Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       4       end
  

Archive 2013 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?

  
 
karlfoto
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


Hi Forum

After chasing my tail across the web looking for info and comparisons I stumbled onto the alternative forum on this website. (Silly me, i have been a member since last year but have not used this valuable resource as much as i shld). So despite looking at the various posts going back to 2009 and the 16:9 website, I am still no closer to making a decision.

My usage for the lens will be broad landscape vistas some shot directly into the sun at sunrise (will be bracketing and using layer masks to blend best exposures together, but flare will still likely have to be edited out). Back and side-lit early and late shooting. Most will be f8 at infinity, but would also shoot hiking buddies close up with big aperture.

I will be backpacking to these areas, so about a 15kg pack, camera gear weight is important, but image quality more so. I usually carry the zeiss 28 f2 and voigt 90mm, so if i get the 21, the 28 will stay at home. I will likely then sell the 28 and get a 40mm canon to complete the hiking set.

I also use a 17mts for my architectural work and purchased the zeiss 28mm last year so am very critical about the quality of a lens. The 17mmts is a bit bulky and just a bit to wide for scenic work (for my eye that is) and the 28 just not wide enough.

I have viewed the various comparisons between the oly and the zeiss by RPYX and also the oly and the voigt by Jcolwell which are great comparisons and a good resource.

With regard the oly 21, how does using a stop down lens work on a 5dii?

Has anyone shot the same test scene with all three of these lenses and would be happy to send me the raw files and take them through capture one or the full size jpegs so that i can have a look at them in detail. Obviously I will not use the images for anything but this test as I fully understand the sensitivity around copyright and misuse of images.

Thanks for your assistance in what is rather a difficult decision not having access to all 3 lenses for my own test.

Edited on Apr 17, 2013 at 08:58 PM · View previous versions



Apr 17, 2013 at 08:43 PM
mike reid
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


I've had the oly....now have the zeiss. I usually go with my contax zeiss 28/2.8 but have been using the 21/2.8 lately. Its heavy but delivers.

This is a single shot a few nights ago....sky darkened in LR



Two nights ago....two shot blend



2 shot blend using LR enfuse



single shot



Honestly I don't study charts. I just look for the look, the lens with soul. Lightweight helps too but for me the zeiss 21 was it.

All that being said I have a multi day backpacking trip....something like approximately 19 miles with 6000ft of elevation gain and 7800ft of elevation loss. So I will be weighing everything I carry. But like you because IQ is everything to me its going to be:

Canon 5d2
Gitzo GT0531
Zeiss 28/2.8
Zeiss 50/1.4

If I want wider its going to be done in pano.





Apr 17, 2013 at 08:51 PM
j.liam
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


The Voigt 20 is an expensive dog to avoid. Really disappointing, ƒ/8 for peak central resolution but even ƒ/11 will not bring the corners sharp, marked mustache-type distortion and color fringing along the edges that no amount of stopping down will help.

Edited on Apr 17, 2013 at 09:03 PM · View previous versions



Apr 17, 2013 at 09:02 PM
mike reid
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


^^ good to know


Apr 17, 2013 at 09:02 PM
Gary Clennan
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


j.liam wrote:
The Voigt 20 is an expensive dog to avoid. Really disappointing, ƒ/8 for peak central resolution but even ƒ/11 will not bring the corners sharp, marked mustache-type distortion and color fringing along the edges that no amount of stopping down will help.


My experience as well with this lens. I say go for the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8...



Apr 17, 2013 at 10:14 PM
karlfoto
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


Hi Mike

Great images. Do you by any chance have any comparisons that you shot between the two. I know you are not a chart man, but you may have done a comp.

@j.liam and Gary thanx, it seems to be the pattern with this lens.

I still would like some raws to compare so please dont be shy, i wont abuse your trust Just test stuff not your prized images.



Apr 17, 2013 at 10:22 PM
Peire
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


Nothing can beat the Zeiss.Oly 21 comes on the second place.The rest of 20-21mm lenses that I had lag behind.Having both I take Distagon 21/2.8 anytime I use FF camera,leaving Oly 21/3.5 for my NEXes now,thouhg it is very good on FF camera stopped down to f8.


