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Archive 2015Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
p.54 #1Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
The Voigtländer 15/4.5 has a 58mm filter thread, i.e. wider than the hitherto common 52mm filter thread of the Loxia lenses.
I would expect an 85mm Loxia, since that would mean a telephoto lens with handling similar to the existing three Loxia lenses. Also 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm will combine to a kit with lenses, that compliment each other very, very nicely. This would also bestow a certain rangefinder or classical feel or "ethos" to the Sony system.
I too think that 28/2.8 and 85/2.8 are the most likely Loxias to arrive. However, classically even an 85/2 would be posdible with a 52mm filter thread, but I don't know if it can be done with modern requirements for optical correction. In the ZM line there is a Tele-Tessar 85/4.
Sony already makes the 28/2 FE, so my guess is that a Loxia 28mm won't be f/2, but rather a well corrected 28/2.8.
I would expect an 85mm Loxia, since that would mean a telephoto lens with handling similar to the existing three Loxia lenses. Also 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm will combine to a kit with lenses, that compliment each other very, very nicely. This would also bestow a certain rangefinder or classical feel or "ethos" to the Sony system.
I too think that 28/2.8 and 85/2.8 are the most likely Loxias to arrive. However, classically even an 85/2 would be posdible with a 52mm filter thread, but I don't know if it can be done with modern requirements for optical correction. In the ZM line there is a Tele-Tessar 85/4.
Sony already makes the 28/2 FE, so my guess is that a Loxia 28mm won't be f/2, but rather a well corrected 28/2.8.
Mar 20, 2016 at 07:19 PM
p.54 #2Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I would love to have a Loxia 28...
Mar 20, 2016 at 07:41 PM
p.54 #3Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
A Loxia 28 makes perfect sense and love to see one come to market. It would solve a lot of issues for me since I could make a 15,21,28,50,85 landscape travel kit and have a 35 1.4 as a lens for other things like people stuff and would not travel with me pretty much.
Mar 20, 2016 at 07:45 PM
p.54 #4Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Zeiss seems to keep some separation between loxia and batis.
In batis line, we have 18(rumored), 25 and 85
In loxia line, we have 21, 35 and 50.
I personally would love a 135mm batis and 15mm loxia. All of these are speculation at this point though.
In batis line, we have 18(rumored), 25 and 85
In loxia line, we have 21, 35 and 50.
I personally would love a 135mm batis and 15mm loxia. All of these are speculation at this point though.
Mar 21, 2016 at 01:32 PM
p.54 #5Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I'd love to see Zeiss make a Loxia version of their 35/1.4 ZM. It's excellent, but not adjusted for the Sony sensor stack.
Mar 21, 2016 at 01:48 PM
p.54 #6Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Now I finally had some more time with this lens on my hands I can wholehearted state I'm extremely happy with this lens! 
I find it hard to rationalize why I like the images so much 
, nevertheless: the quality feel of handling the all metal lens while shooting, having to manual focus and the 10 point stars on lights in the images are a few things contributing to the joy of using this lens I could rationalize.
Things I learned in the meantime are not new to many I think; noticeable vignetting disappears @ F 5.6 and the depth of field stays relatively thin up to F 8 (as the hyperfocal distance/DOF scale on the barrel of the lens shows). I did a brick wall test following this guide: http://www.tomgrill.com/brickwall/ . However, only thing I leaned from this test was: how the vignetting behaves, that the corner sharpness is very good and F22 is best to be avoided as I found it degraded the image sharpness or quality feel somewhat. I just found the brick wall test not reliable enough for all the other things you are suppose to learn from it.
One thing I would still like to learn in the future is the field curvature behavior of this lens combined with how to make my own lens correction profile, however as much as I would love to learn about this, Imatest is getting a little bit to serious for me at this stage.
To wrap up, I'm extremely happy with the lens, it has no issues whatsoever, and I use it all the time.
What more is there to say? I think it's better to show! (Shot handheld on a a7RII @ F4.5):
Thanks everybody for dragging me across the line to purchase this lens!
Edited on Mar 24, 2016 at 07:33 AM · View previous versions
I find it hard to rationalize why I like the images so much , nevertheless: the quality feel of handling the all metal lens while shooting, having to manual focus and the 10 point stars on lights in the images are a few things contributing to the joy of using this lens I could rationalize. Things I learned in the meantime are not new to many I think; noticeable vignetting disappears @ F 5.6 and the depth of field stays relatively thin up to F 8 (as the hyperfocal distance/DOF scale on the barrel of the lens shows). I did a brick wall test following this guide: http://www.tomgrill.com/brickwall/ . However, only thing I leaned from this test was: how the vignetting behaves, that the corner sharpness is very good and F22 is best to be avoided as I found it degraded the image sharpness or quality feel somewhat. I just found the brick wall test not reliable enough for all the other things you are suppose to learn from it.
