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Archive 2015Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
p.37 #1Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Jochenb wrote:
Sadly, my first impression isn't that great. The 21 Loxia has a quite strong forward field curvature and stopping down more mostly pushes the DOF towards the foreground too. This makes getting distant edges sharp very hard. The 25 Batis has a MUCH flatter field (exceptional flat for a wideangle lens) and the DOF nicely extends to the background when stopping that lens down. This makes the Batis much more predictable and easier to use on a high resolution camera. I hope I won't regret this move.
Since everyone seems to love it I guess I'm just more sensitive to field curvature behavior.
To also say something positive: what's in focus looks really good. Nice color and contrast. Great starbursts. Fantastic build quality. The size and weight are perfect.The field curvature was one of the first things I noticed about the lens and it can be poblematic but once you get to know how it performs I have found that I can get excellent sharpness across the frame from foreground to infinity. The trick I have found is to place the focus mark just to the lefthand side of the infinity symbol and at f8 everything from around 6ft away is in sharp focus. So I wouldn't despair and once you get the feel of it I find it easy enough to get repeatably in focus shots which I can't with the focus-by-wire lenses where you never no exactly where you are on a focus scale.Yes it's much like it's big ZE/ZF brother, but slightly more pronounced IMHO. Focusing at infinity helps for many scenes, but not when you have a clear foreground subject. In that case it's very difficult to get enough DOF to the background edges. With the Batis that's not an issue at all. You focus on the subject and get a very uniform DOF across the frame when stopping down. It's not that the behavior of the Loxia abnormal. So many wideangle lenses are this way. It's just that the Batis really spoiled me in this regard.
I think you will find that by focussing using the technique I described and by putting the mark to just before the left handed of the infinity mark you are in fact focussing way before infinity. As you will notice the focus throw between 2m and infinity is very small and is another one of my issues with the lens as it does make hyperfocal focussing a bit more difficult.
Viramati wrote
Jochenb wrote
I stumbled upon an available copy. I received it today. I sold my 25 Batis for this lens, because I've always prefered 21 over 25mm and I prefer the MF experience.Sadly, my first impression isn't that great. The 21 Loxia has a quite strong forward field curvature and stopping down more mostly pushes the DOF towards the foreground too. This makes getting distant edges sharp very hard. The 25 Batis has a MUCH flatter field (exceptional flat for a wideangle lens) and the DOF nicely extends to the background when stopping that lens down. This makes the Batis much more predictable and easier to use on a high resolution camera. I hope I won't regret this move.
Since everyone seems to love it I guess I'm just more sensitive to field curvature behavior.
To also say something positive: what's in focus looks really good. Nice color and contrast. Great starbursts. Fantastic build quality. The size and weight are perfect.
I think you will find that by focussing using the technique I described and by putting the mark to just before the left handed of the infinity mark you are in fact focussing way before infinity. As you will notice the focus throw between 2m and infinity is very small and is another one of my issues with the lens as it does make hyperfocal focussing a bit more difficult.
Feb 11, 2016 at 04:12 PM
p.37 #2Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Viramati wrote:
Sadly, my first impression isn't that great. The 21 Loxia has a quite strong forward field curvature and stopping down more mostly pushes the DOF towards the foreground too. This makes getting distant edges sharp very hard. The 25 Batis has a MUCH flatter field (exceptional flat for a wideangle lens) and the DOF nicely extends to the background when stopping that lens down. This makes the Batis much more predictable and easier to use on a high resolution camera. I hope I won't regret this move.
Since everyone seems to love it I guess I'm just more sensitive to field curvature behavior.
