Image courtesy: Berlin Backstage.
Berlin Backstage (google translation here) tested both Loxia lenses and explained that these lenses are completely different from the current 35 and 55 FE from Sony. With the Loxia you will approach the photography in a complete other way. These lenses are made for manual focusing lovers! For Berlin-Backstage Zeiss was 100% spot on to release those focal length lenses first!
DearSuasans tested the 50mm Loxia:
It is not a spectacular lens, like a Macro when it comes to detail, or the FE55 when it comes to sharpness, but it just does everything so well. Colours are first rate. Detail is excellent, including at infinity. Sharpness is excellent.
Hands-on and few image samples at Bestmirrorlesscamerareviews:
When Zeiss made the announcement, I couldn’t help but wonder why they decided to release two focal lengths that already exist in Sony’s AF series…But after trying them today, I have to admit that my first impressions are really positive about the two lenses. The image quality they produce seems really exceptional on both the A7r and A7s. But most importantly, they perfectly suit Sony’s full frame mirrorless system because they are small and therefore enhance the portability of the system.
P.S.: The Loxia 50mm is alreayd shipping in [shoplink 29558 ebay]Germany (like here on eBay)[/shoplink].
Zeiss Loxia preorders:
Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar T* Lens for Sony E Mount at BHphoto, Adorama., WexUK, CameraPro.
Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Biogon T* Lens for Sony E Mount at BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, CameraPro.
Zeiss Lens Hood for Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar T* Lens at BHphoto and Adorama.
Zeiss Lens Hood for Loxia 35mm f/2 Biogon T* Lens at BHphoto and Adorama.
Zeiss 52mm Front Lens Cap for Touit and Loxia Lenses at BHphoto and Adorama.
Zeiss De-Click Key for Loxia Lenses (5-Piece Set) at BHphoto and Adorama.
Zeiss Rear Lens Cap for Loxia E-Mount Lenses at BHphoto and Adorama.
0 Responses
Loxia version of the ZM Distagon 18mm f/4. Well, that would be a good lens to have. 🙂
Not going to happen with 52mm filter thread as promised. The widest they can get is 21/2.8 I think.
Yeah, I wonder if Zeiss will stick to the 52mm filter rule or not with the other lenses, though it’ll be great if they managed to do it; only need to keep 1 filter size in the bag.
52 through the entire line. Zeiss words. Guess how long and how wide will they go!
Eh, maybe. The CV 15mm M-mount Heliar is wider (albeit half a stop slower) and it still uses 52mm threads. Perhaps Zeiss can futz with the design a bit and make it work. They’ve proved that the Loxia line is a modified/updated version of the ZM lens designs. On the ZM neither the 52 nor the 58mm threads were standard. Maybe it was more a matter of playing it safe since they had to go non-standard on the lens design.
Yep, that would be awesome.
I could not be happier with my Loxia 2/50. It renders beautifully with incredible detail, bokeh to die for and and it suits the camera perfectly just like the Sony 35/2.8.
After switching back to the 55/1.8 you realize how great MF can be with shallow DOF as opposed to relying on AF.
Wow those samples look very good! The colors and bokeh are gorgeous! I’ll certainly at least go for the Loxia 35 as it’s the focal length use the most.
A dram came true, modern Full Frame lenses without adapter and extraordinary picture quality on the super flexible E-mount. I guess they won’t be able to serve the high demand on those lenses I the first months 😀
I’m going to order the 35 now, the samples of both lenses look very convincing. Picture quality and bokeh looks very consistent, even compared to the great FE Sonnar. For filming a consitent, smooth bokeh and decent sharpness across the whole frame is more important than super high resolution for photographs. The bokeh looks very different from the Sonnar, I’d like to see a direct comparison in terms of rendering of those lenses. Anyone?
I can’t decide between a 35 or 50, I used to really like 35 but these days not so and somehow I feel 50 is a little too tight or maybe because my Voigt 58mm is on the long end?
