Sony 35/1.8, Zeiss 24/1.8 or Sigma 30/1.4 DC DN for Video and Stills?

[sonee]

I understand that Zeiss definitely has the best IQ of them all, but is also a few times more expensive than the alternatives. How about the Sigma 30/1.4? Has anyone tried and pitted them against Sony's 35/1.8? I was only able to see some real world photo samples, but not easy to compare because the subject matters are different.

[free_tibett]

I would go for the 35mm

Only reason is, that it has OSS and this is a great advantage for both, video and stills.

The others aren't stabilized.

 

Regards

[Austerror]

Indeed, for video always get OSS lenses.

[Gilgenberg]

the 35mm 1.8  is not very good IMHO, has a nice character but is not sharp.

 

Sigma 30mm 2.8 is much better, sharper and more detail open at 2.8 than the sony at 5.6, so i hope the 30mm 1.4 will be also better than the Sony

 

OSS is not so important IMHO at 1.4 or 2.8 with a 30mm lens i think

 

if you need OSS with a prime lens go for the Sony 50mm 1.8 OSS, a no brainer

[sonee]

Hi guys,

 

OSS is not a very important consideration for me because I'll be using my gimbal or tripod most of the time for video work. good to have though. 

 

are there any reviews on the sigma 30/1.4 yet?

 

the 35/1.8 reviews seem mediocre at best.

[Golem]

I would go for the 35mm

Only reason is, that it has OSS and this is

a great advantage for both, video and stills.

The others aren't stabilized.

 

Regards

Amen. Image stabilization.

 

Imaginary differences in IQ cannot stabilize

your image. Lab test IQ is imaginary despite

their objective measurement procedures ....

cuz as a working environment for actual use

of lenses and cameras, a test lab is not in,

or even near, any realm of reality.

[Golem]

..........

 

OSS is not so important IMHO at 1.4 or

2.8 with a 30mm lens i think

 

if you need OSS with a prime lens go

for the Sony 50mm 1.8 OSS, a no brainer

Flip side OSS-wise .... I very often find

myself using an f/4 OSS lens, ignoring

my non-OSS speed lenses. 30mm is

the median FL for my work, as I mainly

use lenses from 16 to 50mm. I seldom

need optical "reach" cuz I tend to have

physical access.

 

My various speed lenses are from f/2 to

f/1.2 [cuz they're all fast FF lenses on a

speed booster for APSC] but I find OSS

frequently trumps speed .... small "T" !!

 

And acoarst access tends to allow enuf

freedom of movement to permit working

"cooperatively" with the background, so

no need to open wide and blow it away.

 

OSS helps me to maintain enuf DOF to

employ the background for its visual and

contextual value .... in MY usual working

conditions. YMMV but I believe in stating

the context in which something works well

rather than just recommending something

as "the best" or as "my personal fave".

[Gilgenberg]

if you need oss at 35mm go for the FE 28-70 OSS it is cheaper as the 35F18 more versatile and has better or same IQ IMHO

[sonee]

Hi guys,

 

As mentioned I don't need OSS, because I will use my gimbal/tripod. 

 

How about the Zeiss Touit 32/1.8? I heard that the AF is very audible in video. is it true?

[Dandiccf]

I received my Sigma 30mm 1.4 yesterday but returned it today. 

 

Positiv:

• All AF-Modes work on Sony A6000, A6300 and A7RII (crop mode)
• focusing is smooth and quick in video mode (C-AF, face detection)
• Nice build and handling
• just the right size for the A6300
• very sharp, even wide open (1.4)
• reasonably priced 

Negative:

• AF is quite loud, and also cracks a little
• AF is hunting noticeable more than on all of my native Sony lenses.
• At f/2.0 the AF missed in 2 of 3 shots (tried it on two bodies), all other f-stops did work!

[sonee]

Hi!

 

I'm interested to know more about the 30/1.4.

 

Will the AF noise be captured in video mode in a quiet environment?

Which body did u try it on? Surprised that it hunts even on the a6300.

