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Archive 2015Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
p.64 #1Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
nandadevieast wrote:
Repeating my query, to all expert 21 users here:
Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...
UWA lenses are not ideal foe MF focusing in low light or stopped down due to the large inherent DOF. If you want to use it for street I would get used to zone focusssing which once mastered is quite easy on a UWA lens. Thr problem in this respect is that the Loxia has a very short focus-throw between 2m and infinity so distances can be hard to judge
Repeating my query, to all expert 21 users here:
Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...
UWA lenses are not ideal foe MF focusing in low light or stopped down due to the large inherent DOF. If you want to use it for street I would get used to zone focusssing which once mastered is quite easy on a UWA lens. Thr problem in this respect is that the Loxia has a very short focus-throw between 2m and infinity so distances can be hard to judge
May 07, 2016 at 01:51 AM
p.64 #2Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Viramati,
Is it easier to focus stopped down in low light compared to an AF lens like 16-35? Talking about landscapes.
Viramati wrote:
Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...UWA lenses are not ideal foe MF focusing in low light or stopped down due to the large inherent DOF. If you want to use it for street I would get used to zone focusssing which once mastered is quite easy on a UWA lens. Thr problem in this respect is that the Loxia has a very short focus-throw between 2m and infinity so distances can be hard to judge
Is it easier to focus stopped down in low light compared to an AF lens like 16-35? Talking about landscapes.
Viramati wrote:
nandadevieast wrote
Repeating my query, to all expert 21 users here:Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...
May 07, 2016 at 02:45 AM
p.64 #3Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
nandadevieast wrote:
Viramati,
Is it easier to focus stopped down in low light compared to an AF lens like 16-35? Talking about landscapes.
Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...UWA lenses are not ideal foe MF focusing in low light or stopped down due to the large inherent DOF. If you want to use it for street I would get used to zone focusssing which once mastered is quite easy on a UWA lens. Thr problem in this respect is that the Loxia has a very short focus-throw between 2m and infinity so distances can be hard to judge
Well this depends on various things. What is your camera body? the A7s focuses well down to -4EV, the A7rII down to -2EV and the A7II down to -1EV so the A7s is best in low light. I believe the FE16-35 will fully open the aperture in low light to focus and then stop down (can't check this as I don't have mine with me now). If light is very low then the zoom lens will start to hunt and anyway you will need quite a high contrast subject for it to lock on to
Viramati,
Is it easier to focus stopped down in low light compared to an AF lens like 16-35? Talking about landscapes.
Viramati wrote
nandadevieast wrote
Repeating my query, to all expert 21 users here:Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...
Well this depends on various things. What is your camera body? the A7s focuses well down to -4EV, the A7rII down to -2EV and the A7II down to -1EV so the A7s is best in low light. I believe the FE16-35 will fully open the aperture in low light to focus and then stop down (can't check this as I don't have mine with me now). If light is very low then the zoom lens will start to hunt and anyway you will need quite a high contrast subject for it to lock on to
May 07, 2016 at 03:36 AM
p.64 #4Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Not so low light. I am talking about light where you get 1/60, 1/40, 1/20 shutter speeds wide open.
Viramati wrote:
Is it easier to focus stopped down in low light compared to an AF lens like 16-35? Talking about landscapes.
Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...UWA lenses are not ideal foe MF focusing in low light or stopped down due to the large inherent DOF. If you want to use it for street I would get used to zone focusssing which once mastered is quite easy on a UWA lens. Thr problem in this respect is that the Loxia has a very short focus-throw between 2m and infinity so distances can be hard to judgeWell this depends on various things. What is your camera body? the A7s focuses well down to -4EV, the A7rII down to -2EV and the A7II down to -1EV so the A7s is best in low light. I believe the FE16-35 will fully open the aperture in low light to focus and then stop down (can't check this as I don't have mine with me now). If light is very low then the zoom lens will start to hunt and anyway you will need quite a high contrast subject for it to lock on to
Viramati wrote:
nandadevieast wrote
Viramati,Is it easier to focus stopped down in low light compared to an AF lens like 16-35? Talking about landscapes.
Viramati wrote
nandadevieast wrote
Repeating my query, to all expert 21 users here:Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...
