Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

New Feature: SMS Notification alert

New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

2 3 4 end

Archive 2009 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

weezintrumpete
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

I currently have in my possession the Nikkor 35/1.4 AIS, Zuiko 35/2 (two copies) and a beautiful converted Rokkor MD 35/1.8. I bought all three of these to test out and pick the one that best suited my needs on my 5D for everything from my main walk-around lens to a lens I would use on model shoots. I'm going to sell the rest.

I'm not a pixel peeper by any means, but if anyone would like to see some comparison shots, let me know. I've had the Zuiko and Nikkor for a while now and just had the chance to take the Rokkor out for a few test snaps (which I'll post below). I love everything about the Rokkor lens but sadly, I don't think I'll be able to get over the fact that it doesn't clear the mirror at infinity. I've heard that some do, some don't (depending on the 5D too of course) but it seems as if I am one of the unlucky ones.

Anyway, here's some shots of the three together and some sample shots from each of them.

1. http://www.pbase.com/weezintrumpeteer/image/116441001.jpg

2. http://www.pbase.com/weezintrumpeteer/image/116441021/large.jpg

Rokkor (wide open):

3. http://www.pbase.com/weezintrumpeteer/image/116441005.jpg

4. http://www.pbase.com/weezintrumpeteer/image/116441014.jpg

5. http://www.pbase.com/weezintrumpeteer/image/116441017.jpg

Zuiko (f/2 and f/2.8):

6. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/3712239124_6430fbe6fb_o.jpg

7. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/3711426071_e18d4c4187_o.jpg

8. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3511947886_532bab4c18_o.jpg

Nikkor (wide open):

9. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3755526248_583b73fa37_o.jpg

10. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3760049642_c7225f1f14_o.jpg

11. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3760051192_184be38017_o.jpg

12. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/3760049988_2d6d15488a_o.jpg

I'm strongly leaning toward keeping the Nikkor since f/1.4 is truly addicting (although the lens definitely is a beast in size and weight compared to the other two). If the Rokkor cleared the mirror, I'd say that it'd give the Nikkor a run for its money since it's smaller, lighter and almost as fast. The Zuiko is the most aesthetically pleasing, is the smallest and lightest by far but I just can't seem to warm up to its wide open performance (which is where I normally shoot) although at all other apertures its really nice.

Thoughts?

Aug 23, 2009 at 10:23 PM

snooked123
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

Can the serial numbers on 5ds be used to determine if the lens will hit the mirror or not?

Aug 23, 2009 at 11:26 PM

wayne seltzer
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

Since you shoot a lot of close range portraits, I would think that the floating element design like the Nikkor would be beter for you anyway.
The Rokkor 28 f2 has a floating element design and is good for portraits but may hit the mirror too.

Aug 23, 2009 at 11:48 PM

thrice
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

snooked123 wrote:
Can the serial numbers on 5ds be used to determine if the lens will hit the mirror or not?

Nope.

Patrick, how do you find manual focusing fast 35's on the 5D? I tend to struggle a bit on my 5D-II with anything wider than 50 and have to resort to live view. I have a perfectly calibrated viewfinder with the precision screen.

Aug 24, 2009 at 12:19 AM

rsrsrs
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

hi thrice,

i have the same minolta 35/1,8 on my 5D and find focussing very easy
because its so contrasty.
for me its is on of my most beloved lens also because
of its very nice colors.
and after that u can start with the minolta 24/2,8 and 40/2....

and i agree, the oly 35/2 i did sell very fast, it was not so good.

regards
reinhard

Aug 24, 2009 at 04:43 AM

ulrikft
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

I am biased, since I have the 35 1.4 myself, but go for that!

I love mine! use it on both my film-FE (The last week :P ) and my d700!

Aug 24, 2009 at 04:51 AM

Paoletto
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

rsrsrs wrote:
hi thrice,

i have the same minolta 35/1,8 on my 5D and find focussing very easy
because its so contrasty.
for me its is on of my most beloved lens also because
of its very nice colors.
and after that u can start with the minolta 24/2,8 and 40/2....

and i agree, the oly 35/2 i did sell very fast, it was not so good.

regards
reinhard

what kind of conversion does this lens need?

Aug 24, 2009 at 06:45 AM

Ronan O Keeffe
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

I know it's academic due to the mirror issue but I do love the Minolta. I'm one of the lucky ones with no issues on a 5DMKII.

Aug 24, 2009 at 07:05 AM

ISO1600
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

man, i think the Rokkor looks completely boring and the Zuiko is poop, disguised as a lens.

The Nikkor 35/1.4 is such a sweet lens for the money (unless you pay what it normally goes for these days haha).

Aug 24, 2009 at 07:55 AM

weezintrumpete
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

ISO1600 wrote:
man, i think the Rokkor looks completely boring and the Zuiko is poop, disguised as a lens.

The Nikkor 35/1.4 is such a sweet lens for the money (unless you pay what it normally goes for these days haha).

Tell us how you really feel

thrice - I really don't have a problem with it. I use a combination of the af-confirm chip and my judgment and it usually gets me pretty darn close most of the time. I don't know how well calibrated my viewfinder is nor do I have the EE-S screen (I have the stock one).

I really wish I could make the Minolta work since I feel that it is the prefect combination of speed, weight and size. It is also the most enjoyable to use with its silky smooth focusing and snappy aperture ring. Overall, it's just a beautiful lens and I wish I could make it work for me.

I wish I had some better photos from both the Olympus and Minolta to compare against the Nikon as I feel the photos I posted from the Nikon show it off much better than the respective photos from the other two lenses. I DO like the Zuiko at f/2.8 and might keep one of them as a general walk around since it's so small and light.

