Yes it's an issue. Depending on motif it can be a bummer, and also depending on how you regard e.g. color shift. I dont mind that too much, it's easy to correct but I dont do that much. I have only used the 5N but the 7 should not be able to handle it better (could be worse), and rather spread over more pixels. Stopping down is not an option really, used wideopen I guess you're looking for DOF (corners mean zero).
But the virtues of this lens is too good to be overseen, I find the resolution exceptional, very impressive for a high density APS-C sensor such as the 5N. I have not compared in any scientific way, but to me it surpasses the G28 and G45 which both are very very good.
Some examples, as you can see corners are not particularly pronounced generally here, but if you look closely you'll probably be able to spot some smearing. 5N + G21.
I had one for a week and decided to exchange it, the corners were smearing on my 5N, the G21 is very sharp in the center 80% of the frame and is very consistent with the rest of the Contax G lineup in color and contrast.
In the end I picked up a ZM18, it costs more but would be Leica compatible if I decided to buy an M in the future.
wfrank wrote:
Yes it's an issue. Depending on motif it can be a bummer, and also depending on how you regard e.g. color shift. I dont mind that too much, it's easy to correct but I dont do that much. I have only used the 5N but the 7 should not be able to handle it better (could be worse), and rather spread over more pixels. Stopping down is not an option really, used wideopen I guess you're looking for DOF (corners mean zero).
But the virtues of this lens is too good to be overseen, I find the resolution exceptional, very impressive for a high density APS-C sensor such as the 5N. I have not compared in any scientific way, but to me it surpasses the G28 and G45 which both are very very good.
Some examples, as you can see corners are not particularly pronounced generally here, but if you look closely you'll probably be able to spot some smearing. 5N + G21.
Thank you for the excellent examples Wilhelm.I see that smearing in your pictures is not overly pronounced and it doesn't ruin the feeling of great sharpness/colours/contrast of the lens.
BTW:I am a little disappointed with the NEX7 and G lenses.Only 90/2.8,45/2 and 35/2 are free of colour shift.28/2.8 G has a strong colour cast and even 35-70G that I've tried shows strong coloration at 35mm and some minor at 50mm.Thus 21/2.8 as a pretty WA lens could be forgiven.
NEX5N is still the most reliable cam in the NEX lineup.It has the best overall performance and least colouring problems with any lens system,so I'm gonna use my G series with the 5N as long as Sony releases improved 7N sensor.Manwhile I'll look areround for some reasonable 21/2.8 G offer but probably reject the 35-70G.
It's in a whole other ballpark price-wise, but FYI the Leica 21mm Super-Elmar only shows very minor color shift on the 5N. On the 7 it's quite pronounced, but no smearing. Cornerfix takes care of all but the worst of the images (eg overcast sky and water, or a gray wall) on the 7.