May 07, 2016 at 05:52 AM
p.64 #5Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
nandadevieast wrote:
Not so low light. I am talking about light where you get 1/60, 1/40, 1/20 shutter speeds wide open.
Is it easier to focus stopped down in low light compared to an AF lens like 16-35? Talking about landscapes.
Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...UWA lenses are not ideal foe MF focusing in low light or stopped down due to the large inherent DOF. If you want to use it for street I would get used to zone focusssing which once mastered is quite easy on a UWA lens. Thr problem in this respect is that the Loxia has a very short focus-throw between 2m and infinity so distances can be hard to judgeWell this depends on various things. What is your camera body? the A7s focuses well down to -4EV, the A7rII down to -2EV and the A7II down to -1EV so the A7s is best in low light. I believe the FE16-35 will fully open the aperture in low light to focus and then stop down (can't check this as I don't have mine with me now). If light is very low then the zoom lens will start to hunt and anyway you will need quite a high contrast subject for it to lock on to
I would try to get to a dealer who would let you try out the FE16-35 to see if it's AF is good enough for you. It is a great lens when you get a good copy but the IQ from the loxia is IMO on another level
Not so low light. I am talking about light where you get 1/60, 1/40, 1/20 shutter speeds wide open.
Viramati wrote
nandadevieast wrote
Viramati,Is it easier to focus stopped down in low light compared to an AF lens like 16-35? Talking about landscapes.
Viramati wrote
nandadevieast wrote
Repeating my query, to all expert 21 users here:Do you face any problems focussing in low light, when focussing at working aperture?
If any of you are using it for street, closer ranges, what is the optimum way to focus...do we get acceptable results by pre focussing with distance scale?
I really don't want to be sucked into 16-35 zoom...
I would try to get to a dealer who would let you try out the FE16-35 to see if it's AF is good enough for you. It is a great lens when you get a good copy but the IQ from the loxia is IMO on another level
May 07, 2016 at 06:45 AM
p.64 #6Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I've sent my L21 back to the dealer due to strange behaviour of the focus ring (very hard to turn, noise when turning etc.), they have looked at it in Oberkochen and it was classified as a factory defect. Writing this just in case anyone stumbles on the same issue. Hope not!
May 07, 2016 at 11:19 AM
p.64 #7Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Here is an image from A7RII + Loxia 21/2.8 @ f/8 + SR App
Convict Lake, CA
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Convict Lake, CA
May 09, 2016 at 02:48 PM
p.64 #8Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
I received a Loxia 21mm today. I hesitate to call it "mine" as it is decentered. The lower left is more blurry than the the other corners.
But, I would appreciate some feedback. What do you think? Is it within some reasonable tolerance? Or put another way: Would you keep this lens or send it back?
Below is a 100% crop from four different photos of the stop sign. I focused first with the sign centered in the frame and then took four shots of the sign in each corner. These were shot at f/2.8:
But, I would appreciate some feedback. What do you think? Is it within some reasonable tolerance? Or put another way: Would you keep this lens or send it back?
Below is a 100% crop from four different photos of the stop sign. I focused first with the sign centered in the frame and then took four shots of the sign in each corner. These were shot at f/2.8:
May 09, 2016 at 03:51 PM
p.64 #9Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Field curvature will ruin such attempt. You need to compose the sign to one extreme corner and focus there. Then recompose the sign to remaining three corners.
May 09, 2016 at 03:57 PM
p.64 #10Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
MJKoski wrote:
Field curvature will ruin such attempt. You need to compose the sign to one extreme corner and focus there. Then recompose the sign to remaining three corners.
Why would field curvature ruin the test? Are you saying the field curvature is asymmetric? I carefully aligned the sign dead center with my camera, so why would all four corners not be at the same level of focus?
I'll try again using your method.
Field curvature will ruin such attempt. You need to compose the sign to one extreme corner and focus there. Then recompose the sign to remaining three corners.
Why would field curvature ruin the test? Are you saying the field curvature is asymmetric? I carefully aligned the sign dead center with my camera, so why would all four corners not be at the same level of focus?
I'll try again using your method.
May 09, 2016 at 04:04 PM
p.64 #11Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
No it is not asymmetric, but this way you can be sure that an extreme corner is in focus. Anyway, the lower left crop looks most blurred as you said.
