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Just a quick run down on the fast Zeiss 85mms from yesteryear:
The CY Planar manual focus 85/1.4 was okay, better when using film, started to show its age on digital.
The rare and expensive manual focus Zeiss 85/1.2 Anniversary was, and still is stellar, maybe the best f/1.2 ever along with its companion lens the Zeiss 55/1.2 Anniversary ... however, while it was converted for use on 5Ds Canon via dumb adapters, I've not seen it used on any of these higher meg cameras like the D800 or this A7R.
The ultra-sonic motor autofocus Zeiss Planar N 85/1.4 optically improved on the CY version, and IMO has not been equaled or surpassed since. Unlike the current ZA 85/1.4 for Sony A mount, it features internal focusing ... and was built like a tank, so probably to big for the A7s.
The current ZA 85/1.4 has beautiful OOF rendering, Zeiss color and contrast, but shows some CA & Fringing (cleans up okay in post, but still fuzzes some edges a bit), it is slower focusing using the A7R with Sony LA-EA4 adapter because it doesn't have the SSW motor in lens ... hard to do grab shots of moving subjects in lower light ... slower AF than on the A99 (and I presume the A7).
- Marc
Joe rocks ��Joe Colson! Good to see you active!
Ok, we may be looking at the same website, but we are not READING the same web site. There is no way that anyone looking at the 100% crops in the most RECENT tests Lloyd did AFTER the Red Barn series who would conclude that the left side of the lens he tested was "soft". In his red barn series with the 55 1.8, he described the performance of the lens through 2.8 as "stunning". He ascribed the loss of sharpness at the smaller apertures to shutter vibration, not a "bad" lens. Yes, the upper left crop is a bit less sharp than the other corners, but that's also been true with some $4,000 lenses I have owned.No we're not..... look at the Red Barn series and read what he says about the left side of his lens being soft and his concerns about sample variations. My two samples were severely afflicted with soft focus on the left side..... like I said I'm done.
Victor
Tim, can you share your sharpening setting in C1 for the A7rLike this?
full image
Apologies for the LR processing, it was already done and loaded before I started using C1...
I'm rolling with default for now - it is a little less crisp than I like but it'll take me time to work out what suits me best: C1 sharpening is not my strong suit!Tim, can you share your sharpening setting in C1 for the A7r
It seems like general consensus is C1 is working better the LR5
Steven
After installing the Sony Lens Compensation app in the A7R, the Lens Distortion menu selection becomes available and can be selected (Auto or Off) with the 55mm f/1.8 mounted. Haven't tried it with non-native lens yet.Has anyone else noted that when you mount the 55mm F1.8 and go to the lens compensation tab in the menu, the Auto option for Lens Distortion is selected and greyed out and can't be turned to OFF whereas when you use the 35mm F2.8, that option is selectable as liked? The other options remain selectable with both lenses.
After installing the Sony Lens Compensation app in the A7R, the Lens Distortion menu selection becomes available and can be selected (Auto or Off) with the 55mm f/1.8 mounted. Haven't tried it with non-native lens yet.
Joe
Mike,Hi Joe,
How do you like the 55mm f1.8 on the A7R?
Mine arrives today or tomorrow - depending on UPS.
Take care,
Mike