Finally I have in my hands a new family of Zeiss Batis it`s a Batis 2/40 CF(close focus). This its will be come of my favourite focal lengths.
 

INTRODUCTION 

Supplementing the existing Zeiss Loxia lineup, ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 is a compact wide-angle lens specially designed to work with digital full-frame cameras from the Sony Alpha series (E mount). With high resolution across the entire image, low distortion and a state-of-the-art optical design, the ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 guarantees perfect imaging results every time.

I picked up another latest pre-production of e-mount Zeiss for my leisure trip, the Zeiss Loxia 2.4/25 “fully manual wide-angle” lens. I have to say that for the first time using Loxia lens, this one is completely different beast as compared with Zeiss Batis 2/25 especially in terms of weight. Focusing on the e-mount cameras is really amazing. The manual focus engages the "zoom focus assist" feature of the camera making sharp focus a snap. There is no play in the focus ring, and it is tight enough to hold it at place. The focus barrel is buttery smooth and has nice ribbing for easy grip whether bare handed or gloved. The aperture ring is solid and clicks nice into place with a range of f/2.4 - 22. The ring can also be "de-clicked" for silent use with video.

ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/2.8, 1/100sec., ISO 800

THE CHALENGING ONES WHEN IT’S RAINING IN BALI

As with most countries in South East Asia which are still enjoying the wet season, this year starts with rainy season in Bali too. While others may enjoy this rain, it might be troublesome for some and for photographers, the rainy season is the perfect time to experiment and have some fun with their camera outdoors. Usually you see a lot of pictures showing the "burning sky” and “crystal beaches" on the islands but in the midst of this beautiful rainy season, I have captured these photographs hoping they will fill you with inspiration. I did not have much time waiting for the weather to be better when it became clear that there will be no great sunshine before my travel ends. I therefore decided to go North to find a new challenge for me and the gear. The Batis 1.8/85, 2.8/135 and Loxia 2.4/25 were with me for 4 days.

My Self

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/5, 2 sec., ISO 320

There are exciting beaches, hills and waterfalls located in Singaraja. Capturing waterfalls needs effort and struggle. To reach the location you must climb up/down hundreds of steps with about 80% degree slope and river crossing. The ground is very wet and slippery and also needs to always be on alert to water column phenomenon. It is advisable to wear short pants and comfortable slippers/sandals to this waterfall since you must travel through rivers. However, the journey is well paid off when you reach the waterfall.. the sound of the the water that fall from 80 meters vertical height, the lush trees, the scenic and peaceful location will make anyone amaze and fall in love instantly.

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/14, 0.8 sec., ISO 100 

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/14, 0.8 sec., ISO 100

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/11, 0.5sec., ISO 200

NATURAL OF NORTH BALI

It was wet with cold/humid temperature each day in Bali. Some days were gloomy and overcast with thick cloud. This can be very challenging and for that, I am very happy that I can rely on reliable gears. That said, in this post I want to showcase you photographs which show not only intriguing beauty but elegance and uniqueness, and they are all captured during wet days. Take a hot coffee, and enjoy the frozen moment.

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/16, 8sec., ISO 100 (smooth reflection apps)

The natural scenery of Mount Batur, seen from the Pinggan village is the most photogenic sunrise and sunset, and even make Tamblingan Lake is a lake located on the northern slope of Mount Dimples, Munduk Village area, District Banjar, Buleleng, Bali. This lake is one of the three twin lakes that formed in a large caldera. At the East is Lake Buyan and Lake Beratan. Flanked by the surrounding forests and their location in the highlands make the lake environment cool and temperate. Awesome night photography. Not too lucky with the weather of which I had to make the best out of it.

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/9, 30sec., ISO 100

Tamblingan Lake is a lake located on the northern slope of Mount Dimples, Munduk Village area, District Banjar, Buleleng, Bali. This lake is one of three twin lakes that formed in a large caldera. The east row are Lake Buyan and Lake Beratan. Flanked by the surrounding forest and because it is located in the highlands makes it cool temperate lake environment.

