chiron
Offline
Upload & Sell: On
|
 Re: G lenses - FE24 f/2.8, FE40 f/2.5, FE50 f/2.5 | |
LBJ2 wrote:
chiron wrote:
realVivek wrote:
There are Leica handbooks that actually list all the stuff they churned out and how many per year. I even have a few of those from the past. Not a big deal.
Sony does not have to emulate Leica. In fact, Leica are following Sony and others. Their Ms now can take an EVF and are all sporting live view. 
chiron wrote:
Steve Spencer wrote:
chiron wrote:
Steve Spencer wrote:
chiron wrote:
Steve Spencer wrote:
chiron wrote:
Steve Spencer wrote:
bjornthun wrote:
Olympus OM Zuiko f/2.8 wides are typically 170-180 grams.
I used to own Olympus OM film SLRs, so I hope Sony and Sigma can replicate much of that. I’d like Sony G/Sigma I-series 85/2.8, 135/3.5, 200/4, 300/4.5 as well.
Yes, I very much agree and that is part of my puzzlement with these lenses. If they would have been an 85 or 90 f/2.8, a 135 f/2.8 or f/3.5, and a 180 f/3.5 or f/4, they would have added something quite new to the system. I would love to see small versions of some of these longer lenses and especially high quality small versions, but alas Sony has given us more lenses in the crowded 24-50mm range.
I do think that what they are going for is small and high quality--otherwise they would not be G-designated and with reduced apertures.
I think one of the complaints that Sony has been hearing is that their lenses/bodies have gotten too large and have gotten Sony away from the compactness and ease of handling that was one of the initial attractions for the Sony NEX cameras, then the Sony APS-C cameras, and then the first A7 bodies.
I don't think Sony wants to or that they should give up or slow down on the big, very high quality lenses, like the 50/1.2 GM or the 12-24/2.8 or the 600/4. They want to be the best pro camera system.
But I do think they want to reclaim compactness and I think that is what these lenses are after. The A7C has been a success for them, probably to be followed by other versions, and I think it illustrates a design strategy for them: You can get best in class image quality (and the A7C has the best image quality sensor that Sony sells, per Bill Claff's measurements) in a compact form IF you are willing to compromise on some other characteristics. Like the EVF in the A7C or like max aperture in this new series of G lenses.
These lens, at least as I am imagining them, are very appealing to me. Yes, I would still want the big, max ap lenses like the 50/1.2. But I would love to have a set of smaller, very high quality primes and zooms (like the 24-70 -- see Fred's review) that are compact and easy to carry, easy to travel with, easy to handle, and that don't make candid subjects feel like you are aiming a bazooka at them.
I hope that what these lenses will be.
I think you missed my point. I am not saying Sony is not going for small high IQ lenses with these new announced lenses, and I am certainly not saying they are turning away from bigger Pro lenses (there recent introductions make it clear that isn't happening), what I am saying is that if they want to support the A7c or compactness for the Sony E mount system, what is really needed is some longer lenses not more shorter focal length lenses. If you want to shoot the A7c for a compact system you have tons of choice lenses between 24 and 50mm, but almost no choices longer than 85mm. IMO, if they want to support the ability to have a small system, then they needed to offer some longer focal length, smaller lenses that were high quality and that adding these lenses to the crowded 24-50mm space does little to advance shooting a compact system.
I think I am addressing and disagreeing with your point. I think Sony is thinking in terms of Leica-typical focal length lenses for the A7C.
Well then that would only rule out the 180 I was talking about. 90mm and 135mm are certainly Leica-type focal lengths.
It's a question of emphasis and of clarifying or establishing the territory. If new high quality G lenses are establishing a system for the A7C, one would start in the heart of what the family, traveling and street-oriented photographer would want. Leica's first lens was not a 90mm, nor is it the heart of the system. The smaller lenses that are now available for the A&C ae fine but still a bit large and not necessarily very special.
Think of the success of Samyang tiny series but with G quality.
I think this shows some ignorance of Leica history. The first three Leica lenses introduced were a 35mm, a 50mm, and a 135mm, and the Leica 90 Thambar was made for Leica in 1935 for the very first Leica screw mount system. Leica has for a long time embraced the 90mm and 135mm focal lengths. These are not an odd focal lengths by any stretch of the imagination for Leica and have a long and distinguished history on the Leica platform. The 90mm and 135mm focal lengths in Leica history actually preceded the 24mm focal length and the 40mm focal length by quite a lot.
Rude, but unconvincing and not to the point. Obviously they made some moderate lengths. Not the point. How many lenses do they sell in each focal length category?
I didn't mean to suggest that Sony was emulating Leica. Sony is less emulating than perhaps incipiently displacing them for uses favoring a small, fast, high quality kit.
Perhaps that is why Leica is raising their prices substantially--to enhance the aura of Je ne sais quoi that surrounds their offerings. 
I spent some of the last month wondering whether I should plunk down 10k to savor this rare essence. At the moment, I seem to have recovered. If these new G lenses go where I hope they will, that will help me to stay recovered.
I better send you some more Leica videos...fast 
Oh wait, here's a nice one "An Artist taking photos of another artist, Leica Style"
You are the very devil, LBJ! The appeal is very seductive and the work that has been done with that camera line is truly fabulous. I bought the book "Eyes Wide Open! 100 Years of Leica Photography." Oversized, beautifully printed, and a very thick 564 pages (weighs about 9 lbs.). It was cheaper than a Leica Noctilux lens cap.
I do envy the glass and also the slender feel of the most recent bodies that are said to recall the handling of earlier Leicas. But I also feel that for my eyes and my frequent subjects, I tend to need excellent autofocus (especially indoors or in dim light where zone focusing doesn't get you much. Also, I am a big fan of IBIS. I know there are good ways around all these factors, and the work that is done with Leica cameras and lenses is wonderful.
|
