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Archive 2016 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

justruss
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Since this comparison has come up quite frequently in the last few days, I thought I'd start a thread where those of us who have both lenses can post comparisons, thoughts, discussions-- and those interested in one or the other lens can ask questions.

My own conclusions (based on my own copies) are the result of having shot the Sony 16-35 f/4 for the past few months, and the Batis for the past few days (so expect those feelings to evolve). On top of that, I also produced a few test shots (not perfectly conducted, as you will see) to attempt to provide myself with more objective data.

Sharpness*:
I've found that the Batis shows a clear resolution advantage against the zoom at all apertures, across the entire frame. It's not a massive difference-- and it's particularly small in the center of the frame-- but right at f/2.8 (wide open) the Batis outperforms the zoom no matter the zoom's aperture.

Handling, size, weight:
The Batis is shorter, but fatter-- and significantly lighter than the zoom. This goes doubly so when the zoom is at 18mm, because the lens extends on the wide end. Since that's where I mostly shoot, this has factored into my decision. Overall, the Batis feels better balanced, but fat and stubby. While the Batis more comfortable to carry generally, the diameter of the lens barrel is such that it can rub against my knuckles (uncomfortably) when holding the camera and dangling it off of my right hand while walking.

Without hoods

With hoods

Without hoods, extended to 18mm

With hoods, extended to 18mm

AF:
They're both fast enough. If there is any difference between the two lenses here, I haven't noticed it-- nor have I gone out of my way to look for it.

Color signature:
The Batis appears, in my limited time shooting it, to be slightly warmer. Not a big deal to me.

Which will I keep?

No question: The Batis 18mm. I prefer primes from a working perspective, and the Batis is optically superior, offers an extra stop of light, is shorter, and is lighter. I can see the case for keeping the zoom as well, but realistically speaking I just don't see myself grabbing it over the Batis. So it's going to be sold.

*As you will see, my test isn't really all that controlled. I was tripod mounted (removed lens between images), and had the zoom set to 18mm (still the images do not line up 100% perfectly). But I used AF on the center of the image (best of 3 shots-- they were very, very consistent), auto WB (also very consistent), manual exposure (matched SS/apertures), uncompressed RAW, and wireless remote release (no delay).

Feel free to download my RAW files or crops (labeled BR for Bottom Right, etc), and feel free to repost those here if you can present them better than I can. The following links will expire in 7 days:
RAW (1 GB): http://we.tl/vOT1PifWED
100% Crops (40 MB): http://we.tl/ODQN0Iw59Z

Likewise, Batis owners or prospective owners, please feel free to post your own experiences (even if they don't agree with mine) in this thread.

Here are a couple of my first images from the lens (please do not repost these):

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/05/06/8.JPG

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/05/06/6.JPG

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/05/06/7.JPG

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/05/07/38.JPG

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/05/07/54.JPG

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/05/07/33.JPG

Edited on May 11, 2016 at 05:48 AM · View previous versions

May 10, 2016 at 02:49 PM

kardician
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Thank you for sharing this

May 11, 2016 at 03:05 AM

justruss
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

kardician wrote:
Thank you for sharing this

Cheers.

I'm hoping ppl will download the RAW test files and jpg crops-- as imperfect as they may be-- so they can weigh in and do their own analysis.

If someone can put them together in an easy to post chart showing the crops, I'm happy to post them in the OP so people won't have to download them directly.

May 11, 2016 at 03:07 AM

gocolts
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Thanks for posting pictures of the lenses next to eachother. I sold my FE 16-35 before the Batis showed up...the picture comparison shows just how much fatter the Batis is.

May 11, 2016 at 07:09 AM

MrTMan
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Great work. Seems to me that the Batis is noticeably better even in the center crops.

May 11, 2016 at 07:40 AM

brick33308
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

I considered the Batis 18, mainly because I love my Batis 25 and 85. But ultimately decided that on the relatively few occasions when I want to shoot as wide as 18, my 16-35 will do just fine. If I didn't have the Batis 25, I may have considered the Batis 18 as a walk around street shooter, being lighter than the 16-35. But since I have the Batis 25 and consider that a better focal length than 18 for that purpose, then as I said the Batis 18 doesn't make sense for me.

Having said that, if anyone wants to give me a gift of the Batis 18, I'll be happy to accept

May 11, 2016 at 08:54 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

I compared the shots at f/8: (171739 and 171707)

It's interesting that the Batis 18 is better at the edges, pretty much equal at center and worse at mid-field when compared to the 16-35/4 @18mm. I'm sure field curvature is playing a role here and I'm not sure where you focused on. However, the 16-35/4 will never match the Batis 18's corners even disregarding field curvature.

I will check other apertures.

May 11, 2016 at 11:07 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

The same scene at f/4 shows that the Batis now leads at center and has much better edges.
However, mid-field is still better with the zoom at f/4. Definitely FC playing a role.

May 11, 2016 at 11:10 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Same for your infinity shots.
The Batis 18 is weaker at midfield. Did you test it for decentering?

