p.55 #1 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
mivadep wrote:
I have that one, too, and in my limited testing it seems way more accurate (just based on focusing to infinity).
That is good to know.
There is no local store in my city carry Voigtlander.
I'm too lazy to order from like B&H, also as I remember right even it said free return but they still charge return fee if the product has no issue.
p.55 #2 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Nice to see that the Zf behaves reasonably well with the VM version of the 50mm APO-Lanthar (I assume the Z version is, of course, even better). It's honestly too sharp for portraits of certain people...had to spend a lot of time 'softening' the facial rendering in the first image.
p.55 #3 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I wanted to confirm something - first time I got E mount Voigtlander mounted on Zf with Viltrox adapter.
Did I forget to change something in menu/settings - cause I cannot change aperture value via rotary wheel on camera. It sits at 6.3 for some reason...
EDIT: also noticed that MF half-press zoom reset doesn't work, even if it says its ON.
p.55 #4 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
_jim_ wrote:
Nice to see that the Zf behaves reasonably well with the VM version of the 50mm APO-Lanthar (I assume the Z version is, of course, even better). It's honestly too sharp for portraits of certain people...had to spend a lot of time 'softening' the facial rendering in the first image.
p.55 #5 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I really like how this camera works with manual focus lenses. I should be receiving a TT Artisan 6-bit adapter soon...which should hopefully make the experience even better.
p.55 #6 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
_jim_ wrote:
Nice to see that the Zf behaves reasonably well with the VM version of the 50mm APO-Lanthar (I assume the Z version is, of course, even better). It's honestly too sharp for portraits of certain people...had to spend a lot of time 'softening' the facial rendering in the first image.
I agree... added the 50 Nok after this making this shot with the APO (@f/2). I do love the APO but for many people pictures, it's look makes me uneasy, if that makes sense. The technical perfection is obvious, but distracts rather than adds.
May do the same with the 28 APO & 28 Nok. Forum member "mrbe" has some *stunning* landscapes with the vm 28 APO but I've seen some people images by others that are so flat and edge-to-edge perfect that they give off an uneasy/unsettled vibe to me.
It's working out to be (like everything in photography), loosely: Noks for people and APOs for everything else.
p.55 #7 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
taildraggin wrote:
I agree... added the 50 Nok after this making this shot with the APO (@f/2). I do love the APO but for many people pictures, it's look makes me uneasy, if that makes sense. The technical perfection is obvious, but distracts rather than adds.
May do the same with the 28 APO & 28 Nok. Forum member "mrbe" has some *stunning* landscapes with the vm 28 APO but I've seen some people images by others that are so flat and edge-to-edge perfect that they give off an uneasy/unsettled vibe to me.
It's working out to be (like everything in photography), loosely: Noks for people and APOs for everything else. ...Show more →
The APO reminds me of a worse (and also better) version of the Sigma Art lenses. They are awesome for use on film where the inherent limitations of the recording media helps reign in the harder/boring qualities of those lenses. On digital, the image is sterile and jaunty (it makes me uneasy, at times, too). The 50 Nokton has a lot going for it - I like mine a lot, but having recently picked up a 50 Lux, I don't use it very often anymore. The Lux is the perfect balance between character/charm/resolution (in my opinion).
p.55 #8 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
taildraggin wrote:
I agree... added the 50 Nok after this making this shot with the APO (@f/2). I do love the APO but for many people pictures, it's look makes me uneasy, if that makes sense. The technical perfection is obvious, but distracts rather than adds.
May do the same with the 28 APO & 28 Nok. Forum member "mrbe" has some *stunning* landscapes with the vm 28 APO but I've seen some people images by others that are so flat and edge-to-edge perfect that they give off an uneasy/unsettled vibe to me.
It's working out to be (like everything in photography), loosely: Noks for people and APOs for everything else. ...Show more →
Apparent sharpness and contrast of landscape shots with *any* lens is highly dependent not only on the user's processing but the sharpening options used upon export. APO shots can look highly disconcerting if over-sharpened at any point in the process but particularly during size reduction for posting online.
p.55 #10 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
APO lenses have had their day in the sun. It is now setting at a rate commensurate with the rising ability of photographers to see image quality as something more than the color correction the industry has been maniacally pursuing for the past 15 years (and hard selling to you as the greatest thing since sliced bread).
The sterile APOs will survive as 'handle with care' options, more of a speciality niche, like macro, astro. Most have ghastly bokeh, overly rapid focus fade. They are narrow purpose show-off lenses, at the other end to artistic choices.
p.55 #11 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Rockwell's review of the Canon R1 makes me think that "optical perfection" will eventually be handled digitally, with in-camera focus bracketing/depth compositing rather than larger, heavier and more complex optical solutions - smaller, lighter optics and bigger in-camera processing. More stress on processing and less on lens design. I'd imagine that tech-driven marketing will likely continue to drive "perfect" images hard.
p.55 #13 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
philip_pj wrote:
APO lenses have had their day in the sun. It is now setting at a rate commensurate with the rising ability of photographers to see image quality as something more than the color correction the industry has been maniacally pursuing for the past 15 years (and hard selling to you as the greatest thing since sliced bread).
The sterile APOs will survive as 'handle with care' options, more of a speciality niche, like macro, astro. Most have ghastly bokeh, overly rapid focus fade. They are narrow purpose show-off lenses, at the other end to artistic choices.
I have liked some of the stuff you post-
This is ridiculous-
You telling people what lenses can create ART just shows you don’t have an opinion that should matter anymore.
p.55 #15 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I'm glad that Philip posts photos alongside his ridiculous hyperbole. It shows you first hand that his fanatical takes can be easily disproven by his own work
Small ZF alt kit.
The Mandler 35 cron clone is fantastic. The Canon 50/2.2 LTM is a great match for size and style. Not as nice of a performer, but gives a similar look to the images. I haven't shot much with it yet. Left it with a friend before the trip I just returned from.
All the below images are from the Mandler 35. JPGs with minor lightroom edits (a "ZF" preset), ontop of various "film" sims and the new built-in film grain.
Two weeks in Thailand was great with the ZF. I picked up the Mandler 35 there, wish I would've brought the 50 to go with it. I almost never used my ZF 28SE or 50/1.4Z. When I did, they gave me great stuff, but a smaller kit would've been appreciated.
p.55 #19 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I'm not sure if you missed it in my post, but the Canon 50mm f2.2 LTM. It's called the Japanese ELCAN by some. It's got a similar look to the older 50 crons. Nothing crazy exciting, but a little bit of classic rendering in a TINY lens. It was really cheap too (locally here in Japan).
gammarART wrote:
Which 50 mm would be the counterpart to the new Mandler 35?
