In 2023, I reported that the Zeiss Loxia lenses all had problems with their apertures automatically changing and shifting on Sony cameras. Despite this, I’m still dreaming about a time when they were functioning and when I reviewed the Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2. That lens was beautiful in so many different ways, and as I look back on my review, I realized how nice the image quality was and is. I’m so infatuated by it that I went to my camera bag with Sony gear in it, mounted the 35mm f2 to a camera, and hoped that the problem automatically fixed itself. Alas, that wasn’t the case. So why am I still in love with such a functionally flawed product?
The Zeiss 50mm f2 Loxia is kind of a rare breed of lens. It’s one of the few where I liked the 50mm version more than the 35mm version. On top of that, it boasts weather resistance at the mount, a fully working mechanical aperture ring, and a small size due to its manual focus operation. In many ways, it’s a perfect lens for Sony cameras if you’re not doing work in some super crazy dusty or rainy environments.
But the reasons why I’m probably still lusting over it so hard are pretty plain:
- Nice bokeh that’s super creamy
- Sharp imagery with lots of micro-contrast
- Easy to use
- Wonderful colors
- Small size
- Lens character
For me, it gives me the vibes of what mirrorless camera lenses should’ve been. But in truth, we’ve gotten a ton of super large lenses instead. Lenses, generally speaking, don’t need to be what we expected from the DSLR days.
Small lenses like the Loxia make me want to actually bring a camera with me everywhere. This was partially the thought process behind mirrorless. But instead, what it turned into it something made to be overly complicated and targeted creators instead of photographers. These creators often like to cosplay as Hollywood directors instead shooting content for Youtube. Or, they like to play the role of a photographer with no real work to show for it.
Lenses like the Zeiss Loxia 50mm f2 have more to do with the fact that sometimes, I just want to bring a camera with me around for fun. Even if I am a journalist who tests cameras and lenses for a living, sometimes I want to just enjoy the process personally. If something is too big and not ergonomically pleasing, I don’t want to bring it around with me.
Perhaps this is the easiest way to say it: beauty and fun in a small package and without all the craziness, AI, and focusing madness. Sometimes, you just want a lens to be a lens and a camera to be a camera.
