Nikon PC Lenses

[bwpuk]

Has anyone used or still using the Nikon 35mm or 28mm PC lenses ? Also anybody any experience with the Nikon fit  Schneider PC 28mm Super Angulon ? I was just wondering how they all compare with each other before I take the plunge. They'll be used on a D2x,  D200.

Cheers.

Barrie Watts

[Kirk Gittings]

Some related thoughts.....

Over the years, as an architectural photographer, I have used Pentax, Canon, Nikon and Olympus. They were all serviceable. The main problem with the Nikons was the screw rise/fall mechanism which would not hold the front element well and it would drop. This meant regular visits to the repair guy to fix this, but this was 20 years ago. They may have fixed this on the newer ones. My favorite for film was the Pentax with more shift but it loosened up allot too.

I currently use Canon and Olympus. Many people have reported that the Olympus are the best, but I have found the Canons better, but maybe that is just my samples. I do use an Olympus 35mm to fill in the gap between my 24 and 45T?S. It works fine. Every time I run across one I test it to see if it is better than the one I have.

I'm sure you know that you will loose focal length on these lenses as they were designed for 35mm. You will also loose some movement too as a result of the smaller chip. This is the reason that Canon at the moment rules the market for DSLR architectural shooters-the FF sensor.

best of luck.

[bwpuk]

Thanks Kirk,

Well I don't want to get rid of my Nikons just yet so I'll try and get the best I can for them. Maybe Nikon will bring out a full frame body soon too !  Have you used the Schneider?  I'm a great fan of their large format lenses but have never used them for 35mm. Do you use only digital for your architectural work or film as well?

I think your work is superb by the way.

Cheers

Barrie

[Jack Flesher]

FWIW, you can use your Nikon lenses on a full-frame Canon -- all you need is the appropriate CameraQuest mount converter -- but they are all manual only...  

I have used and tested almost every possible shift lens on a full frame Canon.  These include all of the current Canon TSE lenses, the older Canon FD 35 TS, Nikkor, 28, 35 and 85 shift lenses, Olympus 24 and 35 shift, Mamiya 50mm 645 shift, the Hartblei super rotators, Leica mount 28 PC Super Angulon and Cosina/Zeiss 35 PC.

The Canon 90 and Nikkor 85 are both excellent as are the Mamiya 50 and CZ 35 PC.  The Nikkor 35 and Oly 35 were both "pretty good", both about on par with my 45 TSE so neither knocked my sox off.  The Canon FD 35 TS was not very good. The Nikkor 28 was very good, being a bit better than the Canon 24 TSE, though the "screw" versus friction shift is a PITA to use when doing shift-stitches, a major reason I use shift lenses.  The Leica 28 was a dog once shifted -- surprising really. Not so surprising was the Hartblei's unimpressive performance.

Finally, my 24 Oly...  Mine is very good, but there is sample variation.  Interestingly, mine has also been converted to Nikon mount (!)  I use it with a Nikon to EOS converter on my Canons.  Its one downside is it only shifts 8mm (same as my Canon's maximum recommended shift, but the Canon will shift a full 11mm) and while I like it very much, I end up primarily using my Canon for the electronic interface convenience.  So, this Oly may be for sale if interested  

Cheers,

[Kirk Gittings]

Barrie Thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it.

BTW I think Jack is the most knowledgeable person on this subject.

FWIW While Canon FF dominates this field, I have seen some quality architectural work done with Nikons and primes. The price you pay is with the interpolation of the pixels when you correct perspective, which must be watched carefully.