Zeiss ZF User List & Discussions
- Thread starter gohaj
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Orient Photo. One year store warranty though (however, they are reliable).
NodhereNodthere
New Member
hi ... becos i am always use auto focus lens.
so i would like to know, is it hard to manual focus on your D3 ? or when focus too long, will feel giddy anot ? haa ... for example : 85mm/1.4
cos i am also stuck in between, to get the nikon AF 85/1.4D or ZF 85/1.4 for my D3 too
please advice
I know your message is directed to digitalxd1, but let me 'kaypoh' a bit.
I have been using manual focus camera bodies and lenses for more than 20 years, and reluctantly switched to a AF body (a Nikon F4) in 1993. After making the switch, I found that shoot with AF was such a god-blessed convenience especially when grabbing quick 'moments'. Keep in mind that the AF system in the F4 was not great. After so many years of shooting with a manual body, I could still 'lock-onto' my subjects faster than the camera.
After the F4 (I still have it), I downgraded to a Nikon F100. The AF system was faster than the F4. And again, I enjoyed the convenience of AF, but I could still manual focus faster than the camera. I do not own a Nikon D3, but I have handled one in the past. Its AF was not a great deal faster than the F100, unless using AF-S lenses.
Bottomline is, AF is good to have if you need it, especially if you shoot events such as kid's birthday party, wedding and AD&D. You can still do manual focus with the Nikon 85mm f1.4 AF-D. BUT the image quality from the Carl Zeiss lenses simply cannot be rivaled.
You may argue that fact that Carl Zeiss-like image quality can be achieved through digital enhancement such as Curve Adjustment and Unsharp Masking. To be very frank, I have been using Adobe Photoshop since version 2.5 and I can comment confidently that no amount of Photoshopping can reach the same level as what Carl Zeiss lenses can achieve, especially the near-perfect bokeh and impeccable skin tone gradation.
If you have the chance to compare a pro-grade Nikon lens with a Carl Zeiss ZF lens, try to photograph a human subject. The first difference you will notice is the skin tone. The skin colors from a Nikon look burnt and the texture look coarse. The Carl Zeiss will present a natural and livelier skin colors. The texture is soft and fine, yet sharp. The contrast is very neutral. Depending on your purposes, I will recommend you to buy the Nikon if you are an event photographer. If not, then go for the Carl Zeiss and enjoy it. I can assure you will not regret your decision.
About having giddiness, you 'may' encounter it at first, but give yourself some time to get use to the lens. Just like a new pair of spectacles. The more frequent you wear it, the more comfortable it becomes, and the initial giddiness will disappear.
I second that 100%
.[/QUOTE] About having giddiness, you 'may' encounter it at first, but give yourself some time .[/QUOTE]
My breathlessness came before giddiness when I saw The Colour. Wah piang!
go see http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/infos/ZeissZFLenses/index.html
I'm not advertising for diglloyd.
But after shooting 9months with the 35 F2 Distagon, my eyes "opened" up again after I purchased that report. There are numerous pics inside which shows wat can be achieved with ZF. The report file is almost 1GB.
Also, it talks of curvature of field and how to get that "snap".
But after shooting 9months with the 35 F2 Distagon, my eyes "opened" up again after I purchased that report. There are numerous pics inside which shows wat can be achieved with ZF. The report file is almost 1GB.
Also, it talks of curvature of field and how to get that "snap".
phoakm
Senior Member
It seems worth getting it. :think:
digitalxd1
New Member
Hi guys!
I woke up this morning, and I walked to the back of my house. I found some mushrooms!!!
Yeahhhhhhh!!
I only had abot 5 minutes to play with it (cuz i need to prepare to go to the office >_<)
This time I want to do "Macro wide angle" with my Zeiss 25/2.8. I dont want to use ZF 50/2 macro or ZF 100/2 Macro...
This lens has minimum focusing of 2 cm.
It's really hard to take a picture of it.
I dont want to lay down on the wet grass, so i decided to use live view on Nikon D3
I tried my best for the framing and focusing
and here is what I got
Nikon D3 + ZF 25/2.8 @F11 (without tripod >_<) Live view mode on
CROP 100%
It's Fun to play around with ZF 25/2.8 (macro mode)
I should try it again next time, and hopefully I can get a better results
Andree
I woke up this morning, and I walked to the back of my house. I found some mushrooms!!!
Yeahhhhhhh!!
I only had abot 5 minutes to play with it (cuz i need to prepare to go to the office >_<)
This time I want to do "Macro wide angle" with my Zeiss 25/2.8. I dont want to use ZF 50/2 macro or ZF 100/2 Macro...
This lens has minimum focusing of 2 cm.
It's really hard to take a picture of it.
