The 35mm Loxia (Image courtesy: Stockografie).
Stockografie (Click here) tested both Zeiss Loxia lenses:
The Zeiss Loxia 2/35 as well as the Zeiss Loxia 2/50 is a wonderfully crafted lenses. They are built to withstand almost anything a photographer could run into. I would not hesitate to use these lenses under harsh conditions such as rain, dust or any other kind of influences.
If I would have to choose between one of the two I would go for the Zeiss Loxia 2/35 but that is only my personal preference as I like the 35mm field of view better than that of the Zeiss Loxia 2/50. In terms of image quality both lenses are amongst the best you can get for your A7 series camera with a native E-Mount.
The Loxias are in Stock in:
50mm in Europe at [shoplink 33600 ebay]Photo Porst eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 33602 ebay]Photo Petzold eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
35mm in Europe at [shoplink 33599 ebay]Photo Porst eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 33601 ebay]Photo Petzold eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
50mm in USA at [shoplink 33603 ebay]PoppFlash eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
50mm in Asia/Australia at DigitalRev (Click here).
57 Responses
I hope this can resolve Sony’s new 46MP sensor with better dynamic range than the 5DS. I find Canon dynamic range too flat and I’m waiting for Sony’s next big announcement before I move to Sony and have wider flexibility in my editing without getting color blending and shadow noise when I’m moving the slider up in my post processing.
Color blending is not due to the Megapixel count but to Sony´s way of treating raw files. If they would allow for a full 14bit storage instead of the losy 11+7 bit variant we would all be happier.
+100
You do realise the OP was talking about those problems with a Canon 5DS don’t you?
Yeah, but Sony also has a big problem with color blending due to the lossy compression of raw files.
Yes, it is shocking that they limit them to compressed RAW files. Because of this, the D810/D610 have better image quality, which makes no sense. Sony needs to wake up and stop putting a limitation on image quality…
Compression is fine. Lossy compression is not
Are you on drugs or just amazingly stupid?
Dear Banding, I would advise you to not write this kind of comment as it is absolutely inappropriate and offending.
I would also advise you to apologize for this rude remark!
Do not expect too much. The WWW is a good place for all sorts of animals to hide.
No it doesn’t. First off the RAW compression is very mild, a ratio of only 1.6:1 (compared to the 10:1 compression ration of a high quality JPEG), secondly it eliminates any banding by design. You can only ever see artifacts if you find an extremely high contrast edge and then bring the shadows up several stops. The fact that you have to go out of your way to provoke any issues is completely contradictory to it being a “big problem”.
I agree. That is one of the main reasons why I haven’t considered buying an A7 series camera – the other main reason is shutter shock in the A7r, which is the only one I would be interested in, as it doesn’t have an AA filter. If they resolve these issues with the successor, I may consider getting one.
New Loxia lenses are coming this year: 24/2 and 85/2, so all together seem great choice for landscape shooters with new Sony 46-50MP cam. It surely will be the best FF set for landscape shooters.
21/2.8, 25/2.8 and 85/2 seem more likely. Zeiss said a portrait lens and wide angleS. And I still think they will base off existing ZM designs and optimize them for digital.
I am hoping what Zeiss really provides us is an eventual 18mm f/4 ultrawide. This would make for my perfect trifecta along with the 35mm and 85mm.
15, 28, 50 and 135- DONE.
I believe they will stay with f2 for 24-85 Loxia.
“…both lenses are amongst the best you can get for your A7 series camera with a native E-Mount.”
What… amongst the best of like… six or seven other native emounts? Pretty slim paying field.
Best… as in… pretty much any lens. As pretty much any lens can use a adapter. Which is hundreds…
But that wouldn’t be “native” as quoted.
If the 50 mm is the best for your A7 series camera with a native E-Mount.Then i wonder if The Carl Zeiss 50 mm Planar F1.4 ZA SSM is better, or worse with an adapter on a A7
Works for me. Just a bit bulky. But I do love the the rendering.
