selamatlzh
Senior Member
ZF35/2 on D700
Zeiss ZF User List & Discussions
- Thread starter gohaj
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ZF35/2 on D700
I kept the 50 makro-planar and I shoot my kids, still life, abstract and everything that lens itself to a 50mm. Relative to the 35mm and 100mm, you'll get higher keeper rate for all standard portrait cos with @ f2, 35mm, the face details are frequently too small to focus on screen and with 100mm, the DOF is too small. Even my AF nikkors can't keep up when the kids are moving. Both the 50 and 100 ZF Macros have very creamy bokeh.
The 50 is not cheap but in my view, its the best and I judge it relative to the ZM 50mm, Nikon 50mm 1.2 and Leica 50s when I view the 50mm shots on the PC.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21902679@N03/sets/72157616662622157/
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snapshots22
New Member
nice shots! thanks for sharing... I hope that by tomorrow I can add my name to the ZF user list. Called a few shops and they have the 50mm f2 in stock but not the 35mm. Would be better if I could try both out before deciding.
FortyNine, do you find the focusing throw to be very long for the makro-planar? Some people on dpreview have complained that its too long to be good for street photography. But i figure if its good enough to take pics of moving young kids, should be adequate enough for street? And i agree with you on how faces are sometimes too small to get precise focus on 35mm FL for FX... had that problem with the 35 f2 nikkor even tho i loved it.
FortyNine, do you find the focusing throw to be very long for the makro-planar? Some people on dpreview have complained that its too long to be good for street photography. But i figure if its good enough to take pics of moving young kids, should be adequate enough for street? And i agree with you on how faces are sometimes too small to get precise focus on 35mm FL for FX... had that problem with the 35 f2 nikkor even tho i loved it.
Snapshots, the focusing throw on the 50 makro is a little long, but I've not found it inhibiting for street photography. Used it plenty of times on busy streets here and elsewhere, and it has produced some of my best shots.
You should try both the 35 and the 50: reason I went with the 50 is because I find its FOV more workable for my style of street photography. I like to include people as central figures in what i shoot, whereas the 35's FOV allows you to include people but as part of the scenery rather than being critical to it. Of course the MFD of the 35 allows you to shoot close enough to solve that, but you get somewhat distorted pictures, albeit interesting "portraits" heh heh.
Can't go wrong with both really, depends on not just what you shoot but HOW you shoot it. The 100 makro, 50 makro and the 35f2 are the 3 best Zeiss lenses in the ZF mount, in my testing....and I've tested them all.
You should try both the 35 and the 50: reason I went with the 50 is because I find its FOV more workable for my style of street photography. I like to include people as central figures in what i shoot, whereas the 35's FOV allows you to include people but as part of the scenery rather than being critical to it. Of course the MFD of the 35 allows you to shoot close enough to solve that, but you get somewhat distorted pictures, albeit interesting "portraits" heh heh.
Can't go wrong with both really, depends on not just what you shoot but HOW you shoot it. The 100 makro, 50 makro and the 35f2 are the 3 best Zeiss lenses in the ZF mount, in my testing....and I've tested them all.
snapshots22
New Member
Hey John, thanks for the reassurance. I think this settles it. I'll get the makro-planar tomorrow. and report back on the experience. hahah...
I used to shoot Sony just for the Zeiss lens and having switched to nikon, i sorely miss that zeiss look. This is my way of getting that fix.
I figure going manual can only help to make me improve.
I think from what i've heard so far, i'm more or less certain that I'm looking for a close focusing 50. Find the MFD on fast 50s limiting (45cm) and the 35 while focuses close still is kinda widish for closeup shots on FX.
I used to shoot Sony just for the Zeiss lens and having switched to nikon, i sorely miss that zeiss look. This is my way of getting that fix.
I figure going manual can only help to make me improve.
I think from what i've heard so far, i'm more or less certain that I'm looking for a close focusing 50. Find the MFD on fast 50s limiting (45cm) and the 35 while focuses close still is kinda widish for closeup shots on FX.
Ha ha, trust me, the "fix" is not going to stop with the 50 makro alone....who are you kidding heh heh!
