You beat me to it. Great review. I own this lens since the first day. One of the things that no one is talking about is that this lens suffers from massive barrel distortion at 24 and even at 50mm. Unless is something that only happened with my copy. I own the 24-70 f2.8 GM and I prefer the 24-70 f2.8. I wanted to like this lens a lot as I usually bounce around 28 and 50 on my other main camera. But this lens did not cut it or impressed me like I wanted. I'll be reviewing it soon too.
Thanks for watching 🙏I didn’t notice this barrel distortion that you mentioned. Is it a perfect lens compared to the 24-70 GM2 no but at least my copy and my images are showing here it performed really Well.
I had the EXACT same experience!! My copy was flat out awful. TONS of distortion. And LR does not currently offer lens correction profile. I returned it and switched back to my 24-70 GMii.
I bought this when it was realeased... since then is my favourite lense on my a7c2 ... total wight less than 1kg ... from gm2 there are also 350g less .. this super light setup its a joy to carry it with you ... could take picture for hours without any fatigue. I love this lenses... for more focal length sometimes i bring the 85mm 1.8 sony
Versatility is key. If a lens is too short and you find yourself needing to carry two, I would opt for a 24-70mm or 28-70mm and avoid the hassle of swapping altogether.
@@hellolau in case I can use APC mode for more reach (75mm equivalent) but I prefer the light weight in the camera for 99% of my use is in 24-50 range. Very few times I bring the 85mm with me... 24mm I use them quite often instead so I wouldn't like a 28-70 zoom...
@ I totally understand where you’re coming from. I have just about every Sony prime and zoom lens under 200mm, but most of the time I only need my 24mm f/1.4 GM and 40mm f/2.5 G to capture everyday moments. Sure, the 24-50mm could cover both of those ranges, but the reversed zoom operation takes me a bit of getting used to; decades of muscle memory have me expecting the barrel to extend when I zoom out. Plus, I mostly shoot at 24-28mm, and I wish 24mm was the compact setting. Once you extend it, it’s practically the size of my 24-70mm GM II. I might give the lens another try, though. But honestly, the most important thing is finding what you enjoy carrying. If that 24-50mm (plus the occasional APS-C mode) keeps your setup light and encourages you to shoot more often, that’s a real win in my book!
@@hellolau in my case I like that collapsed in 50 mm as it is my favourite focal So it starts ready where I use it mostly In those 8 months I got this lens... I used it for about 85 -90% of all my pictures
Bobby, great video. I already own the 24-70 GMII and I'm a video guy so I will be sticking with that. I heard that 24-70 f2.0 is coming as well. Btw, I gotta get the preset for your audio. So clean.
@@alvinbartolome1239 hi Alvin I haven’t tried it compared to the 24-70 f4 so hard for me to say but being it’s an f2.8 and a newer lens I think the edge in terms of performance especially in lower light would be more advantageous to the 24-50. I have not had a chance to try the 16-25 yet unfortunately
Bobby, what bothers me that i shoot in raw, the camera corrects in it the jpegs, but i don't use lightroom, straight Photoshop and camera raw...and I have to go and corect distorsion and stuff...the only thing that scares me about it
@@btonelli i was looking for the 2 lenses for a7c ii, 16-25 and 24-50, the 16-25 has more distorsion and vigneting, 24-50 less...together these 2 are a bit more than 24-70 GM 2 but the size on the a7c ii of these 2 is better
When you are photographing a wedding and your on the dance floor all you really need is 24-35 but I would like a 20-35 that would be better for the dance floor. Most dance floors are small and there are so many people trying to dance in a small area you need wide lens. Only one place I want to had a huge dance floor and that was the Omni Parker House in Boston Massachusetts. That dance floor was more like a ballroom you see in the movies.
Thanks for the interesting review. Sony does well with their G-lenses, even though they do not have the allure of the GM-glass. The 20mm f1.8 G is almost as good as the 24mm and are both great lenses, the 90mm f2.8 G macro still holds up after many years, the 16-35mm f4 G powerzoom I have used a lot, the 20-70mm f4 is an excellent lens and focal range. Personally I am a bit more tempted towards the 16-25mm f2.8 G sister of this lens.
I've always found the 70mm to be an odd focal length. Never see a prime 70mm...it was just a middle ground chosen to split two zoom lenses. 50mm is where it's act optically. Nice video!
