Sony Lounge Thread GM-CR MK IV-A

[Mystik610]

David sharing this here only because I know you're interested in the lens so hopefully this is helpful.

One thing that has been questioned is whether or not the Simera was optimized for Sony sensor stack. I'm not a super critical landscape guy and in the balance of compromises in picking up the Simera, edge to edge sharpness is lower on my list of priorities here. But I was curious to see how this fares against something like the Loxia 21. For me its more than fine, but even at normal magnification corners are lacking against the Loxia. I think its an unfair comparison either way, but something to consider if you're looking at the Simera as a critical landscape lens. Will share how the Voigtlander does in a day or so, but I get bothered a lot more by distracting bokeh than corner sharpness lol.

edit: just for the hell of it, added a shot of the Viltrox 14 into the mix (had to jack with shadows and highlights in post to contend with mid-day sun). It's a hell of a lens for $170

Simera 28 by Mystik, on Flickr

Loxia 21 by Mystik, on Flickr

Viltrox 14 by Mystik, on Flickr

 

[Baan]

A little bit but having all the extra custom function buttons makes up for it, I don't know how I went without them now.

the size and gas?

 

[Baan]

I know you didn’t ask me but I’ll pitch in . I went back to the a7rV from a7cR and don’t regret it. For me personally there were two main things I didn’t like on the smaller body. The EVF (resolution, physical size and magnification) and the way the screen flipped (having to have it out to the side). When comparing to what I previously had on the a7rV in relation to those two things it was a no brainer for me to go back. The size increase isn’t an issue as I have two smaller bodies I use when I want small or when out and about doing normal life but want a camera with me

Thanks for chiming in ! didn't know you picked up the a7cr I also don't like flip outs but just accepted the fate. very much prefer the tilting screen. flip out to tilt throws me off.

 

[Baan]

Well articulated. I love my a7C II, but the tiny EVF and flip screen are definitely serious negatives.

I’ve always regarded the a7C II as a compromised body. I love it. But, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t really love a nice new a75….if I could keep my a7C II too.

Thank you for your feedback. the a75 is indeed a better handling and performing camera. my personal problem is still using the bigger lens for wider aperture, and the bigger body feels better with it. but the a7c2 really did make a good replacement for the original a7. minus the screen. i kinda wish i still have the a7s3, really liked the colors and handling on it.

I hope you get good results! Glad you are feeling better to go out and enjoy activities.

 

[Mystik610]

Thanks for chiming in ! didn't know you picked up the a7cr I also don't like flip outs but just accepted the fate. very much prefer the tilting screen. flip out to tilt throws me off.

I mainly compose via the rear screen and yeah it is a detriment to have to flip the screen outwards to tilt when shooting below eye-level (most of my kids are still little lol)

 

[David A]

David sharing this here only because I know you're interested in the lens so hopefully this is helpful.

One thing that has been questioned is whether or not the Simera was optimized for Sony sensor stack. I'm not a super critical landscape guy and in the balance of compromises in picking up the Simera, edge to edge sharpness is lower on my list of priorities here. But I was curious to see how this fares against something like the Loxia 21. For me its more than fine, but even at normal magnification corners are lacking against the Loxia. I think its an unfair comparison either way, but something to consider if you're looking at the Simera as a critical landscape lens. Will share how the Voigtlander does in a day or so, but I get bothered a lot more by distracting bokeh than corner sharpness lol.

edit: just for the hell of it, added a shot of the Viltrox 14 into the mix (had to jack with shadows and highlights in post to contend with mid-day sun). It's a hell of a lens for $170

Simera 28 by Mystik, on Flickr

Loxia 21 by Mystik, on Flickr

Viltrox 14 by Mystik, on Flickr

I absolutely agree with you 100% regarding what I’m looking for in the Simera…smooth rendering is way way more important to me with that lens than corner sharpness. I’ve zero interest in it for landscapes.

My Viltrox 28mm 1.8 is a very capable landscape lens…I’m seriously quite happy with it. It’s no GM, but it’s a keeper and it’s got something over the Simera or Voigtlander: Autofocus.

So, for my interest the Simera only needs to satisfy a role as a niche lens…a lovely rendering manual focus experience. It does give me pause regarding your feelings that the lens doesn’t feel super great on the a7C.

At this point in my gear-collecting journey I already have an amazeballs wonderful set of lenses to enjoy and just have a couple of itches that I’d like to scratch: 1. I’d love to have as close to a Leica Q-like experience with my Sony a7C II (Simera 28mm maybe?), and 2. a tiny/competent AF lens for a super-light minimal point an shoot experience.

