p.1 #1 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
I was wondering if there are people who have used both these two lenses and would care to share their impressions, mainly on color character.
I returned to Sony just now after selling my A7RII with Loxia 25, 35 and 50 a year ago. I wanted to go "one system" and sold the A7RII for the Nikon Z7, meaning to adapt the Loxia lenses. Long story short: I did not like them on the Z7 half as much as on the A7RII, and since the Z primes got glowing reviews, I sadly decided to sell off the Loxias. Long story short: I regretted it the whole year through.
I saw a deal on the A7RII last week, selling brandnew for €1299,- incl. tax, and I junped on it. I have sold the Z7 and have my favorite Loxia: 25mm f2.4 on the way. I want to add a 50mm lens, but I noticed the Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo, and although I liked the Loxia 50mm a lot, I flet that it was not as strong at landscapes as the Loxia 25mm, and I like to stitch 50mm panoramas. The Voigtländer is designed specifically for the Sony e-mount, and the positive experience with the Loxia 25mm (also designed ground up for the Sony e-mount) has me thinking that I should perhaps go for the set of Loxia 25 and Voigtländer 50 apo.
Only thing is: I am especially sensitive to colors, and do not like muted or retro-style colors. I find the Loxia 25 has about the nicest color of any lens I ever used. I also do not like dull color in a lens. So inshort: does the Voigtländer score high on beautiful and rich color like the Zeiss Loxia 50, or does it have a more muted color rendering? It is véry hard to judge by the images posted, since people all use different raw converters and do a lót of PP these days, incl. elaborate color grading, I like to go for almost default color, and Zeiss scores high here. Best advise would come from someone who has used these lenses side by side.
p.1 #2 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
ChrisMak wrote:
I was wondering if there are people who have used both these two lenses and would care to share their impressions, mainly on color character.
I returned to Sony just now after selling my A7RII with Loxia 25, 35 and 50 a year ago. I wanted to go "one system" and sold the A7RII for the Nikon Z7, meaning to adapt the Loxia lenses. Long story short: I did not like them on the Z7 half as much as on the A7RII, and since the Z primes got glowing reviews, I sadly decided to sell off the Loxias. Long story short: I regretted it the whole year through.
I saw a deal on the A7RII last week, selling brandnew for €1299,- incl. tax, and I junped on it. I have sold the Z7 and have my favorite Loxia: 25mm f2.4 on the way. I want to add a 50mm lens, but I noticed the Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo, and although I liked the Loxia 50mm a lot, I flet that it was not as strong at landscapes as the Loxia 25mm, and I like to stitch 50mm panoramas. The Voigtländer is designed specifically for the Sony e-mount, and the positive experience with the Loxia 25mm (also designed ground up for the Sony e-mount) has me thinking that I should perhaps go for the set of Loxia 25 and Voigtländer 50 apo.
Only thing is: I am especially sensitive to colors, and do not like muted or retro-style colors. I find the Loxia 25 has about the nicest color of any lens I ever used. I also do not like dull color in a lens. So inshort: does the Voigtländer score high on beautiful and rich color like the Zeiss Loxia 50, or does it have a more muted color rendering? It is véry hard to judge by the images posted, since people all use different raw converters and do a lót of PP these days, incl. elaborate color grading, I like to go for almost default color, and Zeiss scores high here. Best advise would come from someone who has used these lenses side by side.
Thanks! And b.t.w. great to return to MF!
Chris...Show more →
I care a lot about color as well. I've tried the Apo & I own the Loxia 50. For me the color is not even close, It's the Loxia all the way. I wouldn't describe the Apo as a lens with muted or retro-style colors, but it has a look that I'm not particularly fond of.
It all comes down to how much you care about resolution, the APO offers really nice across the frame sharpness at infinity wide open that the Loxia cannot match. Even at optimal apertures on a 40mpx body you might see the resolution (but not contrast) advantage of the APO.
p.1 #3 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
I have and use both alongside my other Loxia lenses. I think the colors of the Voigtländer are comparable to the Loxia. I like both lenses but more often grab the Voigtländer now.
p.1 #5 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
Sinasina wrote:
I care a lot about color as well. I've tried the Apo & I own the Loxia 50. For me the color is not even close, It's the Loxia all the way. I wouldn't describe the Apo as a lens with muted or retro-style colors, but it has a look that I'm not particularly fond of.
It all comes down to how much you care about resolution, the APO offers really nice across the frame sharpness at infinity wide open that the Loxia cannot match. Even at optimal apertures on a 40mpx body you might see the resolution (but not contrast) advantage of the APO. ...Show more →
Thanks, much appreciated, although it is of course not what I hoped to hear. But the overall impression that I get from looking at the images posted in threads, is that I may not like the color of the Voigtländer the same way I enjoy the color of the Loxia lenses. The Loxia 25 is flawless for my needs, I could not think of anything I could imagine improved in the look of the images. I am not a pixel peeper and do not print beyond A2. Still, the Loxia 50 is an older design, and it is not a truly strong landscape lens. Good enough for me though, and I will take it over the Voigtländer if the color is significantly more pleasing.