To also say something positive: what's in focus looks really good. Nice color and contrast. Great starbursts. Fantastic build quality. The size and weight are perfect.The field curvature was one of the first things I noticed about the lens and it can be poblematic but once you get to know how it performs I have found that I can get excellent sharpness across the frame from foreground to infinity. The trick I have found is to place the focus mark just to the lefthand side of the infinity symbol and at f8 everything from around 6ft away is in sharp focus. So I wouldn't despair and once you get the feel of it I find it easy enough to get repeatably in focus shots which I can't with the focus-by-wire lenses where you never no exactly where you are on a focus scale.Yes it's much like it's big ZE/ZF brother, but slightly more pronounced IMHO. Focusing at infinity helps for many scenes, but not when you have a clear foreground subject. In that case it's very difficult to get enough DOF to the background edges. With the Batis that's not an issue at all. You focus on the subject and get a very uniform DOF across the frame when stopping down. It's not that the behavior of the Loxia abnormal. So many wideangle lenses are this way. It's just that the Batis really spoiled me in this regard.I think you will find that by focussing using the technique I described and by putting the mark to just before the left handed of the infinity mark you are in fact focussing way before infinity. As you will notice the focus throw between 2m and infinity is very small and is another one of my issues with the lens as it does make hyperfocal focussing a bit more difficult.
I need to get a feel for it, that's certainly true. However, based on my first shots I just think that the 25 Batis is a technically better lens than the Loxia. The across the field uniformity of the Batis is exceptionally good and in a league above the Loxia IMHO. The difference clearly shows on a 42MP sensor.
I don't have any conclusions about rendering differences yet, but at first sight I prefer the look of the Loxia. That's more important in the end.
Jochenb wrote
Viramati wrote
Jochenb wrote
I stumbled upon an available copy. I received it today. I sold my 25 Batis for this lens, because I've always prefered 21 over 25mm and I prefer the MF experience.Sadly, my first impression isn't that great. The 21 Loxia has a quite strong forward field curvature and stopping down more mostly pushes the DOF towards the foreground too. This makes getting distant edges sharp very hard. The 25 Batis has a MUCH flatter field (exceptional flat for a wideangle lens) and the DOF nicely extends to the background when stopping that lens down. This makes the Batis much more predictable and easier to use on a high resolution camera. I hope I won't regret this move.
Since everyone seems to love it I guess I'm just more sensitive to field curvature behavior.
To also say something positive: what's in focus looks really good. Nice color and contrast. Great starbursts. Fantastic build quality. The size and weight are perfect.
I need to get a feel for it, that's certainly true. However, based on my first shots I just think that the 25 Batis is a technically better lens than the Loxia. The across the field uniformity of the Batis is exceptionally good and in a league above the Loxia IMHO. The difference clearly shows on a 42MP sensor.
I don't have any conclusions about rendering differences yet, but at first sight I prefer the look of the Loxia. That's more important in the end.
Feb 11, 2016 at 05:36 PM
p.37 #3Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Jochenb wrote:
Sadly, my first impression isn't that great. The 21 Loxia has a quite strong forward field curvature and stopping down more mostly pushes the DOF towards the foreground too. This makes getting distant edges sharp very hard. The 25 Batis has a MUCH flatter field (exceptional flat for a wideangle lens) and the DOF nicely extends to the background when stopping that lens down. This makes the Batis much more predictable and easier to use on a high resolution camera. I hope I won't regret this move.
Since everyone seems to love it I guess I'm just more sensitive to field curvature behavior.
To also say something positive: what's in focus looks really good. Nice color and contrast. Great starbursts. Fantastic build quality. The size and weight are perfect.The field curvature was one of the first things I noticed about the lens and it can be poblematic but once you get to know how it performs I have found that I can get excellent sharpness across the frame from foreground to infinity. The trick I have found is to place the focus mark just to the lefthand side of the infinity symbol and at f8 everything from around 6ft away is in sharp focus. So I wouldn't despair and once you get the feel of it I find it easy enough to get repeatably in focus shots which I can't with the focus-by-wire lenses where you never no exactly where you are on a focus scale.Yes it's much like it's big ZE/ZF brother, but slightly more pronounced IMHO. Focusing at infinity helps for many scenes, but not when you have a clear foreground subject. In that case it's very difficult to get enough DOF to the background edges. With the Batis that's not an issue at all. You focus on the subject and get a very uniform DOF across the frame when stopping down. It's not that the behavior of the Loxia abnormal. So many wideangle lenses are this way. It's just that the Batis really spoiled me in this regard.I think you will find that by focussing using the technique I described and by putting the mark to just before the left handed of the infinity mark you are in fact focussing way before infinity. As you will notice the focus throw between 2m and infinity is very small and is another one of my issues with the lens as it does make hyperfocal focussing a bit more difficult.I need to get a feel for it, that's certainly true. However, based on my first shots I just think that the 25 Batis is a technically better lens than the Loxia. The across the field uniformity of the Batis is exceptionally good and in a league above the Loxia IMHO. The difference clearly shows on a 42MP sensor.
