Posted by Karl Buiter on September 5, 2013 at 2:46 AM
I'll admit it, I am a Zeiss fan. Got the 21/2.8, 50/2, and 100/2. I lust over the 15/2.8
But I am also programmatic. And as I look at getting a complementary UWA/WA weeks before heading out for fall colors in Colorado and Utah, I am thinking the TS-E's will give me some much needed capability.
I think I have read about every discussion; and I know its really my choice and my shooting habits. Yet willing to listen to the voices on this site. Let me know! The 17/4 or 24/3.5 ?
(and yes, I know I got a hole to fill between 21 and 50. A debate for a different time)
Posted by Scott Bacon on September 5, 2013 at 4:22 PM
I have both, but use the 24 way more often. Its my favorite and most used landscape lens. The image quality is excellent and its a joy to use.
Posted by Buck Ward on September 5, 2013 at 6:42 PM
I have the 24. I concur with what Scott says about it. I wish I had the 17 because sometimes the 24 just isn't wide enough for my 1.3 sensor. when I finally get a full-frame, maybe it will be.
Posted by Wick Smith on September 6, 2013 at 12:09 PM
I've got the 24mm & love it - it's super sharp. I'm on a full-frame (Canon 5DIII). If you are shooting landscapes and nothing is moving in the frame, you can use the shift function of the lens to take three horizontals or verticals without moving the camera, and merge them together as you would with a pano. I've gotten some stunning hi-res shots this way that would be much larger than one shot with the 17mm lens.
Posted by Yiming Hu on September 6, 2013 at 8:15 PM
I also have both, and IMHO they are two of the best landscape lenses available on the market.
If I have to choose only one among the two, I will pick up the 24mm. It is THE best and most useful landscape lens. Yeah you can shift and stitch to get wider POVs.
Posted by Karl Buiter on September 9, 2013 at 2:04 PM
Thank-you for the thoughts.
One of my concerns is having a TS-E 24 along with my ZE 21, and nothing wider. But sometiimes 21 is actually just a tiny bit too wide (28 would be perfect) and I may rent a ZE 15 for those trips.
More thoughts welcome - probably pushing the button later this week.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on September 12, 2013 at 7:00 PM
I have a FF sensor too (5D3) and have pondered a TS-E, and the "17 or 24" battle has raged in my noggin. BUT, the numbers don't lie, almost all of my favorite landscapes were shot at 24mm on my 16-35mm/2.8 and I never intentionally look at the focal length, I just compose the way I like it. When I do architecture and real estate work, then I can't get wide enough, so for that I'd want a 17mm, hands down. But for landscapes, 24mm all the way for me. That's if I ever get the budget for it, lol. Still have to pay off a Gitzo I just bought!
I do not own any of them, but both of them are in my wish list. That doesn't help much.
You must have read a lot how great the 24 is but, I like TS for wider lens. You get more distortion at the wider focal length. I also love to shoot architecture (old and historical buildings) for that reason 17 would be much better option for me, however for landscape sue you should check your metadata to see which focal length you use more often.
Discussion
7 repliesI'll admit it, I am a Zeiss fan. Got the 21/2.8, 50/2, and 100/2. I lust over the 15/2.8
But I am also programmatic. And as I look at getting a complementary UWA/WA weeks before heading out for fall colors in Colorado and Utah, I am thinking the TS-E's will give me some much needed capability.
I think I have read about every discussion; and I know its really my choice and my shooting habits. Yet willing to listen to the voices on this site. Let me know! The 17/4 or 24/3.5 ?
(and yes, I know I got a hole to fill between 21 and 50. A debate for a different time)
If I have to choose only one among the two, I will pick up the 24mm. It is THE best and most useful landscape lens. Yeah you can shift and stitch to get wider POVs.
Thank-you for the thoughts.
One of my concerns is having a TS-E 24 along with my ZE 21, and nothing wider. But sometiimes 21 is actually just a tiny bit too wide (28 would be perfect) and I may rent a ZE 15 for those trips.
More thoughts welcome - probably pushing the button later this week.
You must have read a lot how great the 24 is but, I like TS for wider lens. You get more distortion at the wider focal length. I also love to shoot architecture (old and historical buildings) for that reason 17 would be much better option for me, however for landscape sue you should check your metadata to see which focal length you use more often.