I'd like to know about those lenses that can capture very special images, because most ppl can't tell the difference between a lot of photos and smartphones' photos. So, maybe lens character would be my number one need. And for cameras, AF. If it's not in focus everything else doesn't matter
Thanks for being straight up w your audience, Jason. What I value in reviews is how it pairs w my specific body (A7C). And due to that camera, I would prioritize a lens w an aperture ring when there are other trade-offs in comparison.
I love a good comparison video. It does help in making decisions for gear. For lenses I love videos that give real-life usage examples/deep dives of that lens. When would you grab this 20-70mm? Just street photography or would you also consider it as a budget RU-vidr lens? What situations would YOU reach for this particular lens over another lens that overlaps in usage? Those questions can be answered without doing a direct comparison the two lenses but just explain your opinion. THEN, when you get a chance to return home...do the comparison video THEN. That way you still get that content out but it's not interfering with your ambitions. Love the stuff you're doing man. You've helped me a boat load in my camera journey over the years (just purchased an A7IV and looking for my first full frame lens next) and look forward to the next phase of this channel!
Been a viewer for probably 4,5 years. Still value in depth reviews that point out some gotchas, limitations or finer details that aren’t communicated by the manufacturers or even known to them. Curious if you guys reside in SG now? The view in the wideness comparison looks familiar
Hey Jason. I'm a long time hobbiest photographer. Only recently came across your channel because I'm coming back into the hobby and gravitated towards your channel because of your personality. Your delivery and honesty is what I can relate to most. I also like to minimize gear, both in quantity and how much I bring with me, so I like your approach to compact travel. I used to be a gear hoarder and bring everything with me on trips. To quote another long time photographer, the best camera you have is the one you have with you. And so having a small and compact setup with solid quality is what I have been after.
Your personality is fun. I enjoy watching your videos. I love that you focus mainly on Sony. Keep making content that makes you happy as this will come across on screen and those who are drawn to it will watch and appreciate the work you do no matter what. As you’ve said in a previous video and this one, there are other Cameratubers out there who will cover the other stuff. There’s something for everyone out there. You do you and I’ll appreciate it either way.
I’ve followed you since my days with the A6000 and i am now using an a7c with 28-70 sigma and Sony 24mm GM. Hearing you talk about form over function and compactness for travel is what I am looking for most now. I am not a professional and only a hobbyist where traveling is my top priority and although I do still enjoy those pixel peeping comparison videos, I find that the recommendations and opinions of some camera RU-vidrs doesn’t necessarily match my priorities since many of them have their target audience as fellow professionals.
As a long-time viewer, I value your reviews because I trust your expertise, but honestly mostly because your delivery is delightful and I always get a good giggle. The positive energy in your videos is infectious!
Hi Jason! been a long time subscriber for years now. (might even be one of the early/first subscribers) Happy to see your videos and content. I'm a hobbyist and I enjoy watching your contents as you being genuine and helpful in various aspects of photography, videography, and travel. Keep it up! Cheers!
Hi Jason, another fun and informative video. I would say I'm an occasional viewer of your channel as I already watch a lot of in-studio camera stuff (I like this content but there's so much... repetition and hair splitting). But I love it when a creator (and digital nomad) gets out into the world to test and use the gear and I'm super excited to follow your upcoming travels!
Been a view for like 4yrs and most of the time I just view whatever you post cause of your personality, you are your most selling point for me. Photography is my hobby so going too technical on lenses might not be for me. I travel a lot so your new angle on small lenses for travel sounds amazing.
Fact: you've found your niche and you deliver excellent, competent, fun content. I know when I come for a review (of anything) that you're going to provide something of value, which helps me (and other users) decide which products warrant my/our attention and/or funds. A good combination of tech specs and real-world use (with great photos) is my ideal mix when I watch a review. A bit of fun helps, but I don't require too much performing. The content is well-conceived, clearly delivered and extremely relevant. Keep up the great journey and all the hard work that goes into this channel.