I hear ya. My ideal FoV would be 40mm or 45mm. It’s a shame that the 40 is so rare now-a-days.
Ditto. Release the Contax G 45mm f/2 as a Loxia lens. Just a little different than the 50mm planar to my eye.
Ok, so Zeiss have thrown on the market 2 other pieces of excellent glass: which is a really good thing, more options for us Sony shooters.
But I still don’t understand why.
I mean: just turn off the autofocus (or set the camera in DMF) while using the original 55 or 35 Sony FE and you can “approach photography in a complete other way” using manual focus on your really already excellent 55 or 35.
It’s like having on the market an RX1 AF and one manual focus only: it’s not gonna help you taking better pictures.
And to those saying “AF sometimes sucks”, I will reply that I shot my friends at their wedding with my RX1, in a really poor lit room (using ISO12800 and f2 and the AF in flexible spot), while they were slow dancing and the little beast missed only 2 shots out of something like 35 or 40.
Everything sounds a little too “snob”, sorry,
My post is gonna attract rage against me… LOL
Nope, nobody gonna bother you.
Well, you never know what might happen on blogs… 😉
In terms of focusing, focus by wire lenses (any lens with AF these days) has a very different feel then manual focus lenses, and the lack of hard stops is another differentiating point
I don’t know whether it’s the case with FE lens, but I see no reason why non-powerzoom lens would need to be focus by wire. No A-mount lens I know is focus by wire, even SSM ones have direct coupling of focus ring to the helicoid. So, is it really the truth that all FE lens lack this coupling and use focusing motor when manually rotating the ring?
Not only focus by wire but non-repeatable focus due to the changing focus speed.
absolute NIGHTMARE. Was so pumped about the 24-70 and 70-200. Was heartbroken when I figured out they are IMPOSSIBLE to use for video. Such a let down Sony!!
No rage, but slight disagreement, possibly 😉
(1) Photos taken with the FE55 and the Loxia 50 look significantly different. There’s no better lens, just different renderings. Don’t you think the colours are pure and wonderful in the articles ?
(2) There’s a real pleasure in manual focus. When the subject allows it, it’s often more satisfying than AF and results with the A7r’s exceptionnal EVF + focus peeking are 100% accurate.
(3) You may be younger but some of us have used the Zeiss ZM lenses in the past and loved their unique character (again, not necessarily better, but different). I used to own and love the ZM Biogon 25 and had to sell it because of low corner performance on the A7r. The likely reissue under the Loxia design is great news for us old farts 😉
It’s happiness not snobbery !
Well, I’m 43 so probably old enough to remember that manual focussing was not so easy and simple in the “old” days.
I remember that in the early 80s when I was “trying” this new thing called photography, it was a pain in the ass to get the focus right.
I have never been lucky enough to be a happy owner of some high class glass or cameras and therefore I had to get the best out of the cheap ones my poor wallet could afford: that’s probably why I “wonder why” some of us are still running behind MF lenses.
I think you people misunderstood me: I’m not bashing Zeiss Loxia.
As I wrote, I’m HAPPY as well about those extra choices, I really am.
It’s an extra sign that Sony has started to be taken a little more seriously in the photography field? I hope so.
I love those colours, contrast and rendering, but, as I said, it sound a little snob saying all the time “ahhhh… manual focus with specialised lenses, way better”.
Maybe I should have been a little more precise towards those bragging about MF all the time? If so, next time I’ll be.
I agree with you: MF with the Sonys (EVF) it’s a pleasure.
But it’s 2014: do we still need specialised lenses when we can set DMF?
Let’s try to go forward: that’s my statement.
I’ll maybe give a try to these new lenses, since I’m still shooting with an “old” A900 and I haven’t decided yet which direction to take: A7 (or similar in the future) or the new A mount coming.
Maybe I’ll regret right away everything I have been writing today. 😀
Vlad (writing after this one):
I think you got me wrong: I’m not saying it’s useless.