Close focusing distance, faster autofocus, slightly sharper, better build, aperture ring, focus button.... Yeah it beats the Tamron. Tamron is very good no doubt, but this is better. I sold my Tamron.
Hey Bobby, I've been lusting after the Leica 75mm Noctilux for a while now. It's a lot of money for sure. I haven't been lucky enough to hold one yet. I just wanted to know with all the new gear coming out how you feel. I love everything about my m246, M10 monochrome, 50 lux and 21 3.4. I see that you really like Leica too. How are you feeling about that lens since it's been awhile ?
It’s a lens not everyone appreciates. The price point and the 1.25 which is very easy to knock to 1.4 for me is something that didn’t make me as excited as others. With that said it’s a beautiful rendering lens and if you have the means to afford one go for it.
@@btonelli I saw that you mentioned the aperture ring problem. I've had that happen on my summilux. You know that feeling when you see a print that's like no other? That's what I'm looking for. Character. It seems nearly everything these days is made to perfection. I need flaws that are amazing to look at. You know what I'm talking about since you know Leica.
I think it’s fantastic and would make a great edition to my wedding kit. I am currently using a Canon 1DX with the Tamron 24-70mm g2 but it’s so heavy especially once u connect a speedlight. My other two cameras are the Fuji mirrorless XT4 and XH2s and have the 56 mm f1.2 wr2, 90mm f2, and some zooms, but my plan is to get rid of the Canon system and switch to Sony. Would the Sony A73 be a good match with this lens?
Yes, and that would be launched as a GM-lens I would expect, so with a GM-tax on it. I would also quite like it if they just update the 24-105mm f4 and maybe make it into a video oriented powerzoom like the 16-35mm f4 G. That would be fun too, and maybe wouldn't break the bank or our backs.
Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 is probably more useful lens than Sony 24-50mm 2.8. My default lens to go to for a casual daily shooting day is Sony 20-70mm F4. If I need more light, then I bring out Tamron 20-40mm 2.8. Then there is that Tamron 35-150mm 2.0-2.8. It is big and heavy but it's amazingly versatile and sharp! Even at 50mm, it is F2.2.
Hmm from the sounds of this you could theoretically get ride of the 24-70 f4? as it feels a bit redundant in your kit. 20-40- 24-70 and 35-150? I would prob just do 24-50 f2.8 and Tamron 35-150. You have your low light covered in all focal ranges
@@btonelli 24mm is not wide enough to be versatile. That's why I said Tamron 20-40mm might be a more versatile lens than Sony 24-50mm. I have 24-70 2.8 as well but I have not used that lens since I bought Tamron 20-40mm. You are right. I need to get rid of some lenses and 24-70mm will be one of them. i really enjoy the new Sony 20-70mm F4. and Tamron 20-40mm 2.8.
Agree, one of my new favorites and I picked up the 24-50/2.8 G to use on my smaller A7CR and A7CII travel kit. I do still own the 24-70/2.8 GM II but that typically stays with my full size full frame A1 and A7RV. Have also been considering the matching 16-25/2.8 G to go with it but held off so far because the 16-35/2.8 GM II, which I also own, is only 547 grams or 138 grams more and about the same size as the 35/1.4 GM so I’m saving the $1200 until I sell something else since a spent the money last year on the 16-35/2.8 GMII. Thanks for your review. Take care.
If I didn't shoot events and NEED coverage, then this lens would be amazing. The size and image quality are awesome but I need the extra reach a 24-70 gives me for coverage. I'm just waiting for that rumored 24-70 f/2!
@@btonelli Oh it's gonna be big and like $3.7k, but for wedding and event video shooters it's gonna be THE lens to get in the Sony ecosystem if you can afford it. You can legitimately replace an entire set of primes with that lens, which feels as close to a no compromise solution for someone like me. I still have a set of fast primes that I don't get to use too often for work (but keep around for interviews and lowlight) and I'd love to be able to sell them. I've found f/2 to be enough for when I need it, but f/2.8 is still too dark on the dance floor. I pack a 24 GM for that reason along with two zooms for everything else. I could take that 24-70 f/2 with the Tamron 35-150 and forget about the 24 GM at events!
Love to play with this lens on my ZV-E1. As for which camera to choose, the A7CR all the way. If you don't need the 61mp sensor, then the A7CII is perfect. Th 33mp sensor will give you excellent photos.
