Jim Watts
Still trying to See.
There an interesting comparative review of the 21mm f/2.8 Elmarit ASPH and the 21mm f/2.8 Biogon ZM by Jonathan Eastland in this weeks British Journal of Photography (dated 12th Oct. 05). Its of particular interest here as the R-D1 is used as the test bed for the lenses and for the comments made in general about lenses on the R-D1.
Eastland has no problem about using the R-D1 to show the differences and indeed these are still apparent in the reproductions in the magazine. In the comments he also confirms Sean's findings with regard to how images can 'look' different with the same focal length on the R-D1 - "It pays to get to know the characteristics of each lens used with this camera, as no one brand of 50mm, for example, obtains the same effect as an equivalent other make".
Overall although regognising the build quality of the Biogon and its generally high image quality he finds the Elmarit better at resolving micro detail, especially towards the edges, to have a more neutral colour balance and less vignetting in the top half of the frame when used on the R-D1.
In conclusion he finds the Biogon at about half the price of the Elmarit to be excellent value "meeting its manufactures claims for 'brilliant, rasor sharp pictures" and "ideally suited for the R-D1" but its the Elmarit he would "want in his amoury for A3 format mechanical reproductions".
Eastland has no problem about using the R-D1 to show the differences and indeed these are still apparent in the reproductions in the magazine. In the comments he also confirms Sean's findings with regard to how images can 'look' different with the same focal length on the R-D1 - "It pays to get to know the characteristics of each lens used with this camera, as no one brand of 50mm, for example, obtains the same effect as an equivalent other make".
Overall although regognising the build quality of the Biogon and its generally high image quality he finds the Elmarit better at resolving micro detail, especially towards the edges, to have a more neutral colour balance and less vignetting in the top half of the frame when used on the R-D1.
In conclusion he finds the Biogon at about half the price of the Elmarit to be excellent value "meeting its manufactures claims for 'brilliant, rasor sharp pictures" and "ideally suited for the R-D1" but its the Elmarit he would "want in his amoury for A3 format mechanical reproductions".
S
sreidvt
Guest
Thanks for the post Jim. I'll have to take a look at that article. I plan to test all the new Zeiss lenses this fall.
Cheers,
Sean
Cheers,
Sean
Phil_Hawkes
Established
Jim Watts said:
Interesting... the MTF of the two lenses look very similar up to around 15mm, which covers most (all) of the sensor... so I had assumed that both lenses would be very comparable in resolving detail.
Jim Watts said:
I have been banking on the Biogon being as good as the Elmarit (at least on the R-D1)... just cheaper. Mind you, I seem to be using wide lenses less and less these days, ... so a 21mm is slowly moving down the wishlist (it was once at the top!).
Phil
S
suzums
Guest
Interesting. Thanks for bringing it up, cause I was just wondering a couple of days ago when I saw the avaliability of the ZM's on cameraquest.
I'm not a subscriber to BJM, nor do I think I can get the magazine in Honolulu. But I suscribed for the free trail just so I could read the article.
I'm not a subscriber to BJM, nor do I think I can get the magazine in Honolulu. But I suscribed for the free trail just so I could read the article.
Jim Watts
Still trying to See.
"I have been banking on the Biogon being as good as the Elmarit (at least on the R-D1)... just cheaper.
Phil"
"Thanks for bringing it up, cause I was just wondering a couple of days ago when I saw the avaliability of the ZM's on cameraquest.
Suzums"
I don't think anyone should be put off from purchasing the Biogon from my quotes from the article. Eastland finds it of very high quality, "sharp enough", working very well on the R-D1. So in real world shooting, depending on your subject matter etc., it may not make much difference. I find my 21mm f/2.8 Avenon, while probably not of the quality of either of the above, fine on both my M4 & R-D1 and could not justify the extra cost of these alterenatives given my usage of this lens.
Eastland had also high expectations for use on the R-D1 because of the digital ready claims, but while good, found the no claims for digital benefits Elmarit a bit better.
In the U.K. the difference iin price between the two lenses is about 800 GBP, a very substancial amount, so this probably will define the purchaser more than the quality differences. If you can afford the Elmarit and it would get sufficient use it maybe the better purchase, but if not the Biogon would still make fine pictures.
Phil"
"Thanks for bringing it up, cause I was just wondering a couple of days ago when I saw the avaliability of the ZM's on cameraquest.
Suzums"
I don't think anyone should be put off from purchasing the Biogon from my quotes from the article. Eastland finds it of very high quality, "sharp enough", working very well on the R-D1. So in real world shooting, depending on your subject matter etc., it may not make much difference. I find my 21mm f/2.8 Avenon, while probably not of the quality of either of the above, fine on both my M4 & R-D1 and could not justify the extra cost of these alterenatives given my usage of this lens.
Eastland had also high expectations for use on the R-D1 because of the digital ready claims, but while good, found the no claims for digital benefits Elmarit a bit better.
In the U.K. the difference iin price between the two lenses is about 800 GBP, a very substancial amount, so this probably will define the purchaser more than the quality differences. If you can afford the Elmarit and it would get sufficient use it maybe the better purchase, but if not the Biogon would still make fine pictures.
S
suzums
Guest
Yea, absolutely not! Reading the article didn't change my perspective of what I already knew about ZM. I've use the Biogon for my Contax G, and that is a real piece of gem to use. Plus the price difference does give the Biogon a big plus. Whenever I get a chance to make my purchase, I don't think I'll have a doubt in my mind about it! 
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