Very much disagreed. I've seen plenty of spectacular images taken with an 85/1.4. Canon has no corner on that particular market. The 85/1.4 is also a faster and more accurate focuser (on an F5/D3/other similar pro body, it will blaze past the 85/1.2).
Well, if the two patents I submitted recently get filed as quickly as it seems they will, that will pay for the pool ... and if Uncle Sam gets my tax return back to me ... well there may just be enough to buy a little something this year. Fortunately I don't have to wait for PMA as what I need is a 2nd flash, a basic flash stand & umbrella, and a new flash bracket ... I already can get those. Nice that the economics are turning around for me a bit.
Good to hear, Andre... especially the patent part, as those tend to be long-term benefits if they end up having value. Generally speaking, what kind of stuff did you file?
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
Good to hear, Andre... especially the patent part, as those tend to be long-term benefits if they end up having value. Generally speaking, what kind of stuff did you file?
Just a couple of ideas on capacitive ultrasonic inducers ... some new ways of designing them. They are just getting filed with the patent office ... but that is when my company makes a payout on them. Long-term it's not much benefit to me as the company owns the patent.
MELVILLE, N.Y. (Feb. 8, 2010) – Nikon Inc. today announced two new lenses for professional and enthusiast photographers that epitomize NIKKOR leadership in optical excellence. The highly anticipated AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED lens is engineered to meet the demand for an ultra-fast professional lens for wide angle applications, while the AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR offers Nikon’s widest FX-format focal range with VR, offering additional versatility to a broad range of photographers.
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
But I do like having VR2 in the 16-35/4. That one, I'm definitely getting.
If ever I go FX, that will be my choice of WA. Takes filters and is smaller and lighter than either the 17-35 or the 14-24. Less expensive than either too.
SAD because dpreview announce that 24/1.4 will cost in Europe 2149 Euro... It is outrageous expensive, almost like 70-200 VRII.... In this situation I'll probably say: "No thanks!" and I'll consider to go for Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8. But I need more time to process this info...
Andre Labonte wrote:
HA! In your FACE on the 24 f/1.4!!!!
What you call my dreams just became REALITY!!!! Oh, and notice NO VR as I predicted.
So, I wonder when they will annouce an 85mm f/4 AFS .... you know it's coming.
I'm glad you got the lens annoucement you wanted. I hear you on the price, but then again, a lens like this lasts a lifetime. The yen is strong right now and that is making prices supper high. It's risen over 25% on the US$ in the last two years. Adjusting for that, the lens would only have been $1650 two years ago ... still expensive, but more what people were expecting.
Do you need the fast aperture if you are considering the 21 f/2.8? Maybe the new 16-35 would suit the bill better.
Mishu01 wrote:
HAPPY to be a false prophet!
SAD because dpreview announce that 24/1.4 will cost in Europe 2149 Euro... It is outrageous expensive, almost like 70-200 VRII.... In this situation I'll probably say: "No thanks!" and I'll consider to go for Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8. But I need more time to process this info...
Mishu01 wrote:
SAD because dpreview announce that 24/1.4 will cost in Europe 2149 Euro... It is outrageous expensive, almost like 70-200 VRII.... In this situation I'll probably say: "No thanks!" and I'll consider to go for Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8. But I need more time to process this info...
Take a vacation to the USA. Buy both the 70-200 and the 24/1.4. Your savings on the gear will pay for the expenses of a nice short vacation.
In fact I like a lot to tease people when they seem to be so excited about something. In such as situations I have a childish spirit that drives me to freed my imagination and to create alternative scenarios, just for fun. On the other hand, believe me or not, I am a man shooting 90% with primes, fast primes... but I get tired waiting for Nikon to bring something new in this area. So, contrary to the "appeareance" of my last posts in this topic, I am really happy for this news, excepting the price tag, of course.
For long time I'm waiting good things in WA side... Recently I get tired and I went for a Zeiss 35/1.4. I really love it... zeiss is zeiss... in my country is like a trademark for quality... We use here a slang when we are excited about the way something is functioning saying that "it works zeiss". So, with this price tag for the new lens, I'm really tempted to go again Zeiss... but most probably I will wait for some reviews and more pictures before to take any decision.
Andre Labonte wrote: I'm glad you got the lens annoucement you wanted. I hear you on the price, but then again, a lens like this lasts a lifetime. The yen is strong right now and that is making prices supper high. It's risen over 25% on the US$ in the last two years. Adjusting for that, the lens would only have been $1650 two years ago ... still expensive, but more what people were expecting.
Do you need the fast aperture if you are considering the 21 f/2.8? Maybe the new 16-35 would suit the bill better.
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
Take a vacation to the USA. Buy both the 70-200 and the 24/1.4. Your savings on the gear will pay for the expenses of a nice short vacation.
Well, I can manage in a simply way, asking some friends to bring it over for me... but this is not quite ethical, because legally I should pay custom tax for importing such as things... Then doing so will not help our economy (believe me or not some people still care about that) and worse, will leave me only on 12 months international warranty and I'm not happy at all with this.
I didn't say or imply to evade taxes, I just suggested an alternate market for the purchase. You could still buy it and import it legally. Now, if the taxes are a large part of why it's more expensive, then importing will become less attractive. And the two lenses will still have a five-year warranty in the USA, which may or may not be attractive to you. In the end, it's never all about price.
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
I didn't say or imply to evade taxes, I just suggested an alternate market for the purchase. You could still buy it and import it legally. Now, if the taxes are a large part of why it's more expensive, then importing will become less attractive. And the two lenses will still have a five-year warranty in the USA, which may or may not be attractive to you. In the end, it's never all about price.
Unfortunatelly taxes are high... which make most people overhere to have clean conscience to avoid them and going on the proper way brings the price very close to the one from local vendors...
With that said, I'll never understand why people in the most developed country from the world pay less for gasoline, for cars, for electronics and for all kind of Nikon stuff Good for you!
I am a little disappointed with the new lens releases. The 24 f/1.4 was expected and it had been mentioned for a while. The 16-35mm f/4 is interesting but we have good zoom lenses in that range. Anyway, I will not trade my 17-35mm f/2.8 for this lens. On the other hand, many users have been expecting a descent telephoto in the range 100-500mm to replace the old 80-400 VR. Let's hope that Nikon will introduce something like that at some point this year.
Nice that the economics are turning around for me a bit. 
I'm glad you got the lens annoucement you wanted. I hear you on the price, but then again, a lens like this lasts a lifetime. The yen is strong right now and that is making prices supper high. It's risen over 25% on the US$ in the last two years. Adjusting for that, the lens would only have been $1650 two years ago ... still expensive, but more what people were expecting.