Archive 2013 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

pesto
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

I have been thinking about purchasing a Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 ZE recently but have found very little in the way of posted images or comments here about this lens. Is there a reason that it is aparently so neglected? I have a Canon 24-70 f/2.8 version II and would like to add something a bit wider. The 21 would probably be too close and the 15 is a bit too wide for my intended uses. Before going the rental route, I thought that I might see what folks here think.
Thanks and happy holidays to one and all.

Douglas Benson

Dec 21, 2013 at 10:18 PM

burningheart
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

Not a lot of people buy this lens and usually opt for the Zeiss 21, the Canon 17 T+S or the Nikon 14-24.

This lens has some shortcomings, read through the reviews to get an idea of what others have experienced with the lens. I wouldn't worry about the scores as it is always subjective.

That said although I have the above mentioned lenses I more often take the 18 along with the 24-70 or the Zeiss 25. As you mention I found the 21 was too close to 24-70 or Zeiss 25 (which are in my bag) for when I am shooting landscapes. I like the colours and drawing style of the lens. Normally I shoot F5.6-F8 which eliminates the concerns of vignetting and edge sharpness. You still have the distortion effect but that can be corrected in PP or if you don't have a straight horizon you are shooting it isn't an issue.

Dec 21, 2013 at 11:41 PM

Peire
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

I got both 21/1.8 and 18/3.5.The 18/3.5 is a very good lens,performing decently on FF. 21/2.8 has a little less distortions and little better corner sharpness overall,but is much bigger,heavier and more expensive.

18/3.5 ZF + Nikon D600

http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1350846931.SEQ.1.jpg

21/2.8 ZE + Canon 5D2 comparison shot

http://zeissimages.com/gallery/951/U951I1350277983.SEQ.1.jpg

Dec 22, 2013 at 04:23 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

I use the Zeiss 18/3.5 ZE, TS-E 17/4L, and TS-E 24/3.5L II. I owned the Zeiss 21/2.8 ZE for a few years, but sold it after getting the TS-E 24/3.5L II, because (as you suspect) it's too close to the 24mm TS lens, and not as good. After getting the TS-E 17/4L, I realized that I didn't have a relatively small ultra-wide (compared to the TS-E lenses, at least), and so I bought the Zeiss 18/3.5 ZE. It's an excellent lens.

I posted some threads to compare the Zeiss 18/3.5 ZE with a few of the usual suspects. I think the best one is,

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1229794/0#11705691

I'm in the middle of a series comparing the 18 ZE, Oly 18/3.5, TS-E 17, and 16-35/2.8L II, but the weather isn't cooperating. So far, all are excellent, and so you can't go too far wrong.

I've attached a few more comparison images below, that I don't think I've posted before. They're 18 ZE (top left) and Ef 16-35/2.8 L II on 1DX, tripod, LiveView MF, etc., taken about one year ago. The first three are at f/3.5, and the last at f/8.

Dec 22, 2013 at 08:02 AM

MaxBerlin
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

Jcolwell - nice comps. The 18ze kills the others.

I think you can rent a lens from Lensrentals and apply the rental fee to the purchase price if you like it. That's one way of knowing if the lens is for you.

I tried an older 18mm on my NEX7 while in Copenhagen last year. I thought there was way too much vignetting with it but it was priced right and no VAT or tax on used items in Denmark.

Dec 22, 2013 at 12:42 PM

MaxBerlin
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

Piere - your stream photo is great.

Pesto - some more help here - https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1261481

Dec 22, 2013 at 12:50 PM

pesto
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

Thanks to all who have contributed here, I appreciate your thoughts. Has anyone tried using a center filter to offset the reported vignetting?

Dec 22, 2013 at 04:29 PM

Hulot
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

pesto wrote:
Thanks to all who have contributed here, I appreciate your thoughts. Has anyone tried using a center filter to offset the reported vignetting?

IMO you are better off to use the light you lose with a CenterF on stopping down and correct the rest in post

Dec 22, 2013 at 05:52 PM

mark1958
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Question

i have owned both the Canon and Nikon version. I sold my canon for nikon when i switched to the D800. I have also owned the 21mm for Canon. I agree about what was said-- the 21mm is a bit better in terms of image quality especially the corners but the 18mm is quite close and if i had to only own one… which i now do-- it is the 18mm because i can always crop a little--…. nicely built.. not too big but a bit heavy.. but one great performer

Dec 22, 2013 at 11:12 PM


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