Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

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Archive 2008 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

Frank-Starling
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p.1 #1 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

Hello

Just bought me the D700 with 24-70 f/2.8.

I want some extra prime lenses:

- One for walk around lens: I was thinking about Zeiss 35/2 ZF or 50/1.4 ZF (Zeiss 35/2 seems more interesting from focal length but is covered by the zooom, Zeiss f/1.4 is interesting because it is a small lens with large aperture but then for a 50 mm lens the Nikkor 50 f/1.2 AIS is also a nice oone, maybe even better then the Zeiss)

- One portrait lens: I was thinking about Nikkor 85 f/1.4 (I prefer not longer)

- One with macrocapability (for flowers, no insects): I was thinking about Zeiss ZF macro 50/2 or 100/2

In my budget there are tree possibilities (I like the Zeiss look):
1. Zeiss 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.4, Zeiss 100/2 macro
2. Zeiss 35/2 ZF, Zeiss 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.4, Zeiss 100/2 macro (but $$$$$$)
3. Zeiss 35/2 ZF, Nikkor 85/1.4, Zeiss 100/2 macro (but $$$$$$)
4. Zeiss 35/2 ZF, Zeiss 50/2 macro, Nikkor 85/1.4
5. Zeiss 35/2 ZF, Zeiss 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.4, Sigma 70/2.8 macro

NB: I did not mention the Nikkor 105 VR macro, cause then I would still prefer the Zeiss ZF. I didn't mention the Zeiss 85 ZF either since it is MF and for portraits I think I'll need AF (children,..). Also in the Diglloyd review it was mentioned that focusshift is an important limitation of the Zeiss 85. The Zeiss 100 could serve as a portrait lens also and therefor it may be an argument to go for option 2 or 3.

Also a few other questions:
- Is focusing a f/2 Zeiss ZF lens with the D700 viewfinder feasible (not using liveview) or do I need a different focusscreen (eg the microprism focusscreen of brightscreen.com?) and how does the latter affect metering with the D700? The viewfinder magnifie piece from Nikon, is that a must have? (it also darkenes the view I guess, making MF not very easy)

- Another question concerning the metering. As I understand one has to adjust the diafragm opening on the lens eg f4. Does the diafragm closes immediately to f/4 (and so diming the light going to the viewfinder) or is this closing of the diafragm triggerd by the shutter button?

Thank you very much!

Kind regards

Peter

Dec 18, 2008 at 09:24 PM

mawz
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p.1 #2 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

If you want a walk-around wide, look at the Nikkor 35/1.4 instead of the Zeiss. While I'd take the Zeiss over the Nikkor any day for landscape work, for walkaround the extra stop of the 35/1.4 can be a big win and you're saving a fair amount over the Zeiss as well, enough to make that 100/2 a real possibility.

Also look at the Voigtlander 58/1.4 over the Zeiss, while the Zeiss is a bit better, the Voigtlander is 2/3rds the cost and very good.

The D700 finder is up to focusing a fast lens. You may still want a 3rd party focusing screen.

You're getting full aperture coupling with Ai lenses on the D700, so stop-down only occurs with the DoF preview or on taking the actual picture. Focusing and composing are done wide open like any AF lens.

Dec 18, 2008 at 10:00 PM

fourfa
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p.1 #3 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

you said Nikon 85 1.4 - do you mean the AF-D or AIS? I had the AF-D and it was an amazing lens that just sang to me whenever I used it. But a lot of reviews say the AIS is even better, and cheaper which may help the rest of the situation.

In my experience the modern screens (any brand) optimized for f/2.8 zooms are no fun with fast primes. highly frustrating in fact.

Dec 18, 2008 at 10:42 PM

mawz
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p.1 #4 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

fourfa wrote:
you said Nikon 85 1.4 - do you mean the AF-D or AIS? I had the AF-D and it was an amazing lens that just sang to me whenever I used it. But a lot of reviews say the AIS is even better, and cheaper which may help the rest of the situation.

In my experience the modern screens (any brand) optimized for f/2.8 zooms are no fun with fast primes. highly frustrating in fact.

The AF-D is generally considered the better of the two. I've run across very few who indicate otherwise.

Dec 18, 2008 at 11:24 PM

Lotusm50
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p.1 #5 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

mawz wrote
Also look at the Voigtlander 58/1.4 over the Zeiss, while the Zeiss is a bit better, the Voigtlander is 2/3rds the cost and very good.

I have both and am going to sell the Voigtlander (CV). The difference in cost is only about $150 -- not an amount, in my mind, that is significant given the superiority of the Zeiss. if you want my CV, I'll be happy to sell it to you. ;-)

Dec 19, 2008 at 12:35 AM

dcmiller
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p.1 #6 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

Digital Loyds $50 review

I haven't read it, but I do subscribe to his other reports. He does know what he's talking about.

You absolutely need a better focus screen. Zeiss even has links to MF screens. Zeiss.de

Dec 19, 2008 at 03:29 AM

Frank-Starling
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p.1 #7 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

I have read that review extensively.
For focusscreen, is the Brightscreen microsprism OK on D700?

Dec 19, 2008 at 01:53 PM

mawz
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p.1 #8 · Feedback on Zeiss ZF 35/2, 50/2 and 100/2 on D700

Lotusm50 wrote:
mawz wrote
Also look at the Voigtlander 58/1.4 over the Zeiss, while the Zeiss is a bit better, the Voigtlander is 2/3rds the cost and very good.

I have both and am going to sell the Voigtlander (CV). The difference in cost is only about $150 -- not an amount, in my mind, that is significant given the superiority of the Zeiss. if you want my CV, I'll be happy to sell it to you. ;-)

I've already got the CV, and am plenty happy with it. I feel it's advantages (Cost, CPU coupling) outweigh the very minor IQ advantage and better hood of the Zeiss.

Dec 19, 2008 at 07:30 PM

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