p.1 #1 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
Hi, I am tempted by Nikon D800(E) but I read the MF focusing could be a pain because there is 3rd party focus screen avail. I would appreciate your feedback on using these lenses and MF focus experience on this camera. Thanks.
p.1 #2 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
It's not quite as easy to mount Leica-R and Contax Zeiss (C/Y) lenses on a Nikon DSLR as it is on the Canon EOS 5DII that's in your profile. Nikon DSLR have deeper bodies than Canon EOS DSLR. For the EOS bodies, the 'register' (i.e. lens mount to sensor distance) is less than that for Contax & Leica R cameras and lenses, and so a simple mechanical adapter will do the job. I've attached a summary of some relevant registers, below.
The adapter for a Leica-R to EOS adapter is 47.0 - 44.0 = 3.0 mm thick. An adapter for Contax to Nikon is 45.5 - 46.5 = -1.0mm. That means the Leica-R lens sticks out 3mm in front of the EOS mount body, in order to achieve infinity focus. OTOH, the Contax lens mount would have to be inserted 1mm inside of the Nikon mount to achieve infinity focus.
One excellent solution is offered by Leitax, http://www.leitax.com/, which provides mount replacement kits for many interspecies combinations, including C/Y and R to F. I use them for a variety of EOS bodies, because they're generally the best available. They're not cheap. For a Nikon body, it's one of the few solutions.
p.1 #3 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
Thanks for your response. I am aware of the mount issue and I using Leitax adapters even for my Canon too. I am more concerned about difficulty of MF using the focus screen that comes with the camera and yet there are no alternatives from 3rd parties.
p.1 #4 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
I have the D800, with two Leica lenses (35/1.4 180/2) and several Zeiss lenses, (Contax 50/1.7, 80-200/4, ZF.2 21, 28, 50/1.4, 50MP, 100MP), and I find it possible to focus in daylight, with some care. As soon as the quality of the light deteriorates slightly, it becomes trial and error, or live view. Now I just use it with live view whenever I am close to wide open. It isn't ideal, but if you compose, and move the focus point to the area of interest, then you can just focus and shoot. I find the slight shutter lag between pressing and making the photo only affects people shots, and people move around anyway, so this isn't the best camera for that. Use AF lenses if you want to make shots of people who move around a bit, or use a different body, or stop down a bit.
p.1 #5 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
I use a d800 and a 21mm, 35mm and 50MP zeiss. I find focusing relatively easy with all of them and especially easy with the 50MP. If you're using MF lens on your Canon it shouldn't be any different on the Nikon (should it?). Ive taken the 50MP to gigs and festivals and I didn't have much of a problem getting shots in focus. Once you get used to the lens it should be relatively easy to get your shots in focus unless of course you're shooting a fast moving subject.
p.1 #6 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
36MP has a way of making even tiny mistakes visible. My D3 was very easy to focus with these lenses, the D800 is hard. OVF technology is hitting its limits with this resolution.
p.1 #7 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
Another question is whether you can adapt your 85 Jahre on the Nikon body due to the small throat size of the Nikon F mount. For critical focus, only liveview mag. is the best option. Short distance would be quite easy to nail the focus with OVF, but at mid and long distance, it would be another matter (no matter what kind of optical aid you have).
p.1 #8 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
I think you should try renting or borrowing someone's D800 to try out for yourself.
A lot depends on your eye sight.
I have been successfully shooting my D800E with my R 100 APO, ZF 35/2, ZF.2 21, and 24G/1.4.I
I used only the native screens with my Canons, 1ds3, 5d, 1d2, 7d.
I just got back from Hawaii where I was able to shoot Luau dancers in low light with 100 APO.
And shot a wedding yesterday using 100APO, ZF 35, 24G, 200/2 VR2, and very little with 70-200 VR.
Posed shots and slow dance shots were ok for MF. In some of the darkest areas of the reception where my AF lens were having trouble confirming focus and annoying me, I could MF 100 APO and get good results. The church had strict shooting rules where you could shoot from either from far back or angle from behind altar. The 200/2 really produced great IQ in such low light over the long distance, at wide open apertures, the reason I rented the lens.
Will post Hawaii pics soon.
p.1 #10 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
cuonghuutran wrote:
Thanks for your response. I am aware of the mount issue and I using Leitax adapters even for my Canon too. I am more concerned about difficulty of MF using the focus screen that comes with the camera and yet there are no alternatives from 3rd parties.
p.1 #11 · Need feedback on using Leica R or Zeiss lenses with D800E?
Thanks everyone for your feedback.
@Carstenw, I can focus 5D Mk2 in fairly dim light with fast lenses like 1.4 (and then stop down and knock on wood :-)). I am using 3rd focus screen that actually Eg-s but has different coating. It is brighter than Eg-s but not too bright that makes you misjudge sharpness and still gives good result in dim light. I am concerned that w/o such aids, MF with D800E would be challenging and your experience seems to agree.
@Wayne, that's a good suggestion to rent. I will look into it.
@Hiep, yeah, I will have to give up Jahre on Nikon and that's keeping me in Canon's camp.
Overall, I think D800E has an edge over 5D Mk2 in terms of dynamic range as well as clarity. That said, it's not an easy call to switch though. May be I wait out for next camera from Canon :-(.
