Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

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Archive 2008 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

wkhc168
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p.1 #1 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

Anyone know the difference between the Oly 21 3.5 and Oly 28 3.5 in term of IQ? The 21 is almost 10 times the price of the 28. At that price, the 28 would certainly be a real bargain if it is anywhere close to the IQ of the 21.

Dec 09, 2008 at 08:52 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #2 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

They are pretty close IMO. And you're right, 28/2.5 is a bargain, and I'd say a 24/2.8 too.
But the 21/3.5 has a brilliant IQ considering it is as an UWA. And the 21/3.5 is 4 times cheaper than a Distagon. And if I had $2000+ to spend on glass I'd buy a set of Zuiko 18, 21, 24, 28, and 35 shift anytime.

Dec 09, 2008 at 09:06 PM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #3 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

alexandre you would be fortunate to get all those for $2k (depending on version). Hell the 18 alone seems to fetch close to $1k by itself, figure $400-600 for the 21... And another $500+ for the 35 shift...

I have lens tests posted on both these I think @ www.edsawyer.com/lenstests/

the 21/3.5 is a great little lens. 28 3.5 also!

Search here at FM, there was a big series of tests/posts by Mike Hatam on these a few years back. Good info there.

-Ed

Dec 10, 2008 at 04:01 AM

alexandre
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p.1 #4 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

Hi Ed,

I was thinking of

18 - 1000
21 - 350
24 - 150
28 - 50
35 shift - 500

Total = 2050

I was fortunate to have the 21 (with a pixel of dust or fungus, to be removed) for way less.

Dec 10, 2008 at 08:56 AM

brainiac
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p.1 #5 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

Bear in mind that these lenses seem to be a little less futureproof than some others: their bandwidth is mostly between 13 and 21 megapixels, not beyond.

Dec 10, 2008 at 01:18 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #6 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

Richard, I think I didn't understand you. Please explain to me.

Dec 10, 2008 at 01:52 PM

mawz
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p.1 #7 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

alexandre wrote:
Richard, I think I didn't understand you. Please explain to me.

He's pretty much saying that the Oly's in question are good performers on the current high-MP bodies but don't have the resolution to hold up once the sensor resolution starts climbing beyond 21MP.

Dec 10, 2008 at 03:57 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #8 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

What lenses are futureproof, then?

Dec 10, 2008 at 04:14 PM

pixelpix
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p.1 #9 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

I had 3 or 4 Oly 21's and was never happy with the IQ. Corners were a bit too soft and distorted for me, plus when shooting into the sun I would get a large, predominant, red, ring-flare that would render the images useless. (I had both non-MC and MC variants.... both types produced the flare. I should mention that none of the lenses were the f2 version)

My 24, 28 & 35 Olys are a very different story though..... Each produce near distortion free, sharp as a tack, no ring-flare images. The 24mm has now become my primary landscape (and stitched pano) lens on the 1Ds2 and I would highly recommend this lens over the 21 when looking for a wide.

Cheers

Rusty

http://russellspixelpix.blogspot.com/2008/06/rustys-ramble-5-24mm-my-forgotten-focal.html

Dec 10, 2008 at 08:18 PM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #10 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

The redring flare (Which looks really cool I think) can be avoided by placing the sun in certain locations within the frame.

-Ed

Dec 11, 2008 at 02:55 PM

pixelpix
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p.1 #11 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

Ed Sawyer wrote:
The redring flare (Which looks really cool I think) can be avoided by placing the sun in certain locations within the frame.

-Ed

Compositionally not always the thing to do.

I much rather a lens that allows me full control over image elements.

Dec 11, 2008 at 08:32 PM

dcmiller
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p.1 #12 · Oly 21 3.5 vs 28 3.5

there a new buy it now 21 3.5 on ebay US. $400 or $450, don't remember.

Dec 12, 2008 at 05:17 AM

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