Zeiss 25/28mm

[Jason Ano]

Can anybody here report or comment on the Zeiss 25mm f/2 vs the 28mm f/2? There are lots of reviews out there, both seem good, but not really reading anything on which has the edge. I'd rather hear some opinions from fellow RED users though. :yesnod:

 

[Nick Morrison]

Can anybody here report or comment on the Zeiss 25mm f/2 vs the 28mm f/2? There are lots of reviews out there, both seem good, but not really reading anything on which has the edge. I'd rather hear some opinions from fellow RED users though. :yesnod:

I would get the 25 f2. For two reasons.

1) The 25 f2 is by all accounts amazing, and razor sharp. The 28mm F2 is a much older (and revered) design. If you are going to buy modern glass, then go with the newer, sharper design.

2) The 25 focal length is much more common in cinema than the 28. Think of how the 25 pops up in most common sets (RPPs, Super Speeds, etc). On a Super 35mm Sensor, a 28 for me doesn't have as much "bend" or wide-angle feel as a 25mm. That sounds obvious, but I was surprised myself at how much more I preferred a 25mm over a 28mm. The 25mm is the first lens where you start to feel the "wide-angle" stretch. It's a nice feeling. The 28 is much safer. For me it's the widest lens that doesn't betray too much of that feeling. Which can be useful, too. But if I had to pick, def go with the 25...

 

[Matt Elkind]

Seconding that. The 25mm is definitely superior.

The 28mm is actually a bit underrated at this point but the fact is I almost never reach for it because I so prefer the 25 and the 35 1.4. They are both clearly sharper.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Seconding that. The 25mm is definitely superior.

The 28mm is actually a bit underrated at this point but the fact is I almost never reach for it because I so prefer the 25 and the 35 1.4. They are both clearly sharper.

I actually agree with you that the 28 is under-rated. In some situations, it can be ideal. Also my 28 is the Contax F2, which has superb close-focusing. Up to an inch. For portraits can be pretty cool. Also the bokeh wide open is delirious.

 

[Evin Grant]

28mm is my favorite focal length.