Sony Lounge Thread GM-CR MK IV-A

[Mystik610]

Carlo, it’s interesting reading your comparison with the Voigtlander 28…I’d like to hear your thoughts on the TTartisans 40 vs the Viltrox 50 Air that you returned from a rendering standpoint (I know you don’t love 50mm focal length). I’ve been quite impressed with the reviews and photos I’ve seen from the Viltrox Air…what did you think of it?

BTW, your Nokton shots are killing me…I really really want onwee now! Geez, the contrast and richness is amazing.

The 50 is technically a better lens, the 40mm has more of a painterly rendering to it. I chose the TTA 40 mainly on the basis for FOV and size, but it has its quirks especially vs the Viltrox 50. The TTA has this really strong vignetting that doesn't go away when stopping down, and AF pulses at small aperture but works fine wide open. It's an ideal snapshot documentary lens, but probably not a great landscape lens.

Viltrox 50:

DSC07209 by Mystik, on Flickr

TT 40:

DSC07205 by Mystik, on Flickr

 

[David A]

The 50 is technically a better lens, the 40mm has more of a painterly rendering to it. I chose the TTA 40 mainly on the basis for FOV and size, but it has its quirks especially vs the Viltrox 50. The TTA has this really strong vignetting that doesn't go away when stopping down, and AF pulses at small aperture but works fine wide open. It's an ideal snapshot documentary lens, but probably not a great landscape lens.

Viltrox 50:

DSC07209 by Mystik, on Flickr

TT 40:

DSC07205 by Mystik, on Flickr

Thanks for the comparison! I keep thinking I want a tiny little lens, but am just not sure if it would get as much use as I imagine. Today I thought about heading out with my super light Samyang 35mm 1.8, but what did I actually do? That’s right, I took the GM!

Another serious possibility might be one of the small 2.8 zooms, like the Sony 24-50G or Tamron 20-40mm. Those are pretty light weight and offer an appealing-to-me zoom range. I might be more inclined to actually grab that on an outing like today.

 

[Mystik610]

Thanks for the comparison! I keep thinking I want a tiny little lens, but am just not sure if it would get as much use as I imagine. Today I thought about heading out with my super light Samyang 35mm 1.8, but what did I actually do? That’s right, I took the GM!

Another serious possibility might be one of the small 2.8 zooms, like the Sony 24-50G or Tamron 20-40mm. Those are pretty light weight and offer an appealing-to-me zoom range. I might be more inclined to actually grab that on an outing like today.

Lol its hard not to grab the biggest baddest lens when its available. I'm guilty of just packing stupid amounts of stuff for the hell of it and using 1-2 lenses.

On the topic of smaller Viltrox lenses, I did pack the Viltrox 14. I did not use it much because 14mm has limited uses, but it was A LOT less to carry than my Sigma 14-24 so I did not mind throwing it in the bag. When I did use it, was impressed with the output. I returned the 50 mainly due to redundancy but the 14 is worth keeping around

DSC09154 by Mystik, on Flickr

 

[David A]

Lol its hard not to grab the biggest baddest lens when its available. I'm guilty of just packing stupid amounts of stuff for the hell of it and using 1-2 lenses.

On the topic of smaller Viltrox lenses, I did pack the Viltrox 14. I did not use it much because 14mm has limited uses, but it was A LOT less to carry than my Sigma 14-24 so I did not mind throwing it in the bag. When I did use it, was impressed with the output. I returned the 50 mainly due to redundancy but the 14 is worth keeping around

DSC09154 by Mystik, on Flickr

That Viltrox 14mm is amazing. Great image quality…what incredible value.

 

[David A]

Today was an extraordinarily comfortable and wonderful day in Columbus, Georgia...until my e-bike broke down several miles from my car. Fortunately I got it running again, at a painfully crippled pace, and managed to get it back to the car. After all that trauma I had to eat some emotional support tacos and then set out for an evening walk. Anyway, this was from my walk just as the sun was going down for the day.

a7C II with 35GM:

The Chattahoochee RiverWalk by David Arbogast, on Flickr

 

[David A]

My bike just before the gear drive stopped working...

35GM:

Taking a Break by David Arbogast, on Flickr

 

[Baan]

The rendering of the Nokton contributes to the cinematic look too. Not much change in my post processing but the output has a highly cinematic look that I wouldn't say is flat like my dads FD 50 that i mess with but is the antithesis of microcontrast. Not that there is a lack of contrast, but it's very "inky" and the colors have a richness to them vs the vibrance of modern glass

DSC09662 by Mystik610, on Flickr

DSC09651 by Mystik610, on Flickr

DSC09224 (1) by Mystik610, on Flickr

That 2nd pic just pops and glows. bokeh is butter

 

[Baan]

Today was an extraordinarily comfortable and wonderful day in Columbus, Georgia...until my e-bike broke down several miles from my car. Fortunately I got it running again, at a painfully crippled pace, and managed to get it back to the car. After all that trauma I had to eat some emotional support tacos and then set out for an evening walk. Anyway, this was from my walk just as the sun was going down for the day.

a7C II with 35GM:

The Chattahoochee RiverWalk by David Arbogast, on Flickr

great colors and sharpness

 

[Mystik610]

Today was an extraordinarily comfortable and wonderful day in Columbus, Georgia...until my e-bike broke down several miles from my car. Fortunately I got it running again, at a painfully crippled pace, and managed to get it back to the car. After all that trauma I had to eat some emotional support tacos and then set out for an evening walk. Anyway, this was from my walk just as the sun was going down for the day.

a7C II with 35GM:

The Chattahoochee RiverWalk by David Arbogast, on Flickr

Nice work the GM here David!

