OK folks I need someone to help steer me in the right direction.
I've been the owner of ZE21 for about a month or so and ZE50 for a few weeks and from my experience so far, I'm loving the ZE's, the IQ, rendering, build quality etc are all top notch and fit nicely with my style of shooting (landscape, city walk around, low light city)
So where do I go next?
I cant have them all, i'm not that rich (I got lucky with the ZE21 as a refund paid for about 1/3).
I'm torn between the 28,and the 35 and the possible 25.
Some folks say the rendering and style between the 35 and 50 are very close.
The focal length difference between the 28 and 35 is small but they have different rendering/feel.
so far I think I have the following options:
1 - get the 35 and wait to see what happens with the ZE25 (probably sell my CV40)
2 - as above plus trade-in 50/1.4 to get 50MP - add macro and better close performance
3 - Get the 28 and be done with it (ZE21/28/50 + CY100 combo)
Just for info I've already got an alt 35 that i'll not part with and thats the oly 35 shift, as it adds the flexability of perspective correction and shift panos.
John: Easy call - the 35/2. While it is a Distagon desgin it is different from the 21 and it is also different from the both the 50 P and the 50 MP. None of the other lenses in the ZE line can produce 3D with such ease as the 35/2. In the long term, a good 3 lens solution would be to change the 50 to a 100 MP. You can't go wrong with the 21/35/100 combo. As for the 50/1.4 vs 50 MP..well, you'll find different opinions here. I chose the 50 MP as it is excellent at all apertures and distances but others prefer the rendering style of the 50/1.4 Planar.
Anyway, before deciding I can warmly recommend Lloyd Chamber's guide to Zeiss Z* lenses ( http://diglloyd.com/zf/ ). It has been invaluable for me in choosing which lenses to get - definitely worth the subscription.
I bought both the ZF 28 and 35; the 28 simply wasn't as sharp as I'd expected (? weak sample) and demonstrated strong field curvature as well as significant vignetting up to f/4 (which can of course be useful in certain settings). It was quite heavy compared to the Nikkor 28/2 I also own. Tricky lens to master. Sold it, keeping my Nikkor 28/2 instead (which is gentler on the skin tones and provides better illumination across the field @ f2 & 2.8).
The 35 on the other hand; where should I start? Flat field, wonderful performance f/4 and wider, razor sharp & great color. Just a spectacular optic. Never regretted buying that one for a moment.
The 25? It's actual FL is 25.7mm, not that far off from a 28. If the FL speaks to you, wait for the revised version Zeiss announced is due out later this year.
But the 100 seems to make most sense with what you have; adds a short tele and macro in one lens, is extraordinary even by Zeiss standards. Perhaps swapping out the 50 and settling upon the 21/35/100 kit?
Ditto on Lloyd Chamber's reviews. Well worth the cost.
21/35/100 works, but I still stand by my guns and say the 50MP is king. You should do 21/50MP/100MP do the upgrade of the 50 1.4 lens first since it's not that much of a price jump, then get yourself a 100 in the nearer future when you've saved up a bit more. Since you already have the 35, and we might see a new 35 in the near future you can hold off on that purchase for now.
BTW, thanks guys for the help, I'll go check out the LEE holder etc, and if I need more assistance I'll PM you johnahill
johnahill - Thanks, going to look into both the resin and proglass. I will have to order from BHphoto, as the local shops don't seem to supply at competitive pricing.
dubaiphil - Take the lens outside, shoot some buildings, but don't point the lens at the sun, your camera might catch fire I've been meaning to visit a friend, who keeps telling me how hot it is there. Apparently Singapore's a walk in the park on a fall day in comparison. I'm not sure what kinda photos ops are there, so you'll have to be our guide through Dubai via photos, now that you've joined the ZE forums.
Luka, I don't like your frame. The "Zeiss ..." font size changes,
keep it small and always the same. The light grey website at the upper left
corner is not great. You don't need it, if you want to include the website - do it,
but without the grey rectangle. Make everything more transparent.
If somebody wants the information, he'll see it anyway. As it is right now,
it's too distracting. Your photos are good.
You are right, there are times when only the 5DII will do.
I was fortunate, the price was about 2/3, and with the ZM lenses it became a reality. I only now, realize how functional it is. I was reading all the reviews, fore warned of the negatives, no live view, smaller 2.5", but yet for the FF Kodak sensor with great lenses I have no regrets....yet.
Really? Maybe you will show me some good M9 photos, I haven't seen any.. yet
Dpreview leica forum is the weakest of all, unbelievable amount of cr@p out there.
They all are trying to be artsy and they think something B&W, grainy, badly
framed and focused is great. Quite funny to watch.
philber wrote:
A couple of easy flowers with ZE 100. The fascinating thing with this lens is how easy it delivers "interesting" shots, because of its great sharpness. It makes me lazy, as you can see. I will have to work on it...
I don't think it's the sharpness. It's the way this lens renders the space.
Not sure how to explain it. The colors are ridiculous, the separation,
the contrast, everything. Phil, you need to take only this lens
and go au bord de la Seine. Des bateaux, des bouquinistes.
Un bout de fromage, une baguettes sur le terre. Un couple. La pluie.
You know what I mean
snowboarder wrote:
Luka, I don't like your frame. The "Zeiss ..." font size changes,
keep it small and always the same. The light grey website at the upper left
corner is not great. You don't need it, if you want to include the website - do it,
but without the grey rectangle. Make everything more transparent.
If somebody wants the information, he'll see it anyway. As it is right now,
it's too distracting. Your photos are good.
Thanks for the feedback Andrew. I asked a friend of mine who is a graphic designer and she said basically the same thing as you about the grey website rectangle. As for the large lens name font - it's only for the benefit of this forum. For other uses I typically don't use frames at all and definitely don't put the technical information on my images.
snowboarder wrote:
Really? Maybe you will show me some good M9 photos, I haven't seen any.. yet
Dpreview leica forum is the weakest of all, unbelievable amount of cr@p out there.
They all are trying to be artsy and they think something B&W, grainy, badly
framed and focused is great. Quite funny to watch.
Hey Andrew, My ideal camera would be the Nikon D3s. Great high ISO ability, and excellent DR. Weight, size and portability is the issue. The 5DII as I have said before is an extraordinary camera for its size and weight with the combination of zeiss lenses, and some great L series lenses. The 5DII will not be replaced...now that I have invested in the ZE range of lenses.
I also know with camera's I am the limiting factor, and will continue training and watching with local professional photographers, as I don't want to stop learning the process.
The Leica M9 with zeiss lenses, is an excellent option as it is a FF, very light and unobtrusive camera for travel, or where you would not take a camera with you. I will endeavor to provide some neat shots! Plenty of practice needed for now
I really like the shots of thrice (Daniel) with his M9, and Makten has provided excellent shots with M's series shots.
Writer_Head, nice shots with ZE 50/1.4. I the second shot, interesting composition. The skin tones are great.
