Wide Lens Selection

I just can't decide.
I know the 14 and 21 are different.
I know one is way cheaper.

I can't figure out the balance between FL, AF, $$, IQ, BQ, etc.

I am just looking for something wide to cover landscapes and creative perspective shots. I appreciate excellent build quality but it is not essential. I appreciate a low price but it is not required. I appreciate excellent IQ but 90% of one at a fraction of the price is considerable.

Will I miss AF? If so I can get the Canon. If the build and IQ is worth it over the Rokinon then I will get that. If the Rokinon IQ and build is up to task, great!

Etc....

I've only had the Rokinon (branded Samyang in my case). It's a nice lens optically - if you can PP the moustache distortion (which is quite spectacular). However, the mechanical construction raises some questions. In my case the focus scale had serious problems with infinity actually being a long way past infinity (to infinity and beyond!) and with lots of 'slop' - meaning that the focus would be different for a given reading on the scale according to which direction you rotated the focus ring. All in all, I found manual focus surprisingly hard to get right. However, for the price it's a tempting proposition.

Never used the Zeiss, but borrowed a Canon 14 and loved it. Miles better than the Samyang in usage terms. IQ was close, but with less distortion.

I have used the Zeiss 21 and sold it but actually just bought it again today! Love that lens and pictures it produces. Manual focus doesn't bother me at since I am using for landscape stuff and it slows me down and makes me take my time. I haven't used the Canon 14 but the fact that you can't screw on filters would be a deal breaker for me.

that's a good point. I am very tempted to get the zeiss but of course I have to weigh all the options..

For landscapes the Zeiss, or one of the Ts-e's is the best option.

Only one I've tried is the Canon but I can tell you that it's one sweet lens!

Really sharp edge to edge with virtually no distortion at all. Verticals stay vertical until you're practically right on top of them!

paulkaye wrote in post #14630662
...However, the mechanical construction raises some questions. ...

I would second this.

This Samyang lens is a fine digital optimized lens - for photography with slide or negative film the distortion is a big "NO". For digital this distrotion can be corrected more or less with a bit of resolution loose, but one can live with it.

My Samyang 14 is at the moment not usable. It seems that the adjustment of parallelity and register distance is hold by three screws. When one of these screws loosens, one has a problem. Seems not really adjustable without special machine.
But have to analyse a bit more.

Guess the Samyang/Rokinon is out, I don't want to deal with that, price or not....

Seems more people prefer AF and wider vs "zeiss magic."

The Canon EF 20/2.8 is another lens you might want to consider. I really enjoy mine.

14mm is pretty extreme. I've considered getting one, but haven't seen that much need for it and certainly wouldn't spend what Canon wants for one... (I'd just get the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower/​Vivitar and put up with it's foibles.)

I'd love to have the TS-E 17mm, but haven't been able to justify it yet (waiting for a job that will pay for it )

If money is no object, how about the new Zeiss 15mm ZE?

I vote Sigma 20 f1.8. I recently got it; thoroughly enjoying it.

amfoto1 wrote in post #14634018
The Canon EF 20/2.8 is another lens you might want to consider. I really enjoy mine.

14mm is pretty extreme. I've considered getting one, but haven't seen that much need for it and certainly wouldn't spend what Canon wants for one... (I'd just get the Rokinon/Samyang/Bower/​Vivitar and put up with it's foibles.)

I'd love to have the TS-E 17mm, but haven't been able to justify it yet (waiting for a job that will pay for it )

If money is no object, how about the new Zeiss 15mm ZE?

ZE15 and EF20 are something to consider, I havent even looked at them. I'll read up.

lets bring this one back up...any decision yet?

harv3589 wrote in post #14641003
lets bring this one back up...any decision yet?

no decision yet. i bought a completely unnecessary car and I got in trouble for it on the homefront....lens purchase on hold. now i need to make a poll about flowers.

Higgs Boson wrote in post #14652646
... now i need to make a poll about flowers.

Flowers for "She who must be obeyed"

For when you do decide, if the ZE 2.8/15 is a possibility, you might also consider the TS-E 17. They're pretty much in the same price bracket and imo the TS-E is more versatile. Beside this, I haven't seen a single ZE 15 on sale. Both can use filters although the 17 needs you to make an adapter. The ZE 15 can only accept screw in 105mm filters - good luck finding these...

On the lenses you suggested, the 14L and ZE 21 are very different. I tried the 14 and found it almost unusable for landscape work (because the focal surface is highly curved.) This doesn't mean that curious perspectives are out - but you might achieve the same with a ff fisheye. My ZE 21 is a keeper.

I will most likely get the ZE21.... It's what I really want but I don't want to jump on it before I think about it.