Sorry about the e-bike. I'm assuming those things can't just be pedaled like a normal bike when they're dead?

 

[Mystik610]

More shots from lens with a Sony mount but shot on a Nikon lol.

I do wish Sony would incorporate MF confirmation that the same way Nikon does. It's not critically accurate all the time...I'm finding that with MF you're going to have to accept a certain degree of misfocus unless you really have the time to dial in the focus perfectly. But MF confirmation on the ZF made the process of focusing so much faster and pretty accurate most of the time. My hit rate on the a7cr was surprisingly high, but it's a much slower process

NZF_8850 by Mystik, on Flickr

NZF_8878 by Mystik, on Flickr

NZF_9157 by Mystik, on Flickr

 

[David A]

great colors and sharpness

Thanks! I’ve begun switching to DXO Photolab for my raw processing and I’m really pleased with the color rendering.

 

[David A]

Nice work the GM here David!

Sorry about the e-bike. I'm assuming those things can't just be pedaled like a normal bike when they're dead?

Thanks Carlo! The bike breakdown was super weird…the pedals would turn backwards, but were completely locked down going forward. Happily after a pushing it a while I did get the pedals moving again and was able to get it back to the car. It’s a really s*****y feeling being stranded on a bike trail several miles from where I parked.

I really like that bike because it fits neatly inside my car, but it looks like I’ll have use my older bike, which requires putting using a hitch-mounted rack.

That Nokton is truly special man! I saw that second shot come up first in my Flickr feed and instantly knew it right away. What a deep rich rendering it has!

 

[David A]

Some more from my Sunday outing to Columbus, Georgia with the a7C II and 35GM:


The Enjoyment of Spring by David Arbogast, on Flickr


Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon by David Arbogast, on Flickr


A Bridge to the Light by David Arbogast, on Flickr

 

[Baan]

Some more from my Sunday outing to Columbus, Georgia with the a7C II and 35GM:


The Enjoyment of Spring by David Arbogast, on Flickr


Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon by David Arbogast, on Flickr


A Bridge to the Light by David Arbogast, on Flickr

nice outing and stroll. Love the last one.

 

[Mystik610]

Some more from my Sunday outing to Columbus, Georgia with the a7C II and 35GM:


The Enjoyment of Spring by David Arbogast, on Flickr


Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon by David Arbogast, on Flickr


A Bridge to the Light by David Arbogast, on Flickr

Second one is worthy of the "which lens has the most 3D pop" thread on FM lol.

Nice work with the GM David!

 

[Mystik610]

Thanks Carlo! The bike breakdown was super weird…the pedals would turn backwards, but were completely locked down going forward. Happily after a pushing it a while I did get the pedals moving again and was able to get it back to the car. It’s a really s*****y feeling being stranded on a bike trail several miles from where I parked.

I really like that bike because it fits neatly inside my car, but it looks like I’ll have use my older bike, which requires putting using a hitch-mounted rack.

That Nokton is truly special man! I saw that second shot come up first in my Flickr feed and instantly knew it right away. What a deep rich rendering it has!

Really happy with the Nokton! It really is an imperfect lens in a lot of ways but I'm digging rendering and character for sure.

I don't want to keep spamming this thread with disney photos so sharing an album I put together on my website here. Most of the shots on the Nokton except a few on the TTA40 and 1-2 on the Viltrox 14

Focal Points - Photography by Carlo Alcala

www.focalpointsphoto.com

 

[Mystik610]

Random thought on AI. Been using Claude, Copilot, ChatGPT a ton at work and a believer in AI as a helpful assistant. Have been using it to critique photos and its been an interesting process, though you do need to ask it to be critical as the models default to trying to please you.

 

[David A]

Really happy with the Nokton! It really is an imperfect lens in a lot of ways but I'm digging rendering and character for sure.

I don't want to keep spamming this thread with disney photos so sharing an album I put together on my website here. Most of the shots on the Nokton except a few on the TTA40 and 1-2 on the Viltrox 14

Focal Points - Photography by Carlo Alcala

www.focalpointsphoto.com

Stunning images Carlo! I’m truly thoroughly wowed.

 

[IDSurfer]

Some more from my Sunday outing to Columbus, Georgia with the a7C II and 35GM:


The Enjoyment of Spring by David Arbogast, on Flickr


Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon by David Arbogast, on Flickr


A Bridge to the Light by David Arbogast, on Flickr

Hi David....I always love the warmth of your shots and these are no exception. Are these taken along the Chattahoochee, perhaps at RushSouth whitewater park? I've always wanted to check that place out if I were ever paddling back east. Looks awesome!

 

[David A]

Hi David....I always love the warmth of your shots and these are no exception. Are these taken along the Chattahoochee, perhaps at RushSouth whitewater park? I've always wanted to check that place out if I were ever paddling back east. Looks awesome!

Thanks Cory! And yes, these were taken at RushSouth on the Chattahoochee.