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Is the ZEISS FE 24-70 really worth it?!

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Miguel Teotonio

Miguel Teotonio

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I know this has already been debated here but explain it to me (please) as if I was really dumb.

I have the FE35 and FE55 lenses on my A7 and it's a great experience each time I pick them up for a photowalk, but I want a 24-70 (not the newly rumoured G24-70 2.8 that will cost both my kidneys or the sony 28-70 or even the 16-35 zeiss zoom). The problem is the mixed reviews everyone has heard about. I know the complaints about the 24 and 70 focal lenghts but I tried one and think it's great ... for a zoom.

I know that when this lens came out, the cost was high but now you can get one on ebay for less than 800 euros. Is it to much for this lens (that's my question)?

The offers from other brands, are in the same level, so I don't understand what are the bad reviewers comparing this to! What's the reason for all this fuss?!

HERE please!

Thanks!
 
People have different expectations and worth is relative to those expectations.

If you think it's great why do you feel the need to create a new thread? Will a few more random posts change your mind? There are tons of reviews, samples and threads (there's one right below this one....) out there already.
 
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Miguel Teotonio said:
I know that when this lens came out, the cost was high but now you can get one on ebay for less than 800 euros. Is it to much for this lens (that's my question)?

hat's the reason for all this fuss?!

HERE please!

Thanks!

--
Miguel Teotónio
http://www.miguelteotonio.com
Click to expand...
800€ without VAT, customs and and real Warranty:

18% less is 978,50€, no less in France.

http://www.amazon.fr/Sony-SEL-2470Z...=UTF8&qid=1453379232&sr=8-1&keywords=fe-24-70

999€ Miss numerique:

http://www.missnumerique.com/sony-z...a1pMKHMpqsUQnwMJE1J0HiU0v8GLQpU7IgxoC8Ajw_wcB

1030€ FNAC standard price:

http://www.fnac.com/Objectif-zoom-Sony-Carl-Zeiss-24-70-mm-f-4/a6536314/w-4

1099€ FOX Photo

http://www.reflexpro.fr/sony-24-70-f4-zeiss-sel-p-1415.html

10 to 20% more than the TAMRON 24-70MM F/2.8 SP DI VC USD, which is 2.8 (so bigger, heavier ..)

Yes corners are not the greatest at 24mm, but better than the 24mm of the 24-240.

Yes 70mm is not the best , even the 24-240 full open is better than the 2470 stopped down to 5.6.

So yes the price is a bit high for performance, but:

If you need the versality of a zoom , get it !

It is always usable from 24 to 70 at any aperture even f4 for A3 print, and A2 Print if stopped down a little, and excellent in the 35-50mm range.

It's realtively small, light, fast focus, silent, good IS ... convenient !
 
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I had the opportunity to test this lens thoroughly at the Sony event last November (Rotterdam, Netherlands) .

I had no intention to buy this lens due to the bad comments but after testing it myself I ordered it immediately. I'm pleased with this lens, it's not perfect but certainly not bad. Weakest performance lies between 64-70mm. Of course it doesn't has the optical quality of a prime lens.
 
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I'm in the same boat thinking about this lens all the time and have the other two mentioned
 
Compared to fixed focus Zony lenses (35 and 55) the 24-70 is not that expensive.

To me the 24-70 is versatile and handy and the mechanical parts are made to last. And the quality is quite good given that this is azoom lens. People often forget that mechanical quality also cost money when considering price. Paid full price for mine and as this is my most used lens I find the money well spent.

Also have the 1.8/55mm lens but that one is good at one focal length only. Does not do 24mm or 70mm very well. Kind of stuck with one focal length only but do not whine about that.

Wanting flexibility go for zoom lenses and do not expect the lens to outperform fixed lenses.

Wanting the sharpst lens around go for primes.

Wanting a lens which will be collimated also in the future pay a bit extra and get good mechanical quality. That part is very important to me.

Have two Rokinon lenses and both are now getting more out of adjustment every time I use them. So the lenses were cheap, the optics were good - but it was not worth it. Not made to last.
 
