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Archive 2015Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
p.27 #1Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
All I would say is that I have found this a difficult lens to evaluate for decentering due to what I presume to be some quite strong field curvature towards the infinity end of the scale which almost seems to get worse when stopped down!!. Anyway at first I thought mine was out but now I think it's ok. I suggest stopping down to f8 with your focus mark on the lens just to the lefthand side of the infinity symbol and to takes some shots of you test subject with focus bracketing. I have also found the infinity is not right at the end of the scale at the stop but ever so slightly back. I would also add that I find the lens NOT to be that sharp in the corners wide open but does improve quite quickly the further you get into the frame. All in all not an easy lens until you get to know it
Jan 14, 2016 at 11:30 AM
p.27 #2Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
Unless you really want to shoot the stars at f/2.8. In this case, you would want a better centered copy.
Agree Fred.
GMPhotography wrote
If the right side picks up at F4 to equal the left side than I would not be concerned. If it takes it to 5.6 it's debatable issue if it's F8 I would return it. Most of us owners with the Sony 35 1.4 have this same issue . Mine equals out at 2.8 and that's very acceptable. Obviously this is personal on what your willing to accept. Also it depends on what your shooting. I never shot a landscape shot in my life wide open for instance and probably never will.Agree Fred.
Jan 14, 2016 at 11:53 AM
p.27 #3Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
GMPhotography wrote:
Unless you really want to shoot the stars at f/2.8. In this case, you would want a better centered copy.Agree Fred.
I'm getting mine tomorrow. Fingers crossed. My Loxia 50/2 is perfectly centered.
Fred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If the right side picks up at F4 to equal the left side than I would not be concerned. If it takes it to 5.6 it's debatable issue if it's F8 I would return it. Most of us owners with the Sony 35 1.4 have this same issue . Mine equals out at 2.8 and that's very acceptable. Obviously this is personal on what your willing to accept. Also it depends on what your shooting. I never shot a landscape shot in my life wide open for instance and probably never will.I'm getting mine tomorrow. Fingers crossed. My Loxia 50/2 is perfectly centered.
Jan 14, 2016 at 12:17 PM
p.27 #4Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
Unless you really want to shoot the stars at f/2.8. In this case, you would want a better centered copy.Agree Fred.I'm getting mine tomorrow. Fingers crossed. My Loxia 50/2 is perfectly centered.
Look forward to seeing your rigorous testing of it
GMPhotography wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If the right side picks up at F4 to equal the left side than I would not be concerned. If it takes it to 5.6 it's debatable issue if it's F8 I would return it. Most of us owners with the Sony 35 1.4 have this same issue . Mine equals out at 2.8 and that's very acceptable. Obviously this is personal on what your willing to accept. Also it depends on what your shooting. I never shot a landscape shot in my life wide open for instance and probably never will.Look forward to seeing your rigorous testing of it
Jan 14, 2016 at 12:18 PM
p.27 #5Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I just rebought the Loxia 50. Really like this lens. I may wait for the Batis 18 still undecided between it and the Loxia 21 so looking forward to your testing on it
Fred Miranda wrote:
Unless you really want to shoot the stars at f/2.8. In this case, you would want a better centered copy.Agree Fred.I'm getting mine tomorrow. Fingers crossed. My Loxia 50/2 is perfectly centered.
Fred Miranda wrote:
GMPhotography wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If the right side picks up at F4 to equal the left side than I would not be concerned. If it takes it to 5.6 it's debatable issue if it's F8 I would return it. Most of us owners with the Sony 35 1.4 have this same issue . Mine equals out at 2.8 and that's very acceptable. Obviously this is personal on what your willing to accept. Also it depends on what your shooting. I never shot a landscape shot in my life wide open for instance and probably never will.Jan 14, 2016 at 01:22 PM
p.27 #6Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred, will you be testing it against the FE 16-35 or ZF 21 2.8?
Jan 14, 2016 at 04:34 PM
p.27 #7Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
GMPhotography wrote:
I just rebought the Loxia 50. Really like this lens. I may wait for the Batis 18 still undecided between it and the Loxia 21 so looking forward to your testing on it
Unless you really want to shoot the stars at f/2.8. In this case, you would want a better centered copy.Agree Fred.I'm getting mine tomorrow. Fingers crossed. My Loxia 50/2 is perfectly centered.
The Batis 18mm would be a great complement to your 25/2.
