I'm currently using a Canon 10-22 on my 20D, but am hoping to upgrade v. soon to a 5D. I'm a bit concerned about what I can use to replace the 10-22, especially as I find on a 20D, this lens isn't really wide enough, with the 10mm coming out at around 16mm.
I didn't really want to spend so much on a Canon 14mm, when I would far rather have an alternative prime. Does anyone have any suggestions, preferably at a less than £800/$1400, as I'd also like to get a CZ 21?
I was also wondering how the prime lengths came out in real usage compared to the Canons. I've noticed that my CZ 200 seems to be closer than the same focal length on my Canon 70-200. I was wondering if that happened in reverse with alternative wide angles, too, i.e going wider, as that might help my choices?
On the same site you will see some other tests with a Sigma 12-24mm that are less impressive. I assume those tests were done with a bad sample sample of the lens.
As others on this board have said previously, the olympus 21mm are great. You will have to manually focus though. If sharpness, minimal distortion and good contast are what you're after, you won't go wrong.
I have one of mine for sale at the moment.
The Sigma 12-24 is a good lens. It is incredibly wide, however, others have reported big sample variations and the lack of threaded front filters as concern.
I bought an Oly 18/3.5 after I upgraded to a 5D from a 20D. I was in a very similar situation as I had used the 10-22 and loved it. I wanted something as wide as possible but felt that the Canon 14mm was a bit out there in terms of price for a pretty average performer.
The Zuiko 21's seem to have a lot of sample variation as well. Mike Hatam had to buy about 10 to find one good one.
The Nikon 15/3.5 has a pretty good reputation as well I think and yo can get one of those for around $800-1,000. That may be my next purchase.
The Zuiko 18/3.5 will probably go for around $800 or so.
Quite a few of the shots in this gallery are with my Zuiko 18. Look at numbers 1, 7, 8, 11a, 15, 16. Won'tgive you an idea of image quality obviously but it may give you an idea of the fov.
Count me in on another Zuiko 21/3.5 lover. Great little lens that hard to beat stopped down a little. Mike Hatam's experience was not that he had to buy 10 to get a good one. Where did you get that? I bought one and it was great. I sold it to get the 21/2. I did have to go through three of those but the first had was obviously dropped before, and the second was in an extremely used state. The third and final showed little signs of wear and performs great.
Isca wrote:
The Zuiko 21's seem to have a lot of sample variation as well. Mike Hatam had to buy about 10 to find one good one.
Well, it's not quite that bad
I bought around 12 of the Olympus Zuiko 21/3.5 lenses, and carefully tested all of them. If I recall correctly, I think 5 were exceptional (much better than a Canon 16-35, and close in sharpness to a Zeiss 21), 4 were decent (a bit better than the Canon 16-35), and 3 were bad (worse than a Canon 16-35).
Don't waste your money on the Canon 14/2.8L. I've tried a few, and it's just not a sharp lens, and full of CA.
How's that Oly 21 working out that you bought off Mike? I showed you mine now let's see yours.......... The Nikon 15/3.5 looks pretty attractive too.
Loving the Zuiko 21/3.5. I'll try to post examples when I have time with a decent subject. On another note, I also found a decent Zuiko 50/1.2 that I think I'm gonna fall in love with all over again.
Ken made much of the 15/3.5's propensity to flare, but in most shooting conditions it's not an issue. When light rakes obliquely across the front element, blobs appear, but a judiciously placed hand is an easy fix.
How many of your lenses were MC and how many were the older G.Zuiko SC's? Olympus is known for making small revisions to their lenses over time. The later MC serial #'s are often the best (OM lenses). There are some exceptions, but I think all the Zuiko's from 18-50mm follow this trend. I'd bet the newer MC 21/3.5's faired better overall?
To answer the oroginal poster: the L15/3,5 is the best, IMHO. Big and heavy, sure. No more prone to flare than other ultra-wides, AFAIK, but happy to be corrected on that. Phenomenal performer (sharpness, colour, distortion). Sharp edge to edge.
Although a Leica lens, I was told this is one Zeiss made for them in the Leica mount. One of my all-time favourites. Expensive, and justifiably so, for me. cheers, kl
You are correct. Zeiss made the Leica 15 3.5 in their factory with a Leica mount. Other than the mount the glass and optical arrangements are identical to the CZ 15 3.5 so performance is the same.
To get better than this, you must go to the Leica 15 2.8 which is a true Leica lens complete with price! The differences from the 3.5 are the MTF which are improved (better contrast etc). The flare performance is more a function of the angle which is not changed from the 3.5 so not much to be done here except to shade the lens.
I believe that most folks who have the 15 3.5 are very happy as are those who have the 15 2.8. It is a matter of your priorities and budget
I'm getting a little confused - so there is a CZ 15 3.5, which is not the same as the Leica 15 3.5? If so, has anyone got any shots taken with a CZ 15 3.5?
The Zeiss designed and built CZ15/3.5 and L15/3.5 are identical except for four things:
1- The mount.
2- The graphics.
3- L15/3.5 aperture is in 1/2 stop detents as oppoesed to the CZ 15/3.5 full stop detents.
4- The filters in the built-in turret in the Leica version are made with Leica specified coatings. Not any better or worse than the standard Zeiss filters, its just that Leica wanted to specify their own to suit their own tastes. (At least that is what I've read. I could be wrong on #4)
The current Leica 15/2.8 is designed by Schneider, that other great German lens maker. (I don't know who actually manufactures it however.) Schneider basically began where Zeiss left off, and perfected that 15mm. Schneider also designed the Leica 28 PC Super Angulon. Schneider has expertise in ultra-wides. In my 4x5 days, I had a Schneider 47mm XL for my 4x5. Awesome lens.
