Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
p.2 #1Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
mudlake wrote:
I didn’t look at the exif data on the third lens but I’m guessing it’s the Loxia 25 based on the field of view and comments you’ve made over the years.
Yeah, it wasn't a huge secret...I was guessing someone would have an easy time of it.
I didn’t look at the exif data on the third lens but I’m guessing it’s the Loxia 25 based on the field of view and comments you’ve made over the years.
Yeah, it wasn't a huge secret...I was guessing someone would have an easy time of it.
Nov 24, 2025 at 07:13 PM
p.2 #2Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
Where is the Typoch influencer when you really need him? He usually floods every thread with his lecturing monologues, but here? Strange. Or is it logical?
Nov 25, 2025 at 08:25 AM
p.2 #3Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
Nifty Fifty wrote:
Where is the Typoch influencer when you really need him? He usually floods every thread with his lecturing monologues, but here? Strange. Or is it logical?
I'm definitely not trying to pick a fight with anyone, just trying to reel things back to a bit of a more methodical/objective comparison of equipment.
Where is the Typoch influencer when you really need him? He usually floods every thread with his lecturing monologues, but here? Strange. Or is it logical?
I'm definitely not trying to pick a fight with anyone, just trying to reel things back to a bit of a more methodical/objective comparison of equipment.
Nov 25, 2025 at 09:51 AM
p.2 #4Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
That’s hilarious! Well done!
Also, in cases where two things can be perceived to be different from one another, it is not always that case that one is superior and the other is inferior — sometimes they are just… different.
Kalainen wrote:
Both photographs are competent, even appealing at a casual glance. But hold them side by side for longer than a heartbeat and the underlying optical philosophies begin to reveal themselves.
One of the images presents a kind of engineered cleanliness. The edges bite a little too eagerly, micro-contrast is almost combative, and the transition zone has that familiar aspherical “snap” where mid-distance detail collapses prematurely into an undifferentiated wash. It’s technically impressive, yes, but visually brittle. You can practically sense the design brief: maximum correction, minimum forgiveness.
The other image approaches the scene differently. The air between planes remains intact. Objects recede...Show more →
Also, in cases where two things can be perceived to be different from one another, it is not always that case that one is superior and the other is inferior — sometimes they are just… different.
Kalainen wrote:
Both photographs are competent, even appealing at a casual glance. But hold them side by side for longer than a heartbeat and the underlying optical philosophies begin to reveal themselves.
One of the images presents a kind of engineered cleanliness. The edges bite a little too eagerly, micro-contrast is almost combative, and the transition zone has that familiar aspherical “snap” where mid-distance detail collapses prematurely into an undifferentiated wash. It’s technically impressive, yes, but visually brittle. You can practically sense the design brief: maximum correction, minimum forgiveness.
The other image approaches the scene differently. The air between planes remains intact. Objects recede...Show more →
I respect Philips work and style of writing, even the attempt to push how we see and value lenses, aesthetically and intellectually interesting, but we really needed to have this reality check – just to keep our feet on the ground. Often I feel I would love to hear more about the people and places, the context, when I see Philips pictures. Nov 25, 2025 at 09:55 AM
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p.2 #5Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
tsdevine wrote:
So the cat's out of the bag.
"A" - Simera 28mm f/1.4 in E mount
"B" - Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art
Maybe if I get free time over the holidays, I'll do some comparisons at wider apertures.
You can see the reason im not a big proponent of fast lenses for landscape. The Simera isn't that heavy but you still need more than one lens. Also Simera probably best before f/8, probably Sigma too
Nov 25, 2025 at 11:10 AM
p.2 #6Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Nov 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
p.2 #7Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
There weren't any major changes in processing between "A" and "B". I did leave the distortion/vignetting correction on for "B" and I tried to correct for vignetting in "A" as best I could, but there was no distortion correction involved. they both were sharpened the same, etc.
RustyRus wrote:
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Nov 25, 2025 at 11:45 AM
p.2 #8Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
RustyRus wrote:
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
At what size?
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
At what size?
Nov 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
p.2 #9Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
tsdevine wrote:
Nifty Fifty wrote
Where is the Typoch influencer when you really need him? He usually floods every thread with his lecturing monologues, but here? Strange. Or is it logical?And that is surely the reason for the eloquent silence of the optical poet.
Nov 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
p.2 #10Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
j4nu wrote:
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-At what size?
At a distant on a 60MP sensor, you should be able to crop into and not have your image look like smudge- Especially at F8 on a sunny day-
RustyRus wrote
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
At a distant on a 60MP sensor, you should be able to crop into and not have your image look like smudge- Especially at F8 on a sunny day-
Nov 25, 2025 at 01:47 PM
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p.2 #11Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
RustyRus wrote:
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
I'm looking at both images side by side on my 5k Apple monitor and the sides look so similar I can't understand your description of lens A as "awful". The only real difference I see is in the bottom two corners where the Simera is more smeared. Yes, the Simera image is very slightly less sharp on the sides, but no way are they "awful".
