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R. Francois
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p.2 #1 · Nikon primes.

Richard.P wrote:
ulrikft wrote:
How is the weather sealing on the d700 then? if it is like the d300/d3? It can stand light rain and snow?

I've heard that the D700 has weather sealing like the D3, which is somewhat better than the D300 (apparently). Personally, I've shot my D300 in light rain for extended periods, and no problem. On the one occasion I've got it smothered with wet snow, it didn't give the slightest trouble either. I wouldn't hesitate on that score. Here's the evidence

Cool stuff. i never hesitate to use either my D2x or D300 in the rain. What i worry about is the lens. What do you have attached there? a 17-55?

Jul 08, 2008 at 05:52 AM

Richard.P
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p.2 #2 · Nikon primes.

Yes, a non-sealed lens might be a concern (but then, my Sigma 10-20 was fine). The lens in the picture is the 24-70 which fits that D300 like a hand in glove. Advantages in bad weather include sealing and a lens hood the size of the Colosseum

Jul 08, 2008 at 08:42 AM

camerapapi
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p.2 #3 · Nikon primes.

Going straight to the questions yes, the 50mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.4 are very good lenses and yes, they are in production. I would buy any of them even if they were not in production.
"Is the 35mm f2 the best wide alternative on full frame?" This one is hard for me to answer because I do not know the intended use of the lens. 35mm is a nice wide angle on a full frame for me but if it will be wide enough for your FF photography is something only you can decide. Nikon also has an excellent 28mm f2.8 and a 24mm f2.8 that is one of my favorite wide angles.
Now, are you unhappy with Canon? Canon also has excellent gear and if you have the lenses I would consider staying Canon.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.

Jul 08, 2008 at 09:21 AM

Tony Brown
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p.2 #4 · Nikon primes.

i'm a Canon guy....i will say the only reason i havn't switched to Nikon is because of the Canon 35 L 1.4.

Jul 08, 2008 at 09:48 AM

GuyWalder
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p.2 #5 · Nikon primes.

ulrikft wrote:
Hey!

As a canon shooter thinking about switching to nikon, I'm a bit worried about primes. I've been told that both the 50 1.4 and 85 1.4 are good, but are both those in production? And is the 35 f/2 the best wide alternative on fullframe?

Ulrik

My (MF) 50/1.4 is nearly as sharp as my leica m50/1.4. But the nikon vignettes terribly at 1.4 & 2.0
My 85/1.4 is good, but falls well short of a leica m75/1.4 I borrowed.
But my 35/2 is underwhelming.
Actually the best all round 35 I have is the AFS28-70, even wide open its pretty good. But its a big heavy lens. Maybe I should have kept the AF35-70/2.8 after all.

I cant make my mind up about my MF 35/1.4
From 2.0 to 8 it is very sharp, but not that easy to focus (on a D3), and it lacks contrast compared to the alternatives. I use picture controls to add a bit of contrast...
Wide open it captures plenty of detail, but it is veiled. The extreme corners can look horrible if the subject falls on the plane of focus into the corners.

The only thing I want from Nikon right now is an AFS35/1,4 of a similar optical standard to the 14-24. Even if it was AF and not AFS I would be happy....

Jul 08, 2008 at 10:53 AM

williamkazak
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p.2 #6 · Nikon primes.

Too bad we must purchase what is out there and not what our minds dream up.
I am lusting after the 14mm F2.8. Now, that is an odd one for me.
I have the 20mm F2.8 already but I want to play too.

Jul 11, 2008 at 12:30 AM

freespirit
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p.2 #7 · Nikon primes.

williamkazak wrote:
Too bad we must purchase what is out there and not what our minds dream up.
I am lusting after the 14mm F2.8. Now, that is an odd one for me.
I have the 20mm F2.8 already but I want to play too.

Where would you expect the image quality to be?
when you compare 14mm prime with the 14-24?
I think the new 14-24 would be better.
What do others think?

Or would you buy it for lightweight and size?

Jul 11, 2008 at 09:20 AM

Stu Warner
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p.2 #8 · Nikon primes.

Zeiss may produce a 24/1.4 for the Sony mount... keep an eye open.

Otherwise, consider buying a silicon jacket for your current body. You can buy them in black, and although they obviously won't be as water resistant as internal seals, they will give you shock absorption and a protective surface from which to wipe off all that sticky beer goodness

I accept that this isn't really a good solution to the weather resistance problem, but it might help a bit...

Jul 11, 2008 at 10:11 AM

David Baldwin
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p.2 #9 · Nikon primes.

Stu

A Zeiss 24mm f1.4 would really, REALLY, get my attention! (particularly if Sony brought out an affordable FX body). Also thinking of saving up for the new Zeiss 18mm in Nikon fit to adapt for my Canon.

