I shot a bit yesterday with an FM member who'd noted some photos I'd taken locally that led us to realize we're neighbors. He is big time into alternative gear and invited me to play with some of it both as we rambled around the neighborhood and then later in his home. Here are a couple of shots taken with an R lens, the Leica 90 f/2. Forgive me, but if there is more to the lens designation, I'm clueless. The lens performs BEAUTIFULLY... These were shot wide open, hand held on a Nikon D700.
Nice shots! The only interesting modifier which might be present on the Leica 90/2 would be the APO, for the newer version with a rubber focusing ring. This is possibly the best 80/85/90mm DSLR lens made.
This is REALLY dangerous territory for me... I used to lurk around these pages a few years ago when shooting Canon, aware most folks were mounting alternative lenses on their Canon cameras. It all seemed both too expensive and complicated for me to consider doing more than lurking. But as a few folks on FM know, my Nikon adventure began last year which led to an ongoing love affair with Nikon's MF glass that has no sign of abating. I'm here only because a friend offered to let me play with his collection of alternative lenses, including this Leica lens.
I know so little about Leica and Zeiss lenses that I've no idea whether I want to play here, but this one lens and short shooting session was quite wonderful, especially when I saw the results. But I'm going away now, so that I won't be tempted to learn more and get into REAL trouble...
Mounting alts on a Nikon is quite a pain, but the ZF/ZF.2 line of lenses is definitely up there. Since you have both 20/2.8 and 100/2.5, AFAIK, this immediately removes the two most interesting lenses in the lineup, but the 35/2 is also a sweet little lens, and if you want 3D, at the cost of having to learn how to work around some weaknesses like focus shift and field curvature, then the 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 are great. The 50 Makro is a sweet lens with less of a rendering style, but superior performance everywhere.
Some of the ZF lenses can be found for decent prices used. The ZF.2s are more expensive, and new is most expensive. They are still more expensive than certain Nikkors though, but for some things, they can be worth it.
Gerov, those are stunning. The Elmarit 135 is an under-appreciated lens.
I'm getting reacquainted with the 50 'cron (last Canadian model) after picking it up in a trade. Haven't put it to much use yet, but I do like this snap of Joe, my golden-eyed boy. Wide open.
Thank you Brad. I really like the lens for lots of things, and with an extension tube or two, makes for a really nice macro lens.
As a footnote Carsten, the Leica 90 f/2 I shot with had the mount converted to Nikon. The owner bought the mount from Leitz and had it installed by a technician at a local camera store. I understand that further increases the cost of using these lenses, but it surely as one route to take.
The Zeiss lenses have been on my radar for some time, though I doubt I'll act quickly on any of that since I'm still enjoying the Nikon lenses.
Chris, thanks for introducing your lovely daughter. She doesn't need the Summicron, but it seems to be a perfect lense to suit her
By the way, how many daughters do you have?
Rolf,
every time I look at your pictures taken with the MR-Telyt 500mm, I am knocked over by the IQ of this mirror lense, but I will resist buying one, will resist, will resist...
