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Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

mkuznicki
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

I've been reading a lot of threads about the Loxia 25 recently, but there don't seem to be many that are recent. I've been able to find a few sample photos in the image thread, but even those are few and far between. So I'm wondering if anyone has any recent experiences or opinions they'd like to share. Are you generally happy with the lens? Was it difficult to find a properly centered version? Have you switched to or from the Loxia 25 from another lens of a similar focal length? If so, why? Have you experienced the live view problem when focusing? What do you like and dislike about the lens? At this point, I'm looking more for general experiences and viewpoints than test data.

As background, I currently have the Loxia 21 that I pair with an A1 (I have not experienced the live view problem). I'm just looking for something a bit longer, but not as long as a 35.

Feb 10, 2024 at 09:20 AM

tsdevine
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

I love mine, more than my Loxia 21. Took me quite a while to find a centered one. I have the live view issue with it, and that’s the only negative I can come up with.

mkuznicki wrote:
I've been reading a lot of threads about the Loxia 25 recently, but there don't seem to be many that are recent. I've been able to find a few sample photos in the image thread, but even those are few and far between. So I'm wondering if anyone has any recent experiences or opinions they'd like to share. Are you generally happy with the lens? Was it difficult to find a properly centered version? Have you switched to or from the Loxia 25 from another lens of a similar focal length? If so, why? Have you experienced the live view...Show more →

Feb 10, 2024 at 09:29 AM

graytrekker
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

Like Tim, I love mine. It is well centered (I think) and was not aware that might be an issue until now. I believe it is the best of the Loxia series and the MTF charts seem to bear that out. (the 85 is pretty good, too).

I also have the 21, which is also very good, but not quite to the same level as my 25. Many may say there is too much overlap to keep both. Obviously, I am not one of those

. I will usually only use the 21 if I need a bit wider than 25. However, when backpacking and have to keep weight down, I'll take the 21 over the 25 (plus the 24-105 zoom).

Feb 10, 2024 at 10:01 AM

Aztatlan
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

I don’t have an opinion other than to say I want one and would buy one if I could find a reasonably priced used example locally. Have not seen one for sale any price in a long time near me, let alone reasonably priced.

Feb 10, 2024 at 05:28 PM

billsnature
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

I have one and I like it a lot. It is well centered and I like it much more than the Loxia 21 which I sold. In fact I have owned the Loxia 21 35 and 50mm and sold all of them. The 25 is special enough to stay and not be replaced by a Voigtlander APO.

I have found a work around for the magnifier issue which is to set one of your buttons to magnify and turn the magnifier on before starting to focus. It will stay on until you turn it off.

Feb 10, 2024 at 06:52 PM

tsdevine
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

I have the magnifier set to a button, push it, then focus....and it often pops out. My Loxia 25 and 21 are worse than my 85.

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're describing.

billsnature wrote:
I have one and I like it a lot. It is well centered and I like it much more than the Loxia 21 which I sold. In fact I have owned the Loxia 21 35 and 50mm and sold all of them. The 25 is special enough to stay and not be replaced by a Voigtlander APO.

I have found a work around for the magnifier issue which is to set one of your buttons to magnify and turn the magnifier on before starting to focus. It will stay on until you turn it off.

Feb 10, 2024 at 07:48 PM

billsnature
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

Maybe I have just been lucky

I have the issue intermittently if I just use focus without entering magnification by button first, but I have not been having the issue at all when I go through the button route. Don't know what to say.

Feb 10, 2024 at 09:18 PM

tsdevine
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

No, hey if it works for you, that's great. I've never used the auto magnification feature, I've alway used a button. I'll play closer attention to what I'm doing, to make sure I'm not focusing a bit before entering magnified view.

billsnature wrote:
Maybe I have just been lucky

Feb 10, 2024 at 09:26 PM

mkuznicki
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

Lots of good information here. Thanks to everyone who contributed so far.

Question about availability on the used market. @Aztatlan mentions above that he can't find one locally (Australia). That might not be a surprise, but I am surprised by how little turnover there is here and on ebay. Is that because there just aren't that many out there, or because everyone likes theirs so much they're unwilling to part? Or a combination of both?

Feb 11, 2024 at 09:32 AM

tsdevine
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

Never going to part with mine, it's the best 24/25mm landscape lens I've ever used.

Feb 11, 2024 at 12:25 PM

zeitlos
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

Is it better than the Sony GM 24?

Feb 11, 2024 at 12:42 PM

tsdevine
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

It’s better than my GM 24/1.4 for landscape.

zeitlos wrote:
Is it better than the Sony GM 24?

Feb 11, 2024 at 12:55 PM

chrisd999
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

I had the Loxia 25mm until recently. It was great for landscape. Sharpness, rendering and colours were excellent, as good as any lens I have used. Unlike others, I didn't have any issues with the aperture during live view, so my copy was excellent. As good as it was, I sold it recently, only because I have too many lenses covering or close to that focal length.

Feb 11, 2024 at 01:29 PM

j4nu
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

zeitlos wrote:
Is it better than the Sony GM 24?

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1568815/0#14649857

Tested on 42 MPix, quite thoroughly

Feb 11, 2024 at 01:59 PM

SomtinWong
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

Reflections on the Quarry by Photography by Jamison, on Flickr
I have all the Loxia.. the 21 was my favorite until I got the 25. the focal length seems to work better in most situations for me. the 21 sits in a desk drawer but I cant part with it.

Feb 11, 2024 at 02:19 PM

Grenache
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

I have and greatly enjoy the 24GM. I never imagined intentionally using a ~25mm lens wider than f/2.8, but I do that with the lens often. It is lovely, and I use it for landscapes all the time.

I also have the Zeiss ZF.2 25/2. This lens is witheringly sharp and has great 3D character. I particularly like this one for BW and 720nm infrared. The two lenses compliment each other well.

The Loxia 25 is a lovely lens and sits about halfway between these two in terms of character. I have had one in my cart at B&H more than once but eventually clear it. If I did not already have the ZF, I would totally pick one up.

Jim

Feb 11, 2024 at 04:51 PM

Chris_88
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Recent thoughts/opinions on Loxia 25?

Grenache wrote:
I have and greatly enjoy the 24GM. I never imagined intentionally using a ~25mm lens wider than f/2.8, but I do that with the lens often. It is lovely, and I use it for landscapes all the time.

I also have the Zeiss ZF.2 25/2. This lens is witheringly sharp and has great 3D character. I particularly like this one for BW and 720nm infrared. The two lenses compliment each other well.

The Loxia 25 is a lovely lens and sits about halfway between these two in terms of character. I have had one in my cart at B&H more than once...Show more →

+1

I too have had a mint Loxia in my cart once or twice, but didn't buy it, convincing myself that the Loxia 21 and CV 35 would suffice. That's the rational choice, but sometimes I still itch for an MF prime in between. The 28mm options are not to my liking, which always brings me back to the Loxia 25.

Feb 11, 2024 at 06:05 PM


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