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Archive 2015Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
p.1 #1Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Today, I tested four lenses rather quickly (before it rained!) on my A7r2. Here are two of them. I am not at home, so am only using a laptop and thus my editing may be poor for a calibrated monitor (or for many other reasons). I did all shots on tripod except the portrait shots at the end. I am curious which of these lenses you guys like better. I will reveal what they are later, but please, no cheating by looking at my posts or my profile to try to figure out what is what. One is slightly wider than the other and one is slightly faster than the other. I did two different scenes and took crops from each. All shots were processed in Lightroom with default settings except I always lower the exposure from Lightroom defaults and also with auto color temp. I did default sharpening and used identical other adjustments (clarity and vibrance). Some of the crops are a little off, but hopefully they are good enough for evaluation. I have my opinions, but don't want to prejudice yours. All were shot at F8 except for the bokeh test which was wide open for each and the portraits, both of which were at F 2.8. All were manually focused. Thanks for any comments. I am trying to decide which lens to keep. I decided but now am second guessing myself. I think both these lenses have merit but you guys tell me what you see! (And don't tell my sick wife I posted her pic as she will kill me! 
First scene Lens A
First Scene Lens B
Center crop, A then B
Extreme Upper left crop, A then B:
Left Center Crop, A then B:
Edited on Sep 05, 2015 at 12:25 AM · View previous versions
First scene Lens A
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| http://m1.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207691.o5R6pCXI.LeicaR28E55F8.jpg | ||
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First Scene Lens B
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| http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207692.Vikg5Nbo.ZeissBatis252F8.jpg | ||
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Center crop, A then B
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| http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207693.3YAFZPoV.LeicaR28E55F8CenterCrop1.jpg | ||
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| http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207694.wrI41dqo.ZeissBatis25F8centercrop1.jpg | ||
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Extreme Upper left crop, A then B:
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| http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207696.TpvTautj.LeicaR28E55F8UpperLeftCrop1.jpg | ||
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| http://m7.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207697.BPtobwv4.ZeissBatis25F8upperleftcrop1.jpg | ||
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Left Center Crop, A then B:
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| http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207698.UGkofLdi.LeicaR28E55F8LeftCenterCrop1.jpg | ||
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| http://m9.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207699.yKUMzMAK.ZeissBatis25F8centerleftcrop1.jpg | ||
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Edited on Sep 05, 2015 at 12:25 AM · View previous versions
Sep 04, 2015 at 11:24 PM
p.1 #2Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Scene 2 lens A then B:
Center Crop, A then B:
Extreme lower left corner
Right Edge:
Bokeh A ten B, both wide open:
"Portrait" of long suffering spouse....A then B
Crops same order:
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| http://m0.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207700.Ai5lVF5v.LeicaR28E55scene2.jpg | ||
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| http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207702.SpluvRBd.ZeissBatis25scene2.jpg | ||
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Center Crop, A then B:
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| http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207703.ttmdadjK.LeicaR28E55centercrop2.jpg | ||
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| http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207704.lXzNFliq.ZeissBatis25centercrop2.jpg | ||
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Extreme lower left corner
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| http://m5.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207705.xPnjJWSm.LeicaR28E55lowerleftcorner.jpg | ||
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| http://m7.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207707.EqVvo6J1.ZeissBatis25lowerleftcorner2.jpg | ||
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Right Edge:
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| http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207708.aLdTUvpW.LeicaR28E55rightedge2.jpg | ||
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| http://m9.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207709.BiKTW226.ZeissBatis25rightedge2.jpg | ||
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Bokeh A ten B, both wide open:
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| http://m0.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207710.TuvRudSd.LeicaR28E55bokehF2.8.jpg | ||
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| http://m1.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207711.6Me0adcW.ZeisBatis25bokehF2.jpg | ||
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"Portrait" of long suffering spouse....A then B
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| http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207712.dNiieSSC.LeicaR28F2.8portrait.jpg | ||
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| http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207713.oUTJms1q.ZeissBatisF2.8portrait.jpg | ||
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Crops same order:
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| http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207714.7RMhV0PY.LeicaR28F2.8portraitcentercrop.jpg | ||
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| http://m5.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161207715.cYlnebmR.ZeissBatisF2.8portraitcentercrop.jpg | ||
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Sep 04, 2015 at 11:31 PM
p.1 #3Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Lens A looks sharper to me - by a significant margin.
