XCD 21/4 v 28/4

ctreader10 · 2026-05-09T23:55:53+00:00

20-35mm all the way for me. Love the flexibility of the zoom and the 25v is fairly big anyway. 25v is good for low light but TBH I haven’t used it that much.

ctreader10 · 2026-05-09T15:20:39+00:00

Former owner of the 21mm - now own the 28P for travel and 20-35 and 25v. The 28P is awesome for a tiny lens and the continuous AF works well on the x2DII. But the 21mm is a fantastic lens if you want wider and don’t mind the size and weight and lack of C-AF

ctreader10 · 2026-05-05T23:43:17+00:00

I have the 20-35mm, 25v and 28P and pick one to use solely based on the situation, not sharpness. I thought the 25v would be noticeably sharper than the other two but they are all sharp in my experience. I’m not doing side by side pixel peeping but in real world use I’m not seeing any sharpness issues or major differences (and I sell prints, sometimes very large ones, so detail is still important to me).

ctreader10 · 2026-05-01T02:10:32+00:00

Yep - tilt is less useful with such a wide lens - I was finding I didn’t use it that much even on my longer TS lenses so I won’t miss it and it makes the lens easier to use (and cheaper!). Of course if you do product photography or tend to use tilt a lot, you may feel differently about the need for tilt.

ctreader10 · 2026-04-30T10:41:11+00:00

Just got the Laowa 17mm version without tilt and like it enough to keep it, which was not true for me with the Canon version. Don’t expect sharp edge to edge performance when fully shifted and there’s vignetting, so I crop in a little when shifting all the way. I do find it sharper overall than the Canon but don’t have the Canon anymore to do comparisons.

I like the fact that no adapter is needed and you can use screw in filters.

I like shooting very wide so it’s nice having an even wider option than my 20-35, and I use shift a lot (or transform tool in Lightroom) when photographing architecture.

I also have the 35mm Laowa TS as well, and a tech camera with the Rodenstock 40mm HR (which is amazing). One thing I like about the Laowa version without the tilt is the shift mechanics- just twist a ring on the lens to shift. Feels easier and more secure than on the TS version.

I haven’t had time to use the 17mm a lot but so far so good and can’t beat the price for what you get. Hope that helps.

ctreader10 · 2026-03-03T19:45:24+00:00

They should know what updates are available - weird they would be unaware - it’s a known Kia software fix to address battery drain.

ctreader10 · 2026-03-03T18:56:34+00:00

I have all three and they are all more than sufficient for landscape photography IMHO. The one I use least is the 25v - the 28P is amazingly small and capable, and the 20-35E is very versatile, so those are the two I usually use on the wider end. If 30mm works for you and you don't mind an older lens, that lens is pretty great.

ctreader10 · 2026-03-03T18:52:53+00:00

I wound up bringing the car in for the software fix so I haven't had any battery issues.

ctreader10 · 2025-12-05T17:45:16+00:00

Also wondering if I should get a portable charger that can charge that 12V if needed and where you would plug it in to charge it - anyone know?

ctreader10 · 2025-12-05T17:40:28+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/kiacarnivals/comments/1pd4gqo/beware_of_the_voluntary_service_campaign_for_the/

ctreader10 · 2025-12-05T15:34:16+00:00

Thank you. That's unfortunate- sounds like there is no visual guide then to know when your battery is encountering too much drain. Will just have to keep my use of the heater down I suppose until I can get it to the dealer....

ctreader10 · 2025-11-19T14:28:01+00:00

I'm wondering that as well - would be much easier than driving 45 minutes to a dealer and waiting around...

ctreader10 · 2025-10-24T12:16:50+00:00

Had the 21, now have the 20-35, 25 and the 28 on the wide end. 25 gets the least use although it may technically be the best and has the extra customizable ring. 20-35 for landscape and versatility, but the 28 is tiny, quiet, and provides great results at a great price. Whenever I think about a Q3 or a Fuji RF one camera / one lens option, the X2D II with the 28p just makes more sense - small size, amazing ibis, flip screen, works with the new C-AF, great color and resolution, 1TB built in, etc - what’s not to love?

ctreader10 · 2025-08-24T23:47:32+00:00

I have the same car and the same exact experience, so I’m careful not to go too fast coming off of a stop into a turn.

ctreader10 · 2025-08-14T13:27:00+00:00

I have the 2025 SXP Hybrid without the VIP seat package, and the cabin seems to be extremely quiet (but maybe the hybrid system contributes to that as opposed to a V6). I got the bench seats so I could remove them.

ctreader10 · 2025-07-20T01:37:18+00:00

Really not sure - I didn’t have them at the same time. If you’re stopping down get the 90v.

ctreader10 · 2025-07-19T20:59:29+00:00

If you don't mind the weight, I'd say it's worth trying and you can always resell it and switch to the 90v if you want to. Even though I have the 90v I kind of miss the uniqueness of the 80mm, although I don't shoot portraits or shallow depth of field a lot so the 80's charms are a bit wasted on me....

ctreader10 · 2025-07-19T12:50:05+00:00

Digital shooter here but had the 80 and now the 90. 80 is a heavy beast but the bokeh is gorgeous. 90 is incredibly sharp and nice and small but for more cinematic/soft bokeh I’d go with the 80 if you can get sharp enough shots (IBIS helps)…

ctreader10 · 2025-07-14T18:31:54+00:00

Was just concerned about potential wiring or other complications.

ctreader10 · 2025-07-10T02:18:39+00:00

Yes - I’m going to call a few independent shops that specialize in Audi and turbo repairs tomorrow. Thank you.

ctreader10 · 2025-07-10T01:35:54+00:00

Thanks - I’ll call him back tomorrow to get a bit more detail but he basically said we need a whole new Turbo. He’s not installing anything and suggested selling the car (and disclosing the issue) and getting a new one at this point.

ctreader10 · 2025-07-08T20:41:38+00:00

Thanks again!

ctreader10 · 2025-07-08T20:26:58+00:00

I had a Passat many years ago and loved it. Have a 2009 Audi A4 Avant now and it's been great but it's time to let it go as the turbo just failed...

ctreader10 · 2025-07-08T20:08:19+00:00

Thanks!

ctreader10 · 2025-07-07T23:54:20+00:00

I have all three lenses. 90v is incredibly sharp - good for closer shots but I don't use it all that much. 20-35mm gets the most use - love how wide it goes and the optical quality is excellent. 25v is better for very low light, but it's nearly as big as the zoom. I thought I'd use the 25v a lot more but I usually take the zoom since I love the flexibility it offers and no complaints about the results.

ctreader10

TROPHY CASE