I dont want to lay down on the wet grass, so i decided to use live view on Nikon D3
I tried my best for the framing and focusing
and here is what I got
Nikon D3 + ZF 25/2.8 @F11 (without tripod >_<) Live view mode on
CROP 100%
It's Fun to play around with ZF 25/2.8 (macro mode)
I should try it again next time, and hopefully I can get a better results
Andree
Nikon D3 + ZF 25/2.8 @F11 (without tripod >_<) Live view mode on
CROP 100%
Just look at the color of green grass and that beautiful bokeh. No Nikon AF lenses can match that.
Hi Hi,
I just joined the club (sort off)
CZ 85mm F1/4 on a canon 30D.
MF is a nightmare for me as I was born into the world of digital photography via AF on USM..
After snapping and target practising whole day, it sure is satisfying to see those pictures which are sharp ! hehehhe
I just joined the club (sort off)
CZ 85mm F1/4 on a canon 30D.
MF is a nightmare for me as I was born into the world of digital photography via AF on USM..
After snapping and target practising whole day, it sure is satisfying to see those pictures which are sharp ! hehehhe
digitalxd1
New Member
One picture for today
Nikon D3 + Zeiss 85/1.4
Andree
Nikon D3 + Zeiss 85/1.4
Andree
Hi Hi,
I just joined the club (sort off)
CZ 85mm F1/4 on a canon 30D.
MF is a nightmare for me as I was born into the world of digital photography via AF on USM..
After snapping and target practising whole day, it sure is satisfying to see those pictures which are sharp ! hehehhe
I think I met you at OP the other day trying on the 85mm.
BourbonCoke
New Member
The photos in this thread are so nice. Can someone please tell me which shops are reliable to buy Carl Zess lenses ?? How about warranty status? How about the price in Singapore compared to HK? Thanks so much for any tips.
fuwen
Senior Member
The photos in this thread are so nice. Can someone please tell me which shops are reliable to buy Carl Zess lenses ?? How about warranty status? How about the price in Singapore compared to HK? Thanks so much for any tips.
Mr Wong of Fotografix at China Town Point is selling some ZF lenses, stock from local agent. Call 62237217 after 1430 to find out more from him.
BourbonCoke
New Member
May I ask if there is a pricelist for Zeiss lenses, particularly ZF mount?
Made the wrong move of venturing into this thread and now I am contemplating replacing my Nikon AF 85/1.4D with the Zeiss 85/1.4 but I am wondering if it is worth the sacrifice of autofocus and controlling of aperture via dial. I am not really into event photography and shoot mostly landscape, travel and portrait. Also, will there be a lens wider than the current 25/2.8? May want to replace my other lenses (20/2.8, 50/1.4) if I am addicted
Will a combination of 25/2.8, 50/2 makro, 85/1.4 be a versatile setup? Particuarly for the above mentioned type of photography.
Made the wrong move of venturing into this thread and now I am contemplating replacing my Nikon AF 85/1.4D with the Zeiss 85/1.4 but I am wondering if it is worth the sacrifice of autofocus and controlling of aperture via dial. I am not really into event photography and shoot mostly landscape, travel and portrait. Also, will there be a lens wider than the current 25/2.8? May want to replace my other lenses (20/2.8, 50/1.4) if I am addicted
Will a combination of 25/2.8, 50/2 makro, 85/1.4 be a versatile setup? Particuarly for the above mentioned type of photography.
May I ask if there is a pricelist for Zeiss lenses, particularly ZF mount?
Made the wrong move of venturing into this thread and now I am contemplating replacing my Nikon AF 85/1.4D with the Zeiss 85/1.4 but I am wondering if it is worth the sacrifice of autofocus and controlling of aperture via dial. I am not really into event photography and shoot mostly landscape, travel and portrait. Also, will there be a lens wider than the current 25/2.8? May want to replace my other lenses (20/2.8, 50/1.4) if I am addicted
Will a combination of 25/2.8, 50/2 makro, 85/1.4 be a versatile setup? Particuarly for the above mentioned type of photography.
the widest ZF so far is 25mm. Hope it comes out a 21mm soon! fyi, in contax world, zeiss 21mm is a gem! i also have the Zeiss ZM (not ZF) 21mm for M-mount rangefinder.
I am planning for a Zeiss ZF 50/2 makro soon.
for 85mm decision, the application for 85mm is very important. If you need to focus Fast, this ZF 85/1.4 may not be suitable. For me, i find ZF lenses give me a better colour out of the lenses/camera setup. I am not so good in photoshop and therefore this is very important for me.
FYI, ZF 35/2, ZF 50/2 makro & ZF 100/2 makro are the best that i have known personally (personal view only coz other people may have other views).
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