p.6 #1 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
It never hurts to try new lenses, if they pique your interest. These two sit at opposite ends of the 85mm lens spectrum - at each end of the very wide distribution. One is hyper-modern complexity, the other is timeless tradition.
Having disparaged the Loxia 85mm for years, I have had a mea culpa moment, and now come full circle on it (the APD glass is fussy for my mountain material except in base profiles for RAWs). I will now never sell it. So, a little more on it to compensate:
I see it as the recent embodiment of classic Zeiss, and the company showed great courage in releasing it into the supercharged tech marketplace. The glass they put inside its seven elements was horrendously expensive. It had to be to achieve its slow hand, Otus-light performance.
It's marvelous for portraits (lovely for skin), architecture, flowers and nature, with just the right quantum of flaws. The hood says it means business. For a 'color' lens, BW is lovely, a fine tonal range. People will look back on this one in a decade or two.
p.6 #2 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
Just to clarify Philip’s post above. I posted a question regarding the new 85mm GMII vs Loxia 85mm f/2.4..which I have. I deleted the post after a day without reply because I thought that it was too far off topic.
Phillip’s response pretty much supports my experience. I last used this lens (Loxia 90mm) in 2019 when I traveled with a 24GM and 85mm Loxia. A few days ago I reviewed those images, because I was considering the purchase of a Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Contemporary lens, or the GMII, which is smaller than V1 (which I sold), but not small like the Sigma…but the Loxia also isn’t a small lens. So, I was contemplating selling the Loxia, but now I realize that it provides a somewhat unique rendering and I also realize that I have other ‘fast’ lenses in other systems, so it makes more sense to keep the Loxia and if I purchase another lens, I think that the 90mm Sigma from the Contemporary series makes the most sense.
p.6 #3 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
The Loxia 25 would pair well with the 85….
bwcolor wrote:
Just to clarify Philip’s post above. I posted a question regarding the new 85mm GMII vs Loxia 85mm f/2.4..which I have. I deleted the post after a day without reply because I thought that it was too far off topic.
Phillip’s response pretty much supports my experience. I last used this lens (Loxia 90mm) in 2019 when I traveled with a 24GM and 85mm Loxia. A few days ago I reviewed those images, because I was considering the purchase of a Sigma 90mm f/2.8 Contemporary lens, or the GMII, which is smaller than V1 (which I sold), but not small like the Sigma…but the Loxia also isn’t a small lens. So, I was contemplating selling the Loxia, but now I realize that it provides a somewhat unique rendering and I also realize that I have other ‘fast’ lenses in other systems, so it makes more sense to keep the Loxia and if I purchase another lens, I think that the 90mm Sigma from the Contemporary series makes the most sense....Show more →
p.6 #4 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
My feeling is don't sell a Loxia unless you hate the ergos which I do very much. But outside that the lenses are very good especially the 25 and 85 as hard to find anything better than those 2 otherwise than I moved to CV as I like the ergos are much better and like the IQ as well. Sigma/sumyang and others are always going to be a compromise in some fashion compared to Sony glass. Ive learned that lesson a long time ago but stupid me had to try everything but that's me. Today im back to CV and Sony only and frankly won't look at much else.
Now is there better Loxia 21/35/50s out there sure there are but not much is going to beat the 25/85. Put that comment in the best things I learned today.
I do like that Sigma 14-24 and 28-45 though But 3rd party can be an issue sometimes. I just gave up on that
p.6 #5 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
Funny thing Guy, my Sigma's work pretty flawlessly....while my Loxia 25 flakely pops me out of magnified view on my a7R V, as does my Loxia 85 and Loxia 21 (although not as much as the 25).
I've learned to live with that, but in terms of 3rd parties, I'm not sure the Loxias are the poster child for compatibility either.
GMPhotography wrote:
My feeling is don't sell a Loxia unless you hate the ergos which I do very much. But outside that the lenses are very good especially the 25 and 85 as hard to find anything better than those 2 otherwise than I moved to CV as I like the ergos are much better and like the IQ as well. Sigma/sumyang and others are always going to be a compromise in some fashion compared to Sony glass. Ive learned that lesson a long time ago but stupid me had to try everything but that's me. Today im back to CV and Sony only and frankly won't look at much else.
