CV 21 vs. 25

[jpa66]

This query foes out to those of you who have ( or have used ) both of these lenses. I'm trying to decide which one to get, and was wondering what the difference is between the two ( aside from the obvious fov ).

How is the distortion, vignetting and sharpness between the two? Do you like one better than the other. If so, why?

Thanks,
JP

 

[Bob Michaels]

I have both. I use both. The FOV is very different and the optical quality is very good for both.

Choose based on the FOV you feel works for you. Nothing else matters in comparison.

 

[-doomed-]

The 21 is rf coupled iirc , the 25 has click stops but no coupling. I own the 25 and its permanently mounted on my IIIf , its a great tiny lense.
I cant speak for the 21 or the vignetting , I really don't pay major attention. I love my CV 25/4 when used with delta 3200 or tmax 3200. It seems pretty sharp considering I'm not great at scale focus.

 

[back alley]

the newer cv 25 is rf coupled...

both lenses are excellent, well built, small and slow.
fov is what separates them.

 

[Bob Michaels]

The 21 is rf coupled iirc , the 25 has click stops but no coupling. I own the 25 and its permanently mounted on my IIIf , its a great tiny lense.
I cant speak for the 21 or the vignetting , I really don't pay major attention. I love my CV 25/4 when used with delta 3200 or tmax 3200. It seems pretty sharp considering I'm not great at scale focus.

I am very comfortable zone focusing the CM 25mm. I find the click stops very practical.

I had my CV 21mm for two years before I realized it was rangefinder coupled since I always zone focus it. It was not until a friend borrowed it that I noticed him focusing through the rangefinder. But I still zone focus it.

 

[-doomed-]

Im getting better with zone focus , i typically set it @ f8 and 1.5m and it pretty much covers the area I was hoping to get.