May 09, 2016 at 04:36 PM
p.64 #12Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Retested done your way...same results. I first composed the upper right corner and then captured the remaining three corners. Is this within acceptable tolerance or would you return the lens back to the retailer...looking for advice here.
May 09, 2016 at 05:21 PM
p.64 #13Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Just to compare, here is mine. I did the same kind of test - started with focus on the ""GHS" sign in the upper left corner.
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May 09, 2016 at 06:02 PM
p.64 #14Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
^Yours looks a good deal better than mine I'd say.
Edited on May 09, 2016 at 06:29 PM · View previous versions
Edited on May 09, 2016 at 06:29 PM · View previous versions
May 09, 2016 at 06:18 PM
p.64 #15Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
darbo wrote:
Retested done your way...same results. I first composed the upper right corner and then captured the remaining three corners. Is this within acceptable tolerance or would you return the lens back to the retailer...looking for advice here.
The stop sign is not the best target to evaluate detail but the foliage behind it helps makes things clearer.
To me, the bottom crops show your copy is slightly decentered. It may not bother you with real world shooting but if you shoot stars wide-open with your Loxia, it may be a good idea to get a replacement.
Focusing on the center or the edges first will not change the results but as mentioned, the edges are not in the same plane of focus.
Retested done your way...same results. I first composed the upper right corner and then captured the remaining three corners. Is this within acceptable tolerance or would you return the lens back to the retailer...looking for advice here.
The stop sign is not the best target to evaluate detail but the foliage behind it helps makes things clearer.
To me, the bottom crops show your copy is slightly decentered. It may not bother you with real world shooting but if you shoot stars wide-open with your Loxia, it may be a good idea to get a replacement.
Focusing on the center or the edges first will not change the results but as mentioned, the edges are not in the same plane of focus.
May 09, 2016 at 06:24 PM
p.64 #16Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
The stop sign is not the best target to evaluate detail but the foliage behind it helps makes things clearer.
To me, the bottom crops show your copy is slightly decentered. It may not bother you with real world shooting but if you shoot stars wide-open with your Loxia, it may be a good idea to get a replacement.
Focusing on the center or the edges first will not change the results but as mentioned, the edges are not in the same plane of focus.
Thanks Fred. "Slightly" decentered makes me feel a bit better. I'm just not familiar with how bad is too bad (realizing that everyone may have differing levels of tolerance). I took a few shots at landscape apertures (f/8 or f/11) and I don't see anything troubling in the frame, so maybe I'll never notice it.
I wonder what makes foilage a better target than a sign? This sort of testing is new to me.
darbo wrote
Retested done your way...same results. I first composed the upper right corner and then captured the remaining three corners. Is this within acceptable tolerance or would you return the lens back to the retailer...looking for advice here.To me, the bottom crops show your copy is slightly decentered. It may not bother you with real world shooting but if you shoot stars wide-open with your Loxia, it may be a good idea to get a replacement.
Focusing on the center or the edges first will not change the results but as mentioned, the edges are not in the same plane of focus.
Thanks Fred. "Slightly" decentered makes me feel a bit better. I'm just not familiar with how bad is too bad (realizing that everyone may have differing levels of tolerance). I took a few shots at landscape apertures (f/8 or f/11) and I don't see anything troubling in the frame, so maybe I'll never notice it.
I wonder what makes foilage a better target than a sign? This sort of testing is new to me.
May 09, 2016 at 06:37 PM
p.64 #17Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
darbo wrote:
The stop sign is not the best target to evaluate detail but the foliage behind it helps makes things clearer.
To me, the bottom crops show your copy is slightly decentered. It may not bother you with real world shooting but if you shoot stars wide-open with your Loxia, it may be a good idea to get a replacement.
Focusing on the center or the edges first will not change the results but as mentioned, the edges are not in the same plane of focus.Thanks Fred. "Slightly" decentered makes me feel a bit better. I'm just not familiar with how bad is too bad (realizing that everyone may have differing levels of tolerance). I took a few shots at landscape apertures (f/8 or f/11) and I don't see anything troubling in the frame, so maybe I'll never notice it.
I wonder what makes foilage a better target than a sign? This sort of testing is new to me.
The sign is pretty smooth and the foliage has a lot of small detail, so any decentering will be more obvious to spot on the latter. It does not matter though since your crops show both.
