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Archive 2009 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?
  
 
TWoK
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p.2 #1 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


Yeah, wolfloid hit the nail on the head. I will take the CV above all else for the auto-apeture, CPU chip and size. I loved my Oly 21/3.5 and Nikkor 20/4 AI too, but the CV is so damn convenient.

Dec 07, 2009 at 10:50 AM
pixelpix
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p.2 #2 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


I had 3 and gave up on them in favour of the Oly 24. Much better IQ with sharper corners, heaps less CA and no dreaded Oly 21 "red ring" flare.

Dec 07, 2009 at 02:08 PM
RustyBug
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p.2 #3 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


wolfloid ... thanks for the added info about the Tamron.

I must just not see it that badly, since I'm shooting on the 1D MK II 1.25x FOV. I do notice the extreme corners are softer than my 35-70, but it still works as an augment to my Oly's 21mm 3.5, 24mm 2.8, 28mm 3.5 and my C/Y 35-70 when manual focus or 21mm (on a 1.25x) doesn't fit the bill. Limited application, I guess.

Dec 07, 2009 at 04:42 PM
CheshireCat
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p.2 #4 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


Thanks for all the comments and images, I really appreciate any single one.
Sean, I have also checked your site and photostream, great shots !

I must confess that while before I was torn between the Distagon and the Oly, now that more lenses are in the arena, I am more puzzled.
But this is just fine: the more the gladiators the better the winner !

By the way, I forgot to say that the arena is a 5D Mark II.. so corner performance cannot be ignored.

I did not consider a zoom like the EF 17-40L, because I assumed it could not match a prime. Perhaps I am wrong and I've never tested one personally, but examining raw files on a 5D2 I am not happy with the performance at the wide end even at f/8. Furthermore I just need a ultrawide because I already have a C/Y Distagon 28/2.8 and a Summicron-R 35/2 (and I don't mind changing lenses). I love the Distagon rendering for landscapes.
If the Oly is going to perform like the 17-40L at 21mm f/8 then it is definitely not an option !

I think that rules out also the Tamron 17-35.

I hear also that the Oly 21/2 is better than the 21/3.5 little brother but it is almost double the price and not as compact. It is also more difficult to find. Performance is probably due to floating elements, but is it so much better at infinite ?

The Oly 24 may be optically better than the 21, but having the Distagon 28 I need something a little wider than 24.

I didn't know about the Voigtlander 20 SL II, so this is definitely something to check. What about the EOS mount ? I don't need AF, so the price must be justified by better performance.

Of course the Distagon 21/2.8 ZE is still an option, but is it so much better than all the contenders ? It is not if we talk about price, compactness, and probably distortion.

Thanks again for your help !

Dec 08, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Mike Ganz
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p.2 #5 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


I use multiple Oly's on my 5D2...the 18/3.5, 21/3.5, and the 24/2.8. All are excellent performers. With regard to the 17-40L, IMO its a stellar performer on the 5D2, even in the corners. The below image was shot with the 17-40L at 17mm...EXIF is ISO 100, 0.8-sec shutter speed, and f/22 aperture using hyperfocal distance focusing. The full-size file is nice and sharp from front to back and edge to edge:



This image is copyrighted by the owner

Dec 08, 2009 at 12:30 AM
 



StevenPA
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p.2 #6 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


Mike, that's a fantastic shot. Great composition, colour, and technique.

The 17-40 is a fine lens. It's versatile, gets the job done in most situations, but its weakness is infinity performance. I've taken all kinds of shots at infinity and hyperfocally to be able to say with confidence that the lens isn't optimized for across-the-frame performance at infinity at 17mm. Which is fine; as your excellent example shows, there's going to be something in the foreground at 17mm if it's a photo worth taking.

I have a decent copy of the 17-40, and it matches the OM 21/3.5 pretty well. Here are some crops:


This image is copyrighted by the owner





This image is copyrighted by the owner




Don't expect great corner performance from the OM 21/3.5. I really like the copy I have, but we need to be honest about its shortcomings. Corner performance is about on par with a good 17-40, and there is some vignetting even at f/16, surely a consequence of its miniature design. What you gain with the OM 21/3.5 is a MUCH more portable lens (you'll hardly even know it's there), more pleasing colours (IMHO), and more even sharpness across the frame (even sharpness until it drops off drastically in the corners).

Here are some samples with the 21/3.5, all with 5D:


This image is copyrighted by the owner





This image is copyrighted by the owner

Dec 08, 2009 at 12:54 AM
CheshireCat
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p.2 #7 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


Mike, that's a great shot. The rock in the corner is a rare example of 3D look at 17mm (IMHO).

Steven, beautiful low-light shots. The comparison between the 17-40 and the 21 is very interesting, I also prefer the colors from the Oly as opposed to Canon warmer colors.
This shows that both lenses are almost on par at infinity, at least on the 5D.
The prime seems to have a slightly better microcontrast, but I wonder how difficult is it to correct that Blue/Yellow CA in the corners.

Dec 08, 2009 at 01:40 AM
CheshireCat
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p.2 #8 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


Seems I've found the answer to the Blue/Yellow CA question on this site:

http://www.stefanrohloff.de/20_ca.php?en=1

comparing CA on many lenses in the 20mm range.

That site also contains great info about the Oly 21/3.5, including SC vs MC and red ring of flare:

http://www.stefanrohloff.de/20_olyspecial.php?en=1

Dec 09, 2009 at 12:00 AM
TWoK
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p.2 #9 · OM 3.5/21: samples/opinions ?


I love that site.

Dec 09, 2009 at 12:03 AM
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