pdmphoto wrote:
I'm not warming up to the CV 65 like I had planned. I should own one by now, but after using the Loxia 85 with ext tubes to get 1:2 macro I'm no longer smitten by the limited macro capability of the 65. The Loxia 85 is almost as well corrected, and I would rather shoot macro with a 85 for the greater working distance. I'm also still on the fence concerning the bokeh of the CV65 at macro distances. The L85 bokeh (and sharpness) is excellent with extension tubes.
I'm also not convinced I want to give up shooting with a 50mm lens. ...Show more →
You've expressed my thoughts exactly. Although it's given me a considerable amount of vicarious pleasure to see how well (and deservedly so) the CV65 has been received by those who've purchased it, the L50 and L85 are so important in my lineup that a 65mm lens of that size and weight smack in the middle, despite its undeniable merits, holds no appeal. For someone with a strong interest in landscape photography though, an L21, L35, CV65, and B135 lens set would seem to be nearly perfect.
genji wrote:
You've expressed my thoughts exactly. Although it's given me a considerable amount of vicarious pleasure to see how well (and deservedly so) the CV65 has been received by those who've purchased it, the L50 and L85 are so important in my lineup that a 65mm lens of that size and weight smack in the middle, despite its undeniable merits, holds no appeal. For someone with a strong interest in landscape photography though, an L21, L35, CV65, and B135 lens set would seem to be nearly perfect.
That makes perfect sense; and I have a lingering suspicion that I have because it's such fun to use a lens of such optical excellence, rather than it's fitting in to my lineup or otherwise making sense.
BUT I did think of you on the way back from Crows Nest to Erskineville, @genji , when I had the opportunity to do a bit of street stuff (which I don't do much of these days). The thing is so contrasty that it just pops into focus in a way I haven't seen at this fl, and the focusing ring so nice you can just nail it. For all its bulk. It might just be your kind of thing....
DavidBM wrote:
That makes perfect sense; and I have a lingering suspicion that I have because it's such fun to use a lens of such optical excellence, rather than it's fitting in to my lineup or otherwise making sense.
BUT I did think of you on the way back from Crows Nest to Erskineville, @genji@ , when I had the opportunity to do a bit of street stuff (which I don't do much of these days). The thing is so contrasty that it just pops into focus in a way I haven't seen at this fl, and the focusing ring so nice you can just nail it. For all its bulk. It might just be your kind of thing.......Show more →
Perhaps I should mosey on over to Crows Nest. I'm sure Scott wouldn't mind my borrowing one for a few hours to see whether or not it suits me.
I do want to stress though, to anyone who might be reading this post, that I am not in any way, shape, or form weakening.
Lol. Your voice is cracking though, I can hear the credit card screaming already.. okay heading out to test it out, post later today. Your in trouble.ROTFLMAO
genji wrote:
Perhaps I should mosey on over to Crows Nest. I'm sure Scott wouldn't mind my borrowing one for a few hours to see whether or not it suits me.
I do want to stress though, to anyone who might be reading this post, that I am not in any way, shape, or form weakening.
philip_pj wrote:
It seems that the new glass formulations and techniques are solid enough that new lenses can work with some outer frame astigmatism as well as minimize CA to small and very acceptabe levels, whether labeled APO or not. The battlegrounds in moderate aperture FE lenses are 28mm, 35mm and 50mm in the near future.
Bluloo, you can check the very extensive Sigma 135mm -vs- Batis 135mm a month or two back.
So, now I've got a Batis 135 inbound. Will be testing it against the Sigma 135 Art over the next week or so.
The lens will really need to earn it's APO label to beat out the Sigma - I really love it.
There both really good . Had them both. The Sigma is sharp at 1.8 no question it hits the mark at 2.8 and anything else is DOF. The Batis 135 hits its mark right at 2.8. So at 2.8 they are even and excellent at 1.8/2. So IQ wise both are excellent. It's everything else you have to decide
bluloo wrote:
So, now I've got a Batis 135 inbound. Will be testing it against the Sigma 135 Art over the next week or so.
The lens will really need to earn it's APO label to beat out the Sigma - I really love it.
pdmphoto wrote:
I'm not warming up to the CV 65 like I had planned. I should own one by now, but after using the Loxia 85 with ext tubes to get 1:2 macro I'm no longer smitten by the limited macro capability of the 65. . .
I've been using the Leica 60 Macro-Elmarit for so long that it would be a chore to evaluate and switch to the CV. I suppose the color correction may be better, but the usability of the Leica is good with a special Arca dovetail lens collar and a proper 30mm thick extension allows me to use the 1:1 magnification scale on the lens. I've also installed a Sony E bayonet for convenience. Having said all that, it would be interesting to see a comparision.
In addition to the macro function, I guess most current users of the CV65 will shoot scenics at wider apertures where f/2 is desired. I never was a 50mm lens user and 65mm is in the same bucket for 2m to infinity distances.
Alexluu627 wrote:
how is the weight and handling compared to the 85mm 1.8?
I'm thinking of selling my batis 85mm and picking this lens up.
Its a touch heavier, half a inch taller but same diameter but its very balanced to me the VC 65mm is extremely good at focusing. It just nails it without guessing. Honestly might be the best manual focus lens to date as far as focusing. Ill just tell ya now nothing will touch it on center at F2. Corners hit it at F4. If I did not need AF for the studio work , the Sony would be on the buy and sell right now. Just freaking hammered it. Im picky though the 85 is still very good
Oh man, I got tangled up in some stuff all morning, and then the lens came. It'll be mid afternoon before I really get any work done. if I don't go out again. Rain is on the way, so it's quite breezy out, clouds in and out. I will probably go out after it rains if it stops.
The focus is indeed among the nicest of manual lenses. I've found for relatively close subjects the bokeh is better than I expected, and I think I could say better than the Loxia 50 in general. It does not seem to be behind the Loxia in terms of pop, and in fact at wider apertures is ahead.
I had trouble focusing on vegetation up close in the relatively strong wind out there. I normally wouldn't try. So I missed focus a lot as the plant moved out of that F2 razor slice.
I was worried about the Loxia 50 style bokeh balls, but this seems to be not as harsh. I was trying to provoke some obnoxious bokeh balls but I don't think I did. Still looking at the exposures...
GMPhotography wrote:
Im just laughing. These are handheld with the A9
At least you don't have to worry about turning off EFCS at high shutter speeds with the A9!
However, I don't think it will be much of an issue with a f/2 lens.
