Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

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igmolinav
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p.1 #1 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Hi,

Where is the $700 difference between these two ??:

1) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/714810-REG/Zeiss_1796379_Distagon_T_25mm_f_2_8.html

and this one,

2) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/839986-REG/Zeiss_1871767_Distagon_T_25mm_f_2_0.html

Thank you, kind regards,

igmolinav : ) !!!

Jan 26, 2012 at 08:59 AM

slungu
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p.1 #2 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Guess it's lost in that one stop and the 100g more lens. So while the first 500g will cost you 1k, for the last 100g you will have to spend $700

Jan 26, 2012 at 09:07 AM

igmolinav
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p.1 #3 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Hi,

Thank you : ) !!! There it is. It is a stop faster. I read the specs
very fast. Then, for some people that will be really worth it.

I guess for me, at this moment wouldn't make that much of a
difference.

Thank you, kind regards,

igmolinav : ) !!!

Jan 26, 2012 at 09:57 AM

carstenw
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p.1 #4 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

It is more than that, totally different design. One is better closer up, the other is better further away. I forget which is which, but the Zeiss 25/2 threads here have lots of information. Additionally, the 25/2.8 is only a very good lens, the 25/2 has some of the special Zeiss magic that a few of their other lenses have, like the 21/2.8, 35/1.4 and 100MP.

Jan 26, 2012 at 10:49 AM

cyra
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p.1 #5 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

the 25/2 is said to be clear of CA whereas the 25/2.8 tends to show some, the 25/2 has smoother rendering of OOF areas, it's performance at far distances isn't yet that clear since only the first coppies have hit this forum. So far it is hard to tell how good it really is, or where it has it's weaknesses. But I also have the feeling it is on par with the best of Zeiss lenses.

the 25/2.8 when used at medium or close distance has very bad corners, they clear up at higher distance and with stopping down. When used at infinity stopped down, this lens is close to the performance of the 21/2.8.
The 25/2.8 has the closest focus of all the Zeiss lenses, and can be used almost as a macro lens as well, although it is not well corrected at that distance - but still good for some fun shots, emergency macro use und sometimes some stunning effects.

it depends on what you want the lens for. There is also the 28/2.0 which is also cheaper than the new 25/2.0.

All 3 lenses have some field curvature, which also seems to create more 3D pop, the new 25 seems to have the least field curvature of the 3 lenses.

Jan 26, 2012 at 01:03 PM

Tariq Gibran
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p.1 #6 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Thus far, all reviews and examples shown taken at long distances/ infinity with the newer 25/2 show very poor corner performance. It's not an isolated case of just one or two.

Jan 26, 2012 at 01:46 PM

Toothwalker
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p.1 #7 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

igmolinav wrote:

Where is the $700 difference between these two ??:
1) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/714810-REG/Zeiss_1796379_Distagon_T_25mm_f_2_8.html
and this one,
2) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/839986-REG/Zeiss_1871767_Distagon_T_25mm_f_2_0.html

For $700 you get

- twice the amount of light (f)
- less lateral chromatic aberration (f)
- better performance at infinity and close focus (o)

If $1,004.00 is a price people happily pay for the 2.8/25, then $1,699.00 for the 2/25 is a bargain. (o)

f = fact
o = opinion

Jan 26, 2012 at 04:39 PM

Ripolini
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p.1 #8 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Tariq Gibran wrote:
... all reviews and examples shown taken at long distances/ infinity with the newer 25/2 show very poor corner performance. It's not an isolated case of just one or two.
This seems to be a fact.

Toothwalker wrote:
For $700 you get
...
- better performance at infinity and close focus (o)

This should be an opinion (o).
By combining these two posts, I have not understood if the 25/2 is a suitable tool for landscape or if the 25/2.8 is preferable

Quot homines, tot sententiae

Jan 26, 2012 at 05:50 PM

Thorsten
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p.1 #9 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Yes this corner/infinity issue had me worried, due to all the internet noise about it. Now that I have the 25/2, I can only smile about it.

Jan 26, 2012 at 05:54 PM

cyra
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p.1 #10 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

waiting for those images that make you smile

Jan 26, 2012 at 05:59 PM

joeisayo
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p.1 #11 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

My friend is a big Zeiss guy and picked up the new 25 F/2 to go with his 21, 35, 50 and 100 Nikon Mount.
I shot with it against my Canon 24 1.4L II and found the Zeiss noticeably softer in the middle, wide open, compared to the Canon.

Jan 26, 2012 at 05:59 PM

Ripolini
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p.1 #12 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

The focus was spot on, right?

Jan 26, 2012 at 06:04 PM

Toothwalker
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p.1 #13 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Ripolini wrote:
Tariq Gibran wrote:
... all reviews and examples shown taken at long distances/ infinity with the newer 25/2 show very poor corner performance. It's not an isolated case of just one or two.
This seems to be a fact.

