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Flektogon 20mmf/4 or 20mm f/2.8?
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:17 pm    Post subject: Flektogon 20mmf/4 or 20mm f/2.8? Reply with quote
Which has better IQ? Which is better and why?


PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
20mm f4 has zero distortion 2.8 has little.
20mm f4 is cheaper due slower speed and no multi coating.

I had both in several copies in past I had perhaps 30 pcs from f2.8 all were pretty good performer some of them was stunning better than others.

I also had perhaps 10-15 pcs F4 , usually I buy test and sell f2.8 to earn some profit. Why I don't keep any of them ? None of them catch my heart I like Olympus OM , Nikon and Konica lenses better my latest purchase was a Yashica ML 21mm I also like it better.

I always have 20mm f4 why ? good as than f2.8 and price is lower, there is a rarer 25mm f4 which is good one too and it's price is less.

I prefer small wide lenses like Olympus OM 21mm diameter 49mm only very pleasant to carry out.


PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You have Pentax, right? Then DA21 Limited, Flektogon can't match IQ of this lens and prices of used DA21 aren't so much higher.
From my findings DA21 has much better contrast, color rendering, sharpness in corners and flare resistance. Not to mention size of this lens. Build quality is even better than Flek.


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you for the info. I have a 20 f/2.8 on the way so I'll try it...if I don't like it I'll go for the DA21 limited.


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Big Dawg wrote:
Thank you for the info. I have a 20 f/2.8 on the way so I'll try it...if I don't like it I'll go for the DA21 limited.

I am curious how do you find your copy at 2.8 .Mine is crazy soft . From 4 it's Ok , better at 7.2 and best at 8-11 (normal) Very good resistence to flare . Almost no distortion . Good colors.Be careful , the front part of the lens unscrews very easily and you can find yourself a 2 pieces-lens owner.
Enjoy!


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Big Dawg wrote:
Thank you for the info. I have a 20 f/2.8 on the way so I'll try it...if I don't like it I'll go for the DA21 limited.

Here is few comparison photos I did some time ago. Maybe they can help you. I think that isn't necessary to show more.
Honestly, I don't understand the crazy prices of 20mm Flektogons. Ok, maybe on FF 5D, which is not so resolution demanding is this lens more interesting...
The sharpness test was made with my fourth and best copy of Flektogon 2.8/20mm. I've included photos from MIR-20M too. All photos with APS-C 14MPx Samsung GX-20, on tripod, IR remote, 2s mirror up, fixed WB. As usually.

Flare resistance

Pentax DA21 Limited


CZJ Flektogon 2.8/20 red/violet coating


CZJ Flektogon 2.8/20 violet coating


MIR-20M MC



Sharpness

Pentax DA21 Limited @f5.6


CZJ Flektogon 2.8/20 violet coating @f5.6 and f11


MIR-20M MC 3.5/20 @f5.6 and f11


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The price of the 21 DA is around and over 500 E . I'd love one at Flektogon medium price and manual aperture Laughing


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
355€ Buy Now, Click here to see on Ebay.de

In ended auctions, DA21 price range is 300 - 350€. Flektogon 200 - 300€. For Pentax user, definitely worth of 50 - 100€ difference.


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I do own a Flek 4/20 but I do not use it often.
Actually, the only time I use it is when I want some kind of wide angle for my Sigma SD9. Wink

It's a nice lens but I never understood the hype about it.

I also would rather recommend a DA21 Ltd.
It's an AF lens but with all those great things that we love about MF lenses. AF per se is nothing bad, is it?

I mean if an otherwise unaltered Leica Summicron 2/50 had AF, I wouldn't mind. Wink


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 12:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
yinyangbt wrote:
Big Dawg wrote:
Thank you for the info. I have a 20 f/2.8 on the way so I'll try it...if I don't like it I'll go for the DA21 limited.

