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Author Topic: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?  (Read 2529 times)

henrikfoto

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Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« on: November 13, 2013, 02:37:07 pm »

I am using a Gigapan with a Nikkor micro 200mm for large stitches with a D800e.

This is of course a macro-lens and not intended for infinity-work (even if it does a pretty good job).
I want to ask if anybody can recommend me a very sharp Nokkor lens 200-400 mm.
Because I need to use it in manual focus I really do not need an af lens. But are the modern
af-lenses sharper?

Finally I will shoot at f.5,6-f.11

What do you Nikkor-people think will me my best choice for this?
« Last Edit: November 13, 2013, 04:05:49 pm by henrikfoto »
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telyt

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2013, 04:08:11 pm »

If you can find one, the 300mm f/4.5 ED (the pre-IF model) AI
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henrikfoto

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2013, 04:10:46 pm »

If you can find one, the 300mm f/4.5 ED (the pre-IF model) AI


Thank you!
Is this lens as sharp as the newer lenses they make now?
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henrikfoto

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2013, 02:13:00 am »

Are the MTF-curves for these older Nikkor lenses published somewhere?
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2013, 03:37:03 am »

I have selected the Leica 280mm f4 APO precisely for this kind of applications.

This lens delivers, IMHO, best in class sharpness, color aberration control, bokeh, overall rendering and tripod foot design. It is howver not as good as the latest Nikkors in terms of lens coating and therefore backlit behaviour.

Cheers,
Bernard
« Last Edit: November 14, 2013, 03:44:29 am by BernardLanguillier »
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henrikfoto

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2013, 07:13:02 am »

I have selected the Leica 280mm f4 APO precisely for this kind of applications.

This lens delivers, IMHO, best in class sharpness, color aberration control, bokeh, overall rendering and tripod foot design. It is howver not as good as the latest Nikkors in terms of lens coating and therefore backlit behaviour.

Cheers,
Bernard


Thank you, Bernard!
I never thought of the Leica for Nikon, but that sounds nice.
I would guess it's an expensive lens?

Henrik
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telyt

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2013, 08:03:04 am »

I would guess it's an expensive lens?

Yes is an understatement.  A spectacular lens in nearly all respects including price.  The flare control with strong backlight is a weakness and is usually controllable by stopping down to f/8 or so.  The importance of the 280's superb tripod mount cannot be emphasized too much.  For your applications the pre-IF 300mm f/4.5 Nikkor ED is nearly as good (image quality, excellent tripod mount) but having used both and if expense is a secondary factor the I'd take the 280 over the 300 ED.

BTW it baffles my why the CaNikon duopoly and the Sigma & Tamron wanna-bees persist in putting such shitty tripod mounts on their long lens.
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Fine_Art

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2013, 01:13:10 pm »

Have a look at the DxO list:
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telyt

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2013, 10:16:46 am »

Have a look at the DxO list:

There are many lenses DxO has not tested.
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Fine_Art

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2013, 11:09:52 am »

There are many lenses DxO has not tested.

Very true.
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2013, 03:35:05 am »

Hi,

Yes, that is true. I would also say that I am somewhat sceptical about the way DxO presents data, the data itself seems good but I would suggest you need to go trough the test data to find out how well a lens fit's your needs. For instance, some photographers shoot wildlife fully open, some shoot scenics at optimum aperture.

An excellent site with good info is Photozone, they test a lot of lenses.

Here in Sweden we have a monthly called "Foto" that has done lens testing at the Hasselblad factory since the eighties and still going on. They tested almost any lens on the market. A couple of years ago they published a list of the ten best lenses:

http://translate.google.se/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftidningenfoto.se%2Fde-skarpaste-objektiven-fotos-tio-i-topp-lista%2F

It is possible to adapt Leica R lenses to the Nikon with replacement bayonets from Leitax.

Best regards
Erik


There are many lenses DxO has not tested.
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Erik Kaffehr
 

henrikfoto

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2013, 10:45:28 am »

Thank you, Erik!
Interesting tests!

I found out I have an adapter for Hasselblad V lenses to Nikon.
I just mounted the Hasselblad 300mm super-achromat to my D800.
If the wether is fine I will test it tomorrow :)

Henrik
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2013, 10:54:58 am »

Hi Henrik,

I don't know about 300 super-achromat but the Sonnar 150/4 is a very decent performer on my Sony Alpha 99.

Don't forget that there is an adapter from Mirex to convert Hasselblad lenses to Nikon with tilt and shift.

Best regards
Erik


Thank you, Erik!
Interesting tests!

I found out I have an adapter for Hasselblad V lenses to Nikon.
I just mounted the Hasselblad 300mm super-achromat to my D800.
If the wether is fine I will test it tomorrow :)

Henrik
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Erik Kaffehr
 

henrikfoto

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #13 on: November 16, 2013, 11:13:46 am »

Hi Henrik,

I don't know about 300 super-achromat but the Sonnar 150/4 is a very decent performer on my Sony Alpha 99.

Don't forget that there is an adapter from Mirex to convert Hasselblad lenses to Nikon with tilt and shift.

Best regards
Erik




That would be really nice!
Do you have any idea how much these mf lenses can be tilted on a Nikon d800 without vignetting?

Henrik
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #14 on: November 16, 2013, 11:36:52 am »

Hi,

I guess quite a lot, but there may be other issues.

Best regards
Erik




That would be really nice!
Do you have any idea how much these mf lenses can be tilted on a Nikon d800 without vignetting?

Henrik
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Erik Kaffehr
 

Fine_Art

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2013, 12:33:39 pm »

Hi,

Yes, that is true. I would also say that I am somewhat sceptical about the way DxO presents data, the data itself seems good but I would suggest you need to go trough the test data to find out how well a lens fit's your needs. For instance, some photographers shoot wildlife fully open, some shoot scenics at optimum aperture.

An excellent site with good info is Photozone, they test a lot of lenses.

Here in Sweden we have a monthly called "Foto" that has done lens testing at the Hasselblad factory since the eighties and still going on. They tested almost any lens on the market. A couple of years ago they published a list of the ten best lenses:

http://translate.google.se/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftidningenfoto.se%2Fde-skarpaste-objektiven-fotos-tio-i-topp-lista%2F

It is possible to adapt Leica R lenses to the Nikon with replacement bayonets from Leitax.

Best regards
Erik



Good article. That Nikon 200 Micro is exactly what I wanted in the Tamron 180 macro (Sony mount). Sharp at infinity for stitching landscapes. The Tammy is great at macro but sucks at range. I guess I will be making the trade.
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Ellis Vener

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Re: Nikkor tele for panoramas. Help or MTF ?
« Reply #16 on: November 17, 2013, 09:10:58 pm »

Bjorn Rorslett stopped updating his list a few years ago but it is worth checking out anyway: http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_tele.html
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