APS-C Special: The Cheap Lens that's Impossibly Good.

Summary

The video discusses a budget-friendly 25mm f/2 lens, which delivers exceptional image quality that rivals lenses costing much more. Despite its affordable price, it offers great sharpness, color, and versatility, especially for street photography, general walk-around shots, and video work. The lens is praised for its portability, ease of use, and low light performance. While it has some flaws such as moderate barrel distortion, vignette, and occasional flare, these are minor compared to the value it offers. This lens is perfect for both beginners and experienced photographers looking for high-quality manual lenses at a budget-friendly price.

Takeaways

• 😀 Buying an affordable lens and being surprised by the image quality can be an exhilarating experience, especially when it rivals much more expensive lenses.
• 😀 The lens reviewed is a 25mm f2, a highly versatile focal length on APS-C cameras, comparable to a 35mm focal length on full-frame cameras.
• 😀 A 25mm lens offers a great balance for street photography, allowing photographers to capture both the subject and the context of the scene.
• 😀 The lens is incredibly compact and portable, making it perfect for street photography and general photography in tight spaces like parties or family events.
• 😀 At f5.6 to f8, the lens provides a sharp enough image to keep the background in focus, preserving the context in street photography.
• 😀 The lens is great for general-purpose video work due to its wide enough field of view (25mm) to capture interesting movement and scenes.
• 😀 With an f2 aperture, the lens performs excellently in low-light conditions, allowing significantly more light compared to standard kit lenses.
• 😀 The lens has great sharpness and image quality starting at f2, with no noticeable issues in the center of the frame. It performs well even in low-cost budget lenses.
• 😀 While the lens may have moderate distortion and some vignette, these are not deal-breakers and can even be creatively used for mood-setting in photos.
• 😀 The lens is ideal for budget-conscious photographers and filmmakers, offering an enjoyable manual focusing experience while delivering high-quality images at a very reasonable price.

Q & A

What makes this 25mm F2 lens stand out compared to other lenses?

The 25mm F2 lens stands out primarily due to its incredible image quality despite being a budget option. It performs remarkably well, with images that rival much more expensive lenses costing $1,500 to $2,000. Additionally, its compact size, ease of use, and versatility make it a great choice for street photography, casual use, and low-light conditions.

Is this lens suitable for street photography?

Yes, this lens is perfect for street photography. The 25mm focal length on an APS-C sensor camera is considered ideal for capturing both subjects and the surrounding context, which is essential in street photography. It allows for a balanced composition where the subject is well-defined but also shows enough of the background to add to the story.

What are the limitations of the 25mm F2 lens?

While the 25mm F2 lens delivers great image quality, it does have a few flaws, such as moderate barrel distortion, noticeable vignette at F2, and some purple fringing in high-contrast, backlit scenes. The extreme corners of the image are also not very sharp, especially at wide apertures, though the center of the frame is very sharp.

How does the lens perform in low light conditions?

The 25mm F2 lens performs excellently in low-light situations due to its large aperture of F2. This allows it to capture significantly more light compared to standard kit lenses, making it ideal for nighttime photography and videography.

What is the ideal aperture for street photography with this lens?

For street photography, the ideal aperture range is typically between F5.6 and F8. This ensures a sufficient depth of field to keep both the subject and background in focus, which is essential for street photography that captures context as well as the subject.

How does the manual focus and aperture control work on this lens?

The lens features both manual focus and manual aperture controls. The manual focus ring is smooth and has a hard stop at infinity, which is a great feature. The aperture ring is clicked, which prevents accidental changes when adjusting focus. This is especially beneficial for photographers who prefer full control over their settings.

What kind of build quality can you expect from this lens?

Despite its budget price, the 25mm F2 lens has excellent build quality. It’s constructed with an all-metal body, including a metal lens mount, and even comes with a metal screw-on lens cap. It feels solid and well-built, offering great value for the price.

How does this lens compare to more expensive lenses in terms of sharpness?

The lens offers impressive sharpness, especially in the center of the frame at F2. It outperforms many standard kit lenses in terms of detail and sharpness. While the extreme corners may not be as sharp, it still provides great quality for the price, especially compared to more expensive options.

What are the potential issues with lens flare on this lens?

Flare performance is one of the weaker aspects of this lens. When shooting directly toward street lights or other bright light sources, the lens can produce psychedelic, multi-colored flares. This can be controlled by shading the lens, but it can be distracting in certain situations.

Is this lens a good option for video work?

Yes, this lens is an excellent choice for video work. Its 25mm focal length is versatile for capturing wide scenes and motion, making it suitable for general-purpose video, especially in street photography or travel videos. It also handles low light well, making it perfect for nighttime videography.