Ripolini wrote:
Do you have any reference or link? Thanks.
If I had that link, I had posted it already. It was just some advertisement I've seen ages ago though. I've already tried to find it again multiple times ever since but to no avail.
Anyway thats why I got the Makro-Planar in the first place. Btw the Makro-Planar apparently is also one of the lenses Zeiss didnt changed when they switched to Milvus, because they said they wouldnt know what to improve.
P.s.: It should be mentioned the Makro Planar suffers from really strong color fringing. More than any of my other lenses.
sungphoto wrote:
I think you'll be very happy with the 105 f1.4E. It's in my opinion one of the best parts of switching over to Nikon from Canon - extremely sharp wide open, gorgeous out of focus rendering, some of the best color output of any of my lenses and not massively large and heavy like the Sigma Art.
That's what I saw Sung and especially how it renders the infocus to OOF transition and bokeh were reasons I went for this lens.
Like I said the DC was allso very appealing but its FL and thus its perspective is a bit to much to my taste plus I like sharpness to be sharp but not clinical sharp.
The DC is less sharp and the sharpness of the 105E is allbeit really sharp still pleasant to my eye.
I name it 'smooth' where the 85G does this in a 'harsh' way. (sure you understand what I mean)
Allways a surprising experience to see MTF numbers are not telling the whole story.
Well now I have to figure out how to set up my lighting.
It's somewhere buried in my brains (hopefully it is ), but it's a longtime ago I practiced it and those days I was using optical slavetriggers with 3 manual CT strobes, while I have a ringflash and two SB5000 nowadays.
We'll see how it works out.
Sauseschritt wrote:
P.s.: It should be mentioned the Makro Planar suffers from really strong color fringing. More than any of my other lenses.
I know, I own the ZF 100/2 MP and I consider it one of the best portrait lenses.
What intrigues me is the possibility to distinguish the different quality of different lenses even using a low resolution sensor.
I am perfectly aware of this, since I could clearly detect different rendition of various lenses even on D100. However, when I write this personal experience in fora, I always find some "technical" guy who states that all lenses perform similarly on D700 (yes, D700), and buying Zeiss lenses is a waste of money. A reference from NASA would be helpful for that kind of "experts".
Ripolini wrote:
I know, I own the ZF 100/2 MP and I consider it one of the best portrait lenses.
What intrigues me is the possibility to distinguish the different quality of different lenses even using a low resolution sensor.
I am perfectly aware of this, since I could clearly detect different rendition of various lenses even on D100. However, when I write this personal experience in fora, I always find some "technical" guy who states that all lenses perform similarly on D700 (yes, D700), and buying Zeiss lenses is a waste of money. A reference from NASA would be helpful for that kind of "experts". ...Show more →
Anyone stating a very lens's properties to be solely the result of MTF figures is no expert, on the contrary such person is to pity missing the abilities to assess or even see the other more or less (depending on needs and taste) important characteristics of a lens.
In my preceding post I said I went for the 105E for other properties than just razorsharp and contrast alone.
I learned to ignore this kind of people you will never be able to convince them since they just can't or are not willing to see it.
Like carrying coal to the mines....
Thern wrote:
That's what I saw Sung and especially how it renders the infocus to OOF transition and bokeh were reasons I went for this lens.
Like I said the DC was allso very appealing but its FL and thus its perspective is a bit to much to my taste plus I like sharpness to be sharp but not clinical sharp.
The DC is less sharp and the sharpness of the 105E is allbeit really sharp still pleasant to my eye.
I name it 'smooth' where the 85G does this in a 'harsh' way. (sure you understand what I mean)
Allways a surprising experience to see MTF numbers are not telling the whole story.
Well now I have to figure out how to set up my lighting.
It's somewhere buried in my brains (hopefully it is ), but it's a longtime ago I practiced it and those days I was using optical slavetriggers with 3 manual CT strobes, while I have a ringflash and two SB5000 nowadays.
We'll see how it works out.
Thanks so much! And yes I totally agree re your thoughts on how sharpness bench tests and MTF numbers don't tell anywhere near the full story of a lens. Much like how quarter mile and 0-60 times don't demonstrate that one car is better than another.
sungphoto wrote:
Lemme know if you need any tips of lighting.
Thanks Sung, nice to know having you as a backup for my questions.
The lens will be delivered today and I have plenty of time till may when we celebrate our 40 years marriage.
A lot to take care of and my wife and I are still debating where to go with our family.
I'd like to go to Madagasker but my wife wants to go back again to the Maledives. (so I reckon it will be the Maledives )
Well first thing I need are three stands for the SB5000s and Nissin extreme (if it pairs well with the rest) an umbrella and a foldable large softbox I guess.
Perhaps allso a snoot and I need to figure out wether the ringflash isn't 'flattening' to much.
Would you recommend to buy a third SB5000 instead of using the Nissin?
All my girls do have long hair and I like to use backlighting for some shots.
I know there are many options but I do have 2 x SB5000's and a SB-910/700 with umbrellas/soft box. When I am working fast I love the CLS system with SB5000's as the exposure tends to be accurate and consistent. If you have more time for setting up almost any other manual flash will work.
Congratulations on your 40th Wedding anniversary!!!
Thank you Charles.
Marrying my soulmate was and still is the best decision I ever made in my life. Leon Payne hit the nail right on the head when he wrote the lyrics for 'I love you because' (one of my alltime favs)
I had some hard times during my life witnessing the cruelties in warzones, she and later on my daughters too allways managed to pull me through.