 

[PhotosByDlee]

the size and gas?

Could be that

 

[Baan]

i dipped my toe in the m11 land about 2 years ago. Bought one, didn’t give it enough time, got buyers remorse and sold it at a loss. I then sat on the idea until about 3 months ago and decided to buy another one second hand (luckily for less than I sold the last one for). This time around I’ve accepted it won’t do everything, I will miss shots, and it’s probably not the camera for me taking pics of the kids. That’s allowed me to really enjoy it for what it is, I enjoy shooting with it so much and having to take a bit of time to get a shot. It’s the perfect travel body for me. Even nailed some f/1.4 portraits of my wife on the last trip. Love the x100 too, the jpegs are just awesome and the AF is “good enough” (I use Reggie’s portra recipe exclusively). I have a baby on the way in November this year so want to keep the Sony as I know I will appreciate the AF for the next few years but if it wasn’t for that I could probably live with the two small bodies and nothing else (famous last words )

very interesting. I was bummed to see your leica short lived. Glad you gave it a 2nd go and enjoying it now. It really is hard to bite onto the cost, I try not to think of it and just enjoy using it when I can. The m11 with the sony sensor is something nice to have. The iso performance on the m10 I have is really poor. Really curious how their future sensor is going to be. Saw a recent story of them dropping the sony sensor for another that they can work with the manufacturer on. I really want the M-EV1 !!

 

[Eddie]

very interesting. I was bummed to see your leica short lived. Glad you gave it a 2nd go and enjoying it now. It really is hard to bite onto the cost, I try not to think of it and just enjoy using it when I can. The m11 with the sony sensor is something nice to have. The iso performance on the m10 I have is really poor. Really curious how their future sensor is going to be. Saw a recent story of them dropping the sony sensor for another that they can work with the manufacturer on. I really want the M-EV1 !!

Yeah it’s nice having the Sony sensor. The one thing I struggle with is the lack of diopter. My contact lenses are -1.5 and the viewfinder is -0.5 so it’s effectively -2.0 for me. This is fine for the frame lines pretty much (even though it’s 0.5 beyond my prescription) but I can’t read the red led shutter speed in the viewfinder, it’s just blurry. I was in the Leica store in Rome and they let me try the diopter adjustment lenses but if I made it so I could read the led shutter speed the frame lines were blurry and I couldn’t focus. I’ve just decided to ignore the shutter speed reading in there. With EVFs on other cameras you don’t need to worry about this as you can adjust the diopter globally

Sorry for the non Sony chat.

 

[Baan]

Yeah it’s nice having the Sony sensor. The one thing I struggle with is the lack of diopter. My contact lenses are -1.5 and the viewfinder is -0.5 so it’s effectively -2.0 for me. This is fine for the frame lines pretty much (even though it’s 0.5 beyond my prescription) but I can’t read the red led shutter speed in the viewfinder, it’s just blurry. I was in the Leica store in Rome and they let me try the diopter adjustment lenses but if I made it so I could read the led shutter speed the frame lines were blurry and I couldn’t focus. I’ve just decided to ignore the shutter speed reading in there. With EVFs on other cameras you don’t need to worry about this as you can adjust the diopter globally

Sorry for the non Sony chat.

I don't wear contacts but I do wear glasses and got a correction diopter for mine. My eye changed and needs a different one but I don't want to because it's just too expensive for a little piece T-T figured I use mostly the LCD so I'll pass on it for the time being hehe

For you it seems complicated huh? pick your poison, gain something and lose something

 

[Mystik610]

I absolutely agree with you 100% regarding what I’m looking for in the Simera…smooth rendering is way way more important to me with that lens than corner sharpness. I’ve zero interest in it for landscapes.

My Viltrox 28mm 1.8 is a very capable landscape lens…I’m seriously quite happy with it. It’s no GM, but it’s a keeper and it’s got something over the Simera or Voigtlander: Autofocus.

So, for my interest the Simera only needs to satisfy a role as a niche lens…a lovely rendering manual focus experience. It does give me pause regarding your feelings that the lens doesn’t feel super great on the a7C.

At this point in my gear-collecting journey I already have an amazeballs wonderful set of lenses to enjoy and just have a couple of itches that I’d like to scratch: 1. I’d love to have as close to a Leica Q-like experience with my Sony a7C II (Simera 28mm maybe?), and 2. a tiny/competent AF lens for a super-light minimal point an shoot experience.

The CV 28 Nokton arrived today David. Sharing some comparison shots here. The CV28 is shorter, and feels more balanced on the a7rc. Simera feels a bit like a snout but tbh, it has similar dimensions and handling as the Loxia 21. It's not bad, but I like the CV better.