I don't have any conclusions about rendering differences yet, but at first sight I prefer the look of the Loxia. That's more important in the end.
It would be great if you could post a quick comparison or two between the Loxia 21 and Batis 25.
Viramati wrote
Jochenb wrote
Viramati wrote
Jochenb wrote
I stumbled upon an available copy. I received it today. I sold my 25 Batis for this lens, because I've always prefered 21 over 25mm and I prefer the MF experience.Sadly, my first impression isn't that great. The 21 Loxia has a quite strong forward field curvature and stopping down more mostly pushes the DOF towards the foreground too. This makes getting distant edges sharp very hard. The 25 Batis has a MUCH flatter field (exceptional flat for a wideangle lens) and the DOF nicely extends to the background when stopping that lens down. This makes the Batis much more predictable and easier to use on a high resolution camera. I hope I won't regret this move.
Since everyone seems to love it I guess I'm just more sensitive to field curvature behavior.
To also say something positive: what's in focus looks really good. Nice color and contrast. Great starbursts. Fantastic build quality. The size and weight are perfect.
I don't have any conclusions about rendering differences yet, but at first sight I prefer the look of the Loxia. That's more important in the end.
It would be great if you could post a quick comparison or two between the Loxia 21 and Batis 25.
Feb 11, 2016 at 06:56 PM
p.37 #4Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Going to run out in morning and test the 21. First impression I had was like the look better. It's also very sharp and nice falloff. Wish I still had the Batis 25 right now to test with
Feb 11, 2016 at 07:17 PM
p.37 #5Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
GMPhotography wrote:
Going to run out in morning and test the 21. First impression I had was like the look better. It's also very sharp and nice falloff. Wish I still had the Batis 25 right now to test with
Good to know. I sold my Batis 25 and ordered a Loxia 21 but I'm sort of kicking myself now. Arghhh ... decisions!!
Going to run out in morning and test the 21. First impression I had was like the look better. It's also very sharp and nice falloff. Wish I still had the Batis 25 right now to test with
Good to know. I sold my Batis 25 and ordered a Loxia 21 but I'm sort of kicking myself now. Arghhh ... decisions!!
Feb 11, 2016 at 08:06 PM
p.37 #6Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Actually I had thoughts of all three loxia lenses than for AF 24-70 2.8 and the 85 1.4. I would have 5 small lenses and two bazokas.
Feb 11, 2016 at 08:18 PM
p.37 #7Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
What about the focus grip area on the Loxia 21mm, is it a gripe as described in one online review?
Feb 12, 2016 at 06:01 AM
p.37 #8Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
thedruid wrote:
What about the focus grip area on the Loxia 21mm, is it a gripe as described in one online review?
I read, that the aperture ring is hard to find. I am used to my Loxia lenses now and it's not a problem at all. More annoying are the 1/3 stops on the aperture ring and the long way that it rotates to change a few full stops.
The only thing, that can be a little annoying is that nearly everything of the lens rotates. This can be a little annoying while mounting/unmounting the lens but is also not a big issue.
What about the focus grip area on the Loxia 21mm, is it a gripe as described in one online review?
I read, that the aperture ring is hard to find. I am used to my Loxia lenses now and it's not a problem at all. More annoying are the 1/3 stops on the aperture ring and the long way that it rotates to change a few full stops.
The only thing, that can be a little annoying is that nearly everything of the lens rotates. This can be a little annoying while mounting/unmounting the lens but is also not a big issue.
Feb 12, 2016 at 06:12 AM
p.37 #9Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I agree with the above. The focus ring is just fine. Easy to grip and moves smoothly. I do think the focus throw is too short...would be really nice to have an extra 50% to turn for finer focus at further distances. 2m to infinity is barely any movement.
