F/4 is plenty sharp and gives great subject separation

[Phoxrox]

Even after reading multiple reviews about how this lens was "soft" at f/4 or not sharp enough at f/4 or how f/4 was not a bright enough aperture to provide good background blur or subject separation, I ordered and received one of them last week. Today I had my first chance to use this lens outdoors for something other than a test shot when a couple of Great Horned Owls stopped by. The day was a bit overcast, but still plenty of light.

The first photo was taken on a Sony A7R at 200mm f/4 at 1/200s autofocus on APS-C crop (300mm equiv.). I think it is magnificent, both in sharpness and subject separation. I suppose the sharpness could have been even better if I had used manual focus or set the autofocus on the bird's face or chest instead of what appears to be the tree branch.

I also have included a shot at full frame resolution so you can check out the corners.

Yes, it is a little big and expensive, and I never liked white lenses, but what a job it can do.

 

[davect01]

Your image looks nice

If you are happy, thats the most important.
--
Novice photobug. Former NEX-3, F3, and 6 owner. Current proud A6000 owner.

photos A6000

Place where I post my photos

davesnex-3photos.blogspot.com

 

[Steve Bingham]

I will try to be kind, but both images show camera movement. The second image also shows subject movement in addition to camera movement. I would suggest that next time you shoot at 1/500. The A7r (and I have one) is notorious for producing camera vibration at shutter speeds between 1/50 and 1/100. To avoid this use higher shutter speeds or a tripod. This will give you much better sharpness.

 

[martindesu]

I will try to be kind, but both images show camera movement. The second image also shows subject movement in addition to camera movement. I would suggest that next time you shoot at 1/500. The A7r (and I have one) is notorious for producing camera vibration at shutter speeds between 1/50 and 1/100. To avoid this use higher shutter speeds or a tripod. This will give you much better sharpness.

 

[Lightshow]

I will try to be kind, but both images show camera movement. The second image also shows subject movement in addition to camera movement. I would suggest that next time you shoot at 1/500. The A7r (and I have one) is notorious for producing camera vibration at shutter speeds between 1/50 and 1/100. To avoid this use higher shutter speeds or a tripod. This will give you much better sharpness.

honestly, camera movement isn't really the issue because elsewhere in the frame things are sharp enough to discount movement blur, what I see is a slightly soft image, and focus is not as perfect as it could be, AF not knowing exactly what to focus on...

There is nothing wrong with 200/4, it's not 200/1.8 that's for sure it's at the slower end of the sweet spot of size and speed, 200/2.8 being at the faster end.

 

[le_alain]

I will try to be kind, but both images show camera movement. The second image also shows subject movement in addition to camera movement. I would suggest that next time you shoot at 1/500. The A7r (and I have one) is notorious for producing camera vibration at shutter speeds between 1/50 and 1/100. To avoid this use higher shutter speeds or a tripod. This will give you much better sharpness.

 

[Advent1sam]

Doesn't look that way, both are barely in focus and there is no separation or focus on anything in particular?

Let me just get this right, this is a 36mp FF camera?

 

[Zapirian]

I will try to be kind, but both images show camera movement. The second image also shows subject movement in addition to camera movement. I would suggest that next time you shoot at 1/500. The A7r (and I have one) is notorious for producing camera vibration at shutter speeds between 1/50 and 1/100. To avoid this use higher shutter speeds or a tripod. This will give you much better sharpness.

 

[Steve Bingham]

Exactly! Either the lens is soft at f4 or there is slight camera movement. After down loading for a careful inspection I would say the lens is simply soft at f4. And




Subject movement











yes, there is definitely subject movement. I would certainly use a higher ISO as you suggested.

I will try to be kind, but both images show camera movement. The second image also shows subject movement in addition to camera movement. I would suggest that next time you shoot at 1/500. The A7r (and I have one) is notorious for producing camera vibration at shutter speeds between 1/50 and 1/100. To avoid this use higher shutter speeds or a tripod. This will give you much better sharpness.

--
Steve Bingham
www.dustylens.com
www.ghost-town-photography.com

Seem to have bad focus, som leaves are sharper.

but why ISO 50?

Iso 200 would have given a good IQ (at least as good) and 4 times faster speed ?

--
Steve Bingham
www.dustylens.com
www.ghost-town-photography.com

 

[Jerry R]

No complaints from me.







--
Canon A2E, Sony R1, NEX C3 & 5R + Zeiss 24mm & 16-70 E Lenses, Nikon V1 + 10-30 & 30-110 lenses.

 

[Nordstjernen]

I find this lens great. I think those having trouble with image quality never have used this lens themselves. Also tracking AF is actually very good with the A7.

 

[Daniel Lauring]

This is terrible performance, especially for a $1,500 lens but as others have mentioned it could be a shutter speed and missed focus issue. Having said that, the 70-200 I had was horrible. I returned it.

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www.dpreview.com

 

[Nephi]

I will try to be kind, but both images show camera movement. The second image also shows subject movement in addition to camera movement. I would suggest that next time you shoot at 1/500. The A7r (and I have one) is notorious for producing camera vibration at shutter speeds between 1/50 and 1/100. To avoid this use higher shutter speeds or a tripod. This will give you much better sharpness.

--
Steve Bingham
www.dustylens.com
www.ghost-town-photography.com

I concur. I see motion blur and I find the images to be anything but tack sharp.

-Brian

 

[Steve Bingham]

I agree, Dan. But it's the nature of the beast. To quote Photozone and their test with the A7r and 70-200 f4: The resolution is generally on a very high level except at 200mm @ f/4 where the corners are too soft. When I look at their resolution numbers I have to absolutely agree. As a hobbyist? Fine. As a professional? Nope.

This is terrible performance, especially for a $1,500 lens but as others have mentioned it could be a shutter speed and missed focus issue. Having said that, the 70-200 I had was horrible. I returned it.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3771075

 

[Daniel Lauring]

I agree, Dan. But it's the nature of the beast. To quote Photozone and their test with the A7r and 70-200 f4: The resolution is generally on a very high level except at 200mm @ f/4 where the corners are too soft. When I look at their resolution numbers I have to absolutely agree. As a hobbyist? Fine. As a professional? Nope.

This is terrible performance, especially for a $1,500 lens but as others have mentioned it could be a shutter speed and missed focus issue. Having said that, the 70-200 I had was horrible. I returned it.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3771075