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What's the angle of view difference between 14mm and 9mm?

 

I have used the much loved (and waterproof!) ZD 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 lens since the beginning, almost always at 14mm, which is the equivalent of a 28mm lens in the film SLR world.

 

I wanted something wider so I next bought an 8mm fisheye. I didn't want to spend the money it takes to get a good ultra wide angle. The ZD 7-14mm, well known as a complete gem of a lens, streets at $1,500 on a good day, so the Peleng fisheye seemed like a deal. And I love the fisheye, but it's only good for certain things.

 

Eventually Olympus released the more affordable ZD 9-18mm f/4-5.6. It is the film equivalent of an 18-36mm UWA and this is what I bought today and used for the shots above. The top one is shot at 14mm, the focal length I have used most since the beginning, and as wide as I used to be able to go without the fisheye. The bottom shot is the new wide, 9mm.

 

It's currently selling for about $550. I got this one at Samy's Camera for $500 flat by doing a little fast talking and a little shameless eye-batting.

 

So far it looks like a really good value. There's no chromatic aberration where I'd expect to find it. It's sharp and well corrected and the contrast is admirable. At 14mm I'd say it looks a little better than the venerable 14-54mm does in the corners.

 

It's not waterproof so I'll just try not to drool on it. Happy new year, everyone!

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Uploaded on January 1, 2011
Taken on December 31, 2010