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Archive 2011 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm
  
 
Jorge Torralba
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


I have seen many threads where people don't think the 18mm is very good. I Just posted a new review of the two super wides from Zeiss. The review focuses on comparing the two lenses against each other and the myths regarding image quality from the 18mm. You can read the full review and sample here http://www.zeissimages.com/showreplies.php?qid=837
Nov 05, 2011 at 10:35 PM
magiclight
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


The physical size of the 18mm is certainly appealing compared to the competition.
Nov 06, 2011 at 01:30 AM
rattymouse
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


magiclight wrote:
The physical size of the 18mm is certainly appealing compared to the competition.



18mm is a nice focal length on DX cameras.


Nov 06, 2011 at 01:53 AM
Peire
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Jorge Torralba wrote:
I have seen many threads where people don't think the 18mm is very good. I Just posted a new review of the two super wides from Zeiss. The review focuses on comparing the two lenses against each other and the myths regarding image quality from the 18mm. You can read the full review and sample here http://www.zeissimages.com/showreplies.php?qid=837


Jorge,

My personal experience with these two lenses is in accordance with your review.Both are great WA lenses and I'm really glad to have them.Well done and thanks for sharing!


Nov 06, 2011 at 02:36 AM
denoir
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Quite a difference. No contents - the 21 is far better. The comparison and the crops pretty much confirm the established opinion - avoid the 18, get the 21. From the shots it looks like the 18 is almost as bad as a Canon 16-35/II in terms of micro contrast.

Thanks for the review Jorge, although I must admit that I find your conclusions to be completely contradictory to the sample images you've shown.

Example:

21 @ 5.6:
http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/4/U4I1320538279.SEQ.1.jpg

18 @ 5.6:
http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/4/U4I1320538685.SEQ.1.jpg

And you say:
However, Let me state here that I cannot see any differences in image quality between the two.

The difference is massive! Look at the how much higher micro contrast and detail the 21 shows. Those two crops are a textbook demonstration of a great lens vs a not so great lens.

Edited on Nov 06, 2011 at 05:37 AM · View previous versions
Nov 06, 2011 at 05:28 AM
Romain
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


I don't see much difference on my screen, the 18 has more lateral CA but resolution and contrast wise I find them extremely similar
Nov 06, 2011 at 05:34 AM
rattymouse
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Romain wrote:
I don't see much difference on my screen, the 18 has more lateral CA but resolution and contrast wise I find them extremely similar

I see a difference, but I would never call it a massive one.
Nov 06, 2011 at 06:18 AM
dbehrens
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


I like the review very much. Thanks for this! Its helpful...
As for the difference between the 18/21- looks like about 400+ dollars to me.
Dave
Nov 06, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Ripolini
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


denoir wrote:
The difference is massive! Look at the how much higher micro contrast and detail the 21 shows.
I don't think that those images are comparable insofar as resolution of the lenses is concerned. The magnification is quite different, due to the difference of focal length. The size of distant tiny details reproduced on film/sensor is as smaller as the shorter the focal length. Therefore, the shorter the FL the more critical the resolution of those tiny details. This is the reason why serious landscape photographers have to prefer medium (or large) format rather than FF DSLR. Consequently, no meaningful comparison about resolution can be drawn from those pictures.
I think the only difference that emerges from those test shots is a (slight) magenta color cast of 18/3.5.
The shots show also a rather good quality of the 18/3.5, which has a much more uniform yield than any Canon 16-35/2.8.
Nov 06, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Jorge Torralba
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Denoir,

Here is the same comparison but with a little adjustment in LR to the 18. Only contrast exposure and black levels. I guess that's what happens when you get older like me. Start losing the eye site. None the less, the 18 is definitely no slouch.

I have also outlined in yellow what I looking at for detail. Especially the fine power lines, ladders, railing around walk areas and other small clearly defined detail. On my monitor it looks incredibly clear and loses none of the detail.

http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/4/U4I1320538279.SEQ.1.jpg

http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/4/U4I1320593836.SEQ.0.jpg

http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/4/U4I1320594289.SEQ.0.jpg
Nov 06, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Z250SA
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Could it mostly be in the semantics? Swedes have a tendency towards excessive attributes. From a finnish perspective that is.