One thing I would still like to learn in the future is the field curvature behavior of this lens combined with how to make my own lens correction profile, however as much as I would love to learn about this, Imatest is getting a little bit to serious for me at this stage.
To wrap up, I'm extremely happy with the lens, it has no issues whatsoever, and I use it all the time.
What more is there to say?
I think it's better to show! (Shot handheld on a a7RII @ F4.5):Thanks everybody for dragging me across the line to purchase this lens!
Edited on Mar 24, 2016 at 07:33 AM · View previous versions
Mar 23, 2016 at 11:03 AM
p.54 #7Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
One of the reasons I chose the Loxia 21 over Batis 25 aside from the FL difference is the sunstar. Very similar to the Heliar 15/4.5.
The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
I am considering going all prime for my landscape use.
Heliar 10/5.6, Heliar 15/4.5, Loxia 21/2.8, FE 28/2 (or RX1RII) and Loxia 50/2.
The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
I am considering going all prime for my landscape use.
Heliar 10/5.6, Heliar 15/4.5, Loxia 21/2.8, FE 28/2 (or RX1RII) and Loxia 50/2.
Mar 23, 2016 at 11:13 AM
p.54 #8Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
carlitos wrote:
I'm hoping for a new compact design of the Zeiss 15/2.8, although the new CV 15/4.5 will do the trick until that happens.
We now have precedent for miniaturized high IQ ultra wides and I believe it's possible for Zeiss to design a small 15/2.8 with great IQ. (Comparable to the 15/2.8 ZM on Leica)
Here is an image from 2 days ago. Death Valley (bracked shot with many stops of DR beyond the camera's sensor)Would it be your impression, Fred, that the A7RII/Loxia 21 is a match for the RX1RII/35 Sonnar? I know comparing the two lenses is not a fare comparison, though both are probably current state of the art. And apparently the above image is a combination of several exposures. But, I think the 42Mp sensor's output is very distinctive, and I could mistake your image above for one from a RX1RII. There is something about the detail across the frame - solely a property of the lens? Perhaps, but that's why I was interested in your impression, since you have both...Show more →
Carlitos,
My impression is that both have similar rendition. (color, contrast and resolution)
Both are very sharp from center to extreme corners starting at f/4. (Sweet spot f/5.6)
The main differences are:
* The Loxia 21/2.8 has a much prettier and well defined 10-point sunstar (Even at large apertures). That is one of the drawbacks from the Sonnar 35/2. I am not a fan of its sunstar. (The FE 28/2 also has better flare control and nicer sunstar)
* The Loxia 21/2.8 is way more flare resistant. The Sonnar flares very easily when the sun is in or close to the frame. (The original hood does not help much)
* The Loxia 21/2.8 has less CA.
* The Sonnar 35/2 has less field curvature at infinity focus.
Fred Miranda wrote
The Loxia 21 is the most amazing lens I have at the moment. It's a my go-to landscape lens.I'm hoping for a new compact design of the Zeiss 15/2.8, although the new CV 15/4.5 will do the trick until that happens.
We now have precedent for miniaturized high IQ ultra wides and I believe it's possible for Zeiss to design a small 15/2.8 with great IQ. (Comparable to the 15/2.8 ZM on Leica)
Here is an image from 2 days ago. Death Valley (bracked shot with many stops of DR beyond the camera's sensor)
Carlitos,
My impression is that both have similar rendition. (color, contrast and resolution)
Both are very sharp from center to extreme corners starting at f/4. (Sweet spot f/5.6)
The main differences are:
* The Loxia 21/2.8 has a much prettier and well defined 10-point sunstar (Even at large apertures). That is one of the drawbacks from the Sonnar 35/2. I am not a fan of its sunstar. (The FE 28/2 also has better flare control and nicer sunstar)
* The Loxia 21/2.8 is way more flare resistant. The Sonnar flares very easily when the sun is in or close to the frame. (The original hood does not help much)
* The Loxia 21/2.8 has less CA.
* The Sonnar 35/2 has less field curvature at infinity focus.
Mar 23, 2016 at 11:18 AM
p.54 #9Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
One of the reasons I chose the Loxia 21 over Batis 25 aside from the FL difference is the sunstar. Very similar to the Heliar 15/4.5.
The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
I am considering going all prime for my landscape use.
