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Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

zugzwang2
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p.12 #1 · p.12 #1 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

Fred Miranda wrote:
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)

From your lips (or fingers) to Zeiss' ears.

Aug 23, 2018 at 04:47 PM

ChrisMak
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p.12 #2 · p.12 #2 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

For those using Capture One: it might help to send in a request for lens support of the Loxia 25mm. They typically release an update about every 6-8 weeks, and today's update still does not add support for the Loxia 25. I sent in my request months ago, and got the standard answer that support will depend on how many request it. So should you wish to see support in CO1 for the newest Loxia, then contact Phase One support....

Chris

Aug 28, 2018 at 07:34 AM

zugzwang2
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p.12 #3 · p.12 #3 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

ChrisMak wrote:
For those using Capture One: it might help to send in a request for lens support of the Loxia 25mm.

I, too, received a generic reply when I requested specific support for the 25mm lens a couple of weeks ago. However, the "Manufacturer Profile" at 100% corrected the mustache-style distortion quite well on my personal brick wall test. That might work for you.

Aug 28, 2018 at 09:14 AM

ChrisMak
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p.12 #4 · p.12 #4 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

zugzwang2 wrote:
I, too, received a generic reply when I requested specific support for the 25mm lens a couple of weeks ago. However, the "Manufacturer Profile" at 100% corrected the mustache-style distortion quite well on my personal brick wall test. That might work for you.

Thank you for making me aware that CO1 features manufacturers lens profiles from the raw files. I was simply not aware of that. Apparently no need to wait for a CO1 profile for the Loxia 25 after all... Although: who actually created that profile? Zeiss, Sony, or a collaboration?

Aug 28, 2018 at 09:53 AM

zugzwang2
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p.12 #5 · p.12 #5 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

Here's what Phase One has to say:

"The main difference between a Manufacturer Profile and a Capture One profile is that we additionally correct for Sharpness Falloff. This is why the slider is greyed out when using the Manufacturer option.

"The benefit of using a manufacturer profile is that any new lens is instantly supported in Capture One. For example if you are a Capture One (for Sony) user, then as soon as Sony add a new lens to their line up, you can be guaranteed we support it in Capture One. No waiting around for a new profile or having to create a profile for yourself."

The Manufacturer Profile is based on data provided by Sony.

Aug 28, 2018 at 10:14 AM

ChrisMak
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p.12 #6 · p.12 #6 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

zugzwang2 wrote:
Here's what Phase One has to say:

"The main difference between a Manufacturer Profile and a Capture One profile is that we additionally correct for Sharpness Falloff. This is why the slider is greyed out when using the Manufacturer option.

"The benefit of using a manufacturer profile is that any new lens is instantly supported in Capture One. For example if you are a Capture One (for Sony) user, then as soon as Sony add a new lens to their line up, you can be guaranteed we support it in Capture One. No waiting around for a new profile or having to...Show more →

Yes, I suppose you are right. I wass't sure in this case, as it concerns a Zeiss lens, and not a Sony/Zeiss collaboration, but I do expect that either Zeiss has provided the lens distortion data to Sony, or that Sony has meausred and profiled the lens itself for the simple reason of it being an e-mount lens for dedicated use with their FF cameras. Anyhow, it seems a very good "manufacturer" profile, and that is a good thing

Aug 28, 2018 at 10:48 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.12 #7 · p.12 #7 · 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

Yes, I love the contrast and colors from the Loxia and I'm curious to find out how it compared to the 24/1.4 GM. This could be an interesting combo.

Depending on the lighting, I do use +1.3-2.0 EV exposure bias but my metering is set to "Highlight". Basically it's as close and simple as I can get to ETTR.

Sep 25, 2018 at 02:10 PM

ChrisMak
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p.12 #8 · p.12 #8 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

Fred Miranda wrote:
Yes, I love the contrast and colors from the Loxia and I'm curious to find out how it compared to the 24/1.4 GM. This could be an interesting combo.

Depending on the lighting, I do use +1.3-2.0 EV exposure bias but my metering is set to "Highlight". Basically it's as close and simple as I can get to ETTR.

Yes, I read about the A7rIII having the Highlight metering mode. I am still on the A7rII, so I did not understand the +2.0 ev.
I will follow the reviews of the GM 24mm1.4, and of course hope Sony has delivered a great lens, but it will not be for me. With the Loxias 25-35-50, I have found peace. They have most likely ended my gear changing routines for general shooting for good. I will only be adding a 85mm lens later on. I am fully into portability and useability lately, and so did not get the Loxia 85mm: too big and heavy.
That does not mean I'm done though. My Pentax wildlife/birding set-up (K3II + DA560/5.6) wants to go

So I am scanning your forums for anything on the new Nikon 500mm f5.6, and the rumored Sony super high end APSC camera.

Chris

Sep 25, 2018 at 04:28 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.12 #9 · p.12 #9 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

As an alternative to the Lox 85, there is always the much smaller and lighter ZM 85 which is superb if f/4 is enough for you.

ChrisMak wrote:
Yes, I read about the A7rIII having the Highlight metering mode. I am still on the A7rII, so I did not understand the +2.0 ev.
I will follow the reviews of the GM 24mm1.4, and of course hope Sony has delivered a great lens, but it will not be for me. With the Loxias 25-35-50, I have found peace. They have most likely ended my gear changing routines for general shooting for good. I will only be adding a 85mm lens later on. I am fully into portability and useability lately, and so did not get the Loxia 85mm: too big...Show more →

Sep 25, 2018 at 04:46 PM

Michael Gordon
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p.12 #10 · p.12 #10 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

I wonder if I jumped the gun with the Loxia. I like the rendering but want to use it for landscape and astro-landscape. I am very curious as to how the new 24/1.4 will compare which would seem to be a better astro lens.