Now is there better Loxia 21/35/50s out there sure there are but not much is going to beat the 25/85. Put that comment in the best things I learned today.
I do like that Sigma 14-24 and 28-45 though But 3rd party can be an issue sometimes. I just gave up on that...Show more →
p.6 #6 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
tsdevine wrote:
The Loxia 25 would pair well with the 85….
If you mean IQ.. absolutely. Also, I find that their rendering can blend in with images taken with Hasselblads XCDv lenses. So, much to like here..BUT..
Unlike the Loxia 21mm the 25mm is more challenging to zone focus. So, when wondering around a photogenic area of Tokyo where space is close, lots of fleeting opportunities. Do you take your Loxia 25mm and set it at f/8 and manage your distance, or do you use your Batis, or other autofocus lenses in this range. So, this has me asking Loxia 25mm, or Sigma 24mm f/2.0 contemporary. My only experience is with the 24mm GM in Paris.. but both Paris and that lens are in the past.
p.6 #7 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
I don't do more slow pace landscape shooting. I can see how the Sigma would work better for that, the f/2 does look phenomenal.
bwcolor wrote:
If you mean IQ.. absolutely. Also, I find that their rendering can blend in with images taken with Hasselblads XCDv lenses. So, much to like here..BUT..
Unlike the Loxia 21mm the 25mm is more challenging to zone focus. So, when wondering around a photogenic area of Tokyo where space is close, lots of fleeting opportunities. Do you take your Loxia 25mm and set it at f/8 and manage your distance, or do you use your Batis, or other autofocus lenses in this range. So, this has me asking Loxia 25mm, or Sigma 24mm f/2.0 contemporary. My only experience is with the 24mm GM in Paris.. but both Paris and that lens are in the past....Show more →
p.6 #8 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
tsdevine wrote:
Funny thing Guy, my Sigma's work pretty flawlessly....while my Loxia 25 flakely pops me out of magnified view on my a7R V, as does my Loxia 85 and Loxia 21 (although not as much as the 25).
I've learned to live with that, but in terms of 3rd parties, I'm not sure the Loxias are the poster child for compatibility either.
Yea forgot about that but I don’t have any Loxia anymore either. lol
Sigma is the best 3rd party
Oct 14, 2024 at 12:14 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.6 #9 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
tsdevine wrote:
Funny thing Guy, my Sigma's work pretty flawlessly....while my Loxia 25 flakely pops me out of magnified view on my a7R V, as does my Loxia 85 and Loxia 21 (although not as much as the 25).
I've learned to live with that, but in terms of 3rd parties, I'm not sure the Loxias are the poster child for compatibility either.
Does it pop you out of magnified view if you have auto-magnify disabled. I have auto-magnified disabled and magnification set to the joystick and I don't think I have ever been kicked out of magnified view. Is the work around this simple or have I just not noticed the problem? I too have an A7r V.
p.6 #11 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
That doesn't help for those that have the issue, I have it disabled on my a7R V as well. (I have had it disabled from the get go as I don't like that feature.)
My Loxia 25 exhibits the problem the worst, and I have tried a few copies and they all had that issue. The Loxia 85 and 21 are better behaved.
Most of the time I can find an aperture that lets me get into magnified view long enough to focus.
bwcolor wrote:
I have auto-magnify disabled on my A7CR and all functions properly.
p.6 #12 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
That setting doesn't make a difference, I don't like auto magnify period and always have disabled it on every Sony I've had.
