Digital BW, The Print

> This lens may be one of the best wides available for the 5D II:
> 
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08091901carl_zeiss_distagon_t_21mm.asp

I love seeing competition with the OEM lenses by top optical 
companies.  But, I must say, I have a "legendary Distagon" lens on my 
SL66, and like all other retro-focus lenses, even when film is used 
they are second rate compared to symetrical designs.  When one adds the 
digital artifacts to the retrofocus wide angle performance, the results 
I've seen leaves a fair amount to be desired.  

What I would like to see is high resolution MTF curves of these 
lenses.  While Canon's low resolution MTF charts are of some value, I 
have yet to find a substitute for the old Photodo tests and actually 
trying the lens.  Some of the European magazines may have these, but 
I'm not that familiar with them.  

I suspect the digital wide angle that will convert me will be a 
symetrical lens design on a dedicated wide angle rangefinder, 20+ mp 
camera.  Microlenses on the sensor that are matched to the short focal 
length probably have the best chance of catching MF and larger format 
film performance, and I think several companies are moving in that 
direction.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com   


> > <pr_roark@> wrote:
> ... 
> > My main camera is a Bronica RF 645 with the 45 mm lens.  
> > I expect it to remain in use for a while.
> > 
> > ... but, as I noted just above, I bought a Canon 
> > 90mm Tilt Shift lens in anticipation of the new 5D.
> > 
> > ...  Digital wide angle is still too plagued with artifacts ...