Flood after heavy rain

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/14, 1/125sec., ISO 100

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/16, 1/160sec., ISO 100

STREET

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/2.4, 1/200sec., ISO 100 

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/2.4, 1/100sec., ISO 1600 

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/2.4, 1/200sec., ISO 100 

Sony a7RII + ZEISS Loxia 2.4/25 @f/2.4, 1/100sec., ISO 1600

The Loxia 2.4/25 is AWESOME! -- Sharpness, micro-contrast, colors rendering, starburst and build quality are outstanding. The combination out of a Sony A7 series body and a ZEISS Batis or Loxia lens is perfect for photographer’s needs. If you are going to ask this much money for a manual focus-only prime (fixed focal length) lens, it better be good like street, lifestyle and nature photograph.

Few years back I wondered whether there were still places on our beautiful planet where they had yet been explored by tourists. The Peninsular of Bima with city on the island, Kota Bima in Indonesia is such the place where it is still rare and yet to be discovered by tourists. I have tried to be in this earthly paradise for several months this year and fortunately by chance I have many local friends there who are willing to help accompany me during my stay there. 

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount, F13,1/60 sec., ISO-100

For a travel photographer, this is a real hidden paradise with a lot of spots that have not been photographed. Many places are still untouched and everything can still be visited without passing a cash desk and tourist agencies. I started traveling from Dompu and Bima (Kota Bima) regency to Sape regency which is almost 200km apart with winding roads and sometimes faced with severe road surfaces. Many places do not have paved roads, but my bizarre local friends from the Alpharian Bima Community are “trained” to drive through potholes and bumps. Each stopover for photography and ciggy break was exceptional. East North as well as West South of Bima offer beautiful beaches, hills and mountains and not forgetting the beautiful local folks. Most of the beaches are pristine and often you can spend an entire day without too many people. More than often you can stay there alone for hours. I was also truly amazed with the kind hospitality extended to me as an outsider. Bravo Bima Alpharian, “Anda Semua Luar Biasa”!

I traveled during dry weather that went up to 42 degrees Celsius at times. While exploring the dusty and dry land, I feel safe being accompanied by local friends and besides, this is the best way to get to know each other. Time tends to go by surprisingly slow when you have to wait for dawn and dusk. For this trip I packed full frame 42 megapixel e-mount and APSC e-mount camera as well as four ZEISS Batis and one Milvus lenses. This was everything I needed for capturing the beautiful landscapes and such. Staying outdoor for 10 days, all my gears need to operate perfectly in the hot, dusty and dry conditions and to be able to withstand every form of severe weather condition. The ZEISS lenses offered unbeatable build, quality and reliability. I did not face a single problem using them.

My easy thoughts of Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25  AMAZING LENS!

When I first received the pre-production Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 Lens, my first expression was that this is the beauty sexyness lens. Within my journey the lens always on the camera which its connected with Metabones IV. The result was fantastic. How Milvus 25mm dealt with Full Frame 42 megapixel e-mount surprised me in a very positive way. It offers strict control of color aberrations, wide open along with beautiful bokeh, and stopped down a bit, it delivers amazing sharpener but in a wide open F1.4 with a little vignette on full frame 42 megapixel e-mount.

• Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
• 2 Aspherical elements, 7 Low Dispersion Elements, Zeiss T* Anti-Reflective Coating
• Manual Focus Design
• Anodized Metal Barrel, Rubber Focus Ring with Weather-Sealed Construction
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm 
• Filter diameter: 82mm
• Minimum focus: 0.25m
• Weight: 1095g
• Lens mount: Canon (ZE), Nikon (ZF.2)

It is a specialist lens designed for the highest resolution sensors; I would want to use it with a tripod for considered, unrushed photography in any kind of conditions and without limitations on quality, performance or light. On a more positive minimum focus distance is 25cm and also the lens gives attractive 18-point sunstars when shooting into the light stopped-down. There’s no autofocus with this lens, meaning you’ll need to rely on technical focusing "focus peeking" skill to achieve a sharp shot. Here are some sample photos showing what this lens can do. I will update to compared with Zeiss Batis 2/25.

