| Year | 1979 |
| Lens Groups | 9 |
| Lens Element | 10 |
| Aperature Blades | 6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Closest Focusing | 0.25 m |
| Max. Magnifcation | 1:7.7 (0.13x) |
| Filter Size | 72 mm |
| Diameter x Length | 76.5 x 58 mm |
| Weight | 305 gr (0.67 lb) |
| Hood | BW-72 |
This is one of my favorite lenses, probably second to the 15mm f2.8 in the wide to ultra-wide range. It is my third favorite with the 200mm f4 macro taking the prize (which should be called L glass). As with all my reviews, this one is based on using the lens for film with the T90, New F-1, and EF bodies. This lens is very sharp, with excellent contrast, and overall image quality. As I use it mostly for landscapes it is almost always shot stopped down to f8-16. I have shot a few images at 2.8 and 4 and they are more than acceptable for 4x6 and even 8x10 prints. My only negative is that the hood for this 72mm front end is unsightly and unwieldy. It's not heavy but it just gets in the way. My other negative is really unfair, but I wish it had built in filters like the 15mm f2.8 which would save me from lugging around a bunch of 72mm filters. I know, first-world problems... I think the contrast and color rendering is better than the 24mm f2.8, but I shoot far more BW film than color. Super-wide lenses are cool to use with color shifting film such as Lomocrhrome Purple and Lomochrome Turquoise.
This was my first starter UWA and I can say like the 17, it is a great wide to start with.
It is quite affordable ranging between 250 and 350 for buy it now or bidding. It is very lightweight and fast at 2.8 for low light photography. This is the minimum focal length for UWA photography such as landscapes and architectural. Astrophotography may need to stop down due to coma and very minor smear.
It does have minor moustache distortion and an unnecessarily large filter. For that size, one could make it wider or F2. ;) They could have made the filter thread maybe around 58mm to keep it smaller.
This is a great starter UWA for people just getting into this style photography, but just note the minor distortion and large filter thread.
I'm using this on a Sony A7. rnrnI haven't done any formal tests and I'm not much of a pixel peeper but in real world shooting this lens performs admirably on the A7. Excellent sharpness into the corners when stopped down a bit. I like the way it renders, colors and rendering have a bit of a vintage feel. Haven't noticed any bothersome amounts of fringing. Bokeh is quite nice for an ultra wide. Especially if the background is not too busy bokeh can be quite pleasing. Handling is nice too, not too heavy and well built.rnrnIn short an excellent wide angle lens, even on full frame digital.rnrn
This is an excellent lens. I used with Sony A7. My lens is a SSC old version. I used in a Nex 7 and AE1 P. I like it a lot and I am using since the 80s. Distortion, lens flare, CA are common for this focal lengh. I have samples in my Flickr/fjordan I will create an album for you for this lens.
Sharp to the edges when stopped down a few steps and minimum distortion. Superwide-lenses are so much fun. And this one makes it double.
My favourite lens.
only 9,5 because the 10 is reserved for the 85mm. ;-)