Toothwalker wrote:
For $700 you get
...
- better performance at infinity and close focus (o)

This should be an opinion (o).
By combining these two posts, I have not understood if the 25/2 is a suitable tool for landscape or if the 25/2.8 is preferable

Quot homines, tot sententiae

Yes, the corners are soft at large apertures. This is in agreement with the lens specs. "Very poor corner performance" however is no fact but opinion. At f/8 the corners have improved to a level that I find very much acceptable.

Both designs are optimized for infinity focus, but different people have different opinions on what makes a suitable tool for landscapes. You need to choose between 80% performance over 100% of the frame or 90% performance over 95% of the frame. (This is an oversimplification, but just might make my point of view clear.)

Jan 26, 2012 at 06:23 PM

fotographiq
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p.1 #14 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

I have only had one day to work with a new (to me) Zeiss ZF 25 2.8 (on my Sony NEX 5N) and all I can say is that it's stellar.

Jan 26, 2012 at 06:29 PM

Ripolini
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p.1 #15 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Toothwalker wrote:
Yes, the corners are soft at large apertures. This is in agreement with the lens specs...

Thank you Paul.
Personally, I'd prefer 90 % performance over 95 % of the frame

From what I've read, it seems that both 25/2 and 35/1.4 allow this kind of performance (with respect to 25/2.8 and 35/2).

Jan 26, 2012 at 06:30 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #16 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Thorsten wrote:
Yes this corner/infinity issue had me worried, due to all the internet noise about it. Now that I have the 25/2, I can only smile about it.

In comparison pictures with my ze21 at f5.6 and f8, the new 25/2 has worse corners and edges than the 21 and I have posted one landscape shot which I need to show the corner crops which show the extreme blurring in the corners, similar to 50MP but the 50MP goes away by f5.6 and the 25/2 never goes away. The center part looks as sharp as my 21 on far distance stuff so that is good and it is extremely sharp in the middle up close which I showed in a Rodin sculpture shot I posted.
The other con is that it is f2 instead of f1.4, so you have to get a lot closer to the subject to get the separation and bokeh which you can get with the f1.4 lens farther away. Also f1.4 is handy in low light shooting without flash.
The colors and low CA are very nice and this lens is nice for street shooting and closer up shooting, but I think I will keep with my 21 for most landscape.

Thorsten, looking forward to seeing your comparison shots between the 24/1.4G and the 25/2 which you say is much better, but I am not seeing any big sharpness difference between the two, and the 24/1.4 doesn't have the corner problem while stopped down, the 25/2 does. Despite the nice color and low CA of the 25/2, the benefits of 1.4 make me want to keep my 24/1.4G which I can use for shallower DOF shots, low light and landscape if I needed to. Where as the 25/2 would be more for walkabout, street shooting.
I am still shooting with the 25/2 that I have rented and my opinions may still change.

Jan 26, 2012 at 06:44 PM

JaanOs
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p.1 #17 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

joeisayo wrote:
My friend is a big Zeiss guy and picked up the new 25 F/2 to go with his 21, 35, 50 and 100 Nikon Mount.
I shot with it against my Canon 24 1.4L II and found the Zeiss noticeably softer in the middle, wide open, compared to the Canon.

My copy of Canon 24 1.4L II is softer in the centre and middle part @f2 than Zeiss 25/2 wide open and has much more CA, at least MFD.

Jan 26, 2012 at 07:01 PM

wiseguy010
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p.1 #18 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Toothwalker wrote:

Yes, the corners are soft at large apertures. This is in agreement with the lens specs. "Very poor corner performance" however is no fact but opinion. At f/8 the corners have improved to a level that I find very much acceptable.

This picture shows quite a large amount of CA in the top of the roof. More than I have ever seen with any of my Zeiss lenses.

Jan 26, 2012 at 08:22 PM

Hulot
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p.1 #19 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

this looks like an outstanding lens! I dont see no soft corners and that tiny bit of CA is nothing to bother about. I am not sure the TS-E would do noticably better here, in fact the lens might offer a good opportunity for those who dont need the 1.4 aperture of the 24L and dont want to handle the TS-E.

I'd love to get one of these, the price point is a bit steep though

Jan 26, 2012 at 10:48 PM

Toothwalker
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p.1 #20 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

wiseguy010 wrote:
Toothwalker wrote:

Yes, the corners are soft at large apertures. This is in agreement with the lens specs. "Very poor corner performance" however is no fact but opinion. At f/8 the corners have improved to a level that I find very much acceptable.

This picture shows quite a large amount of CA in the top of the roof. More than I have ever seen with any of my Zeiss lenses.

If the subject contrast is high enough, you will see similar light leakage with any photographic lens.

Jan 26, 2012 at 11:06 PM

philip_pj
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p.1 #21 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

"..the 25/2 has some of the special Zeiss magic that a few of their other lenses have, like the 21/2.8, 35/1.4 and 100MP."