Here is a crop showing the mid-field area at f/4 comparing both lenses:
(LR default sharpening. Nothing done to the pictures)

I find that both Loxia 21 and Batis 18 perform better throughout the field when focusing on the mid-field area. It's the best compromise to mitigate their inwards field curvature.
Fred

May 11, 2016 at 11:18 AM

GMPhotography
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Like to see some mid field tests like Big Bronco on the 18mm

May 11, 2016 at 11:23 AM

tylerdurden801
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

I haven't checked out the RAWs yet, but perusing the 100% crops, I'm pretty impressed with the Batis. All the crops I've seen here so far didn't really put it on my radar, but I'm probably going to check one out now. I really wanted this lens to be good as I didn't feel like getting the L21 since it's so close to my B25, so this is good news. I just got my B25 yesterday and tested it against the FE 16-35, and there's really nothing between them in the center, but in the corners it's no contest. Not that the zoom won't do, but if I can carry the Batis, that'll be what I use most of the time. I hope the 18 performs similarly. If it does, I'll never touch the 21 just in case it destroys the 18.

May 11, 2016 at 11:33 AM

dennishh
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Before I sold my Zeiss 16-35 I did some tests between it and the Batis 18. I am still amazed at the quality of the images and produced by the 16-35 but have decided to go with the lighter, faster, sharper Batis 18. The Batist is a lens that not only lightens my kid but produces amazing images with that Zeiss pop. Here are my hundred percent crops. Thanks everyone for all the testing and comparing which is not an easy task.

May 11, 2016 at 12:47 PM

pdmphoto
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Fred Miranda wrote:
Same for your infinity shots.
The Batis 18 is weaker at midfield. Did you test it for decentering?

Here is a crop showing the mid-field area at f/4 comparing both lenses:
(LR default sharpening. Nothing done to the pictures)

I find that both Loxia 21 and Batis 18 perform better throughout the field when focusing on the mid-field area. It's the best compromise to mitigate their inwards field curvature.
Fred

Fred, look like you found another great copy of the 16-35

May 11, 2016 at 03:40 PM

justruss
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Fred Miranda wrote:
Same for your infinity shots.
The Batis 18 is weaker at midfield. Did you test it for decentering?

Here is a crop showing the mid-field area at f/4 comparing both lenses:
(LR default sharpening. Nothing done to the pictures)

I find that both Loxia 21 and Batis 18 perform better throughout the field when focusing on the mid-field area. It's the best compromise to mitigate their inwards field curvature.
Fred

Interesting, Fred-- I only looked at center + extreme edges/corners. I'll have to go back and look at the mid-field area as well as look at decentering.

May 12, 2016 at 01:55 AM

justruss
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

pdmphoto wrote:
Fred, look like you found another great copy of the 16-35

Only if he buys it from me.

May 12, 2016 at 01:55 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

justruss wrote:
Interesting, Fred-- I only looked at center + extreme edges/corners. I'll have to go back and look at the mid-field area as well as look at decentering.

Yes, I don't think it's a decentering issue. More like field curvature. With he Batis 18, try focusing at infinity towards the mid-field area.

May 12, 2016 at 12:36 PM

VladCZ
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Hi Justruss,

may I ask if there is any update on it? I mean did you test the lens with focusing on mid-field?
I'm planning to buy this lens, but I've seen few reports regarding field curvative and as a result unsharp zone between center and corners.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Best regards,

Vlad

Jun 21, 2016 at 01:09 PM

justruss
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

VladCZ wrote:
Hi Justruss,

may I ask if there is any update on it? I mean did you test the lens with focusing on mid-field?
I'm planning to buy this lens, but I've seen few reports regarding field curvative and as a result unsharp zone between center and corners.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Best regards,

Vlad

No, I haven't gone back and tested the lens for field curvature. I have (if you look at my posts in the Sony FE thread) been shooting the hell out of the lens in Italy-- and it's excellent, excellent, excellent.

If others have found field curvature, I'm sure it's there. But this lens is incredible. Significantly better than the 16-35 f/4, which itself is great for an UWA zoom.

It's honestly spoiled me. I want a Batis 35mm f/2... but I've heard from Zeiss directly it ain't likely to happen anytime soon. If you can get a hand on one in a shop to try out, or to rent, I think you'll enjoy it.

A few recent samples (too small, and processed, for judging):

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/06/06/36.JPG

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/06/06/23.JPG

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/06/04/15.JPG

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/06/03/1.JPG

Edited on Jun 21, 2016 at 03:30 PM · View previous versions

Jun 21, 2016 at 01:35 PM

VladCZ
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

Thanks a lot for the prompt reply!

I like the images very much! I have to look at your other images as well

Jun 21, 2016 at 01:54 PM

JLim
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Batis 18mm vs Sony 16-35 f/4 (size, IQ, RAW files)

http://photos.russjuskalian.com/2016/06/06/4.JPG

This image is with the batis 18

Jun 21, 2016 at 02:58 PM

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