The 24-70 has become my most used lens lately. I must have gotten a good sample.

I love mine.
 
Miguel Teotonio said:
I know this has already been debated here but explain it to me (please) as if I was really dumb.

I have the FE35 and FE55 lenses on my A7 and it's a great experience each time I pick them up for a photowalk, but I want a 24-70 (not the newly rumoured G24-70 2.8 that will cost both my kidneys or the sony 28-70 or even the 16-35 zeiss zoom). The problem is the mixed reviews everyone has heard about. I know the complaints about the 24 and 70 focal lenghts but I tried one and think it's great ... for a zoom.

I know that when this lens came out, the cost was high but now you can get one on ebay for less than 800 euros. Is it to much for this lens (that's my question)?

The offers from other brands, are in the same level, so I don't understand what are the bad reviewers comparing this to! What's the reason for all this fuss?!

HERE please!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
If you are going to have a camera hanging on your neck or hand all day, it's probably the most versatile lens for the weight.

However for the size, the 24-240 at only a centimeter longer and less than a stop slower at 70mm, is a much more capable proposition. Especially when paired with a prime.

I think for a close quarters travel lens, the 24-70 is interesting. But it's kind of begging to be replaced, as most of the time I would have more fun with a faster or longer zoom.
 
Can't remember the link, posted it in some thread before. But search for "Ira Block Sony Artisan". Ira is a NatGeo photog, works with the FE 24-70, and takes great photos with it.

It is very rare to find a "bad" standard zoom today, and certainly the Sony one is up there with the best of the rest.

If I were looking for a alpha 7 system standard zoom, this would be the one I would buy.
 
My copy is sharp corner to corner at all apertures from around 35-55mm. At 24mm, it's sharp in 2/3 of the frame, with a bit of light smearing at the extreme corners and edges. At 70mm, it's sharp in the center and not to bad at the edges.

All of photography is a trade off. Folks who shoot primes trade the convenience of a zoom for better edge to edge sharpness, and often faster speed. Folks who shoot zooms trade the better optical performance of the prime for the convenience of a zoom.

I started off with the FE 55mm and the FE28mm, mainly because I'd read so many bad reviews about the FE 24-70, but after trying one for myself, I traded in both the 55mm and the 28mm. They were excellent lenses, but I couldn't afford all of them, and the zoom was simply a better fit for my style of shooting. Absolutely no regrets.

When I'm out walking around, I try to keep my 24-70mm between 35-55mm, knowing I'll get sharp images from edge to edge in that range, but if the situation calls for it, I'm happy that I can easily and quickly dial it to 24mm or 70mm and get the shot.

It's nice to have choices, and the choice is up to you.
 
I'm a rare bird in that I rarely shoot wide. Most of my shooting is focused around the 55 FE or 70-200 FE.

I've owned 2 different 24-70 FE lenses and each has been fine, however I'm not a fanatic that pixel peels at corners. My man subject and the story that tells is more important to me than corners.

With that said, I'll likely be picking up yet a third 24-70 to use for video on an A7s I just purchased for low light events and video.

So I'd say it just depends on your needs, expectations and what you specifically shoot.

People have jumped on the bandwagon of "I saw on the internet that this lens was mediocre" and everyone loves to look for negatives rather than hyping positives. Each new person on the bandwagon only continues the negative trend about the lens.

Personally I think it's very servicable especially for a $700-800 price tag.
 
Miguel Teotonio said:
I know this has already been debated here but explain it to me (please) as if I was really dumb.

I have the FE35 and FE55 lenses on my A7 and it's a great experience each time I pick them up for a photowalk, but I want a 24-70 (not the newly rumoured G24-70 2.8 that will cost both my kidneys or the sony 28-70 or even the 16-35 zeiss zoom). The problem is the mixed reviews everyone has heard about. I know the complaints about the 24 and 70 focal lenghts but I tried one and think it's great ... for a zoom.

I know that when this lens came out, the cost was high but now you can get one on ebay for less than 800 euros. Is it to much for this lens (that's my question)?

