I've asked this before.

[kshapero]

My ZI has framelines 28-35-50-85. I have 35-50-90 lenses. I want to get a ZM wide angle. 21, 25,or 28 (f2.8). Help me decide. Would like to do crowds and scale focus. If I got a 21 would I be in for too many surprises with only a 28mm frameline? Do not wish to use an external VF. Some here say the 25 works well. But the 28 is smaller in size.
Weigh in please.

 

[foto_fool]

Akiva - for me the 28 and even the 25 are too close to FOV of the 35, so I went with a 21mm. I have the most fun with this lens on the ZI when I set exposure to auto, put the lens on hyperfocal and just go to town - using it almost like a p&s. I don't use the external VF, use the body VF only to find my main subject - and frankly don't worry much about what I can't see at the edges of the of the field. Surely this mode is not for everyone, but works for me.

 

[awilder]

Have you considered selling the 35 and simply replace it with the 28? The 28 is ideal for street shots of people or crowds.

 

[mfogiel]

For me the right way to go for off the hip shooting is the 25mm, although I've done it even with the 15mm. In case of the 28 mm you really need to stop down and shoot in bright light, as otherwise you'll get too many blurred shots. Here are a few examples of hyperfocal fast shots:

28mm (Elmarit ASPH):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2134/1801048870_c8f1bea5c8_b.jpg
25mm (Biogon):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/1544600819_f69f980df8_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/1544272671_67e7e4c800_b.jpg
21mm (C Biogon) :
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/1990146270_7cdfa81a67_b.jpg
15mm (Heliar):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/1568124337_179a60cdb0_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2231/1651855411_21025aacf8_b.jpg

 

[kshapero]

Good arguments for each.

 

[italy74]

Mfogiel,
my main concern is that wider than 28mm you have to be VERY close to your subject to shoot; then, if people are near the edges you risk unwanted wideangle effect (distorted faces) I think 28 is the best compromise between what you frame and the distance you are from your subject.

 

[italy74]

In the end, a 28mm focused at 4 meters from you keeps in focus from 2m to 28.... if the distance is just 5m, you are already at infinite on the far end.. I find this page useful

http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html