Good Wide Angle Lens

[davidfung]

Very interesting indeed. The 25mm, and 18mm is cheaper than the 21mm. I guess that is owing to a newer and more complex design of the 21mm.. However, I am swinging to a combo of 21-28-50 ($1800), however, a 25-35-50 ($1500) combo would also be good. I guess the only issue is cost and useability of the fl. I prefer a good range separation so that I can compose most things. The 21 provides a much more dramatic perspective, but I agree with Steve that it may sometimes be TOO much of a good thing. I had a Lei-a R with 24mm, and that was rather pleasing in perspective... Anyway, you inputs are most informative!

 

[leong]

David,

If the difference in cost of the two options amounts to just $300, go for the 21-28-50 combo. The FOV of the 28 and 25 are very close, and you get an optically better (by a mile) lens with the 28.

I tried a West German made 25, but came away very dissapointed with the optical quality, 3D or no 3D, the 25 was simply not sharp. I left the 35 for my backup camera, a PnS T3, and if I wanted one, I could always get it at a much later time since it is so easily available.

 

[davidfung]

I think I have come to some sort of personal juncture. For the same amount of money, one can get a 21/2.8, or 18/4 + 28/2.8. That is the decision for me now. The 21 is much newer and has excellent optices (as you are all aware), whilst the 28 and 18 also has excellent optics (though not as good). But for the same money, there is more flexibility in FOV, especially the 18. For me, architecture is important. Do you think that the 18+28 is better combo than 21. Also, the weight and size different is not too dramatic. 18+28 is about 350+280g = 730g, and the 21 is 530g. I think fall0 off for 18 is more than 2 stops at the edges, whilst 21 and 28 seems to be just shy of 2 stops. Opinion?

 

[rico1]

David,

Most of my shooting is WA C/Y, so your issues are familiar.

Money. The C/Y used market (Ebay, KEH) is nicely priced and stable: all my lenses but one are 2nd hand. If you buy a lens this way and then don't like it, sell it for no loss.

Flexibility. Gearheads - like me - usually have more FLs than they ever use. Select one WA and see if your needs are met. 2nd-hand CZ primes, Yashica primes, or even a Tamron Adaptall zoom, will let you test the waters cheaply.

Weight. Distagons come in two weight classes: heavy, and heavier. I often settle for the D28/2.8 because the D21 is too massive for casual use. The only escape is use of symmetric lenses like Contax G or Voigtländer LTM.

Optical quality. Can't speak for the D18, but either D28/2 and D21 will make you happy. Stop down a bit, and light fall-off is unnoticeable.

And now, a spanner in the works: Architecture. This is a problem, the severity of which you must decide. As you can see from the MTF, all Distagons have 2% linear distortion, and the D21 has the gull-wing variant for extra entertainment. You can see a fantastic write-up at http://www.vanwalree.com/optics/distortion.html by Paul van Walree. The Contax G Biogons are better in this regard and, if you want to go crazy, get the Hasselblad SWC (CZ 6x6 Biogon extraordinaire).

 

[davidfung]

Rico, thanks for your reply. I had a look at that site, and was very informative. I did not realise that the 2.1% or so distortion on the 21 turned out to be so noticeable... I think I have a much better understanding now. By applying this, it seems that the 18 has less distortion than the 21. Given it has a lesser over percentage, AND the gradient is not as steep as the 21. Again, comparing the relative illuminance, light fall off for the 18 is just a little bit more than the 21. Both seem to have about a 2 stop falloff. Anyway, thanks for the comments!

 

[wang]

Is this a good wide angle lens, Biogon 21 2.8 of M mount ? I did not go for the Hassy SWC nor my distagon 21 2.8, instead I brought this one and carry it to Thailand.

I think the corner is slightly out of focus.