Have a look at this lens test I did for my own benefits that you may be interested see. Hardly ground breaking research but I thought you may like to analyse the results.
I just bought an old Olympus Zuiko 21mm f3.5 and I did a 21mm test with my 17-40 which I dearly love. I have a really good copy of the 17-40 so I was intrigued to see the results.
If your feeling lazy have a look at the f11-16 files, these are the most interesting.
Any problems with my testing feel free to advsie me.
Very nice, David. It pretty much mirrors my experience with these two lenses as well. One correction, the OM21/3.5 takes 49mm filters, not 52mm, and even a standard UV filter vignettes like crazy with the 21/3.5's tiny front element and wide view. A step-up ring to 58mm might solve the vignetting, but I've never tried, I just use a handheld Cokin P-filter.
Mar 27, 2008 at 03:20 PM
shirozina Offline Image Upload: On
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
I found my 16-35L out performed my OL21mm 3.5 by just a whisker in every area. I do seem to have a very good copy of the 16-35L though and the OL21 may not have been the best sample.
Mar 27, 2008 at 03:25 PM
cogitech Offline Image Upload: Off
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
Nicely done and no big surprises for this Oly 21/3.5 owner. I think my copy is pretty good. The corners on mine are not as muddy, but I have to agree that the CA in the corners can be troublesome.
Mar 27, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Andi Dietrich Offline Image Upload: Off
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
what adapter do people recommend for oly lenses? I ll probably get one of these little wides
Mar 28, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Anden Offline Image Upload: Off
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
I use a noname with af conf. Bought of ebay from a UK seller.
I use mine with 28/2, 35 Shift, 55 1.2, 80 macro and 135/3.5. Great results.
A
Mar 28, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Grant808 Online Image Upload: On
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
Excellent content David. I don't own a 17-40, but everything you say about the 21/3.5 is consistent with my experience.
Thanks and I look forward to more reviews from you!
Mar 28, 2008 at 06:22 PM
htbyron Offline Buy and Sell: On
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
Andi Dietrich wrote:
what adapter do people recommend for oly lenses? I ll probably get one of these little wides
I use a happypagehk AF-confirm adapter. They seem to be a bit pricier now than when I bought mine, but still cheaper than the cameraquest, which I also tried and found to be no better (and without AF-confirm). Be careful with some of the cheap ebay sellers, though -- I had one adapter that was quite loose from side to side. One nice thing about the OM Zuiko lenses is that they are easy to remove from the adapter, so I use a single adapter for 3 primes, and I am not worried about wearing out the adapter or the mount.
Mar 28, 2008 at 06:29 PM
David Clapp Offline Image Upload: Off
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
I bought a Fotodiox and another with AF confirm from an Ebayer in England for the Olympus. Both are really good quality, a nice weight, but the Fotodiox is better made if that is any help to you Andi / anyone else.
I will have a go at another review soon for a laugh. Please, I dont claim to be any expert at all this, I am just doing this as an experiment as I seem to of had a run of luck with getting some good alternative lenses.
Thanks for showing an interest.
Mar 28, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Andi Dietrich Offline Image Upload: Off
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
thanks
Mar 28, 2008 at 10:33 PM
biotar Offline Image Upload: Off
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
David Clapp wrote:
...I am just doing this as an experiment as I seem to of had a run of luck with getting some good alternative lenses...
(offtopic) I just had to react, because up till yesterday i felt the same. Right up to the moment i found a contax 167 MT being sold on the internet, almost right next door. Together with a 50/1.4, 28/2.8, vario sonnar 35-70 3.4 and a 80-200/4. I decided to try my luck and did a bid on the vario sonnar 35-70 alone for 200 Eur (i am a poor student oke, otherwise i'd bought em all). He replied that he was sorry he sold THE BATCH for excact the same amount: 200 Eur. I'm still trying to get over this, so consider this as a therapeutic reaction
Mar 29, 2008 at 10:03 PM
David Clapp Offline Image Upload: Off
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
Oh my lord....! Thats just sickening....sorry to hear it! I have plenty of non-camera related stories like this.
First Lens test: 21mm Olympus vs 17-40
