p.11 #4 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Fred Miranda wrote:
I much prefer shooting with the Lox 25 instead of 21mm as a walkaround lens.
Here is colorful Tallinn:
Seems you like the Loxia 25 Fred! The Loxia 25 is my first Loxia that has the familiar classic Zeiss rendering of the ZF.2 25/2, 28/2, 35/2 and even the 85/1.4. It's nice to have that rendering again with native Loxia, but with better color, better clarity and detail (less abberations).
Perfect companion to the Loxia 50 for a portable two lens travel kit!
B.t.w. I notice that you systematically add 1.7-2.0 EV exposure. How do you edit your images? I assume they look rather horrid upon opening, or do you import with a -1.7 EV preset?
p.11 #5 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
ChrisMak wrote:
Seems you like the Loxia 25 Fred! The Loxia 25 is my first Loxia that has the familiar classic Zeiss rendering of the ZF.2 25/2, 28/2, 35/2 and even the 85/1.4. It's nice to have that rendering again with native Loxia, but with better color, better clarity and detail (less abberations).
Perfect companion to the Loxia 50 for a portable two lens travel kit!
B.t.w. I notice that you systematically add 1.7-2.0 EV exposure. How do you edit your images? I assume they look rather horrid upon opening, or do you import with a -1.7 EV preset?
Chris
I agree Chris, its micro-contrast reminds me of the 25/2 and Distagon 28/2 classics. As a bonus is has low distortion and superb OOF rendering. I could not be happier with this 25mm lens and the size is just about right. I like combining it with either CV 40/1.2 or CV 65/2 depending on the shooting.
p.11 #7 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
I agree this is a great lens that fits really well with the 21. I sold my 25 a while ago (in favor of a Milvus 25/1.4 that I can use with a tilt adapter) but ended up buying it back recently as I improved my focus stack methods so they can be used in more situations.
Both Loxia 21 and 25 on A7rx provide incredible IQ that exceeds that of the classic Zeiss 21/25 lenses that set wide angle standards just a few short years ago, and do so in a very small go anywhere form-factor.
p.11 #9 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Fred, I remember you praising the Zeiss f/2 ZF Distagon in several fora. Given your preference for the 28 mm Focal Length vs 25 FL, I wonder why (IQ - Rendering reasons) do you prefer (I suppose) use the Loxia 25 instead of the Zeiss ZF?
p.11 #10 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Enri wrote:
Fred, I remember you praising the Zeiss f/2 ZF Distagon in several fora. Given your preference for the 28 mm Focal Length vs 25 FL, I wonder why (IQ - Rendering reasons) do you prefer (I suppose) use the Loxia 25 instead of the Zeiss ZF?
The Loxia 25/2.4 is one of the best 25mm lenses I've ever tried. (If not the best)
Technically it's way superior than the ZF 28/2 Distagon. Less aberration(s), less field curvature, higher resolution (especially towards the edges). The ZF really needs f/9 for the corners to be decent (even focusing on them) while the Loxia 25 is already great at f/2.4!!
What they have in common is high micro-contrast. Both outstanding.
Honestly I was hoping for a Loxia 28 since I prefer this FL for landscapes as a complement to my Loxia 21.
As it is right now, the Loxia 25 replaced both my 21 and 28mm lenses (I still own the Lox 21 though) and I'm happy with the 15/25 gap. However, if Zeiss releases a Loxia 28, things may change.
p.11 #11 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Fred Miranda wrote:
I much prefer shooting with the Lox 25 instead of 21mm as a walkaround lens.
Here is colorful Tallinn:
Fred - awesome photos (regardless of whatever lens you were using).
and, i have to say, i'm blown away at you guys that can use MF as a 'walk around' !!
the batis 25 is really nice, except for the 2 things you always bring up (axial CA and onion rings).
Curious to see what the 24GM and batis 40 are like - i could see switching to: 24GM / B40 / 85GM and get rid of my Zony 50/1.4.....
p.11 #12 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
ecarlino wrote:
Fred - awesome photos (regardless of whatever lens you were using).
and, i have to say, i'm blown away at you guys that can use MF as a 'walk around' !!
the batis 25 is really nice, except for the 2 things you always bring up (axial CA and onion rings).
Curious to see what the 24GM and batis 40 are like - i could see switching to: 24GM / B40 / 85GM and get rid of my Zony 50/1.4.....
