A wider view: Independent Super Wide-Angle lenses compared
By Ben Boswell - Friday, February 01, 2013 Lens Review| Introduction | Measurement | Comparison | Conclusion |
There is a very particular look available to photographers who have a ‘Super-Wide-angle’ lens in their gadget bag, a ‘look’ that puts a whole new perspective on things. To get it you really need something quite extreme. Nikon do it, Canon do it, indeed most of the camera makers do it, but so do some of the independent lens makers. Of these who does it best? And do you get what you pay for?
What’s in a millimeter?
The main lenses we are looking at here are the Canon and Nikon versions of the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/15 lens which was launched in March 2012. To give some perspective we are including the Sigma 14mm f2.8 EX Aspherical HSM Nikon that was launched around the middle of 2008 but is no-longer in production.
The Zeiss optic comprises 15 elements in 12 groups. Optically the two versions of the Zeiss Distagon are the same, but the Canon version is slightly longer and heavier due to differences in the depth of the camera body and the dimensions of the lens mount.
The Sigma lens comprises 14 elements in 10 groups in what, for such a wide lens, is a relatively compact 82mm across and just over 90mm long. Unlike the Zeiss lens, it also has autofocus, this seems a little superfluous in such a wide lens but is nice to have anyway. The Carl Zeiss lens, in either version, Canon or Nikon, is rather bigger: 103mm across and over 130mm long and also rather heavier. Both manufacturers are using aspheric elements and Zeiss also use special glass that they describe as ‘anomalous partial dispersion’, they also both have built in lens shades.
Measurement
Comparaison
Conclusion
Comments
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Added by Fredbare |
March 30
Zeiss 25mm F2
On 5th February Emilie wrote that the tests on the Zeiss 25mm F2 would be available 'in around a month'.
Any update on this? Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
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Added by Emilie_DxOMark |
April 04
Re: Zeiss 25mm F2
Hello,
Thanks for your interest in DxOMark. Sorry for the delay. Results should be published next Monday, stay tuned :) Best regards, The DxOMark team Reply |
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Added by MJSfoto1956 |
March 06
XO Module for Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC
I too would appreciate a DxO Optics Pro module for the Samyang 14mm for use with my D800. I might have to get a copy of Lightroom if DxO doesn't deliver soon...
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Added by rolfhengel |
February 08
DXO Module for Samyang 14mm
Im also waiting for a DXO module for Nikon D300s, D700 and D800. Any idea when it will be available ?
Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
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Added by Emilie_DxOMark |
February 12
Re: DXO Module for Samyang 14mm
Hi,
I am afraid I don't understand: are you talking about review or support by DxO Optics Pro? In this case, this question belongs to DxO.com. Regards, Emilie Reply |
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Added by Fredbare |
February 04
Zeiss 25mm F2
Any idea when this lens will be tested?
It was released before the Zeiss 15mm so one would have thought that it may have been tested first. It's also a cheaper lens and may have more public interest. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
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Added by Nicolas |
February 05
Re: Zeiss 25mm F2
Hi,
The result for this lens should be available in around one month. Best, Emilie Reply |
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Added by Emilie_DxOMark |
February 07
Re: Zeiss 25mm F2
You are welcome! :)
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Added by tomlawone |
February 03
DXO Module for Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC
Given your tests for this lens, why not a DXO module?? The lens is excellent especially in light of its price, and distortion corrections in a module would make it much, much better. I have had one for Nikon with a focus chip for well over a year waiting for a DXO module.
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Further readings for the A wider view: Independent Super Wide-Angle lenses compared
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.