Heliar 10/5.6, Heliar 15/4.5, Loxia 21/2.8, FE 28/2 (or RX1RII) and Loxia 50/2.
Yup thats a nice kit for landscape. Mine is very similar but given my test with the 24-35 which i am working on as we speak it may be VC 15, L21, Sigma 24-35, L50 and 85 GM. I got two bazookas in there .
Need to play MORE golf and strengthen that back of mine.
This 24-35 actually competes at 24mm very well to the Loxia 21 and Batis 25. Im working on a huge test to post. Don't miss it folks.
One of the reasons I chose the Loxia 21 over Batis 25 aside from the FL difference is the sunstar. Very similar to the Heliar 15/4.5.
The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
I am considering going all prime for my landscape use.
Heliar 10/5.6, Heliar 15/4.5, Loxia 21/2.8, FE 28/2 (or RX1RII) and Loxia 50/2.
Yup thats a nice kit for landscape. Mine is very similar but given my test with the 24-35 which i am working on as we speak it may be VC 15, L21, Sigma 24-35, L50 and 85 GM. I got two bazookas in there .
Need to play MORE golf and strengthen that back of mine.
This 24-35 actually competes at 24mm very well to the Loxia 21 and Batis 25. Im working on a huge test to post. Don't miss it folks.
Mar 23, 2016 at 11:29 AM
p.54 #10Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
One of the reasons I chose the Loxia 21 over Batis 25 aside from the FL difference is the sunstar. Very similar to the Heliar 15/4.5.
The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
I am considering going all prime for my landscape use.
Heliar 10/5.6, Heliar 15/4.5, Loxia 21/2.8, FE 28/2 (or RX1RII) and Loxia 50/2.
Reading this thread was bad for my bank account
I picked up my copy a few days ago. Haven't taken anything but test shots yet. Looks good so far. I am noticing a slight difference in corner sharpness left to right, but the difference can't be seen unless zooming in 1:1, and even then it's subtle. I'm thinking it's close enough. I'll send it back to Zeiss down the road if I think it's showing up in my full screen or printed images (which I doubt it will).
As for replacing my FE 16-35/4 zoom with primes, in addition to the 21/2.8 and FE 28/2 and 35's (RX1 & 35/1.4 Art), I may just do that myself after I get a good look at the new e-mount UWA offerings from Voigtlander and Irix. Then again, there are some situations where a WA zoom is so handy.
Mar 23, 2016 at 11:33 AM
p.54 #11Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
I'm hoping for a new compact design of the Zeiss 15/2.8, although the new CV 15/4.5 will do the trick until that happens.
We now have precedent for miniaturized high IQ ultra wides and I believe it's possible for Zeiss to design a small 15/2.8 with great IQ. (Comparable to the 15/2.8 ZM on Leica)
Here is an image from 2 days ago. Death Valley (bracked shot with many stops of DR beyond the camera's sensor)Would it be your impression, Fred, that the A7RII/Loxia 21 is a match for the RX1RII/35 Sonnar? I know comparing the two lenses is not a fare comparison, though both are probably current state of the art. And apparently the above image is a combination of several exposures. But, I think the 42Mp sensor's output is very distinctive, and I could mistake your image above for one from a RX1RII. There is something about the detail across the frame - solely a property of the lens? Perhaps, but that's why I was interested in your impression, since you have both cameras, I believe.Carlitos,
My impression is that both have similar rendition. (color, contrast and resolution)
Both are very sharp from center to extreme corners starting at f/4. (Sweet spot f/5.6)
The main differences are:
* The Loxia 21/2.8 has a much prettier and well defined 10-point sunstar (Even at large apertures). That is one of the drawbacks from the Sonnar 35/2. I am not a fan of its sunstar. (The FE 28/2 also has better flare control and nicer sunstar)
* The Loxia 21/2.8 is way more flare resistant. The Sonnar flares very easily when the sun is in or close to the frame. (The original...Show more →
Thanks, Fred. I lean more to the A7RII since I have 3 Zeiss and 2 Nikon wide-angles I'd like to continue to use. And when Zeiss brings out a Loxia 25 or 28 (or 35/1.4), I may have to ante up.
carlitos wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
The Loxia 21 is the most amazing lens I have at the moment. It's a my go-to landscape lens.I'm hoping for a new compact design of the Zeiss 15/2.8, although the new CV 15/4.5 will do the trick until that happens.