The offers from other brands, are in the same level, so I don't understand what are the bad reviewers comparing this to! What's the reason for all this fuss?!

HERE please!

Thanks!

--
Miguel Teotónio
http://www.miguelteotonio.com
Click to expand...
Yes, to me it is worth it. I have owned it for the past 2 years with my A7R and now with my A7R II and I am fully satisfied with it's performance.

I use the FE24-70 for 90% my photos, The rest 10 % of photos are divided between the FE16-35 and the FE70-200. So, the FE24-70 is my work horse.

I read reviews, but, I interpret it for my own photography needs. While some of the reviews are based on just personal opinions, some of the reviews are based on good scientific performance tests of various lens attributes. No lens can score zero or a perfect 100% for any attribute being tested. But, the test can precisely determine the difference (like 99.7% and 99.1%). When people post photograph samples taken of a same scene using the different lenses, I often notice that viewer opinions are divided as to which picture is better. So, we are talking about marginal difference and not show stoppers.

About one year ago, I tested a FE55 prime on my camera. The Sony representative was sure that it will blow my mind away with its incredible capability. Yes, it may outperform my FE24-70. But, the performance difference in my personal test did not convince me to buy the FE55.

Last year, I needed picture for my living room wall. So, I selected one of the ordinary (but, my favorite) scenic shot taken with the FE24-70 and ordered a large 24 inch x 36 inch print on Acrylic. The print service people looked at the finished enlargement, although they must have seen thousands of such enlargements through their service, were amazed and impressed at the details in my enlarged picture even when viewing close at 8 inch distance from their eyes. They wanted to know what was the camera and lens that I used for this amazing shot. But, I have also taken occasionally photos which were3 out of focus or wrong exposure or even wrong composition. Rather than blaming or crediting the lens or camera, I would like to take the credit to my photography skills (or to my photography errors).

My current focus is not to search for a perfect lens or camera, but, to try improve my photography skills to take good photographs with the equipment that I already have.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

--
Paul
 
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Dear friend,

I own this Lens and used it for a long time. Results are excellent. I hope you are mentioning about Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens.

In this lens, I found F4 (Constant F) not very appreciative in low lights - otherwise excellent results - Super sharp!!!

I also use Tamron 24 70 F2.8 - Cost-wise less (Heavy), but in A7RM2 it is faster in focusing. (I use Metabone IV adapter).

Hope this will help you,

Thanks
 
The FE 24-70 has worked great for me.

You can buy it from a store with a 30-day money back guarantee and return it if you are not happy.
 
I think the bad rap the lens gets is the lack of sharpness in the corners on both ends (24mm and 70mm), and for me I really don't care because I shoot a lot of events where the subjects are never in the corners (subjects are usually people). I also wanted this lens for the support of Eye AF which is very useful for events.

I also shoot a lot of landscapes, but I almost always reach for my Canon 17mm F/4L TS-E anyways... I honestly couldn't care less about the corners being sharp or unsharp with this lens. So, my point is, sometimes it's relative to what the lens is going to be used for. People need to stop pixel peeping so much and just go out and shoot. Too many gearheads doing too much talking and not enough shooting online these days.
 
le_alain said:
10 to 20% more than the TAMRON 24-70MM F/2.8 SP DI VC USD, which is 2.8 (so bigger, heavier ..)
Yes corners are not the greatest at 24mm, but better than the 24mm of the 24-240.

Yes 70mm is not the best , even the 24-240 full open is better than the 2470 stopped down to 5.6.

So yes the price is a bit high for performance, but:

If you need the versality of a zoom , get it !

It is always usable from 24 to 70 at any aperture even f4 for A3 print, and A2 Print if stopped down a little, and excellent in the 35-50mm range.

It's realtively small, light, fast focus, silent, good IS ... convenient !
Click to expand...
DAMN, it must be a terrible lens if you are comparing it to a superzoom. The worst part is where you say its worse at 70mm than the 24-240. YIKES.
 
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