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Archive 2013 · A few Df impressions
  
 
ocean2059
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p.2 #1 · A few Df impressions


Very nice images, Andy. Thank you for sharing!

Do you notice any similarity and difference between your 58/1.2 Noct-Ais and 58/1.4 G-AFS?


Dec 03, 2013 at 08:56 PM
AndreasE
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p.2 #2 · A few Df impressions


ocean2059 wrote:
Very nice images, Andy. Thank you for sharing!
Do you notice any similarity and difference between your 58/1.2 Noct-Ais and 58/1.4 G-AFS?

Usage:
The Noct is a classic lens and my approach to using it is built on this "sentiment". The Noct is more compact, heavier than the AFS. The focus ring of the Noct is smoother.
In terms of handling, simplicity (AF) and image quality (how it draws an image) the AFS 58mm/1.4G is the closest "50mm" Nikkor lens to the triple set (24mm/1.4G, 35mm/1.4G and AFS 85mm/1.4G) I ever used. Looking at myself, the AFS 58mm is now a natural companion in my bag to the other 3 fast lenses, the other 50mm lenses never released this attitude. They are not bad, but they were IQ wise different to the 24,35,85mm lenses.


Image quality:
With this lens I did not do any "formal" tests with regards to sharpness, coma, distortion, etc.
It is the "creaminess" which differentiates the Noct and 58mm/1.4G from the other 50mm/1.4 lenses ( I have the AiS, AF and AFS) and 1.8 lenses (as well AiS, AF and AFS). wrt to the Noct the AF simplifies photographic light a lot when the lens has to do some general purpose objectives as well. The AFS is imho as good as the Noct in this regards.

The AFS can't do f1.2, but at f1.4 in initial experiences, the AFS is as capable to draw images like the Noct.

Sharpness/resolution at f1.4 is for my liking more than sufficient for the type of photography I do with this lens (mostly in the night)

Getting one:
The Noct is more expensive, harder to find.

Currently, I am quite happy with the lens (of course, it is new).
As a few of you might have seen - I got quite a few new lenses in the past years and assume I can differentiate which lenses might "survive" initial high attention mode.
Currently, the 58mm is one of those lenses with a very high potential for a more enduring "partnership"

rgds,
Andy

enclosed AFS 58mm/1.4G 2 images, unprocessed, handheld, just resized

Df, AFS 58mm, ISO 3200, f1.4, 1/125s
1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153644311/original.jpg

Df, AFS 58mm, ISO 800, f2, 1/25s
1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153614777/original.jpg
Dec 08, 2013 at 05:31 AM
3D.Doug
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p.2 #3 · A few Df impressions


Andy, long time, these are great images and show a great sample set of the Df's capability.

It's Doug that used to frequent Café more in the old days, less in the current day...

Now, I am in 3D, haha.

Doug
Dec 08, 2013 at 11:13 AM
AndreasE
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p.2 #4 · A few Df impressions


3D.Doug wrote:
Andy, long time, these are great images and show a great sample set of the Df's capability.

It's Doug that used to frequent Café more in the old days, less in the current day...

Now, I am in 3D, haha.

Doug

Hi Doug,
long time not seen ...
What are you doing in 3d?
3d photography, or 3d video, or 3d virtual reality or even - 3d reality ?
cheers,
Andy
Dec 08, 2013 at 11:28 AM
ocean2059
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p.2 #5 · A few Df impressions


Andy, thank you very much for your comments on the Noct-58 vs AFS-58. I have had a Noct-58 for not too long but really enjoy the characters of the lens. However, to nail down the focus at f1.2 is challenging for me on my D800. I have been using the newer Nikon AFS fast lenses (24/35/85/1.4) so I am familiar with IQ from these. Since the AFS-58 has similar attribute of the latest Nikon fast lenses, as well as the Noct-58 characters, I look forward to trying one soon.

From your images, either the Noct-58 or the AFS-58 will work extremely well on the new Df.
Dec 08, 2013 at 01:30 PM
3D.Doug
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p.2 #6 · A few Df impressions


I had to differentiate my name some way because my later nickname photojazz was already taken here, as well as the name Doug of course. I seem to have forgotten my username where logged in here at one time, but I think it was tied to gear at the time anyway, so I thought hmmm, how can I differentiate my name to get a new username that I won't outgrow, but still be me. what do we all strive for in visual for our photos? 3d baby! So, that's how I became 3d.Doug, ha.