Hi Jason, i am a old subscriber and hobbyist. I get WAY more fun looking at phototrips or adventures videos than reviews nowadays... i guess i went full circle on what i need, or the format of reviews thats just getting old, idk. To top things off, i got into the film train 4 years ago and i love it so much! Sharpness is now less important, but feel and emotions way more... that being all said, i have been waiting for this focal lenght really long for travel, it s a landscape dream imo. thank you for this review, loved this one, bring us adventures video, things you see, you eat, some behind the scene, narations etc. keep it going, ill be there for a long time. cheers :)
Honestly, when it comes to reviews, I love the truth of your opinion. Also, specs are good to inform people as well whether it's a camera or a lens it's still information to give. I love the pros and cons when it comes to reviews because it gives me a reason to listen to your opinion and point out something you don't like that maybe others may like or vice versa
Hi Jason! Long time viewer. I think the the thing I value most about new gear and lens reviews, is the best and worst use cases for the new product. I think that really helps me decide if that product is something I would use or not. Hope you are having fun in 🇯🇵!!
What do I want from a lens review? Your honesty, Jason! And your enthusiasm for the subject! F4 is not great for low light - most reviewers are suggesting to crank up the ISO to compensate. I picked up the $400 cheaper, lighter , smaller 20-40 f2.8 Tamron and am quite happy with it . Yes, it would be nice if it had gone up to 50mm but I would not want to sacrifice its petite size on my A7C ( or A6500) . I bought it to pair with my amazing Tamron 28-200 for travel but could also see using it along with my Sony 85 f1.8 - now that's a cute pairing and all the lenses take 67mm filters.The new Sony takes a 72 mm filter so it it is going to be a chonky boi! Hmm, can't find a Canadian dollar price for this - I am guessing it will be around $1499 ( plus tax) for an F4 lens..... My Tamron 20- 40 f2.8 cost $949.00 CAD ( plus tax). Oh, and the Tamron has a closer minimum focus difference!
A camera review is better when you have a creative story along with it. Such as the Switzerland trip video. It was fun and educating. It also welcomes other viewers that are not all about cameras. Great job man!!
Great video and tons of info about real world use. I find watching videos about camera or lens reviews in a real world usage much enjoyable. In depth specs info gets boring now. I would suggest that unique features or severe flaws of the product are always presented like you did in this video. I’ve been watching this channel for I don’t know how long and always enjoyed the positive energy. Keep it up! 👍🔥💯
jason i have been watching you for a year and i just realized i haven't subscribed to you after all those months!! love u brother thank you for helping me a lot.
Hey Jason! Been watching your content since you had 20k subs and have watched you grow tremendously. I can't wait to watch your upcoming videos for traveling. I enjoy your travel B-roll and always ask myself how do I get the same shots? I definitely enjoy watching BTS and breakdowns in that area. For me, I'm also wondering about the actual usability and not just the specs or picture quality. I think the quality of anything these last few years is going to be incredible no matter what, so its just about the storytelling, the shooting technique, and the edit at the end of the day. Thanks for all you do!
I’m enjoying it here as well- the 28-200 specs say “kit lens” but the pictures coming out of it are another story. That and a great f/1.8 prime lens are around the same price as this 20-70. But I think this 20-70 and a 70-200 (or 180) represent a killer combo with that much wide angle - and the longer zoom can cover many of the “I want bokeh” situations. Costs quite a bit more, though.
I appreciate this. As I age, some of my key issues are (1) price, (2) weight, (3) versatility and (4) image quality for still pictures. You covered these topics well.
I want a lightweight kit on my A7C, especially for travel, and have currently settled on Tamron's duo of 20-40 f2.8 ('replacing' my 17-28 f2.8 lens) and the 28-200 zoom which performs way above it's specs on paper. For more reach than this I am pairing my A6500 with Tamron's very affordable and extremely light ( for a telephoto lens) 70-300 variable zoom lens.
