A7R Ultra wide angle options (no fisheye)

[xexe]

Hello,

maybe this has been asked already many times, but I cannot find anything via search.

I was thinking about ultra wide angle (non fisheye) options for the A7R while we wait for the rumoured FE 16-35.

Preferably in A mount I would say, since I have the LA-AE4. Preferably under 20mm, as I have the 24-70.

So far I got:

• CZ 16-35 f2.8 ZA. Big and expensive.
• Sigma 12-24: any experience with this?
• Minolta 17-35 D or G. Pretty cheap, any comments on this?
• Samyang 14mm f2.8. Pretty cheap, not a stellar performer, but hey! We're not here complain are we?
• NEX's own 10-18 used from 14 up to avoid vignetting.

Any other options from Tamron or Tokina for instance?

Am I missing anything? Do you have any advice?

Since, if the FE 16-35 will become reality and will have a performance at least on par with the 24-70 I plan to get it, I would not be eager to spend a lot (as with the ZA 16-35 for instance). The Minolta/Samyang price ranges would be ideal, and the advantage of the samyang would be that I can keep it even after getting a 16-35 in case I need those extra 2mm (unlikely, but still...)

 

[verybiglebowski]

Hello,

maybe this has been asked already many times, but I cannot find anything via search.

I was thinking about ultra wide angle (non fisheye) options for the A7R while we wait for the rumoured FE 16-35.

Preferably in A mount I would say, since I have the LA-AE4. Preferably under 20mm, as I have the 24-70.

So far I got:

• CZ 16-35 f2.8 ZA. Big and expensive.
• Sigma 12-24: any experience with this?
• Minolta 17-35 D or G. Pretty cheap, any comments on this?
• Samyang 14mm f2.8. Pretty cheap, not a stellar performer, but hey! We're not here complain are we?
• NEX's own 10-18 used from 14 up to avoid vignetting.

Any other options from Tamron or Tokina for instance?

Am I missing anything? Do you have any advice?

Since, if the FE 16-35 will become reality and will have a performance at least on par with the 24-70 I plan to get it, I would not be eager to spend a lot (as with the ZA 16-35 for instance). The Minolta/Samyang price ranges would be ideal, and the advantage of the samyang would be that I can keep it even after getting a 16-35 in case I need those extra 2mm (unlikely, but still...)

--
flickr.com/photos/xexe
xexets.blogspot.co.uk

Just curious - where have you read about Samyang 14/2.8 being not a stellar performer? It is (at 14mm) sharper lens than any other you mentioned here. Its drawback is pronounced and complicated distortion, but otherwise it is a great performer.

Few more options that I tested: http://verybiglobo.blogspot.cz/2014/01/sony-alpha-a7-ilce-7-and-sony-alpha-a7r_30.html

One of the many threads discussing same thing:

www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53197760

--
Don't trust your eyes or mind, they might betray you! Trust only comments posted on the forums, because there is the absolute truth!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/viktor_viktor/
http://verybiglobo.blogspot.com/

 

[xexe]

Thank you very much this is very very informative. I can't remember where I read about the Samyang 14mm, but I am beginning to be sold! I did not read bad things about it, just that it is good but not stellar, with some issues such as as you say distortion. But indeed, so far it seems certainly the best value for money of the lot!

 

[verybiglebowski]

Thank you very much this is very very informative. I can't remember where I read about the Samyang 14mm, but I am beginning to be sold! I did not read bad things about it, just that it is good but not stellar, with some issues such as as you say distortion. But indeed, so far it seems certainly the best value for money of the lot!

 

[Godfrey]

I'm testing a Nikkor 18mm f/3.5 AI-S on my walk today. Very nice lens, nice size and weight, and my first snaps with it impressed me quite a lot. Not too expensive.

 

[JimKasson]

I was thinking about ultra wide angle (non fisheye) options for the A7R while we wait for the rumoured FE 16-35.

The WATE works well, and is sized nicely for the camera. Expensive, though.

The F-mount Nikon 14mm also works fine , but is a little soft in the corners -- no fault of the camera.

The Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon ZF.2i s a great lens on the a7R optically, but a mismatch physically. If that's not wide enough, there's an 18 mm F-mount Distagon that should work well (and uses the same expensive, fragile lens hood ), but I haven't tested it.

Jim

 

[raoulJ]

Indeed, lot of threads and posts about that...

The 10-18 in FF mode has a lot of distortion...

I use the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L (1st version) and, while soft in the corners at 16mm, it is very good (excellent) from about 20mm... Not small. Allows a filter. A workhorse for my Canon 1DX.

Canon FD 20mm f/2.8 can work fine too (and is very light and small).

I've read that the Canon FD 20-35 f/3.5L is excellent.

There are of course tons of alternatives...

 

[Astrophotographer 10]

Nikon 14-24mm F2.8ED with Novoflex adapter will be unbeatable at 14mm. Perhaps the Zeiss 15mm at 15mm will be better but its not a zoom. Not a cheap option though.

Greg.

 

[nandbytes]

sony 20mm prime is pretty good.

Also sigma 12-24 is sharp but unfortunately not fast and cannot use filters with it. But it is super wide, if you are not careful you'll end up with your feet in the pictures lol.

 

[woof woof]

I used a Sigma 12-24mm on my 20D and 5D and thought it an amazing lens.

The internet is full of statements that you can't use filters with this lens and they'e quite wrong as of course you can.

Firstly you can use gel filters which mount at the rear of the lens.

Secondly you can leave the "bucket" in place and attach a filter or filter holder via the thread. The focal length / point at which vignetting is visible or not will depend on what you fit.

Thirdly you can blue tac or otherwise attach or simply hold filters against the front.

