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Anyone still using loxia 35/50

lensfan
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p.3 #1 · p.3 #1 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

A thing about Loxia 35 not being talked about enough is its focus ring. Closest to perfection among the lenses I tried. Loxia 35 definitely tops my list. Maybe some Leica's M-glass has smoother focusing but this is the most pleasant focus I had on E-mount natively.
Aperture ring is joy to manipulate as well.

May 25, 2023 at 08:42 PM

shac
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p.3 #2 · p.3 #2 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

I find it an excellent lens

ILCE-7RM3 ZEISS Loxia 2/35 lens 35mm f/5.0 1/100s 200 ISO +0.3 EV

ILCE-7RM3 ZEISS Loxia 2/35 lens 35mm f/8.0 1/250s 200 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-7RM3 ZEISS Loxia 2/35 lens 35mm f/4.5 1/320s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

May 26, 2023 at 12:46 PM

IndyFab
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p.3 #3 · p.3 #3 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

Both shots were test shots when I picked them up

35 f6.3

50 f9

May 26, 2023 at 05:13 PM

Jman13
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p.3 #4 · p.3 #4 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

I may get lambasted for this, but when I reviewed the Loxia 35mm, I found it to be one of the most disappointing lenses I think I've ever used.

I love Zeiss glass, and a new, beautifully constructed, compact line of lenses was very exciting, and then I used the 35mm, and found it simply incredibly underwhelming.

That doesn't mean it's not a somewhat useful lens. Stopped down, it was very nice, with excellent color and contrast, but wide open I found it nearly identical to the Canon FD 35mm f/2. Same ugly rough gumdrop bokeh. Similar sharpness (which was fine, but not amazing at wide apertures). And yet Zeiss was charging over $1,300 for this lens, which literally offered me nothing except EXIF data transfer over the FD 35/2, which can be found for between $200-300.

It's not a bad lens, it's just horrifically overpriced for the performance you get. For $1,300+, for a 35/2, it needs to be significantly better than it is. It's especially disappointing when you consider how incredible the 21/2.8 Loxia is.

May 26, 2023 at 06:07 PM

lensfan
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p.3 #5 · p.3 #5 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

Jman13 wrote:
I may get lambasted for this, but when I reviewed the Loxia 35mm, I found it to be one of the most disappointing lenses I think I've ever used.

I love Zeiss glass, and a new, beautifully constructed, compact line of lenses was very exciting, and then I used the 35mm, and found it simply incredibly underwhelming.

That doesn't mean it's not a somewhat useful lens. Stopped down, it was very nice, with excellent color and contrast, but wide open I found it nearly identical to the Canon FD 35mm f/2. Same ugly rough gumdrop bokeh. Similar sharpness (which was...Show more →

I had the same impression initially. Wide open on a sunny day it disappoints/far from perfect/has lots of character. Good thing, usually there is no need to use it wide open when there is a lot of sun. Mechanics of this lens is probably my favorite among other lenses I tried on the platform. And today I love the character this lens adds to pictures.

I have Loxia 21 - its focus ring is too stiff for my taste. Loxia 35 has lots of edge here.

I tend to pick it up over CV 35APO which is technically a much better lens but lacks handling and imperfections of Loxia 35 which I learned to like.

Is it overpriced? Yes. Can get it used for a reasonable price.

May 26, 2023 at 08:06 PM

MKRhodes
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p.3 #6 · p.3 #6 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

Aside from the atrocious coma I love the way the 35mm Loxia renders wide open once you know how to work around that limitation. It is very sharp in the center and then rapidly falls off in a way that is very beautiful. And then when you stop it down to just f/2.8 it tightens up and becomes sparkling sharp all over. At 400 used it's a hell of a bargain. These shots are all wide open at f/2:

May 26, 2023 at 11:52 PM

ChrisMak
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p.3 #7 · p.3 #7 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

Currently, Zeiss is running a €200,- cashback on the Loxia 35 where I live, which brings down the price to 600,- brandnew.
I will be picking up a copy, after having sold my first one two years ago.
The Loxia 35 has a unique rendering, just avoid f2 and stop down to f2.8 at least, and from f5.6 onwards, it is brutally sharp and contrasty, but in a very detailed and colorfull way.

I owned the Sony 35GM for a year, and although a superior lens technically, I prefer the look of the Loxia 35 somehow. The 35GM images were highend and perfect, but left me rather cold otherwise, whilst the Loxia 35 images have a look that, once appreciated, makes me enjoy the images more.

One thing is for sure though, the Loxia 35 produces images that are far from boring, which tends to be more objectionable to me than not meeting modern technical specs. I have to admit that I am susceptable to getting bored with photography when a lens misses something regarding contrast, color and overall rendering.
The 35GM was not a boring lens, but was too perfect for me. The Loxia lenses strike a good balance between technical quality of glass and coatings, and just that immersive look.

May 28, 2023 at 09:30 AM

FMTopFan
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p.3 #8 · p.3 #8 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

Sure, the Loxia 35mm doesn't test well, but it has a "Zeiss magic" that I can't reproduce using other 35mm lenses that I have, which include 1.4 ZA, 2.8 ZA, 1.2 DG DN, 2.0 DG DN, and RX1R II.

I am not saying Loxia 35mm is better than others, but it has a rendering that is very unique.

Please let me know if you like the following photo, taken of course, on the Loxia 35mm:


	© FMTopFan 2023

May 28, 2023 at 10:11 PM

chiron
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p.3 #9 · p.3 #9 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

FMTopFan wrote:
Sure, the Loxia 35mm doesn't test well, but it has a "Zeiss magic" that I can't reproduce using other 35mm lenses that I have, which include 1.4 ZA, 2.8 ZA, 1.2 DG DN, 2.0 DG DN, and RX1R II.

I am not saying Loxia 35mm is better than others, but it has a rendering that is very unique.

Please let me know if you like the following photo, taken of course, on the Loxia 35mm:

Excellent photo, in my view. I'm just looking at a book of photos by Harry Gruyaert--yours is in the same tradition.

May 28, 2023 at 10:19 PM

FMTopFan
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p.3 #10 · p.3 #10 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

chiron wrote:
Excellent photo, in my view. I'm just looking at a book of photos by Harry Gruyaert--yours is in the same tradition.

Thanks for your feedback.

Harry Gruyaert is an amazing photographer who has full mastery of color, light, subjects, composition. I wonder what FL or camera/lens combo he used.

May 29, 2023 at 10:51 AM

chiron
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p.3 #11 · p.3 #11 · Anyone still using loxia 35/50

FMTopFan wrote:
Thanks for your feedback.

Harry Gruyaert is an amazing photographer who has full mastery of color, light, subjects, composition. I wonder what FL or camera/lens combo he used.

I believe that until 2003 he used a Leica. When his gear was stolen in that year, he replaced the Leica but also purchased a Canon EOS. He shoots mostly 50mm. I like his work a lot.

May 29, 2023 at 12:35 PM

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