Love the format, and appreciate the review. My current lens is a 24-240 Sony lens. That has a 5.6 and larger minimum aperture, so this lens is an interesting improvement on the wide side and on the F4 end. I will hang on to the 24-240 for the times when I expect to need the 240, but lately, I have needed more wide and less long lenses. Love your reviews on the Sony equipment. I love my A7IV, do not see the need to upgrade to the A7V. I do not do video, except short bursts of my grandson. Thanks again, peace out.
Excited and happy for you choosing to do something different based on your actual work. Without the AF test, I hope that you can find extra excuses to pop into the frame from below - it’s your trademark!
This seems like an amazing lens and pair with the 70-200 F4 seem like an amazing combo. At this moment, I value how compact for travel gear is. when I was younger I wanted to have a lot of gear to impress my clients. Now I just want to carry the minimum gear to get the job done.
For me, I'm just 1-2 years following you. What I like in your channel and how you review gear is usability in hybrid mode. You share your experience really well and what practical usage you get from it. I use DP Review videos for the tech details.
Great review as always. I like the format, the best of both worlds. Focus on one lens and refer to others in passing as you think of it. Enough for me to know what I need to know. Thanks
As ex-nikon z6ii with 24-70 f4 user I am happy! I wanted something compact as nikon's kit in sony system. TG they made it! Being A7IV and A7C user I am happy and no doubt will grab it as it come into retail! Awesome lens!
Yes, love this type of real world review!! Camera and lens technologies are so amazing now, you really can't go wrong with any brand. Just need to understand what we really need in our kit that suits us best and this type of review will help people achieve that. I am currently trying to decide on my setup for my HK/Japan trip this May. Like you, I want to go compact with as high quality as possible! I was planning to bring my A7IV with the Sigma 28-70 & the 16-28 for wide shots. But I recently got a killer deal on the 24-70 GMII so I had to buy it!! Now I can just bring the 24-70. If the A7C mk2 releases before I go to Japan, I might be tempted to get it but I think it'll be too head heavy if I park the 24-70 on it. Can't wait for your travel adventure series!
been watching for a year+!! your videos are really helpful decide what items to buy, for example my big question about this new 20-70mm is how it compares to the 24-70 f2.8, i think these questions are common amongst us consumers so thanks!!! Please continue to help answering these questions for us, but also on the other side I am very interested in your experience travelling and being a digital nomad, I really hope to one day try digital nomadism as well!!! Thanks Jason!!
0:20 True we have changed. we have grown older. some become parents. you are one of the people who inspired me to actually get into photography just around when you did a comparison of A6000 and A6100. since then, i have grown from beginner to amateur, having started with A6400 and currently shooting with A7R III.
I’m with you, the best gear for me is a compromise of light and travelable and very high quality, I’m not a studio shooter on the whole so I always hope for progress line this. As for the lens you review, I’d live one and it’s interesting the way we tend to set our travel lenses as wide as they can go. This is a very special lens (though I noted that Panasonic’s kit lens also starts at 20mm). I suspect this will become the norm and wouldn’t be too surprised to see a 2.8 version at some point in time.
For lens reviews I would love to see the lens used on a full frame and apsc camera. Either taken on stuff like the A7IV and the a6400 or other equivalent body’s. As a apsc shooter, I never really know how the image will come out on a cropped sensor and including some example shots with one would help us out a lot. I also appreciate the real world examples you do. When you’re out and about letting us see how the lens stacks up in different environments
I do value it just like you did, bit technical, but more pieces of opinion with real case scenarios and based on your opinions, and I'd love to see more vlogs and adventures, I do actually care more about them more than the full reviews. Also thanks! I am going to Tokyo in one week, for my first time as my vacation days of office, for 15 days, and I'm taking my new a6400 and 35mm, hopefully I'll be able to buy a new lens in Tokyo hehe. Thanks Jason!
