Sony Zeiss FE24-70/F

[spinworkxroy]

My 2nd day with the lens and my 1st day bringing it out for some test shots. Today, I will try to draw on the positives of this lens.

I have confirmed that this is a parfocal lens. This means once your subject is in focus, you can zoom in and out and your subject will remain in focus.

Vignetting can be easily corrected in post. Mild vignetting can appear all the way up to f8. This lens can be used all the way to f22. The vignetting should disappear by f11. Interestingly, I did not witness the weak corners.

This lens should be having a lens profile that should correct the distortion. The appearance of apps in camera means that lenses will work in tandem with apps to achieve what would otherwise be extremely costly to manufacture. There are obvious distortions. Will have to see what Sony will do to correct it in apps.

This is a f4 lens. Do not expect smooth creamy OoF area like this is a f2.8 lens. DoF is not razor thin. MFD is 0.4 cm. You need subject isolation, move closer. OoF is OoF. It is not an art. Don't call it a bokeh.

Your images also kinda explains what i'm feeling about this lens..
It's not bad but not exceptional. The images dont shout out to me..it's just so so to look at..it doesn't really say Hey, i'm a Zeiss, come look at me..
Kinda reminds me of regular Sony G lenses..

 

[ManWearPants]

Your images also kinda explains what i'm feeling about this lens..
It's not bad but not exceptional. The images dont shout out to me..it's just so so to look at..it doesn't really say Hey, i'm a Zeiss, come look at me..
Kinda reminds me of regular Sony G lenses..

Yes, the IQ is nothing to shout about. I have not used the FE 35 nor 55 so cannot compare to them. I also have not used it extensively enough. However, the 2nd day feels better than when I first used it. So the lens may grow on you slowly. It is after-all a Sony (not Zeiss) lens.

Does the FE 35 or 55 manual focus the same way as the zoom? It is electronically linked to the body (maybe there is a term for it). The faster you turn, the focus range is wider. To fine-tune, you have to turn slowly.

This is more like a toy lens that you can have fun with. With this lens, I am seriously not interested in the 70-200 or the UWA anymore. I am thinking of keeping this A7 + zoom as a travel kit and continue to have a DSLR for more critical shooting.

Just curious, is the kit zoom lens 28-70 a parfocal lens?

 

[spinworkxroy]

Yes, the IQ is nothing to shout about. I have not used the FE 35 nor 55 so cannot compare to them. I also have not used it extensively enough. However, the 2nd day feels better than when I first used it. So the lens may grow on you slowly. It is after-all a Sony (not Zeiss) lens.

Does the FE 35 or 55 manual focus the same way as the zoom? It is electronically linked to the body (maybe there is a term for it). The faster you turn, the focus range is wider. To fine-tune, you have to turn slowly.

This is more like a toy lens that you can have fun with. With this lens, I am seriously not interested in the 70-200 or the UWA anymore. I am thinking of keeping this A7 + zoom as a travel kit and continue to have a DSLR for more critical shooting.

Just curious, is the kit zoom lens 28-70 a parfocal lens?

I've never tried the 35 or 55 manual focusing Kinda defeats the purpose doesn't it? Bu i do believe it's electronically controlled.
The 35 and 55 are also Sony not zeiss but they both have the zeiss characteristics and quality..this one doesn't
I too am not interested in the UWA or 70200 anymore..seeing the price and resalability isn't there...
i was actually hoping this lens to be the workhorse for me like the Canon 24-70F2.8II was for me..but i'm beginning to think it really can't...

 

[spinworkxroy]

Didn't post this in image sharing because well, it isn't an image worth sharing. This is a test shot from the 24-70 @f4
Testing the DOF and bokeh of this lens. The plane of focus is quite shallow actually..as you can see the cups must be totally in line if not it'll be out of focus.
Again, i'm still not impressed with the sharpness and overall output from this lens..it guess it makes a good walkabout..that's about it..but it's not that small!

Image #1


Image #2

 

[albertri]

Didn't post this in image sharing because well, it isn't an image worth sharing. This is a test shot from the 24-70 @f4
Testing the DOF and bokeh of this lens. The plane of focus is quite shallow actually..as you can see the cups must be totally in line if not it'll be out of focus.
Again, i'm still not impressed with the sharpness and overall output from this lens..it guess it makes a good walkabout..that's about it..but it's not that small!

Image #1


Image #2

seem for now if 24-70/4 is it that good maybe for now we look at A-Mount like Minolta 17-35? or it's sibling Sony CZ 16-35 A-Mount?

 

[spinworkxroy]

seem for now if 24-70/4 is it that good maybe for now we look at A-Mount like Minolta 17-35? or it's sibling Sony CZ 16-35 A-Mount?

Those are different ranges leh..unless you're talking APSC mode..i think the closest is the 2470 A mount which is heavy and big and lack OSS...for the extra stop, i'm not willing to sacrifice the extra weight and forgo OSS..besides, the LA-EA4 makes it only center area AF points...not enough..

