Tempted by the TL2 - should I be?

[Reggie]

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5 hours ago, g2van said:

Just wanted to let you know that I have the 55-135 and the Sigma 30. Both are outstanding on the CL and my TL. The 55-135, like all the TL lenses, is just superb and size, weight, handling and image quality! Light enough to easily carry around in a small bag. The Sigma is really a no-brainer for me - priced so well, and becomes a good companion or alternative to the TL 23. Enjoy your TL2 !

Thank you so much for the feedback on the lenses. I have gone off at a slight tangent on the lens front for now. I was asking myself why I wanted the 55-135 and it’s largely for portraiture and the odd bit of travel photography. Ditto the 60 Macro. However, they both have their pros and cons (the forum is littered with discussion of both and well informed comment from those who have owned both) so I decided to go with neither! Instead, I have the Sigma 85 1.4 DG DN winging its way towards me.
 

My only concern is Sigma’s reputation for poor micro contrast and it’s too new for many to have tried it but I have found some examples on the SL pics thread and at least one CL owner has posted pics on his Flickr account.which all look good. The other issue will be how well it plays with the TL2’s firmware but if it doesn’t work, it can always go back!
 

 

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[ruskkyle]

I’m sure you will enjoy the heck out of the Sigma. There is a nice review of it with example images (on FF bodies) here:

https://youtu.be/8EHLwQfvHhI

[Reggie]

55 minutes ago, ruskkyle said:

I’m sure you will enjoy the heck out of the Sigma. There is a nice review of it with example images (on FF bodies) here:

https://youtu.be/8EHLwQfvHhI

Thanks - That’s a really recent review and I hadn’t seen it (in fact, I think I ordered the lens before that review was published 😆).

So the lens has arrived. The camera flashed a firmware update when I powered it on. However, none of the manual functions on the lens work which is a shame - particularly the aperture ring although with the way I’m holding the lens and body, I’m not sure that the ring is particularly well positioned for manual use anyway.

One thing which does seem to work though is that software correction for the lens’ pincushion distortion is functioning as the in camera JPEG seems to preserve straight lines at the edge of the frame but I wasn’t applying a test card level of rigour.

Focus is silent and accurate with no hunting. I’d say it takes less than a second to go from minimum focus to infinity and is about 2-3x slower than the TL 18mm doing the same.

The lens is large with the hood on but without the hood, it’s shorter but wider than the TL 55-135 and only just longer than the TL 60. The wider barrel suits my large hands and as the lens weighs more than the body, I’m getting good stability cradling the lens in my left hand. Seems like the tail is wagging the dog!

So far, I am delighted with the ergonomics and feel in hand. 
 

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[nicci78]

4 hours ago, Reggie said:

So the lens has arrived. The camera flashed a firmware update when I powered it on. However, none of the manual functions on the lens work which is a shame - particularly the aperture ring although with the way I’m holding the lens and body, I’m not sure that the ring is particularly well positioned for manual use anyway.

Sadly you are hitting the problem with TL2 lack of firmware update. CL got the much needed firmware updates to support new functions from Sigma and Panasonic L-mount lenses. But only basic functions will work with TL2.

It may be better to stick to TL lenses with TL2. For the broader range of L-mount : CL/SL/SL2 are more suited.

[Reggie]

29 minutes ago, nicci78 said:

Sadly you are hitting the problem with TL2 lack of firmware update. CL got the much needed firmware updates to support new functions from Sigma and Panasonic L-mount lenses. But only basic functions will work with TL2.

It may be better to stick to TL lenses with TL2. For the broader range of L-mount : CL/SL/SL2 are more suited.

The lack of AF lock functionality on the lens isn't a problem as the TL lenses don't have it.

The lack of AF/MF switch functionality on the lens isn't a problem as the TL lenses don't have it.

The lack of aperture ring functionality isn't a problem as the TL lenses don't have it.

The focus ring works well and in exactly the same way as the TL lenses.

My big fear had been the lack of in camera pincushion correction but the camera handles it just fine.

So in summary, the TL lenses don't give me any greater functionality than the L lens and neither does the L over the TL which means that it's a level playing field in terms of lens choice.

The ultimate question is whether the intangibles of the lens IQ such as rendering and micro contrast make it worth choosing vs the TL lenses. I don't really have enough experience to know if that is the case or not so any observations or comments on the images I posted would be welcome.

 

Edited October 14, 2020 by Reggie

[jaapv]

It updating with the USB Dock possible?

[Reggie]

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4 minutes ago, jaapv said:

It updating with the USB Dock possible?

I don’t have the dock so I don’t know. I can’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be possible. 

[Reggie]

If you're interested in image samples from the Sigma 85mm F1.4 on the TL2, they can be found here

Edited October 15, 2020 by Reggie