Wide Angle options

[rickd]

Dale's post is a fine opening for a note that Hasselblad thought so highly of the Biogon lens they built a camera around one: the SWC. They truly are that nice, whichever flavor one might choose for their G (the 21 or the 28).

--Rick

 

[erichard44]

> I just returned from my trip to Hong Kong and I have to say that in looking at the slides it is difficult at first to tell the 28mm shots from the 45, and I mean that as a compliment. There is no distortion and the color is fabulous. I found myself using the 28 more than any other lens.

I don't have the 21, but I have had lenses that wide before, and they are fun, but maybe not as all around useful as the 28.

>

 

[myrra]

I think it's more about personal taste, but I would recommend to get G21. We use G21, G28 and as a new Distagon 18/4 (for situations when SLR is more likely in my bag). Apart from Distagon, which is another class (although very ineresting lens), both G lenses are very nice. As Richard wrote above, it's hard to distinguish snaps from 45 and 28 - except color saturation and some corner sharpness they are equal. For G21, I seem pictures from G21 as more stunning - that is, if stunning picture happen
You can also get used G21 for a really fair price - but yes, it's more pricey than 28.
Myrra

 

[mike_nunan]

Hi Myrra,

Are you saying that the 18/4 is an even better lens than the G21?? If so, what would you say the improvements are?

TIA

-= mike =-

 

[myrra]

No no, Distagon 18/4 is, even according simply to MTF charts, way beyound G21 or G28. Comparable is probably Distagon 21 (I didn't have the pleasure to use it). But from a price point of view and if you don't hesitate AF, used G1 (G2) plus G21 will do very best for the price.
Distagon 18/4 has more vignetting, less sharpness and contrast, more distortion etc. - but I had to add some wide to my SLR equipment and decided on this lens, among SLR superwides it is reasonably priced. Anyway, it's somewhat interesting, especially on people's shooting. I wouldn't recommend it for landscapes, that's for sure Distagon 28/2.8 is most probably a better choice from performance point of view, but I use G28 and gap from 50mm is not that big. Maybe I'll add D28 later too.
Myrra

 

[mike_nunan]

Yeah, I have too many systems as it is, I can't handle the idea of getting a G-series body just for one lens! Besides, when I tried handling a G2, I really couldn't get along with the AF.

I already have the 35/1.4 (a fantastic lens) but the main concern for me is to have a sharp ultra-wide, as this is an area where my Canon system can't deliver. I think the D21 is the one for me, now it's just a matter of finding one, they don't seem to be very common on the used market here in the UK.

Cheers,

-= mike =-