om-d and the zm 21/4.5

[Gary Briggs]

I read somewhere here (can't find it) that this lens is wonderful for film but has a problem for digital.

Anyone have any knowledge of this ?

If it doesn't do well with digital, would the vc lenses also have the same problem ? (21/4, 25/4, 15/4.5).

 

[funkydog]

Not directly addressing your question and no disrespect intended but if you're using the OMD M4/3 camera, wouldn't the Panasonic 20/1.7 be a more versatile lens?
The Pana 20 is compact, sharp, has low to no CA, faster (aperture) and has AF. Perhaps the only downside is that it might be difficult to find in the USA. I seriously doubt you're going to see any magic from using f/4~f/4.5 maximum aperture RF lenses on your camera. Whether or not it plays well with digital, the Zeiss 21/4.5 is $1201 vs $356 for the Panasonic (B&H pricing).
However, if you're looking to wear the photographic equivalent of a hair shirt, then ignore what I just wrote.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Well, the ZM might be "better" than the 20/1.7 if you already own one, or if you usually shoot on an M-mount camera. Otherwise, the 20 is the way to go.

 

[rbelyell]

i'm not entirely happy with how rf lenses render on my omd. i like clarity throughout the frame, as well as a depth of clarity throughout my intended DOF, and i'm not getting that. others may feel differently.
tony

 

[CVickery]

I just sold my ZM21/4.5 and I own an E-M5. The lens not a great choice for mFT, see my sample here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1134720/0#10833328

Like it on the M8, great on film m-mount, but too much edge smearing on mFT.

 

[Doug]

I read somewhere here (can't find it) that this lens is wonderful for film but has a problem for digital....

Hi Gary - The M9 has a problem with this lens due to its optical construction with the rear node quite close to the sensor. The steep ray angle at the edges of the frame causes color problems that not even CornerFix can fix.

I have this lens and like its compact dimensions, lack of geometric distortion, and overall optical excellence on other cameras, including my M8 where it's a great choice for a "28mm" angle of view.

So it's fine with some digital cameras like the M8 and probably the Ricoh, but will have edge-area problems with others like the M9 and probably the NEX-7 and others, depending on the sensor configuration.

 

[funkydog]

I'd have thought this rf lens on M43 body debate had been settled years ago when the Panasonic G1 was first introduced. Generally, rf lenses longer than 50mm work well on M43 cameras and anything wider doesn't. Major fuzzy corners.
For M43 users just starting out and who are not burdened by a load of M/LTM lenses at risk of being sidelined, the Pana 20/1.7, 14-45 (out of production but real good) , 7-14 or Oly 9-18 are all you need to look at for starters.
You might also want to look into whether the OMD does automatic CA and distortion correction with some M43 lenses. Panasonic bodies do correct CA and distortion with their own lenses. I have an EPL1 and it works well with the Pana 20. If anyone wants a recommendation for M rf teles, the Hexanon M 90/2.8 is a excellent performer on M43 and inexpensive.

 

[traveler_101]

I'd have thought this rf lens on M43 body debate had been settled years ago when the Panasonic G1 was first introduced. Generally, rf lenses longer than 50mm work well on M43 cameras and anything wider doesn't.

This is correct; I got some pretty mediocre shots with the VC 15/4.5 on my E-P1 over two years ago and then decided to buy the 20/1.7. Haven't looked back. The one thing I would add is that the line delineating lenses that work well from those that don't may not be so clear. I seem to recall reading a thread or two praising the Voigtlander 40mm Nokton on M43. Anything wider than that though has not been well received.

 

[Richard G]

Purple fringing on the M9 is sometimes quite noticeable, but not always:

L1003912.jpg by Richard GM2, on Flickr

In black and white it's fantastic:


Shell Building by Richard GM2, on Flickr

 

[FrozenInTime]

The Zeiss 21/4.5 does rather well on the GXR which, like the M8 and M9, has micro-lenses specifically designed to prevent corner smearing and color spread.

Like a previous poster, when the E-P1 came out , I tried various Leica M lenses on it.
The best of the wides I had - the Zeiss 18mm no better than the 17/2.8 Olympus kit lens. m43 now has an exceedingly good selection of prime lenses : get one of those.

 

[sandymc]

The steep ray angle at the edges of the frame causes color problems that not even CornerFix can fix.

Doug,

If you have an image CornerFix isn't handling well, I'd like to see it......always scope for improvement.

Sandy