Zeiss Distagon 15 vs Canon 11-24?

villeah · Feb 20, 2015

Hi all,

Nobody most likely doesn't know answer to this question yet, but I have lately wondered if new Canon wide is going to better than Zeiss 15. I am thinking to replace my well served 16-35 L mk II with either Zeiss or new Canon, but have no idea yet with which one.

So fellow readers, what is your gut feeling: will the new Canon's optical quality be anywhere near the famous Zeiss? Which one would you buy and why? If someone could give clear head to head comparision, I would be grateful.

Rick Knepper · Feb 20, 2015

villeah said:
Hi all,

Nobody most likely doesn't know answer to this question yet, but I have lately wondered if new Canon wide is going to better than Zeiss 15. I am thinking to replace my well served 16-35 L mk II with either Zeiss or new Canon, but have no idea yet with which one.

So fellow readers, what is your gut feeling: will the new Canon's optical quality be anywhere near the famous Zeiss? Which one would you buy and why? If someone could give clear head to head comparision, I would be grateful.

I didn't find the 15 ZE convincing enough to spend $3k on it. Here's a 15 ZE vs 14L TDP comparison.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=3

My gut feeling: wait on the 11-24L.

Here are some 11-24L images from this website:

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/canon-ef-11-24mm-f-4l-usm-lens-sample-photos-26926

11mm

24mm

--
Rick Knepper, photographer, shooting for pleasure. It is better to have It and not need It than need It and not have It. Mystery Gardner: "Rick, you have a passion for photography but not a position. That's a good thing." Based on 2014 keepers, I shot the following percentages: 5D3=42%, D800=31%, 6D=25% & D3x=2%. Various RAW comparisons at Link below. Includes 5D3 vs D800E (new uploads), 5D3 vs. 6D, Zeiss lenses etc. https://app.box.com/s/71w40ita6hrcfghojaie

rebel99 · Feb 20, 2015

i don't know where the flaw is but i notice the color saturation, contrast, and sharpness are sadly missing in those posted photos, or it could be my cheapo uncalibrated laptop screen! thanks for sharing, anyway.

regards,

syd

Rick Knepper · Feb 20, 2015

They appear to be snapshot quality with no earnest post processing.

IMO, there is enough information in the 24mm image to judge it as acceptably sharp across the frame.

I am not sure I am going to like 11mm. May be too wide.

rebel99 said:
i don't know where the flaw is but i notice the color saturation, contrast, and sharpness are sadly missing in those posted photos, or it could be my cheapo uncalibrated laptop screen! thanks for sharing, anyway.

regards,

syd

borax · Feb 21, 2015

villeah said:
Hi all,

Nobody most likely doesn't know answer to this question yet, but I have lately wondered if new Canon wide is going to better than Zeiss 15. I am thinking to replace my well served 16-35 L mk II with either Zeiss or new Canon, but have no idea yet with which one.

So fellow readers, what is your gut feeling: will the new Canon's optical quality be anywhere near the famous Zeiss? Which one would you buy and why? If someone could give clear head to head comparision, I would be grateful.

Both will cost the same price. The only thing to think about for now is a "zoom Vs prime" dilemma. Reviews usually confirm that the Zeiss is awesome for a 15mm... but maybe not enough for such a price. Moreover when there are 14mm or 16mm lenses almost half that price.

For the Canon zoom, no one can say if it will be just good (a good 11mm lens is already an achievement), a crap, or awesome !

One thing to do: wait for the tests, reviews, side by side comparisons...

Rock and Rollei · Feb 21, 2015

From 11-14mm, the Canon is clearly going to be better (and for that matter, from 16-24mm, but there are other options there). First question is therefore does that matter to you? For those of us otherwise stuck with a Sigma 12-24, that's possibly the most important question.
As to the quality comparison, we'll have to wait and see, but recent Canon lenses give some hope.

DavidNJ100 · Feb 21, 2015

New lens. Promises to be very sharp. 60% less than the 11-24. If 11mm is the goal, the choice is clear. But if 15mm is the objective, is that still the case?

villeah · Feb 22, 2015

Thanks for your comments - really appreciate them. I think borax is true and I just have to wait and see if new Canon will be something spectalucar or not. I mean there are so much pros and cons with both of lenses, that it is really hard to choose between these to.

For example, Zeiss:

+ Image quality proven to be superb (at least based on reviews)

+ Image quality, image quality and once again image quality

- No autofocus

- Price

- Prime

Canon:

+ Zoom and even wider than Zeiss

+-? Image quality

- No screw-on filters?

I'm going to have really hard time to choose between these two options. If Canon image quality is going to be good and anywhere near with Zeiss, then it is quite clear which one I will choose. Canon is then much better solution for me.

If not, then it is really hard to say and I might need to change to Nikon

Has anyone had any experiences with Zeiss lense?

Rick Knepper · Feb 22, 2015

villeah said:
Thanks for your comments - really appreciate them. I think borax is true and I just have to wait and see if new Canon will be something spectalucar or not. I mean there are so much pros and cons with both of lenses, that it is really hard to choose between these to.

For example, Zeiss:

+ Image quality proven to be superb (at least based on reviews)

+ Image quality, image quality and once again image quality

- No autofocus

- Price

- Prime

Canon:

+ Zoom and even wider than Zeiss

+-? Image quality

- No screw-on filters?

Not to worry. If the lens proves to be popular, Lee Filter or another brand will develop a front mounted filter system for the lens. They did for the Nikkor 14-24G and the TSE-17mm. Actually, many users developed their own DIY filter holders for the TSE-17mm which Lee Filters simply copied. I think the first thing some will begin work on once they receive their 11-24Ls will be a DIY filter holder for this lens.

villeah said:
I'm going to have really hard time to choose between these two options. If Canon image quality is going to be good and anywhere near with Zeiss, then it is quite clear which one I will choose. Canon is then much better solution for me.

