carstenw wrote:
Yes, there are definitely interesting lenses to try on the NEX cameras, I am not denying that. It is a very interesting system, but my personal feeling so far is that the combination of the crop factor of 1.5x and the too-light body makes many lenses feel unbalanced, and castrated (the wonderful outer regions for lenses like the Contax 35/1.4 are lost, for example).
I think Luka's experience with the 50 Lux ASPH vs. the 75 Cron ASPH demonstrates why I have trouble with a 1.5x crop factor. Those two lenses are strongly based on the same design, but could hardly be more different in the end (apart from both being tremendously competent in their respective areas).
If I ever bought a NEX, it would have to have a built-in viewfinder (NEX-7), or the add-on. Jonas' idea of adding the shade, and a loupe to the shade, would be perfect for me, were it not for the obvious resolution deficiency when looking at the screen in this manner. I hope the next NEX has a 300dpi screen....Show more →
Indeed. There are many parts to this and beyond the technical the portability is a great hope for me.
I am a great fan of Lukas images - top-notch for sure - but I've also seen him dismiss really great lenses that delivers very very well. I think sometimes his standards (technically) are too high. I am not familiar to his/the experiences he've had with the 1.5 crop factor - I know he used a 7D but probably not with Leica glass (?). Sorry Luka if you read this, but simply accept that I am not in your league
To continue my ignorance, I am not aware/understand Jonas issues/ideas.
But, we now have 16 extremely well performing MP in APS-C size. Each dot gather light as we never seen before and tolerate lifting 1-2 EV, sometimes even 3 with a "normal evaluative" exposure. We can do wall prints even if we crop a lot. That's amazing. ISO 1600 is not a big deal for normal usage. And there's a multitude of lenses (which you know much about than me) starting from F/1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 1.9 etc.
So I am still very positive, but the AF/MF thingy could be a party blower. But I dont know that yet as my adapters probably are in a Chinese warehouse still...going to be very interesting to see how this turns out.
uhoh7 wrote:
Peaking unreliable on fast glass wide open, that's for sure.
You are right, focus is the weakest link in actual use with MF glass.
God knows how many shots I have missed in the act of focusing or because the shot was OOF.
That's just a given with the nex---well I have not used the evf, and that may be better.
It's worse than an SLR because you have to also focus infinity with many lenses.
There are many technical solutions to the problem, peaking being a fairly primitive attempt. I favor an RF like viewing option with split image, either multiple or single circles.
But even with the focusing issues, for me, the possiblites for glass and portablity make it a must own....Show more →
i bought a 5N with EVF about three weeks ago and have until now used it exclusively with a ZM 35/2.8 and CV 75/2.5.
My experience with manual focusing with the EVF has been fantastic and I have never had such a high percentage of perfectly focused shots.
I sometimes use a D300 with a KatzEye split prism focus screen with a ZF 35/2. With that set up I would say that I achieve critical focus with 70% of my shots. With the 5N, EVF and ZM 35/2.8 I achieve critical focus with at least 95% of my shots. For portraits, focus peaking works well zoomed in 5x on eyelashes and eyebrows. For landscapes or architectural, I zoom in 5x or 10x without focus peaking.
I'm replying to my own post because I'm in a lens buying quandary and thought some of you may be able to help.
I really need (want) a fast and compact 50mm lens for my NEX. For me, compactness is important because I travel a lot for work with carry on only and my NEX and one or two lenses is a perfect solution.
After doing all of the research to death, I've decided to get a Leica 50 Summicron. I've decided that it's the perfect lens because it's compact - a 1.4 would be significantly bigger - and from all the images I've seen it's slightly lower contrast than the ZM 50/2. I think the slightly lower contrast as compared to the ZM will be a nice compliment to my ZM 35/2.8, which is a higher contrast lens also.
I put a deposit down on the Summicron today and it could be a six month wait. I've decided to buy a lens to use in the interim which I may keep or sell after I get the Summicron. I'm torn between a ZM 50/2 and a CV 50/1.5. Sean Reid rates the CV 50/1.5 very highly an it might be nice to have the almost extra stop, but the negative from my perspective is that it's larger than the ZM 50/2.
If anyone has any thoughts that might help me with my decision, they would be appreciated.
For the most part I'm falling out of love with focus peaking. Maybe it's me, but I can better tell when a shot is in focus without the feature than with it, using rear LCD, and the peaking throws my composition off.
I think I'm going to have to break down and get the EVF, though - while the LCD is serviceable in daylight (hint: set LCD brightness to MAX if you don't' like the "daylight" mode - auto brightness didn't seem to increase mine enough), I find it still very annoying to compose in bright light.
