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".