I know the intent of this Loxia thread is to highlight the glories of the Zeiss product line with outstanding images.
Sorry.
To continue my contrarian streak (proponent of Loxia 35 in the face of some user's dissatisfaction with the lens), here are a few of the test shots generated during the brief 1/2 hour that the used Loxia 21 was in my possession.
I should state that the exterior of the lens barrel and glass looked excellent with no sign of impact damage, scuffing of lens barrel or mount, and faultless glass surfaces front and back.
Shot 1
First shot of the pool and surroundings is wide open @ f/2.8. Focus was on the furled beige umbrella in center, deep into the subject area. Please note the ghosting of highlight edges on the left side of the umbrella and white triple lamp, as well as table area and front white post/ball intruding into frame. Please note the cypress trees to the right showing as relatively sharp, and the following image of the electrical outlet mounted on the pergola in the foreground being sharp = indicating titled focus plane and possibly misaligned elements. Further indication of misalignment, probably coupled with extreme curvature of field, is shown in sharp foreground immediately below camera position in pink cement area. It appears the plane of focus runs at a diagonal from close left to mid-distance right, coupled with curvature of field (note the building above the electrical outlet is nearly the same distance from camera as the original focus target, the umbrella).
Shot 2 to follow in next post.
Both images feature similar PP as per my usual, including CA correction and use of default LR lens profile. Basically, I treated both these images as I would normally handle PP.
Shot 2
Taken at f/5.6, an aperture at this focal length that we might reasonably expect almost all the scene to be in focus from left to right in mid-distance, and from slightly in front of the focus target (palm trunk) to infinity (mountains, or nearly so). This setting shows the center of the image to be outstanding -- really fine performance by any comparison of focal length. Unfortunately, the right side, at nearly the same distance from camera, shows severe softness. Additionally, the upper left side featuring the chimney, satellite dish and very close wood overhang, show that the focus is curving severely forward from the chimney to the overhang, with the dish dropping OOF while at the same basic distance from the camera as the chimney = severe curvature of field. Finally, the crop from the extreme lower right corner shows very sharp grass blades directly below the previous image of the house/tree above it being OOF -- and other strong indication of curvature and possible internal misalignment.
A quick review of these and other test shots brought about my decision to immediately send the lens back to the seller. I honestly think the seller (a retail re-seller of quality camera gear) was unaware of the IQ issues, probably having given it a quick function test and verification of producing an image. So, no blame assigned. It's up to me, the buyer, to take the burden of due diligence to assure myself that the lens' quality suits my needs. That's partly why I expect a decent discount when buying used -- nothing can be accepted without critical review.
I'll be keeping my eye out for another used copy at a decent price.
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(P. S. -- Just purchased Grenache's Loxia 21 listed here on B&S! I know Jim is a quality person and if the lens works for him, it's undergone a critical use, so odds the are definitely in my favor. Looking forward to trying it very soon! Thanks to Bob Israel for bird-dogging this for me!)
The "new" lens arrived today, courtesy of Jim "Grenache". I've just taken it out for a spin, and frankly, I'm stunned at how good it is! In comparison to the lens I sent back as defective (which was almost good enough to try to make me want to keep it somehow!), this lens is amazing. There's a lot that could be said, but suffice to say this is probably the best imaging 35mm format lens that I've ever shot, and if not, it is somehow tied with the best. It has all the great qualities I adore in the Loxia 35, coupled with intense sharpness, micro-contrast, and DOF. Really just impressive! And none of the "defects" that made me hate and sell my brand new ZE 21/2.8 a few years back.
Wow!
Thanks Jim, for the quick shipping and good deal, on top of such an amazing lens! I feel like I've won a lifetime achievement award just by now owning it!
Here are a couple of my very first shots, one wide open, the other stopped down a little. I gave it my full PP attention, but did not apply any LR lens profile or distortion correction or any reduction in vignetting -- really low distortion!
Loxia 21, LRCC
This is the first image I took at f/2.8. No lens profile, vignette correction, or crop/straightening.
Second subject, slightly stopped down to f/5.6; focus point on tower; again -- no profile, straightening,or vignetting correction.
My first snapshot with the Loxia 35mm f2 - my initial impression is the corners aren't very good, even in this landscape (seascape) image at f8 and focus at or near infinity. I bought this used from B&H, and I'm wondering if I just got someone else's bad copy? After seeing Jim's images, I expected a bit better than this.
The extreme corners are a bit soft below ~ f/11. Even there, they're still a tiny bit less sharp. It has gorgeous rendering, though, which makes up the difference to me. Also, I nearly always crop to 4:5, 3:4, or square, so the corners are less important for me.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
The extreme corners are a bit soft below ~ f/11. Even there, they're still a tiny bit less sharp. It has gorgeous rendering, though, which makes up the difference to me. Also, I nearly always crop to 4:5, 3:4, or square, so the corners are less important for me.
Thanks, Danny. I'm going to head out again today, this time with a tripod, to do some more thorough testing. I also bought the 21mm f2.8 and the 50mm f2, also both used, and I'm seeing some funny things which might be solved by shutting off the IBIS.
molson wrote:
My first snapshot with the Loxia 35mm f2 - my initial impression is the corners aren't very good, even in this landscape (seascape) image at f8 and focus at or near infinity. I bought this used from B&H, and I'm wondering if I just got someone else's bad copy? After seeing Jim's images, I expected a bit better than this.
Hi Cliff!
I appreciate your positive remarks about my Loxia 35 images looking pretty good. It's great to get such feedback from people whose opinion you respect! I'm glad the lens and my PP are communicating what I am hoping to convey (sometimes one doesn't know how they will be assessed at the other "end of the line").