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
I'm looking at both images side by side on my 5k Apple monitor and the sides look so similar I can't understand your description of lens A as "awful". The only real difference I see is in the bottom two corners where the Simera is more smeared. Yes, the Simera image is very slightly less sharp on the sides, but no way are they "awful".
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
Nov 25, 2025 at 02:05 PM
p.2 #12Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
mudlake wrote:
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-I'm looking at both images side by side on my 5k Apple monitor and the sides look so similar I can't understand your description of lens A as "awful". The only real difference I see is in the bottom two corners where the Simera is more smeared. Yes, the Simera image is very slightly less sharp on the sides, but no way are they "awful".
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
Ive seen the pictures thanks-
Good for you if you don't see a differnce that matters to you. Keep snapping away and be happy
Edited on Nov 25, 2025 at 03:14 PM · View previous versions
RustyRus wrote
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
Ive seen the pictures thanks-
Good for you if you don't see a differnce that matters to you. Keep snapping away and be happy
Edited on Nov 25, 2025 at 03:14 PM · View previous versions
Nov 25, 2025 at 02:47 PM
p.2 #13Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
RustyRus wrote:
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-I'm looking at both images side by side on my 5k Apple monitor and the sides look so similar I can't understand your description of lens A as "awful". The only real difference I see is in the bottom two corners where the Simera is more smeared. Yes, the Simera image is very slightly less sharp on the sides, but no way are they "awful".
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.Ive seen the pictures thanks-
Good for you if you don't see a differnce. Keep snapping away and be happy
He didn’t say that he can’t see a difference. Read his post again.
mudlake wrote
RustyRus wrote
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
Good for you if you don't see a differnce. Keep snapping away and be happy
He didn’t say that he can’t see a difference. Read his post again.
Nov 25, 2025 at 03:08 PM
p.2 #14Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
gdanmitchell wrote:
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-I'm looking at both images side by side on my 5k Apple monitor and the sides look so similar I can't understand your description of lens A as "awful". The only real difference I see is in the bottom two corners where the Simera is more smeared. Yes, the Simera image is very slightly less sharp on the sides, but no way are they "awful".
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.Ive seen the pictures thanks-
Good for you if you don't see a differnce. Keep snapping away and be happyHe didn’t say that he can’t see a difference. Read his post again.
You also weren't in the conversation- Read again
RustyRus wrote
mudlake wrote
RustyRus wrote
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
Good for you if you don't see a differnce. Keep snapping away and be happy
You also weren't in the conversation- Read again
Nov 25, 2025 at 03:09 PM
p.2 #15Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
tsdevine wrote:
Yeah, it wasn't a huge secret...I was guessing someone would have an easy time of it.
Looks like the Loxia 25 is the best of them all, despite the small focal length difference. The way I see it all three lenses are marketed from a bit different starting point. One of them is about characteristics and mood, one is about value and practicality, and one of them is about science based design and good quality control approach. These will all speak to different audiences, and they will have different rationales, but once things are put in the same line with some sort of empirical comparison, the water retreats and shows which lenses really have it - well, the differences so small any way it doesn't break anyone's photography.
mudlake wrote
I didn’t look at the exif data on the third lens but I’m guessing it’s the Loxia 25 based on the field of view and comments you’ve made over the years.Looks like the Loxia 25 is the best of them all, despite the small focal length difference. The way I see it all three lenses are marketed from a bit different starting point. One of them is about characteristics and mood, one is about value and practicality, and one of them is about science based design and good quality control approach. These will all speak to different audiences, and they will have different rationales, but once things are put in the same line with some sort of empirical comparison, the water retreats and shows which lenses really have it - well, the differences so small any way it doesn't break anyone's photography.
Nov 25, 2025 at 03:22 PM
p.2 #16Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
RustyRus wrote:
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-I'm looking at both images side by side on my 5k Apple monitor and the sides look so similar I can't understand your description of lens A as "awful". The only real difference I see is in the bottom two corners where the Simera is more smeared. Yes, the Simera image is very slightly less sharp on the sides, but no way are they "awful".
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.Ive seen the pictures thanks-
Good for you if you don't see a differnce that matters to you. Keep snapping away and be happy
Sure seems like you got a bone to pick with the Simera. If it’s not for you…then get something that is more to your liking…but don’t “shit” all over the Simera. I’ve seen some great photos taken with it.
mudlake wrote
RustyRus wrote
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
Good for you if you don't see a differnce that matters to you. Keep snapping away and be happy
Sure seems like you got a bone to pick with the Simera. If it’s not for you…then get something that is more to your liking…but don’t “shit” all over the Simera. I’ve seen some great photos taken with it.
Nov 25, 2025 at 04:31 PM
p.2 #17Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
RustyRus wrote:
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-I'm looking at both images side by side on my 5k Apple monitor and the sides look so similar I can't understand your description of lens A as "awful". The only real difference I see is in the bottom two corners where the Simera is more smeared. Yes, the Simera image is very slightly less sharp on the sides, but no way are they "awful".
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.Ive seen the pictures thanks-
Good for you if you don't see a differnce. Keep snapping away and be happyHe didn’t say that he can’t see a difference. Read his post again.You also weren't in the conversation- Read again
Unless you PM…everyone is in the conversation.
gdanmitchell wrote
RustyRus wrote
mudlake wrote
RustyRus wrote
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
Good for you if you don't see a differnce. Keep snapping away and be happy
Unless you PM…everyone is in the conversation.