I like spacing my prime lenses every 20 degrees (diagonal angle of view)
For me, I find myself shooting at about 20mm FL a lot with my 16-35/4 and therefore the Loxia 21/2.8 is my preferred focal length. Following the 20-degree spacing, I would go 10 (Heliar), 15 (Heliar or 16-35@16), 21 (Loxia), 32 (RX1RII), 50 (Loxia) and 85/1.8 (Batis or FE 70-200/4)
I just rebought the Loxia 50. Really like this lens. I may wait for the Batis 18 still undecided between it and the Loxia 21 so looking forward to your testing on it
Fred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If the right side picks up at F4 to equal the left side than I would not be concerned. If it takes it to 5.6 it's debatable issue if it's F8 I would return it. Most of us owners with the Sony 35 1.4 have this same issue . Mine equals out at 2.8 and that's very acceptable. Obviously this is personal on what your willing to accept. Also it depends on what your shooting. I never shot a landscape shot in my life wide open for instance and probably never will.The Batis 18mm would be a great complement to your 25/2.
I like spacing my prime lenses every 20 degrees (diagonal angle of view)
For me, I find myself shooting at about 20mm FL a lot with my 16-35/4 and therefore the Loxia 21/2.8 is my preferred focal length. Following the 20-degree spacing, I would go 10 (Heliar), 15 (Heliar or 16-35@16), 21 (Loxia), 32 (RX1RII), 50 (Loxia) and 85/1.8 (Batis or FE 70-200/4)
Jan 14, 2016 at 06:31 PM
p.27 #8Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Fred, will you be testing it against the FE 16-35 or ZF 21 2.8?
Definitely!!
Fred, will you be testing it against the FE 16-35 or ZF 21 2.8?
Definitely!!
Jan 14, 2016 at 06:33 PM
p.27 #9Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts too Fred, this lens may replace my ZE 21....a lens I swore I'd never sell.
-Tim
Fred Miranda wrote:
nehemiahphoto wrote
Fred, will you be testing it against the FE 16-35 or ZF 21 2.8?Jan 14, 2016 at 06:36 PM
p.27 #10Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
Unless you really want to shoot the stars at f/2.8. In this case, you would want a better centered copy.Agree Fred.I'm getting mine tomorrow. Fingers crossed. My Loxia 50/2 is perfectly centered.The Batis 18mm would be a great complement to your 25/2.
I like to space my prime lenses every 20 degrees (diagonal angle of view)
For me, I find myself shooting at about 20mm FL a lot with my 16-35/4 and therefore the Loxia 21/2.8 is my preferred focal length. Following the 20-degree spacing, I would go 10 (Heliar), 15 (Heliar or 16-35@16), 21 (Loxia), 32 (RX1RII), 50 (Loxia) and 85/1.8 (Batis or FE 70-200/4)
Yea the 18 is certainly a better gap lens with the 25 which is never going to part my hands. Lol
GMPhotography wrote
I just rebought the Loxia 50. Really like this lens. I may wait for the Batis 18 still undecided between it and the Loxia 21 so looking forward to your testing on itFred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If the right side picks up at F4 to equal the left side than I would not be concerned. If it takes it to 5.6 it's debatable issue if it's F8 I would return it. Most of us owners with the Sony 35 1.4 have this same issue . Mine equals out at 2.8 and that's very acceptable. Obviously this is personal on what your willing to accept. Also it depends on what your shooting. I never shot a landscape shot in my life wide open for instance and probably never will.I like to space my prime lenses every 20 degrees (diagonal angle of view)
For me, I find myself shooting at about 20mm FL a lot with my 16-35/4 and therefore the Loxia 21/2.8 is my preferred focal length. Following the 20-degree spacing, I would go 10 (Heliar), 15 (Heliar or 16-35@16), 21 (Loxia), 32 (RX1RII), 50 (Loxia) and 85/1.8 (Batis or FE 70-200/4)
Yea the 18 is certainly a better gap lens with the 25 which is never going to part my hands. Lol
Jan 14, 2016 at 07:32 PM
p.27 #11Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts Fred, although mine shipped today so its too late to change my mind. (For those ordering from Canada, mine shipped from Aden today - ordered the day of the announcement)
Jan 15, 2016 at 12:06 AM
p.27 #12Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Some stars last night, not the best time (clouds and available time). Top left was all that was really clear. I compared to my 21mm c/y but screwed up the focus on those shots, so Loxia only for now. Day shots today, no clear skies expected until early next week.
Looking forward to seeing other peoples, but this looks good for the type of stuff I do if all corners come in the same.
Mike
Edit, changes made in Lightroom (almost everything
) to get good contrast, noise and colour, but I don't think this would have affected coma shape.