Overall, this shot looks pretty good to me! Even the close distance corners (details in lower left) are pretty well detailed and lacking smearing.
I know you're very experienced, but even I am sometimes taken aback when viewing images at 100% from high MP sensors that focal lengths like 24mm actually have a very distinct and defined range of critical focus which is often less than I expect it to be. I completely ignore lens marked DOF scales, but still, I am surprised to find lenses with even shorter DOF zones than I anticipate! And it does change with various optical designs -- some lenses of same focal length have different range of critical focus for same aperture. I used to be hyper-aware if this focus range when I shot large format all the time, but small format and slightly less resolution sensors has lulled me a bit, until now that I'm using 42 and 51MP sensors with regularity -- I've had to readjust.
That's not to excuse if you find a lens defective, or to promote brand loyalty. I'm just saying your image looks sharp at this screen resolution from just about the bottom of the frame to the mountains and distant arm of the bay (or is that the Strait?), which I'll call infinity. Color and contrast look good!
But ultimately, we all have our own likes and dislikes and standards we strive for. I wasn't really joking on the Sony Images thread about Joshua Ong's beautiful FE 35/1.4 images that we might need two 35mm lenses -- one like the Loxia that works great at broader scenes from f/5.6-11, and one for portraits or closer scenes that are great from f/1.4-4!
Looking forward to seeing your images from all three Loxia's and learning from your experiences. I'm open for getting the 50 next. If I can find a good used one for $600, it's mine!
Agreed, congrats on your Loxia trio! I love them and have been using them as much as I can since spring conditions have finally got here.
A comment about the 50mm: be careful when buying used copies. My first one came from Ebay and was in mint condition, but had a slight "wiggle" when mounted on the camera, causing errors with exposure. I didn't realize that this was a known problem until I researched it. I returned it and bought a new one from B&H, which is perfect. There were apparently problems with this issue when it first became available.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
Agreed, congrats on your Loxia trio! I love them and have been using them as much as I can since spring conditions have finally got here.
A comment about the 50mm: be careful when buying used copies. My first one came from Ebay and was in mint condition, but had a slight "wiggle" when mounted on the camera, causing errors with exposure. I didn't realize that this was a known problem until I researched it. I returned it and bought a new one from B&H, which is perfect. There were apparently problems with this issue when it first became available.
I went down to the beach to do some test shots at lunch time - certainly not "golden hour" light, but I was more interested in detecting flaws while I was still within the return window for the lenses. After a quick look at the images in LR, these are my first impressions:
The Loxia 21 is very sharp at most apertures although I am seeing some weakness at wider apertures, primarily on the left side, but a small tweak in focusing can mostly clean it up. I wish the acutance/resolution of the A7R II screen was better so you could more easily detect and correct this in the field.
The Loxia 35 is definitely soft in the corners with some smearing but the central image is very sharp, and the rendering is nice. The corners do seem to clean up by f/11. It reminds me a bit of some older Canon lenses (16-35mm f2.8L, 17-40mm f4L, 24mm f1.4L) in the corners, but with more micro contrast and a more pleasing rendering.
The Loxia 50 is insanely sharp - I don't think I've ever used a lens this good - and the rendering is very nice as well.
I appreciate your positive remarks about my Loxia 35 images looking pretty good. It's great to get such feedback from people whose opinion you respect! I'm glad the lens and my PP are communicating what I am hoping to convey (sometimes one doesn't know how they will be assessed at the other "end of the line").
Overall, this shot looks pretty good to me! Even the close distance corners (details in lower left) are pretty well detailed and lacking smearing.
I know you're very experienced, but even I am sometimes taken aback when viewing images at 100% from high MP sensors that focal lengths like 24mm actually have a very distinct and defined range of critical focus which is often less than I expect it to be. I completely ignore lens marked DOF scales, but still, I am surprised to find lenses with even shorter DOF zones than I anticipate! And it does change with various optical designs -- some lenses of same focal length have different range of critical focus for same aperture. I used to be hyper-aware if this focus range when I shot large format all the time, but small format and slightly less resolution sensors has lulled me a bit, until now that I'm using 42 and 51MP sensors with regularity -- I've had to readjust.
That's not to excuse if you find a lens defective, or to promote brand loyalty. I'm just saying your image looks sharp at this screen resolution from just about the bottom of the frame to the mountains and distant arm of the bay (or is that the Strait?), which I'll call infinity. Color and contrast look good!
But ultimately, we all have our own likes and dislikes and standards we strive for. I wasn't really joking on the Sony Images thread about Joshua Ong's beautiful FE 35/1.4 images that we might need two 35mm lenses -- one like the Loxia that works great at broader scenes from f/5.6-11, and one for portraits or closer scenes that are great from f/1.4-4!
Looking forward to seeing your images from all three Loxia's and learning from your experiences. I'm open for getting the 50 next. If I can find a good used one for $600, it's mine! ...Show more →
Thanks, Jim
I'll be posting some more images when I get a chance, but you're a tough act to follow...
I'll be posting some more images when I get a chance, but you're a tough act to follow...
Ha-ha, Cliff!
Stop! I might believe it! Thanks.
Great shots here, Cliff, especially composition.
I think you underestimate the northerly latitudes -- yours still has pleasant warm color balance moving into summer at midday! The boat looks gorgeous against the blue elements behind.
Your Loxia 35 might perhaps have more corner softness than mine.
Mine might have slight forward curvature, which I use to my advantage when possible.
I too tend to crop slightly, mostly do to some slight tilt correction (plus composition adjustments), leaving slightly better opportunity to look a touch better -- added bonus.
Even if yours is a little softer in just the corners, your rendering looks amazing to me on this end. Looking forward to more to come.
I'll be up in your general neck of the woods within a week. Hope the torrents of rain decide on a little break.