The Beauty of Kelapa Island is one of the exotic beautiful islands in the form of hills with savanna grass. The island is also dubbed as a miniature of the Raja Ampat.

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount,  F11 ,0.4 sec., ISO-100

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount,  F8.0 ,0.4 sec., ISO-100 +2/3EV, Panorama stitch 6 single exposure 

The Child Jockeys brave danger for cash and glory 

A Children, aged five to ten years, are trained and used as jockeys in kota Bima for popular horse races, a traditional sport in the area and a cultural heritage which continues to be preserved by the people of Bima. Hundreds of horses are usually entered in these races. The children's training starts from early age. Around five, they are not afraid of riding at high speed. The horseback riding and horse handling ability is taught as it is passed on from parent to child, as is the feeling of excitement and honor of competing in these races as well. Horse owners are on the lookout for small and light competent riders. The child jockeys are traditionally trained to race with skill and guts, but they do not wear proper safety equipment. They ride without a saddle or footwear, and often no helmet, so thick socks, long sleeves and a full face mask are used as protection from flying debris. These simple items form the best safety riding gear they have. Although dangerous, the child jockeys are fully supported by their parents as it is a local tradition. The fathers too were once on a horse as a young boy. It is also economically good for the family, who earn from the horse owners. The jockeys earn IDR 30,000 to IDR 50,000 each ride, and they ride 10 to 20 times in a day. The races draw hundreds of betting spectators from all around the city to come, watch and bet. As children in a competitive and dangerous fast sport, there are tears and fears, especially with falls. Accidents happen, and some cause severe injuries and the risk of the child jockey being trampled by a horse. But the race still continues on despite the spills, as it is not just a competition, but also a pride of a tradition. 

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount, F4.0 ,1/2000 sec., ISO-100 (handheld)

BIMA Zeiss Batis 2.8/135 with APSC emount, F2.8 ,1/1000 sec., ISO-100

BIMA Zeiss Batis 2.8/135, f2.8 with APSC emount , F2.8, 1/1000 sec., ISO-100

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount, F4.0,1/2000 sec., ISO-100 (handheld)

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount, F5.6,1/125 sec., ISO-640 (handheld)

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount, F2.8,1/30 sec., ISO-6400 (handheld)

Sarae Nduha

Meaning of the word "Sarae Nduha" can be translated is a landslide sand, National parks are still relatively new this could be one of the coastal tour with savannah. In eastern “Sarae nduh”a you will be served with scenery savana “doro ncang” a (mountain split) with buffalo, cow, and many wild horses. And no less interesting is the cliff of the hill on the beach that is the main attraction for visitors. The sea is still blue asrih making the southern scenery “sarae nduha” beautiful with Tambora mountains that are the icon of the island of West Nusa Tenggara. 

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount, F13, 30sec., ISO-100

Ntumbu Tuta is a part of the traditional heritage of the Bima people in the West Nusa Tenggara

Yet there are those who know exactly when the attraction of art like this started there in Bima. Because this is just found in District of Wawo. But some historians and cultural experts argue that this attraction has existed 17th century of Sultanate Bima. Nearly 90 percent of traditional arts attractions Milky dominated by attractions that depict the spirit of patriotism dexterity and “heroism”. 

BIMA Zeiss Batis 2/25 with Full Frame emount , F3.5 ,1/640 sec., ISO-200

MORE PICTURE 

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount , F11,1/100 sec., ISO-100 (handheld)

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount , F11,1/100 sec., ISO-100 (handheld)

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount, F2.0, 1/125ec., ISO-100 (handheld) Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount, F2.0, 1/80sec., ISO-400 (handheld)

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount,  F14 ,1/5sec., ISO-100 +1EV

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount,  F1.4 ,1/2500sec., ISO-100 (handheld)

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount,  F8.0 ,1/60sec., ISO-100

Zeiss Batis 2.8/18 with Full Frame emount , F2.8 ,8sec., ISO-6400

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 with Full Frame emount,  F1.4 ,8sec., ISO-1250