Other than electronic communication, another area where the CV benefits is minimum focus distance, which on the FE mount the CV is at .28m vs .40m on the Simera. Did not know this was the case till I started shooting as the minimum focus distance on the lecia M version is longer.

CV fits the bill better for me from a lifestyle perspective for sure, but the Simera is really well built and offers a lot for less than half the MSRP. (I got the CV28 used for 50 bucks more than the Simera)

NZF_8502 copy by Mystik, on Flickr

NZF_8503 copy by Mystik, on Flickr

NZF_8504 copy by Mystik, on Flickr

 

[Mystik610]

Rendering wise things get interesting. The Simera has a glow wide open and really smooth bokeh. The CV28 has more contrast and bite wide open.

It doesn't seem harsh here to me at all, but I've seen some samples with the CV28 and mid distance foliage that was pretty nasty. Bokeh less of a big deal for me for a casual lens though.

I prefer the Simera tbh and if this were a portrait lens shootout the answer would be easy for me. The lifestyle benefits of the CV28 really make a compelling case vs the Simera though.

DSC08006 copy by Mystik, on Flickr

DSC08007 copy by Mystik, on Flickr

 

[David A]

I think you’ve made an excellent and persuasive case for the Voigtlander Carlo! I’ve always loved the way Voightlander feel in the handling. It’s so crucial for a good manual focusing experience. I do love how smooth the bokeh is with the Thypoch - but I’m just as much impressed by the more biting contrast exhibited by the Voigtlander in your portraits.

You have me leaning a lot more towards the Voigtlander than the Thypoch…I wasn’t expecting that! I was all in on getting the Thypoch because I liked the rendering, but completely agree that the user experience is a more important consideration. Don’t know if or when I’ll buy one, but Voigtlander is looking really good to me. I can’t wait to see more photos from you with it!

Oh, and the Voigtlander looks the part mounted to the a7CR…it wins on coolnes factor.

 

[Mystik610]

I think you’ve made an excellent and persuasive case for the Voigtlander Carlo! I’ve always loved the way Voightlander feel in the handling. It’s so crucial for a good manual focusing experience. I do love how smooth the bokeh is with the Thypoch - but I’m just as much impressed by the more biting contrast exhibited by the Voigtlander in your portraits.

You have me leaning a lot more towards the Voigtlander than the Thypoch…I wasn’t expecting that! I was all in on getting the Thypoch because I liked the rendering, but completely agree that the user experience is a more important consideration. Don’t know if or when I’ll buy one, but Voigtlander is looking really good to me. I can’t wait to see more photos from you with it!

Oh, and the Voigtlander looks the part mounted to the a7CR…it wins on coolnes factor.

I did a quick landscape test between the Simera and the CV 28. TLDR the CV28 is stronger in the corners but I don't see terrible smearing like I've seen in other samples of adapted M lenses on Sony bodies. Simera good enough for me for small aperture work, with the main thing standing out being the softer contrast vs the CV28. No more testing for me guys

Typoch Simera:

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CV28 gets a bonus cool factor when mounted on the Nikon Zf: DSC08044-Edit by Mystik, on Flickr

 

[Mystik610]

CV28 started giving me bad ideas around the CV40 Septon, but in Fred's rendering and sharpness tests, was surprised by how well the TTartisans 40 holds up. Definitely holding on to the TTA one as its compact enough IMO and has the benefit of AF.

Voigtlander 40mm f/2 Septon Aspherical Review - Sony Forum - Photography - FM Forums

Join the Sony Forum photography discussion:

www.fredmiranda.com

 

[LeeRatters]

I took a Sony photo the other week

A7Riii and my joint favourite lens


*** [Explored] by Lee, on Flickr

I also got one from today - Actually took the Escort out of the garage for a car meet, the first since early October.....

 

[David A]

a7C II with FE 20G:


The Coweta County Courthouse by David Arbogast, on Flickr


Downtown Newnan by David Arbogast, on Flickr


A Busy Cafe by David Arbogast, on Flickr

 

[David A]

a7C II with FE 50/1.4GM:


West Court Square by David Arbogast, on Flickr


Colorful Facades by David Arbogast, on Flickr


Colorful Newnan by David Arbogast, on Flickr

 

[Mystik610]

Hope files shot on ZF but e mount glass are OK

NZF_8531 by Mystik610, on Flickr

Untitled by Mystik610, on Flickr

Untitled by Mystik610, on Flickr

 

[David A]

Sony a7C II with FE 20G:


Back Alley by David Arbogast, on Flickr