Full
http://m7.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/162337477.zNLmTFQg._DSC9107.jpg
Top left 6 secs 2.8 1600
http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/162337473.R2uBNtbV.6secsf281600loxia.jpg
Top left 10 secs 3.5 1600
http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/162337472.pgZMKExK.10secsf351600loxia.jpg
Center 6 secs 2.8 1600
http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/162337476.zS6mPFS9.center6secsf281600loxia.jpg
Looking forward to seeing other peoples, but this looks good for the type of stuff I do if all corners come in the same.
Mike
Edit, changes made in Lightroom (almost everything
) to get good contrast, noise and colour, but I don't think this would have affected coma shape.Full
http://m7.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/162337477.zNLmTFQg._DSC9107.jpg
Top left 6 secs 2.8 1600
http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/162337473.R2uBNtbV.6secsf281600loxia.jpg
Top left 10 secs 3.5 1600
http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/162337472.pgZMKExK.10secsf351600loxia.jpg
Center 6 secs 2.8 1600
http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/63/551663/1/162337476.zS6mPFS9.center6secsf281600loxia.jpg
Jan 15, 2016 at 04:44 AM
p.27 #13Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
My preliminary findings:
* Seven5 - LEE Filters work with the Loxia 21/2.8 without any vignetting (2 filter hold)
* My lens is slightly decentered from top to bottom.
Perfectly centered right to left.
* It's amazing at f/2.8 focused at infinity. Sharp from center to the very corners. The best performance I've seen from a 21mm lens.
* Distortion, CA and LoCA are very well controlled
* Moderate field curvature (towards foreground)
* Slightly better at f/4 and superb from center to edges at f/5.6 (sweet spot)
* At f/8 and beyond, diffraction takes hold and steals micro-contrast and resolution.
* Colors are nicely rendered with a nice warm cast to them. (subjective)
Compared to the 16-35/4 OSS:
* They are very similar in the center of the field (from f/5.6 and smaller).
* Extreme corners never sharpen up on the zoom due to astigmatism. The Loxia prime wins at the corners at all apertures by a noticeable margin. (Consider that the 16-35/4 is pretty good at 21mm to begin with)
* The zoom sees the world with neutral colors (perhaps a little cool). Not as warm when compared to the Loxia images.
* Micro contrast seems very similar at the center of the field at f/5.6.
For landscape photography, I would say the Loxia wins and from from infinity tests at f/2.8, it could be a very nice astro lens as well.
I will post some test crops later.
Best,
Fred
* Seven5 - LEE Filters work with the Loxia 21/2.8 without any vignetting (2 filter hold)
* My lens is slightly decentered from top to bottom.
Perfectly centered right to left.* It's amazing at f/2.8 focused at infinity. Sharp from center to the very corners. The best performance I've seen from a 21mm lens.
* Distortion, CA and LoCA are very well controlled
* Moderate field curvature (towards foreground)
* Slightly better at f/4 and superb from center to edges at f/5.6 (sweet spot)
* At f/8 and beyond, diffraction takes hold and steals micro-contrast and resolution.
* Colors are nicely rendered with a nice warm cast to them. (subjective)
Compared to the 16-35/4 OSS:
* They are very similar in the center of the field (from f/5.6 and smaller).
* Extreme corners never sharpen up on the zoom due to astigmatism. The Loxia prime wins at the corners at all apertures by a noticeable margin. (Consider that the 16-35/4 is pretty good at 21mm to begin with)
* The zoom sees the world with neutral colors (perhaps a little cool). Not as warm when compared to the Loxia images.
* Micro contrast seems very similar at the center of the field at f/5.6.
For landscape photography, I would say the Loxia wins and from from infinity tests at f/2.8, it could be a very nice astro lens as well.
I will post some test crops later.
Best,
Fred
Jan 15, 2016 at 06:26 PM
p.27 #14Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Here are some crops demonstrating the best scenario for both lenses which is at f/5.6. Stopping down to f/8 does not make the center or edges any better.
As I wrote, the 16-35/4 still shows astigmatism towards the edges and extreme corners never get razor sharp. Center micro-contrast and resolution are comparable between the lenses but the Loxia has the edge. I can post some crops later showing the exceptional performance of the Loxia at f/2.8 and f/4.
Keep in mind the Loxia has inwards field curvature.
