The 24mm World Cup Final
Canon 24mm f1.4 L v Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 v Olympus 24mm f2.8
Performance at f2.8 (Corners)
Here we have to factor in a little sunlight to accommodate a rapidly moving British winter sky: the Nikon is somewhat disadvantaged by poorer light, but I resisted the temptation to re-shoot as it became evident that it wasn't going to outperform either of its competitors' corners, whatever the light.
Look beyond the low contrast rendition of the Olympus wide open, and there's a whole lot of captured information that – amazingly – neither lens can find.
What have we learned? Firstly – and for the first time in my testing – the Nikon zoom is being outplayed. At f2.8, the Canon 24L is very good when it's good, but question marks linger over its Ronaldo-like behaviour. The Olympus 24/2.8 again exceeds expectations: wide open, it really delivers, across the frame, and requires only modest post-production perking to restore contrast – even if it can't reach the dizzying heights of the Canon lens when it's on form.
