Just test all your lenses out to find the HFD points and never concern yourself again with either problems... its the way to go.

Thanks for the tips gents.
I am reading every tutorial that I can find relating to depth of field and the focusing of super wide angles. I'll be better prepared next time I head up the canyons. Since the G-EOS set-up only gives me partial EXIF info to review in post...I will be keeping notes and doing series of shots at specific focal lengths, apertures, and focus settings. I am fairly new to the 1DsMkII as well, so I have a double learning curve going on. I'll report back on my findings. Thoughts/suggestions welcomed...
Cheers,
Scott

Is this vignetting in the two corners due to the adapter rotating the lens (for aperture selection), which puts the hood off center, and in the picture area?

Anon Moss wrote:
Slightly cropped to remove a little unattractive lens vignetting that I am getting at 14mm in two corners...

Edited by Anon Moss on Jul 03, 2008 at 10:55 AM GMT

Paul,
Here's a sample shot that has the vignetting in the top left and bottom right corners. You can't really see the bottom right vignette because the corner is so dark...but it's there. I don't know what causes it. I think it only occurs at 14mm, but I'm not sure. You sure miss EXIF data when you are used to it, and then you have to do without.
Scott

Here's 2 more from today:
Both were shot at 22mm and at f22.
Neither are anything special, but I think that they may be useful
for the pixel peepers. Both had blown skies so I lopped off the upper 1/3 or so on each.
On the bottom one, look in the corners...the plant leaves have pretty good definition. If you zoom in on the sign posts, you can see the pressure-treating holes in the wood, and read the print on the signs (at least I can on the originals).
Scott

With high pixel camera and viewing images at 100%, the old method of range focus will not give u the desired sharpness, or the sharpness that the lens is capable of achieving. But for superwide such as this 14-24, it is rather forgiving, especially if the lens is stopped down to f5.6 or beyond.

Using the live view with magnification would be your best bet.

Unfortunately, none of my current cameras have live view capability :-(
Shooting tethered is the closest I can come to that. I am waiting for Canon's
next generation of LCDs...hopefully the 5dII will have a nice one like Nikon's or even better. Not that there's anything wrong with the current ones, it's just that my 50 year old eyes need all the help they can get.

Anon,

Your vignetting is purely mechanical and from the lens hood. But as you say this is from f22, which I imagine is the largest rotation? I would doubt you need that much DOF on a 14mm shot and the diffraction is limiting your capability. IIRC the adapter you're using has f11 and then f22 as stops, but try something in between that gets you more around f16. I hope you'll see an improvement without a material loss in DOF. Enjoy the lens!

Best,
Daniel

Thanks for the input Daniel,
The vignetting shot was at 14mm if I recall properly, and I'm even less sure about the aperture...it may have been f22...but I don't know.
I was paying closer attention on the last hike, and the last two shots were taken at: 22mm + f22.
My goal with this lens is to take landscape shots that have maximum depth of field (with strong foreground to background interest) without unnecessary diffraction, along with good sharpness across the frame.
The G-EOS adapter doesn't have perceptible click indent stops, but rather a smooth dial that has colored dots at: f2.8/f8/f22.
I'll go back up to the same locations and try 22mm at f16 as you suggest. I was pretty happy with the 22mm/f22 results, but if 22mm/f16 works better - that's gravy.
Since it is all but impossible for me to critically focus these shots through the viewfinder... I'm hoping to arrive at: focal length/f-stop/focus-distance scale setting combinations that I can just dial in for the kinds of shots that I want.
Cheers,
Scott

Mark,

Have you heard of any workaround for the filter issue? I haven't even heard of a workable software utility that comes close to mimicking what a polarizer does. I'm going to miss using a polarizer on the 14-24.

Duncan Staples wrote:
Any 300%-400% crops from the images?

Thanks,
Duncan


Here's a couple 300% crops from the above pics Duncan:
The first one is from the left side of the dirt trail picture.
The second is from the shot with the trail signs in it (bottom left center)...
I didn't even notice the paper cup in the original.
Scott

Scott,

Thanks for posting these images. What f-stops were used on the stream images?

I'm sorry Rick,
but I was just having fun and wasn't paying a lot of attention to remembering exact settings the day I took the stream shots. Without EXIF info to rely on, I am going to have to be more methodical and actually keep notes on future shoots with this lens.
Scott

Thanks Scott. It would be cool to see the optimum aperture for this lens. Corners are a bit disappointing but could just be diffraction if at f/10 or above.