The 50 makro is a sweet lens....unlike the Zeiss 1.4 lenses (50, 85), for the Zeiss f2 lenses (50 makro, 100 makro, 35), the rendering is quite different, and the bokeh is VERY different. Like Forty Nine said, smooth and creamy, not harsh like the 1.4 lenses. The transition between the in focus areas and the OOF areas is also a lot smoother in the former set, and makes for a more pleasing effect
Based on what you said you were going to shoot, think the 50 probably works better for you, but do try both before you make the purchase. In my opinion, the Zeiss is the most versatile 50mm lens in its class, great for macro and very pretty for portraits too, and that was what I was precisely looking for at that focal length. If I wanted a pure portrait lens, I turn to the Nikon 85 1.4 or the 105 DC!
The only one that comes close for versatility in my testing is the Nikon AFS 60mm (G), great for macro and pretty good for portraits too, but it's only (!) a 2.8 lens, and the rendering for portraits is not as nice as the Zeiss, to me at least....
The 50 makro is a sweet lens....unlike the Zeiss 1.4 lenses (50, 85), for the Zeiss f2 lenses (50 makro, 100 makro, 35), the rendering is quite different, and the bokeh is VERY different. Like Forty Nine said, smooth and creamy, not harsh like the 1.4 lenses. The transition between the in focus areas and the OOF areas is also a lot smoother in the former set, and makes for a more pleasing effect
Based on what you said you were going to shoot, think the 50 probably works better for you, but do try both before you make the purchase. In my opinion, the Zeiss is the most versatile 50mm lens in its class, great for macro and very pretty for portraits too, and that was what I was precisely looking for at that focal length. If I wanted a pure portrait lens, I turn to the Nikon 85 1.4 or the 105 DC!
The only one that comes close for versatility in my testing is the Nikon AFS 60mm (G), great for macro and pretty good for portraits too, but it's only (!) a 2.8 lens, and the rendering for portraits is not as nice as the Zeiss, to me at least....
snapshots22
New Member
I would like to try both too, but from all the shops i've tried calling today, only OP at SLS has both in stock. And while the salesman did say that the sets he has are agent's sets with Zeiss warrranty and not grey sets, it being in SLS makes me a bit... concerned, even though i know OP gets pretty good reviews.
As crazy as it sounds, i think i'll just go and try the 50 out at the shop at peninsula that has it in stock and then if i'm discontent, i have a perfect reason to get the 35. hah!
As crazy as it sounds, i think i'll just go and try the 50 out at the shop at peninsula that has it in stock and then if i'm discontent, i have a perfect reason to get the 35. hah!
John Mama, I tot u had a 50 makro on sale ?
Snapshot, grab it before its gone !
Here's to Zeiss 50mms. Leica M-mount ZM 50mm 2.0 shot with ZF 50mm Makro-planar
Another 50mm shot
snapshots22
New Member
I think i'll be camping outside the store tomorrow. But surely will be setting myself up for embarassment while testing as i'm a child of the AF generation. cannot focus without the beep and red flashing square.
But soon that will all change!
But soon that will all change!
jnet6
Senior Member
just turn off yr AF on yr AF-S lenses will do and practise yr manual focus.
Leong23
Senior Member
jnet6
Senior Member
i love 100 makro and that makes ppl confuse of my snapshot of D700. :bsmilie:Welcome to the camp of Makro-planar.
jnet6
Senior Member
Wish you find a Zeiss lover to own this beautiful lens.
snapshots22
New Member
Bought my makro-planar 50mm today. you guys are right, don't think its possible to stop at one. Am selling off my 24mm af-d tomorrow to fund another purchase... maybe in a few months time. will probably go with the 28mm f2 instead of the 25mm even though the MFD of the 25mm is very tempting.
The lens is damn solid. and learning to focus is challenging but makes photography all the more fun again!
V glad to join this club.
The lens is damn solid. and learning to focus is challenging but makes photography all the more fun again!
V glad to join this club.
jnet6
Senior Member
if you are in film then get 28/2, in digital 25/2.8 is better.
I'm having and using one. the close up shoot is nearly like makro lens.
snapshots22
New Member
jnet6, you are using a d700 with the 25 f2.8? Reading diglloyd, he says its difficult to focus with the 25 but not the 28. What is your personal experience? I'm using a d700 too, so i think its best i get your opinion as its first hand experience... sharpness with the 25mm how is it? diglloyd wasn't very keen on this lens, which is the reason i'm am thinking of the 28 instead. Though if the 25 is better that would be good news as its cheaper...
digitalxd1
New Member
From ZF 35/2 Nikon D3X
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