I am honestly so fed up with my current setup and I am starting to think I made a huge mistake switching to Sony if I cant find a lens that actually works for me. I just got back from a bucket list trip to the Dolomites and looking through my files on the A7RIV is making me want to cry because half of them are soft in the corners or the focus just missed entirely. I have been using an older zoom I got used and it is just not cutting it anymore but the thought of spending two months of rent on a new piece of glass is giving me so much anxiety I can barely click checkout on anything. I have my sisters wedding coming up in late October in Oregon and if I mess up those photos because my lens is hunting or blurry she will never let me hear the end of it. I need the absolute best zoom available for the E-mount system that isnt going to weigh five pounds because I still do a lot of hiking but I am so tired of compromising on quality. People keep telling me to just get the GM II but then I see reviews saying the Sigma is just as good for half the price and I am just paralyzed by the choices and honestly worried about making the wrong call again.
Here is what I am dealing with:
- Budget: absolute max is $2500 but my bank account would really prefer something closer to $1800 if possible
- Use case: mix of high-end landscape stuff and low light event work like weddings
- Weight: has to be portable enough for 10 mile hikes in the mountains
- Quality: needs to be sharp enough for 60mp sensor prints without looking like mush
- Timeline: need it delivered and tested before October 20th
Is the Sony 24-70 GM II really the king or am I just falling for the marketing? I feel like every time I make a choice I regret it a week later and I just need someone to tell me what actually holds up in the real world when things are moving fast and the light is terrible or if I should look at the 24-105 or something else entirely...
To add to the point above: be careful with corner sharpness on 60mp sensors.
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Its XD linear motors are kinda necessary for reliable AF tracking tbh.
Unfortunately, f/4 zooms arent as good as expected for weddings. I had issues with blur, so the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is a way better budget win.
> Budget: absolute max is $2500 but my bank account would really prefer something closer to $1800 if possible I totally get that price anxiety, especially with that 60mp sensor showing every flaw. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art Sony E before dropping huge money on the Sony. It hits your budget perfectly. Just be careful and test your copy for decentering before the wedding, cuz third-party quality control can sometimes be a gamble.
Interested in this too
> half of them are soft in the corners or the focus just missed entirely Man, I totally feel for you. I have been through that exact same stress and it is the worst feeling when you get home and see the results arent what you expected. Before I give my two cents tho, are you mostly shooting handheld during those hikes or are you taking the time to set up a tripod for the landscapes? This actually reminds me of a buddy of mine who went through a similar crisis right before a big trip to Iceland. He was so worried about his gear that he spent like a week in his backyard building this custom calibration rig out of PVC pipes and old rulers just to test his focus accuracy. He was convinced he could DIY his way into better sharpness by testing every aperture at every focal length. It was a whole ordeal with spreadsheets and everything. He spent so much time worrying about the tech that he almost forgot to actually pack his hiking boots! Anyway, just curious about your shooting style because that 60mp sensor really shows everything...
Did this last week, worked perfectly
