z24-70/2.8 (Mk1) went back. Second copies of each were fine.
p.1 #4 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
I am holding two somewhat opposing statements in my head at the same time:
1. All modern non-bodget lenses are excellent by historical standards, and that definintely includes the S-line.
2. S-line of primes is not competitive with Sony's GM-line of primes.
They're both true, and for people demanding absolute optical perfection, build quality and aperture ring for the Z-mount, Megadap is a must. Since I shoot both systems and have all GMs anyway, the only Z-primes that make sense for me are the two tiny SE lenses for the Zf. I sold all others and replaced them with Megadap.
p.1 #5 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
old-gregg wrote:
I am holding two somewhat opposing statements in my head at the same time:
1. All modern non-bodget lenses are excellent by historical standards, and that definintely includes the S-line.
2. S-line of primes is not competitive with Sony's GM-line of primes.
They're both true, and for people demanding absolute optical perfection, build quality and aperture ring for the Z-mount, Megadap is a must. Since I shoot both systems and have all GMs anyway, the only Z-primes that make sense for me are the two tiny SE lenses for the Zf. I sold all others and replaced them with Megadap.
The second point is your opinion, not fact, as is "for people demanding absolute optical perfection". I mean *NO* lens is perfect.
p.1 #7 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
Keith B. wrote:
When a Z lens, or lens from any company, is generally reputed to be an excellent optic, and the first copy you obtain is lousy, you get another copy. Assuming, of course, that you have convinced yourself that you genuinely need/want that lens. Both my first copies of the Z14-24 and Z24-70/2.8 (Mk1) went back. Second copies of each were fine.
Nikon seems to be having QC issues that they didn't before. In 40+ yrs at this I've only ever had one bad lens (Schneider 150mm 4x5 lens) before this. Now, with back to back sub standard copies (maybe), it seemed to me to make as much sense to give the megadap a try with a universally well reviewed lens as it did to give Nikon a third shot at this. The Z wide primes get good reviews but not overwhelmingly good from virtually every source like this particular Sony and many of the other Z lenses.
I'm pleasantly surprised how well the AF works adapted. Even the eye detect on my dog was instant and dead on.
I'll still always look to Nikon glass first, but I'm just posting to confirm that at least this Sony lens adapts flawlessly to the Z bodies and the Sony 24mm f1.4G is a fantastic lens.
p.1 #8 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
old-gregg wrote:
I am holding two somewhat opposing statements in my head at the same time:
1. All modern non-bodget lenses are excellent by historical standards, and that definintely includes the S-line.
2. S-line of primes is not competitive with Sony's GM-line of primes.
They're both true, and for people demanding absolute optical perfection, build quality and aperture ring for the Z-mount, Megadap is a must. Since I shoot both systems and have all GMs anyway, the only Z-primes that make sense for me are the two tiny SE lenses for the Zf. I sold all others and replaced them with Megadap.
Having owned a few pairs of some of the very best Z/FE GM lenses (50mm f1.2, 135mm f1.8), I have the exact opposite opinion.
p.1 #10 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
The 24 GM isn’t an optical showpiece on paper but it renders beautifully, much like the original 85 GM. It’s a bit soft and glowy wide open, though it sharpens up nicely when stopped down.
The 20 G on the other hand, stands out for its superior distortion control, coma performance, autofocus speed and edge to edge sharpness wide open. It’s an incredible value.
p.1 #12 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
mawz wrote:
The Sony 24GM is slightly smaller and lighter despite being f1.4 vs the Nikon’s f1.8
It is shorter by *only* 4mm only 5gms lighter!!! I would call that a wash and completely irrelevant. However, it is 50% more expensive!!! Not everyone is so obsessed with smaller and lighter. If a lens is better, then some will happily buy and use a larger and heavier lens, other's won't. Everyone is different and want different things.
p.1 #13 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
Lance B wrote:
It is shorter by *only* 4mm only 5gms lighter!!! I would call that a wash and completely irrelevant. However, it is 50% more expensive!!! Not everyone is so obsessed with smaller and lighter. If a lens is better, then some will happily buy and use a larger and heavier lens, other's won't. Everyone is different and want different things.
Dude, I was responding to somebody who asked if the Sony lens was larger. Didn’t give any value inputs, just said it was slightly smaller and lighter as the measurements you provide confirm
p.1 #14 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
What I really wish Nikon would produce are some smaller (but still sharp) wide angle ff prime options. 20-24mm f/2.8-3.5, size similar to viltrox 20mm or Z 28mm.
p.1 #15 · Z mount wide angle prime frustrations solved
Nosfer42 wrote:
What I really wish Nikon would produce are some smaller (but still sharp) wide angle ff prime options. 20-24mm f/2.8-3.5, size similar to viltrox 20mm or Z 28mm.
Agreed, also we need wider than 20mm primes as well, regardless of speed/size