 

[celebo]

Didn't post this in image sharing because well, it isn't an image worth sharing. This is a test shot from the 24-70 @f4
Testing the DOF and bokeh of this lens. The plane of focus is quite shallow actually..as you can see the cups must be totally in line if not it'll be out of focus.
Again, i'm still not impressed with the sharpness and overall output from this lens..it guess it makes a good walkabout..that's about it..but it's not that small!Quote]



Did you shoot raw? I think this lens is not bad at all..some pp and the photos will pop. See some photos shot using this lens here. You can see quite a few actually if you scroll back a few pages.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1255248/146

 

[spinworkxroy]

Did you shoot raw? I think this lens is not bad at all..some pp and the photos will pop. See some photos shot using this lens here. You can see quite a few actually if you scroll back a few pages.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1255248/146

No i didn't shoot in raw because this wasn't really something i want to edit.
Also because when i first shot with the FE35, the jpgs alone were like Wow...but this one...was more meh than wow most of the time.

 

[spinworkxroy]

Did a proper shoot today..
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1338082&p=8773986&viewfull=1#post8773986

Sample image in the thread above..
Overall, this lens is actually pretty decent in good light. I actually enjoyed using it alot today.
The OSS was fantastic and the colour rendition is good. Give it time and i'm pretty sure i will love this lens in the end...so far so good...

 

[Kit]

The A7R and 24-70mm are now in the dry cabinet regulating humidity level! :bsmilie::bsmilie:

Good to hear folks here are finding the lens useful. I am still not seeing possibilities of this setup having a place in the bag though.

 

[albertri]

I did a quick test not very scientific just random inshop test 1st impression not that sharp wide open. Somehow it didn't appeal to me but it's a great travel lens.

I was drawn more to 55/1.8, SAL85/1.4 and SAL 50/1.4 than the cz 24-70 :-(. Even the small 35/2.8

 

[ricleo]

I did a quick test not very scientific just random inshop test 1st impression not that sharp wide open. Somehow it didn't appeal to me but it's a great travel lens.

I was drawn more to 55/1.8, SAL85/1.4 and SAL 50/1.4 than the cz 24-70 :-(. Even the small 35/2.8

ha so you got your laea4? if you like the SAL 85 1.4, try out the sigma 85 1.4 too. half the price and performance will amaze you

 

[spinworkxroy]

The A7R and 24-70mm are now in the dry cabinet regulating humidity level! :bsmilie::bsmilie:

Good to hear folks here are finding the lens useful. I am still not seeing possibilities of this setup having a place in the bag though.

Haha..i'm the opposite..i can't imagine any other setup in my bag..small, somewhat light and amazing IQ from the camera..i totally don't miss my 5D3.

 

[albertri]

ha so you got your laea4? if you like the SAL 85 1.4, try out the sigma 85 1.4 too. half the price and performance will amaze you

yeah bro got it bnew overseas the shop gave me an awesome price just that no SG warranty *sob* testing some few CZ in the shop specially the 50 1.4 and 85 1.2 man awesome lenses I like it just that my wallet don't hahaha

I can try now my FF A-mount lenses

 

[ManWearPants]

Did a proper shoot today..
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1338082&p=8773986&viewfull=1#post8773986

Sample image in the thread above..
Overall, this lens is actually pretty decent in good light. I actually enjoyed using it alot today.
The OSS was fantastic and the colour rendition is good. Give it time and i'm pretty sure i will love this lens in the end...so far so good...

haha...what a quick turnaround!

I am thinking the glaring sunlight and dusty environment of late may be doing injustice to this lens. Bring it indoor and it may yield better results. This lens probably need more TLC for it to reciprocate.

Now all I am hoping for is a stellar UWA from Sony to redeem whatever love I am going to throw into this 2470. It can still be a great system. Sony, don't screw it up!

 

[Kit]

I'll remain a skeptic for now. If they can't even make a good standard zoom, I'm not counting on the UWA.

 

[spinworkxroy]

haha...what a quick turnaround!

I am thinking the glaring sunlight and dusty environment of late may be doing injustice to this lens. Bring it indoor and it may yield better results. This lens probably need more TLC for it to reciprocate.

Now all I am hoping for is a stellar UWA from Sony to redeem whatever love I am going to throw into this 2470. It can still be a great system. Sony, don't screw it up!

yep..for some reason..the jpg dont look as good but st least the raw files hold details and make it easy to post process..
is it better than the canon? no..but it isn't horrible and its half the weight and half the price.

 

[sagiluck]

By comparing jpg and raw...noticed the auto distortion correction actually crop and stretch the extreme corners quite alot and in a way made them look worse. Safer to shoot raw and only apply correction when needed.

 

[silvermoon1407]

By comparing jpg and raw...noticed the auto distortion correction actually crop and stretch the extreme corners quite alot and in a way made them look worse. Safer to shoot raw and only apply correction when needed.

If that's the case, it seems like in-camera software needs an update. I still have faith in the sel2470z. Something tells me most people are have too high an expectation for the lens, comparing it to other similar premium grade lenses. Not really an apple to apple comparison.

 

[spinworkxroy]

If that's the case, it seems like in-camera software needs an update. I still have faith in the sel2470z. Something tells me most people are have too high an expectation for the lens, comparing it to other similar premium grade lenses. Not really an apple to apple comparison.

i agree..i think somehow the in camera correction isn't doing a good job with this lens..When in RAW, i didn't use any correction..and the images were ok..
In JPG, something was just wrong.
And this is supposed to be a premium lens for the FE system..it's after all a Zeiss..i would rather they charge more and make it a better f2.8 lens if it were up to me...but i guess F4 is a compromise and with all F4 lenses even with the Canon L version, it's not going to be as good as their f2.8 variants.