@@btonelli Agree, but only rarely. Only one stop and with Sony's high ISO capabilities not a big issue. That being said, I will be carrying a 1.8/2.0 prime too.
I think the best options for mid range zooms are either the 24-50G or the 28-70 GM. The 24-70 GM ii does not interest me at all.
If Sony made this a 20-50 f2.8, that would have been my ideal travel/vlogging lens. As always, great review Bobby
That would be an ideal zoom. Hopefully they make it one day. Thanks for watching
You beat me to it. Great review. I own this lens since the first day. One of the things that no one is talking about is that this lens suffers from massive barrel distortion at 24 and even at 50mm. Unless is something that only happened with my copy. I own the 24-70 f2.8 GM and I prefer the 24-70 f2.8. I wanted to like this lens a lot as I usually bounce around 28 and 50 on my other main camera. But this lens did not cut it or impressed me like I wanted. I'll be reviewing it soon too.
Thanks for watching 🙏I didn’t notice this barrel distortion that you mentioned. Is it a perfect lens compared to the 24-70 GM2 no but at least my copy and my images are showing here it performed really
Well.
I had the EXACT same experience!! My copy was flat out awful. TONS of distortion. And LR does not currently offer lens correction profile. I returned it and switched back to my 24-70 GMii.
@@RandumbTech sorry to hear that.
My copy has a lot of distorsion but in camera correction or dxo photolab correction perfectly handle it
I've had the 24mm to 50mm for over a month. I agree with your review. The lens on the A7cr is tremendous. It's small, light, and sharp.
Thanks! Was really impressed
I bought this when it was realeased... since then is my favourite lense on my a7c2 ... total wight less than 1kg ... from gm2 there are also 350g less .. this super light setup its a joy to carry it with you ... could take picture for hours without any fatigue. I love this lenses... for more focal length sometimes i bring the 85mm 1.8 sony
Yeah I also felt the same reviewing it. Really a joy to carry around
Versatility is key. If a lens is too short and you find yourself needing to carry two, I would opt for a 24-70mm or 28-70mm and avoid the hassle of swapping altogether.
@@hellolau in case I can use APC mode for more reach (75mm equivalent) but I prefer the light weight in the camera for 99% of my use is in 24-50 range. Very few times I bring the 85mm with me...
24mm I use them quite often instead so I wouldn't like a 28-70 zoom...
@ I totally understand where you’re coming from. I have just about every Sony prime and zoom lens under 200mm, but most of the time I only need my 24mm f/1.4 GM and 40mm f/2.5 G to capture everyday moments. Sure, the 24-50mm could cover both of those ranges, but the reversed zoom operation takes me a bit of getting used to; decades of muscle memory have me expecting the barrel to extend when I zoom out. Plus, I mostly shoot at 24-28mm, and I wish 24mm was the compact setting. Once you extend it, it’s practically the size of my 24-70mm GM II. I might give the lens another try, though.
But honestly, the most important thing is finding what you enjoy carrying. If that 24-50mm (plus the occasional APS-C mode) keeps your setup light and encourages you to shoot more often, that’s a real win in my book!
@@hellolau in my case I like that collapsed in 50 mm as it is my favourite focal
So it starts ready where I use it mostly
In those 8 months I got this lens... I used it for about 85 -90% of all my pictures
Bobby, great video. I already own the 24-70 GMII and I'm a video guy so I will be sticking with that. I heard that 24-70 f2.0 is coming as well. Btw, I gotta get the preset for your audio. So clean.
Thanks. If that lens comes…WOW!
My audio goes through auphonic then I enhance the highs in audition. That’s pretty much it
How does this compare with the Sony 20-70 F4 G? Whem will you review the Sony 16-25G? Thank you
@@alvinbartolome1239 hi Alvin I haven’t tried it compared to the 24-70 f4 so hard for me to say but being it’s an f2.8 and a newer lens I think the edge in terms of performance especially in lower light would be more advantageous to the 24-50.
I have not had a chance to try the 16-25 yet unfortunately
Bobby, what bothers me that i shoot in raw, the camera corrects in it the jpegs, but i don't use lightroom, straight Photoshop and camera raw...and I have to go and corect distorsion and stuff...the only thing that scares me about it
I shoot in raw too and saw no real issues that face me concern did you find these issues with the lens?
