A 24mm ƒ/1.4 is my stuck-on-a-desert-island lens. While it’s not perfect for everything, but I find them endlessly versatile. Whether it’s general travel photography, environmental portraits, or candid family photos, I like the 24mm wide perspective, especially when it’s combined with the low-light possibilities afforded by a wide ƒ/1.4.
Nikon’s version has been a favorite of mine for years. Recently I’ve been shooting with Sony’s version on the new Sony a7R IV. Its full model number is the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM wide-angle prime lens.
- Compact Master wide prime Lens w/stunning wide-open resolution
- F1.4 max aperture provides extraordinary exposure and Depth of field
I’ve posted a more detailed review separately, and this collection of images is designed to go along with it. I’ve shot these to give a sense of what the results look like in real-world shooting conditions.
These were all shot on a Sony a7R IV body. Most of them were originally shot in RAW. They’ve been processed in Lightroom, but I haven’t applied any of Lightroom’s lens corrections (honestly, I haven’t felt the need to).
You can click on each image for a full-size version, if you like. Be warned, though, that the 61MP images are pretty large even when converted to optimized JPGs.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/5.6.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/3.5.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/11.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how sharp it is in the corners.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8. This shot is a good test of two things: sharpness in the corners and chromatic aberration (purple fringing). I haven’t applied any fixes to either issue, but the lens comes through with flying colors.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/10. I’ve spent many, many mornings shooting here, but this is the first time I’ve seen such dramatic crepuscular rays in this spot. And it just happened to be around the equinox, so it lined up nicely with the Washington Monument.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/4. Lots of lines with potential for barrel distortion and chromatic aberration, but no real issues to complain about.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.6. Another example where the fast aperture helped with a late-dusk hand-held shot.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/4.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8. Plenty of straight lines here and no real issues with lens distortion.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/11.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/5.6.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/11.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.6.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/16.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.4. When you’re up close, the focal point is very narrow indeed.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/11.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.4. I thought this would be a good test of how smooth the bokeh dropoff is from focus in the foreground, with the aperture wide open.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/5.6. Another with several strong, straight lines near the edges of the frame to look for distortion. This shot at the Lincoln Memorial, along with several others on this page, were taken around the fall equinox, when the sun lines up directly down the National Mall in Washington DC. At sunrise on a clear morning, the sunlight shines directly into the massive main chamber and falls directly on the statue. You can find out more about it on my Washington DC site.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.8. The fast aperture helped me take this hand-held as I was crossing the road—there was no time to dawdle and take the shot more carefully.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/4.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.6.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/11.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/5.6.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2. Often when I take this shot with other lens/camera combinations I end up getting some interesting (read: odd) lens flare. No such issues here.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/11.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/4.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/16.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/16.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8. This was one of the few shots here where I used a tripod.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/1.4.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/2.8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/5.6.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/8.
Taken on a Sony a7r IV with a lens aperture of ƒ/4. This was a very dark room, and it’s an example where the a7R IV’s superb low-light sensor performance came into play.
Vital Stats
It’s a prime autofocus E-mount lens designed for Sony’s full-frame cameras. You can use it on APS-C crop sensor cameras, in which case the focal length becomes the equivalent of 36mm on a full-frame camera (ie. 35mm equivalent).
Its full name is the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens, and its product number is SEL24F14GM. Its MSRP is $1399.99.
It has an 11-blade circular aperture with two XA (extreme aspherical) elements.
It’s dust- and moisture-resistant.
It has a minimum focus distance of 0.79 feet (24 cm) and weights 15.7 ounces (445 grams). It measures 3.75 inches (9.24 cm) long and has a diameter of 3 inches (7.54 cm).
It takes 67mm filters.
The original lens hood’s model number is ALC-SH154._
Where to Buy the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Prime Lens
You can find them at B&H Photo, Adorama, and Amazon.
- Compact Master wide prime Lens w/stunning wide-open resolution
- F1.4 max aperture provides extraordinary exposure and Depth of field
You can rent them from BorrowLenses and LensProtoGo.
And you can often find used copies at KEH.
Accessories for the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM
Filters. The Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM takes standard 67mm screw-in filters: Polarizer | UV/Haze | ND
Lens Hood. The replacement petal-shaped lens hood is model number ALC-SH154. I haven’t tried aftermarket lens hoods on this lens, but if you go that route, be sure to check for lens vignetting, something that wide-angle lenses are particularly prone to with generic lens hoods.
Lens Caps. It takes standard Sony front (ALCF67S) and rear (ALCR1EM) lens caps.
Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2021-08-04 at 21:39. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Ricoh GR III Accessories & Replacement Parts
Here are the model numbers of some of the core accessories and replacement parts for the Ricoh GR III.
Ring Cap
- Ring Cap: GN-1
The ring cap is the small plastic ring that attaches around the lens. Chances are, it's fallen off. While you do have to remove it to attach the lens adapter, it's a poor design that tends to fall off and get lost far too often. I've lost a couple of them now.
