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Archive 2011 · very best wides for nex 5n......

artd
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p.12 #1 · very best wides for nex 5n......

Jochenb wrote:
I'm still in doubt about how annoying it really is, never had the chanche to try it. I see a lot of people dumping their contax g lenses because of it.
Seen so many NEX shots the past week and to me the contax G28 is one of the most appealing lenses. Small, nice rendering and not expensive.

Since I got my Contax G 28 it's the lens that is on my 5N most of the time. I use a Fotodiox adapter and I have no qualms or issues with it at all so I guess I don't see what the fuss is about. I love IQ, love the size of it, love the ability to slip my 5N into my jacket pocket with it so I always have it with me for shots like this:

Pelican, Half Moon Bay by Art Domagala, on Flickr

Edited on Dec 14, 2011 at 03:13 PM · View previous versions

Dec 14, 2011 at 03:10 PM

slungu
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p.12 #2 · very best wides for nex 5n......

Doug, give the FD lenses a shot, but do not think everything works. The FD 85/1.8 for example still has the same problem that the newer EF brother : a lot of CA for my taste. You might be bothered or not, but I did not like it. The 24/2 was also pretty light, but I found it not really spectacular. It is true that there is no way to get a 24/2 for a decent price, but that is about it. With the adapter I still found them bulky compared to the RF lenses I have, and the output does not compare to the Contax G 28 or 90 ( albeit a little slower ). So they are good lenses, but I doubt they will outperform the CV lenses. On the other hand I always wanted to try those 85L lenses

Dec 14, 2011 at 03:12 PM

rscheffler
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p.12 #3 · very best wides for nex 5n......

sebboh wrote:
this is probably true on film, however on the NEX i've seen a lot of weak performance from rangefinder lenses. i would be very surprised if there were not several old 35mm slr lenses that could outperform my contax g 35/2 on the NEX for example and from everything i've seen that lens outperforms the cv 35/1.4 at all shared apertures on the NEX.

Yes, and I don't think the lenses are the problem. It's in the imaging path between the lens and photo sites. Quite probably significantly due to the AA/IR filter as we're discovering thanks to that Zeiss paper

Dec 14, 2011 at 03:40 PM

rscheffler
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p.12 #4 · very best wides for nex 5n......

alwang wrote:
I'll be very curious to see how the 17/f4 performs. I don't have any experience with SLR WA primes, but the CV 15/4.5 is at least as good as my mid-grade WA SLR zooms (Sony Zeiss 16-80 & Sigma 10-20). And as you mentioned, it's much, much smaller, and with the Hawks, it focuses much, much closer.

Doug, I'm curious too about your decision to get the FD17 when the CV15 is actually really good on the 5N, from my experience. Sharp enough into the corners even wide open, and is tiny.

Dec 14, 2011 at 03:41 PM

rscheffler
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p.12 #5 · very best wides for nex 5n......

BTW, has anyone here taken note of the new rumor that the Ricoh GXR A12 module will shortly be succeeded by an A16 module with the same Sony 16MP sensor in the 5N, but without the AA filter array? It might just resolve all, or most of the issues we're seeing with wide RF lenses on the new NEXes. Yes, it's a bigger camera, no built-in EVF, etc... but if the A12 module is any indication, it works with few, if any, compatibility issues.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1068905

Dec 14, 2011 at 03:44 PM

douglasf13
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p.12 #6 · very best wides for nex 5n......

uhoh7 wrote:
exactly, don't you think the RF trashing should wait for a direct comparison? Your pro SLR zealotry is a bit premature.

I very much doubt any of these SLR 28s will out perform the ultron--but since I don't really know I can wait. The ultron is such a natural choice for the nex, the harsh emotional objections puzzle me.

Jacob: it doesn't look good? You can't be refering to the how the lens actually looks, right? In that catagory the ultron wins hands down

As to size; your CV 35/1.2 is heftier SLR, but even that lens is smaller on the camera...Show more →

Charlie, this isn't new for me. I've been shooting and complaining about rangefinder lenses on NEX for a year and a half, and, outside of you and a few others, I'd say I've used more than the average NEX shooter. I've shot extensively with aps-c DSLRs, too, and I never had the corner issues that I've been dealing with on NEX for so long, all in the name of saving 10 or 20mm in length. Heck, sharper corner performance is supposed to be one of the few advantages of moving from FF down to aps-c, but my A900 is as good or better in the corners as many of these FF rangefinder lenses on NEX.