Nice to see you still raising the bar with your "bleeding edge" photography with new gear and some old. Thanks for blazing the trail, or snow blowing it, whichever the case may be over in austria. :-) I think we both know what usually applies more than not there...
Dec 08, 2013 at 03:15 PM
AndreasE
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p.2 #7 · A few Df impressions


Used the AiS 180mm/2.8 ED today with the Df. Worked well with the 30 year old lens.

Df and AIS 180mm/2.8 ED
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777592/original.jpg

This oil refinery is close to road I need to pass when travelling back from the airport. Taken around 1am. Was quite cold and windy. Had to use my small Gitzo travel tripod and the self timer, as I had not remote control.
Postprocessing with CNX2: NR= off, (if needed) DL, resize, save as JPEG

1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777600/original.jpg

1920x1080
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777602/original.jpg

1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777604/original.jpg

1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777606/original.jpg

Edited on Dec 14, 2013 at 09:57 PM · View previous versions
Dec 14, 2013 at 09:51 PM
AndreasE
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p.2 #8 · A few Df impressions


1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777610/original.jpg

1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777612/original.jpg

1920x1080
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777614/original.jpg

1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777616/original.jpg
Dec 14, 2013 at 09:54 PM
AndreasE
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p.2 #9 · A few Df impressions


1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777618/original.jpg

1920x1080
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777620/original.jpg

1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777624/original.jpg

1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777622/original.jpg

rgds,
Andy
Dec 14, 2013 at 09:56 PM
M635_Guy
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p.2 #10 · A few Df impressions


wow...
Dec 15, 2013 at 12:08 AM
Ronny Olsson
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p.2 #11 · A few Df impressions


Really nice shot Andy


Dec 15, 2013 at 06:47 AM
gloman
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p.2 #12 · A few Df impressions


Great thread Andy, thanx!
glo
Dec 15, 2013 at 09:40 AM
glassartist
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p.2 #13 · A few Df impressions


Always enjoy your work Andy. But man, you are such a night owl


Dec 15, 2013 at 10:51 AM
AndreasE
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p.2 #14 · A few Df impressions


glassartist wrote:
Always enjoy your work Andy. But man, you are such a night owl
Glad you like it. ...and yes, I am often long up at night

Here is the proof that I can be exposed to sunlight as well ....
A few Df pictures taken with the AFS 58mm/1.4G lens during the day.

f 1.6, 1/100s, ISO 100, 1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777596/original.jpg

f 2, 1/2000s, ISO 100, 1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153777594/original.jpg

f 2, 1/1250s, ISO Lo1, 1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153784924/original.jpg

f 2, 1/833s, ISO Lo1, 1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153784926/original.jpg

f 1.4, 1/3333s, ISO 100, 1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153784928/original.jpg

f 1.4, 1/1000s, ISO 100, 1920x1280
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/153784930/original.jpg

cheers,
Andy
Dec 15, 2013 at 11:26 AM
CGrindahl
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p.2 #15 · A few Df impressions


Andy, how does the camera feel in your hand? The diminutive grip and small size are of concern to me. I hated the front grip on the D800. I know this is a very different camera, intended to be a bit smaller. I don't have large hands but holding tiny cameras always feels awkward to me. One reviewer on YouTube commented on the tiny grip and wondered how it would feel over time. How is it for you? And thanks for the service you provide all of us with these gear postings.


Dec 15, 2013 at 12:13 PM
AndreasE
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p.2 #16 · A few Df impressions


CGrindahl wrote:
Andy, how does the camera feel in your hand? The diminutive grip and small size are of concern to me. I hated the front grip on the D800. I know this is a very different camera, intended to be a bit smaller. I don't have large hands but holding tiny cameras always feels awkward to me. One reviewer on YouTube commented on the tiny grip and wondered how it would feel over time. How is it for you? And thanks for the service you provide all of us with these gear postings.

You are welcome Curtis.

With regards to your grip question.

I assume, that there is huge variety how people hold their camera - holding while shooting, holding while being "ready to shoot" and holding while carrying for longer times. Happy to share my habits and experiences.

1) Optically, modern bodies like a D800/D600/D7100 look really clumsy when compared to the grip of the Df. While it is optically an advantage, the ergonomics of the "clumsy" bodies is in my view better. The form of the grip fits better my palm to grab around and my fingertips have more grip to keep the camera with a lens attached on my finger tips.

