p.4 #1 · ~100mm & ~200mm Lightweight Prime Options
davidnholtjr wrote:
the 90/3.5 CV is very sharp and is one hell of a lens. Not sure if it can hang with the 36mp's, but it was wonderful on my D700.
The 90/3.5 CV works excellent on a D800. Lloyd Chambers tested it on a D800 and it was fantastic. One of the best lenses available in that focal range and very small and light.
p.4 #2 · ~100mm & ~200mm Lightweight Prime Options
Yep, so I am finding out.
I managed to find one of the few new copies still for sale and at a reasonable price (Robert White in the UK). Don't know if they have any left.
I've taken off the CV 52mm screw-in hood and tiny cap that goes with it and, as suggested by someone else, use a Nikon HS-9 reversible lens hood with a 52mm Nikon pinch cap.
This stores reversed extremely well (very tight fitting over the body) and does a very good job when attached the correct way as a hood. The 52mm pinch cap fits on the HS-9 in either orientation. Makes for a very compact and light-weight setup.
My only question now is do I get the 100/2 MP ZF-2. The one I currently have is from LensRentals, but I have a chance to purchase one in EX+ shape for $1k. This would be my weight and size un-constrained landscape and portrait lens. Something else would have to go to finance the Zeiss.
p.4 #3 · ~100mm & ~200mm Lightweight Prime Options
I have been thinking the same thing, I go hiking a lot too. But IQ has been the major reason why I have opted for the Zeiss lenses now. I recently bought a 21 2.8 and just got a like new 100 zf.2. If you can get that zeiss for 1000, I would jump on it. That is a fantastic price for a great lens. And if you don't like it, I'm sure someone would pay more than that to buy it off of you.
p.4 #4 · ~100mm & ~200mm Lightweight Prime Options
jhinkey wrote:
Yep, so I am finding out.
Yes, I missed a part of this thread where you used this lens.
jhinkey wrote:
My only question now is do I get the 100/2 MP ZF-2. The one I currently have is from LensRentals, but I have a chance to purchase one in EX+ shape for $1k. This would be my weight and size un-constrained landscape and portrait lens. Something else would have to go to finance the Zeiss.
I have both lenses and while the CV 90 3.5 is excellent I much more often use my Zeiss 100 because of its versatility (from macro 1:2 to infinity). 1000 dollar for the Zeiss is not too much, so I think you should take the chance. Succes with your decision!!
p.4 #6 · ~100mm & ~200mm Lightweight Prime Options
Well, I decided to pass on the $1k 100/2 MP - I just cannot justify the $1k purchase right at the moment even though it's supposedly a great deal. I've had a customer of mine fail to pay about $11K worth of invoices and I'm not sure when I'll get paid - if ever.
Plus I have the 90/3.5 CV that, by my testing at least, is just as good for landscape work except it's not f/2 and weighs half of the ZF2.
I'll have to keep a look out for a good deal on the 100/2MP some time in the future.
p.4 #7 · ~100mm & ~200mm Lightweight Prime Options
Comparing the reviews of 70-200/4 with Nikon 180/2.8 prime at photozone:
180 is sharper in the center and slightly less so in the corners. At all apertures.
So why should 180 run out of sharpness?
p.4 #8 · ~100mm & ~200mm Lightweight Prime Options
By my testing of a single copy, the 180/2.8 AF does better up close than at infinity.
The 70-200/4 does much better at infinity than up close. Thus if you test them with an optical target up close you will get the 180/2.8 looking better than the 70-200/4.
