Looks like the lens got there safe! Enjoy that piece of glass, its a good one.
Thank you Dave. Yep, got it today. Bummed that the weather is supposed to be quite rubbish for the next few days. I want to get outdoors and shoot with the lens to see the real 3D pop this lens is known for.
Shotokan wrote:
I caught the bug too. I’m planning my strategy. Tell my wife that I really, really want that Noct advertised for $3,750 on the Buy and Sell forum. Then cave in and “settle” for a 58G. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Strategy failed. My wife and I had a couple of glasses of good Syrah and she was feeling pretty good. I judged that the time was right. We have our first grandson--3 months old--and I suggested that "we" needed a good portrait lens to use while he grows up. I showed her the Noct and her face turned the same shade of purple as the wine she was drinking. I quickly switched to the 58G and normal color returned to her face. I was thinking "it's working" until she smiled and said "nice try" then turned on her heel and left the room. Now, (looking over my lenses) what to sell....
There are some amazing images on this thread. I plan to rent this lens for a long weekend and take it for a spin. Several photographers have said (or implied) that it takes time to figure this lens out, so one weekend might not be enough time to appreciate the lens' full capabilities.
Can those of you who have this lens offer advice specific to this lens? Any pitfalls to avoid? I'm not a pro, but I know the basics concerning composition and (natural light) portrait photography. For example, I know to fill the frame with the subject, focus on the nearest eye for a portrait, and get close to the subject while putting distance between the subject and the background to create the most blur on the OOF elements.
I use a D850 and mostly do landscape photography. However, I plan to use this lens mostly for portrait photography with my 4-month old grandson and other family members as subjects.
Shotokan wrote:
Can those of you who have this lens offer advice specific to this lens? Any pitfalls to avoid?
It's better not to shoot wide open around the minimal focus distance. At close distance, sharpness improves a lot if you close down even to 1.8 or f2. Have fun!
ijm5012 wrote:
Just received my used copy today. With it being pitch black outside with a windchill in the teens, no outdoor shots so a few indoor shots of my wife will have to do.
First shot is wide open at f/1.4, with the second shot stopped down to f2. Both images taken on the Z6 with the FTZ with no AFFT.
agelessphotog wrote:
Eyes look OOF to me, or the lens is way too soft.
The shot is in focus If you are shooting at f/1.4 off centre then the sharpness will drop off considerably. I usually use f/2 to 2.8 for off centre shots with the 58G.
Hardcore wrote:
Great photos Ironman! The last one is magic!
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ijm5012 wrote:
That last one is absolutely fantastic @ironman1982@ !
@Hardcore @ijm5012 Thanks for the kind words! 50mm is my favorite focal length and I've tried a ton of 50ish or normal focal length lenses on Nikon Canon Sony Leica Hasselblad Mamiya. My top three of all the ones I've tested are the new RF Canon 50 1.2L, the Sony Zeiss 50mm 1.4 Planar, and this 58mm Nikon. Nope it not the razor sharpness of the Sigma Art or 50 Cron but its rendering is unmatched in 35mm format. Colors and flare control are fantastic as well. Don't think I'll ever part with it at this point. BTW, this thread is the sole reason I purchased this lens. If I went by the Flickr Group or by the numbers on DXOMark I would have never even considered it. I can say that about a lot of lenses. This forum and its members are fantastic and really give others a great idea of what a lens can produce in the right artistic hands.
Here are few more from Halloween and Columbus Day:
