Thank you Joshua.You are very kind.I appreciate your words especially,because you are not only my most favourite photografer on FM but also the most versatile.
A couple years ago I owned the Batis 40mm and sold it regrettably but just recently repurchased it and so glad I did. I really missed that lens. So now I have 4 of the 5 Batis lenses, 25mm, 40mm, 85mm, and 135mm. Debating whether or not to get the 18mm since I already own the Sony 20mm f/1.8, Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 and Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 covering my wide angle prime needs. Any thoughts or opinions on the 18mm? Especially if you own some of the other lenses I mentioned, is the 18mm still worth getting? Does it have a special rendering that you really like? Curious to hear some insights since I've never shot with it.
Some images captured with all 4 of my Batis lenses a couple days ago at sunset with the A7C of some incredible vibrant skies along the Colorado River in Western Colorado.
Colorado River Sunset
ILCE-7CZEISS Batis 2/25 lens25mmf/11.01/8s100 ISO0.0 EV
Colorado River Sunset
ILCE-7CZEISS Batis 2/40 CF lens40mmf/11.01/8s100 ISO0.0 EV
Colorado River Sunset
ILCE-7CE 85mm F1.8 lens85mmf/11.01/8s100 ISO0.0 EV
Colorado River Sunset
ILCE-7CE 85mm F1.8 lens85mmf/11.01/8s100 ISO0.0 EV
Colorado River Sunset
ILCE-7CE 85mm F1.8 lens85mmf/11.01/8s100 ISO0.0 EV
Colorado River Sunset
ILCE-7CZEISS Batis 2.8/135 lens135mmf/11.01/5s100 ISO0.0 EV
adventure_photo wrote:
A couple years ago I owned the Batis 40mm and sold it regrettably but just recently repurchased it and so glad I did. I really missed that lens. So now I have 4 of the 5 Batis lenses, 25mm, 40mm, 85mm, and 135mm. Debating whether or not to get the 18mm since I already own the Sony 20mm f/1.8, Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 and Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 covering my wide angle prime needs. Any thoughts or opinions on the 18mm? Especially if you own some of the other lenses I mentioned, is the 18mm still worth getting? Does it have a special rendering that you really like? Curious to hear some insights since I've never shot with it.
Some images captured with all 4 of my Batis lenses a couple days ago at sunset with the A7C of some incredible vibrant skies along the Colorado River in Western Colorado....Show more →
Great images! I love comparisons like this, showing the dynamic aesthetics of simply changing angle of view on a terrific subject. Thank you!
Regarding the Batis 18: I love the lens for its WA impact and overall color. Very dramatic lens. I used it with great results at a Corvette car show last summer.
The one downside of the Batis 18 and 25 are the poor sunstars (if specular highlights are in the image) especially landscape with sun in photo. When this is a significant issue, I prefer the CV 15E and Loxia 21 and 25. When traveling light for landscape jaunts, I like the CV 15E, Loxia 25 and CV 40E -- but could easily go with Batis 18, 25 and 40 (don't yet own the B40).
I guess I'm getting lazier these days -- I'm preferring the Batis AF ease, now that I'm confident of its reliability and accuracy on Sony bodies.
And I love the light weight of the Batis lenses! They might be bulky, but certainly not heavy.
just getting the grips on this lens. It's has its weakness, but as long as you know and deal with tehm it can deliver the good; punchy images with lots of detail in contrast and colour. Happy to pick up an secondhand copy of this lens on a overloaded market
Gunzorro wrote:
Great images! I love comparisons like this, showing the dynamic aesthetics of simply changing angle of view on a terrific subject. Thank you!
Regarding the Batis 18: I love the lens for its WA impact and overall color. Very dramatic lens. I used it with great results at a Corvette car show last summer.