I do find the aperture ring difficult to turn because of its very close proximity to the focus ring and the lens mount. Not that it doesn't move easily, but because it's hard to turn without affecting the focus. When using the lens on a tripod, I want to focus precisely, so I'll focus wide open...then I have to stop down the lens without bumping the focus ring, and this can be tough. It is near impossible when wearing gloves. This would be a moot point if Zeiss had put just one electronic action in the lens: auto stop down of the aperture upon taking the shot.
I also find the 'everything rotates' annoying when mounting the lens, as the rubber gasket makes it a bit stiffer to mount and unmount than other E-mount lenses...but since everything rotates, invariably you end up using the aperture ring or focus ring hard stop as a means to mount the lens. I wish they'd made the focus ring about 5mm thinner, with that space all lost from the area closest to the camera, to both provide separation from the aperture ring as well as give an area to grip on the lens barrel to mount and unmount the lens.
These things were very frustrating to me when testing the Loxia 35, but they are less so on the 21, simply because I find myself using the focus scale more than anything, and so I can just leave the settings as is for a lot of shooting.
I do find the aperture ring difficult to turn because of its very close proximity to the focus ring and the lens mount. Not that it doesn't move easily, but because it's hard to turn without affecting the focus. When using the lens on a tripod, I want to focus precisely, so I'll focus wide open...then I have to stop down the lens without bumping the focus ring, and this can be tough. It is near impossible when wearing gloves. This would be a moot point if Zeiss had put just one electronic action in the lens: auto stop down of the aperture upon taking the shot.
I also find the 'everything rotates' annoying when mounting the lens, as the rubber gasket makes it a bit stiffer to mount and unmount than other E-mount lenses...but since everything rotates, invariably you end up using the aperture ring or focus ring hard stop as a means to mount the lens. I wish they'd made the focus ring about 5mm thinner, with that space all lost from the area closest to the camera, to both provide separation from the aperture ring as well as give an area to grip on the lens barrel to mount and unmount the lens.
These things were very frustrating to me when testing the Loxia 35, but they are less so on the 21, simply because I find myself using the focus scale more than anything, and so I can just leave the settings as is for a lot of shooting.
Feb 12, 2016 at 07:00 AM
p.37 #10Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Okay Im impressed just doing a corner test even at 2.8 its really pretty good hits its stride right at F4 and optimum at F5.6 and this distance is really infinity pretty much it was 12meters out and was really at infinity focus but not the stop. Infinity is just a hint before the hard stop
Very much looks to be a killer lens. Much more testing and I will actually do a lens review with images. Im just collecting data but if you have one on order good move if not you may want to.
Actually its even better than what i said i am really pixel peeping. Center zone is killer right at 2.8 and only picks up slightly at F4 for a super wide thats damn freaking good
Very much looks to be a killer lens. Much more testing and I will actually do a lens review with images. Im just collecting data but if you have one on order good move if not you may want to.
Actually its even better than what i said i am really pixel peeping. Center zone is killer right at 2.8 and only picks up slightly at F4 for a super wide thats damn freaking good
Feb 12, 2016 at 11:59 AM
p.37 #11Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I would love to get outside and do a comparison with the Batis 25 but it's just too damn cold here in the Minneapolis. Probably won't be warm enough until next week.
Feb 12, 2016 at 12:15 PM
p.37 #12Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I ran a quick comparison between my Fuji 14/2.8 and the Loxia 21/2.8 today. I'm too lazy to do crops right now (and I may or may not do them in the future, but the long and short of the comparison is this:
- Loxia is wider than the Fuji 14mm.
- Similar center sharpness and similar sharpness across most of the frame
- Loxia has an edge at the edges at f/2.8 and f/4
- Loxia has an edge in the extreme corners at all apertures (though the Fuji does very well by f/8...the Loxia is just exceptional here).
- Fuji is better in distortion (essentially zero)
- Loxia has a punchier drawing style.
As much as I love the Fuji 14, and as good as a lens as it is: the Loxia's the better optic. It's actually quite close in the resolution department to be honest (when downsizing the 24MP file to match the 16MP file of my Fujis), but the Loxia is just a smidge ahead.
