Right now I'm looking to streamline my kit into a fast set of primes that is perfect for me but so far the sticking point has been a wide angle - I have a 28/2 but it's is too close to 35, I like 21mm but the Oly 21/2 is too pricey, so 24mm seems to be a good compromise.
I already own the Oly 2.8 MC, does anybody have any quick thoughts on the Oly 24/2 compared to the 2.8??
I have always been 100% happy with IQ from the 2.8 (ok there IS a little CA but it's mild) but F/2 would suit me much better.
I am mostly interested in WO performance and one stop down but F/8-11 is also of interest
I'm happy with my OM 24/2.8, but I haven't tried the f/2 version. Size/price/performance on balance favors the f/2.8 for me. I assume you have seen this thread, which is more about prices than performance: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/880543/0?keyword=OM,24#8269582
I thought I remembered seeing some comparison threads of the 24mm f/2 vs f/2.8 from years past but search doesn't bring them up.
I guess Sr. Cordeiro put a thread here some time ago comparing those beauties.
Also, these sites show the f/2.8 version has the edge on corner performance and a bit better at all equiv. apertures:
Some claim my copy of the f/2.8 wasn't the best. I don't know about that because I only had one version of it and I'm not really interested in testing more since I'm very happy with my f/2 version
These lens test on the zone-10 web site show a mixed result when comparing the two lenses. Almost all my Zuiko wides are f/2.0 (except the 18mm of course and the 24mm, which is f/2.8).
There might be really some copy variations. I am quite happy with the performance of my f/2.8. I compared it with my Nikkor f/2.8 14-24mm, and the little zuiko did very well, especially in the corners at f/5.6 and f/8.
--------------------------
Olympus 24mm f/2.8 Zuiko (multi-coated) PDF Print E-mail
Written by Ken Norton
Nov 22, 2008 at 02:19 PM
(multi-coated)
OM-4T with mirror and aperture prefire
Vignetting = B- @ f/2.8, B+ @ f/4, A- @ f/5.6, A @ f/8
Distortion = slight waveforming with distinct barrel
Aperture Center Corner
f/2.8 B- C
f/4 B+ B
f/5.6 A- A-
f/8 A- A
f/11 A- A
f/16 A- A-
Notes: Moderately low contrast at f/2.8 and f/16, moderate contrast
elsewise.
OM-4 with mirror and aperture prefire, different sample than above
Distortion = slight waveforming with distinct barrel
Aperture Center Corner
f/2.8 A- C+
f/4 A- B-
f/5.6 A- B+
f/8 A- B+
f/11 B+ B+
f/16 B+ A-
Olympus 24mm f/2.0 Zuiko (multi-coated) PDF Print E-mail
Written by Ken Norton
Nov 22, 2008 at 02:09 PM
(multi-coated)
OM-1 with mirror lockup
Vignetting = C @ f/2, B @ f/2.8
Distortion = pronounced waveform
Aperture Center Corner
f/2 C- D-
f/2.8 B C
f/4 B+ B
f/5.6 A B+
f/8 A A-
f/11 B+ A
f/16 B B
Notes: Easy to focus due to bright viewfinder image. Lens hood selection critical since vignetting not predictable in viewfinder. Very contrasty at f/5.6, contrasty at other apertures.
OM-4T with mirror and aperture prefire
Vignetting = D @ f/2, B- @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4 and thereafter
Distortion = moderate waveforming with strong barrel tendency
Aperture Center Corner
f/2 C+ C
f/2.8 B- C+
f/4 B+ B
f/5.6 A- B+
f/8 B+ A-
f/11 B+ A-
f/16 B B+
Notes: Moderately low contrast at f/2, moderate contrast at f/2.8,
moderately high contrast at f/11 and high contrast at f/4 to f/8.
I have both, the 24/2 is better but the 24/2.8 is the only wide 2.8 Oly that comes close to the comprable f/2 version. If there was an f/2.8 Oly wide prime to have, it's the 24.
That said the 24/2 is particularly better closeup/wideopen.
Sadly, Modern photo never tested the OM 24/2 as far as I know. I do have tests from Pop Photo and MP of the 24/2.8 and 24/2 (from PP only) at www.edsawyer.com/lenstests/