Does the AF miss regularly or is it spot-on @ f1.4 on a6300?

How does it compare to the SEL35/1.8 and/or Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART (EF Mount) in terms of image quality/color rendition?

 

Thanks!

[free_tibett]

Hi Sonee,

 

Matthew reviewed and compared the Sony 35mm and the Touit and there is also a video.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com/2013/07/02/lens-review-zeiss-touit-32mm-f1-8/

 

I have the Touit an I'm totally fine, or rather love it for stills, but I would not use it for video (I bought the 18-105 in case I want do video)

 

If you don't need OSS the 24mm seems to be very good, as long as you are fine with the wider angel

 

Where are you located? Maybe you can borrow both lenses from a rental store?

[Dandiccf]

Hi!

 

I'm interested to know more about the 30/1.4.

 

Will the AF noise be captured in video mode in a quiet environment?

Which body did u try it on? Surprised that it hunts even on the a6300.

Does the AF miss regularly or is it spot-on @ f1.4 on a6300?

How does it compare to the SEL35/1.8 and/or Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART (EF Mount) in terms of image quality/color rendition?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Will the AF noise be captured in video mode in a quiet environment?

 

In video mode the camera uses phase detection which does not cause the hearable louder sounds i noticed in still mode. There is a soft cheeping sound though, but I could not hear it in my footage.

 

Which body did u try it on? Surprised that it hunts even on the a6300.

 

I tried it on a A6000, A6300 and an A7RII. It is just the contrast detection (used in Single-AF) which causes the hunting. in C-AF it seems to just use phase detection, which is fast and precise.

 

Does the AF miss regularly or is it spot-on @ f1.4 on a6300?

 

At f1.4 it was always spot on. Just at f2.0 it kept missing around 2/3 of the shots. It was better on contrasty b&w objects.  I tried that on two bodies with similar results. That's why I returned my lens. I will pick up one from the next batch. Probably there will be a newer firmware, or mine was just a buggy one.

 

How does it compare to the SEL35/1.8 and/or Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART (EF Mount) in terms of image quality/color rendition?

I just have a 35mm Sigma ART (Nikon mount) which is exceptional sharp and gorgeous. But I have to say that this Sigma 30mm contemporary is a great lens in terms of image quality. It is very sharp, even in the corners and has a nice creamy bokeh.

[sonee]

 

Will the AF noise be captured in video mode in a quiet environment?

 

In video mode the camera uses phase detection which does not cause the hearable louder sounds i noticed in still mode. There is a soft cheeping sound though, but I could not hear it in my footage.

 

Which body did u try it on? Surprised that it hunts even on the a6300.

 

I tried it on a A6000, A6300 and an A7RII. It is just the contrast detection (used in Single-AF) which causes the hunting. in C-AF it seems to just use phase detection, which is fast and precise.

 

Does the AF miss regularly or is it spot-on @ f1.4 on a6300?

 

At f1.4 it was always spot on. Just at f2.0 it kept missing around 2/3 of the shots. It was better on contrasty b&w objects.  I tried that on two bodies with similar results. That's why I returned my lens. I will pick up one from the next batch. Probably there will be a newer firmware, or mine was just a buggy one.

 

How does it compare to the SEL35/1.8 and/or Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART (EF Mount) in terms of image quality/color rendition?

I just have a 35mm Sigma ART (Nikon mount) which is exceptional sharp and gorgeous. But I have to say that this Sigma 30mm contemporary is a great lens in terms of image quality. It is very sharp, even in the corners and has a nice creamy bokeh.

 

 

Thank you sir! your comments are very helpful.

 

Just curious - can the "soft cheeping sound" be heard in a quiet environment (e.g. library)?

 

Can the C Version competently match the ART version on Full frame cameras? 

 

Lastly, how hand-holdable is it in video mode without OSS on a6300? I've seen a couple of YouTube videos and the results seem to vary. Some are so terrible it makes me nauseous. 

[Dandiccf]

Thank you sir! your comments are very helpful.