I really wish the idiots at Sony would allow some greater level of customization with the camera - for instance, why am I forced to have one of my buttons as the "MF" magnify button (when using alt glass), even though I've already enabled touch-to-magnify?
It's completely infuriating - I'd love to remap that key to be a peaking toggle, but alas the "genius" that is Japanese UI design strikes again
cputeq wrote:
For the most part I'm falling out of love with focus peaking. Maybe it's me, but I can better tell when a shot is in focus without the feature than with it, using rear LCD, and the peaking throws my composition off.
I think I'm going to have to break down and get the EVF, though - while the LCD is serviceable in daylight (hint: set LCD brightness to MAX if you don't' like the "daylight" mode - auto brightness didn't seem to increase mine enough), I find it still very annoying to compose in bright light.
...
I find the peaking on the 5N to be quite accurate, but at large apertures it takes practice and your of course more likely to get oof shots.
At large apertures I sometimes use peaking to get the focus very close, then I use the touch screen and magnified view to fine tune my focus; it takes practice but works well for me. I could never MF my 5d2 this accurately, at least not hand-held.
On Friday my "EVF" arrived via FedEx direct from Sony's store, but Sony sent me a battery charger by mistake instead of the EVF!! Now, its out of stock again and I have to wait (incredibly frustrating).
In addition to the peaking feature I also find the auto-ISO to be incredibly helpful with manual glass as well.
Focused with peaking and then fine tuning of AF as described above (again, I find its taking me time to get good at it, both in terms of accuracy and speed)...
Jeff Kott wrote:
I'm replying to my own post because I'm in a lens buying quandary and thought some of you may be able to help.
I really need (want) a fast and compact 50mm lens for my NEX. For me, compactness is important because I travel a lot for work with carry on only and my NEX and one or two lenses is a perfect solution.
After doing all of the research to death, I've decided to get a Leica 50 Summicron. I've decided that it's the perfect lens because it's compact - a 1.4 would be significantly bigger - and from all the images I've seen it's slightly lower contrast than the ZM 50/2. I think the slightly lower contrast as compared to the ZM will be a nice compliment to my ZM 35/2.8, which is a higher contrast lens also.
I put a deposit down on the Summicron today and it could be a six month wait. I've decided to buy a lens to use in the interim which I may keep or sell after I get the Summicron. I'm torn between a ZM 50/2 and a CV 50/1.5. Sean Reid rates the CV 50/1.5 very highly an it might be nice to have the almost extra stop, but the negative from my perspective is that it's larger than the ZM 50/2.
If anyone has any thoughts that might help me with my decision, they would be appreciated.
I don't have any experience with the Summicron but if you're looking for ultra compactness and can give up 10mm of focal length then the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 is a good choice.
snapsy wrote:
I don't have any experience with the Summicron but if you're looking for ultra compactness and can give up 10mm of focal length then the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 is a good choice.
I thought about the CV 40. Since I already have a 35 and a 75, I wanted something more in between those focal lengths than 40mm.
CV 50mm f1.5 is tough to beat for the money and actually a great lens even if it cost several times what it sells for. However, Sony's own 50mm f1.8 E mount OSS lens also could honestly be worth a look. Not super compact but very lightweight, should be a decent performer (never really seen anyone make a "bad" 50) and also will offer OSS, which at 75mm equiv could prove to be useful at times, as would AF. Exactly how long it takes for them to show up I'm not sure, but could prove to be not only a decent interim choice but something worth hanging onto overall.
Jeff Kott wrote:
I'm replying to my own post because I'm in a lens buying quandary and thought some of you may be able to help.
I really need (want) a fast and compact 50mm lens for my NEX. For me, compactness is important because I travel a lot for work with carry on only and my NEX and one or two lenses is a perfect solution.
After doing all of the research to death, I've decided to get a Leica 50 Summicron. I've decided that it's the perfect lens because it's compact - a 1.4 would be significantly bigger - and from all the images I've seen it's slightly lower contrast than the ZM 50/2. I think the slightly lower contrast as compared to the ZM will be a nice compliment to my ZM 35/2.8, which is a higher contrast lens also.
I put a deposit down on the Summicron today and it could be a six month wait. I've decided to buy a lens to use in the interim which I may keep or sell after I get the Summicron. I'm torn between a ZM 50/2 and a CV 50/1.5. Sean Reid rates the CV 50/1.5 very highly an it might be nice to have the almost extra stop, but the negative from my perspective is that it's larger than the ZM 50/2.