Nov 25, 2025 at 04:32 PM
p.2 #18Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
Kalainen wrote:
Yeah, it wasn't a huge secret...I was guessing someone would have an easy time of it. Looks like the Loxia 25 is the best of them all, despite the small focal length difference. The way I see it all three lenses are marketed from a bit different starting point. One of them is about characteristics and mood, one is about value and practicality, and one of them is about science based design and good quality control approach. These will all speak to different audiences, and they will have different rationales, but once things are put in the same line with some sort of empirical comparison, the water retreats and shows which lenses really have it -...Show more →
This is only 1 aperture and one distance. Maybe other apertures and subject distances might reveal more.
tsdevine wrote
mudlake wrote
I didn’t look at the exif data on the third lens but I’m guessing it’s the Loxia 25 based on the field of view and comments you’ve made over the years.This is only 1 aperture and one distance. Maybe other apertures and subject distances might reveal more.
Nov 25, 2025 at 04:34 PM
p.2 #19Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
chez wrote:
Yeah, it wasn't a huge secret...I was guessing someone would have an easy time of it. Looks like the Loxia 25 is the best of them all, despite the small focal length difference. The way I see it all three lenses are marketed from a bit different starting point. One of them is about characteristics and mood, one is about value and practicality, and one of them is about science based design and good quality control approach. These will all speak to different audiences, and they will have different rationales, but once things are put in the same line with some sort of empirical comparison, the water retreats and shows which lenses really have it - well, the differences so small any way it doesn't break anyone's photography.This is only 1 aperture and one distance. Maybe other apertures and subject distances might reveal more.
Absolutely true and I'm sure other use cases will reveal different kind of differences. I should actually take back for what I said as it's not relevant try to pick out which of the lenses is the best - relevant point here is that while they are differences between lenses (even more than this particular situation), things get easily overblown in the forums where many have their taste/ego/money tied on specific brands. My example here, picking out Loxia, just shows how easily one gets sucked into this vortex. I think the fact is that actually they are all fine lenses which can enable anyone to take beautiful/valid pictures. I know either one of these would work with me.
Kalainen wrote
tsdevine wrote
mudlake wrote
I didn’t look at the exif data on the third lens but I’m guessing it’s the Loxia 25 based on the field of view and comments you’ve made over the years.Absolutely true and I'm sure other use cases will reveal different kind of differences. I should actually take back for what I said as it's not relevant try to pick out which of the lenses is the best - relevant point here is that while they are differences between lenses (even more than this particular situation), things get easily overblown in the forums where many have their taste/ego/money tied on specific brands. My example here, picking out Loxia, just shows how easily one gets sucked into this vortex. I think the fact is that actually they are all fine lenses which can enable anyone to take beautiful/valid pictures. I know either one of these would work with me.
Nov 25, 2025 at 04:50 PM
p.2 #20Pick the Simera (Shall we play a game?)
chez wrote:
Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-I'm looking at both images side by side on my 5k Apple monitor and the sides look so similar I can't understand your description of lens A as "awful". The only real difference I see is in the bottom two corners where the Simera is more smeared. Yes, the Simera image is very slightly less sharp on the sides, but no way are they "awful".
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.Ive seen the pictures thanks-
Good for you if you don't see a differnce that matters to you. Keep snapping away and be happySure seems like you got a bone to pick with the Simera. If it’s not for you…then get something that is more to your liking…but don’t “shit” all over the Simera. I’ve seen some great photos taken with it.
I think on the M mount, they are a great value and perform quite well actually. I think the 50 shows great character and looks very similar to my all time favorite lens the 50 Lux.
What I am seeing in these pictures is leaves that look like peanut butter though, which I am guessing is due to Thypochs lazy release on Sony and didn't account for sensor stack differences.
I would happily pick one up for an M mount and probably will one day- I think our reference to animal dung is accurate when looking at this lens at f/8 on a sony stack-
Thats how I see it- If you are taking great pictures, great! Post them up. We are talking about these images though.
RustyRus wrote
mudlake wrote
RustyRus wrote
A - looks awful anywhere near the side of the frame-Almost looks like bad processing or some other issue in post. I don't think that is actually the case but its shockingly bad-
Two screenshots of both images side by side at 100%. Both sides of the images.
Good for you if you don't see a differnce that matters to you. Keep snapping away and be happy
I think on the M mount, they are a great value and perform quite well actually. I think the 50 shows great character and looks very similar to my all time favorite lens the 50 Lux.
What I am seeing in these pictures is leaves that look like peanut butter though, which I am guessing is due to Thypochs lazy release on Sony and didn't account for sensor stack differences.
I would happily pick one up for an M mount and probably will one day- I think our reference to animal dung is accurate when looking at this lens at f/8 on a sony stack-
Thats how I see it- If you are taking great pictures, great! Post them up. We are talking about these images though.
Nov 25, 2025 at 04:57 PM