I decided that the 21 Loxia was enough for me (for now ) - its a great lens, but will always be on the look out for a reasonably priced used 25.
This is my first milky way shot. Need to practice a lot more and try taking multiple images for stacking
I agree that the Loxia 25 is the best of the Loxia line-up for all reasonably accepted IQ parameters.
IMO, the Loxia 21 is nearly the same outstanding quality as the 25.
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I find all the Loxia lenses to be special, but use some more often than others.
My next most used is the Loxia 35, followed closely by the Loxia 50. These were the first two Loxia lenses released for sale and still hold up very well, especially at mid-aperture range, f/4 to f/8. I also like the wide open look of the 50 for its artistic and subject isolating properties.
My least used (due to tele AOV) is the Loxia 85 -- despite the fact it is probably #3 in overall IQ, following the Loxia 21.
A look from Broadway Hill in Aberdeen, through autumn trees toward pulp/paper processing and log sorting in the distance of adjoining small burg of Cosmopolis, and on to the more distant Willapa Hills.
Gunzorro wrote:
The good, old Loxia 50 handles Fall colors very nicely; 2-shot pano.
a7R4, Loxia 50, LR
Great clarity and color. I still use the A7RII with my Loxia 25, and used the 35and 50 as well. They look very good, but can have a bit of roughness on the A7RII going by todays standards. Is the A7RIV a worthwhile upgrade in your opinion? Meaning the images with the Loxias are a bit more refined and subtle?
ChrisMak wrote:
Great clarity and color. I still use the A7RII with my Loxia 25, and used the 35and 50 as well. They look very good, but can have a bit of roughness on the A7RII going by todays standards. Is the A7RIV a worthwhile upgrade in your opinion? Meaning the images with the Loxias are a bit more refined and subtle?
Thank you very much, Chris, for your compliments on the clarity and color. Those are two things I am particularly trying to convey.
I also have two a7R2's, and I like the imaging very much. But there is not really any comparison to the a7R4 in a couple areas, and these touch on what you remarked about above.
First, the a7R4 has an incredibly detailed EVF compared to the a7R2. I get very frustrated trying to find pinpoint sharpness with the older model. I work hard to achieve it, and when I do, I'm very happy with the result. I'm talking about using magnified view, not the full frame of view.
Second, the 61MP sensor on the newer model is amazing! The best photography tool I've ever owned. I make a point to frequently shoot two or three shot "panos", which I combine in LrC. These often produce individual files of over 200MP (a recent posting was over 330MP in full rez!), which I then post within the FM-friendly range of 800k. For me, this easily surpasses the much more expensive Fuji 100S, and is much more reasonably priced (plus much lighter to haul around). I realize this method works best with non-moving subjects, which suits me fine with my inclination toward buildings and nature. Most people won't need or want files of extreme size or detail, but even at 61MP, the a7R4 produces impressive images.
I strongly advocate for the a7R4 -- it is one of the rare cameras in the last dozen years that I have bought brand new, rather than off the used market. I don't regret it at all -- I might eventually get a second one (used). That is the strongest recommendation I can make.
Regarding the Loxia line-up: they are my favorite lenses. I don't mean that I don't love many other lenses rendering and details, but the Loxia are a terrific set for expressing subjects I find in my surroundings. They are fully up to the test of shooting on high resolution sensors, at least as far as my needs go. I also like many older Zeiss ZE, as well as CV's recent offerings like the 40/1.2E and 15/4.5E III.
It's been fall colors season and my Loxias and both of my Voigt Apos have been getting a work out. This last week was both the peak of the larch/tamarack colors and full moon. I have really been drawn by the "dark side" lately (night photography). Here are two by moonlight with the Loxia 25. One was at about 10:30, 3 hours or so after sunset, and the other the next morning at about 4:30 9it got a bit cloudy):
Gunzorro wrote:
Thank you very much, Chris, for your compliments on the clarity and color. Those are two things I am particularly trying to convey.
I also have two a7R2's, and I like the imaging very much. But there is not really any comparison to the a7R4 in a couple areas, and these touch on what you remarked about above.
First, the a7R4 has an incredibly detailed EVF compared to the a7R2. I get very frustrated trying to find pinpoint sharpness with the older model. I work hard to achieve it, and when I do, I'm very happy with the result. I'm talking about using magnified view, not the full frame of view.
Second, the 61MP sensor on the newer model is amazing! The best photography tool I've ever owned. I make a point to frequently shoot two or three shot "panos", which I combine in LrC. These often produce individual files of over 200MP (a recent posting was over 330MP in full rez!), which I then post within the FM-friendly range of 800k. For me, this easily surpasses the much more expensive Fuji 100S, and is much more reasonably priced (plus much lighter to haul around). I realize this method works best with non-moving subjects, which suits me fine with my inclination toward buildings and nature. Most people won't need or want files of extreme size or detail, but even at 61MP, the a7R4 produces impressive images.
I strongly advocate for the a7R4 -- it is one of the rare cameras in the last dozen years that I have bought brand new, rather than off the used market. I don't regret it at all -- I might eventually get a second one (used). That is the strongest recommendation I can make.
Regarding the Loxia line-up: they are my favorite lenses. I don't mean that I don't love many other lenses rendering and details, but the Loxia are a terrific set for expressing subjects I find in my surroundings. They are fully up to the test of shooting on high resolution sensors, at least as far as my needs go. I also like many older Zeiss ZE, as well as CV's recent offerings like the 40/1.2E and 15/4.5E III.
I downloaded many raw samples from the dpreview samples gallery, and have decided to sell my A7RII and get an A7RIV. The raw files are more subtle, with better tonality and a more even dynamic range. I also like the colors a bit better.
I simply think it will make a better camera for the Loxia 25, the Loxia's are high contrast lenses, and the A7RII is a very good camera, but to me, the A7RIV files have a more pleasant appearance. A current 300,- rebate on the A7RIV gave me the last push.
Chris -- I agree. I think the a7R4 is the top choice if you are looking for the best resolution and tonality -- there is no substitute for the micro-graduations that so many pixels provide.
That said, I still enjoy the slightly more contrasty a7R2, at least with the LR settings I typically use. The lower MP model is in many ways easier on my computer, especially on composites made from two or more images stitched.
) - its a great lens, but will always be on the look out for a reasonably priced used 25.