I like how you offer alternatives to Sony whilst being truthful about how Sony may have it's undeniable advantage in certain aspects. Good job on being a fair reviewer. Also, DYING for the Sony 16-35 GM2 to arrive 🤤
Jason, you are an exception vlogger, dude. I look forward to every one of your videos and hope you continue to do what you do for many more years. I have a business trip to India coming up and debating my kit as we speak. Either going with my Sony a7iii w/Sony 24/1.4. Or going super light with my Lumix micro 4/3 and 12-35/2.8. Either way, my plan is one body and one lens. Thoughts?
I've been following you for about 4 years and you definitely have helped me alot with your tutorials and reviews. I would say now I'm very interested in seeing more videos about how to travel with different setups...and also vlog style videos using your gear. That to me is the most interesting seeing how you set up your gear and what's the most compact way of doing it.
I would love to see a video about how you pack for travel as digital nomads. Personally I find it challenging to travel with camera gear while still remaining one-bag / carry-on.
Catalyst Browse stabilization does work with third party lenses. I use Sigma 28-70 and Tamron 35-150 and it works like a charm. It doesn’t work with fully manual lenses though
@@SimplySpiceIt It should work as long as it's not a manual lens. I think the electric connections on autofocus lenses communicate the focal length information, and the gyro data gets recorded. I tried it with GreatJoy 50mm anamorphic which is a full manual lens, and it didn't work
@@davidbatbolddid you compare catalyst browse results of sony and sigma lens? I am interested in sigma 28-70, so I am just wondering how stable is the footage after processing in Catalyst browse. Thank you
I think your new style brings value and a different perspective. Jason Vong for on the go real world travel perspective and feel for gear. Makes it more distinctive as you are not in a controled setting and must shot it on the go with limitations and constraints, what many of us do. The others have other bases covered like, Manny Ortiz and Julia Trotti are more on portrature work reviews, while Jarod is scientific numbers aspects on performance. Dustin Abbot is long format videos with the in depth look tying everything covering everything. And Kai W is just wacky AF whenever he reviews stuff.
JV... Follow your passion, and don't overthink it. You'll lose some followers and gain new ones. It's just the nature of the your biz. You will never go wrong following your passion and building on your strengths. Thanks for all you do. Have fun and keep it up!
I’d love if you’d start with an image you achieved with a certain camera or lens and then explain how that particular piece of gear made it easier or made it possible to get that shot. We need a lot more reviewers who remember that the gear is here to help us achieve results. Let’s start with the results!
I've been watching for like 3 years. At first just deciding what to buy, bought the A6400 then A7IV. I saw your A7IV setup video like 4 times, I have 2 primes 85mm f1.8, 35mm f1.4 GM and 1 zoom 70-200 f2.8 GM MKII. I brought the 35mm and 70-200mm to a trip around Europe and only used the 70-200 once, I hated having all that weight around and then switching to it on crowded places, rain, etc. I definitely think form factor is more important, as you mention, you rarely use f1.4 on the streets or landscape, so all that price/features are not used. Going to Brazil soon and I'll take my A6400 with kit lens for safety reasons mostly and I wish I had the 20mm f2.8 for it to make it super compact, hopefully I can buy it there or for my next trip. Edit: I'd buy a new 16-35 GM MKII in a second!
Great review. Love the new style. Only thing I missed was how it handles on a gimbal not having internal zoom. As for your new style, I would love having reviews from a traveling perspective. It's true that both image and focus quality is so good now that it's less relevant to talk about.
I have been shooting with the new Sony 20-70 G lens for a week now and it will not stay off my Sony A7IV! I absolutely love this lens! So many features and awesome IQ for the price. I did have the Tamron 20-40, but it just didn’t do it for me.
The wide end is where its at, this makes it an interesting focal range at first thought. At second thought, because the wide end is so important, combining a 24-xx or 28-xx with a 12-24 or 16-35 may make a lot more sense, and for anyone with a 100-400 instead of 70-200 on the long end, xx-105 again remains the better fit.
I always enjoy videos covering situations, eg what combination of camera and lens for a night walk around travel shoot, and what shooting tips to use to improve and overcome the inherent challenges. As for this 2070F4 lens, I find it quite compelling for a travel lens. F2.8 is nice but when I recently travelled in a group, most times I was shooting at F4 or higher to 1) capture the background (why else would we travel right?) and 2) to keep the faces of my travel group in focus.