And most important I’m not snob and I don’t feel like because I use the RX, simply I just love 35mm and that little camera suites my needs for 90% of the time.
My point, as I wrote above these lines, is “why having these specialised lenses when we can do MF already with the existing ones?”.
I agree with you that “focus by wire” it’s not the best, but, again…
Anyway: let’s put it in this way.
It’s a free world, so let people be free to choose…. hahahahaha
Have a good one, folks.
We might disagree, no problem! 🙂
1. Sure they look different, might be some minor differences inside: both look different compared to the ZA 50 f1.4. I do think the new Loxia 50 looks great. Nice colours, contrast and rendering.
2. I can understand it’s a pleasure to manual focus, because it’s like feeling the picture even more: i have the 135STF and I like manual focus.
3. I’m 43 and when I started to try myself with photography was back in the early 80s and I remember how pain in the ass was to get a correct focus. Of course we talk about the “ice age” and nowadays it’s totally different.
I think I might have been misunderstood: I’m not saying that those lenses suck, not all all.
My point is: it’s 2014, do we still need manual focusing lenses when we can have the DMF on camera?
Vlad (under this comment) says that the 2 MF systems gives different feelings: I don’t know because I haven’t tried it.
And, Vlad, I’m not snob because I shoot with an RX1: I’m a 35mm guy and it suites my need 90% of the time 😉 (I know you were making an example).
As I said I haven’t tried it and I might give it a shot, since I’m still using an A900 and thinking about, maybe, go for a new camera in the future. If it’s gonna be an E mount then I might re-think about today and say “I was wrong”.
Anyway: it’s a free world, so people are free to choose whatever suites their need/desires at best.
Take care everybody.
We might disagree, no problem! 🙂
1. Sure they look different, they’re built different. And both look different compared to the ZA 50 f1.4. I do think the new Loxia 50 looks great. Nice colours, contrast and rendering.
2. I can understand it’s a pleasure to manual focus, because it’s like feeling the picture even more: i have the 135STF and I like manual focus.
3. I’m 43 and when I started to try myself with photography was back in the early 80s and I remember how pain in the ass was to get a correct focus. Of course we talk about the “ice age” and nowadays it’s totally different.
I think I might have been misunderstood: I’m not saying that those lenses suck, not all all.
My point is: it’s 2014, do we still need manual focusing lenses when we can have the DMF on camera?
Vlad (under this comment) says that the 2 MF systems gives different feelings: I don’t know because I haven’t tried it.
And, Vlad, I’m not snob because I shoot with an RX1: I’m a 35mm guy and it suites my need 90% of the time 😉 (I know you were making an example).
As I said I haven’t tried it and I might give it a shot, since I’m still using an A900 and thinking about, maybe, go for a new camera in the future. If it’s gonna be an E mount then I might re-think about today and say “I was wrong”.
Anyway: it’s a free world, so people are free to choose whatever suites their need/desires at best.
Take care everybody.
We might disagree, no problem! 🙂
1. Sure they look different, they’re built different. And both look different compared to the ZA 50 f1.4. I do think the new Loxia 50 looks great. Nice colours, contrast and rendering.
2. I can understand it’s a pleasure to manual focus, because it’s like feeling the picture even more: i have the 135STF and I like manual focus.
3. I’m 43 and when I started to try myself with photography was back in the early 80s and I remember how pain in the ass was to get a correct focus. Of course we talk about the “ice age” and nowadays it’s totally different.
I think I might have been misunderstood: I’m not saying that those lenses suck, not all all.
My point is: it’s 2014, do we still need manual focusing lenses when we can have the DMF on camera?
Vlad (under this comment) says that the 2 MF systems gives different feelings: I don’t know because I haven’t tried it.
And, Vlad, I’m not snob because I shoot with an RX1: I’m a 35mm guy and it suites my need 90% of the time 😉 (I know you were making an example).