Thank you!
I think you may enjoy shooting at 40mm. It's like having a 35mm and 50mm in one where you still can do environment portraits while still having a 'normal' lens. That's the gap I am currently shooting but with MF lenses. Lox 25 / CV 40 / Lox 85.
If the new 24/1.4 GM renders like the 85/1.4, it will be hard to resist.
p.11 #13 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
So I joined the Batis 25/Loxia 25 club. I'd say the difference between them is certainly more subtle than between the Batis 85/Loxia 85. I think you do need to be a little crazy to own both. But I need the Batis for its AF, and I wanted to fill out my Loxia kit, so here I am!
Here's a bokeh shot. I think this is quite good for a wide angle, and certainly a key difference vs. the Batis.
p.11 #14 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
MrTMan wrote:
So I joined the Batis 25/Loxia 25 club. I'd say the difference between them is certainly more subtle than between the Batis 85/Loxia 85. I think you do need to be a little crazy to own both. But I need the Batis for its AF, and I wanted to fill out my Loxia kit, so here I am!
Here's a bokeh shot. I think this is quite good for a wide angle, and certainly a key difference vs. the Batis.
Never said I wasn’t half baked to begin with. It’s a little crazy.
p.11 #15 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
MrTMan wrote:
So I joined the Batis 25/Loxia 25 club. I'd say the difference between them is certainly more subtle than between the Batis 85/Loxia 85.
Even though I'm not in the club (), I've shot with both lenses and to me, the difference between Lox and Batis 25 are more noticeable than Lox and Batis 85, especially when it comes to aberration and flare control.
p.11 #16 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Not interested in the 25mm FL but I'm a candidate for a Loxia 28, especially if it performs like the L21. Until that happy day, I'm now limping along with the Nikkor 28/1.4E. Limping not because it underperforms in any way but because it's so damn heavy!
Aug 18, 2018 at 06:56 PM
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p.11 #17 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Fred Miranda wrote:
Even though I'm not in the club (), I've shot with both lenses and to me, the difference between Lox and Batis 25 are more noticeable than Lox and Batis 85, especially when it comes to aberration and flare control.
Owning all four lenses, I agree for aberration and flare control, but I think the 85s are more different in bokeh and distortion. Overall, I think the 85s differ more than the 25s, but that is pretty subjective. Both series of lenses are very good, but they are quite different lines. Both series of lenses have also improved, IMO, as new lenses have come out. The Loxia 21, 25, and 85 are at a higher level in my view than the 35 and 50 which were based on older designs. For the Batis I think the 18 and 135 are stars (and I am hoping the new 40 will be as well). If this increase in quality in both lines is real, then it isn't too surprising that the biggest differences would be between the 25s and 85s, where the Batis were early lenses and the Loxia were later lenses.
p.11 #19 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Steve Spencer wrote:
The Loxia 21, 25, and 85 are at a higher level in my view than the 35 and 50 which were based on older designs.
Yes, I have to agree. I thought the Loxia 50 would do, replacing the 50 makro planar.
But using the Loxia 25 and Loxia 50 in tandem, the Loxia 25 clearly is a lens that stands out more. A Loxia 40 of similar quality (new design) would eventually be a more attractive complement to the Loxia 25, than the 35 and 50 that I have now. Perhaps Zeiss will also see this in due time, and replace the 35 and 50 with a newer higher performing design.
p.11 #20 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
ChrisMak wrote:
Yes, I have to agree. I thought the Loxia 50 would do, replacing the 50 makro planar.
But using the Loxia 25 and Loxia 50 in tandem, the Loxia 25 clearly is a lens that stands out more. A Loxia 40 of similar quality (new design) would eventually be a more attractive complement to the Loxia 25, than the 35 and 50 that I have now. Perhaps Zeiss will also see this in due time, and replace the 35 and 50 with a newer higher performing design.
Chris
Although Zeiss initially started their line-up porting existing designs, it's very possible they follow the current Batis FL's gap and release a Loxia 40/2 in the future. (Competing with the faster CV 40/1.2)
as I improved my focus stack methods so they can be used in more situations. 
), I've shot with both lenses and to me, the difference between Lox and Batis 25 are more noticeable than Lox and Batis 85, especially when it comes to aberration and flare control.