Bobu wrote:
But I've used my 50mm Planar mainly (I could also say only) from f/4 to f/11 with most of my images shot at f/5.6 or f/8. Do you think I will see any significant differences at f/5.6 or f/8 between the two lenses? I know the Loxia is no Otus, but I want a lightweight lens and I would really like to have exif data. Are microcontrast, corner sharpness and colors of the Loxia 50 at f/5.6 or f/8 on the same level as with the 50 Planar?
At those apertures differences are minimal. On paper Loxia is slightly better performing at those apertures. Like said I'm doubtful of Loxia corner MTF with thick cover glass, but ZE/ZF corners are not that great either.
One non-measurable thing: Too often there have been situation with Loxia, that I would expect better rendering but image comes out as flat (there is technically nothing wrong, every freaking pixel is sharp but image is flat). Somehow ZE/ZF f/1.4 is easier to make photos "feel like being there". It also may be that I just don't know Loxia well enough and can't lure out the rendering I prefer in every situation. Pretty hard to explain in words, maybe example tells more: this kind of photo I would expect to render more "3d" and image being more "being there"-feeling and less flat based on years shooting with ZE/ZF series - as you can see I get "OK" photo, but rocks are not exactly jumping out of screen...little bit too flat based on my expectations how it should have looked - For reference ZE135APO rendering of same pile of rocks shoot almost same time, it's not as flat: ZE135. Same can be seen from few other example as well, again I would have expected more "being there"-feeling but it just didn't come, insteal little flatter response came out: 1, 2, 3 or 4. Also Contax G45, which is very similar to Loxia 2/50 (and ZM 2/50), tends to handle f/8 shooting better regarding this aspect.
Few reposts (maybe, I don't remember did I post these at spring 2015, some definitely) for Boris of f/8 landscapes with Loxia - I don't expect much difference if I would have used my ZE-series 1.4/50 or C/Y series 1.4/50 instead or G45.
Zeiss Loxia 2/50 FE @ f/8.0, 1/60s, ILCE-7R @ ISO 100, Hoya HD CIR-PL 52mm
Zeiss Loxia 2/50 FE @ f/8.0, 1/125s, ILCE-7R @ ISO 100, Hoya HD CIR-PL 52mm
Zeiss Loxia 2/50 FE @ f/8.0, 1/160s, ILCE-7R @ ISO 100, Hoya HD CIR-PL 52mm
Zeiss Loxia 2/50 FE @ f/8.0, 1/200s, ILCE-7R @ ISO 100, Hoya HD CIR-PL 52mm
Here are some shots trying out the 24-240 a little more. We have not had many bright days lately so I have not been able to shoot much with it. My original intention was to test the auto focus with some gulls. All shot with a7ii.
puckman wrote:
What a fantastic capture. It makes me want to know more. Where was it taken? What's the story? The room, the model, the complementary colors! It's all so intriguing.
Guys, I had a personal live tutorial from Joshua about this shooting... I have to say I'm a lucky man today... super happy and I've also discovered Joshua has tons of incredible pictures never posted here. What can I add, he is a real talent!
Manuel
rji2goleez wrote:
I had a short visit to Milwaukee to see family and even a shorter time to meet up with some friends for a sunrise shoot on Lake Michigan.
dbehrens wrote:
Joshua - this image is a wall hanger!
Dave
mwhartman wrote:
Last Summer, we spent a few days in Venice then four weeks in Ortigia Sicily. Wonderful people, food, and tons of photo opportunities, Thanks for sharing.
puckman wrote:
What a fantastic capture. It makes me want to know more. Where was it taken? What's the story? The room, the model, the complementary colors! It's all so intriguing.
Thank you very much for your kind comments.
Nadim, I will have to keep it short and I will let you know more later.
ManuelLaMantia wrote:
Guys, I had a personal live tutorial from Joshua about this shooting... I have to say I'm a lucky man today... super happy and I've also discovered Joshua has tons of incredible pictures never posted here. What can I add, he is a real talent!
