I researched the Leica 24 some time ago - not one of Leica R strong points - I believe it has adapter problems with some cameras. Check pebbleplace for adapter feedback info.
I just got the Oly 24/2.8. I haven't done extensive testing but it seems very sharp so far. Vignetting seems fairly high at f/2.8, but it is the smallest SLR lens I own by far.
I've had the Leica R 24 for over 10 years now and have shot many magazine DPS (double page spreads) and covers with it when I was using Velvia 50. As others have said it may not be the sharpest tool in Leicas shed but it doesn't deserve the bad rep it seems to have. Who cares if it was designed by Minolta? By way of comparison, I also have the current R 28 and the R 24 does not have the same level of resolution.
I tried the Contax Zeiss 25 and although it seemed like a decent lens it was not impressive in any way. I haven't tried the Olympus 24/2.8.
The Leica R 24 won't work on 1dsMk2 so it won't work on other FF bodies. It works fine on my 40D where I tend to use it wide open and the crop still gives me an image with excellent sharpness overall although you can already start to see some falloff in sharpness in the corners. The lens performs best around F8, as do most lenses of this kind.
JohnJ wrote:
I tried the Contax Zeiss 25 and although it seemed like a decent lens it was not impressive in any way. I haven't tried the Olympus 24/2.8.
The Zeiss ZF/ZE 25mm is a significant improvement over the old Contax 25mm.
the difference between 25mm and 28mm is tiny! I have a 25/28 accessory viewfinder from zeiss and the gap is about one step back or forward! So I would consider the Leica 28mm (if the funds stretch that far) or the new Zeiss ZE 28/2 as well
Empire wrote:
While the CY looks great, might I recommend a Zuiko 28/3.5? It's sharp as nails and costs less than a carton of beer. Cheap fun!
It's my take-with-while-drinking lens
+1 for the Zuiko 28 f3.5. When I did side-by-side comps with my C/Y 28 f2.8, the Auiko won it hands down, and even with the lowered price on the Zeiss, the Zuiko is a fifth the cost -
+1 for the Zuiko 28 f3.5. When I did side-by-side comps with my C/Y 28 f2.8, the Auiko won it hands down, and even with the lowered price on the Zeiss, the Zuiko is a fifth the cost -
The Zuiko has more 3Dness than the Zeiss ?? ... and still has Oly colors ??
I don't find a lot of "3D" in the Zeiss 28. It's a very sharp "edgy" kind of look. It's not as sharp into the corners FF as the Zuiko, but that may not matter on your 1DII crop body - haven't seen it there.
I have just picked up a used copy of a Zeiss Contax 28mm f2.8 lens.My first impressions are this is an impressive lens.I see no distortion, and CA is non existent.Sharpness and color are a given.Few Samples below
-Jim
