No, I just use my D3 and the lens. Perhaps the difference between our shots is in the post-processing? We can try to swap cameras tomorrow (but keep our own CF cards) and see if that makes a difference. Might you be exposing too brightly?
Haha, it's funny, until recently I never really shot plants, trees or flowers. The last few months, since early spring, it is almost all I do. Thanks you, maestro!
carstenw wrote:
My apologies for the partial repeat, but these two images are now heading for my wall, next to each other. The second shot is also from the Botanischer Garten, 50 MP @f/4:
Nice, the MP50 seems to start working for you!
Still trying to find out how to use mine:
I have found some areas where I can use it successfully now, but I still have not fallen in love with it. The Planar is somehow more problematic, but I also find it easier to get along with. I am always considering switching, but have not so far. I might yet... I might also get both, but I think I would neglect one.
carstenw wrote:
Whoa, how close does that lens focus?? That gives some neat possibilities.
IMHO the close-up performance (how good the rendering looks, not sharpness) of the Z* 25 is underwhelming. It has been discussed a while ago reasonably extensively with sample images too. I like the look of the close-ups of the 21 much better because it doesn't have the extreme field curvature that leads to weirdly distorted/striated bokeh in the corners/edges which is difficult to avoid with the 25. It gives a very unnatural kind of blurring in the corners (and CA as well). If you don't care what the corners look like, the lens does allow a pretty unique kind of perspective. For me the weird bokeh in "zone C" nearly ruins many of the close-ups done with this lens (and any lens with a similar characteristic).
Vincent Kluwe wrote:
With respect to Aham's statement I made some little tests this evening. And yes, as I have to commit the known field curvature becomes more significant the closer you get of course. But I am not sure, if I would call it underwhelming in my case.
Underwhelming was a bad choice of words on my part. I like the look and sharpness that the 25 can produce in the center, but the weird bokeh in the corners are a big deal for me. It's probably just me, but since I've noticed that trait/defect (also in your last ivy shot), I don't feel that the nice rendering in the middle of the picture makes up for it. It may not be objectionable to others and many will not even notice it though...
My Contax Distagon 28/2.8 has the same kind of ugly corner bokeh for anything that is in the focus transition, to a slightly lesser degree.