It can be done... and the blanket statement that it can't (usually made be people who have never tried and are simply repeating what they're read on line) irritates me.

 

[abortabort]

Hello,

maybe this has been asked already many times, but I cannot find anything via search.

I was thinking about ultra wide angle (non fisheye) options for the A7R while we wait for the rumoured FE 16-35.

Preferably in A mount I would say, since I have the LA-AE4. Preferably under 20mm, as I have the 24-70.

So far I got:

• CZ 16-35 f2.8 ZA. Big and expensive.
• Sigma 12-24: any experience with this?
• Minolta 17-35 D or G. Pretty cheap, any comments on this?
• Samyang 14mm f2.8. Pretty cheap, not a stellar performer, but hey! We're not here complain are we?
• NEX's own 10-18 used from 14 up to avoid vignetting.

Any other options from Tamron or Tokina for instance?

Am I missing anything? Do you have any advice?

Since, if the FE 16-35 will become reality and will have a performance at least on par with the 24-70 I plan to get it, I would not be eager to spend a lot (as with the ZA 16-35 for instance). The Minolta/Samyang price ranges would be ideal, and the advantage of the samyang would be that I can keep it even after getting a 16-35 in case I need those extra 2mm (unlikely, but still...)

 

[Bruce Oudekerk]

The downsides of the Samyang 14mm have been pointed out but, like many, I really consider them non-issues.

1. The focus scale is often or always off. Some screw adjustments can re-calibrate that but I compensate now that I know the lens.

2. Its manual focus, but with FF the difficulty with 14mm is controlling what is NOT in focus. Auto focus doesn't really help with that.

3. Weird geometric distortion is controlled easily with the Stand-alone/PS Filter PTLens. The lens should come with this utility but since it doesn't it should be considered a necessary accessory. The package is ridiculously inexpensive considering the imagery it is capable of. PTLens also controls vignetting.

Check out its rating on DXO Mark vs. the admittedly fantastic Nikon 14-24 on the D800.

My biggest problem with using this lens is me... I don't really have a feel for using anything this wide, but its a hoot to shoot with.

Bruce

 

[Dylan P]

I'm also looking for a UWA lens for A7 but didn't want to start a new thread.

Samyang 14mm and CV 15mm are currently what I'm considering. The difference in focal length or max aperture is a non-issue for me. From what I understand, those two are both pretty good performers.

May be someone with more experience can give me some input. Would it be easier to correct the distortion from Samyang 14mm or magenta cast from CV 15mm?

 

[Steven-T]

Hello,

maybe this has been asked already many times, but I cannot find anything via search.

I was thinking about ultra wide angle (non fisheye) options for the A7R while we wait for the rumoured FE 16-35.

Preferably in A mount I would say, since I have the LA-AE4. Preferably under 20mm, as I have the 24-70.

So far I got:

• CZ 16-35 f2.8 ZA. Big and expensive.
• Sigma 12-24: any experience with this?
• Minolta 17-35 D or G. Pretty cheap, any comments on this?
• Samyang 14mm f2.8. Pretty cheap, not a stellar performer, but hey! We're not here complain are we?
• NEX's own 10-18 used from 14 up to avoid vignetting.

Any other options from Tamron or Tokina for instance?

Am I missing anything? Do you have any advice?

Since, if the FE 16-35 will become reality and will have a performance at least on par with the 24-70 I plan to get it, I would not be eager to spend a lot (as with the ZA 16-35 for instance). The Minolta/Samyang price ranges would be ideal, and the advantage of the samyang would be that I can keep it even after getting a 16-35 in case I need those extra 2mm (unlikely, but still...)

--
flickr.com/photos/xexe
xexets.blogspot.co.uk

1. Small, light and EXPENSIVE: a) Leica WATE, b) ZM 15mm Distagon

2. Otherwise go for the DSLR-Lenses (Big/ger, Heav/ier): Lots of choices

(a) Expensive: E.g. ZE/ZF.2 15, Nikkor 14-24, etc

(b) Others: Tons of different brands, Nikkor AIS, Canon FDn, Minolta Rokkors, etc etc etc

Note: Go for retro-focal and their variants, avoid "simple" symmetric designs (e.g. ZM Biogons, Modern Budget (!?) Leica Ms, . . . ) -- If you are not sure, try before you buy, or make sure you can return without harsh penalties.

Good luck. . . . Steven

 

[xexe]

Thank you all for contributing to this! All very interesting. I am getting more and more convinced about the Samyang indeed. It is just a little more than the Minolta 17-50 and cheaper than most other alternatives, plus if/when there will be a UWA FE lens I could keep the Samyang since it would quite probably be a shorter focal length.

 

[Ramius]

Does anyone have a picture of the Samyang 14mm mounted on the A7?
I´m interested to see how big it is.

As far as I´ve learned, the Samyang seems to be the best option as a wide angle lens for now. All the other ones gives you vignetting and poor corners.

And it seems the next best option is a Voigtlander 15mm?

 

[JimMN]

Here you go.

 

[JimMN]

I bought the Samyang 14mm 3.1 Cine from BH Photo and am really pleased with it.



I tried to upload a raw photo, but apparently I'm not able to. The attached is a photo taken with adjustments to highlights and shadows, as well as distortion adjustments using default PTLens settings. This will give you some sense of how the lens works. If there's a way to load the raw file, please enlighten me and I'll be happy to upload it.

 

[jandu]

Samyang 14mm and VM 15mm

For sample pics:

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

 

[Ramius]

What the heeeeeeeeeeeeeell. Is that the Samyang FE? That looks like an adapter? Which should not be neccessary?

The Voigtlander looks great. Thats the Heliar right? I´ve read about these, but which one is best for A7. 14mm, 15mm or 16mm?

I want minimum vignetting and blur.