This is just a matter of me eating crow and saying that maybe length isn't as big of a deal as I thought, especially if weight stays similar. I mean, I've been against the CV 35/1.2 because of it's length in the past.

Oddly enough, since I shoot nearly always at chest level, I'm finding I prefer the handling of the small SLR lenses to the small rangefinder lenses, since I can cradle it in my hand, but that's just a personal thing.

I'm not bad mouthing rangefinder lenses. I'm just trying to open up the discussion a little more, because I'm beginning to wonder if I've been a bit under a "Leica-ish" spell when it comes to hoping/believing that these beautiful little small lenses are the best fit for NEX. Heck, you're looking at one of the few who bought an MS Optical Perar strictly for NEX, because the size of that lens was certainly a gigantic leap over most rangefinder or SLR lenses.

Dec 14, 2011 at 04:18 PM

douglasf13
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p.12 #7 · very best wides for nex 5n......

slungu wrote:
Doug, give the FD lenses a shot, but do not think everything works. The FD 85/1.8 for example still has the same problem that the newer EF brother : a lot of CA for my taste. You might be bothered or not, but I did not like it. The 24/2 was also pretty light, but I found it not really spectacular. It is true that there is no way to get a 24/2 for a decent price, but that is about it. With the adapter I still found them bulky compared to the RF lenses I have, and the output...Show more →

Good to know. My primary interest is in the 28mm and 50mm FDn lenses, but I bought the others because they were so relatively cheap (I have 14 days to return them, once they arrive.) Oddly, CA is also the only thing that bothers me about the Contax G 90, so, if the CA is worse on the 85/1.8, I'll likely return it.

Dec 14, 2011 at 04:25 PM

douglasf13
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p.12 #8 · very best wides for nex 5n......

rscheffler wrote:
BTW, has anyone here taken note of the new rumor that the Ricoh GXR A12 module will shortly be succeeded by an A16 module with the same Sony 16MP sensor in the 5N, but without the AA filter array? It might just resolve all, or most of the issues we're seeing with wide RF lenses on the new NEXes. Yes, it's a bigger camera, no built-in EVF, etc... but if the A12 module is any indication, it works with few, if any, compatibility issues.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1068905

A GXR with the 16mp sensor would be compelling, but I'm afraid that I'm spoiled by the Sony tilt LCD and EVF, at this point. I shoot it like a baby Hasselblad.

Dec 14, 2011 at 04:27 PM

douglasf13
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p.12 #9 · very best wides for nex 5n......

rscheffler wrote:
Doug, I'm curious too about your decision to get the FD17 when the CV15 is actually really good on the 5N, from my experience. Sharp enough into the corners even wide open, and is tiny.

Only because a full set of FDn lenses for me, 17, 28, 50 and 85, cost less than $700 total, and I can return them if I don't like them. If it's even a little better than the CV 15, I may keep the FDn 17 for when size isn't an issue. As I mentioned earlier, though, I may only keep the 28 and one of the 50s that I ordered...but I could also just return them all, if they're terrible.

Dec 14, 2011 at 04:32 PM

wfrank
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p.12 #10 · very best wides for nex 5n......

sebboh wrote:
i don't really notice the adapter anymore when using my contax g.

+1. And I have a cheapo 20� copy used on the G's 28, 45 & 90.

I find any MF slowish with the 5N compared to eg a good matte on 5D2. The adapter makes no difference. So for 28:ish focal length and if F/2.8 is not too slow (which I sometimes think being spoiled with FF 50/1.4 etc), the IQ and size makes it very very hard to beat with anything. No need to even mention the price.

The major difference between the luxury department of the FF's is the size. The 5N with a lens like that comes along almost daily. 5D2 at special occasions.

Dec 14, 2011 at 06:16 PM

michaelwatkins
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p.12 #11 · very best wides for nex 5n......

douglasf13 wrote:
A GXR with the 16mp sensor would be compelling, but I'm afraid that I'm spoiled by the Sony tilt LCD and EVF, at this point. I shoot it like a baby Hasselblad.