@@btonelli i was looking for the 2 lenses for a7c ii, 16-25 and 24-50, the 16-25 has more distorsion and vigneting, 24-50 less...together these 2 are a bit more than 24-70 GM 2 but the size on the a7c ii of these 2 is better
@@btonelli and you should start a Radio station, your voice is amazing...interesting you are not an actor...voice and looks amazing
@@strippedlist haven’t tried the 16-25 but for me the 24-50 was good considering the entire package. On an A7CII they match perfectly
@@strippedlist thanks 🙏 actually that’s my main work is acting and hosting events. I used to do radio for a few years as well.
When you are photographing a wedding and your on the dance floor all you really need is 24-35 but I would like a 20-35 that would be better for the dance floor.
Most dance floors are small and there are so many people trying to dance in a small area you need wide lens. Only one place I want to had a huge dance floor and that was the Omni Parker House in Boston Massachusetts. That dance floor was more like a ballroom you see in the movies.
20-35 is a good focal range actually.
How would it per with a SONY A7iii?
@@martinkruhl6390 very good
Thanks for the interesting review. Sony does well with their G-lenses, even though they do not have the allure of the GM-glass. The 20mm f1.8 G is almost as good as the 24mm and are both great lenses, the 90mm f2.8 G macro still holds up after many years, the 16-35mm f4 G powerzoom I have used a lot, the 20-70mm f4 is an excellent lens and focal range. Personally I am a bit more tempted towards the 16-25mm f2.8 G sister of this lens.
Thanks for watching. Yes they have done a good job with the G lenses overall. The 16-25 I’ve heard mixed reviews on so keen to try it out and see
I've always found the 70mm to be an odd focal length. Never see a prime 70mm...it was just a middle ground chosen to split two zoom lenses. 50mm is where it's act optically.
Nice video!
Thanks. Yes I prefer a stand alone 85mm
Close focusing distance, faster autofocus, slightly sharper, better build, aperture ring, focus button.... Yeah it beats the Tamron. Tamron is very good no doubt, but this is better. I sold my Tamron.
@@Princeton_James agree
I just ordered this lens, seems pretty sweet to me. If i need 70mm, I'll pull out my Chongus 70-200 GM I.
Awesome!! Enjoy it
Hey Bobby, I've been lusting after the Leica 75mm Noctilux for a while now. It's a lot of money for sure. I haven't been lucky enough to hold one yet.
I just wanted to know with all the new gear coming out how you feel. I love everything about my m246, M10 monochrome, 50 lux and 21 3.4. I see that you really like Leica too. How are you feeling about that lens since it's been awhile ?
It’s a lens not everyone appreciates. The price point and the 1.25 which is very easy to knock to 1.4 for me is something that didn’t make me as excited as others. With that said it’s a beautiful rendering lens and if you have the means to afford one go for it.
@@btonelli I saw that you mentioned the aperture ring problem. I've had that happen on my summilux.
You know that feeling when you see a print that's like no other? That's what I'm looking for. Character. It seems nearly everything these days is made to perfection. I need flaws that are amazing to look at. You know what I'm talking about since you know Leica.
I do. May I suggest the 75 Summilux? Has fantastic character and for portraits it’s a dreamy lens.
I think it’s fantastic and would make a great edition to my wedding kit. I am currently using a Canon 1DX with the Tamron 24-70mm g2 but it’s so heavy especially once u connect a speedlight. My other two cameras are the Fuji mirrorless XT4 and XH2s and have the 56 mm f1.2 wr2, 90mm f2, and some zooms, but my plan is to get rid of the Canon system and switch to Sony. Would the Sony A73 be a good match with this lens?
@@eliaspap8708 yes it would work well with this lens. Small, good optics and a solid kit
I was thinking of this as first lens if I got the Sony a9 iii
@@DonaldHawk it’s a good starting point
This is a great classic journalism focal length. The lens is small and fast, just a bit too expensive, IMHO.
Yes it’s good size for that. Understand on the price point, but it’s in the affordable range for native Sony lenses
A 24-105 F2.8 would be great, unfortunately that thing would be very heavy and probably ridiculously expensive
Yes, and that would be launched as a GM-lens I would expect, so with a GM-tax on it. I would also quite like it if they just update the 24-105mm f4 and maybe make it into a video oriented powerzoom like the 16-35mm f4 G. That would be fun too, and maybe wouldn't break the bank or our backs.
