vaptre wrote:
Honestly I would recommend using the filter. Because the front lens section is moving and dust/dirt can get inside. It’s my third 58/1.4 (long story) since 2015. And the first one suffered from dust without a filter.
Long story, common, tell us, we got time:0
What happened?
Filters - I dont like filters, when they cover a nice looking lens.
The first time I bought 58/1.4 was in 2015. It was quite significant move for me as the lens wasn't cheap and no one around me understood why I'm doing this. The only I had was the article by Nasim at photographylife.com with absolutely stunning images. But my preferred FOV was always 50-58 and I saw the magic.
The reality wasn't so bright ))) I made a lot of studio works during this time mostly with my D750 + 85/1.8 and I wasn't able to nail focus with the my new lens in portrait mode at all. Again and again I asked Nikon official service about help, tuned camera twice but nothing helps. Sometimes I got the results but most of the times not. I hated this lens because of the price I paid and magic I wanted to get but it was really hard.
So it was sold after one year of trying to reach an agreement on long and prosper live.
Some months later I met the guy who used the same lens in his work with very success. His work shined with the same magic I saw in Nasim's article but at the same time it was sharp enough with right focus. I was extremely impressed and surprised. He used the same combination as me - D750 + 58/1.4 but his results were much much better than mine. What's the catch? I asked him!
And he told me about sombrero shaped focal plane. And that he recalibrated the lens every time before photo shooting starts. And that's the most beautiful results I can get if I put my model at the center of the frame. That this lens is tuned for middle distances because of aberrations. And it adds dreamy glow if you get closer and shoot with 1.4.
The next day I stood behind the Nikon store and begged them to take my money again )) The second time was much much much more successful. That guy and I we spent a lot of time together and he taught me how to deal with the lens. And I started to get the results! But! Troubles came from where less expected. Nikon announced their Z line.. I switched to Z6 ver 1. And like many of others in this forum I decided to sell old lenses for the new Z shining S-line. Bad bad decision! Very bad! No magic at all. Clinically sharp. Less than year was enough (ha-ha) to understand that I'm a complete idiot
So now I have my third 58/1.4 since that time. It was bought it 2020. And for all these almost four years I've not been regretting that I finally decided to be here. This is the best lens I have. And mirrorless technology solved almost all problems with it. Technically it isn't easy lens and never was but it is more accessible now for mass photographers than it was during DSLR time. Highly recommend!
The second one might have been with a 12mm tube. The others without. Usually I don't use tubes, I just leave it on the D500 as it is and use the different fov. Nowadays I try to note when I use it but sometimes my memory fails...
highcontrast wrote:
That inner ring is just a decal that covers the access screws for service. The decal is really easy to mess up, just by frequently putting a filter or lens cap on and off. But if you can find a copy of the lens where this is pristine, the lens has probably been lightly used.
I was thinking how could I prevent this part to deteriorate when using cap - would mounting a step up ring fix this?
Like to mount 72-77?
phinix wrote:
I was thinking how could I prevent this part to deteriorate when using cap - would mounting a step up ring fix this?
Like to mount 72-77?
With a step ring, the hood would no longer mount. I just bought a high-quality clear filter and mounted it when I got my lens. Leave the filter on and the ring is protected. I just take the filter off - carefully - when switching to a CP filter. I’m just extra careful not to bung up that inner ring when (very rarely) changing those filters. Otherwise the clear filter stays on to protect it.
Well, I understand that one would want to take a good care of their gear. On the other hand, having a filter semi permanently means potential image degradation especially flare. It is a bit of a dilemma isn’t it? I tend to not like UV or clear filter to avoid any additional layer of glass unless they are needed. Like CPL filters.
Solution is removing the glass from the filter or, alternatively, using a step-up or step-down ring and cap of matching size. Frankly, Nikon could have done better from the start.
akul wrote:
Well, I understand that one would want to take a good care of their gear. On the other hand, having a filter semi permanently means potential image degradation especially flare. It is a bit of a dilemma isn’t it? I tend to not like UV or clear filter to avoid any additional layer of glass unless they are needed. Like CPL filters.
Luka
Definitely a personal choice and no right or wrong answer. I fall on the other side of the dilemma where using quality filters have likely saved at least scuffs from happening to the front element of a few of my lenses during action or celebration photos.
I dont use any flash. I have one but it's usually stuck at home. When shooting flowers and such I rely heavilly on the live view and flip screen to get a low perspective and see what the background looks like. Postprocessing is done in Capture One only.
Is Capture One easier to use than Lightroom?
Also is it easier to learn how to use it?
I only tried Lightroom and dont like it somehow...
))) I made a lot of studio works during this time mostly with my D750 + 85/1.8 and I wasn't able to nail focus with the my new lens in portrait mode at all. Again and again I asked Nikon official service about help, tuned camera twice but nothing helps. Sometimes I got the results but most of the times not. I hated this lens because of the price I paid and magic I wanted to get but it was really hard. 