Sep 05, 2015 at 01:46 AM
p.1 #4Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
I think A is a bit sharper in the centre, but smears a bit in the corners and edges. IMO, B has pretty nice corners and edges and I think I like its colour better and its bokeh.
Sep 05, 2015 at 03:45 AM
p.1 #5Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Both are great performers but I agree with Steve. Lens B has less smearing and a tad smoother bokeh. In addition to less smearing in the corners/edges, it seems that lens B has less LoCA, as well. Somehow the exposure is not quite the same. Lens B seems to transmit more light than lens A does, rendering the images of lens A appearing a tad sharper although the exposure is the same? Am I imagining this?
Sep 05, 2015 at 07:04 AM
p.1 #6Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
FYI, the corners of lens A do tighten up at F 11 and it is only extreme corners that show softness. I think the edges are actually pretty good. I too find, to my surprise, that lens A is a bit better over a fair amount of center area than lens B. I can post more crops, if folks are interested. I do think both lenses are really good, tho, so I am struggling with whether to keep one or both tho I doubt I would carry both as they are too close in focal length. Really appreciate the comments! Keep em coming! 
Sep 05, 2015 at 08:12 AM
p.1 #7Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
A definitely looks sharper in the center and I like the contrast better. Regarding the corners I wonder if it has to do with the focal plane. The grass in A looks like it might be out of focus. I don't see a big difference in bokeh.
Sep 05, 2015 at 08:44 AM
p.1 #8Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
AGeoJO wrote:
Both are great performers but I agree with Steve. Lens B has less smearing and a tad smoother bokeh. In addition to less smearing in the corners/edges, it seems that lens B has less LoCA, as well. Somehow the exposure is not quite the same. Lens B seems to transmit more light than lens A does, rendering the images of lens A appearing a tad sharper although the exposure is the same? Am I imagining this?
I don't think you are. I see this too, both the CA and the exposure difference. I suppose the exposure difference could be changes in the light, but it seem consistent across the shots.
Both are great performers but I agree with Steve. Lens B has less smearing and a tad smoother bokeh. In addition to less smearing in the corners/edges, it seems that lens B has less LoCA, as well. Somehow the exposure is not quite the same. Lens B seems to transmit more light than lens A does, rendering the images of lens A appearing a tad sharper although the exposure is the same? Am I imagining this?
I don't think you are. I see this too, both the CA and the exposure difference. I suppose the exposure difference could be changes in the light, but it seem consistent across the shots.
Sep 05, 2015 at 08:51 AM
p.1 #9Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
If you hadn't said these were moderate wides I would have guessed lens A as the FE 55/1.8 and lens B as the 50 Loxia and would keep both. As it is, I'm stumped 😓
Sep 05, 2015 at 08:57 AM
p.1 #10Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
My guess is that they are the 28 F2 Sony and the 25 F2 Batis from Zeiss.
I have both and its just as difficult a decision for me. The only reason I'd consider selling the 28 is because I prefer the angle of view of the 25/24. In terms of image quality, especially when getting into the F5.6 range where I tend to shoot these lenses its really hard to tell which performs better.
The 28 is a tinny lens, which also is a benefit.
Anyway, that's my guess about which lenses are being compared here.
I have both and its just as difficult a decision for me. The only reason I'd consider selling the 28 is because I prefer the angle of view of the 25/24. In terms of image quality, especially when getting into the F5.6 range where I tend to shoot these lenses its really hard to tell which performs better.
The 28 is a tinny lens, which also is a benefit.
Anyway, that's my guess about which lenses are being compared here.
Sep 05, 2015 at 09:10 AM
p.1 #11Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Okay, a few more crops. Also, on the last of these crops (the barn and the upper left corner) I increased the exposure of Lens A to try to match the brightness of lens B. I looked and I think the differing amounts of sky in the pic may have affected the exposure of the barn shot. The one with the lake in the foreground seems about right to me. Sorry for this difference, tho I am not sure the conclusions will be affected. I can also post crops at different F stops if desired. My observations are that lens A is worse in the extreme corners until stopped down considerably, but is sharp in the center from wide open even at infinity. Lens B gets sharp in the corners much earlier--by F4, which is remarkable.
