Some advice for lenses for NX11 please

Hi All

I currently have the NX11 with 18-55mm zoom. I am considering purchasing the 20mm lens but I would like to know if the increase in overall resolution/sharpness is actually noticeable in real terms.

I appreciate that their is a distinct advantage in size, and when looking back over my shooting history most of my shots are in the 18-2xmm range so the 20mm wins in that respect, but resolution is an important factor for me.

I would please like to hear from anybody that has done actual comparisons between these two lenses and I would very much appreciate any input that you can offer.

Many thanks.

Here's an indoor shot with the 18-55 at 18mm and the nx20mm lenses on the NX200.



I have all three pancakes plus the 60mm and enjoy using them, so the 18-55 has been sitting for a long time. I find myself recently using the 20mm more frequently.

My personal observations; the 20mm is better at the boundaries than the 18-55 at 18-22mm.

SunnyFlorida wrote:

the only difference I notice between both shots is the overall exposure, it's about 1/3 ev brighter with the prime, which is probably due to a btter t/ratio (the prime is more compact and has less glass surfaces)

For those that would want to pixel peep, in the originals it might be quite apparent the resolution/quality differences in the right boundary area; this is not apparent at all in the smaller photos in the message. For example, in the 20mm photo, the book titles are borderline readable (for me), even though they are on the edge of the frame. Whereas, in the 18mm shot they are less so, even though they are more interior from the border. It is the same with items in the background to the right of the lamp.

Differences are apparent (to me), but that's at or close to 100% viewing. Myself, I don't view that way often; but on those occasions of printing my landscapes it is nice to have it sharp to the edge. The 20mm is not as good as the 30mm in that regard, but it has an edge on the 18-55mm.

I have a feeling all of this can vary from one lens to the next within the same aperture group. So, in the end, these are my observations of the lenses I have and use.

Happy Daze wrote:

Knowing what you do now would you still have purchased the 20mm to use along side the 18-55mm?

Yes.

Like you do I shoot a lot while out walking. When I bought the NX10 I got the 18-55 and the 30mm. At first (for ~9 months) I used the 18-55 almost all the time; used to zooms coming from P&S's.  As time passed, I used the 30mm more often; to the point where I thought about getting another pancake. When the 20mm was available for $189 I jumped on it. Those pancakes are great when out walkiing, hiking.

I have since added the 16 & 60mm's when very good deals came about on those two. Now the zooms have sat unused for months now.

So far every NX item I have purchased has been at what I consider very good sale prices. It pays to be patient. Quite often my first news of these sales have come on this forum. So thanks to the people of this forum.

FWIW, you have a very good combo to shoot lots of good, fun photos. Use it a lot and enjoy.