Thern wrote:
Thank you Charles.
Marrying my soulmate was and still is the best decision I ever made in my life. Leon Payne hit the nail right on the head when he wrote the lyrics for 'I love you because' (one of my alltime favs)
I had some hard times during my life witnessing the cruelties in warzones, she and later on my daughters too allways managed to pull me through.
Amazing life story I am sure! Yes finding your life long soulmate is a rarity and truly a gift
Late to this thread. I have owned the 135 DC and 200 f2G VRII, and also the superb Zeiss 135 f2 APO Sonnar. Also the 58 f1.4G. They are all as good as their reputations rate them. None of these were seeing enough use as I mainly do wildlife, and I don't spend enough time in places where one can do justice to using shorter lenses closer to elephants etc (eg Mana Pools NP in the Zambezi valley). In any case, I decided to only keep the 58, to invest instead in the 70-200 f2.8E and wonderful 300 PF and 300 PF. This trio are far more versatile, and not only for wildlife...
I do still treasure a 85 f1.4AFD and 105 f2.5AIS (and have read the 1.8AIS is as good if not better).The 105 I use mainly for nostalgic reasons (together with a venerable 55 f2.8AIS Micro-Nikkor). All give excellent results shooting MF on the Z7 as well as the D850. Stop down the 85 f1.4AFD to f2 or f2.8. While shooting at f4 clinches the images with the Classic old 105. Some comparisons of these primes etc :
On choices of flashes, I'm happy with the Hahnel kit for Nikon, not least their rechargeable batteries.
Congratulations on all fronts to the OP and enjoy your 105 f1.4E. You may be interested to read the following background and reviews pasted across out of my Nikon database. Google translate the interviews:
Sometime ago, Digital Camera Watch published an interview to the Nikon designers of AF-S 105/1.4E in two parts:
Thern wrote:
Thanks Sung, nice to know having you as a backup for my questions.
The lens will be delivered today and I have plenty of time till may when we celebrate our 40 years marriage.
A lot to take care of and my wife and I are still debating where to go with our family.
I'd like to go to Madagasker but my wife wants to go back again to the Maledives. (so I reckon it will be the Maledives )
Well first thing I need are three stands for the SB5000s and Nissin extreme (if it pairs well with the rest) an umbrella and a foldable large softbox I guess.
Perhaps allso a snoot and I need to figure out wether the ringflash isn't 'flattening' to much.
Would you recommend to buy a third SB5000 instead of using the Nissin?
All my girls do have long hair and I like to use backlighting for some shots.
In terms of lighting, I think you should hold off buying more speedlites for now. As for light stands, I'm a big fan of the Matthews reverse stands as they nice and compact, can hold about 10 lbs, very well made, extend to 7 ft tall, and reasonably priced. The matthews reverse stands will be fine for speedlites + small to medium size softboxes or umbrellas. 7 ft isn't very tall though if you're trying to get a modifier a bit above eye-line, so it'd make sense to get one of the matthews stands and 1-2 taller stands. The manfrotto BAC stackable stands get great reviews (I personally don't like the leg tightening knob but that might just be me being picky). A great heavy duty portable light stand that extends to 13 ft, can hold up to 45-50 lbs with only the first column extended, and are quite reasonably priced are these Savage stands: https://www.adorama.com/salsb13ac.html. If you want to spend an unreasonably large amount on light stands that will out last your interest in the hobby, I quite like my A630 and A635 avengers but to be totally honest they're complete overkill for people that aren't using them all the time.
I've tried a few of the lenses mentioned in this thread. Overall, I would say that I now use the 85 1.8g the most often, just personal taste.
Indoors, I will sometimes use the Voigtlander 58mm 1.4 (manual focus lens but great in low light situations). I also have used the 105 2.5 ais lens and the older Nikon 80-200 2.8 lens with success.
Don't underrate the 80-200 lens for portraits. I would say it comes down to the subject (meaning scrambling kids or someone who will sit still) indoors or outdoors ect.
Honorable mention goes to the Nikon 135 3.5 ais lens too. Any of the lenses above will get the job done.
The 85 1.G I believe is the sharpest along with the Voigtlander. The Voigtlander has the best contrast. Between color rendition, sharpness, contrast and range, the 80-200 might not be the best in any one of the catagories, but adding everything up, might be the best well rounded of them all, but it's one heavy lens, hence why I carry the 85 1.8G. Shrugs. All of them will do the job.
Since portrait can include full body to tight headshot, and DOF of one eye to sharp background, the choice of lens is pretty broad—and that's before adding personal preferences regarding compression. For a single prime to do everything portrait, I pick something 135/4. I have such a lens (Leitz) but prefer the Nikkor 70-200/4. This zoom gets the most use in my studio. A single off-camera Speedlight gets you far, especially if bounced and combined with a fill panel or nearby wall.
ksmmike wrote:
I've tried a few of the lenses mentioned in this thread. Overall, I would say that I now use the 85 1.8g the most often, just personal taste.
Honorable mention goes to the Nikon 135 3.5 ais lens too. Any of the lenses above will get the job done.
Yes, great lens, light, sharp and good colors. Had it and sold it only because I found the 135mm working distance too long.
), but it's a longtime ago I practiced it and those days I was using optical slavetriggers with 3 manual CT strobes, while I have a ringflash and two SB5000 nowadays.