Update. I bought this lens! It is very well constructed. I have the Tamron 1728 and 2875 but on vacation, I find the FL I use split between the 2 lens and it's just not convenient to keep switching - family members will not want to wait around while we switch lens! Looking forward to using this one lens for vacation. I'll pair it with Sony 24mmG2.8, Sony 35F1.8 and Zeiss 55F1.8 when necessary for night photos.
catalyst browse will work as long as the lens communicates the final length regardless of brand. I think some stabilized lenses are not compatible as well.
thats why i choose to buy the RS3 combo, automatic on baby :D one time set up with your intended lens and done .. oh, i got another quick release plate for the gimbal to make it more quick, cause when you take out the lens the follow connecter came with it. its better just to remove the camera
Hey Jason! When you are doing the cinematic pushing shots with any lens on a gimbal, what aperture are you usually shooting at? I'm trying to figure out what amount of background blur is necessary. Thanks in advance!
Thanks for this video Jason! I already own the 20mm f/1.8, do you think this lens would pair well with the 20-70mm for a more versatile travel setup? I mostly want to do landscape and street photography/video work. Also, do you use any diffusion filters? Any particular brand’s you would recommend? Thanks!
I wish Tamron would update the 17-28mm! 20-40 was nice but a little extra width would be nice! Side note, I noticed some Super Mario Land in there, lucky! I can't wait for the Orlando one to open by me!!!
When I started following you, I didn’t have kids, and now I have 4 😳 I care about small and light setups with super quick and simple workflows to get from shooting to sharing with friends and family . Can you tell me what is the best video settings for my a6600 and how on earth I can get the full size videos off my SD into my iPad with the iPad SD dongle?? Why does Sony make this so hard?
It's up for debate, but I have been using my phone's ultrawide to compliment the Tamron 28-200 when I want to travel very light. This gets me a wide range for almost everything and the 2.8 for low light.
Question. Should I pick the Sony 20-70/4 or the 24-70/2.8GM2 / Tamron 35-150/2-2.8 as my travel zoom? I am a street/urban photography enthusiast with a few country and city trips planned in Japan and Europe in the next few months. My current prime set up includes the 14/1.8GM, 24/1.4G, 40/2.5 and Sigma 85/1.4. I’m trying to decide on a lens that I can keep on my camera from sunrise - blue hour and leave my primes for night time scenarios. Thanks!
Great video Jason! At first, I didn’t pay too much attention when this was released but the more I thought about it, like you said, that extra 4mm on the wide angle lense would help! And i rarely zoom past 70mm plus the 24-105 i use is mind of heavy. I’m thinking of selling my 24-105 and getting this! Perfect for a vlog and travel all around!
This lens looks really cool, but I’m probably gonna wait for the 24-105 GII. If they can make that one a little less chunky than the current version, it’d be a perfect combo with the A7C (at least for me.)
I am like you! I want to travel as light as possible especially now that it's a diaper bag along with a camera bag. I love my A7C because it is lighter and does not need as much room in my bag. I am carrying a tripod, Crane M3, B1M mic and 3 Sony lenses: 28-60 F4-5.6, 20 1.8, and 24-70 GMII. I find that I have the 24-70 on more because it is versatile for both photography and videography. I can also use it for video but I end up hand holding it with my camera strap to help stabilize my shots as much as possible. It works! Gimble work on the 28-60 is just not wide enough at times, but it is perfect for the gimble. The DJI RS 3 Mini has my eye now as it can handle the 24-70 GMII as opposed the Crane M3. I also wonder about a future A7C II... There is always going to be higher spec camera or lens, but in the end it just has to work to the user's situation. I do like your suggested new approach to your reviews! There will be others that go in to the details about quick focus and pixel peeping. If the lens offers something that is truly different, then I would focus on that. The usability and the practicality of the lens (like if you are traveling or shoot weddings) is also a great point. Then combing your enthusiasm and examples in the moment make your videos enjoyable to watch!
