I was at my dark site last weekend and I thought it was time to do a new Milky Way nightscape using a new lens the fabulous new Zeiss Loxia 21mm F2.8. Zeiss engineers have been quoted as saying they are most proud of this lens from their recent works which is quite a statement as they have done some stunners.
Its a breathtaking beautiful lens and its very small and well made. Focus consists of swinging it to infinity hard stop and you are good to go!
Sony a7r2, 8 panel panorama 4 x 2, 30 seconds ISO6400 F2.8 (wide open).
I am particularly happy here as I typically use my ultrawide angle Nikon 14-24 lens which is amazing but it tends to mean I get some star distortions when doing the projection methods. This time there is none so the Loxia must preserve the perspective better. Perhaps that is simply 21mm versus 14mm but I think also its a commentary on the excellent job Zeiss have done on the optics.
Thanks Inertia 8 Colin and Ross.
Ross, it was a bit cloudy so that would be the fuzzy factor. I find a bit of cloud is good for these shots. It adds interest.
Greg
Last edited by gregbradley; 21-04-2016 at 06:14 PM.
Greg that's a really nice shot.Interesting with the infinity focus as I have the 15mm f2.8 and that is the feature that Impresses me .They really are superb lenses.
Greg that's a really nice shot.Interesting with the infinity focus as I have the 15mm f2.8 and that is the feature that Impresses me .They really are superb lenses.
What a great shot, Greg! It must be a fine lens...
Thanks Rick.
I did the same shot with 3 fine lenses. The Zeiss Loxia 21 as shown, the Zeiss Batis 25mm and the Nikon 14-24 (my standard long term nightscape lens).
The Loxia is the finest lens for this type of shot I have used. The Zeiss Batis 25 is close to it as well. 21mm means perhaps 2 extra images to match a 14-24 panorama shot at 14mm but less distortion and keeps the round stars.
Zeiss lenses are often hard to beat. They are the Astrophysics of the camera lens world.
Lovely image Greg, looks like that Sony A7R2 and Zeiss lens are a nice combo
Cheers Geoff
Thanks Geoff. Yes they perform pretty well. The Loxia 21 lens is exceptional.
Zeiss is pumping out a number of high end lenses for the Sony A7 range now. All very appealing and all expensive unfortunately.
Thanks Geoff. Yes they perform pretty well. The Loxia 21 lens is exceptional.
Zeiss is pumping out a number of high end lenses for the Sony A7 range now. All very appealing and all expensive unfortunately.
Greg.
Great image, Greg. Again, Zeiss rules too. Have you seen their premium lenses, such as the new Otus 55mm F1.4? Off the scale, but then, so is the price. I think they have also made a 35mm and an 85mm. All of these exotic lenses are around and over $5 000 each.
Great image, Greg. Again, Zeiss rules too. Have you seen their premium lenses, such as the new Otus 55mm F1.4? Off the scale, but then, so is the price. I think they have also made a 35mm and an 85mm. All of these exotic lenses are around and over $5 000 each.
Cheers,
Richard
Thanks Richard.
Otus I believe are amazing lenses although for a compact mirrorless where the point is more high powered imaging with a fraction of the weight and size they are very large and heavy lenses. Better suited to a DSLR. Not to mention the price. I imagine they are for die hard enthusiasts or Pros.
Very nice! I must confess it makes me a bit sad that a reliable infinity stop is considered a feature these days...
Yes I suppose its a relic of former times. I read recently best focus is actually a tiny fraction back from infinity. I checked that out last I used the lens and it did seem to be slightly sharper that way. Field curvature means the lens's focus is a slight compromise between centre and sides.
yeah it's pretty hard to find something even out/up there that's emitting/reflecting truly collimated light from a point source And the field curvature is what the iris is for! Some large format photographers consider f/45 "fast" Though of course you probably want to keep your exposure times reasonable I guess...
Yup, can see why you might be happy with that image and lens. Stars and colour look excellent.
And it appears that a bit of moonlight lit the foreground, which always adds to the interest.
Nicely don Greg.
Trev