Steve Spencer wrote:
Does it pop you out of magnified view if you have auto-magnify disabled. I have auto-magnified disabled and magnification set to the joystick and I don't think I have ever been kicked out of magnified view. Is the work around this simple or have I just not noticed the problem? I too have an A7r V.
p.6 #15 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
This thread has been quite helpful. The many well thought out responses made it clear that there are many great lenses to pair with the A7C series. I purchased the Sigma Contemporary 17mm, 24mm & 90mm as well as the Sony 40mm G and 20-70mm f/4.0. The Sigma 17mm & 90mm are small, well built and have great optics. The 40mm Sony is the perfect lens for a small autofocus setup. My copy of the zoom was defective and returned. This leaves the Sigma 24mm f/2.0. It also is well built and good optically, but it is heavy. So, I purchased the Small Rig bottom plate and thumb grip. Then I added the Peak Design Clutch. This combination makes the added weight much more comfortable/manageable. So far, looks good, but yesterday I needed to go out in the rain and the only lens that is full water sealed was the 40mm Sony. If it were a sunny day, I would have mounted the 24mm and headed to the fair. Given that 24mm will probably be my primary focal length and that I tend to visit Asia during wetter seasons, I’m questioning my choice of Sigma for the 24mm. I did not repurchase the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM based upon weight, price and the optical hit at f/1.4. Looking back at my previous use of this lens, I didn’t usually use it wide open.
I’m now rethinking this since I added the clutch..etc. The GM is less than three ounces heavier than the Sigma. I’ve not been able to compare them at f/2.0, which would be my most used aperture (f/2.0-f/4.0). Any real world suggestions as to how they differ (Sigma vs Sony 24mm) with regards to weatherproofing..specifically in moderate rain and optics at f/2.0? Price difference is pretty cut and dry, but the real world benefit is more elusive.
p.6 #16 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
The batis 25mm f2 is weather sealed,also lighter then the sigma . bwcolor wrote:
This thread has been quite helpful. The many well thought out responses made it clear that there are many great lenses to pair with the A7C series. I purchased the Sigma Contemporary 17mm, 24mm & 90mm as well as the Sony 40mm G and 20-70mm f/4.0. The Sigma 17mm & 90mm are small, well built and have great optics. The 40mm Sony is the perfect lens for a small autofocus setup. My copy of the zoom was defective and returned. This leaves the Sigma 24mm f/2.0. It also is well built and good optically, but it is heavy. So, I purchased the Small Rig bottom plate and thumb grip. Then I added the Peak Design Clutch. This combination makes the added weight much more comfortable/manageable. So far, looks good, but yesterday I needed to go out in the rain and the only lens that is full water sealed was the 40mm Sony. If it were a sunny day, I would have mounted the 24mm and headed to the fair. Given that 24mm will probably be my primary focal length and that I tend to visit Asia during wetter seasons, I’m questioning my choice of Sigma for the 24mm. I did not repurchase the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM based upon weight, price and the optical hit at f/1.4. Looking back at my previous use of this lens, I didn’t usually use it wide open.
I’m now rethinking this since I added the clutch..etc. The GM is less than three ounces heavier than the Sigma. I’ve not been able to compare them at f/2.0, which would be my most used aperture (f/2.0-f/4.0). Any real world suggestions as to how they differ (Sigma vs Sony 24mm) with regards to weatherproofing..specifically in moderate rain and optics at f/2.0? Price difference is pretty cut and dry, but the real world benefit is more elusive....Show more →
p.6 #17 · How Do I Select The Best Light/Small 24mm/25mm Travel Lens
Garmadon wrote:
The batis 25mm f2 is weather sealed,also lighter then the sigma .
The Batis series looks great. I generally love Zeiss lenses. I’ve owned the Batis 135mm, but it was the only lens that I have ever owned that lacked an aperture ring. It is weather sealed. I started to think about the lack of weather sealing on the Sigma, so I contacted Sigma. Here is their response:
“ Thank you for contacting Sigma Corporation of America and for your interest in Sigma products.
In case of heavy rain, I’d recommend third party accessories to protect your gear : https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=camera%20rain%20cover&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps
As for the light rain, I recommend wiping the rain and moisture off the equipment and leave them indoor in a humidity control room (or a cabinet), to insure the lenses are completely dry before storing them away in the camera bag.
I hope these helps. Please let me know if you have further questions.”
Well, that didn’t ease my concerns regarding weather sealing. During my last trip to Asia, half my days were spent in rain where I left my Leica ‘M’ gear in the hotel safe. I’m thinking of returning the Sigma 24mm and picking up another Sony 24mm GM. This was suggested earlier in this thread and I’m beginning to think that it is the right choice.
