a77 image quality advice, how do I get the best from it?

[lonewolf16x9]

It is worth mentioning that none of my shots on the 24mm f/2, which were taken with firmware v.1.03, show the startup focus error. Also, I have been doing a lot of research into this angle of lens including medium format options. I now believe there is not any identifiable 24mm lens better than the Sony CZ f/2.

David

Oh how I hate hearing that!
Just not on the agenda for me at the moment but I'd love it, I'm sure, earlier on David you mentioned that the Minolta 24mm F2.8 is not an option for you, care to elaborate? Is it just the Fringing? I may have to go that route since I just cannot buy the Zeiss at present, or maybe I should try to ease Barry's 24-85mm away from him!

[Greg Beetham]

Kaf kaf I just looked up the price of that Distagon T* 24mm f2 SSM at B&H……$1300 (it's in stock) anyone with severe GAS?
Greg

[David Kilpatrick]

The Minolta 24mm is wiggly and vignettes and has sudden death corners, like the Minolta/Sony 20mm. The 24mm CZ f/2 is almost perfect - no distortion (basically NO distortion, so insignificant that creating a lens profile for it has no apparent effect, so no-one appears to have bothered), no vignetting, no soft corners, no CA.

I did some tests with my 17-35mm that I'm selling and they were quite interesting because if you set it to 24mm ( max aperture is then f/3.2) it's pretty good - much better than a 24mm f/2.8.

The 24-85mm got re-tested last week here, when looking at the quality of 24mm angle lenses. It does have distortion but quite easily corrected, it does have some CA but the same applies, and overall it looks pretty good still when compared to anything else. It is not as sharp as the 28-75mm variants but it's much more versatile.

David

[Magnar Fjortoft]

... Also, I have been doing a lot of research into this angle of lens including medium format options. I now believe there is not any identifiable 24mm lens better than the Sony CZ f/2.

David

When I got the Zeiss 24 mm I sold my Zeiss 24-20 mm zoom lens, since I most of the time used this zoom at the widest setting. Now I don't have to worry about corner sharpness, nor do I have to use hyperfocal distance to balance center and corner sharpness at smaller apertudes. I think you are right about this lens!

[lonewolf16x9]

The Minolta 24mm is wiggly and vignettes and has sudden death corners, like the Minolta/Sony 20mm. The 24mm CZ f/2 is almost perfect - no distortion (basically NO distortion, so insignificant that creating a lens profile for it has no apparent effect, so no-one appears to have bothered), no vignetting, no soft corners, no CA.

I did some tests with my 17-35mm that I'm selling and they were quite interesting because if you set it to 24mm ( max aperture is then f/3.2) it's pretty good - much better than a 24mm f/2.8.

The 24-85mm got re-tested last week here, when looking at the quality of 24mm angle lenses. It does have distortion but quite easily corrected, it does have some CA but the same applies, and overall it looks pretty good still when compared to anything else. It is not as sharp as the 28-75mm variants but it's much more versatile.

David

Great sales pitch David
Ok then 17-35mm or 24-85???

[David Kilpatrick]

Well, one important clue is that I'm not selling my 24-85mm. That is not because it is better at 24mm, it's because as a single all-rounder lens with a modest filter thread (I have a top grade new low neutral density Hoya 62mm polariser - better than my 77mm polariser for the 17-35mm, too).

But if I wanted specifically to produce what I would call Joe Cornish style wide angle landscape - rocks sea shore water sky mountain stuff - then I would definitely say the 17-35mm as it has the perfect range for this. It is what I used to create the A2 foldout poster landscape included in the Alpha 900 test issue of Photoworld, in which you can count every grain of sand.

I'm putting a lot more lenses on ebay just now.

David

[lonewolf16x9]

David, your'e not helping!

[Dr. Harout]

What a wonderful thread this has become. Thank you Magnar and David.

[lonewolf16x9]

Had a play with the Nex7 in the Carlisle Sony Centre today David, tried the 16mm with it and I see where you are coming from on that one, It's ok but thats it, the Lens I mean. The guy, who was visiting with it didn't have the Zeiss with him, which is a good thing. I ws more wowed by the Nex than the SLT on first impressions though...
My next big ticket will be the Zeiss 24 F2, I think I have decided on that, then I need something to permanantly weld to my 70-400SSM, Which for obvious resons won't be the Nex7,
Thinking A580 here now...

[mikeriach]

.... then I need something to permanantly weld to my 70-400SSM, Which for obvious resons won't be the Nex7,
Thinking A580 here now...

I have used all my bodies on the 70-400SSM and all work great.
The A700, A580 and of course my new A77 are the preferred choice.
The A580 is perhaps a wee bit small handling wise but works well.

As you know the 70-400SSM is a fair handfull, my only complaint is the zoom action. Mine is a little stiffer than I would like (I'd trade zoom creep for it) and the angle of twist to operate the zoom stop-stop usually means hand relocation part way through the zoom. I have had to adjust my shooting style a bit to accommodate this. The Sigma 70-200HSM is a bit slicker there but obviously has a shorter range. I found Wilkinsons quite good on pricing in Kendal when I lived there, do they still have a store in Carlisle?

Mike

[lonewolf16x9]

Indeed they do Mike.
It'll be a while but I'll probably go the A580 route, which will be good enough for the odd critter and the odd fellwalk near the Mach Loop

[lonewolf16x9]

You seem to be rapidly heading to an all Motor in Lens set up David,
Siggy 8-16/CZ 24 F2/Sony 28-75/Sony 70-400. Sweet
I'd like to follow you there one day...

[lonewolf16x9]

Longer term here, I may like a fastish Prime/Zoom to partener with an A850/a77A580 setup as an alternate to the 70-400 on Bad Back Days...
Any suggestions here, Not a Kilo and a Half of glass as one of them is enough.
Thinking in the 100-200ish range so the likes of the 100 macro, which one of these is the best Or the Sigma 150mm Macro, the Zeiss 135 is out out out, just too much for what it is...
So what performs well on both a 35mm Frame and APSC DSLR...

[mikeriach]

Indeed they do Mike.
It'll be a while but I'll probably go the A580 route, which will be good enough for the odd critter and the odd fellwalk near the Mach Loop

Or you could try the M6 Tebay gap....or Dunmail Raise....
Never actually shot at either but intend to at some occasion when visiting the family.

Mike

[mikeriach]

Longer term here, I may like a fastish Prime/Zoom to partener with an A850/a77A580 setup as an alternate to the 70-400 on Bad Back Days...
Any suggestions here, Not a Kilo and a Half of glass as one of them is enough.
Thinking in the 100-200ish range so the likes of the 100 macro, which one of these is the best Or the Sigma 150mm Macro, the Zeiss 135 is out out out, just too much for what it is...
So what performs well on both a 35mm Frame and APSC DSLR...

What about our own DK's 100f2.8 on Ebay....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Minolta-100mm ... 3cbfcdd74d

Mike