Manuel
Manuel, you are too kind. We will work together more later on tomorrow and the day after. I just hope the weather will turn out for the better. Good night!
Samuli Vahonen wrote:
Even it's "PLANAR" the field curvature is pretty bad, but at f/8 it's possible to shoot image which sharp from edge to edge. Good thing about field curvature is that the shape is round and smooth (e.g. no midzone dip). In practice when photographing 3D subjects, and not so much test targets, photographer can use the field curvature as to one's benefit. If you want to shoot planar subjects with wide aperture, please select some other tool for the job.
I've always loved the 50/1.4 ZE/ZF Planar. I still have a ZF.2 version that I use on the A7 series. I feel that the field curvature is quite a bit stronger on these cameras than when I used it on my ex Canon cameras. Probably because of the thicker sensor cover glass.
I actually think it has become nearly unusable for landscape shooting on my A7RII (I already felt this way ever since I starting using it on the first A7). It's sharp enough, but the curvature is so strong that I'm very often not able to get everything in the frame sharp. I'm not talking about planar subjects here but the usual 3D landscapes.
When focusing more to the foreground (like 1/3rd into the frame) you need to stop down a LOT to get the background edges in focus. When you focus more in the direction of the background... the whole center foreground is completely out of focus, while the foreground corners are razor sharp.
I go back to so many landscape photos from this lens on my old 5DII/6D and I never notice that extreme behavior. The same field curvature is there, just not nearly as strong. Such a shame, because it was one of my favorite lenses in my Canon days. It's the only reason why I now mostly use the FE55 for landscape shooting. Very minimal field curvature.
Samuli Vahonen wrote:
At those apertures differences are minimal. On paper Loxia is slightly better performing at those apertures. Like said I'm doubtful of Loxia corner MTF with thick cover glass, but ZE/ZF corners are not that great either.
One non-measurable thing: Too often there have been situation with Loxia, that I would expect better rendering but image comes out as flat (there is technically nothing wrong, every freaking pixel is sharp but image is flat). Somehow ZE/ZF f/1.4 is easier to make photos "feel like being there". It also may be that I just don't know Loxia well enough and can't lure out the rendering I prefer in every situation. Pretty hard to explain in words, maybe example tells more:
Samuli...Show more →
Thanks Samuli! that really helps. Since you are a connaisseur of lens rendering my guess is, that the Loxia will be good enough for me. But I will do my own testing when the body arrives.
From what Jochen has written it seems that at least the 50 Planar is no alternative on the A7RII. I always have big problems with lenses with strong FC. That's why I don't like the ZF 15 and always grab the ZF 21 instead.
This means if I'm not happy with the Loxia I will probably have to either try the Sony 55mm or keep my Otus and live with the weight and no Exif info.
sebboh wrote:
helena – i really prefer the rendering of the cv for your closer in wider aperture stuff, but agree the rendering for landscapes is a little lacking compared to the c/y. if only the rokkor 58/1.2 were the size of the cv or the lux asph were a grand cheaper...
Thanks for the feedback and I couldn't agree more. I now have three 50'ish lenses and none of them can do everything I want to do on my usual walks. Frustrating!
-Rokkor 58/1.2 is the best of the three and is wonderful. BUT heavy and not flare resistant!
-Voigtländer CV 50/1.5 VM is very flare resistant, does nice sunstars, sharp and clear at f/1.5, decent bokeh most of the time and is small/light. BUT somewhat lacking for landscapes and field curvature makes focusing tricky for mid- and far distances.
-C/Y 50/1.7 is good for landscapes, decently sized and sharp at f/1.7. BUT bokeh can be very busy and it gets very hazy and flares when shooting against the sun.
For now I think I'll bring the CV on sunny days, C/Y on when it's gloomy and Rokkor when weight isn't a concern.
Btw. I really like the dreamy look of many of your photos!
