O.T. - Olympus/Zuiko 21mm prime

[1015]

Was just picking up my cleaned Voigtländer at the local 'old camera' heaven. I saw a nice 21mm in the display, turns out it sells for € 350, that is a LOT of money, but is it worth it? They had a 24mm also, at € 250. I have the idea they are grossly overpriced. What are your thoughts?

 

[ray_g]

Is it the 21/2 or 21/3.5? Both are good, but the price you quote is somewhere in between the usual price for these lenses. The 21/3.5 can be had (at least in the US) for less than that, while if what you saw was the f/2 lens, grab it since it usually sells for double that amount, if you can find one.

 

[Trius]

What Ray said. If I didn't love my 21/2, I'd sell it along with my 4x5 kit and have a nice M5 or ZI kit, with cash for film.

An excellent 21/2 on this side of the pond should fetch about $1000USD +/-.

What is the speed of the 24? If it's the 24/2, that's a very good price, I think.

Earl

 

[Usher99]

Hi,
The 21 f/2 has been bid up of late due to the lack of good Canyon glass in this range. They work great on FF digital (5D) as well as OM. The 21 f/3.5 is almost as nice and usually much cheaper. See: http://www.16-9.net/lens_tests/
The f2 has a floating element and is alittle better at close focus.
The 24 f2.8 is surprisingly nice and compact---and cheap. Fish around that site and see the reviews. Yes the giant Canyon was nicer but look at the cost/size differential. Again these tests were designed for use with FF digital and after other lenses were eleminated in the preliminary test. Thus primes were compared to zooms.
Mike