5D2+21/2.8 Distagon ZE

http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1350277983.SEQ.1.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1324489922.SEQ.4.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1324489994.SEQ.2.jpg

NEX+21/3.5 Zuiko

http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1345441619.SEQ.0.jpg




Apr 17, 2013 at 11:47 PM
jotdeh
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


Wow that tree shot is stunning Peire!


Apr 18, 2013 at 12:34 AM
philber
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


Yup! Very nice shots, peire!
A simple way to look at it is this, Karl. If you look at this board, many think the ZE 21 is a clear best-in-class lens. There are some who love their Oly, but even they don't usually contend that it is better than the Zeiss.
Interesting that you should have the Zeiss 28. That was my weakest Zeiss lens, relatively speaking. Quite a bit of CA, weak colours and contrast, for a Zeiss that is. I sold it pretty quickly, even though I love the focal length. The 21 is a different breed altogether, never failing at delivering spectacular shots



Apr 18, 2013 at 01:39 AM
philip_pj
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


It's a little known forum, because it's pretty specialised by not being a 'brand' forum. Zeiss 21mm.







Apr 18, 2013 at 02:39 AM
Simon Kennedy
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


If you shoot architecture the Canon 24mm Ts ii is great. That is what I use...


Apr 18, 2013 at 03:13 AM
karlfoto
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


Hi Phillip

It captures a huge area.

How would you rate the 21 verses the 28 that you have. I have a 28 as well and wld be keen to hear which you think is the better lens ito of iq and the less problem with ca. Granted they are totally different angles of view.



Apr 18, 2013 at 03:15 AM
Toni Pukarinen
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


The Zeiss has the best reputation, but I have never used one. I really enjoyed using the Olympus 21mm f/2 lens but sold it to get the Zeiss 28mm (I used the 21 way too little on my video work) but I always liked the characteristics of the Oly.

Here's a few random samples with the Oly 21mm:


Moonlit bridge by Toni Pukarinen, on Flickr


band of sparrows by Toni Pukarinen, on Flickr


band of sparrows by Toni Pukarinen, on Flickr




Apr 18, 2013 at 03:15 AM
Peire
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


karlfoto wrote:
Hi Phillip

It captures a huge area.

How would you rate the 21 verses the 28 that you have. I have a 28 as well and wld be keen to hear which you think is the better lens ito of iq and the less problem with ca. Granted they are totally different angles of view.


I got the 28/2 ZE as well.Compared to Distagon 21/2.8,on FF, it sucks most of all in corners due to significant field curvature.One need to stop it down to at least f5.6 ,(f8 is better), to get corner sharpness comparable to 21/2.8.There are visibly more CAs either,as Philippe stated above.It is an excellent lens though if one is aware of it's shortcomings.

BTW-jotdeh and Philippe - thanks!

5D2+28/2 ZE - from closeup through architecture to landscape

http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1324490067.SEQ.2.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1324490068.SEQ.3.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1324489921.SEQ.2.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1324489810.SEQ.3.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1325362002.SEQ.3.jpg
http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/med_U951I1338144182.SEQ.2.jpg

Edited on Apr 21, 2013 at 11:28 PM · View previous versions



Apr 18, 2013 at 04:09 AM
philip_pj
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


karlfoto, I have and use the 28/2.8 Contax, a very different lens from the ZE 28/2 if that is yours. It surprised me and I rate it very highly indeed. There were two versions, the later ones are often said to be better. Mine has barely visible CA, but even in high contrast scenes (say eucalypts against bright sky) it is minimal, marginally worse than the 21mm.

The 21mm as you see is a high impact lens that divides people even if most acknowledge what it can do. It does superlative near-far shots, has excellent correction almost no field curvature, well drawn, deep well-balanced colour. It always delivers, if you get the composition right. Nice bokeh even. It is wider than the images look, but DOF is endless. It can be surprisingly subtle too, in soft light. You keep finding more things it can do.

