Next ZM lens after 35mm and 50mm?

[andrewteee]

With my ZI I have the 35mm Biogon and 50mm C Sonnar, both of which I love. To round out my preliminary 3 lens catalog I'd like to get something wider than 35mm. Any recommendations between the 28, 25, or 21mm options?

The impetus for the new lens is summer travel, and I was thinking about the 21mm C Biogon. We'll be in several natural areas and I thought it would be nice to capture the family along with a good bit of the environment background as well. Plus, I'd like to work on wide angle composition. My Ricoh GRD has a 28mm lens I like that focal length as well. I'm less familiar with 25mm.

The ZI is my favorite photographic tool to date, and it's a real pleasure to use in my endeavor to become a better photographer 😀 Like so many say, it (being a rangefinder) makes photography a very natural exercise for the mind's eye.

TIA.

 

[kdemas]

I absolutely love my ZM 25mm, it has been my "go-to" travel lens for the last couple years. Personally I am also considering the 18MM, a beautiful lens at a great price.

Enjoy whatever you decide to get 🙂

Kent

PS- Familiarize yourself with the black retaining ring near the mount. You may have to tighten it if the lens ever gets a "wobble", happened to me and some others. No big deal, the lens is worth it.

 

[rpsawin]

I'll second the ZM 25...wonderful lens. I use mine alot.

Bob

 

[Tom A]

I have both the ZM 25f2.8 and the 21f4.5 - and use the 21 the most! It is more or less permanently on my R4M Bessa (as it has the 21 finder incorporated in the finder). It is in my opinion one of the best, if not the best 21 I have ever used. Small size too. With the ZM you will of course need the finder, but so would you with the 25!
The 25 is extremely good, but the step from 35 to 25 is moderate - from 35 to 21 it is more dramatic.
One thing to remember, putting the family in the picture with a wide angle - keep them in the center of the image - the edges are not too flattering for people shots!

 

[andrewteee]

2 for 2, huh?

 

[back alley]

i'm with tom...i loved the 25 zm but the 21 is the one i stayed with.
it's a touch smaller as well so very nice for travel.

 

[joachim]

With my ZI I have the 35mm Biogon and 50mm C Sonnar, both of which I love. To round out my preliminary 3 lens catalog I'd like to get something wider than 35mm. Any recommendations between the 28, 25, or 21mm options?

The impetus for the new lens is summer travel, and I was thinking about the 21mm C Biogon. We'll be in several natural areas and I thought it would be nice to capture the family along with a good bit of the environment background as well. Plus, I'd like to work on wide angle composition. My Ricoh GRD has a 28mm lens I like that focal length as well. I'm less familiar with 25mm.

The ZI is my favorite photographic tool to date, and it's a real pleasure to use in my endeavor to become a better photographer 😀 Like so many say, it (being a rangefinder) makes photography a very natural exercise for the mind's eye.

TIA.

Hi my three lens setup for travel is a Biogon 21/2.8, Planar 35/2.0 and Sonnar 90/2.8, all in Contax G mount. In particular when travelling I use the fast f/2.8 setting of the Biogon a lot (e.g. church interiors). I would advise on a faster wide than the f/4.5 C-Biogon.

 

[andrewteee]

Thanks everyone. I was planning to use the 21mm with lots of good outdoor light and not indoors. Perhaps further down the road I'll do more wide angle indoor work.

 

[MichaelM7]

I tried both and stuck with the 25. I like the size and viewing angle especially for traveling. The 4/21 is too wide, too slow and too small for me, I cannot reliably focus, as it is so short.

 

[full lumen]

My vote goes for the 21mm f2.8. I agree that the f4 is too slow hence the f2.8 version.

The main reason I prefer the 21mm (and I use it a lot) is that my "standard" lens is the 35mm f2 and I don't find the 25mm to be wide enough compared to the 35mm.

I think if I used a 50mm as standard then I would probably be tempted by a 25mm instead.

Anyway, that is my two penneth's worth.

 

[back alley]

25 and 50 is a great 2 lens kit, agreed.

21 and 35 also.

so many choices.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Wait until you know. You'll know when you need a wider angle or more speed or both, because you'll be missing pictures you could otherwise have got. Until then... just wait.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[andrewteee]

so many choices.

Exactly 😀

 

[DRabbit]

I sold the 21 a while back and REGRET IT to this day. It's a great lens! Add another vote for it...

 

[andrewteee]

Wait until you know. You'll know when you need a wider angle or more speed or both, because you'll be missing pictures you could otherwise have got. Until then... just wait.

Actually, I've already reached that point. I'm not sure about speed, but I could have already used a wider lens.

 

[ferider]

I were you, I would rather go in the long direction, i.e. 85 or 90. Much more useful, including for environmental portraits, landscapes, city shots, getting close, etc. In particular with the ZI's long EBL. This is very personal of course.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I agree with the 85 or 90 for now. You can go wider later. Also consider the 15. As for wide angle "distortion"? It's mostly other photographers who notice it. Worrying doesn't belong on the path to good photography.

 

[aizan]

if people are involved, i would not go wider than 28mm. i've never seen people photos taken with a 25mm or 21mm that didn't shout "wide angle". then again, if it worked for sieff and koudelka...err...

 

[andrewteee]

Longer focal lengths are further down my agenda. Someday, something longer than 50 would be useful, but in the short term I'm much more apt to use wider.

Aizan, I hear you on the people issue, but I've had some fun people shots with a 21mm adapter on my Ricoh GRD. Taken for what they are they can be very enjoyable.

Lots to consider. I only wish there was a dealer nearby then I could just try it out for myself.

 

[mfogiel]

A 28mm will be close to your 35, but is a great match for the 50 mm and I find it very handy in a city:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2921142116_ec363b6b21_b.jpg
The 25mm is hell sharp, and better for a more sweeping view, town or landscape:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2855620620_d6c112545a_b.jpg
And the C Biogon 21/4,5 is a little gem, but it is more difficult to use with proficiency - it makes a great compamion to the 35mm, and can also be used in interiors, if you have a steady hand:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2360/1814327117_fa754d460d_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3373130159_6111a17624_b.jpg