Center performance between Loxia 21/2.8 and FE 16-35/4@21mm
Extreme edge performance between Loxia 21/2.8 and FE 16-35/4@21mm
Full image thumb
As I wrote, the 16-35/4 still shows astigmatism towards the edges and extreme corners never get razor sharp. Center micro-contrast and resolution are comparable between the lenses but the Loxia has the edge. I can post some crops later showing the exceptional performance of the Loxia at f/2.8 and f/4.
Keep in mind the Loxia has inwards field curvature.
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Center performance between Loxia 21/2.8 and FE 16-35/4@21mm
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Extreme edge performance between Loxia 21/2.8 and FE 16-35/4@21mm
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Full image thumb
Jan 15, 2016 at 07:08 PM
p.27 #15Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I'm on my phone but this sounds very nice indeed.
Jan 15, 2016 at 07:39 PM
p.27 #16Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
The Loxia 21/2.8 matches the performance I get from my RX1RII (35/2) and Loxia 50/2. That will be my new Holy Trinity.
That Loxia 21 is nice in the corners, I have to say. . !
I have the Batis 25 as my widest preferred FOV, and who knows when or if there will ever be a Loxia 25.
Question: Does the Loxia 21 or any other Loxia have a hard stop infinity stop?
The Loxia 21/2.8 matches the performance I get from my RX1RII (35/2) and Loxia 50/2. That will be my new Holy Trinity.
That Loxia 21 is nice in the corners, I have to say. . !
I have the Batis 25 as my widest preferred FOV, and who knows when or if there will ever be a Loxia 25.
Question: Does the Loxia 21 or any other Loxia have a hard stop infinity stop?
Jan 15, 2016 at 07:59 PM
p.27 #17Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
JimBuchanan wrote:
Question: Does the Loxia 21 or any other Loxia have a hard stop infinity stop?
Yes, all Loxia lenses have
Question: Does the Loxia 21 or any other Loxia have a hard stop infinity stop?
Yes, all Loxia lenses have
Jan 15, 2016 at 10:57 PM
p.27 #18Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
On my copy the infinity is not right at the end of the scale at the stop but ever so slightly back.
Jan 15, 2016 at 11:05 PM
p.27 #19Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
GMPhotography wrote
I just rebought the Loxia 50. Really like this lens. I may wait for the Batis 18 still undecided between it and the Loxia 21 so looking forward to your testing on itFred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
GMPhotography wrote
If the right side picks up at F4 to equal the left side than I would not be concerned. If it takes it to 5.6 it's debatable issue if it's F8 I would return it. Most of us owners with the Sony 35 1.4 have this same issue . Mine equals out at 2.8 and that's very acceptable. Obviously this is personal on what your willing to accept. Also it depends on what your shooting. I never shot a landscape shot in my life wide open for instance and probably never will.I like to space my prime lenses every 20 degrees (diagonal angle of view)
For me, I find myself shooting at about 20mm FL a lot with my 16-35/4 and therefore the Loxia 21/2.8 is my preferred focal length. Following the 20-degree spacing, I would go 10 (Heliar), 15 (Heliar or 16-35@16), 21 (Loxia), 32 (RX1RII), 50 (Loxia) and 85/1.8 (Batis or FE 70-200/4)
If you want to sell your 16-35 let me know
seems like you've got the golden copy of it!Jan 16, 2016 at 12:26 AM
p.27 #20Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred, thanks for the update. I envy your setup. I am struggling again to decide if I should go with Sony. You are still missing SWA wider than 21 though
Fred Miranda wrote:
Here are some crops demonstrating the best scenario for both lenses which is at f/5.6. Stopping down to f/8 does not make the center or edges any better.
As I wrote, the 16-35/4 still shows astigmatism towards the edges and extreme corners never get razor sharp. Center micro-contrast and resolution are comparable between the lenses but the Loxia has the edge. I can post some crops later showing the exceptional performance of the Loxia at f/2.8 and f/4.
The Loxia 21/2.8 matches the performance I get from my RX1RII 35/2 and Loxia 50/2. That will be my new 21-35-50 Holy Trinity....Show more →
Fred Miranda wrote:
Here are some crops demonstrating the best scenario for both lenses which is at f/5.6. Stopping down to f/8 does not make the center or edges any better.
As I wrote, the 16-35/4 still shows astigmatism towards the edges and extreme corners never get razor sharp. Center micro-contrast and resolution are comparable between the lenses but the Loxia has the edge. I can post some crops later showing the exceptional performance of the Loxia at f/2.8 and f/4.
The Loxia 21/2.8 matches the performance I get from my RX1RII 35/2 and Loxia 50/2. That will be my new 21-35-50 Holy Trinity....Show more →
Jan 16, 2016 at 12:58 AM