Possibilities, possibilities

Jul 11, 2008 at 12:18 PM

rjk55425
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p.2 #10 · Nikon primes.

ulrikft wrote:
Thanks again for your answers!

I guess I have to bide my time and bite trough a few sets of nails until canon reveals it's new 5d.

How is the weather sealing on the d700 then? if it is like the d300/d3? It can stand light rain and snow?

http://www.jimreedphoto.com/content.html?page=5

Rated D700 durability and weather resistance as excellent..

Jul 12, 2008 at 05:12 PM

r_o_b_s_o_n
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p.2 #11 · Nikon primes.

Tony Brown wrote:
i'm a Canon guy....i will say the only reason i havn't switched to Nikon is because of the Canon 35 L 1.4.

that lens along with the 50 1.2 and 85 1.2 have me thinking about running parallel systems.... 5D with those lenses alongside D700 with my current Nikkors.... hmmmmmn, so much gear.... so little money!!

Jul 12, 2008 at 06:16 PM

SteveDigi
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p.2 #12 · Nikon primes.

I went back to Canon for a few weeks and bought a 24L, 50L and 85L 0 GREAT lenses WHEN the camera will focus correctly (5D) - Half of my shots were always OOF so I sent it all back to BH and am getting a D700 to go with the D300 and also ordered the Zeiss primes which are AMAZING as I had them before. 25 2.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 1002, etc. The NIkon 85 1.4 is AMAZING. If i were you I would get the Zeiss 28/2, 50/2 Makro and NIkon or Zeiss 85 1.4. The Zeiss lenses surpass the Nikons for quality and 3D depth/color.

Jul 12, 2008 at 08:04 PM

90 5.0
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p.2 #13 · Nikon primes.

ulrikft wrote:
Hey!

As a canon shooter thinking about switching to nikon, I'm a bit worried about primes. I've been told that both the 50 1.4 and 85 1.4 are good, but are both those in production? And is the 35 f/2 the best wide alternative on fullframe?

Ulrik

I have the 28mm 2.8 ais and I like it alot. The D3 and the 700 will meter with that lens but it is a manual focus but hey they all were manual focus at one time

This lens has stood the test of time for me my Dad bought it new in the early 80's and I still use it today.

Jul 13, 2008 at 06:19 AM

Bill Hollinger
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p.2 #14 · Nikon primes.

I switched because of the Nikon AF verse my 1D2 and 1Ds2. I almost always used primes with the Canons, and also lamented the lack of 35 f1.4, 50 f1.2 and 85 f1.2 equivalents. However I discovered the high ISO of the D3 and the IQ of the 24 - 70 f2.8 is so good, that I am not sure I would buy fast primes even if they were available. I have two recent CD covers shot at ISO4000, and there is not so much as a hint they were shot at a high ISO.

After thinking about it for a minute, I can remember having to use both the 50 and 85 t f1.2 at ISO3200, and the noise at this ISO required a lot of PS work to make the image passable. I used to try to avoid using anything over ISO 800/1000. I can see wedding photographers looking for fast primes, because I can remember times when it has been very dark inside at these events. I have been hear Nikon will update several lenses, including primes, since I bought a D3 last year. Maybe Photokina will finally shed some light on this for us?

For what it is worth, I do not care what brand name is on the camera I use - it is the image people see, not the camera that took it - but that said, the D3 is the best camera I have ever used in every way but two - Changing the lens and turning the zooms rotates in the opposite direction of the Canons. That can drive you nuts until you finally get used to it.

Jul 13, 2008 at 12:36 PM

Bill Hollinger
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p.2 #15 · Nikon primes.

R. Francois wrote:
Richard.P wrote:
ulrikft wrote:
How is the weather sealing on the d700 then? if it is like the d300/d3? It can stand light rain and snow?

I've heard that the D700 has weather sealing like the D3, which is somewhat better than the D300 (apparently). Personally, I've shot my D300 in light rain for extended periods, and no problem. On the one occasion I've got it smothered with wet snow, it didn't give the slightest trouble either. I wouldn't hesitate on that score. Here's the evidence

Cool stuff. i never hesitate to use either my D2x or D300 in the rain. What i worry about is the lens. What do you have attached there? a 17-55?

That is the one area I worry about. I used the Canons in pouring rain, and I was in the water getting photos like these - the camera and lens get drenched, but I wiped them off with a towel and go back for another shot. When I ask the people at Nikon if I can use their cameras like this, they tell me to get a rain cover.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Jul 13, 2008 at 12:47 PM

mawz
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p.2 #16 · Nikon primes.

David Baldwin wrote:
Stu

A Zeiss 24mm f1.4 would really, REALLY, get my attention! (particularly if Sony brought out an affordable FX body). Also thinking of saving up for the new Zeiss 18mm in Nikon fit to adapt for my Canon.

