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Aperture Series: Pine Creek Sunlit Morning (Sony A7R)
This scene is at infinity focus, which is a demanding situation for any lens. It was taken at nearly the same time and from the same position as the Loxia 50mm f/2 series, thus providing an excellent perspective for the 50/2 Planar vs the 35/2 Biogon.
A distant landscape scene like this is revealing of any lens shortcomings, particular in the mid zones and edge/corner areas. Indeed it is one of the most difficult challenges for any lens. This scene in particular has an excellent near-to-far layout which is brutally revealing of any shortcomings.
MTF expectations
The MTF chart for the Loxia 35/2 Biogon suggests disappointing contrast (haziness) at f/2 throughout the frame, which is surely unexciting for any usage except where one desires that very low contrast (e.g., for a soft-look portrait). The MTF chart also suggest that central sharpness and contrast will be superb by f/4 at the latest, but that mid zones and edges and corners might have some difficulty even well stopped down. Moreover, there may be some field curvature in those areas.
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Diglloyd Guide to Mirrorless offers comprehensive integrated coverage of most APS-C and full frame mirrorless cameras and lenses.
Special emphasis is placed on Sony full-frame, including Sony lenses and the high performance Zeiss Batis and Zeiss Loxia lenses plus Rokinon/Samyang and others. Fujifilm X, Olympus and Panasonic M4/3, Sigma dp Merrill and dp/sd Quattro are also covered in depth. Years in the making, it offers a wealth of material for choosing and using a mirrorless camera.
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- Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
- Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.
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