I’ve had this glued to my SIII for a few days running a variety of video scenarios and I love this lens. The autofocus on the SIII system is spot on. I was running full speed down some wooded trails with my 5yr old yesterday at f2 -2.8 s doing some follow shots and I’d say I had 70% of my footage in perfect focus with the combo. That’s amazing.
Normally my workflow in video is -7 detail in the picture profile then I add in about 20-30 in post. With the GM I need -7 detail, a 1/8 diffusion filter and I still only add 10-15 in post. For landscape footage though it’s a real joy to take the diffusion off and just let it shine. Would make some astonishingly stunning 8K footage. It’s just a razor sharp lens.
No distracting aberrations in the background, good separation and transition zones (motion is easier on rendering than still though). Handles easily, which isn’t just easier on the body but reduces battery drain on my gimbal motors.
I just got mine today. I was on the fence about getting it, because I have an amazing copy of the 35/1.4 ZA and it's always served me well.
I definitely have no regrets -- I knew it would be sharper, but I'm I'm pleased to see that the GM is more Zeiss-like than the Zeiss! Very contrasty, as Fred said. I've always loved my Loxia 35 for its high contrast, and I think the GM actually has more contrast (comparing them at f/2.8). I was expecting the ZA to have a bit of a bokeh advantage (other than for the onion rings) though I don't think I'm seeing it. I do need to compare them some more.
Wow, in regard to your Loxia 35 and Zony 35 comments. That was the primary reason of my hesitation to get the GM. The Zeiss contrast, color and pop of these two i wouldn‘t want to loose.
With linear MF of the GM i might consider getting rid of both Zony 35 and Loxia 35. Although i just loooove the Loxia. Sold and rebought it 4 times already...
Could you post some comparison pics? That would be helpful. Thanks for considering!
MrTMan wrote:
I just got mine today. I was on the fence about getting it, because I have an amazing copy of the 35/1.4 ZA and it's always served me well.
I definitely have no regrets -- I knew it would be sharper, but I'm I'm pleased to see that the GM is more Zeiss-like than the Zeiss! Very contrasty, as Fred said. I've always loved my Loxia 35 for its high contrast, and I think the GM actually has more contrast (comparing them at f/2.8). I was expecting the ZA to have a bit of a bokeh advantage (other than for the onion rings) though I don't think I'm seeing it. I do need to compare them some more....Show more →
Manual focus on the GM is quite good and I’m a old fart that grew up with MF . The Sigma DN are very nice as well. I think finally they are seeing a lot of the newcomers are looking at MF as a great feature to have. They used AF as the marketing gimmick for awhile there
GMPhotography wrote:
Manual focus on the GM is quite good and I’m a old fart that grew up with MF . The Sigma DN are very nice as well. I think finally they are seeing a lot of the newcomers are looking at MF as a great feature to have. They used AF as the marketing gimmick for awhile there
Since the first Sony GM, manual focus by wire became linear and way more pleasurable for us who enjoy shooting manual. Remember MF for the first ZA lenses like the 55/1.8 and 35/2.8? We've come a long way!
The MF for the Sigma DG DN lenses are almost linear. The Sony FE 35/1.4 GM has full linear focus and I find its throw to be perfect at ~165 degrees. The Sigma 35/2 DG DN in comparison has a much larger throw at ~270 degrees and varies slightly depends on rotation speed.
Yes the 55 1.8 was horrid and the 35 2.8 as well. Reality was don’t bother with trying to manual focus them it’s pretty bad. Certainly seeing a good change
Bokehddicted wrote:
Wow, in regard to your Loxia 35 and Zony 35 comments. That was the primary reason of my hesitation to get the GM. The Zeiss contrast, color and pop of these two i wouldn‘t want to loose.
With linear MF of the GM i might consider getting rid of both Zony 35 and Loxia 35. Although i just loooove the Loxia. Sold and rebought it 4 times already...
Could you post some comparison pics? That would be helpful. Thanks for considering!
I apologize in advance that these aren't great shots, just thought I would do a couple quick ones. The first is at 200% magnification, the second is at 100%. GM on the left, Loxia on the right. Everything was at f/3.2 to give the Loxia a bit of a chance. I'm sure there'd be a bigger difference at larger apertures.
f_audet wrote:
Wonderful lens! Makes me long also for the 24 GM and 135 GM !
As anyone used it on an infrared converted camera ? I am curious at what f-stops hotspots start to appear.
I really like the FE 24/1.4, 35/1.4 and 65/2i as a set. I don't shoot 135mm very often and therefore settled for the Batis 135/2.8. I find the latter great enough for my portrait/landscape needs but if I needed a 135mm for sports, I would've chosen the 135 GM instead.
I’m kinda the same Laowa 14 but went wider than 24 with the 20 than 35 1.4 and have the Sigma 65 and Batis 135. I’m more a wide shooter so the 20 fits me better and bonus it’s quite good
MikeEvangelist wrote:
Don't think I'd call the 135mm Batis 'settling'; it is a great lens.
:-))
Perhaps not the best choice of words. What I meant is that I've settled for f/2.8 with great AF instead of f/1.8 with outstanding AF.
I agree that the Batis 135 is an amazing lens. It's actually sharper than the GM at the very corners. I prefer it for landscapes when not bringing my Zeiss 100-300 zoom, so for me, it works great for headshots and landscapes.
GMPhotography wrote:
Lol it's not but I do like the GM better myself. I just wanted a little smaller
Seriously what I find more interesting is some of us have given up on 85. I'm 65/135. I do not not need a 85
That's a big change among some of us
I find myself preferring 65mm more than 85mm as well. From 65mm I also jump straight to 135mm. Somehow, I don't get the images I want with a 50mm normal lens, especially when shooting people.
I've been enjoying carrying the FE 35/1.4 GM + Sigma 65/2 DG DN as a combo. Light, powerful with great IQ and AF.
I do have the Voigtlander 35/2 APO and 65/2 APO for landscapes as well so my FL preference is reflected here as well.
Having a lot of life in photography I really got bored of a 50mm focal length . I mean every system you had to buy that dang 50 mm. I’m glad we finally got away from it . I’m really liking this 65 it’s a nice refreshing focal length
I hit the buy button on the 35GM and can’t wait to pair it with the 50GM. Throw in the CV 21/3.5 and there’s not much I’d be missing.
I’m in a different camp than Fred and Guy. I think people images with a 50mm are my favorite. Just a nice, natural look. I’ve been shooting with a “boring” 50mm since 1984 and like it more each year.
And as a bonus, that 50GM can turn into a portrait machine in crop mode making it an effective 75/1.8.
