zuiko 24mm f2
/forum/topic/691037/0

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theophilus
Registered: May 21, 2005
Total Posts: 518
Country: United States

Any comments on this lens? I own the f2.8 version but would like something faster. Is sometimes/always/never multi-coated? How is corner sharpness compared to the f2.8? How is the bokeh?

I would like a fast 24 with good center sharpness wide open, and good corners by f8-f11. Unfortunately can't afford the 24L.

I'd like to see some full-frame examples if anyone owns this.



cogitech
Registered: Apr 20, 2005
Total Posts: 10967
Country: Canada

It apparently may not satisfy your wide open centre sharpness requirement, according to Gary Reese's tests.

24mm f/2.0 Zuiko (multi-coated)

OM-1 with mirror lockup
Vignetting = C @ f/2, B @ f/2.8
Distortion = pronounced waveform
Aperture Center Corner
f/2 C- D-
f/2.8 B C
f/4 B+ B
f/5.6 A B+
f/8 A A-
f/11 B+ A
f/16 B B
Notes: Easy to focus due to bright viewfinder image. Lens hood selection
critical since vignetting not predictable in viewfinder. Very contrasty
at f/5.6, contrasty at other apertures.

OM-4T with mirror and aperture prefire
Vignetting = D @ f/2, B- @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4 and thereafter
Distortion = moderate waveforming with strong barrel tendency
Aperture Center Corner
f/2 C+ C
f/2.8 B- C+
f/4 B+ B
f/5.6 A- B+
f/8 B+ A-
f/11 B+ A-
f/16 B B+
Notes: Moderately low contrast at f/2, moderate contrast at f/2.8,
moderately high contrast at f/11 and high contrast at f/4 to f/8.



cogitech
Registered: Apr 20, 2005
Total Posts: 10967
Country: Canada

For comparison, here the 24/2.8 MC:

24mm f/2.8 Zuiko (multi-coated)

OM-4T with mirror and aperture prefire
Vignetting = B- @ f/2.8, B+ @ f/4, A- @ f/5.6, A @ f/8
Distortion = slight waveforming with distinct barrel
Aperture Center Corner
f/2.8 B- C
f/4 B+ B
f/5.6 A- A-
f/8 A- A
f/11 A- A
f/16 A- A-
Notes: Moderately low contrast at f/2.8 and f/16, moderate contrast
elsewise.

OM-4 with mirror and aperture prefire, different sample than above
Distortion = slight waveforming with distinct barrel
Aperture Center Corner
f/2.8 A- C+
f/4 A- B-
f/5.6 A- B+
f/8 A- B+
f/11 B+ B+
f/16 B+ A-



cogitech
Registered: Apr 20, 2005
Total Posts: 10967
Country: Canada

...and here's the site, in case you are interested:

http://members.aol.com/olympusom/lenstests/default.htm



Grant808
Registered: Sep 20, 2005
Total Posts: 2873
Country: United States

If you need sharp corners and want a faster lens than f/2.8, you just keep them both.



cogitech
Registered: Apr 20, 2005
Total Posts: 10967
Country: Canada

Based on the WO centre performance of the f2 (if those results indicate what one can generally expect from the f2) I would either a) stick with the 24/2.8 and bump the ISO up one stop, or b) buy the 28/2, which appears to be a much better WO performer.



theophilus
Registered: May 21, 2005
Total Posts: 518
Country: United States

I have this weird deal with focal lengths:

1) I love 35 & 24 for people/parties/street/concerts/etc
2) I love 21 & 28 for landscapes
3) I loathe 28 for people, etc

So I need fast 24 & 35 but my oly 21/3.5 and zeiss 28/2.8 work fine for me.

Looks like I need to save for the 24L.



cogitech
Registered: Apr 20, 2005
Total Posts: 10967
Country: Canada

Interesting. I much prefer 28 over 24, for people.

You might be better off to at least try the 24/2. Maybe Gary had a bad sample.



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