Thanks for the review Jorge. Iīve got the 21 and will wait for the 15mm, that I canīt afford when it comes... But I would not hesitate to get the 18 if I needed that FL.
Nov 06, 2011 at 02:45 PM
vallejo
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Funny,but in some parts of the initial crops,like the rocks right to the "waterfall", I see more detail in the 18mm
Nov 06, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Jorge Torralba
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Just a heads up. I will be getting the new 25 f2 next week for review. I will enjoy evaluating that lens and will provide real world samples. If you have anything in mind that you would like to see photographed as part of the review, just let me know.


Nov 06, 2011 at 07:17 PM
nixland
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Thanks a lot for sharing. I want to know this comparison test since months ago
In my monitor the 21 ZE has better 'resolution' or sharpness+contrast.
Both are my dream lenses. 18mm for smaller size and wider FL (for traveling light and wider FL on apsc camera), the 21ZE for it's sharpness-contrast and f2.8 (not for low light only but currently I like to shot close object with wide lens with wide aperture too

I plan to sell my Distagon 35/1.4 AEG and 28/2 ZE to buy both lenses. What do you think?


Nov 07, 2011 at 08:17 AM
morpheus2891
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Maybe it's just my eyes but the lightroom adjustments aren't necessary for the 18mm and might actually be a bit much. It looks just fine. From your review it isn't as strong near the edges, but then again this is where the 21D is legendary and your review shows nothing RE close up performance which I personally believe is one of the strong points of the new 21mm (no idea how the 18mm does here). Overall a nice review and confirms that if you need the extra wide perspective of the 18mm and/or a lighter package then the 21mm then the "inferior"18mm is a great choice. I must also admit that while I respect Denoir's opinion and love his photos, I fail to see what would warrant the "no contest" label. The 18mm delivers all of the detail (in the center) of the 21mm and 95% of the contrast... pretty impressive considering the different image scales. I'm not sure that I would call that massive or even notice it in most pictures.


Nov 07, 2011 at 11:58 AM
dimitris77
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


To be honest the 18mm looks better to my eyes. Maybe its the post processing. I own the 21mm btw.


Nov 07, 2011 at 01:57 PM
philip_pj
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Both from the MTF and from viewing the images here and at the linked page, the 21mm is in another quality league in all important respects, so this time the MTF is a total vindication of what emerges from each lens.

Not to go into too much detail, but it amounts to: higher contrast and resolution at very fine levels of detail as well as globally, more consistent contrast at all levels of image object size and image height leading to more faithful drawing of objects in image space.

These attributes, being lens characteristics, cannot be reassembled in post. If objects are not drawn as accurately or consistently across the image, you cannot fix that issue with the simple tools we have in post-processing apps, as Jorge has tried here, with the result that the image looks overdone. Favoured post techniques will not close the gap, quite the contrary, because you start with a better foundation with the better lens.

Consequently the 18mm images are much flatter, here and in the review. The market rarely gets it wrong in the relative valuation of lenses in the same lineup.



Nov 07, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Jorge Torralba
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


I know this is not fair. But, I found a similar shot from years ago that I did with the 50 f2 Macro on a sunny day.
This is the center section from a pano that I had stitched together taken with a D3. YOu need to look at this ona good monitor. It will blow you away!

http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/4/U4I1320728973.SEQ.0.jpg

One more!

Look at the 3 vertical towers with a top crossbeam.

http://www.zeissimages.com/gallery/4/U4I1320729434.SEQ.0.jpg
Nov 08, 2011 at 12:13 AM
abqnmusa
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Jorge, thanks for the review. It was interesting reading.

I own the 18mm ZE on Canon. It has been a fantastic lens on the 5D II and now 5D III.
The lens has always delivered image quality.




Oct 09, 2012 at 05:30 PM
abqnmusa
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Review of Zeiss 18mm vs 21mm


Jorge, thanks for the review. It was interesting reading to see your thoughts on the 18mm ZE.

18 ZE vs. 21 ZE -- I really do not care. I do not measurebate lenses. How the lenses are used and post processed determines the image quality.

I own the 18mm ZE on Canon. It has been a fantastic lens on the 5D II and now 5D III.
The lens has always delivered image quality right out of the camera. Very little post processing required.

I find the size of the 18mm ideal for carrying on hiking trips.
It has been a good night photo lens or landscapes with stars.




Oct 09, 2012 at 05:32 PM
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