I am curious how do you find your copy at 2.8 .Mine is crazy soft . From 4 it's Ok , better at 7.2 and best at 8-11 (normal) Very good resistence to flare . Almost no distortion . Good colors.Be careful , the front part of the lens unscrews very easily and you can find yourself a 2 pieces-lens owner.
Enjoy!


I think you don't have good copy , none of my copy was crazy soft at wide open. All have at least acceptable sharpness at wide open.
These lenses designed to get maximum sharpness at F8-F11 this is basically true for most lenses.


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
A new 21mm DA is $509.00 US right now on B&H web store. I'll wait till my 20f/2.8 gets here then decide.


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you want to photograph architecture, the Flektogons are amongst the best choices that you can make.
In particular, there was a test page online, that showed that the Flektogon 4/20 has less distortion than the Distagon 21 (which costs some 1500 Euros).

Here's a photo that I took in Sirmione in 2007 with my zebra Flek 4/20 on my old 5D:



and here's a 100% crop - I do not see any issue with sharpness.



I don't think you can find anywhere else a lens that lets you take architectural photos of this quality for 250 Euros.
_


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Is there less edge and corner distortion with the 20 f/4 than the 20 f/2.8? How big a difference is there? I know the f/2.8 would be better inside in low light but outside are they comparable when stopped down to say f/5.6-f/8?


PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Big Dawg wrote:
Is there less edge and corner distortion with the 20 f/4 than the 20 f/2.8? How big a difference is there? I know the f/2.8 would be better inside in low light but outside are they comparable when stopped down to say f/5.6-f/8?


In a nutshell, the f/2.8 is sharper, the f/4 has less distortion.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
So would having both be an advantage as opposed to having just one and trying to let it do it all?


PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've had best results with black 4/20mm. Tried two samples 4/20mm zebra, two samples 2.8/20mm and 4/25mm to say so. I am missing it a bit, while sold.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pancolart wrote:
I've had best results with black 4/20mm. Tried two samples 4/20mm zebra, two samples 2.8/20mm and 4/25mm to say so. I am missing it a bit, while sold.


Was the side distortion horrible with the f/2.8's or just noticeable?


PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
What do you mean by side distortion? No Flektogon is horrible unless defect. Those words are reserved for others Wink. Sharpness is similar with both versions on F4. But you still have circular aparture with black one.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 2:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Big Dawg wrote:
So would having both be an advantage as opposed to having just one and trying to let it do it all?


No. I'd say it doesn't make any sense to get both.
Take the f/4 if you want to shoot a lot of architecture and the f/2.8 otherwise.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Big Dawg wrote:
Pancolart wrote:
I've had best results with black 4/20mm. Tried two samples 4/20mm zebra, two samples 2.8/20mm and 4/25mm to say so. I am missing it a bit, while sold.


Was the side distortion horrible with the f/2.8's or just noticeable?


It's small, much better than most other 20mm wides. It's more than the 4/20 though. But if you're asking if you need both - you don't, unless architecture is your main subject, you can do everything safely with the f/2.8 version.
Today, with software correction, the thing is much less crucial than in the film age.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Big Dawg wrote:
Pancolart wrote:
I've had best results with black 4/20mm. Tried two samples 4/20mm zebra, two samples 2.8/20mm and 4/25mm to say so. I am missing it a bit, while sold.


Was the side distortion horrible with the f/2.8's or just noticeable?


It's small, much better than most other 20mm wides. It's more than the 4/20 though. But if you're asking if you need both - you don't, unless architecture is your main subject, you can do everything safely with the f/2.8 version.
Today, with software correction, the thing is much less crucial than in the film age.


Thanks everyone. That does answer my question. I have the 2.8 coming and I'll do some trials with it then. The main reason for getting it is 2 fold. Indoor family get-togethers and landscapes. Sounds like it will fill the bill.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I hope you'll get a good copy !


PostPosted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm waiting for the arrival of a 2.8 as well Very Happy


PostPosted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 2:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
[quote="Tervueren"]I'm waiting for the arrival of a 2.8 as well Very Happy[/quote

After we get them we can compare our experiences with them.
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