What's new
DPR Forum

Welcome to the Friendly Aisles!
DPRF is a spin-off of dpreview. We are a photography forum with people from all over the world freely sharing their knowledge and love of photography. Everybody is welcome, from beginners to the experienced professional. From smartphone to Medium Format.

DPRF is a community for everybody, every brand and every sensor format. Digital and film.
Enjoy this modern, easy to use software. Look also at our Reviews & Gallery!

Good Wide Angle Lens

D

davidfung

Hi all. I recently purhcased into the Contax system with a RTSII and ST. I got a 50 f/1.4 with one of the cameras. I am looking to branch out. However, I wish to only have either 3 or 4 lenses in total. I know that the 85 f/1.4 is going to be one of them, the other choice is a wide angle. Given that only one or two wide angles will be purchased. What are your recommendations regarding choice. My short list is:

- 28 f/12.8 + 21 f/2.8
- 21 f/2.8 9 + 35 f/1.4
- 18 f/4 and 28 f/2.8
- 28 f/2.8
- 21 f/2.8

Would appreciate any advice and experiences users have regarding the choice and selection. Thanks.
 
David,

Welcome to the club!

The Distagon 21 delivers mind-boggling performance and is worth every penny, but be aware that it's long like a telephoto, and deceptively heavy. The Distagon 28/2.8 is roughly the same size and weight as your Planar 50/1.4, is very affordable, and also delivers an excellent image - the perfect travel lens. I have all of these.

You might consider the 28-50-85 combo to start. After some use, you may determine whether ultra-wide is the right step. Everything below 28mm gets expensive in the C/Y line-up. Yashica and 3rd-party primes and zooms let you explore options cheaply: if a focal length works for you, then move up to the Real Thing.
 
Depends on what you want to shoot....

If taken in account that you have the 50mm and will buy the 85 mm and only want to have at least 4 lenses : Do do want any tele ? The 135 is very good, I would take a 200mm. I you want only 1 wide angle lens then I'd take the 2.8/28 (my favourite Zeiss lens). When you want to take more wide angle take the 21mm. The 35 is quite close to 50mm - so : If you don't want to have a few lenses more I would not take an additional 35mm-lens into account. (Even though I have one - but I have some more lenses than only 3 or 4) If you only want wide angle lenses and would like 2 of them : Well - take the 28 and 21 ! ;-) Paul
 
Hi David,

Welcome to Contax and Zeiss. You wont regret it!=20

I have a RTSII and RTSIII and for the time being 9 Zeiss lenses, all = fixed focal length and varying between 21mm and 180mm. It means a VERY = heavy bag of gear!

After some trips to Asia, primary PRChina, I have limited the amount of = lenses in the bag to only the ones I use most:

21 f/2.8, This lens is excellent, but quite wide. I tend to use this = more than my 28 f/2.8 as I like the extra "wildness" of the shorter = focal length.

35 f/1.4, as I like 35mm's better than 50's. The lens speed is still "as = good as it gets", and it is a performer of choice. And, I know I am a = freak, the mechanics is fantastic.

85 f/1.4, as it is my best lens, and probably the best lens Zeiss makes. = I take a lot of B&W people shots, and this captures the mood and the = atmosphere so nice. Contrast and Sharpness is the best I have = experienced. I understand why this is a fix most in your purchase list.

Give us some feedback on your choices and experience when you get some.=20 Good luck, Karsten =20
 
Thanks for the replies so far! Very helpful. I am mainly interested in shooting architecture, urban & natural landscapesand general candid photography. So I guess that is why I favour the wides. It does certainly seem that 21-28-50-85 is the way to go. But really, the lenses are so cheap compared to the Mamiya 7 stuff that I have. For the same price as the body, plue 80mm and 65mm, I can get a full outfit of 2 bodies and probably 4-5 lenses, plus flash, etc. Anyway. Thanks so far!
 
David,

I also got a set prime lenses,including the 21/28/45/50/85/180. When I go for photographic trips, my set up would be 21/28-85/100-300 to reduce weight and increase flexibility. So you may consider buying the zooms instead. They're really good.
 
Simon, I have often wondered about the 28-85 lens. From all accounts it is a great lens. It seems that the size is similar to the 21, but a bit heavier. My only concern with that lens is the distortion. In particular, I shoot a lot of architecture, and want my edges to be straight. It seems that the 28-85 shows about 3% distortion at the wide side. In your opinion, and given you have the 21 and 28, do you think that it is necessarily bad performance? It would be great to have an outline like 28, 28-85, 85/1.4. But my concern is with distortion. What can you comment about it. Thanks.
 
I use the 28/2.8 and 85/2.8 most often and is my travel set as well. I don't usually use the 50/1.7 as much as my 28/2.8, and preferring the wider perspective I hope to get my hands on the superb 21/2.8 someday. >
 
David,

You're right that distortion is a problem with the 28-85 if you want to take serious architectural wide-angle shots. In that case, I would prefer the primes. Some people may prefer the use of those Biogon lenses for G series. But on the other hand, you may not get the exact framing and angle which may cause other problems. So I would go for the SLR superwide for this case. The 28mm is very good and the 21 is outstanding.
 
Hello List... My last eye exam confirmed that I am developing cataracts with the left eye being the worst. I can see "fine" but it is getting nearly impossible to properly focus my RX which is forcing me to make a decision. I believe that I need to get something other than an SLR to use in the future. I'd like your opinions on how much of a hit I might take if I were to sell my system and whther it would be better to auction it off on ebay or try to sell to those who love Contax.

Briefly, the system consists of the RX, 50mm 1.4 Planar, 135mm 2.8 Sonnar, and 28 - 85mm 3.3 Vario Sonnar. It also includes the TLA-360 flash w/ PS220 external battery pack and extension cord for off camera use, P8 external battery pack for the RX, several Contax brand filters including UV filters for each lens and several other bits and pieces.

All items are absolutely mint...the RX still has the plastic bottom protector affixed. I previously used a Nikormat system and bought the RX system about 4 years ago. I seldom take pictures unless I'm on vacation travelling to the various National Parks where I enjoy capturing the beauty of God's creation and as luck would have it, because of job changes, I wasn't able to take a vacation for 2 of those years so the syatem has seen very little use...I would imagine about 25 rolls of Kodachrome have been run through the camera.

If you were in the market, what would you be willing to pay for such a system...would, say, some percentage off B&H's current prices be the way to go. Would you be willing to buy the entire system...I would much prefer to to sell it all at once rather than piece it out. How would I best advertise the system...are there web sites that that you could recommend (other than ebay). If you had to sell the system, how would you procedd in order to minimize your loss...I know I'll take a hit but I don't want to get beat to death...

Thanks for any feedback you might provide.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top