If not, then it is really hard to say and I might need to change to Nikon

Has anyone had any experiences with Zeiss lense?

snapperZ · Feb 22, 2015

Canon are already collaborating with LEE filters to produce an adapter/filters. Can't remember where I read this but think it was from a Canon source.

Jane79 · Feb 22, 2015

Don't forget that the Zeiss is f/2.8. There are uses other than daytime landscape photography for ultra wide lenses.

villeah · Feb 22, 2015

Jane79 said:
Don't forget that the Zeiss is f/2.8. There are uses other than daytime landscape photography for ultra wide lenses.

True. That definitely should be added to pros list for Zeiss. Doesn't make selection any easier...

Rick Knepper · Feb 22, 2015

snapperZ said:
Canon are already collaborating with LEE filters to produce an adapter/filters. Can't remember where I read this but think it was from a Canon source.

borax · Feb 22, 2015

Rick Knepper said:
villeah said:

Thanks for your comments - really appreciate them. I think borax is true and I just have to wait and see if new Canon will be something spectalucar or not. I mean there are so much pros and cons with both of lenses, that it is really hard to choose between these to.

For example, Zeiss:

+ Image quality proven to be superb (at least based on reviews)

+ Image quality, image quality and once again image quality

- No autofocus

- Price

- Prime

Canon:

+ Zoom and even wider than Zeiss

+-? Image quality

- No screw-on filters?

Click to expand...

Not to worry. If the lens proves to be popular, Lee Filter or another brand will develop a front mounted filter system for the lens. They did for the Nikkor 14-24G and the TSE-17mm. Actually, many users developed their own DIY filter holders for the TSE-17mm which Lee Filters simply copied. I think the first thing some will begin work on once they receive their 11-24Ls will be a DIY filter holder for this lens.

You're right, but don't forget you'll have to invest in a brand new big filter holder, and a new set of large filters to fit on this zoom. And to carry them all with your smaller filters.

As much as the discussion goes on, I tend to "compare" the good 16-35 f/4 L IS with this new 11-24 f/4 L. You will have to pay more than 2000$ to loose IS, to carry a heavier lens, to invest in a whole new set of filters, to deal with probably more distortion, to loose focal length from 24 to 35mm but, last but not least, to gain the use of a set of focal length from 11 to 15mm. Well, pretty expensive... I hope this 11-24mm will be a stellar performer for such a price. Lee (and others) will create a specific filter holder, but I doubt this lens would be a "popular" lens.

To "widen" a 16-35 f/4 L IS, a 14mm Rokinon costs only 300$, and you gain f/2.8 (of course you loose a lot of options... but 300$).

hotdog321 · Feb 22, 2015

villeah said:
Hi all,

Nobody most likely doesn't know answer to this question yet, but I have lately wondered if new Canon wide is going to better than Zeiss 15. I am thinking to replace my well served 16-35 L mk II with either Zeiss or new Canon, but have no idea yet with which one.

So fellow readers, what is your gut feeling: will the new Canon's optical quality be anywhere near the famous Zeiss? Which one would you buy and why? If someone could give clear head to head comparision, I would be grateful.

First, if you are going to replace the 16-35 II with something in the same range, I would definitely get the Canon 16-35 f/4L IS. A quick search of this forum will reveal a half-dozen solid reasons for the upgrade.

Second, while Zeiss is legendary, that new Canon 11-24 looks freaking awesome! Canon has become a major, major player with it's pro L zooms in recent years, most of which are as good as or better than most fixed lenses. I was reading last night about the build and image quality of this monster and it is truly impressive. Wish I had an excuse to buy one.

hotdog321 · Feb 22, 2015

Rick Knepper said:
snapperZ said:

Canon are already collaborating with LEE filters to produce an adapter/filters. Can't remember where I read this but think it was from a Canon source.

Click to expand...

I don't know--that huge bulbous front element of the Canon 11-24 looks to be a major obstacle for a front element smaller than a bed sheet.

But it does have that rear-mounted filter holder. A few small key filters might be just the ticket--it would sure be a LOT cheaper!

clager · Feb 22, 2015

Got the Zeiss 15 and 21. Never mind reading charts and reviews. Gotta find the answer yourself.

They blow anything away, right out of the water, only other SW that equals it is the large format SW Schneider optics and the HCD 28 for the HD4.

Drawbacks: expensive, manual focus and one focal-length, if you compare to zooms that is.

Snapper2013 · Feb 22, 2015

clager said:
Got the Zeiss 15 and 21. Never mind reading charts and reviews. Gotta find the answer yourself.

They blow anything away, right out of the water, only other SW that equals it is the large format SW Schneider optics and the HCD 28 for the HD4.

Like This?

:-D

clager · Feb 23, 2015

Snapper2013 said:
clager said:

Got the Zeiss 15 and 21. Never mind reading charts and reviews. Gotta find the answer yourself.

They blow anything away, right out of the water, only other SW that equals it is the large format SW Schneider optics and the HCD 28 for the HD4.

Like This?

Click to expand...

:-D

Bloody hell! what a bang! good footage!

snapperZ · Feb 23, 2015

From amateur photographer website (UK):

"With such a large and bulbous front element, the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM relies on its fixed petal-shaped hood and push fit lens cover to protect it when not in use. Screw-in filters are not compatible with the lens however and there’s no suitable filter holder available at present. That said, Canon openly disclosed that they’re currently in talks with Lee Filters to produce a similar filter holder kit to that produced for Nikon’s AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED – a lens that’s similar in the way it has a bulbous front element."

Zeiss Distagon 15 vs Canon 11-24?

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