"Now that I have the 25/2, I can only smile about it"

We just got through rubbishing the online lens test sites, saying how we here at FM Alt generally provide *image evidence* for our assertions and claims, and now we see the myth-making is getting ahead of the evidence. I'm still reeling from Roger Cicala's 25/2 shots...

Thanks for the reality check, TW and Wayne ;~) Nice church and more than acceptable corners, at up to 80m anyway.

For a lot of people it's very simple - Herr Zeiss, give us 21mm performance at longer focal lengths, bitte. Good for close street portrait work, right out to huge distance landscapes, sometimes both at once. That's all, and get it to us by lunchtime. Piece of cake.

Jan 26, 2012 at 11:17 PM

Thorsten
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p.1 #22 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

wayne seltzer wrote:

In comparison pictures with my ze21 at f5.6 and f8, the new 25/2 has worse corners and edges than the 21 and I have posted one landscape shot which I need to show the corner crops which show the extreme blurring in the corners, similar to 50MP but the 50MP goes away by f5.6 and the 25/2 never goes away. The center part looks as sharp as my 21 on far distance stuff so that is good and it is extremely sharp in the middle up close which I showed in a Rodin sculpture shot I posted.
The other con is that it is f2 instead of f1.4, so you have to get a lot closer to the subject to get the separation and bokeh which you can get with the f1.4 lens farther away. Also f1.4 is handy in low light shooting without flash.
The colors and low CA are very nice and this lens is nice for street shooting and closer up shooting, but I think I will keep with my 21 for most landscape.

Thorsten, looking forward to seeing your comparison shots between the 24/1.4G and the 25/2 which you say is much better, but I am not seeing any big sharpness difference between the two, and the 24/1.4 doesn't have the corner problem while stopped down, the 25/2 does. Despite the nice color and low CA of the 25/2, the benefits of 1.4 make me want to keep my 24/1.4G which I can use for shallower DOF shots, low light and landscape if I needed to. Where as the 25/2 would be more for walkabout, street shooting.
I am still shooting with the 25/2 that I have rented and my opinions may still change.

No doubt I'll also keep my ZF 21. I haven't done landscapes with the 25 yet, but I don't doubt what you say about the corners. For my taste, 21mm has often been too wide, and it didn't get much use. 35mm is too long, 25mm would just be perfect. I've been using the 24G, but something was missing, now it becomes apparent what it was when I compare it with the 25/2. I hadn't noticed CA that much before in the 24G, but now it shows up everywhere when I compare the same shots to the 25/2 which is really clean. Even when I remove the CA in post, which is simple enough, the 25/2 still looks much better. I haven't paid much attention to the corners yet, except that they are fine when stopped down for medium distances, and yes they are much worse than the 24G. But what good will the crisp corners do for me when the rest of the frame is a bit dull compared to the 25. I hope to get to some real shots on the weekend.

Jan 27, 2012 at 12:53 AM

Jonas B
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p.1 #23 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Toothwalker wrote:
If the subject contrast is high enough, you will see similar light leakage with any photographic lens.

Yup. I have a very similar image taken at the same place (MNAC, The Catalonia National Museum of Art, Barcelona). The light was different (from the left but towards the camera), taken with a Nex-5 with a Summilux-M 35/1.4 at f/5.6 and the PF and flare isn't any better.

Here is, for fun, another image from the same place:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Comparing CA, PF or flare between a couple of lenses by looking at a single image taken with lens X using camera Y can't really be possible?

Edited on Jan 27, 2012 at 08:34 AM · View previous versions

Jan 27, 2012 at 02:01 AM

johnahill
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p.1 #24 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

The 25/2.8 is pretty darn good at distance shots and renders sharp images corner to corner, so if that's what you want from a 25mm lens than it's a good option (and a cheap option IMO). If however you want to shoot closer objects, wide portraits, low dof landscapes AND still have a lens that's capable of good stopped down infinity shots then the 25/2 may be it.

For the moment i'm hanging on to my Zf25/2.8 and R28 (e55) as those fit the bill for me, once we get more samples from the ZE25/2 I willing to be convinced to trade the up.

Jan 27, 2012 at 08:32 AM

cyra
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p.1 #25 · Zeiss 25 mm - Where is the $700 difference ??

Johnahill, you did a comparison of the two in
this thread

meanwhile what are the differences for you after shooting with the R28 some more? What is it's strength compared to the ZF25? I am interested in the R28 and since I own the ZF25 as well as the ZF28 I'd like to know what it can do that the Zeiss lenses aren't so good at. Or just in what respect it is different. I am sure you have formed somewhat more of an opimion on it since you started the thread.

But as this is not the topic here, I'd apreciate it if you could elaborate a bit on your further findings in your comparison thread

thanks

Jan 27, 2012 at 10:49 AM


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