p.13 #1 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
I'm trying a 15, 21, 28, 40, 65, 110 (some day) gapping strategy. So far I'm happy with it.
However much people complain about not having a 35/1.8.....28mm is even more of an issue from a choice perspective.
-Tim
GMPhotography wrote:
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 09:59 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.13 #2 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
GMPhotography wrote:
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
How small does it have to be Guy? If less than 500g is ok and still a pretty small package, I think the Leica R 28 f/2.8 last edition with the built-in hood is still a very good option and you don't have to fiddle with the PCX. They have come down in price recently (you can get them for $1,400 to $1,500 with patience), but IMO still not a very good value. The value lens that performs excellently is the Pentax K 28 f/3.5 that tsdevine has used extensively and shown just how well it can work. If you go down the Leica M mount rabbit hole there are many Leica versions and you will likely need a PCX and they won't be cheaper than the R lens really once you add that. The very best option optically is probably the Leica M 28 f/1.4 with a PCX. It works quite well without a PCX even (I had it for a couple of years before it was stolen), but it is a very expensive lens (even used you will be lucky to find it for $5,000). The pre-asph elmarits version III and IV are worth considering if you want smaller they are close to the performance of the R lens and may well be able to match it with a PCX, but I haven't seen those results. Man, we really need someone to make a small and excellent 28mm for Sony FE.
Personally, I love the Loxia 25, and I have been quite happy with it. Despite that, however, I wish it was a 28 which would fit better between my Loxia 21 and my CV 40.
p.13 #3 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Thanks Steve. I know the 28 options are not plenty. I’m not in a hurry to do anything to be honest. It’s more my kit than a work kit. So really no restrictions. My AF kit is built really nice so the pressure is off there. Although I want the Batis 40 im just waiting to see on it. But my Guy kit is more the travel and personal work now.
p.13 #4 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
As Steve notes, I use the SMC Pentax 28mm f/3.5 K which I'm perfectly happy with at stopped down apertures. (I actually "like" it....it's not a case of it's the best I can do so live with it.) I had the FE 35/2.8 in my bag, but it's too close to 28 and that's where I started to think about 40mm. I'm just not 100% sure the CV is the route I want to go as I predominantly shoot landscapes. So I'm using a Canon 40mm STM as a guinea pig to verify I like the gapping first. Someone in another thread mentioned that as a good option around 35/40 and I thought in my testing a while back that it had a slight mid zone dip. But in retesting I was surprised how well it worked.
If I don't go with the CV, then I think about the Batis 40....but that has it's own set of issues. So I may be using the Pentax/Canon approach for a while unless some other options free up. I thought about the Loxia 25....but that gapping seems too tight (as Steve mentions.)
Here are 3 shots from a few days back, the Pentax and Canon shots are from similar angles. The Loxia 21 is same subject from a different angle. I know it's not related to this thread topic, so I apologize in advance. They are nothing great, just some playing around.
p.13 #5 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
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.
Adapted on Sony or nativ on Canikon? I am thinking about buying the lens because of the very pronounced FC and the possibilities for close up work. But a lot of reviews are stating that the corners are really bad @f8 and higher, that would be a nogo for me...
p.13 #6 · Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon Tests and Comparisons
Gunzorro wrote:
Personally, I like to take the 24-105 with the Loxia 21 on many occasions (usually two bodies). That's a great combo for nature walks and remote areas.
(I also like taking the 12-24G with Loxia 35 (or 50) for times I encounter BIG subjects, along with more intimate details or settings.)
Late to this thread but I think that is the combo I am going to try for my hiking. I am doing that today. Either that or the 24-105 and Batis 18 which I tried last hike.