2) When I shoot slowly, the grip of the Df is comfortable enough to do it for prolonged times. It is very rare that my right little finger slips under the camera body.

3) Shooting fast things (i.e. to catch something which appeared quickly), I have way more experience with the ergonomics of modern DSLRs. They are more intutive and are easier to lead in the proper direction, as the palm has more directional power to lead the body in the proper direction.

4) Carrying the camera as a sidekick while walking with a reasonable sized lens (prime or mid-sizes zoom) is comparatively easy, not as comfortable as with modern bodies. To be clear, nothing to brag about. You just realize it and accomodate appropriately. What is probably the biggest difference is the support your right thumb need to give your other 4 fingers. Something, your thumb usually doesn't need to do this with modern bodies - the fingertips fit "deeper" into the grip and provide more friction.

5) Similarily to (4), the experience gets different when there is a larger lens attached - i.e. the AFS 70-200mm/2.8 VR II. Here the weight and balance become much more pronounced in favor of modern DSLRs.

6) Shooting with this lens and the Df is less of an issue, because most of the weight is anyway taken with the left hand supporting the lens and the right hand rather stabilizes the whole pack.

7) The DF is more comfortable to me than the D3x00, D5x00 series, probable on par with the D7x00 series and much better than the mirrorless cameras (Nikon 1 series). IMHO, it is not an improvement versus full frame modern DSLRs on the grip size and holding ergonomics.

8) Having said that: Don't forget the weight. The D800 is about 40-50% heavier than the Df. The smaller the lens, the more this difference is felt. With big lenses the weight difference become irrelevant. But here comes the MF goodie you might enjoy: Most MF lenses are smaller and lighter than their modern cousins. So, from a percentage perspective the Df can take more advantage of this MF attribute than the D800.

9) Last point. For me the Df has much better ergonomics than the Nikon F, F2, F3 and F4 cameras. The F5 was the blueprint for the modern digital single digit DSLRs bodies.

I think the easiest recommendation to give is: Please try it for yourself.

A few days ago, we had this discussion which camera I would take if I have to own only one camera (But I can take my decision with my current "knowledge" base with different bodies). Currently, it wouldn't be the Df. Which one I would pick, doesn't belong to this thread

kind regards,
Andy
Dec 15, 2013 at 12:59 PM
CGrindahl
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p.2 #17 · A few Df impressions


What a tease Andy… Now everyone is waiting for the answer to that question… even if it is irrelevant to this discussion.

Thanks much for your thorough assessment. When the D800 came out Don Jean asked if I'd take delivery of the camera and remove the battery before shipping it to him in Italy. He generously offered to let me play with it and I had a week. It is exactly the way to learn about a camera… in the hand. I've encouraged him to buy a Df and offered to lend a hand again, but I think he's content with his D3s. He sold the D800.

I haven't made a serious effort to find on in a shop here in the Bay Area but certainly will do so if the temptation grows. Yes, I'll only know by holding it and mounting a few different lenses to see how it feels. Since I shoot almost exclusively with MF lenses, I imagine the weight will make it all more doable.

Thanks again Andy. I'll keep an eye on this thread and if something comes up I'll jump in. Be well.
Dec 15, 2013 at 02:36 PM
sandycrane
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p.2 #18 · A few Df impressions


Andreas,
The white balance and color on these night shots is very nice. Were they auto or tungsten, or post processing?
Dec 15, 2013 at 04:20 PM
AndreasE
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p.2 #19 · A few Df impressions


sandycrane wrote:
Andreas,
The white balance and color on these night shots is very nice. Were they auto or tungsten, or post processing?

Thank you sandycrane.
The photos are basically out of camera. Whitebalance was set to auto. Postprocessing was simple.
Open RAW in CNX2
If needed, apply a bit of dynamic lighting
Resize
Save in JPEG

The reason I use RAWs for JPEG generation is simple. All my cameras are set to generate RAW (14bit, lossless) and JPEG (small, basic). I only need the ooc JPEGs for fast screening. To save my own time, final JPEGs are always generated from NEFs.

rgds,
Andy
Dec 15, 2013 at 05:04 PM
lucdeschepper
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p.2 #20 · A few Df impressions


Great set Andrea, thanks for posting. Now you made me want that 58mm f1.4!
Dec 15, 2013 at 05:06 PM
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