This lens is so much fun on FF. Taken w/ 5D2 at Kennebec Pass, south end of the San Juan mountains. Light broke through in the evening and lit up the road that goes up to the Notch (far right) for just a minute.
This is my first time posting on FM, hello everyone, and thank you all for your contributions. This appears to be a wonderful site with so many talented and knowledgable people. I work for a non profit as nature photographer and a ranger, my work centering on conservation. My interest in this lens is two fold: 1) I do not yet own a Zeiss lens, and am dying to experience the special magic I have seen and read so much about 2) I obsess over every piece of gear I carry, being a bit of a fiend for lightweight/versatile gear. This lens seems to fit the bill, albeit with some sacrifices.
Let me just say this up front. I've gone through the posts, here and elsewhere, and I'm left with a lot of questions. I've not talked to anyone face to face with experience adapting this lens to a 5D II, so, please, don't think I'm trying to take the "easy way out" by asking some of these questions straight up without doing my own research. I've done nothing but that for a while, and honestly, I still feel the need for clarification. The price of these lenses has sky rocketed and I've never done the alternative lens/adapter thing before. I've some trepidation I'd really like to put to rest. As I said, I will be adapting this lens to a 5D II. Anyone with experience with the 35-70/5DII combination, I will be indebted to you if you chime in with your experiences. Thank you so much in advance.
So, here goes...
1) I get the impression that some people have issues with focusing at infinity and some people have had issues with mirror hangs and it seems to relate to the adapter they are using. I'd like to avoid both of these issues. I seem to see many people choosing the CameraQuest adapter. On their website, it says that lens mount variations may require some filing of the adapter to make it work. Has anyone had to do this for adapting onto the 5DII? What was your experience? Painless? Pain in the ass?
I plan to use this lens quite a bit on a tripod, but would like to have the versatility of not always relying on live view for focusing. Any consensus on what is ultimately the best solution for focusing through the view finder (ie, like a third party focusing screen like Bright Screen?) After reading about the chipped adapters, I come away feeling like it is these adapters that are the most problematic, too thick, not thick enough? Is this accurate?
And metering? Are you restricted to any specific kinds of metering? Is the meter accurate?
Does the depth of field preview button still function?
Honestly, after reading and reading and feeling still somewhat in the dark on these subjects, I've seriously considered just getting a ZE 35 F2 and a brights screen and saying the hell with stop down metering and all the rest. But I see so much positivity and love for the 35-70 and its versatility/quality/lightweight really has me really interested. But because of my lack of knowledge, I'm seriously on the fence.