Yes that would be a big boy but damn versatile
Yes for sure would be a GM
@@Edwin-- GM tax 😂. Never heard that before, but there is definitely something to it
@@btonelliabsolutely
Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 is probably more useful lens than Sony 24-50mm 2.8. My default lens to go to for a casual daily shooting day is Sony 20-70mm F4. If I need more light, then I bring out Tamron 20-40mm 2.8. Then there is that Tamron 35-150mm 2.0-2.8. It is big and heavy but it's amazingly versatile and sharp! Even at 50mm, it is F2.2.
Hmm from the sounds of this you could theoretically get ride of the 24-70 f4? as it feels a bit redundant in your kit.
20-40- 24-70 and 35-150? I would prob just do 24-50 f2.8 and Tamron 35-150. You have your low light covered in all focal ranges
@@btonelli 24mm is not wide enough to be versatile. That's why I said Tamron 20-40mm might be a more versatile lens than Sony 24-50mm. I have 24-70 2.8 as well but I have not used that lens since I bought Tamron 20-40mm. You are right. I need to get rid of some lenses and 24-70mm will be one of them. i really enjoy the new Sony 20-70mm F4. and Tamron 20-40mm 2.8.
@@TheTensecondz The Sony 16-25 f2.8 G (Tamron 17-28 and the Sigma 16-28 f2.8)
Agree, one of my new favorites and I picked up the 24-50/2.8 G to use on my smaller A7CR and A7CII travel kit. I do still own the 24-70/2.8 GM II but that typically stays with my full size full frame A1 and A7RV. Have also been considering the matching 16-25/2.8 G to go with it but held off so far because the 16-35/2.8 GM II, which I also own, is only 547 grams or 138 grams more and about the same size as the 35/1.4 GM so I’m saving the $1200 until I sell something else since a spent the money last year on the 16-35/2.8 GMII. Thanks for your review. Take care.
Thanks for watching!
It's a very good lens. I returned it when I had my larger body. When I got my A7Cii it fit like a glove. Now I can't go without it on my A7Cii.
If I didn't shoot events and NEED coverage, then this lens would be amazing. The size and image quality are awesome but I need the extra reach a 24-70 gives me for coverage. I'm just waiting for that rumored 24-70 f/2!
If a 24-70 f2 comes out and doesn’t need a back brace to use it I’m in! Haha 😂
@@btonelli Oh it's gonna be big and like $3.7k, but for wedding and event video shooters it's gonna be THE lens to get in the Sony ecosystem if you can afford it. You can legitimately replace an entire set of primes with that lens, which feels as close to a no compromise solution for someone like me. I still have a set of fast primes that I don't get to use too often for work (but keep around for interviews and lowlight) and I'd love to be able to sell them. I've found f/2 to be enough for when I need it, but f/2.8 is still too dark on the dance floor. I pack a 24 GM for that reason along with two zooms for everything else. I could take that 24-70 f/2 with the Tamron 35-150 and forget about the 24 GM at events!
If you had to choose SONY A7RIII or SONY A7CR?
A7CR for me. I love the 60MP sensor and updated AF
@@btonelli And between SONY A7CII and SONY A7CR which ?
Neither. I'll get the A7RV
Love to play with this lens on my ZV-E1. As for which camera to choose, the A7CR all the way. If you don't need the 61mp sensor, then the A7CII is perfect. Th 33mp sensor will give you excellent photos.
@@bondgabebond4907 agree 👍
Now... We only need a Sony 50-90mm f2.8 G
That would be fantastic!
IDK, I feel that the Sony 20-70 F4 has more value for the money - especially for travel
F4 in low light isn’t ideal usually but depends on your use case
@@btonelli Agree, but only rarely. Only one stop and with Sony's high ISO capabilities not a big issue. That being said, I will be carrying a 1.8/2.0 prime too.
@@stkujTotally agree. Sony 20-70 f4 + 50 f1.8 = Great and lightweight travel combo 👌
It should have been f2 instead of f2.8.
2450 G+ 85f1.8 is a great combo
@@jonoy4375 indeed
It's not how long (the range) it is. It's about how you use it. 😂
@@datdudeinred well said my friend. Well said 😂
I'd pick Tamron 20-40 all day.