Possibilities, possibilities

Sony's all but announced a 24MP FF A900, with in-body stabilization, should be official by mid-september with pricing similar to the D700.

That said, don't expect weather-sealing or the speed of the D700, it'll likely be a 4-5fps max with AF in between the A700 and the D300 for performance (IE stupidly fast on the centre AF point, much slower with the others)

Jul 13, 2008 at 08:52 PM

mawz
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p.2 #17 · Nikon primes.

brainiac wrote:
I think the current Nikon 18 and 20 will show significant amounts of CA on a 12 megapixel or sharper sensor. The 24 isn't that great either. The 14-24 is second to none, but big and heavy. The Nikkor 17-35 is still a good lens - better than Canon's 16-35 mk1, but probably not as good as the 17-40 or 16-35 mk2. So in fact, the wideangle prime situation is not good, with the rare 28f1.4 costing the earth.

The 17-35's definitely better than the 17-40, and probably better than the 16-35 mkII, at least at the long end where the 17-35's performance is best.

Jul 13, 2008 at 08:53 PM

Jammy Straub
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p.2 #18 · Nikon primes.

Bill Hollinger wrote:
When I ask the people at Nikon if I can use their cameras like this, they tell me to get a rain cover.

That's cause the Nikon shooters are smarter

Just kidding, The D3 should be as well sealed as a 1 series Canon and the D300 should be very very close, the rear hinge on the pop up flash being the only spot in question for me.

In conditions like that race car shot, it's alway wise to use a rain cover. These things aren't water proof like a Nikonos, just water resistant. If you're going to be in a down poor for a period of time (say over a few minutes) you are wise to do something to keep your gear from getting water logged. Light rain and snow are no problem at all.

If you haven't you should read this for some 1st hand experience on extended rain shooting and bad weather results. (lots of dead bodies... eerr cameras.)
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/aa-07-worked.shtml

Jul 13, 2008 at 09:03 PM

Bill Hollinger
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p.2 #19 · Nikon primes.

Thanks, I do remember reading that news. I’m not sure why the 1Ds2 cameras mentioned in the article failed. I’ve used both the 1D2 and 1Ds2 in atrocious conditions many, many times - I even (accidentally) left a 135 f2.0 in the pouring rain over night, and it was fine. I suppose what worries me about the D3 is how much I rely on it - I would hate to have it stop working.

Jammy Straub wrote:
Bill Hollinger wrote:
When I ask the people at Nikon if I can use their cameras like this, they tell me to get a rain cover.

That's cause the Nikon shooters are smarter

Jul 13, 2008 at 11:25 PM

Avi B
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p.2 #20 · Nikon primes.

Well Bill, if you're worried about your D3, then you know what you should is.... Get another D3!

Jul 13, 2008 at 11:49 PM

Bill Hollinger
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p.2 #21 · Nikon primes.

Avi B wrote:
Well Bill, if you're worried about your D3, then you know what you should is.... Get another D3!

I will buy a second body. There were (and are) so many rumors out about a higher resolution version that I was waiting to see what Nikon would announce next. The IQ of the 12mp full frame D3 is so good I also use it instead of the Canon 1Ds2 for stationary photography. It will be interesting to see what a higher resolution version of this camera might give away at higher ISOs (which is where I constantly find myself with the D3). The new D700 also looks like a great backup camera because it is smaller and lighter than the D3. I suppose we will begin to get hints of what is to come as Photokina draws nearer.

Bill

Jul 14, 2008 at 12:23 PM

ulrikft
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p.2 #22 · Nikon primes.

I have a quick question: does the 28/2 exist in auto focus? How would you guys rate the 35/2 compared to similar offerings from canon?

Jul 14, 2008 at 03:36 PM

Roger Mattos
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p.2 #23 · Nikon primes.

Don't show that to the Oly crowd, they will think it is photoshoped!.

Jul 17, 2008 at 08:54 PM

Mozbee
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p.2 #24 · Nikon primes.

ulrikft wrote:
I have a quick question: does the 28/2 exist in auto focus? How would you guys rate the 35/2 compared to similar offerings from canon?

Nikon 28/2 : only MF, no AF!
35/2: Slightly better on Nikon vs Canon (the Canon one is very old!). The Canon 35/1.4 L is a gem that almost made me selecting Canon 2 years ago when selecting my DSLR system.

With Nikon the best primes, in these FLs, are there zooms!

Or you pick a Zeiss ZF one in MF!

Please Nikon bring on some new wide fast primes!

Jul 18, 2008 at 12:03 AM

Avi B
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p.2 #25 · Nikon primes.

Please Nikon bring on some new wide fast primes!

According to Thom's "reliable source" they just might!

Jul 18, 2008 at 12:12 AM


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