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Archive 2013 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)

  
 
ReidF
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


I've been doing a bit of landscape photography with the 5dii and the ze 50 MP. While I'm quite pleased with the look I get from this combination (microcontrast, sharpness, color), I was looking for something with a little more reach and more controlled CA. Any alternatives out there under $700 that would allow me to reach infinity without having to worry about mirror issues? TIA.


Aug 20, 2013 at 01:26 PM
mawz
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


First thing that comes to mind is the C/Y 60/2.8 Makro-Planar. I'd also consider the CF 80/2.8 T* with a Hasselblad adapter, although that might be less 'Zeissy' than you are looking for (it's rendering resembles the Sony/Zeiss ZA line more than the ZF/ZE line) and I'm not sure how well CA is controlled.


Aug 20, 2013 at 01:45 PM
FlyPenFly
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


Contax 35-70mm F3.4.

Beats the micro-contrast and CA performance of most prime lenses by F5.6, almost all primes by F8.

It's the most Zeissy lens I've ever used on full format and that includes the zf.2 21mm F2.8 , ZA 24mm f1.8, zf.2 35mm F2, 50mm F1.4, ZA 85mm F1.4, 80-200mm, etc.



Aug 20, 2013 at 01:53 PM
Gunzorro
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


My fave is the Leica R 60/2.8 Macro. Beautiful and can be found for around $400 (or occasionally less).


Aug 20, 2013 at 02:18 PM
Mirek Elsner
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


… I was looking for something with a little more reach and more controlled CA. Any alternatives out there under $700 that would allow me to reach infinity without having to worry about mirror issues?

90mm Apo Lanthar?



Aug 21, 2013 at 02:55 PM
johnahill
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


Mirek Elsner wrote:
90mm Apo Lanthar?


+1 absolutely great lens and very under appreciated because It sits in the shadow of the 100mm makro-planar. Stopped down for infinity work it is outstanding and vert low ca.



Aug 21, 2013 at 04:16 PM
philip_pj
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


But you broke the rules of '50-80mm', lol. I have to agree if the price is right one of the slow 90-100mm lenses are a fine choice, very light and very good.

For the other choice is the Contax 100mm f3.5, I do a lot of work with this one, less weight than the CV, also superb optics, CA control and bokeh, so you will be ready for the coming FF mirrorless niche. We need a shoot out, include the 85/2.8 from CY range, virtually identical performance and specs. Why did they stop making these kinds of lenses?

All the above suggestions in 50-60mm are great choices and both the Elmarit and CY zoom are under 500 grams. The Leica is the most Zeiss lens they ever made at that FL range but still it is different. Great but different. Check image threads.



Aug 21, 2013 at 04:46 PM
ReidF
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


thanks for all the suggestions. I actually have the contax 35-70 but using it slipped my mind. mirror hangs on it but i'll try again with another adapter.

so many nice alt options out there. really appreciate the help.



Aug 21, 2013 at 05:11 PM
jay tieger
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


A possible alternative...

60mm/2.8 AF-D Micro-Nikkor
https://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=63&sort=7&cat=12&page=3



Aug 21, 2013 at 07:49 PM
Krosavcheg
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


I beat Carsten to Zeiss 50/1.4 for landscape comment...


Aug 21, 2013 at 08:33 PM
aleksanderpolo
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


Another vote for C/Y 35-70, you are getting three primes in the body of one. Hope you get an adapter that works.


Aug 21, 2013 at 09:35 PM
philip_pj
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


'I actually have the contax 35-70'

You don't need another lens then. Compared with the 50MP at f5.6, the zoom at 50mm at landscape aperture of f8 gives up a very small amount across the 12mm donut hole, and has significantly better corners, less variation across the frame (important for landscapes for a natural 'flat field' look) and a little less distortion as well.

These data are from Zeiss's own test bench (they invented that also).

With a high performance zoom, you can fine tune the composition and gain more IQ that way also whereas a crop may be necessary if shot on a prime, and get a better match for your ideal composition with experimenting with FLs.

Do a shootout in even light and surprise yourself. Then again, you will need an adaptor, which might diminish the IQ of the zoom. Mine is on a Leitax mount so I see what it can do. I never choose to use a Summicron-R 50/2 I also have, for landscapes.



Aug 22, 2013 at 02:38 AM
philip_pj
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


To complete the story, the ZE/F Planar f1.4 has 2% distortion - so three times as much as the 35-70 and 50MP - and very uneven performance across the frame with very poor corners, all this at its supposedly best aperture of f4, which CZ publishes.

F5.6 would buy a little more evenness, maybe clean up the poor corners a little; but as we see, CZ thinks f4 is as good as it gets at least overall. ~2% is at the edge of acceptable distortion also. So maybe it makes nice images in many respects, but they are not in the general specifications landcape photographers look for, in the main.



Aug 22, 2013 at 02:45 AM
gary brook
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


Hello again Philip, and others

how about the C/Y Zeiss-Makro 60mm f2.8 1:1, but it depends on which mount adapter you need, or the Rolleiflex-Zeiss (6008 etc) 80mm f2.8 PQ/PQS Planar, which the Contax system produced a C/Y adapter. Cheers,

Gary.



Aug 26, 2013 at 08:46 AM
philber
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · lens recommendation (50-80 range)


+1 on the Elmarit suggestion. A superlative lens, with a very different look from the ZE 50 MP, and also from the 35-70. So I would think a very nice pairing. And strictly within the OP's parameters.
To a large extent, the same can be said of the ZE 50 f:1.4, a superlative lens for landscapes. When I have a choice between figures and hundreds of pictures to the contrary, I go with what the pictures tell me.



Aug 26, 2013 at 10:01 AM





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