Just uploaded the first pictures of the Nikon 14-24mm G used via the new Nikon G-EFadaptor on the Canon 5D. No mirror clearance issues, AF confirm checks out OK and registration seems OK, too: though I'm still looking into fine tuning it.
That Nikon 14-24/2.8 is one very special lens: it's a bit wasted on a D3 or 5D, but it's shaping up to be THE lens for 1Ds III owners: there's nothing to touch it.
The Contax Zeiss 15/3.5 was designed in 1975. Originally designed in the CY mount, they also manufactured it and re-badged it for the Leica-R system. (Some cosmetic differences also, Leica 1/2 stop aperture detents, Leica spec'd filter coatings for the filter turret, etc.) Zeiss kept the Contax version in their line until the Contax RTS system was terminated a few years ago. It was never upgraded.
And I went to you to get mine. Super expensive but a super lens. I not only use it on my DMR/R9 and Canon 5D but also on my M8 with a Novoflex R to M adapter. This lens is one hell of a performer.
Thanks from a fan (of Leica and JIL)
Woody
Leica currently has the 15/2.8-R, which is a Schneider designed lens. Not really a successor to the 15/3.5 as that one was a Zeiss design, and Leica just stopped ordering them and then went to Schneider for a better 15mm lens.
I wouldn't say it's wasted on the D3 and I think we'll soon see a D3X with medium format resolution.
It's really amazing what Nikon has done within the last year. If you don't want to fool around with adapters and stop down metering I would say that Nikon has more interesting lenses than Canon at the moment, much thanks to Zeiss.
marbrink wrote:
I wouldn't say it's wasted on the D3 and I think we'll soon see a D3X with medium format resolution.
It's really amazing what Nikon has done within the last year. If you don't want to fool around with adapters and stop down metering I would say that Nikon has more interesting lenses than Canon at the moment, much thanks to Zeiss.
I mean 'wasted' relative to the 1Ds III which really, really needs this lens. If we imagine a 2008 in which buyers get to choose between an 18MP D3X and a 22-ish MP 1Ds III, this lens alone might be enough to swing me back to Nikon.
Damn !!! That's pretty impressive..... Zone C performance is pretty good for a zoom.
"In overlapping focal lengths, it's better than the Nikon 17-35mm, Canon 17-40mm, 16-35mm II, and even, I suspect, the Contax N 17-35mm f2.8 zooms."
Do you really think it will be better than the Zeiss/Contax N 17-35mm f2.8. Not that I am skeptical, but I would be very surprised if it actually was as high resolving an optic as the Converted Zeiss N. Do you believe the Nikon may be able to achieve the Zeiss look (microcontrast and the very life life images the zeiss is capable of).
Any chances you may get around to testing a copy of the Olympus 7-14mm f4.0 against any of the wide angle lenses you have in your tests.
Question for either hubsand or any others - how can you tell when the lens is outresolving the sensor or vice versa. Can someone post an example/picture that shows this. I ask as I am unclear what to look for when the review says that the Nikon may outresolve the 5D sensor and a 1Ds Mk III (the only tool to answer the questions against the Leica) is on the way.
Wow is right, thanks for putting this one together. Certainly enticing considerations in both the Nikon and Canon camps. Personally, with no dslr glass left, I'm free to choose which system to adopt as an entry back into the DSLR world. Any thoughts as to when a D3X might be available?
p.1 #10 · Nikon 14-24mm tested on Canon 5D/1Ds III
I can't put my other lenses up for sale until I know I can use this on all my EOS bodies! If we can use it, I know what my next lens purchase will be...
p.1 #11 · Nikon 14-24mm tested on Canon 5D/1Ds III
It would be very interesting to compare the 17-35N and the 14-24G: I still believe the Contax N is affected by a 'Zone B Dip' – also its performance tails off above about 25mm.
When I say in the mini-review that both lenses appear to be outresolving the sensor, it's a pragmatic guess rather than a definitive statement: what I mean is that the capture is as sharp as anything I've seen. It's a safe bet that a lens like a Zeiss or Leica 100mm Makro outresolves the sensor centre frame at f5.6 . . . though drawing styles differ, many lenses at many apertures deliver the 60-odd lp/mm required by a 5D. Few deliver the same resolution in Zone C; fewer still below 50mm.
Zeiss claims very high resolution figures (centre frame ONLY, of course!) for many of their best lenses, but in practice it's hard for even a 1Ds II (or III) to distinguish from a lens of lesser resolution, by the time the AA filter has done its work. So when I say the lens is outresolving the sensor, what I mean is that the lens is not the limiting factor in the total resolving ability of the system in that instance.
p.1 #12 · Nikon 14-24mm tested on Canon 5D/1Ds III
kidigital wrote:
Wow is right, thanks for putting this one together. Certainly enticing considerations in both the Nikon and Canon camps. Personally, with no dslr glass left, I'm free to choose which system to adopt as an entry back into the DSLR world. Any thoughts as to when a D3X might be available?
Kurt
Kurt
I would bet on Photokina 2008. I think that Nikon only has to change the frame rate from the current 10fps to say 4 or 5 and then reduce pixel size to 6x6 to get near 21 Mpx. The noise performance will suffer somewhat relative to the D3 but I could care less about shooting at ISO 25,000! Good performance at ISO 800 will do it for me.
I didn't realize you had sold off all of your R glass. Man you had one of the most impressive collections ever. I have sold off five of my lenses and have seven to go. These include the 15 Elmarit, 280 4.0 and my second copy of the 35-70 Elmarit. If you know anyone who may be interested have them give me a call.
p.1 #18 · Nikon 14-24mm tested on Canon 5D/1Ds III
Thank you for the test so far. Indications are this could be THE wideangle zoom. However I'm looking forward to the comprehensive test with results from several focal lengths and the full range of f-stops. Not to mention the adapter. Keep up the good work.
p.1 #20 · Nikon 14-24mm tested on Canon 5D/1Ds III
Mark
What are your plans for the full test? Are you going to test multiple focal lengths? Which ones? Which lenses are you planning to test against ? I'd like see it tested against the Zeiss 18/3.5 and 21/2.8.