The Loxia line is pretty much final now, I assume.
p.1 #6 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
Bobu wrote:
I have and use both alongside my other Loxia lenses. I think the colors of the Voigtländer are comparable to the Loxia. I like both lenses but more often grab the Voigtländer now.
What you say is what I hope, but from the images I see on average, there does appear to be a difference, and in favor of the Loxia. Much I guess depends on the raw converter you use. I use Capture One. Can I ask if you shoot raw and what raw converter?
I should repeat that I favor an "open" and "optimistic" color rendering over a "serious" or "austere" color rendering. The Loxia 25mm has this beautiful open and optimistic color signature.
p.1 #7 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
ChrisMak wrote:
What you say is what I hope, but from the images I see on average, there does appear to be a difference, and in favor of the Loxia. Much I guess depends on the raw converter you use. I use Capture One. Can I ask if you shoot raw and what raw converter?
I should repeat that I favor an "open" and "optimistic" color rendering over a "serious" or "austere" color rendering. The Loxia 25mm has this beautiful open and optimistic color signature.
Yes, I shoot raw only and use LR for processing. In my opinion, the Voigtländer is regarding colors much closer to the Loxias than to many Sony lenses like 12-24,1.8/50 or 1.8/35. But rendering (also color rendering) is maybe more similar to the Loxia 85 than to the Loxia 25 and contrast is a bit lower on the Voitgländer.
p.1 #8 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
Bobu wrote:
Yes, I shoot raw only and use LR for processing. In my opinion, the Voigtländer is regarding colors much closer to the Loxias than to many Sony lenses like 12-24,1.8/50 or 1.8/35. But rendering (also color rendering) is maybe more similar to the Loxia 85 than to the Loxia 25 and contrast is a bit lower on the Voitgländer.
p.1 #9 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
I don't have the Loxia 50 but I do have the Loxia 21 and the Voigtlander 50 APO. In my opinion the CV has really good color and contrast but not quite as good as the Loxia.
p.1 #10 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
twentysevenone wrote:
I don't have the Loxia 50 but I do have the Loxia 21 and the Voigtlander 50 APO. In my opinion the CV has really good color and contrast but not quite as good as the Loxia.
Much appreciated.
I just browsed through Dustina Abott's image gallery of the Voigtländerr 50 apo, and I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised. There are quite a few landscapes, and I get the impression the Voigtlander is luckily in good territory color wise. I am willing to give in a bit on the Loxia color for extra qualities as a landscape stitching lens, just don't want to give in too much. Do you feel the Loxia 21 and Voigtländer 50apo images mix well? I intend to do my travelling with a pair of Loxia 25 and a 50mm lens.
p.1 #11 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
I've fiddled around with the Loxia 21 and CV 40 among other lenses. The Loxia is the only lens I've ever used where I've had to reduce saturation on a picture. Not to say it's oversaturated or the colors aren't good, but more of a point to say how vibrant and terrific the colors are.
The less saturated CV worked really well for skin tones, so I've kept that as my normal wall around lens.
If you like colors, go with Loxia. If you like anything else (apo, resolution, ergonomics) go with the CV.
p.1 #12 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
akashyap wrote:
I've fiddled around with the Loxia 21 and CV 40 among other lenses. The Loxia is the only lens I've ever used where I've had to reduce saturation on a picture. Not to say it's oversaturated or the colors aren't good, but more of a point to say how vibrant and terrific the colors are.
The less saturated CV worked really well for skin tones, so I've kept that as my normal wall around lens.
If you like colors, go with Loxia. If you like anything else (apo, resolution, ergonomics) go with the CV.
Thanks. For 25mm, I would not consider any other lens than the Loxia, also for wide landscapes. It is already on order, and of course, the color rendering is paramount for 25mm. I had this lens for 3 years so know it in and out. The Loxia 50 I had shorter, but still have enough images to know that I was impressed by its color. For my 50mm lens though, it is a bit more nuanced, hence the doubt which one to get, I never have used let alone owned a Voigtländer lens.
I did use the Zeiss 50mm f2 makro planar for a few years though before switching to Sony, and that lens did not have the Loxia's color, but was still a favorite lens to me. I mean to say that I can live with a little less color as long as it is safely in Loxia territory, and not in, forgive me Sony shooters, e.g. 24mm f1.4 GM territory. I really don't like to have to edit color to taste, but greatly prefer the lens to do the color job, and leave it at default. I guess that also includes micro-contrast. I have been willing to give up AF for that long ago...
p.1 #13 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
I have used both. Loxia lenses render wonderful color, probably the best I've seen. Voigtlander 50mm is a wonderful lens. I like the colors from it, probably a little less than Loxia... However, the CV 50mm is significantly better than the Loxia in every other regard. It's noticeablly sharper, much much cleaner (the Loxia 50mm has a lot of CA wide open), and it has better bokeh. I don't think you'll be disappointed by its color rendition. Some scenes will actually be rendered better by the Voigtlander.
p.1 #14 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
I also agree with the bold color output from the Loxia 50/2 which comes from its high contrast when stopped down a bit. The Voigtlander 50/2 APO has much better axial CA correction, higher resolution wide open and much smoother rendering though.