- Loxia is wider than the Fuji 14mm.
- Similar center sharpness and similar sharpness across most of the frame
- Loxia has an edge at the edges at f/2.8 and f/4
- Loxia has an edge in the extreme corners at all apertures (though the Fuji does very well by f/8...the Loxia is just exceptional here).
- Fuji is better in distortion (essentially zero)
- Loxia has a punchier drawing style.
As much as I love the Fuji 14, and as good as a lens as it is: the Loxia's the better optic. It's actually quite close in the resolution department to be honest (when downsizing the 24MP file to match the 16MP file of my Fujis), but the Loxia is just a smidge ahead.
Feb 12, 2016 at 07:39 PM
p.37 #13Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Question (and apologies if this was answered earlier in the thread): Is the distortion profile being applied by A7x cameras, and if so, which ones?
The Zeiss PDF for the lens shows something like a 0.2% pincushion distortion, but that's with the profile active and baked into the RAW. Does that have to be enabled by default? Since I recall folks commenting on the traditional ~2% gullwing distortion that the Loxia 21 has without that applied.
Thanks!
The Zeiss PDF for the lens shows something like a 0.2% pincushion distortion, but that's with the profile active and baked into the RAW. Does that have to be enabled by default? Since I recall folks commenting on the traditional ~2% gullwing distortion that the Loxia 21 has without that applied.
Thanks!
Feb 12, 2016 at 08:40 PM
p.37 #14Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
lambers wrote:
Sadly, my first impression isn't that great. The 21 Loxia has a quite strong forward field curvature and stopping down more mostly pushes the DOF towards the foreground too. This makes getting distant edges sharp very hard. The 25 Batis has a MUCH flatter field (exceptional flat for a wideangle lens) and the DOF nicely extends to the background when stopping that lens down. This makes the Batis much more predictable and easier to use on a high resolution camera. I hope I won't regret this move.
Since everyone seems to love it I guess I'm just more sensitive to field curvature behavior.
To also say something positive: what's in focus looks really good. Nice color and contrast. Great starbursts. Fantastic build quality. The size and weight are perfect.The field curvature was one of the first things I noticed about the lens and it can be poblematic but once you get to know how it performs I have found that I can get excellent sharpness across the frame from foreground to infinity. The trick I have found is to place the focus mark just to the lefthand side of the infinity symbol and at f8 everything from around 6ft away is in sharp focus. So I wouldn't despair and once you get the feel of it I find it easy enough to get repeatably in focus shots which I can't with the focus-by-wire lenses where you never no exactly where you are on a focus scale.Yes it's much like it's big ZE/ZF brother, but slightly more pronounced IMHO. Focusing at infinity helps for many scenes, but not when you have a clear foreground subject. In that case it's very difficult to get enough DOF to the background edges. With the Batis that's not an issue at all. You focus on the subject and get a very uniform DOF across the frame when stopping down. It's not that the behavior of the Loxia abnormal. So many wideangle lenses are this way. It's just that the Batis really spoiled me in this regard.I think you will find that by focussing using the technique I described and by putting the mark to just before the left handed of the infinity mark you are in fact focussing way before infinity. As you will notice the focus throw between 2m and infinity is very small and is another one of my issues with the lens as it does make hyperfocal focussing a bit more difficult.I need to get a feel for it, that's certainly true. However, based on my first shots I just think that the 25 Batis is a technically better lens than the Loxia. The across the field uniformity of the Batis is exceptionally good and in a league above the Loxia IMHO. The difference clearly shows on a 42MP sensor.
I don't have any conclusions about rendering differences yet, but at first sight I prefer the look of the Loxia. That's more important in the end.It would be great if you could post a quick comparison or two between the Loxia 21 and Batis 25.
Sadly I don't own the Batis anymore. I sold it for the Loxia.
More about the Loxia: it also has a focus shift at the corners/edges. This really doesn't help combined with the field curvature.
When you for example focus the corners at infinity wide open and then stop down to F4 without refocusing... Those corners are actually sharper at F2.8! The focus shifts towards you. In the center of the image this doesn't happen. I expected a better behavior from this lens.