It is as sharp as anything needs to ever be, is my best lens in that sense, holds resale very well, and is auto aperture in ZE. If it's sharp detail in landscapes you need, this is the lens. You could easily resell it if you buy well.

I can't often take both so take the 21mm and wear the gap to 35mm, I actually feel guilty not using the 28mm more, I like the focal length a lot.



Apr 18, 2013 at 04:14 AM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


While the 21mm is superlative in most ways, I would not say that it has excellent correction, without explicitly mentioning its quite visible moustache distortion. Whenever shooting architecture aligned with building features, you will notice it. It is correctable, but for this specific use, maybe another lens would be better. Having said that, I love mine, and would never sell it.


Apr 18, 2013 at 04:36 AM
timballic
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


I tried to answer the question for myself here "20/21mm on FF...yet again!"
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1133625/0

I tried or read up on so many lenses in this range (see chart on pg 4)
I have to say that my copy of the Zuiko 21/2 wasn't as good as some appear to be, even though I had it checked out by an Olympus lens repairer, and it looked mint.

I can also totally agree with what's been said about the Voigt 20/3.5 above, the most disappointing lens I've bought, (now sold.)

Because of size and cost I didn't go for the Zeiss 21/2.8 but found the Canon 20/2.8 the best compromise for me. However, I'm still looking out for, to try, a Pentax K 20/4.



Apr 18, 2013 at 05:06 AM
Dergiman
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


If you can live with the hefty weight and price of the ZE21 it is the lens to go.


Apr 18, 2013 at 05:17 AM
jcolwell
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


Hi Karl,

I've owned the three lenses that you mention, plus some others in the same neighbourhood. I sold my 21 ZE last year, after getting a Canon TS-E 24/3.5L II. In most cases, the difference between 24mm and 21mm is relatively insignificant, and the TS-E 24 has no distortion, plus tilt and shift movements that are often very valuable for architecture, especially shift.

I posted some example images from the 21 ZE here, https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1039968/1#9884417

Note that the 24/3.5L II is at least as sharp, which is why I sold the 21 ZE. I also have the TS-E 17/4L, which is the best game in town if you want ultra-wide coverage, except for maybe the Nikkor 14-24/2.8 G ED AF-S which I have not tried (and have no need to). Of course, the TS-E lenses are relatively large and heavy, , and so I picked up a 18 ZE. It has the same moustache distortion as the 21 ZE and CV 20/3.5, and it's just as sharp as the 21 ZE, at f/5.6 and smaller apertures. The 18 ZE is usefully smaller than the TS-E lenses.

Speaking of smaller, the Oly 21/3.5 and CV 20/3.5 are very small. Here's some past threads that are relevant.

Olympus OM 21/3.5 or Voigtlander Skopar 20/3.5-which one ... https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/990867
Olympus OM 21mm lenses. Whats the deal? https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/920454
Olympus 21 vs. Zeiss 21 https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/889096

In the first thread above, I state that I prefer the Voigtlander over the Oly - I have since changed my mind. I think that's at least partly affected by the accuracy of adapters that I have used. The Oly 21/3.5 is pretty darned good on a Leitax mount! My previous comparisons with the Voigtlander on Leitax and Oly on generic adapter gave better results for the CV. Lesson - if you want the best out of your wide angle Alt lens, get a Leitax mount.

Of course, TANSTAAFL- the Oly 21/3.5 is not as 'sharp' as the 18 ZE, 21 ZE, or TS-E 24L II, but it's very small size makes it very attractive for many uses.

When it comes down to your original choices between CV 20, Oly 21, and 21 ZE, the 21 ZE (or 21 CY) is the best, hands down.

Cheers, Jim

Edited on Apr 18, 2013 at 08:00 AM · View previous versions



Apr 18, 2013 at 07:47 AM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21?


jcolwell wrote:
Of course, TANSFAAL


Ah yes, that old acronym, There Ain't No Such Free As A Lunch, I had completely forgotten about that.



I'd be curious as to what you thought about colour and micro-contrast between the Z21 and the 24TSEII.



Apr 18, 2013 at 07:56 AM
1
       2       3       4       end




FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       4       end
    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.