p.26 #1 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
When it comes to 'reviews' (potential bashing sessions) by non-aficionados of Voigtlander lenses, it's best to avoid the biases of people like Hogan. His 1500 word screed on the CV 65/2 APO is an image-free disgrace.
That said, the 65/2 is the equal of neither the 35/2 APO nor the 50/2 APO in MTF terms, particularly in the outer frames. Especially wide open. see below.
p.26 #2 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I own the 35APO and I’ve shot with the 50APO a fair bit and can confirm those are exceptional, with he 50 being nearly flawless. The 65 isn’t quite on that level wide open but it’s still very good across the frame wide open, and at least at 45MP, is tack sharp to the corners by f/4. At that aperture I think you’d need to be shooting at 80MP or higher to really see any difference.
EDIT: As an aside - here are 100% upper left extreme corner crops of the 65/2 APO on my Z8, so 45MP resolution, focused at minimum focus distance, so 1:2 magnification. f/2.0 is definitely a little softer than when stopped down, but still what I would call good to very good resolution, while stopped down it becomes excellent very quickly. (these are the fibers of a US $1 bill)
p.26 #5 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
The MTF surprised me too, everyone loves the 65/2 APO. Unless otherwise stated, MTF are always taken at infinity. And the macro fad (we also see four of them in Canon's RF lenses) might have the designers looking for close up performance. But I'm with you on this, I trust all those that have used the lens extensively - they love it.
Cosina now publishes MTF for the other Macro - the 110/2.5 - with some fade out wide. But as DavidBM believes, the level is also important as well as the fall-off. A strong centre can't help but have some natural decline in outer frames.
p.26 #8 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fred Miranda wrote:
I really want to try out the Nikon ZF, especially since I found out I can adapt my Fuji lenses to it and still have autofocus.
APS-C Fuji lenses? That'll be pretty low resolution won't it?
I liked a lot about the Zf, but coming from the SL2-S, the color and noise handling just didn't work for me. I was a HUGE fan of the Df w/Zeiss ZF.2 lenses, and I definitely didn't get that same vibe from the Zf files w/Voigtlander Z lenses. Maybe it's an issue with Capture One's profile for the Zf, IDK. I think back with the Df, I was using Apple's Aperture – still miss that software.
I liked a lot about the Zf, but coming from the SL2-S, the color and noise handling just didn't work for me. I was a HUGE fan of the Df w/Zeiss ZF.2 lenses, and I definitely didn't get that same vibe from the Zf files w/Voigtlander Z lenses. Maybe it's an issue with Capture One's profile for the Zf, IDK. I think back with the Df, I was using Apple's Aperture – still miss that software.
It's not about low resolution; it's about cropping, leading to more limited light gathering. When shooting with Fuji's top APS-C sensors, there's roughly a 1-stop decrease in DR and SNR compared to Sony's best sensors. Never tried the new Nikons to comment on it. Although I'm really like new Nikon ZF's form factor, I've managed to resist the urge to dive in... at least for now.
p.26 #10 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fred Miranda wrote:
It's not about low resolution; it's about cropping, leading to more limited light gathering. When shooting with Fuji's top APS-C sensors, there's roughly a 1-stop decrease in DR and SNR compared to Sony's best sensors. Never tried the new Nikons to comment on it. Although I'm really like new Nikon ZF's form factor, I've managed to resist the urge to dive in... at least for now.
Ah, I didn't mean resolving power of the lens – I meant usually when people adapt APS-C lenses to full frame cameras, they do so on higher res sensors so that the resulting file size is more usable. I think the Zf sensor cropped to APS-C would be 11mp, so ok for casual use I suppose.
The Zf form factor is outstanding. I think with the Nikon-made Zf grip attachment that's currently only available in Japan, it would be perfect. It really needs that slightly bigger bump on the front like the Df had (IMO).
If you do succumb, I'll be interested to hear what you think about the IQ. I ended up moving to the S5IIX, which color-wise and noise-wise seems identical to the SL2-S. Compared to your SL2, I think you'll prefer the Zf's high ISO performance, but you might prefer the SL2 colors at low ISO – just my guess
p.26 #11 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
highdesertmesa wrote:
Ah, I didn't mean resolving power of the lens – I meant usually when people adapt APS-C lenses to full frame cameras, they do so on higher res sensors so that the resulting file size is more usable. I think the Zf sensor cropped to APS-C would be 11mp, so ok for casual use I suppose.
The Zf form factor is outstanding. I think with the Nikon-made Zf grip attachment that's currently only available in Japan, it would be perfect. It really needs that slightly bigger bump on the front like the Df had (IMO).
If you do succumb, I'll be interested to hear what you think about the IQ. I ended up moving to the S5IIX, which color-wise and noise-wise seems identical to the SL2-S. Compared to your SL2, I think you'll prefer the Zf's high ISO performance, but you might prefer the SL2 colors at low ISO – just my guess ...Show more →
I misunderstood our point. Yes, crop mode resolution is actually one of the factors holding me back from getting the ZF. While using Fuji lenses in APS-C sounds appealing, I agree that the ZF in crop mode is disappointing in terms of resolution. I'm considering waiting for Nikon to release the ZF2, but I'm also intrigued by the new SL3. Hopefully, Leica can make it a bit smaller.