I do alot of travel and take photos anywhere from nature and landscape to castles and theme parks. Currently I have a 24mm prime GMaster and a 70-300 g lens and the kit that i nearly never use 26-70. I'm really torn between this and the 24-70 to help me out with my mid-range any suggestions? The issue I run into the most in going in buildings thus why I got the 24mm 1.4. It's simply amazing but I would like some zoom for indoor trips to Europe for cathedrals and castles.
Great job on the video Jason! Thanks for making it. Instead of an A7CII, I'm betting we get an A70 this year. APS-C sensor from the FX30 in the body of the A7IV with a mechanical shutter. I doubt that they would give it the fully articulating screen from the A7RV, but price it at $1899 and watch it sell like hotcakes. My wishful thinking is that we also get an FX60, because I bet you could pop some pretty gnarly IBIS around that smaller sensor even with a variable ND. And since if you ever need a variable ND, then you're probably not worried about the low-light limitations of APS-C. Unfortunately, while I do believe there would be a market for such a camera, I doubt it would be big enough for Sony to actually make it.
As a wedding, portrait, and events photographer, real world/in the field reviews provide me the most value, to be honest. Pixel peeping is only important to pixel peepers and product/commercial photographers. I want to know how a product can make my life easier, or provide more bang for the buck.
If they replaced the 24-105 with a 20-105 Oss, that would just be the dream! I know the technical difficulties in doing that but hey we can all dream. 😅
This 20-40 f4 lens is just genious. I'm coming from Sony APS-C and my 16-55 f2.8 (equivalent to 24-83 f4.2 on FF) was for me the best always-on travel/ hiking lens so far. But the 16mm was often not wide enough. Now Sony manages to replace this APS-C combo with even significantly more wide angle in a similar weight and form factor on full-frame which is absolutely amazing. Sure, "only" F4, but that's equivalent to f2.8 on APS-C and that was for me always perfectly fine for a travel/ landscape lens. Small weight just counts when you are traveling/ hiking. The price is the only downside of this lens. Here in Europe Sony wants to have 1.300€ (which is 1.380 USD or 2.150 AUD) unfortunately, which is much more expensive than in the US. That's too much. I will wait until it is on sale sometime.
Usability, real world results, and value! For the price and smaller size, plus f/2.8 I'd probably go with the Tamron 20-40 instead of this but it is a tempting option for sure! This lens with the 35 1.8 would be a killer combo
I took 2 shots on this lens and it immediately destroyed my 1635 f4pz. Not sure if i got a bad cooy but that lens was one of my least favorite. This is the perfect all around lens. On the 1st day i practiced in moderate (not too low or too bright) light and it held up very well. This quickly has become one of my favorite lenses.
I travel lots I own a7c and 16-35 f2.8 ... I am thinking to get 20-70 f4 since I don't use 16 mm a lot ... probably I will try 20-70 f4 for my trip to Korea end of year .... when I travel I don't like changing lens and want to travel lite ....
Hi Jason, I’m a beginner to photography and I have Sony 6700 with Sigma 15 to 50mm lenses already. My question is what is the next important lenses can i buy a prime or Zoom lenses I’m a 70 years old also maybe the light weight is most prepared?
I'm trying to decide between 20/1.8, 20-40/2.8, and 20-70/4. And I need a lens that would be good indoors as well as outdoors. I'm afraid f/4 will be a huge problem.
Do you think that this lens in combination with the a7c would be a good combination for travel pics, allowing me to leave my professional equipment (a7rIV, 16-35GM, 24-70 GMII, 70-200 GMII) safe at home?
when it comes to camera, mostly form factor and sharpness i guess? I would wanna know if the price is gonna give me a noticeably sharper image or not and as for lenses, most of the time I would wanna know about the autofocus and image stabilisation. i.e if it has OSS or something like that since I am using an APS-C without any image stabilization (a6400).
