carstenw wrote:
Haha, I am sure that is unique I like the frames because it pops the images off the grey background, which otherwise can tend to blend a bit with the images along some edges.
The third and fourth shots of your new post are great, but that third one is magical, the way you captured the light through the tree. Capturing snow is so hard, but you make it look easy.
P.S. I notice you have several ZFs. Are you using a Nikon?
Thank you Carsten!
Yes, for the last 6 months or so I have mainly used a D3x and a M9.
With the D3x I use a mix of Zeiss and Nikon lenses, I have recently even adapted my 180/2 Apo Summicron to Nikon mount.
rsolti13 wrote:
It would be cool if I lived in GA but, it was a family vaction and we rented a home at Tybee Island last year. Tybee Island is so gorgeous I didn't want to leave. Nice series from the Tybee Pier and the lighthouse.
photoArne wrote:
Yes, for the last 6 months or so I have mainly used a D3x and a M9.
With the D3x I use a mix of Zeiss and Nikon lenses, I have recently even adapted my 180/2 Apo Summicron to Nikon mount.
Hmm, I think you are the rich version of me, what, with my M8 and D3 I'll upgrade to the D3x over time, or maybe the D4, since I really don't need 24MP (but would like more than 12MP), and wait for the M10. Which Nikon lenses do you use?
I hesitated very long between the 180 Cron and the 200/2 VR, but ended up having a good chance to buy a known-good copy of the 200/2 VR. Have you tried both? I still sometimes think of swapping the 200/2 VR for an 180 Cron... Did you get the Leitax mount? Did it go on easy?
The two 100 MP shots in your new post are also truly gorgeous.
carstenw wrote:
Hmm, I think you are the rich version of me, what, with my M8 and D3 I'll upgrade to the D3x over time, or maybe the D4, since I really don't need 24MP (but would like more than 12MP), and wait for the M10. Which Nikon lenses do you use?
I hesitated very long between the 180 Cron and the 200/2 VR, but ended up having a good chance to buy a known-good copy of the 200/2 VR. Have you tried both? I still sometimes think of swapping the 200/2 VR for an 180 Cron... Did you get the Leitax mount? Did it go on easy?
The two 100 MP shots in your new post are also truly gorgeous.
The opportunity to swap my D3 with a lightly used D3x (at a price) presented itself, and the file quality from the D3x has been highly satisfying.
Of course you need 24MP, soon we'll all "need" 30+ MP, just wait...
I have a number of Nikkor lenses going all the way back to my first Nikon, the F2..., but what I use mostly is the 200/4 Micro-Nikkor, the AiS 85/1,4 and 105/2,5. The two zooms 14-24 and 24-70 see less and less use as my inventory of Zeiss glass increases, although the 24-70 is a great allround lens for family and events (if I can put it down now and then).
The Leitax conversion of the 180/2 Cron wasn't nearly as straightforward as the website leads one to believe. Once the new bayonet was mounted, the lever for the diaphragm got stuck so a fair bit had to be removed for it to move smoothly. Besides the index marker was off by several mm from the true midpoint. However the bayonet itself fits well and keeps the lens correctly aligned.
Beware that the Summicron is a heavy beast and strictly for tripod use. But the results are wonderful....
I guess I will sell some of my less-used stuff and keep my eyes open for a nice D3x. The thing which bothers me the most about the D3 is the colours, and the D3x is meant to be better there?
The other things which bother me about the D3 are not different in the D3x, such as the live view implementation, and the inability to choose larger bracketing steps than 1 stop. The benefit of the D3 is the high ISO, without question, but by using Noiseware and down-rezzing to 12MP I could get about the same, so I am pretty sold on the D3x.
I really don't need 24MP, as the 12MP are already pushing my 2008 MacBook Pro pretty hard. 16-18MP would be enough for my use. I am planning to upgrade my laptop to a Sandy Bridge version with 8GB this fall, so maybe everything will come together at that point. I might also go from a 15" to a 17" version since I don't bring my laptop as much as I used to, with an iPad in the bag.
One day I will add the 24-70 to my bag, for exactly the same reason as you: flexibility. It is rather expensive, however, so it will have to wait. I use my Sigma 50/1.4 for such stuff at the moment, and it is great apart from the slow AF.
The 180 Cron is lighter than my 200/2 VR I just like the compactness, the built-in sliding hood and the proper lens cap. The AF and VR I rarely use. I am still thinking of swapping with someone, but I am not in a hurry. I sometimes use the 200/2 VR hand-held, which I guess is one advantage of VR, but only in full daylight. The 180 Cron should be a little easier to handle, being 500g lighter and shorter, with a better shape for hand-holding. Anyway, if I ever get one, I will contact you about the Leitax mount.
I like the frames because it pops the images off the grey background, which otherwise can tend to blend a bit with the images along some edges.
Do you live around here too?
