Jacob D
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 p.4 #7 · very best wides for nex 5n...... | |
I recently test the CV 21/4 against several other lenses in similar FL including the OM 24/2.8, Sony 18-55 kit @ 28mm, and the Contax G 28/2.8.
Surprisingly, the kit lens is very good at this focal length (28mm), I think maybe it's peak performance is here. As far as sharpness is concerned I found it equal to the CV 21/4 both at the center and edges. The outcome is a little depressing depending on which lens you're rooting for! I tested at f2.8 (where possible), f5.6, and f11. f11 seemed to be the best, but I know most of these lenses are said to peak somewhere between 5.6 - 8, and I didn't test at f8. The good news (or bad  ) is that the Sony does still show noticeable CA's at f5.6 and f11, where the CV is minimal to nil in that department.
I noted that at f11 both lenses were "very good" in the center, and "good" at the edges and corners, where "excellent" would have been about as good as you could want without moving up to high end SLR glass and/or an SLR with more resolution.
The Contax G was already "excellent" and "very good" at f5.6, and I didn't note a change at f11, if it peaks at f8 that would really be something. It's a superb lens. CA was essentially non existent at 5.6 and beyond. The adapter focusing offended my sensibilities, however. It still vexes me.
The Oly came in last, which was a bit of a disappointment. Maybe my lens/adapter/camera combo isn't producing good sharpness from it. I have seen some photos on the web that looked very good made by this lens. It improved dramatically from f5.6 to f11 though, and it may also peak at f8. I found at f5.6 the center was "acceptable" with corners "needing improvement", where unacceptable is the lowest rating. At f11 it improved to "good" and "acceptable". CA very minimal at 5.6, and non existent at f11.
My favorite, which I didn't mention above since the FL is a little longer is the CV 35/2.5. I found it to be better in the corners than the CZ G, and only slightly behind at the center (it was part of this "test" as well). Coming from Canon lenses the colors of the Skopar are much better balanced. Still punchy but the reds are in check for a change. I really like this lens; it's size and weight are perfect. For me, this is what the NEX is all about. I am sure there are better wides, but excluding the Leicas, I don't see any logic to putting SLR glass on the NEX when instead I can put it on my SLR where it balances and handles more naturally. That is my personal thought, I'm not trying to impose it on anyone else, but in that sense I think the CV 35/2.5 is one of the best 35's that can be paired with the NEX.
The Skopar 21 is not quite in the same league, but it's a very nice lens and I'm tempted to keep it because it shares the filter size with the 35/2.5. If I can find a CV 90 Lanthar that would make a nice landscape/travel kit all of which use tiny 39mm filters, so I *think* that's the direction I'm moving in, but at any rate I wanted to share my findings regarding the other lenses I've tinkered with.
edit: by the way, I found that *all* of the lenses mentioned above except the Sony have some color shift at the edges. I didn't see this until I had them in the fog yesterday. The Oly, CZ G, and CV 35/2.5 seem to have the least, the CV 21/4 has a little more. I am fiddling with various ways to correct this.
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