We now have precedent for miniaturized high IQ ultra wides and I believe it's possible for Zeiss to design a small 15/2.8 with great IQ. (Comparable to the 15/2.8 ZM on Leica)
Here is an image from 2 days ago. Death Valley (bracked shot with many stops of DR beyond the camera's sensor)
My impression is that both have similar rendition. (color, contrast and resolution)
Both are very sharp from center to extreme corners starting at f/4. (Sweet spot f/5.6)
The main differences are:
* The Loxia 21/2.8 has a much prettier and well defined 10-point sunstar (Even at large apertures). That is one of the drawbacks from the Sonnar 35/2. I am not a fan of its sunstar. (The FE 28/2 also has better flare control and nicer sunstar)
* The Loxia 21/2.8 is way more flare resistant. The Sonnar flares very easily when the sun is in or close to the frame. (The original...Show more →
Thanks, Fred. I lean more to the A7RII since I have 3 Zeiss and 2 Nikon wide-angles I'd like to continue to use. And when Zeiss brings out a Loxia 25 or 28 (or 35/1.4), I may have to ante up.
Mar 23, 2016 at 08:02 PM
p.54 #12Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
The 24-35/2 is a superb zoom. Have you had a change to test flare resistance and the look of its sunstar?
Best,
Fred
GMPhotography wrote:
The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
I am considering going all prime for my landscape use.
Heliar 10/5.6, Heliar 15/4.5, Loxia 21/2.8, FE 28/2 (or RX1RII) and Loxia 50/2.Yup thats a nice kit for landscape. Mine is very similar but given my test with the 24-35 which i am working on as we speak it may be VC 15, L21, Sigma 24-35, L50 and 85 GM. I got two bazookas in there .
Need to play MORE golf and strengthen that back of mine.
This 24-35 actually competes at 24mm very well to the Loxia 21 and Batis 25. Im working on a huge test to post. Don't miss it folks.
Best,
Fred
GMPhotography wrote:
Fred Miranda wrote
One of the reasons I chose the Loxia 21 over Batis 25 aside from the FL difference is the sunstar. Very similar to the Heliar 15/4.5.The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
I am considering going all prime for my landscape use.
Heliar 10/5.6, Heliar 15/4.5, Loxia 21/2.8, FE 28/2 (or RX1RII) and Loxia 50/2.
Need to play MORE golf and strengthen that back of mine.
This 24-35 actually competes at 24mm very well to the Loxia 21 and Batis 25. Im working on a huge test to post. Don't miss it folks.
Mar 23, 2016 at 09:16 PM
p.54 #13Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Yea I got more tests to run. See if I can get that done by the weekend
Mar 23, 2016 at 09:31 PM
p.54 #14Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
This is certainly true for the closeup range, when the DOF is very thin. However: shoot something at mid distance wide open and this lens gives you doubled edged bokeh.
The smooth rendition of the OOF zone reminds me of the RX1R look. This ultra-wide has outstanding bokeh.
This is certainly true for the closeup range, when the DOF is very thin. However: shoot something at mid distance wide open and this lens gives you doubled edged bokeh.
Mar 24, 2016 at 12:51 AM
p.54 #15Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
has anybody put this loxia on a kolari mod camera yet to see how much impact the thinner sensor stack has?
Mar 24, 2016 at 03:08 PM
p.54 #16Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Not sure how it could get any better. Go look at the Sigma test thread
sebboh wrote:
has anybody put this loxia on a kolari mod camera yet to see how much impact the thinner sensor stack has?
sebboh wrote:
has anybody put this loxia on a kolari mod camera yet to see how much impact the thinner sensor stack has?
Mar 24, 2016 at 03:14 PM
p.54 #17Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
GMPhotography wrote:
Not sure how it could get any better. Go look at the Sigma test thread
i'm worried about it getting worse.
Not sure how it could get any better. Go look at the Sigma test thread
sebboh wrote
has anybody put this loxia on a kolari mod camera yet to see how much impact the thinner sensor stack has?i'm worried about it getting worse.
Mar 24, 2016 at 03:17 PM
p.54 #19Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
GMPhotography wrote:
Certainly possible
I would be a bit surprised it wasn't noticeably worse on the Kolari mod. 21mm lenses tend to be very sensitive to sensor stack thickness. The Lox is only mildly retrofocus, so it's likely pretty sensitive.
Certainly possible
I would be a bit surprised it wasn't noticeably worse on the Kolari mod. 21mm lenses tend to be very sensitive to sensor stack thickness. The Lox is only mildly retrofocus, so it's likely pretty sensitive.
Mar 24, 2016 at 03:47 PM
p.54 #20Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Does the lens work well or not ?
Edited on Mar 25, 2016 at 05:04 AM · View previous versions
Edited on Mar 25, 2016 at 05:04 AM · View previous versions
Mar 24, 2016 at 10:40 PM