The Zeiss Loxia 21mm F2.8 is probably the most wide-angle lens within the Zeiss assortment of Loxia lenses. They take their title from a classification of fowl, which I’ve grown used to seeing in Zeiss lenses, this time of a ‘chunky finch’. There’s nothing chunky concerning the lens, nevertheless, because it’s refreshingly compact and light-weight for such an ultra-wide-angle prime. Just like the longer 25mm F2.4, 35mm F2, 50mm F2 and 85mm F2.4 lenses within the Loxia household, this one has a 52mm filter thread which makes it straightforward to combine and match filters throughout the board.
Specs
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Mount choices
Sony E (FE)
Lens building
11 parts in 9 teams
Angle of view
91 levels
Focus sort
Guide focus
Minimal aperture
f/22
Minimal focus distance
0.25m
Most magnification
0.13x
Filter measurement
52mm
Dimensions
62x72mm
Weight
394g
Key options
(Picture credit score: Zeiss)
In today of high-tech digital pictures, one obvious omission is the shortage of autofocus. You may argue that with out the cut up screens and microprisms of 35mm movie SLRs, handbook focusing is a tough and fiddly enterprise. Nevertheless, the Sony full-frame cameras for which this lens is designed characteristic focusing aids like magnified preview and focus peaking, so I don’t really feel it’s a lot of an issue. Higher nonetheless, as a manual-focus lens, the rubberized focus ring has a prolonged 90-degree throw and allows silky-smooth and ultra-precise changes. A spotlight distance scale can also be current and proper on the lens, full with depth of subject markers for apertures of f/8 and f/22. The mixture of a 21mm focal size and f/2.8 aperture additionally make the lens a first-rate candidate for astrophotography, the place handbook focusing somewhat than autofocus is the order of the day (or evening) anyway.
I like that the lens options an aperture management ring, located on the rear. Though it’s now fairly commonplace, Loxia lenses have been the primary to incorporate an aperture ring click on/de-click mechanism, making them equally adept at stills and video seize. Switching between the 2 entails utilizing a provided key, the one draw back being that it’s important to take away the lens from the digicam to make the change.
Construct high quality feels rock strong. The weather-sealed lens contains a metallic casing in addition to a metallic mounting plate, and is impeccably turned out. Not like some ultra-wide-angle lenses, the petal-shaped hood is detachable, enabling the simple attachment of filters, and has the same old bayonet-mount becoming.
Efficiency
(Picture credit score: Zeiss)
For purposes like panorama pictures, cityscapes, structure and astrophotography, edge-to-edge sharpness is commonly a bonus. The lens does nicely on this respect, particularly within the f/5.6 to f/11 sector of the aperture vary. Vast-open edge-sharpness at f/2.8 isn’t so spectacular however nonetheless as much as the duty of astrophotography.
Together with sturdy sharpness efficiency, the lens reveals negligible colour fringing and virtually no distortion by any means, That’s a large distinction to many wide-angle lenses designed for mirrorless cameras that rely solely on automated in-camera correction. Picture high quality is additional boosted by way of an aspherical ingredient and 4 anomalous partial dispersion parts. The well-known Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating is utilized to each floor of all parts, to spice up distinction and colour constancy whereas minimizing ghosting and flare.
Lab outcomes
We run a spread of lab assessments beneath managed situations, utilizing the Imatest Grasp testing suite. Images of check charts are taken throughout the vary of apertures and zooms (the place accessible), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.
We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and evaluation software program to plot lens decision on the middle of the picture body, corners and mid-point distances, throughout the vary of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at 4 completely different focal lengths. The assessments additionally measure distortion and colour fringing (chromatic aberration).
Sharpness:
(Picture credit score: Future)
Sharpness within the central area of the body is great, even when taking pictures wide-open at f/2.8. Edges and corners come on sturdy at f/5.6, solely actually dropping off on the narrowest aperture of f/22, as a result of regular phenomenon of diffraction.
Fringing:
(Picture credit score: Future)
There’s nearly no colour fringing to be seen, even out on the excessive edges and corners of the body, and that’s with out utilizing automated in-camera correction.
Distortion: 0.07
It’s refreshing to see a wide-angle lens for mirrorless cameras that’s designed to provide nearly zero distortion, with out the necessity to right for distortion in-camera.
Verdict
(Picture credit score: Zeiss)
I really like the retro appear and feel of the Zeiss Loxia 21mm F2.8 manual-focus lens. Not like ‘dumb’ lenses, nevertheless, it boasts a full complement of built-in electronics for communication with the host digicam physique. Construct high quality and dealing with are chic and optical efficiency is top-drawer. It’s fairly compact and light-weight as nicely, making it a extremely fascinating prime if you happen to may give up your autofocus behavior.