(BTW, my copy also seems to show a mild assymetry at the top right corner.)
Edit: I now checked the review of this lens at diglloyd and he notices the exact same issues as I do. A quote from him: "peripheral forward focus shift / field curvature behavior that increases with stopping down"
Good to see that I'm not the only one that notices these quirks.
Jochenb wrote
Viramati wrote
Jochenb wrote
Viramati wrote
Jochenb wrote
I stumbled upon an available copy. I received it today. I sold my 25 Batis for this lens, because I've always prefered 21 over 25mm and I prefer the MF experience.Sadly, my first impression isn't that great. The 21 Loxia has a quite strong forward field curvature and stopping down more mostly pushes the DOF towards the foreground too. This makes getting distant edges sharp very hard. The 25 Batis has a MUCH flatter field (exceptional flat for a wideangle lens) and the DOF nicely extends to the background when stopping that lens down. This makes the Batis much more predictable and easier to use on a high resolution camera. I hope I won't regret this move.
Since everyone seems to love it I guess I'm just more sensitive to field curvature behavior.
To also say something positive: what's in focus looks really good. Nice color and contrast. Great starbursts. Fantastic build quality. The size and weight are perfect.
I don't have any conclusions about rendering differences yet, but at first sight I prefer the look of the Loxia. That's more important in the end.
Sadly I don't own the Batis anymore. I sold it for the Loxia.
More about the Loxia: it also has a focus shift at the corners/edges. This really doesn't help combined with the field curvature.
When you for example focus the corners at infinity wide open and then stop down to F4 without refocusing... Those corners are actually sharper at F2.8! The focus shifts towards you. In the center of the image this doesn't happen. I expected a better behavior from this lens.
(BTW, my copy also seems to show a mild assymetry at the top right corner.)
Edit: I now checked the review of this lens at diglloyd and he notices the exact same issues as I do. A quote from him: "peripheral forward focus shift / field curvature behavior that increases with stopping down"
Good to see that I'm not the only one that notices these quirks.
Feb 13, 2016 at 07:49 AM
p.37 #15Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Mine after a test yesterday is equal on all 4 corners and is centered perfectly. I got a good copy. I know miracles do happen. I noticed some focus quirks but has not been a issue yet. I need more time with it. I'm also missing the Loxia 50 so I'm going to list my current zoom and get one.
Feb 13, 2016 at 08:11 AM
p.37 #16Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I almost never sell a lens I'm going to replace with another, before trying the new one first hand. I still have my 21 ZE for example. Pick about any lens and you'll find differing opinions from people here.
At some point I'll try to compare the Loxia 21, ZE 21, FE 16-35, and Batis 25.....but I don't do the "hill overlooking a city" and shoot everything at infinity comparison, which I know gets some people bent out of shape. It's just not the shooting I normally do.
It's 0 degree Fahrenheit wind chills this weekend here, so I don't know when I'll have a chance to get out and shoot. It may be a few weeks.
-Tim
Feb 13, 2016 at 08:14 AM
p.37 #17Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I agree Tim, but my biggest reason for already having sold the Batis is because the 21mm focal length is more to my taste than 25mm for landscape shooting. I was waiting for a smaller alternative than the big 21/2.8 ZE/ZF. The reactions were very good so I didn't really expect to be disappointed.
I'm just disappointed by the way the focus/field curvature shifts towards you at the edges when you stop the lens down (the mild decentering of my Loxia is not responsable for this). The Batis doesn't do this at all.
Guy, that's great. Getting a good copy is always a lottery. Especially on these high resolution sensors these days.
This is how my copy looks:
Left = top right corner, right shows how the other corners look. Not a strong decentering, but the top right corner clearly shows less detail.
I'm just disappointed by the way the focus/field curvature shifts towards you at the edges when you stop the lens down (the mild decentering of my Loxia is not responsable for this). The Batis doesn't do this at all.
Guy, that's great. Getting a good copy is always a lottery. Especially on these high resolution sensors these days.
This is how my copy looks:
Left = top right corner, right shows how the other corners look. Not a strong decentering, but the top right corner clearly shows less detail.