You'd still keep the tilt EVF, albeit an EVF which most will consider inferior. While I joked with Henrik that stopping all use of the Sony EVF was an appropriate stop gap "cure" for the Ricoh VF-2, in reality abstinence actually works out well enough.

If one could dream, maybe the higher res Mount A16 (replacing the A12) will demand different electrical power and more bandwidth. forcing Ricoh to also release a GXR body refresh and a new viewfinder.

Dec 14, 2011 at 06:22 PM

inglis
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p.12 #12 · very best wides for nex 5n......

This comparison of the Sony E 18-200mm on a Nex 5 with the Leica 24mm 2.8 asph from over a year ago is striking in terms of how close the E 18-200 is to the Leica. Of course with OSS, the Sony can work in low light.
http://motimotion.at/blog/2010/10/03/sony-nex-and-leica-elmarit-m-242-8-asph/
I keep rethinking which two lenses would be best to use for travel with a Sony Nex camera. But it depends on what one wants to photograph.

Dec 15, 2011 at 06:08 PM

Rich Gibson
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p.12 #13 · very best wides for nex 5n......

The main reason for purchasing the NEX for me was for travel. When I bought the 18-200 I was a little anxious but after using it one day I was glad I did. This, along with a fast wide prime is exactly what I need for traveling. The wife and I go overseas to Europe each year. I want to be able to shoot near or far as the circumstances dictate. I used to carry a D700 and a D90/7000 and three f/2.8 zooms..what a load! I'm currently evaluating a Voigtlander Nocton 35mm f/1.4 and am awaiting a Nikon AIS 24mm f/2.8 for the dark stuff. The only other lens I need is the 18-200 for travel.

Rich

Dec 15, 2011 at 07:02 PM

uhoh7
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p.12 #14 · very best wides for nex 5n......

slungu wrote:
Doug, give the FD lenses a shot, but do not think everything works. The FD 85/1.8 for example still has the same problem that the newer EF brother : a lot of CA for my taste. You might be bothered or not, but I did not like it. The 24/2 was also pretty light, but I found it not really spectacular. It is true that there is no way to get a 24/2 for a decent price, but that is about it. With the adapter I still found them bulky compared to the RF lenses I have, and the output...Show more →

+1
Douglas you are way ahead of yourself. 700 is a terrible deal if you don't like the lenses, and it will take a month of shooting to really decide. I am all for your experiment, but the mood swing is perhaps abrupt

inglis wrote:
Of course with OSS, the Sony can work in low light.

the 18200 in low light? Mine can't. Lens is famous in video for terrible low light on vg10. Otherwise OK

here it is at 18
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5066/5671537436_16982f3c0e_b.jpg

full

Dec 15, 2011 at 07:51 PM

douglasf13
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p.12 #15 · very best wides for nex 5n......

uhoh7 wrote:
Douglas you are way ahead of yourself. 700 is a terrible deal if you don't like the lenses, and it will take a month of shooting to really decide. I am all for your experiment, but the mood swing is perhaps abrupt

Well, I've only got two weeks to decide, so I'd better hurry, but I just received the lenses, and my preliminary feelings after shooting around the house for a few hours are what I expected with the 28/2. It's right on the border of acceptable length and weight for my everyday lens, but it is pretty sharp corner to corner at all apertures, as one would expect from a FF lens on aps-c. I could probably shoot landscape at f2.8 with it, if I wanted to for some reason.

Of course, no signs of color shift, either. I do, however, notice the extra weight compared to my old FDn 28/2.8, even though the 28/2 is still only 265g.

I must say, the FL 50/1.2 is pretty remarkable. It's about exactly the same length and diameter as the CV 35/1.2 II (with adapters included,) and a little lighter. Sebboh's right, it's pretty darn sharp wide open. The FDn 50/1.4 is also sharp wide open, more so than my ZM 50/1.5 from what I can tell so far, but the ZM has prettier bokeh. The Zm 50/1.5, being a less symmetrical Sonnar design, actually does pretty well in the corners on NEX, and I'm not sure how it compares to the FDn 50/1.4 in that regard, yet.