The problem with both is: they have the clever de-click option for video, but for video you need IS. Another very nice lens that comes with a useless option,might as well stick to legacy glass.
Not if you are using the A7II which has the 5 Axis IS.
If you want to shoot video on e-mount you either use the A7S or FS7, all the other options perform poorly in comparison.
That very much depends on your requirements.
So you really expect Sony not to put their SteadyShot 5-axis IBIS in additional future A7 series bodies? I think it’s a forgone conclusion that if their lowest-end model had it, all of their higher-end models will have it too.
OIS is no good for video, it flicks the frame as it resets itself. And doesn’t stabilise enough anyway.
IBIS is more effective. All new a’s will have IBIS from now on. Also IBIS works with a gimbal and adds to the stabilisation, whereas OIS has to be turned off to avoid frame flicks.
It’s great to have these high quality MF primes native for E mount.
I found OIS/OSS much better than IBIS for video. Also IBIS gets overheat easily.
E-mount OSS lenses don’t flick at all.
I agree, and hate having to rely on IS at times.
Once cameras have global shutters, IS will be pretty much unnecessary.
Or you could buy an A7 II…
Funny most cine lenses don’t have IS. You certainly don’t NEED IS for video, while it is sometimes handy to have.
Most cinema cameras don’t have THE WORST rolling shutter I have ever seen. The A7S is a bear at times.
True, but cinema cameras have a sensor less than half the size (well for s35 at least). In s35 mode the A7S isn’t so bad.
It still has the worst rolling shutter on the market. It’s a limitation to work around, but it makes using long lenses pretty difficult.
Cinematographers don’t need IS. Use a tripod lol
Spoken like a true non-cinematographer.
Hello A7II has IBIS.. So useless to you but very useful for others.
Is there any advantage to 55f1.8?
Can focus on stars.
Both cost about $1k and the only real difference is that the Sony version is a tad faster, has AF and a different rendering.
I doubt you will be able to tell much sharpness difference between the two unless you pixel peep.
Might be just the click free aperture ring for video and its smaller size. I prefer 55f1.8.
focus by wire vs manual focus, 50 is sharper at smaller apertures, focal length different, size, rendering
Smaller apertures, you mean higher f numbers? Do you have a source?
Beautiful little 35/2 lens. I love the colors and the fov in the pictures below the article, the ones of the round stairway outside.
If only it was a 1.2.
Every lens is amongst the best… There are few
Zeiss please do a buy one get one special like what you did with the touit for apsc. Thank you
How long did this special last? I’d be a happy camper in that situation
Buy one, get one? That’s pretty normal. 😉
I was going to buy the Sony 55mm but i am in doubt now with this Zeiss Loxia 50mm.
Anyone knows why Zeiss never put autofocus in their lenses?
https://photographylife.com/zeiss-make-autofocus-dslr-lenses
My main reason I want a Zeiss Loxia is the combination of high quality and manual focus. I do prefere manual focus on wide angles. If the loxia lenses goes autofocus, I might just as well buy the smaller Sony alternatives.
Difficult decision, i just ordered a Loxia 50mm. I don’t photograph very close to subjects (www.deschampheleer.be), so very fast autofocus is not nessary, but i hope manual focusing with zeiss goes fast enough.
Reason for Loxia: i just want to have different image look than most people, like the aperture ring, and it is a true Zeiss designed lens which FE55 is probably not.
Interesting review, but I’m not convinced that the 30/2 is £300 better than the 35/2.8…
Gotta say the FE35 simply is too slow for my taste. F2 in a small package really is the sweet spot. Especially such a versatile 35mm focal length. They’re both beautiful and if you don’t mind the slower FE, then go for it. AF is a charm to use on it, but manual focus especially for video is a pain… and the clickless aperture on the Loxia is very welcome too. So its down to the question wether you need F2 or MF, or AF and save the 300 bucks.