A Zeiss 24mm f1.4 would really, REALLY, get my attention! (particularly if Sony brought out an affordable FX body). Also thinking of saving up for the new Zeiss 18mm in Nikon fit to adapt for my Canon.
Possibilities, possibilities
Sony's all but announced a 24MP FF A900, with in-body stabilization, should be official by mid-september with pricing similar to the D700.
That said, don't expect weather-sealing or the speed of the D700, it'll likely be a 4-5fps max with AF in between the A700 and the D300 for performance (IE stupidly fast on the centre AF point, much slower with the others)
brainiac wrote:
I think the current Nikon 18 and 20 will show significant amounts of CA on a 12 megapixel or sharper sensor. The 24 isn't that great either. The 14-24 is second to none, but big and heavy. The Nikkor 17-35 is still a good lens - better than Canon's 16-35 mk1, but probably not as good as the 17-40 or 16-35 mk2. So in fact, the wideangle prime situation is not good, with the rare 28f1.4 costing the earth.
The 17-35's definitely better than the 17-40, and probably better than the 16-35 mkII, at least at the long end where the 17-35's performance is best.
Bill Hollinger wrote:
When I ask the people at Nikon if I can use their cameras like this, they tell me to get a rain cover.
That's cause the Nikon shooters are smarter Just kidding, The D3 should be as well sealed as a 1 series Canon and the D300 should be very very close, the rear hinge on the pop up flash being the only spot in question for me.
In conditions like that race car shot, it's alway wise to use a rain cover. These things aren't water proof like a Nikonos, just water resistant. If you're going to be in a down poor for a period of time (say over a few minutes) you are wise to do something to keep your gear from getting water logged. Light rain and snow are no problem at all.
Thanks, I do remember reading that news. I’m not sure why the 1Ds2 cameras mentioned in the article failed. I’ve used both the 1D2 and 1Ds2 in atrocious conditions many, many times - I even (accidentally) left a 135 f2.0 in the pouring rain over night, and it was fine. I suppose what worries me about the D3 is how much I rely on it - I would hate to have it stop working.
Jammy Straub wrote:
That's cause the Nikon shooters are smarter Just kidding, The D3 should be as well sealed as a 1 series Canon and the D300 should be very very close, the rear hinge on the pop up flash being the only spot in question for me.
In conditions like that race car shot, it's alway wise to use a rain cover. These things aren't water proof like a Nikonos, just water resistant. If you're going to be in a down poor for a period of time (say over a few minutes) you are wise to do something to keep your gear from getting water logged. Light rain and snow are no problem at all.
Avi B wrote:
Well Bill, if you're worried about your D3, then you know what you should is.... Get another D3!
I will buy a second body. There were (and are) so many rumors out about a higher resolution version that I was waiting to see what Nikon would announce next. The IQ of the 12mp full frame D3 is so good I also use it instead of the Canon 1Ds2 for stationary photography. It will be interesting to see what a higher resolution version of this camera might give away at higher ISOs (which is where I constantly find myself with the D3). The new D700 also looks like a great backup camera because it is smaller and lighter than the D3. I suppose we will begin to get hints of what is to come as Photokina draws nearer.
Richard.P wrote:
I've heard that the D700 has weather sealing like the D3, which is somewhat better than the D300 (apparently). Personally, I've shot my D300 in light rain for extended periods, and no problem. On the one occasion I've got it smothered with wet snow, it didn't give the slightest trouble either. I wouldn't hesitate on that score. Here's the evidence
ulrikft wrote:
I have a quick question: does the 28/2 exist in auto focus? How would you guys rate the 35/2 compared to similar offerings from canon?
Nikon 28/2 : only MF, no AF!
35/2: Slightly better on Nikon vs Canon (the Canon one is very old!). The Canon 35/1.4 L is a gem that almost made me selecting Canon 2 years ago when selecting my DSLR system.
With Nikon the best primes, in these FLs, are there zooms! Or you pick a Zeiss ZF one in MF!
If Thom mentioned that without details, it may means ha has a NDA about something and it may be reliable. And by nature, we don't know what it is. If it's just one of his predictions, then it is something I won't bet on it!
I think pretty much everyone can guess that Nikon will come up with some primes, the question(s) is which one(s) and when? My problem is that I wanted them for "yesterday"?
The sony FF is another contender, that is true. And the zeiss glass makes that very... tempting. And I doubt that Sony will release a ff without weather sealing, as their lower end bodies have quite good weather sealing, or am I mistaken?
I guess dof/bokeh/lowlight capability is the trick. For many bokeh/dof-fascinations seems to be reason enough, just see how popular rebuilt rokkor 58 1.2's seem to be in the alternative forum
The f/1.2 thing is not just about isolation of a smaller part of the subject up close - it's also about subject isolation at greater distances. In this respet, the 85/1.2L is great as a people photography lens. You can do low light head shots with just the eyes in focus, or you can take full body shots with a beautifully dissolved background. The big disadavantage is that the Canon 85L weighs and costs considerabley more than the Nikon or Zeiss 1.4s.
I find my Canon 18-55mm IS better than the original and the 24/2.8 and 35/2 MF Nikkors as well as the 24-85mm EF Canon it replaced ('cept for the lack of reach...oh well...), for 85 I have the 85/2, and the 135/2.8 and 200/4 (which are for me at least easier to hand-hold than the great 180/2.8), 300/4.5 MF Nikkors...all of which are phenominal.
Just kidding, The D3 should be as well sealed as a 1 series Canon and the D300 should be very very close, the rear hinge on the pop up flash being the only spot in question for me.
Or you pick a Zeiss ZF one in MF! 