A then B:
http://m7.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210487.C8RQrJEM.ZeissR28midleftcrop2.jpg
A then B:
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| http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210488.3TkF4Qfq.LeicaR28midrightcrop.jpg | ||
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| http://m9.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210489.7lmjS29R.ZeissBatismidrightcrop.jpg | ||
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| http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210486.LhE1jBg1.LeicaRmidleftcrop2.jpg | ||
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http://m7.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210487.C8RQrJEM.ZeissR28midleftcrop2.jpg
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| http://m1.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210491.NMPz2PBL.LeiceR28barnbrighter.jpg | ||
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| http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210492.hFvxArnO.ZeissBatisbarn.jpg | ||
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| http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210533.tVSh5ckE.LeicaRupperleftbrighter.jpg | ||
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| http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/91/505291/1/161210534.19MIPVh8.ZeissBatisupperleft.jpg | ||
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Sep 05, 2015 at 09:19 AM
p.1 #12Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
DMWard, very good guess, but remember I said one lens is faster than the other. One of these is F2 and the other is F2.8
Sep 05, 2015 at 09:29 AM
p.1 #13Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Perhaps the FE 35/2.8 and Loxia 35/2 then? As before, I would guess lens B to be the Loxia.
Sep 05, 2015 at 10:16 AM
p.1 #14Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Waterden, one is longer than the other. 😀
Sep 05, 2015 at 10:28 AM
p.1 #15Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
My guess is Sony 35mm f/2.8 as lens A and Sony 28mm f/2.0 as lens B.
Sep 05, 2015 at 10:31 AM
p.1 #16Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
AGeoJO wrote:
My guess is Sony 35mm f/2.8 as lens A and Sony 28mm f/2.0 as lens B.
I would second this guess as the 35 2.8 has poor corners but I think lens B is the Loxia 35
My guess is Sony 35mm f/2.8 as lens A and Sony 28mm f/2.0 as lens B.
I would second this guess as the 35 2.8 has poor corners but I think lens B is the Loxia 35
Sep 05, 2015 at 10:59 AM
p.1 #17Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
My first reaction to the first two sets of shots is that the lighting in both shots give "A" a contrast advantage, but that lens "B" has fewer CA problems and is better in the corners at the shot aperture in spite of being wider.
The portraits, however, suggest that the contrast advantage of "A" is down to the character of the two lenses, but I can't tell for sure from here- the model is lit by window light in the portraits, again with changing light that favors lens "A" from the contrast standpoint? Dunno.
I would tend to choose lens "B", and process it to look like "A" for the first two shots.
The portraits, however, suggest that the contrast advantage of "A" is down to the character of the two lenses, but I can't tell for sure from here- the model is lit by window light in the portraits, again with changing light that favors lens "A" from the contrast standpoint? Dunno.
I would tend to choose lens "B", and process it to look like "A" for the first two shots.
Sep 05, 2015 at 11:32 AM
p.1 #18Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Well, I have to take responsibility for any post processing issues. FYI, the two portraits were taken seconds apart both with window lighting tho I did move closer to the subject on lens B due to shorter focal length.
More testing is doubtless needed and these were very quick tests. I also did two other lenses--both the same focal length--and may post those as well if folks like these things. Should I reveal the lenses, post more shots at different apertures or try another scene? I may go shoot a waterfall in a bit....
More testing is doubtless needed and these were very quick tests. I also did two other lenses--both the same focal length--and may post those as well if folks like these things. Should I reveal the lenses, post more shots at different apertures or try another scene? I may go shoot a waterfall in a bit....
Sep 05, 2015 at 12:07 PM
p.1 #19Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Well I will make a guess that lens B is the Batis 25, and I think lens A is the FE 35 f/2.8. Both are quite nice lenses and from what I have seen show similar results to what we are seeing here.
Sep 05, 2015 at 12:26 PM
p.1 #20Comparing two moderate wides on A7r2
Steve Spencer wrote:
Well I will make a guess that lens B is the Batis 25, and I think lens A is the FE 35 f/2.8. Both are quite nice lenses and from what I have seen show similar results to what we are seeing here.
Steve, at 25mm, the Batis is not or should not be considered a moderate wide angle lens. So, it depends on how liberal the OP uses that terminology, I guess
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Well I will make a guess that lens B is the Batis 25, and I think lens A is the FE 35 f/2.8. Both are quite nice lenses and from what I have seen show similar results to what we are seeing here.
Steve, at 25mm, the Batis is not or should not be considered a moderate wide angle lens. So, it depends on how liberal the OP uses that terminology, I guess
.Sep 05, 2015 at 12:58 PM