Which lens 21 mm or 16mm?

[Ivan]

Hi All,

I read comments that the 28mm is a great lens. I agree. I use it all the time and have also the 90mm. I am thinking of getting a wider lens for landscapes and a greater perspective on subject. Is the 16mm worth the extra cost (almost double) or is the 21mm adequate? I would also appreciate any reviews on the quality of both lenses. Thanks.

 

[einolu]

I think the 16mm is a fisheye lens? I have seen shots with the 21 and they look great (http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5131&highlight=21mm) but I have never seen any shots from the 16. Most Zeiss lenses are great though.

 

[saxshooter]

The 21mm Biogon is a great lens. Fast aperture at 2.8. The 16mm (rectilinear, non fisheye) is a fixed aperture lens at f8 and has limited use. Indoors would be difficult.

I owned the 21mm at one point and loved it. It was the reason why I got the G2.

 

[GRK]

which lens? 21mm or 16mm

which lens? 21mm or 16mm

The 16mm is full frame but it isnt worth the extra cash, I borrowed it for a few days however it is a very antiquated design. It needs the centre spot filter it comes with on all the time or else you get extreme light fall-off at the edges. It also only has an aperture of f/8 fixed and is manual focus- but this really isn't a problem at 16mm! It is also the lowest rated lens on Photodo.com which I pretty much agree with- even lower than the 35mm which seems to get a bad reputation.

I really preferrd the 21mm for retaining auto-focus and full aperture settings so I bought it. For anything wider I would use the voigtlander 12mm or 15mm which i find far more usable even though they are not rangefinder coupled. You can get a Bessa L for so cheap these days- at least in London. If you've got got loads of cash to spend Zoerk will sell you a Voigtlander 12mm or 15mm fully rangefinder coupled to the Contax G! Check there website.

 

[kbg32]

I have both the 21 and the 16. They are quite different from each other. Both are superb lenses, sharp and contrasty. The 16 is an old design, but produces beautiful imagery. It depends upon your needs. I would recommend both. See if you can rent or borrow one to use, and see if either is close to what you feel you need. The 21 might be all that you require.

 

[Doug]

Thought I was going nuts; I was SURE I'd posted a response to this question. Yep, and the thread is called "Upgrade of lens" located in Rangefinder general discussion. I guess that doesn't prove I'm sane, but does remove one bit of evidence to the contrary! Not nice to distress us old folks with cross-posting, Ivan! 🙂

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Hey Doug, you're not going insane:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7444

 

[Doug]

Thanks, Gabriel! 🙂

 

[tompa]

Sample picture 16mm

Sample picture 16mm

Here is a sample picture. I have both the 21 and 16mm. If I would have to choose one I would take the 21.

 

[NoTx]

The 21mm is more useful. It is awesome. The 16mm is harder to use. Both is great, but if you have only one, chose the 21mm.