The one downside of the Batis 18 and 25 are the poor sunstars (if specular highlights are in the image) especially landscape with sun in photo. When this is a significant issue, I prefer the CV 15E and Loxia 21 and 25. When traveling light for landscape jaunts, I like the CV 15E, Loxia 25 and CV 40E -- but could easily go with Batis 18, 25 and 40 (don't yet own the B40).
I guess I'm getting lazier these days -- I'm preferring the Batis AF ease, now that I'm confident of its reliability and accuracy on Sony bodies.
And I love the light weight of the Batis lenses! They might be bulky, but certainly not heavy. ...Show more →
Hi Jim, thanks for the positive feedback and also providing some insights on the Batis 18mm. That's very helpful. Yeah I wish the Batis 18 (and 25) had better sunstars as that's a trait I really like in a lens. The Voigtlanders and Loxias are great in that regard. I agree that the Batis lenses are quite light and feel good on Sony bodies. With the 4 that I have (25, 40, 85 and 135), I can carry them all in a small shoulder bag that isn't too heavy and I feel like I'm really covered for the vast majority of subjects and situations. There is definitely something about the "Zeiss look". I can't put my finger on it exactly, but the images are crisp, contrasty and with great color pop, requiring little PP. The 40mm is a gem, and as I mentioned I owned it and sold it after getting the Sony 40mm f/2.5 G but really missed it. I just recently re-acquired it and couldn't be happier. The Sony 40 has its place and I'm keeping that as well but I prefer the Batis 40 in most situations. I think you would like that one too (Batis 40) in your quiver. Now keeping an eye out for a good used copy of the 18!
Funny, I switched my Sony 40 for a Batis 40 just recently.
Image 1 is my first taste of Zeiss images, taken 5 years ago. I rented a Batis 25 on my A6300 and exposed for the tree. I was shocked when I brought up the shadows and exposure in Lightroom, the originally drab image really came to life with a range of greens like I had not seen on my 10-18 f4 lens. It’s also when the lens flare that I didn’t notice and couldn’t remove showed up too. Since then, I’ve owned or tried out a Loxia 21, CZ 35-70, CZ 100-300, ZM 35/1.4, RX1RII, ZA 35/1.4, Batis 40, and Batis 85.
Image 2 is taken a month ago in Palm Springs, CA, 3 image pano. Apologies for the alignment, I don’t think the tree was straight and it’s driving me nuts. I’ve always appreciated Zeiss lenses for making images in harsh sunlight or minimal light more interesting
adventure_photo wrote:
Hi Jim, thanks for the positive feedback and also providing some insights on the Batis 18mm. That's very helpful. Yeah I wish the Batis 18 (and 25) had better sunstars as that's a trait I really like in a lens. The Voigtlanders and Loxias are great in that regard. I agree that the Batis lenses are quite light and feel good on Sony bodies. With the 4 that I have (25, 40, 85 and 135), I can carry them all in a small shoulder bag that isn't too heavy and I feel like I'm really covered for the vast majority of subjects and situations. There is definitely something about the "Zeiss look". I can't put my finger on it exactly, but the images are crisp, contrasty and with great color pop, requiring little PP. The 40mm is a gem, and as I mentioned I owned it and sold it after getting the Sony 40mm f/2.5 G but really missed it. I just recently re-acquired it and couldn't be happier. The Sony 40 has its place and I'm keeping that as well but I prefer the Batis 40 in most situations. I think you would like that one too (Batis 40) in your quiver. Now keeping an eye out for a good used copy of the 18!
Thanks Scott! I definitely have my eye out for a budget-friendly copy of the Batis 40. I love the CV 40/1.2E (sunstars are terrific, even at f/2), but would be nice to get the Batis as well.
I really like all Batis lenses. The Batis 40/2 is indeed a real gem. Color output, contrasts, micro-contrasts, spatial depth, liveliness of the images, Zeiss pop...I think it's just great. When I'm on the road, I usually only have the Batis 40 with me and f2 is often enough for me. If I shoot specifically, I only take the Batis lenses with me and the rest stays at home.
