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Archive 2009 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???
  
 
Astragony
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


I want to get a fast wide prime (under 24mm) and I pretty much narrowed down my choice between these 2 lens:

Sigma 20mm f/1.8

Zuiko 21mm f/2

With the sigma I would have AF and it would be slightly faster.
The zuiko on the other hand is really nice and small, and build quality is probably better.

The zuiko would cost me about 500 euros and the sigma 250ish.

I am planning to use lens wide open (or close to it) most of the time.

What do you guys reccomend?
Any other comparable lens worthy of a look?

Thank you.
Jun 16, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Makten
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


The Sigma is not a lens for landscapes or such. It is stellar at short distances and medium large apertures. Wide open, it is quite OK on FF, but you'd not want to use f/1.8 if you don't have to. At f/2.8-5.6, it is very sharp and contrasty.
The corners never get really sharp, and there's some wavey distortion going on. This lens is more about short DOF and great midframe sharpness.

I traded mine for a Sigma 14/2.8, but I might get the 20/1.8 again.

Some examples on D700...

f/4:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Makten/Sigma_20/DSC_0595_2.jpg


f/5.6:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Makten/Sigma_20/DSC_0287.jpg

f/1.8:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Makten/Sigma_20/DSC_0088.jpg


f/4:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Makten/Sigma_20/DSC_0187.jpg


f/1.8:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Makten/Sigma_20/DSC_0035_800.jpg
Jun 16, 2009 at 05:22 PM
ulrikft
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


I have the 20 1.8 myself, and it is actually very sharp in center at 1.8 on my d700, maybe i was lucky with the copy. Not too bad in the corners at f/8 either actually, I think I have some example shots somewhere of that..

Extreme corner at f/11:

http://ulrikft.smugmug.com/photos/394956120_N63EB-O.jpg
Jun 16, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Astragony
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


Yeah I don't mind the soft corners, I would be using it for reportage and video.
Any experience with the zuiko? is it worth 2x the price of the sigma?

Thanks for the replies.
Jun 17, 2009 at 02:45 AM
ovredal73
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


I had the sigma, sold it to finance the zuiko. I like small.
Jun 17, 2009 at 02:51 AM
Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


The zuiko is all around better, IMO. There's a reason it's expensive - it's that good.

-Ed
Jun 17, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Astragony
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


cool, good to know, anyone have samples from the zuiko? how are the edges on the zuiko^ what about the mfd?

Thanks.
Jun 17, 2009 at 04:04 PM
TWoK
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


The Zuiko, like all Zuiko's is rather slow for it's f/2 rating. It also vignettes pretty badly on digital. I'd still go with the OM. I love mine.
Jun 17, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


check mflenses.com/org and manualfocus.org for samples, there's plenty that have been posted.


Jun 18, 2009 at 10:13 AM
dave chilvers
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


I had the Olympus 21 3.5 ( never tried the f2)and to be quite honest I didn`t like where the apeture ring was. It also was difficult to change apetures when I had my Lee wide hood in place when using grads (which might not be a problem for you)
You didn`t say which camera?
I still have my Sigma 21 1.8 and up till my 1dsmk2 it was (surprisingly) very close to my Contax 21 2.8.
When I got 21 million pixels the Contax showed it`s head. I found that with the Sigma wide open was just OK but stopped down a couple and (unlike one of the other posters) I found it stellar for landscapes and all distances.
It`s certainly not a lens I would sell and if I didn`t have the Contax I wouldn`t hesitate to use it.
I think that there are good and bad copies of most Sigma lenses (as there are Canons) and I`m pretty sure I got a decent copy. With regards foregoing AF with a MF lens then at that focal length I wouldn`t worry, I more often than not use my Contax 21 at infinity f8 or just come back a touch from the end stop if the subject is closer and it works a treat. However if you intend to use whatever lens you buy at fairly wide apetures with nearish subjects where you might need to respond fairly fast then you will be at more of a disadvantage with a MF lens for sure.
Jun 18, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Astragony
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


I would be using the lens on the 5DmkII, I read many really bad reviews on the 20 1.8 but also a good amount of good ones. I don't know what to think, I might get the siggy since it's cheap, if I really hate it I'll get the zuiko.
Jun 19, 2009 at 02:54 PM
TWoK
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


I had the 24/1.8 and it was great.


Jun 19, 2009 at 07:25 PM
HopeIsEternal
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Fast wide primes, sigma 20mm 1.8 or zuiko 21mm 2???


I bought a Sigma EX 20mm f/1.8 for Sony/Minolta on EBay and after it arrived I realized it would not autofocus or be recognized by the camera. So I have to shoot manual focus and wide open. It is sharp enough for my needs but I need to send it in to Sigma so they can rechip it.

If I had a full frame camera like the A900/A850 I probably would have preferred a 24mm f/1.8 or even a 28mm f/1.8 in lieu of the much more expensive Sony/Minolta 35mm f/1.4

Here is a test shot I took this morning with my Sony A700 (Crop sensor).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4589016905_6948cfbabb_b.jpg
May 08, 2010 at 12:15 PM





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