If anyone has any thoughts that might help me with my decision, they would be appreciated.
millsart wrote:
CV 50mm f1.5 is tough to beat for the money and actually a great lens even if it cost several times what it sells for. However, Sony's own 50mm f1.8 E mount OSS lens also could honestly be worth a look. Not super compact but very lightweight, should be a decent performer (never really seen anyone make a "bad" 50) and also will offer OSS, which at 75mm equiv could prove to be useful at times, as would AF. Exactly how long it takes for them to show up I'm not sure, but could prove to be not only a decent interim choice but something worth hanging onto overall.
That's a good thought about the Sony. The new Sony 50 with OSS might be great lens, but I was thinking of ordering the lens tomorrow so I could use it on a trip I'm leaving for on Thursday. I was thinking of taking just my NEX 5N and a 50 - that's it.
One hesitation with the CV 50/1.5 is that the price for a new one from Cameraquest is now $699 plus the screwmount to M adapter, so any price advantage over the ZM 50 has pretty much gone away.
Oh, didn't know you needed something ASAP, though just something sooner than 6+ months lol
Wow, the 50 f1.5 has sure gone up quite a bit as well. I bought one off Ebay, excellent condition in box, with coded M mount adapter for $450 shipped and I think I sold it for sub $500 still.
Really don't know why VC stopped making them, excellent lens, far better optically, and in terms of size than the 50 1.1 they have, and much more reasonable price.
Plannar is a bit more compact/narrow, and renders a bit more sterile, but honestly between the two the Nokton would be my choice as I think its the perfect blend of speed/character/sharpness
Jeff Kott wrote:
That's a good thought about the Sony. The new Sony 50 with OSS might be great lens, but I was thinking of ordering the lens tomorrow so I could use it on a trip I'm leaving for on Thursday. I was thinking of taking just my NEX 5N and a 50 - that's it.
One hesitation with the CV 50/1.5 is that the price for a new one from Cameraquest is now $699 plus the screwmount to M adapter, so any price advantage over the ZM 50 has pretty much gone away.
Finally got out briefly late in the day today, and grabbed a shot of the fleeting fall colors. This was a NEX-5N body with a Nikon 85mm f/1.4 G lens attached. That's a big lens on that tiny body, but surprisingly easy to hold. The combo is very lightweight too.
millsart wrote:
Wow, the 50 f1.5 has sure gone up quite a bit as well. I bought one off Ebay, excellent condition in box, with coded M mount adapter for $450 shipped and I think I sold it for sub $500 still.
Really don't know why VC stopped making them, excellent lens, far better optically, and in terms of size than the 50 1.1 they have, and much more reasonable price.
Plannar is a bit more compact/narrow, and renders a bit more sterile, but honestly between the two the Nokton would be my choice as I think its the perfect blend of speed/character/sharpness
I'm leaning towards the Nokton, even though it's bigger than the Plannar. I think I might just put up with the extra size until I get the Summicron and then I may hang onto the Nokton for the times I want the additional speed.
Nokton is slightly bigger in diameter but really not much heavier, as the Plannar is a dense little lens (typical Zeiss solid build and feel). Wouldn't find it meaningful either way as to carrying them though.
As for selling it, I sold my M9, and really didn't care for MF on the NEX5 all that much. Peaking I found a bit awkward to really judge the actual point of focus as so many times too much of a subject would get highlighted and the 7x/14x zoom options were pretty difficult in lower light, longer focal lengths etc. Great when working from a tripod though, or with shorter focal lengths, but trying to hold my 90mm Elmarit steady at 7x zoom and judge what I was doing handheld, and in lower light with the gain up, not fun.
Jeff Kott wrote:
That's a good thought about the Sony. The new Sony 50 with OSS might be great lens, but I was thinking of ordering the lens tomorrow so I could use it on a trip I'm leaving for on Thursday. I was thinking of taking just my NEX 5N and a 50 - that's it.
One hesitation with the CV 50/1.5 is that the price for a new one from Cameraquest is now $699 plus the screwmount to M adapter, so any price advantage over the ZM 50 has pretty much gone away.
I actually have a chrome CV 50/1.5 (minty) that I'm seriously considering selling. It's too close to my CV 40mm/1.4 so it's hard for me to justify keeping. PM me if your interested and I can create a B+S thread with photos. I would sell it for $600, which is the going rate for the chrome.
how are the corners sharpness wise at 35mm and f/5.6 (i ask about f/5.6 because that is the last stop before diffraction becomes evident on the NEX in my experience)?