When I say a lens is decentered, it looks a bit worse than that. Can you get a better copy? Probably, but it may take a couple tries. I have my Batis 18 copy for sale and it's perfectly centered. I can't believe nobody bought it yet!
Fred Miranda wrote
darbo wrote
Retested done your way...same results. I first composed the upper right corner and then captured the remaining three corners. Is this within acceptable tolerance or would you return the lens back to the retailer...looking for advice here.To me, the bottom crops show your copy is slightly decentered. It may not bother you with real world shooting but if you shoot stars wide-open with your Loxia, it may be a good idea to get a replacement.
Focusing on the center or the edges first will not change the results but as mentioned, the edges are not in the same plane of focus.
I wonder what makes foilage a better target than a sign? This sort of testing is new to me.
The sign is pretty smooth and the foliage has a lot of small detail, so any decentering will be more obvious to spot on the latter. It does not matter though since your crops show both.
When I say a lens is decentered, it looks a bit worse than that. Can you get a better copy? Probably, but it may take a couple tries. I have my Batis 18 copy for sale and it's perfectly centered. I can't believe nobody bought it yet!
May 09, 2016 at 06:44 PM
p.64 #18Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Me either. your not going to buy a tested copy from a retail shop folks. Lol
May 09, 2016 at 06:50 PM
p.64 #19Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Fred Miranda wrote:
The stop sign is not the best target to evaluate detail but the foliage behind it helps makes things clearer.
To me, the bottom crops show your copy is slightly decentered. It may not bother you with real world shooting but if you shoot stars wide-open with your Loxia, it may be a good idea to get a replacement.
Focusing on the center or the edges first will not change the results but as mentioned, the edges are not in the same plane of focus.Thanks Fred. "Slightly" decentered makes me feel a bit better. I'm just not familiar with how bad is too bad (realizing that everyone may have differing levels of tolerance). I took a few shots at landscape apertures (f/8 or f/11) and I don't see anything troubling in the frame, so maybe I'll never notice it.
I wonder what makes foilage a better target than a sign? This sort of testing is new to me.The sign is pretty smooth and the foliage has a lot of small detail, so any decentering will be more obvious to spot on the latter. It does not matter though since your crops show both.
When I say a lens is decentered, it looks a bit worse than that. Can you get a better copy? Probably, but it may take a couple tries. I have my Batis 18 copy for sale and it's perfectly centered. I can't believe nobody bought it yet!
I saw that...and I am sorely tempted to buy it because I know it's been thoroughly vetted! But, I'm torn. I love aspects of the Loxia, not the least of which are the beautiful sun stars.
Really appreciate the advice and knowledge sharing.
darbo wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
darbo wrote
Retested done your way...same results. I first composed the upper right corner and then captured the remaining three corners. Is this within acceptable tolerance or would you return the lens back to the retailer...looking for advice here.To me, the bottom crops show your copy is slightly decentered. It may not bother you with real world shooting but if you shoot stars wide-open with your Loxia, it may be a good idea to get a replacement.
Focusing on the center or the edges first will not change the results but as mentioned, the edges are not in the same plane of focus.
I wonder what makes foilage a better target than a sign? This sort of testing is new to me.
When I say a lens is decentered, it looks a bit worse than that. Can you get a better copy? Probably, but it may take a couple tries. I have my Batis 18 copy for sale and it's perfectly centered. I can't believe nobody bought it yet!
I saw that...and I am sorely tempted to buy it because I know it's been thoroughly vetted!
But, I'm torn. I love aspects of the Loxia, not the least of which are the beautiful sun stars. Really appreciate the advice and knowledge sharing.
May 09, 2016 at 06:52 PM
p.64 #20Zeiss Unveils the Loxia 21mm f/2.8
GMPhotography wrote:
Me either. your not going to buy a tested copy from a retail shop folks. Lol
Guy, what do you think of my test...would you return it or keep it? Starting to think it's not so bad, but would appreciate your take as well.
Me either. your not going to buy a tested copy from a retail shop folks. Lol
Guy, what do you think of my test...would you return it or keep it? Starting to think it's not so bad, but would appreciate your take as well.
May 09, 2016 at 06:53 PM