p.3 #1 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
It would be nice to see some real bokeh tests as well. From what I have seen elsewhere, the lens does nicely here but I must say it gets a bit tiresome to continuously see lenses shot at close to their minimum focus distane and then for said lenses to be held up as having wonderful bokeh. Almost any lens will look good at such a distance. In my opinion, to really get a good idea of bokeh rendering with something as wide as a 24/25mm lens, it really needs to be shot at typical portrait type distances - say 3-5 feet - wide open (and perhaps a stop down) and with some nice bright highlights in the background. Such a test will often reveal if there are any serious bokeh issues - LoCA, rings, oval/ oblong shapes, etc.
p.3 #2 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
I think the bokeh looks way better than what the ZF25/2.8 would show. Probably better than the Z*28/2 too.
The lenses that I have used for such shots are the C/Y 28/2.8 and the Vivitar/Komine 28/2 (which Paul/Cogitech liked for the bokeh) and they absolutely can't deliver such smooth bokeh. Of course they are in an entirely different price category.
p.3 #3 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
AhamB wrote:
I think the bokeh looks way better than what the ZF25/2.8 would show. Probably better than the Z*28/2 too.
The lenses that I have used for such shots are the C/Y 28/2.8 and the Vivitar/Komine 28/2 (which Paul/Cogitech liked for the bokeh) and they absolutely can't deliver such smooth bokeh. Of course they are in an entirely different price category.
Yes, the bokeh I have seen from this 25 F2 lens looks way better than the C/Y 28 2.8 but that lens has particularly poor bokeh in my experience. Even my inexpensive Quantarry 24 2.8 has better bokeh than the CY 28...and that's a lens under $100! There are many wide lenses which offer better bokeh than the CY 28 in fact, and some of those even offer corner sharpness when stopped down - even in all four corners to boot!
The more I see from this lens, the more it reminds me of the ZA 24 F2 I owned.
p.3 #4 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
A quick update.
I have just come back from the shop where I did a few shots with the "NEW" Canon 24 1.4 at f2 and f2.8 to compare the results to the Zeiss at f2.
The Canon had the advantage of being stopped down to f2 where the zeiss was shot wide open at f2.
Let me just say again, it is not my intention to do an A vs B this was just a side note to the review. But, having been drawn into making this comparison let me emphasize this. No competition! I stand by my original words.
I will post the images later tonight when I am home.
p.3 #7 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
Well, let's just wait and see before jumping to conclusions. I have nothing against a casual test given that the shooting conditions are the same and the camera the same.
Brrrrringit oooooon Jorge!
In the mean time guys, relax. Let's call 'em as we see 'em and keep it civil. A great lens is a great lens whatever the make. Seeing the samples from Jorge with the 25/2 makes me even more curious to see what the Canon 24/1.4 is like in comparison as I haven't seen much from it.
p.3 #8 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
But if you shoot enough with a 24/1.4 lens like the Nikon 24/1.4G, you will know the extra subject/background separation capabilities of a 1.4 vs. 2.0 lens as well as the advantage of that extra stop for low-light shooting. And the Nikon 24/1.4G will give you great sharpness across the frame into the corners for landscape shooting when stopped down to f8. Yes, the micro-contrast and colors will be better with the Zeiss but it can't make up for the difference between 1.4 and 2.0 IMHO.
p.3 #9 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
Tariq Gibran wrote:
Did you actually do a side by side comparison - same lighting, subject, distance, etc.? If so, I look forward to seeing the results.
Yes. Same framing lighting etc. both shots within minutes of each other.
Don't expect anything fancy or idepth other than just a A - B comp.
p.3 #12 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
By the way, the only thing I see better from the Canon is it has less vignetting. Could be because it is stopped down whereas the Zeiss was shot wide open.
p.3 #13 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
... stopping down for landscape is fine but I am quite worried about the diffraction kicking in that could harm reduce the contrast and make the small details go away.
Every technically versed photographer who has anticipated using a prospective new lens is concerned about at what small stop the lens' image quality will take a dump. I can report that all the ZF lenses I own or have used are have been surprisingly good at f/11 and f/16 on my Nikon D3 cameras. This includes the ZF 18, 21, 25, 28, 35/2, 50/2, 85, and 100. If the new ZF 25/2 is as good-- or better-- at f/11 and f/16 than my ZF 28/2 is, then it will an excellent lens indeed.
p.3 #14 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
... stopping down for landscape is fine but I am quite worried about the diffraction kicking in that could harm reduce the contrast and make the small details go away.
Every technically versed photographer who has anticipated using a prospective new lens is concerned about at what small stop the lens' image quality will take a dump. I can report that all the ZF lenses I own or have used are have been surprisingly good at f/11 and f/16 on my Nikon D3 cameras. This includes the ZF 18, 21, 25, 28, 35/2, 50/2, 85, and 100. If the new ZF 25/2 is as good-- or better-- at f/11 and f/16 than my ZF 28/2 is, then it will an excellent lens indeed.
Well it has to do with my sensor as well. My 50D has quite high pixel density and that makes diffraction kicks in much earlier + more CAs. But I will try to trade up to a 5D Classic soon so hopefully it become less of an issue.
p.3 #15 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
kosmoskatten wrote:
Wayne; is it a solid performer at f1.4? If so, then it is truly awesome.
If it doesn't sing at f1.4 and doesn't carry a tune until f2 or f2.8 it doesn't do it in my book.
(I am just asking as I haven't seen what it is capable of and have no opinion.)
Yes, it is solid performer at f1.4 which is what I usually shoot it at mostly.
We had a nice thread going last year called 24/1.4 wide open in the Nikon forum that Frances started but it got archived during the summer when no one posted to it for awhile.
The MTF for the 24/1.4G in the center wide open is sharper than the 35/1.4G wide open.
I'll be interested in seeing these comparisons just to see how sharp the Zeiss is wide open at f2 while the Canon is stopped down to f2.
Like everyone is saying there are tradeoffs for each of these lenses, so it depends what you want more.
p.3 #16 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
atran wrote:
Well it has to do with my sensor as well. My 50D has quite high pixel density and that makes diffraction kicks in much earlier + more CAs. But I will try to trade up to a 5D Classic soon so hopefully it become less of an issue.
I'd say you wouldn't need to worry so much about corners with the 50D and 25/2 (even wide open) since the MTF shows the drop in corner performance falls outside the image circle used by a crop sensor.
p.3 #17 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
FlyPenFly wrote:
With outdoor tests, it's nearly impossible to do the same light perspective tests unless you have a completely cloudless day.
I guess that's highly location dependent and some places are more "challenged" then others. We have a lot of cloudless - blue sky days even this time of year here in FL.
p.3 #20 · A collection of 25mm f2 Shots with the new zeiss
The Canon shot is clearly "missed," but I'm still taken a bit aback by the weakness of the Zeiss at the edges. The corners will be something to behold.
I nevertheless like the central 95% of the Zeiss image and will probably buy the lens, but the edges and corners look as weak the MTF chart would suggest.