The S5II looks like a great camera. Are you still shooting with a M?
p.26 #12 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Based on the responses to the questions I asked on the thread earlier, it seems like Zf is the only place where we can get manual focus confirmation to work for M, E, and Z lenses (assuming the right chipped lenses and smart adapters). That plus a Kolari mod (which isn’t offered for A7C cameras yet?) make it a pretty strong platform for long term manual focus use.
Interesting comments by highdesertmesa though… wouldn’t have expected that with modern mirrorless cameras and software :/ bummer.
p.26 #13 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
philip_pj wrote:
When it comes to 'reviews' (potential bashing sessions) by non-aficionados of Voigtlander lenses, it's best to avoid the biases of people like Hogan. His 1500 word screed on the CV 65/2 APO is an image-free disgrace.
That said, the 65/2 is the equal of neither the 35/2 APO nor the 50/2 APO in MTF terms, particularly in the outer frames. Especially wide open. see below.
While it may be stated in the MFD graphs released by Cosina, my personal experience differs. The CV 65/2, in my view, is impressively sharp right from the widest aperture, from the center to the edges. Its performance is quite comparable to the CV 50/2 APO. I think I posted some side by side infinity tests in their reviews.
p.26 #14 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fred Miranda wrote:
I misunderstood our point. Yes, crop mode resolution is actually one of the factors holding me back from getting the ZF. While using Fuji lenses in APS-C sounds appealing, I agree that the ZF in crop mode is disappointing in terms of resolution. I'm considering waiting for Nikon to release the ZF2, but I'm also intrigued by the new SL3. Hopefully, Leica can make it a bit smaller.
The S5II looks like a great camera. Are you still shooting with a M?
Yes, I still have the M11M and just the 50 SPII. Waiting on the M11 Safari or Reporter edition as my color M. Still trying to decide on a final three or four lens set. I'm mentally and financially exhausted from my personal addiction to trying new M lenses
The S5IIX has been great once I learned the quirks of the Panasonic/LUMIX menu system. It's about on par with learning the quirks of the current Nikon cameras, with the exception being the nightmare (IMO) that is Nikon's unique take on Auto-ISO behavior, which nearly gave me a stroke.
p.26 #15 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
highdesertmesa wrote:
Yes, I still have the M11M and just the 50 SPII. Waiting on the M11 Safari or Reporter edition as my color M. Still trying to decide on a final three or four lens set. I'm mentally and financially exhausted from my personal addiction to trying new M lenses
The S5IIX has been great once I learned the quirks of the Panasonic/LUMIX menu system. It's about on par with learning the quirks of the current Nikon cameras, with the exception being the nightmare (IMO) that is Nikon's unique take on Auto-ISO behavior, which nearly gave me a stroke.
The 50 SPII is now one of my favorite lenses. Initially, I didn't think I needed it because I already had the 50/2 Rigid, but I absolutely love its unique rendering.
p.26 #17 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fred Miranda wrote:
The 50 SPII is now one of my favorite lenses. Initially, I didn't think I needed it because I already had the 50/2 Rigid, but I absolutely love its unique rendering.
I'm anticipating a S5 III with phase detect soon!
PS: The M11 Safari sounds amazing!
Agree about the 50 SPII. Its popularity has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I think it's going to be a cult favorite someday. I may buy the version they're putting into the Rigid-style body when I want to travel with one that's slightly shorter in length.
I want whatever LUMIX camera will use the Leica SL3 sensor with phase detect. I'd like to pair that with my S5IIX, with the X used more for video and low light and the other for landscape. But maybe the M11 will fill that gap for me – will have to see how things pan(asonic) out
p.26 #19 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Hey y'all. So I just ordered a Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 Z and I'm a little confused about the differences between the Z version and the E version regarding the focus distance EXIF info for IBIS. Seems like the E 40mm offers full 5 axes stabilization while the Z version only offers 3 axes. Can anybody confirm if that's true? Seems like an odd difference to have, since I'd really like to take advantage of the ZFs awesome IBIS capabilities.
p.26 #20 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
hia447 wrote:
Hey y'all. So I just ordered a Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 Z and I'm a little confused about the differences between the Z version and the E version regarding the focus distance EXIF info for IBIS. Seems like the E 40mm offers full 5 axes stabilization while the Z version only offers 3 axes. Can anybody confirm if that's true? Seems like an odd difference to have, since I'd really like to take advantage of the ZFs awesome IBIS capabilities.
Based on the info on Cosina's website it's true. It seems that with Cosina's lenses, only E-mount and X-mount lenses transmit the focus distance information to camera and that is needed for 5-Axis stabilization. Cosina's website only states 3-Axis support for their Z-mount and RF-mount lenses.
There have also been comments from Z-mount users that there is no focus distance info displayed with the CV Z-mount lenses.
I don't know the reason why they have a distance encoder only with their E-mount and X-mount lenses though.
