I love my Leica-R lenses on the D800E, and I'm looking for a few more. I would appreciate any feedback on the following:
- Elmarit-R 2.8/19: how difficult is it to shave the rear element to clear the D800E's mirror?
- Elmarit-R 2.8/28: will this lens work on the D800 without modification?
- Summicron-R 2/35: how does this lens compare to the Zeiss Distagon 2/35 ZF.2 at medium apertures (landscape work - I'm mostly interested in corner performance)?
- Which Leica-R standard zoom (i.e. wide to short tele) would you prefer for landscape work (mostly used at medium apertures)?
Edit: I should add that I'm referring to the latest version of each lens with the first three items.
19 - modification more difficult than r35/1,4 but possible of course. I saw 2 option of modification: shave the protective ring only and shave both protective ring and rear lens body. Maybe for different cameras. D800 need more cut than D700 for example, it have larger frame around mirror a bit. So I guess need second option of modification. Be careful please, need the good protect against brass shaving and the rear lens not plane, it's spherical
28 - no need any modification and for landscapes this is greatest option, not summicron 35
Regarding zoom - maybe better 35-70/4? I know guy who shoting with this lens and D800e and he have very good opinion about it.
I love my Leica-R lenses on the D800E, and I'm looking for a few more. I would appreciate any feedback on the following:
- Elmarit-R 2.8/19: how difficult is it to shave the rear element to clear the D800E's mirror?
- Elmarit-R 2.8/28: will this lens work on the D800 without modification?
- Summicron-R 2/35: how does this lens compare to the Zeiss Distagon 2/35 ZF.2 at medium apertures (landscape work - I'm mostly interested in corner performance)?
- Which Leica-R standard zoom (i.e. wide to short tele) would you prefer for landscape work (mostly used at medium apertures)?
Edit: I should add that I'm referring to the latest version of each lens with the first three items.
The Cron 35 isn't spectacular in the corners. Even stopped down to f/8. The last version of the Elmarit 35 has the best corners of any of their 35mm primes, and even it's not perfect.
For zooms- the 35-70/4 is my favorite zoom, though it's not at it's best at 35mm. From about 40mm on, it's corner-to-corner goodness.
Worldinlens wrote: 28 - no need any modification and for landscapes this is greatest option, not summicron 35
+1
Summicron-R 35 at f/2.0-4.0 has very unique presentation, especially when a subject is placed in the center circle. Below are few shots comparing 35mm Leica and Zeiss.
Regarding the 2.8/28 (11259/11333): I read that this lens suffers from field curvature. Can anyone comment on how severe this is? Does it only affect the corners of the frame, or are the edges of the short sides affected, as well? I'm particularly interested in feedback regarding this behavior in the f/4-8 aperture range.
Ron Pfister wrote:
Thanks for all of your helpful feedback!
Regarding the 2.8/28 (11259/11333): I read that this lens suffers from field curvature. Can anyone comment on how severe this is? Does it only affect the corners of the frame, or are the edges of the short sides affected, as well? I'm particularly interested in feedback regarding this behavior in the f/4-8 aperture range.
TIA,
Ron
Ron, extreme corners have enough sharpness in all scenes at f/11, if you hiperfocal focusing a bit - at f/8. Something that by my experience
Thanks for these, Alex! Even f/8 looks very good! I just managed to secure a nice new-old-stock copy at a great price (and with one year Leica warranty to boot). Call me a happy camper!
Seems Zeiss has more 3D wide-open, but stopped down its about same, maybe bit more in Leica case (my observation is that most Leica lens produce nice 3D around f4-5.6, when they are fast lens).
Mescalamba wrote: Seems Zeiss has more 3D wide-open, but stopped down its about same, maybe bit more in Leica case (my observation is that most Leica lens produce nice 3D around f4-5.6, when they are fast lens).
Yes, it certainly seems so. Please compare the first test set @ f/2 and notice transition from sharp to blur, especially tracks and partial crane on the left. There is much difference in rendering between lenses; however, the building in far end looks equally blurred with both Leica and Zeiss.
First, Carsten. I painted a multiple layers of matt paint, second will be better with one layer on the finish surface. This is experimental ring, just for my expirience with coatings for aluminium. I'm not glued it