 

Just curious - can the "soft cheeping sound" be heard in a quiet environment (e.g. library)?

 

Can the C Version competently match the ART version on Full frame cameras? 

 

Lastly, how hand-holdable is it in video mode without OSS on a6300? I've seen a couple of YouTube videos and the results seem to vary. Some are so terrible it makes me nauseous. 

 

 

hi,

 

the cheeping sound can definitely not be heard. It is just when looking through the evf one can hear it.

 

The Art-Series is built for uncompromising image quality, regardless of price and size of the lens. The Contemporary-Series is the best compromise between all of those. What I have noticed is that the image quality is very close to the Art. Btw, I guess you cannot tell the difference in a video...

 

For video, I would not use the A6300 without a mechanical/electronic stabilizer (gimbal) or a tripod unless you have a stabilized lens. But even with one it is hard to get smooth results when you move. I for myself use a wonderful gimbal from Came-TV, the CAME-Single (http://www.came-tv.com/camesingle-3-axis-gimbal-camera-32bit-boards-with-encoders-p-673.html). It is brand new, works out of the box without tweaking, is light and fits the Sony cams perfectly. Here is a test-footage I shot two weeks ago with that gimbal: https://youtu.be/VU2nN732jvU

[sonee]

Alrighty,

 

I just got the Zeiss 24/1.8 cheap (500usd). However, I am still curious to know how it pits against the new Sigma 30/1.4. 

 

Anyone has both lenses and can post a comparison please?

[Mihai M]

Here are some reviews of Sigma 30 mm 1.4 E-mount:

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sigma_30mm_f_1_4_dc_dn_c_review/conclusion/

http://www.dpreview.com/sample-galleries?galleryId=3315961553&imageId=2422407553

 

In short, the sharpness is great, but the chromatic aberration is high when open wider than f/2.0

http://img.photographyblog.com/reviews/sigma_30mm_f_1_4_dc_dn_c/sample_images/sigma_30mm_f_1_4_dc_dn_c_32.jpg

The ceiling lights are purple even though the walls are receiving white light from those light sources.

 

It's not possible to have a lens without the chromatic aberration from f/1.8 to f/1.4 at this price point.

That's why Sony has limited the 24 mm lens to f/1.8. Sony (and Zeiss) are all about the Image Quality.

 

You have made a great choice with Zeiss 24 mm.

[Zé De Boni]

I have seen many critics to the Sony 35mm f1.8. My experience is diferent, maybe I was lucky and my copy is above the average.

The fact is that I own both the 24 and 35. Their performances are quite similar. Yes, my 35 looks as sharp as my 24, center and corner. I actually was disapointed with the Zeiss quality at the edges, which was below my expectation for the brand and for the price. But for candid shots, as I use my A6000, they are very good. I use them for still. For video I use the 18-105 with good results. If you shoot video this is an affording option for price, OS and power zoom, but surely both 24 and 35 will not disapoint you.

I just do not understand your question about two different focal lenghts, which for me is the main reason for choice. For Sony E mount APSC there is just one option of 24mm prime (60^o), unfortunately at an unjustified high price. 

Now, remember that you can choose the FE 28mm f2 (I have no experience on ti), which fits between those two focal lenghts and prices too. And you will already have your first full frame lens in case you wish to raise your standards in the future.

[TimeLapsed]

Davin Lavikka recently reviewed the Sigma 30 f1.4 ... if anyone is interested.

 

He has several lens reviews on youtube.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Wh-IcUR9I

[omihay]

I have the Sigma 30mm f1.4.

I think it's fantastic.

Sharp, fast, good AF.

 

https://500px.com/photo/153302675

 

https://500px.com/photo/153301413

https://500px.com/photo/153300027

 

 

Sent from my SM-G901F using Tapatalk

[rdgeorge55]

How about a Zeiss Loxia 35mm? Manual focus but smooth and with focus assist. Highly rated. You can de-click the aperture ring for video. Zeiss just came out with gear rings for these lenses. You could rent one and see how you liked it. Works well on full frame also.