Minolta 20mmF2.8 or 17-35mm(D) zoom?

fastshot · 8th September 2005

Share 2 pictures below shot with 7D and the Minolta 20mmF2.8 prime lens in Yunnan, China. No hood was used. Seems quite resistant to flare. Given the choice, would you take this lens or the new 17-35mm(D) zoom for travel?

This one below is panorama stitched from 3 pics all shot with the same lens. Location is Yangtze First Bend.

ileaf · 8th September 2005

wow, nice pictures! i liked the 2nd one, really impressive!

well, for travel, i would prefer 17-35 as it's more versatile. but well, eventually, it's still the users' preference.

happy shooting

UY79 · 8th September 2005

Good shots. Between the 2, I would choose 17-35 for travels for its versatility over the 20mm.

If you are comparing the difference in optical quality, the 20mm is of older lense design. I don't own the 20mm but being a prime lense, I believe it might be less susceptible to flares than the 17-35. I personnally find the 17-35 is pretty sharp even at wide open.

If the 20mm is of wider aperture, then I might choose it over the 17-35.

yeocolin · 8th September 2005

17-35 wins hands down because its more versatile. Can do landscape, create persective shots.

For my recent trip to Ulanbaatar, I brought 17-35 and 50mm. You can see pictures at www.pbase.com/yeocolin/travel_photography

fastshot · 9th September 2005

Agree that the 17-35 will be more versatile, but I feel the wider end at large apertures is significantly below Minolta prime lens performance. Sort of not as crisp or sharp. Anyone got experience comparing the 17-35 (D) versus the very expensive 17-35 G lens?

8th September 2005	#1
fastshot Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 3rd Mile Stone Posts: 374	Minolta 20mmF2.8 or 17-35mm(D) zoom? Share 2 pictures below shot with 7D and the Minolta 20mmF2.8 prime lens in Yunnan, China. No hood was used. Seems quite resistant to flare. Given the choice, would you take this lens or the new 17-35mm(D) zoom for travel? This one below is panorama stitched from 3 pics all shot with the same lens. Location is Yangtze First Bend.

8th September 2005	#2
ileaf Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Reservoir Posts: 410	Re: Minolta 20mmF2.8 or 17-35mm(D) zoom? wow, nice pictures! i liked the 2nd one, really impressive! well, for travel, i would prefer 17-35 as it's more versatile. but well, eventually, it's still the users' preference. happy shooting

8th September 2005	#3
UY79 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bedok Posts: 995	Re: Minolta 20mmF2.8 or 17-35mm(D) zoom? Good shots. Between the 2, I would choose 17-35 for travels for its versatility over the 20mm. If you are comparing the difference in optical quality, the 20mm is of older lense design. I don't own the 20mm but being a prime lense, I believe it might be less susceptible to flares than the 17-35. I personnally find the 17-35 is pretty sharp even at wide open. If the 20mm is of wider aperture, then I might choose it over the 17-35.

8th September 2005	#4
yeocolin Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 812	Re: Minolta 20mmF2.8 or 17-35mm(D) zoom? 17-35 wins hands down because its more versatile. Can do landscape, create persective shots. For my recent trip to Ulanbaatar, I brought 17-35 and 50mm. You can see pictures at www.pbase.com/yeocolin/travel_photography __________________ www.pbase.com/yeocolin www.flickr.com/yeocolin

9th September 2005	#5
fastshot Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 3rd Mile Stone Posts: 374	Re: Minolta 20mmF2.8 or 17-35mm(D) zoom? Agree that the 17-35 will be more versatile, but I feel the wider end at large apertures is significantly below Minolta prime lens performance. Sort of not as crisp or sharp. Anyone got experience comparing the 17-35 (D) versus the very expensive 17-35 G lens?