If you love the Zeiss contrast (micro-contrast) get the Loxia. If you care about smooth rendering, high resolution across the field wide open and very low CA, get the Voigt.
p.1 #16 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
I would not say that the Loxia and Voigtlander images blend well naturally, though with enough editing I'm sure you could make it blend. But I always know the Loxia shots instantly when I look through my LR catalogue.
p.1 #17 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
twentysevenone wrote:
I would not say that the Loxia and Voigtlander images blend well naturally, though with enough editing I'm sure you could make it blend. But I always know the Loxia shots instantly when I look through my LR catalogue.
That is one of the main reasons why I do not now jump instantly onto the Voigtländer, even though it is widely acknowledged as the superior lens of the two. I just received the Loxia 25mm f2.4 and there was no doubt that I wanted to re-purchase that lens. No Voigtländer lens could have prevented that. It is my favorite lens out of all lenses that I have used, and that has a lot to do with the color it produces. But I am not that partial to the Loxia 35mm and 50mm that I also owned, even though they could take beautiful images. Perhaps it's the older design on which they are based. Still, I'll settle for the Loxia 50 any day, so it's more of a luxury problem.
p.1 #18 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
I prefer the OOF rendering of the Loxia 50 too. I consider the Apo's rendering to be a bit lifeless, but I might be alone with this opinion. :-)
I could be wrong, but it feels like everyone is focusing on the great axial CA correction & exceptional sharpness too much and maybe there is a little bias when it comes to the other parameters, then again maybe I'm the biased one. These are highly subjective things & everyone has a slightly different color perception too.
p.1 #19 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
Funny to read this thread. I've owned at least 8 modern CV lenses. I generally prefer the ergo, size, speed and price to Zeiss glass, but the colors and contrast are typically subpar to Zeiss glass IMO (CV 35 1.2iii vs ZM 35 1.4, Loxia 21 vs CV 21s, CV 50 1.2 vs ZM 50/1.5 and Loxia 50, etc.) and I am not quire satisfied with CV ultimately though I can address lots of the lower contrast, color and sterility in post and they offer the best compromises often as a total package. CV lenses technically test well generally, so they are going to get a lot of attention. But I am less excited by each release, specs aside.
But even on good reviews, there's very little mention/attention to color, contrast and rendering qualities beyond measuring the typical parameters (CA, bokeh aspects, distortion, lack of SA at close distance, etc.). To me, much of a lens' uniqueness and value ultimately rest on the less measurable aspects, which seems to drive many nuts.
p.1 #20 · Voigtländer 50mm f2 apo VS Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Funny to read this thread. I've owned at least 8 modern CV lenses. I generally prefer the ergo, size, speed and price to Zeiss glass, but the colors and contrast are typically subpar to Zeiss glass IMO (CV 35 1.2iii vs ZM 35 1.4, Loxia 21 vs CV 21s, CV 50 1.2 vs ZM 50/1.5 and Loxia 50, etc.) and I am not quire satisfied with CV ultimately though I can address lots of the lower contrast, color and sterility in post and they offer the best compromises often as a total package. CV lenses technically test well generally, so they are going to get a lot of attention. But I am less excited by each release, specs aside.
But even on good reviews, there's very little mention/attention to color, contrast and rendering qualities beyond measuring the typical parameters (CA, bokeh aspects, distortion, lack of SA at close distance, etc.). To me, much of a lens' uniqueness and value ultimately rest on the less measurable aspects, which seems to drive many nuts....Show more →
I agree with you, although have to mention that I only know Voigtländer from what I see posted, I never owned a Voigtländer lens. Once I tried Zeiss lenses, I tended to stay with Zeiss even when switching systems, switching which was largely due to birding and wildlife photography. My recent adventure with Nikon has made me once again aware that if you don't truly like the images a lens/camera combination produces, no-one else is going to like them for you, even if all the reviewers in the world praise a lens and camera. It is just too subjective.
I have tried to understand and even analyze why I did not connect to my new Nikon gear, but I accepted that it was useless and pointless. 8 months was enough and I decided to do what was obvious. I will take a bit more care in future, and place the emphasis on simply liking and connecting to images again, instead of mentally determining what is the "best" lens or the "best" camera. I hope Zeiss will stay around to offer lenses that may not always measure that well, but that produce great color and contrast.