Sep 27, 2018 at 11:43 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.12 #11 · p.12 #11 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

Michael Gordon wrote:
I wonder if I jumped the gun with the Loxia. I like the rendering but want to use it for landscape and astro-landscape. I am very curious as to how the new 24/1.4 will compare which would seem to be a better astro lens.

I will definitely test that Michael.

Sep 27, 2018 at 12:35 PM

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p.12 #12 · p.12 #12 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

Fred Miranda wrote:
I will definitely test that Michael.

Super. Anxiously await your assessment.

Sep 27, 2018 at 01:37 PM

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p.12 #13 · p.12 #13 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

zugzwang2 wrote:
Here's what Phase One has to say:

"The main difference between a Manufacturer Profile and a Capture One profile is that we additionally correct for Sharpness Falloff. This is why the slider is greyed out when using the Manufacturer option.

"The benefit of using a manufacturer profile is that any new lens is instantly supported in Capture One. For example if you are a Capture One (for Sony) user, then as soon as Sony add a new lens to their line up, you can be guaranteed we support it in Capture One. No waiting around for a new profile or having to...Show more →

I don't think the manufacturer profile is based on data provided by Sony in one sense.
I *think* it comes with the metadata in the file, and that that data in turn comes from the firmware in an E mount lens.
So if it's a Zeiss lens, that data will come from Zeiss.

Sep 27, 2018 at 05:52 PM

ChrisMak
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p.12 #14 · p.12 #14 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

DavidBM wrote:
I don't think the manufacturer profile is based on data provided by Sony in one sense.
I *think* it comes with the metadata in the file, and that that data in turn comes from the firmware in an E mount lens.
So if it's a Zeiss lens, that data will come from Zeiss.

I was wondering about that also. It seems plausible that the distortion profile is indeed supplied by Zeiss, and that should be a very good measurement hard to best by Phase One measuring the lens itself.
Perhaps Phase One even uses the manufacturer distortion data for its own profile, only adding sharpness fall-off correction. It does not matter, using the manufacturer profile works very well, and I never use the sharpness fall-off feature anyhow.

Sep 28, 2018 at 05:40 AM

DaveFP
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p.12 #15 · p.12 #15 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

Fred Miranda wrote:
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...Show more →

I actually bought the 28/2 ZE for its field curvature.

Nov 20, 2018 at 08:20 PM

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p.12 #16 · p.12 #16 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

Field curvature is very much a two-edged blade in wide angles, some images look terrific with minimal FC, others come alive with even extravagant FC and display great image depth as the image shapes and clarifies objects around the axis. I've long thought CZ deliberately aimed for FC in their 28s, and many have few complaints about the CY 28/2.8. I'm guessing many agree with Dave re the later series as well. For kicks, here is the center performance of the CY D28/2.8 and the Loxia 25/2.4, both at f5.6. A simple 7/7 config, the CY 28/2.8 was a 1975 design.

CY 28/2.8 @ f5.6 ahead of large FC onset

Loxia 25/2.4 @ f5.6, very little FC

Nov 20, 2018 at 08:51 PM

DaveFP
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p.12 #17 · p.12 #17 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

philip_pj wrote:
Field curvature is very much a two-edged blade in wide angles, some images look terrific with minimal FC, others come alive with even extravagant FC and display great image depth as the image shapes and clarifies objects around the axis. I've long thought CZ deliberately aimed for FC in their 28s, and many have few complaints about the CY 28/2.8. I'm guessing many agree with Dave re the later series as well. For kicks, here is the center performance of the CY D28/2.8 and the Loxia 25/2.4, both at f5.6. A simple 7/7 config, the CY 28/2.8 was a 1975...Show more →

Yes; The FC can be a lot of fun when that sort of rendering is desired. Stopped down it does quite well.

Certainly more characterful than the Sony 28/2 and currently deeply discounted!

Nov 20, 2018 at 08:59 PM

darrellc
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p.12 #18 · p.12 #18 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

I grabbed at ZE 28/2 in great condition in my local shop for $450 precisely to experiment with the FC and in hopes it has the CY 28/2 “Hollywood” DNA in it. Plus I needed a lens for the MC11 adapter I picked up for $149 without having a single EF mount in my stable! GAS begets GAS! Use case is close up environmental portraits of my kids and grab shots while walking around town with them.

Nov 20, 2018 at 09:09 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.12 #19 · p.12 #19 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

DaveFP wrote:
I actually bought the 28/2 ZE for its field curvature.

Same here. For a couple years, I used the 28/2 ZF for landscapes and could achieve great sharpness at infinity and close foreground even at f/5.6, thanks for its moderate field curvature.

Nov 21, 2018 at 09:14 AM

GMPhotography
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p.12 #20 · p.12 #20 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons

I’m sitting with 15 ,21,35,50 and the 35/50 are a little close. Rather have a 28 and frankly I love the look of the CV 50 1.2. If memory serves me the CV 28 you can’t shim it and getting infinity is near impossible with a PCX. I have a PCX 5000 now and wondering what 28 might be worth a try. The M to E adapter I got from Fred might actually pull it off and maybe worth a try. I could rent the CV 28 and try it. Any ideas here

Nov 21, 2018 at 09:32 AM

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