Fred Miranda gave us a fine list on p. 8, #18: Which lens is better? Voigtlander 21/1.4 or Loxia 21/2.8?
I think a key issue missing from the list is that the Loxia 21mm is well weather sealed, and the Voigtlander 21mm Nokton is not at all weather sealed. Sometimes that is a big factor in favor of the Loxia.
I don't have any difficulty mounting or dismounting Loxias, but I have ordered two Lens-Grips from PocketPano for possible more safety.
The comparison I find most interesting would be the Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 GM at 21mm vs. the Voigtlander 21mm Nokton f/1.4. Since I have both lenses, maybe I should do it myself, but Fred's testing, if he has the time and inclination, would likely be more comprehensive and far more authoritative.
A nonobvious advantage of the Sony would be its weather sealing; to me an advantage of the Voigtlander would be its sunstars.
JerryFusselman wrote:
I think a key issue missing from the list is that the Loxia 21mm is well weather sealed, and the Voigtlander 21mm Nokton is not at all weather sealed. Sometimes that is a big factor in favor of the Loxia.
I don't have any difficulty mounting or dismounting Loxias, but I have ordered two Lens-Grips from PocketPano for possible more safety.
The Loxia is only weather sealed at the mount. It does not mean much if water drops on the lens.
Grenache wrote:
While I do not intentionally try to get them, the 12-24GM can certainly make sun stars…
To me, the sun stars of the 21mm Voigtlander Nokton are superior; I almost always prefer 12-point sun stars to 18-point. (That's why I had used the phrases "to me" and "its sunstars".) Fred points out that Voigtlander's sun stars are even possible starting at f/2 for night scenes, which I find delightful. Great painters have long used sun stars to help give the impression of glow, such as for "The Starry Night".
Fred Miranda wrote:
The Loxia is only weather sealed at the mount. It does not mean much if water drops on the lens.
Thanks, Fred, I hadn't noticed that it is only at the mount. Zeiss explicitly says so. But the mount is the most vulnerable spot, for one example quote of many: "The lens mount is the most vulnerable point for water entry during foul weather use."
Perfect weather sealing for a lens is nearly impossible, but some lenses are better sealed than others. The Loxia 21mm is much better sealed than the Voigtlander 21mm, agreed? (I am imagining a tightly fitted rain cape on the lens, and using an A1.)
akashyap wrote:
Great pictures Lightsearcher! I visited London recently with my 24 GM and CV 40, but would’ve loved a 21 for some of my street & architecture shots.
Thank you for the kind words, I travel now with three primes Voigtlander 21mm, 40mm and Nikon 105mm AIS but the 21mm is the most used specially for architecture shots.
Lightsearcher wrote:
Thank you for the kind words, I travel now with three primes Voigtlander 21mm, 40mm and Nikon 105mm AIS but the 21mm is the most used specially for architecture shots.
Lightsearcher wrote:
Vignette in some circumstances bother me but some times it add character
I think the design of modern lenses does sacrifice intentionally corner light fall-off to keep the size small (and lower manufacturing costs as well). CLF can be corrected in PP, being not an issue as it was during the film era.
Lightsearcher wrote:
Thank you for the kind words, I travel now with three primes Voigtlander 21mm, 40mm and Nikon 105mm AIS but the 21mm is the most used specially for architecture shots.
Once again a FM review has left my wallet lighter.
I get this lens tomorrow from B&H and wanted to thank everyone here who had a part in reviewing, commenting and sharing examples. I'm looking forward to adding this lens to my growing CV stable of fine lenses.