If anyone is interested in the Zuiko or Rokkor, let me know as I'm pretty sure that I've decided to keep the Nikkor. For me and the type of shooting I do, f/1.4 is too hard to pass up.

Also, if anyone wants to see some comparison shots from the three, let me know.

Patrick

Aug 24, 2009 at 08:40 PM

dfresh
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

Thanks for sharing these Patrick. So both of your copies of the Zuiko 35/2 were about the same wide open? I'd love to own the Nikon, but one of allures for me about the Zuiko (in addition to the size) is its cheap price. Maybe when I get better at MF'ing I can justify 2-3X the cost

I really just need to get an EE-S I think...

Aug 25, 2009 at 06:08 AM

Ed Sawyer
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

Did you convert the Rokkor yourself? or have it done? With careful trimming the rear ring (at least on my copies, which are the earlier version) can be shaved down far enough that it will clear the mirror on 1V-HS at infinity, just barely. I usually have to shoot at about 5.6 to get crisp infinity with that lens (e.g. wide open at infinity the mirror hangs on the down-stroke). I can understand why you might not want a mirror shave on the 5D but doing so will open up a new world of interesting alt glass. Just a thought.

I'd perhaps be interested in the Rokkor, I dont' have an MD version. I have an extra Oly 35/2 also.

-Ed

Aug 25, 2009 at 09:50 AM

JimBuchanan
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

Patrick,

I certainly understand the dilemma. I have a lens with a problem rear element that a shortened 5D mirror would solve, but just haven’t committed to the required 5D mirror job, yet. A crop camera would solve the problem, but then it wouldn’t be a 35mm anymore, would it.

Aug 25, 2009 at 11:22 AM

weezintrumpete
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

Ed - Jim Buchanan did a wonderful job on the conversion for me a month or so ago. I have thought about shaving the mirror on my 5D but I've heard too many horror stories about that ruining people's 5D's. And I don't really have the income to just replace it if I break it. Send me a PM if you're interested in the Rokkor and I can give you more details.

Jim - I've tried the lens on a crop camera (my old lowly Rebel XT) and it works and looks great. The primary use for this lens however is a walk around lens and I love the native 35mm focal length. So using it on a crop camera really isn't an option for me unfortunately.

Here's a few more photos from the Zuiko that I forgot I had online.

http://www.pbase.com/weezintrumpeteer/image/111930854.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/weezintrumpeteer/image/112104073.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/weezintrumpeteer/image/113206382.jpg

Aug 25, 2009 at 08:05 PM

Spyro P.
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

Funny enough the sweetest photos from a 35 I've seen is from a non-interchangeable lens, the 35/2 that is mounted on the Konica Hexar AF, which I understand is an improved version of the Nikkor 35/1.8. Closest thing I've seen is the Summicron 35/2, again a rangefinder lens. Still trying to determine if it's the rangefinder effect and particularly the smooth transition from focus to out of focus areas which is responsible for this sweetness, or it is a lens design attribute, or it's all in my imagination

I luv your #10 by the way.

Aug 25, 2009 at 08:48 PM

Ed Sawyer
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

I have a Konica Hexar AF. Indeed that is a superb lens and camera. I should use mine more. I too think it's inspired by the Summicron 35/2 and the Nikkor, as far as optical design (or at least that is what I have read.)

Patrick that looks like a pretty decent copy of the zuiko you have there. Those are respectable results, if shot wide open. I'd keep that one if I were you.

-Ed

Aug 25, 2009 at 09:38 PM

weezintrumpete
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

I'd love to try a Hexar RF someday.

Spyro - Thanks! That was my favorite shot of the night.

Ed - Of the additional photos that I added, the first was f/2, second was something like f/5.6 and the third was f/2.8. Like I tried to say before, I love this lens at f/2.8 but for some reason f/2 doesn't do it for me. Thats why I'm thinking of picking up a Zuiko 35/2.8 (for cheap) for the days I don't need the speed. Hopefully the 35/2.8 will match the performance of the 35/2 at f/2.8.

Aug 26, 2009 at 01:12 PM

Ed Sawyer
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

Just an FYI, Hexar AF and RF are quite different. the AF is the one with fixed 35/2 lens. RF is a leica-mount body (and lenses), quite abit more $ but of course very nice. the AF is not that bad price-wise.

Thanks for the clarifications on the shots on the OM 35/2. Indeed it looks great at 2.8! I havent' tried the 35/2.8, that's one of the few OM's I've not had. I expect it's probably quite good though I am not sure if equal at 2.8 to the 35/2, given that it's wide open vs. 1-stop-down comparison.

-Ed

Aug 26, 2009 at 01:28 PM

wayne seltzer
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

How about the Minolta 28mm f2? Jim has just converted mine and verified that it does not hit the mirror on his 5D. This lens has a floating element and so it should be good for close range sharpness in portraits. Yes, it is not 1.4 or 1.8 and not 35mm focal length. Just threw this one out there.

Aug 26, 2009 at 01:38 PM

Grenache
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · 35mm: Nikkor, Zuiko and Rokkor

With the results that you posted here and elsewhere from the Nikon, I don't see how it was ever meant for any one else's camera. Sad about the Rokkor, but it happens. Perhaps it could be an excuse to buy a Mk II and roll the dice on its mirror (or take the lens to the camera shop and try all of them).

Large size or not, you get great shots from the Nikon. Embrace fate.
Jim

Aug 26, 2009 at 04:11 PM

1 2 3 4 end
FM Forums \| Leica & Alternative Gear \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 4 end

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.