Duncan

I have some interesting news from John at LEE filters:
It sounds like filters are indeed usable with the 14-24G lens.

"Thank you for your inquiry. We can fit the Nikon 14-24G with our FK100
push-on filter holder and a shim that brings its diameter down to 98mm
(FKD100/98). This configuration vignettes slightly at 14mm, but it's the
best we can come up with because the petal shade cannot be removed."
Sincerely,
John Adler
LEE Filters USA / Screen Shade
(800)576-5055

I have asked John some additional questions about the 'shim', and about whether or not
it can be permanently fitted to the shade. I am also waiting to hear if the 'shim' is stock or custom order. If the 'slight vignetting' is an issue to some...maybe the petal shade can be cut back a bit. Hey - we've come this far...why not? :-)
I'll post more when I hear back from John.

Here are 300% crops of the actual bottom left and right corners for those interested:

BTW, Duncan...I'm not a seasoned professional like you and some of the other lads here, and I'm just learning to use a super-wide...so bear that in mind. My samples are the first attempts of a relative newbie. Heck - I ain't even used an adapter thingy before. Combine that with my 50 year old eyes and you've got a recipe for disaster :-)
So, it's highly possible that in the right hands...the 14-24G results could be sharper than my offerings to date.
Which brings me to my next exciting announcement:
I have sent my G-EOS set-up down to Sedona to spend some time with a fellow FM'er who does know how to focus a wide-angle lens - at least well enough to have shot covers for National Geographic. I am hoping that when he gets done putting her through her paces...he will have some interesting information and images to share with us.
Cheers,
Scott

Just got an update from John at LEE filters regarding the use of filters on the Nikon 14-24G:

"Hi Scott,
The FKD100/98 is a custom part that can be ordered directly from Lee by calling the number below. It costs $70 and takes about a month to make. It mounts in the FK100 holder so mounting on the lens is not necessary.
The FK100 push-on filter holder is $160 and can also be purchased directly from Lee or one of our larger retailers like B&H Photo.
The holder mounts by sliding over the petal shade. You turn a knob and the holder clamps down on the shade with a built-in collar. Then all the normal Lee filters can be used. We recommend that the gaps behind the holder left by the shorter petals be covered to avoid reflections. They can be taped or some photographers use a “scrunchy” (women’s elastic pony-tail holder) which seems to work quite well.
Here’s a photo and description. After you click on the link, scroll down in the small window to “Push On Filter Holder” and click on it."
http://www.leefilters.com/camera/products/finder/ref:C4756775B6C7AE/
Sincerely,
John Adler
LEE Filters USA / Screen Shade
(800)576-5055

You did a fine job Scott and your efforts are much appreciated.

Duncan

Thanks Duncan,
I'm just trying to learn, share info on the G-EOS... and help keep the thread alive. I'm surprised that more people haven't posted images. I guess it's probably because there still aren't too many adapters in the wild yet.
I'm going to order the filter set up from LEE.
Been to CR lately?
Cheers,
Scottt

Haven't been to Costa Rica in a few years. I miss it.

You will like the Lee filters - get the 4x4 square - that way you can use them with almost any lens.

Duncan

As was shown here, the hood will vignette at 14mm when stopped down. Why has it taken so long for this to be documented? Hubsand (Mark) had nothing bad to say about his adapter over six months ago when he was peddling it, even though this potential issue was brought up - but went unanswered

pdmphoto wrote:
As was shown here, the hood will vignette at 14mm when stopped down. Why has it taken so long for this to be documented? Hubsand (Mark) had nothing bad to say about his adapter over six months ago when he was peddling it, even though this potential issue was brought up - but went unanswered


I've the lens stopped down at 14mm without any vignette or having the hood appearing in the frame. From the sunburst, one can tell that the lens has been fully stopped down:

Here's two from Temple Square in Salt Lake.
I posted this a month ago in another thread, but figured I'd repost it here
in case anyone wants to see how this lens behaves with an architectural subject.
I think this was the first time I used the lens. I was hurrying, and wasn't taking notes, so I don't recall the settings. Using a 1DsII.
The second shot was cropped from a full reflection shot like the top one.
And the bottom one is approximately a 200% crop.
Cheers,
Scott

I cannot wait to contribute to this thread

Anon Moss, I would be very curious to hear if you actually received the custom FKD100/98 since it's been about a month and if so how convenient it's operation is. How difficult is to stop the holes and aesthetically what is the appearance of the lens with all of the Lee accessories attached? Also, have you been using the circular polarizer and if so is it difficult to rotate the entire holder with multiple filters in it?
Thanks.