The camera will work just fine without it. But that will leave some contacts exposed around the lens barrel, which isn't ideal.
The official replacement part is overpriced. But you can also pick up much less expensive aftermarket versions. They're also available in different colors, so you can bling up your camera with a personal touch--or make it look like the Street Edition.
- 【Compatibility】: Designed for Ricoh GRIII (only).This decoration ring is made of high quality...
- 【Easy to use & Protector】:Easy installation and removal and Protects lens barrel exterior.
USB Cable
The GR III has a USB Type-C connector port. When you get a cable, you can get them with another USB Type-C connector on the other end or a more traditional USB Type-A connector. Which you choose depends entirely on what you're plugging into. For example, some newer laptops only have USB-C, while most other computers have USB-A.
![USB C Cable, Anker [2-Pack, 6 ft] Type C Charger Premium Nylon USB Cable ,...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nSeBrQ+0L._SL160_.jpg)
- The Anker Advantage: Join the 50 million+ powered by our leading technology.
- Enhanced Durability: Improved construction techniques and materials make a cable that lasts 12× longer.
Battery & Charger
- Battery: DB-110
It's a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at 3.6V 1350mAh 4.9Wh.
There are some other cameras that also use the same battery--notably, some Olympus cameras (the Olympus model number for the same battery is LI-90B). So they're quite widely available. You can get the official Ricoh version. There are also aftermarket versions that can be much better value but work just as well.
- This Wasabi Power kit includes 2 batteries and 1 charger for the Ricoh DB-110
- Each Wasabi Power battery features Premium Grade A cells, 3.7V, 1300mAh
- Charger: BJ-11
You can charge the battery in the camera (using a USB-C cable). There are also external battery chargers available. They're especially useful if you're using spare batteries, so you can charge and shoot simultaneously.
- AC Adapter: K-AC166
This is used to power the camera for longer shoots, such as time-lapse, or if you happen to be using the camera for live streaming as a webcam. It connects via the camera's USB-C port.
Wide-Angle Conversion Lens
- Wide-Angle Lens: GW-4
- Lens Adapter: GA-1
- Wired Shutter Release: CA-3
- Easy to operate, Half-press to focus, Full-press to shoot
- Fits macro photography well, eliminates camera shake
- Standard External Viewfinder: GV-1
- Mini External Viewfinder: GB-2
- ✪LCD Screen Protector perfectly fit for Ricoh GR 3 DSLR Camera . Not for other model. Easy to install...
- ✪9H Hardness - Longer tempering time, which made the screen protector has a higher hardness. Prevents...
- Soft Case: GC-9
- Neck Strap: GS-3
- Hand Strap: GS-2
Ricoh has produced a wide-angle conversion lens that takes the standard 28mm view down to a 21mm (in 35mm equivalent). While it does add some extra bulk to an otherwise small camera, it works well and adds a more dramatic, wider view. I have an [in-depth review of it separately](https://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/ricoh-gw-4-wide-angle-conversion-lens/).
Something to be aware of, though, is that you will also need to pick up the lens adapter separately. For reasons I really don't understand, the wide-angle conversion lens doesn't come with the adapter, and both are required to make it work. So make sure you pick up one of those at the same time.
Remote Shutter Releases
This is the official Ricoh remote shutter. It connects to the camera via a USB cable, and it's a simple shutter release (i.e., there's no timer or intervalometer).
You can also find aftermarket shutter releases for the GR III.
External Viewfinders
The Ricoh GR III doesn't have a built-in viewfinder. But they make two versions of an external viewfinder that slides into the camera's hot shoe. It covers both the standard 28mm view as well as the 21mm view if you're using the wide-angle conversion lens. There's also a mini viewfinder; that model seems to be hard to find.
Screen Protector
The back screen of the GR III is quite exposed, and if you lie the camera on its back, the screen comes in contact with the surface. Even if you're putting the camera in your pocket, there's a risk of keys or coins scratching the screen.
There's no official screen protector, but there are good aftermarket versions. The one I use is this one. It's essentially a consumable that protects the screen. If you scratch the protector, you can quickly and easily replace it with another from the pack.
Carrying
You can, of course, use the GR III with just about any camera case or bag. But Ricoh does make a dedicated soft-case that fits snugly around the camera and offers some protection even if you're toting the camera around in your pocket. I've been using one for a couple of years, and it's held up very well, and it keeps my camera safer from bumps and scratches.
Again, there's no particular reason you have to use the official GR neck strap, but there is one. The main part is leather, and it even has a discreet, embossed "GR".
If you do use a different strap, be aware that the strap loops on the camera are very small and won't take thicker (i.e., stronger) attachment loops. So you might need to use some D-rings as well.
There's even an official "GR" leather hand strap! But, again, aside from the branding, there's no special reason to use the official strap. If you do use a different one, you might need D-rings if the thread doesn't go through the camera's small attachment loops.
External Flash
The GR III doesn't have a built-in flash. It supports the Pentax P-TTL flash protocol.
Pentax External Flashes:
Questions & Comments