Quick question: those that used to use the 58mm with DSLRs and now have or tried it with the Z series, have you noticed any improvements or caveats when switching to the mirrorless? How is AF accuracy? How is AF speed? Many thanks. Pat
IME, my 58 required AFT on the D850, with which it twins really well. OTH the focus-peaking with the Z7 is a real boon, especially with f1.4 to clinch the point of focus.
For my subjects, the AF is excellent and the FTZ carries no -ve impacts on any aspects of performance.
It's a delight to find this thread as so far I've mainly found people who don't like or 'get' this lens. Also going through all the posts (took me about 2 hours yesterday), I've learned a thing or two new about it.
I've been shooting it on a Sony A7R2 since I never could get it to focus reliably on my D800E. I had to use first a manual adapter (I may be mistaken about that) and then the Commlite adapters of which I have had 2, the first did not work and I fried trying to update firmware and the second which works tolerably well. Certainly well enough for my slower deliberate style of photography.
Now I'm excited to discover this lens all over again on the Z series in the near future. The rumours that the Z8 or 61 Mp body won't be out until the end of the year, or as I suspect, later than that, mean I might have to get a Z7 now, even though it means more depreciation.
The blog post from Jim Kasson is really interesting in the analysis of the focus accuracy on the Z7 and is a clincher for me buying one sooner rather than later.
One thing I'm not certain about is whether there is significant sample variation in the 58 1.4's. Is it worth my while testing a few or am I likely to have one that is about as good as they get? Some of the wide open shots here look sharper than mine, but then they are being viewed at a small size for the most part and its hard to judge.
blackhill wrote:
It's a delight to find this thread as so far I've mainly found people who don't like or 'get' this lens. Also going through all the posts (took me about 2 hours yesterday), I've learned a thing or two new about it.
I've been shooting it on a Sony A7R2 since I never could get it to focus reliably on my D800E. I had to use first a manual adapter (I may be mistaken about that) and then the Commlite adapters of which I have had 2, the first did not work and I fried trying to update firmware and the second which works tolerably well. Certainly well enough for my slower deliberate style of photography.
Now I'm excited to discover this lens all over again on the Z series in the near future. The rumours that the Z8 or 61 Mp body won't be out until the end of the year, or as I suspect, later than that, mean I might have to get a Z7 now, even though it means more depreciation.
The blog post from Jim Kasson is really interesting in the analysis of the focus accuracy on the Z7 and is a clincher for me buying one sooner rather than later.
One thing I'm not certain about is whether there is significant sample variation in the 58 1.4's. Is it worth my while testing a few or am I likely to have one that is about as good as they get? Some of the wide open shots here look sharper than mine, but then they are being viewed at a small size for the most part and its hard to judge.
The 58/1.4G is an amazing lens if you gel. It does take time to fully appreciate and understand how to use it. If you notice Corey's shots some were wide open but many stopped down.
blackhill wrote:
One thing I'm not certain about is whether there is significant sample variation in the 58 1.4's. Is it worth my while testing a few or am I likely to have one that is about as good as they get? Some of the wide open shots here look sharper than mine, but then they are being viewed at a small size for the most part and its hard to judge.
Shooting wide open using af from a couple of metres is ok, but for anything closer, I normally resort to step down if I still want to use AF or use manual focus.
The dof wide open is extramely shallow when use it close to your subject that you will be lucky to get a few eyelash hairs in focus. My AF also tend to back focus when close. I am using a z6, for my sample, at 1.4 only the center area is acceptably sharp for closer subjects.
These threads are so dangerous. Having already bought the 105 1.4 thanks to this site, I now have the 58 too after reading this thread.
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has found a particular focus technique that works especially well with this lens? Lately for general use I've been trying out 3D tracking mode. I mostly photograph my kids who don't stay still for 2 seconds. It's been working quite well but my keeper rate with this lens does seem a bit lower. I was expecting to have to work to master it based on reviews and experiences I have read but just curious what works for everyone else. When you do nail it though it's pure magic.
These threads are so dangerous. Having already bought the 105 1.4 thanks to this site, I now have the 58 too after reading this thread.
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has found a particular focus technique that works especially well with this lens? Lately for general use I've been trying out 3D tracking mode. I mostly photograph my kids who don't stay still for 2 seconds. It's been working quite well but my keeper rate with this lens does seem a bit lower. I was expecting to have to work to master it based on reviews and experiences I have read but just curious what works for everyone else. When you do nail it though it's pure magic.
Yes it takes skill and technique to appreciate the 58G. If ever in doubt just stop the lens to f/2 to f/4. For a single portrait often just stopping down to f/1.8 is excellent. If you are using a DSLR then check your calibration and understand it as it will vary.
The very characteristic we love in the lens is what makes it more difficult to nail the focus.
blackhill wrote:
It's a delight to find this thread as so far I've mainly found people who don't like or 'get' this lens. Also going through all the posts (took me about 2 hours yesterday), I've learned a thing or two new about it.
I've been shooting it on a Sony A7R2 since I never could get it to focus reliably on my D800E. I had to use first a manual adapter (I may be mistaken about that) and then the Commlite adapters of which I have had 2, the first did not work and I fried trying to update firmware and the second which works tolerably well. Certainly well enough for my slower deliberate style of photography.
Now I'm excited to discover this lens all over again on the Z series in the near future. The rumours that the Z8 or 61 Mp body won't be out until the end of the year, or as I suspect, later than that, mean I might have to get a Z7 now, even though it means more depreciation.
The blog post from Jim Kasson is really interesting in the analysis of the focus accuracy on the Z7 and is a clincher for me buying one sooner rather than later.
One thing I'm not certain about is whether there is significant sample variation in the 58 1.4's. Is it worth my while testing a few or am I likely to have one that is about as good as they get? Some of the wide open shots here look sharper than mine, but then they are being viewed at a small size for the most part and its hard to judge.
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With so many stunning images flowing in, this thread gets better and better!
Before paying out the better chunk of a grand in real money, I invested some effort in online research (hence links shared above). Yet I haven't read anything of copy variation (unlike some other Nikkors, eg 24-120 f4G). Despite the trolling etc against the Neo-Noct, the reality is that Used copies are very rare and costly IME, and mine took months of searching to track down in London. This suggests real owners = happy keepers; thus disgruntled returns probably happen fast - i.e. rapid return of a new purchase to the original shop within time limit.
If it's not just the boring same nikon-trashing, I think the negativity reflects ignorance and/or insufficient skill with this Nikkor. In one thread last year on NikonGear, it was amusing to witness the most vocal, and acerbic, critic of the Neo-Noct reveal how he had failed to check up on what it was he was striving to trash. So yet another case of a keyboard eggspurt unleashed...
As more experienced owners point out, mastering this prime demands dedication, but it is worth it :-) Indeed it took me some time to learn the subtleties of my Neo-Noct. In fact, one doesn't stop learning. My 58 is almost always glued to the Z7, as they pair so very well with the focus-peaking et al.
IMHO, this Nikkor will pair very well on the Z6 too, so don't wait for more resolution. The Z7 gives you more than ample, in fact.
One of my friend Margarita, she recently did her ancestry profile and found out she is 54% Apache and wanted to have a photo wearing one of my indian head dresses, she also wanted it in B&W...so I obliged
