Zeiss 25/2

[Airy]

See also the "Daily commuting" thread. Here I'll publish more random shots, and comparisons with the Sigma 24/1.4 when I have time.
A first shot - close focussing distance, wide open :

[John Geerts]

Nice bokeh.  That must be in Brussel 

[Frank Fremerey]

You drank your beer from a Zeiss glass? Impressed.


Just Kidding.

[Airy]

Yes, place Rouppe. Notice the highlights on the top left (good), low LoCA both in front along the PC edge and in the back (not quite apparent in the downsampled shot), sharp glass of beer. Slight nervousness in the top right.

[Airy]

You drank your beer from a Zeiss glass? Impressed.

There is a 24-70 shaped mug on the market, but I have yet to find one shaped like, say, a 50/2 MP...

[simsurace]

This is very nice rendering, surprisingly well behaved.

[Airy]

A few further examples. On the first one, you see an example of the flare that lens can produce, the sole instance I could trigger so far : oblique rays near the corners. It is not an effect of light rays; the sky was ovecast, by the way.

You will see the same pattern in other pics. Frankly, it does not disturb me, being a decent and predictable behaviour. What does disturb me is when "reviewers" swear the never could see any...

Otherwise, there is nothing to complain about. First shot at f/8 and 12800 ISO (brave Df !), second one at f/2.8.

[Airy]

Here is another example, showing
1) the magnificent sharpness and "plasticity" of the sculptures rendered at f/2.8, a detail from
2) this uninspired pic, well showing the flare behaviour mentioned above : oblique rays around the circular windows.

[Roland Vink]

The oblique flares are really odd, normally they point towards or away from the center of the image. It almost looks like there is a smear on the lens (or filter) which is causing the flare.

[Airy]

You seem to be right. The front an rear elements looked absolutely clean, and the lens is in perfect condition. I nevertheless cleaned both surfaces and the problem is gone. Rather than fingerprints, this must have been some oily substance.

So apologies to reviewers ; the lens deserves its "flare-free" qualification. I have yet to return to the same place and try the same shots, to be sure.

[Roland Vink]

Glad you were able to solve that so easily!

[Airy]

This is my usual test shot for night photography. Not exactly the best scene to assess lens qualities or defects, but that's my tram stop, every morning at dawn or before.

As you may see, the 25/2 fares extremely well : the coma is low (slight transversal smear of bright spots), and the bleeding is moderate (see for instance the traffic light on the left). One of my best night lenses, the Zeiss 35/2 being another one.

[Airy]

Shot wide open ; first one uncorrected, second one corrected for distortion and vignetting.

[Nick Scavone]

I only recently purchased this lens,and have not yet put it through its paces. But what was obvious from my first few shots is that it is every bit as good as its stellar reviews (which are off the charts). Sharper really than any comparable Nikon lens in that range (including the 24 1.4, the 24 pce, the 20 1.8, all of which I own). Will post shots when I can.

Cheers,

Nick

[Fons Baerken]

Shot wide open ; first one uncorrected, second one corrected for distortion and vignetting.

i prefer the uncorrected makes the central 'raincoat' a touch more mysterious;
sharp lens