As I said I haven’t tried it and I might give it a shot, since I’m still using an A900 and thinking about, maybe, go for a new camera in the future. If it’s gonna be an E mount then I might re-think about today and say “I was wrong”.
Anyway: it’s a free world, so people are free to choose whatever suites their need/desires at best.
Take care everybody.
Well, one can say that shooting with a RX1, instead of a proper interchangeable lens camera, is a little too “snob” and it will make as much sense as what you wrote. Simply put, focus by wire cannot replace mechanical focus for the time being, although there are some cameras such as the Ricoh GR which are moving in the right direction. Your type of shooting may not call for it, but it is hardly useless, as you seem to think; proper manual focus can make for better pictures and, yes, AF sometimes sucks.
Happy Birthday.
Touit, Otus and Loxia are the pinnacle of lens design. No other lenses come even close, not even Leica M lenses, or the most expensive cine lenses. And Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Pentax, Sony, Samsung, Sigma, Samyang, Tamron, Tokina, Schneider-Kreuznach, Cosina, Voigtländer, they all make toy lenses in comparison. Either you shoot with Zeiss (real Zeiss, not Cosina or Sony Zeiss) or Leica, or you have no right to call yourself a photographer. It’s that simple.
Someone needs to speak up against all the losers, who insist on using non-German inferior lenses. Good for you, Carl!
That’s the best joke ever.
Thanks Carl for what you wrote: you made my day.
I’m gonna take a copy of your comment, print it out and put it on the wall right on top of my computer screen, so next time I’m gonna process my pics taken with some -I thought- really good glass (like the one of the RX1), I’m just gonna trash everything and not even give it a try. LOL
To be even more sure that I’m not gonna call photographer myself anymore ever in my life, I’m just gonna drive on top of all my lenses with my pickup!
Just to be sure that nobody will buy, by accident, my used lenses. LOL
Very possibly the most pretentious posting I’ve every read on this site, and it has stiff competition.
Of course it may have been meant sarcastically, in which case my apologies…
I see you never mentioned Minolta. This makes complete sense as they contain something the others don’t have- magic. You know, the 200mm 2.8, 400mm f4, 100mm macro- should I continue? Nah, not necessary. You didn’t mention Rokkor lenses either- like the 50mm 1.2. Either you shoot with Minolta or you can’t even call yourself a photographer. It’s that simple.
Someone’s fishing…
Ja vol Herr kommandant.
haha, while I am the first to admit to enjoying Leica lenses, I have found that the lens one uses has nothing to do with being a photographer or not, unless the photographer is very insecure about something. Picture making doesn’t even need a lens. This is like the old days here RC prints were all junk, it’s not a photograph until it’s on some nice Oriental fiber. One wonders what you’re insecure about…
Does anyone know why dxomark fails to score Leica lenses? Is it them or is it the manufacture’s refusal? I’d like to see how some of these Leica lenses stack up against Zeiss while knocking a few stars off of the Leica pedestal.
Good question. But do they really require the manufacturer’s permission?
Judging by ad campains I would assume they are paid for doing that.
@Thinkinginpictures, we will be comparing the Loxia 50 to the Summicron 50 next week and will send the report to this blog.
@Steve in the comparison, we will include the FE55. Most likely next Thursday or Friday.
Cheers
Looking forward to those results!
Is there focus confrmation privided in Sony A7/7R/Nex viewfinders with Loxia lenses?
Yes – confirmation, peaking and magnification.
Thanks, it can be very useful for action. I would like to see how Loxias renders skin tone compared to FE Zeiss, or to manual Zeiss C/Y lenses….They might be on cooler side…
The hell with the filter size… How about f2 all the way across!
Looking forward to renting these.
Why not just buy Leica M for similar price? They will hold better value, extremely good optical and mechanical quality, larger resale market as well.
Similar price? The cheapes Leica is 3 times the price of the Loxia. Thats not similar!
Of course the Leica has its own look and feel, but so has also Zeiss.
You can buy Zeiss glass for the Leica M… and Voigtlander.