Feb 13, 2016 at 08:35 AM
p.37 #18Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
tsdevine wrote:
I almost never sell a lens I'm going to replace with another, before trying the new one first hand. I still have my 21 ZE for example. Pick about any lens and you'll find differing opinions from people here.
At some point I'll try to compare the Loxia 21, ZE 21, FE 16-35, and Batis 25.....but I don't do the "hill overlooking a city" and shoot everything at infinity comparison, which I know gets some people bent out of shape. It's just not the shooting I normally do.
It's 0 degree Fahrenheit wind chills this weekend here, so I don't...Show more →
I'm with you Tim. I have the Batis 25 and the Loxia 21 now. Even if I test, I don't know that I'll sell either one. I've come to really appreciated AF on the Batis even though I'm an MF guy. They have their places and uses. I can see using the Batis for Milky Way shots, street walking shots, etc. The Loxia is more my standards for Landscapes but both can go both ways. They are both amazing lenses and when the weather gets above 0 F, I'll go out with both in hand. Mine won't be any rigid scientific testing but more on look, feel, rendering, color observations. Can't wait!
Edited on Feb 13, 2016 at 09:03 AM · View previous versions
I almost never sell a lens I'm going to replace with another, before trying the new one first hand. I still have my 21 ZE for example. Pick about any lens and you'll find differing opinions from people here.
At some point I'll try to compare the Loxia 21, ZE 21, FE 16-35, and Batis 25.....but I don't do the "hill overlooking a city" and shoot everything at infinity comparison, which I know gets some people bent out of shape. It's just not the shooting I normally do.
It's 0 degree Fahrenheit wind chills this weekend here, so I don't...Show more →
I'm with you Tim. I have the Batis 25 and the Loxia 21 now. Even if I test, I don't know that I'll sell either one. I've come to really appreciated AF on the Batis even though I'm an MF guy. They have their places and uses. I can see using the Batis for Milky Way shots, street walking shots, etc. The Loxia is more my standards for Landscapes but both can go both ways. They are both amazing lenses and when the weather gets above 0 F, I'll go out with both in hand. Mine won't be any rigid scientific testing but more on look, feel, rendering, color observations. Can't wait!
Edited on Feb 13, 2016 at 09:03 AM · View previous versions
Feb 13, 2016 at 08:46 AM
p.37 #19Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Im with you both. It was very very hard to give up my Batis 25. Love to see them come out where you need AF most like a 28 or 35. Now for me i would jump on either one of them as they are more PR , wedding, group or people lenses. I wish these folks actually sat down with 12 Pros in a room and discussed what the public needs
Feb 13, 2016 at 08:52 AM
p.37 #20Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
tsdevine wrote:
I almost never sell a lens I'm going to replace with another, before trying the new one first hand. I still have my 21 ZE for example. Pick about any lens and you'll find differing opinions from people here.
At some point I'll try to compare the Loxia 21, ZE 21, FE 16-35, and Batis 25.....but I don't do the "hill overlooking a city" and shoot everything at infinity comparison, which I know gets some people bent out of shape. It's just not the shooting I normally do.
It's 0 degree Fahrenheit wind chills this weekend here, so I don't...Show more →
As a long time user of the Distagon 21 ZE I'm curious to see the IQ comparison between these two lenses. When the Loxia was announced it perked my interest strictly from a size perspective, probably just splitting hairs from an IQ perspective between the two lenses but never the less it would be interesting to see the results.
I almost never sell a lens I'm going to replace with another, before trying the new one first hand. I still have my 21 ZE for example. Pick about any lens and you'll find differing opinions from people here.
At some point I'll try to compare the Loxia 21, ZE 21, FE 16-35, and Batis 25.....but I don't do the "hill overlooking a city" and shoot everything at infinity comparison, which I know gets some people bent out of shape. It's just not the shooting I normally do.
It's 0 degree Fahrenheit wind chills this weekend here, so I don't...Show more →
As a long time user of the Distagon 21 ZE I'm curious to see the IQ comparison between these two lenses. When the Loxia was announced it perked my interest strictly from a size perspective, probably just splitting hairs from an IQ perspective between the two lenses but never the less it would be interesting to see the results.
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:20 AM