I haven't had a chance to check out the 17/4 yet, and the 85/1.8 arrived to me damaged, so I'm gonna send the 85 back. I don't really need that focal length, anyways.

I spend most of my time shooting a standard-ish lens, so the 28/2 is my main concern, and it's looking really good, so far. I would be shocked if the Ultron outperformed it. Heck, resolution wise, I wouldn't be surprised if it competes with your 28 Summicron on the 5N, but that's wild speculation.

Dec 15, 2011 at 08:55 PM

freaklikeme
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p.12 #16 · very best wides for nex 5n......

Enjoy your FDs, Douglas. I'm a fan of the 17/4. If I were in the market for an ultra-wide, that would be my pick. Very straight lines and nice detailed draw. Not a spectacular performer at MFD, but past a meter give or take it's excellent. Unfortunately no FD lens is completely without CA issues to varying degrees, but they have their upsides (the 50s tend to be very sharp, for example). Life is compromise.

Dec 15, 2011 at 10:39 PM

Jonas B
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p.12 #17 · very best wides for nex 5n......

douglasf13 wrote:
I spend most of my time shooting a standard-ish lens, so the 28/2 is my main concern, and it's looking really good, so far. I would be shocked if the Ultron outperformed it. Heck, resolution wise, I wouldn't be surprised if it competes with your 28 Summicron on the 5N, but that's wild speculation.

So far so good... But, do you really think the FD 28/2 can compete with the 28 Cron ASPH? Or even the excellent CV 28/2? OK, "wild speculation" at this point but it will be interesting to see your images when you are ready for that. I hope the FD28/2 delivers as it certainly would be a possible option for many.

Dec 15, 2011 at 11:00 PM

uhoh7
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p.12 #18 · very best wides for nex 5n......

douglasf13 wrote:
Heck, resolution wise, I wouldn't be surprised if it competes with your 28 Summicron on the 5N, but that's wild speculation.

hehe, once you take down my poor little summicron, you can move on to unseat a certain grumpy one's favorite one, the Leica R 28 v2

But I would love to see fulls of infinity landscapes where the corners are 2 miles out at least---f/whatever is best. That's where the little skopars murder all my SLRs---or seem to--it may be me.

I'm usually distracting myself with one foreground or another

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3481/5804970792_e7ea8e7454_b.jpg
elmarit M v3 28

Dec 15, 2011 at 11:12 PM

Jacob D
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p.12 #19 · very best wides for nex 5n......

douglasf13 wrote:
Well, I've only got two weeks to decide, so I'd better hurry, but I just received the lenses, and my preliminary feelings after shooting around the house for a few hours are what I expected with the 28/2. It's right on the border of acceptable length and weight for my everyday lens, but it is pretty sharp corner to corner at all apertures, as one would expect from a FF lens on aps-c. I could probably shoot landscape at f2.8 with it, if I wanted to for some reason.

Of course, no signs of color shift, either. I do,...Show more →

Douglas, thanks for the early report. I'll be looking forward to hearing what you think after shooting them for a few weeks. For some reason I thought you had a CV 50/1.5, now I see it's the Sonnar... so I'm very interested to hear how the wimpy FDn stands up to it.

Dec 15, 2011 at 11:41 PM

douglasf13
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p.12 #20 · very best wides for nex 5n......

Hi, Jacob D. I have both the CV 50/1.5 and ZM 50/1.5. On 5N, CV is sharper in center, ZM is sharper at edges, once stopped down a little. I'm going to return my new FL 55/1.2, because it's so big. I don't think I'll use it much. Plus, the FDn 50/1.4 may be the sharpest 50 I've used on Aps-c, and it is good sized. Bokeh isn't great, but it is surprisingly sharp wide open. Even the corners hold up wide open, considering.

I still have yet to use these FDn lenses outside, so CA hasn't become an issue, yet. Hopefully it stops raining soon, so I can check that out.

p.s. I'm bummed that my new 28/2 has a little rattling in it and the focus has a slight amount of play, so I'm gonna exchange it for another one.

Dec 16, 2011 at 03:20 AM

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