Re: Sony 24-105 and a wide prime for Landscape work?
IMO, most judgements about micro-contrast in an image for the purpose of comparing lenses are likely influenced by lighting conditions. In flat lighting, a prime will also show lack if bite.
Luvwine wrote:
Most examples I have seen show that unless the prime lens is the exact focal length you want for your composition, then the zoom will have the advantage in sharpness once you crop the prime as the loss of pixels will make up for any lack of sharpness in the lens. In many cases one cannot "zoom with your feet" as if you are standing on the bank of a lake or river, or what have you, you need to shoot from where you are. Having said this, I do see sometimes a "flatness" (as mentioned above) in the rendering of the 24-105 in particular. I even commented on one of Ronnie Olsen's fine images about this in the past as it lacked something that, say, the older C/Y 100-300 has. I suspect it is a lack of micro contrast tho these types of terms are hard to define. All lenses are compromises. The 24-105 and similar lenses are usually "sharp enough" and immensely convenient. At times, as when you don't want to change lenses due to conditions or when you need to travel light, they may be the ideal choice. That being said, I don't own one and only own one zoom currently (and that for Fuji). Sometimes one's lens choices are not the most practical choice. Primes are usually sharper, I like their rendering better, and I like the ability to mix and match what lenses I want to take on a given mission. Nothing beats a small prime when one wants to be really compact and when one does not need different focal lengths. Sun stars and filter use also play into my selection of lenses. I have avoided the fine Sigma 14-24 and sold my Sony 12-24 due to inconvenience with filters. I would rather use other UWA lenses like those from Laowa where filter use is possible. Choose your poison. No lens is perfect--size, convenience, price, rendering, filter use, sharpness, all require trade offs.
Jan 05, 2020 at 02:25 AM
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