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Author Topic: Zeiss vs nikon glass  (Read 19013 times)

Larry451

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« on: November 16, 2009, 05:47:14 pm »

I'm working with a Nikon D3X and my older manual focus primes   55 macro  105 macro  28mm  35mm and a few zooms...
now it is time to upgrade the glass........  nikon 105 macro + 60 macro or zeiss(ZF) 105 macro + 50 macro....  with the D3X I want the best quality I can get.... within reason..!
 does anyone have any test sites or working experience or opinions on whether the extra cost of the ziess is worth the dollar + are they really sharper...
hope this hasn't been discussed before....

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rethmeier

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« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2009, 05:57:28 pm »

« Last Edit: November 16, 2009, 05:58:07 pm by rethmeier »
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kers

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2009, 08:30:02 pm »

I don't know the sort of photography you are making, but I use at the moment the 85mmPCE lens and it is one of the finest nikkors i have and it goes to 1:2
(I am also using a d3x)

Maybe tilt and shift have something to offer for you?  It is about the same price as the zeiss.

The zeiss is considered about the best lens one can find. And that one come with a full metal jacket.

Also depends if you like to autofocus or not. The New Nikon lenses are all capable of dealing with the D3x- .. within reason...
The new nano coating on them works very well.

pieter kers
« Last Edit: November 16, 2009, 08:31:53 pm by kers »
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Pieter Kers
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kers

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« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2009, 08:30:27 pm »

double- some error
« Last Edit: November 16, 2009, 08:31:03 pm by kers »
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JeffKohn

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2009, 10:23:05 pm »

Nikon's newest lenses are very good, but so are some of the Zeiss lenses. The Zeiss 100mm f/2 is one of the finest SLR lenses ever, but then again that doesn't do you much good if you need a 28mm or 50mm lens (unless you want to stitch everything).

I second the suggestion of getting Lloyd Chambers' Ziess reviews before you purchase, there's a lot of good info there. All of the Zeiss lenses are good, but some are better than others, and some are better suited to certain tasks than others. I have the 100mm f/2 and 35mm f/2. Both are excellent for landscapes. But the Nikon PC-E lenses are also excellent, and offer some pretty compelling advantages of their own. And if you really need the wide FOV, Nikon's 14-24 is well deserving of its reputation (assuming you can live with its limitations - no filter support being a pretty big one IMHO).

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BernardLanguillier

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2009, 10:41:32 pm »

Quote from: Larry451
I'm working with a Nikon D3X and my older manual focus primes   55 macro  105 macro  28mm  35mm and a few zooms...
now it is time to upgrade the glass........  nikon 105 macro + 60 macro or zeiss(ZF) 105 macro + 50 macro....  with the D3X I want the best quality I can get.... within reason..!
 does anyone have any test sites or working experience or opinions on whether the extra cost of the ziess is worth the dollar + are they really sharper...
hope this hasn't been discussed before....

I could have been lucky to get a great copy of the lens, but the files from my Zeiss 100mm f2.0 have a quality that I have never seen with any of the nikkors except my 300 f2.8 VR. Not only do they look better but they also sharpen better somehow and I believe that this is thanks to a better holding of the contrast at various frequency levels.

Cheers,
Bernard

gss

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2009, 10:58:52 pm »

Quote from: JeffKohn
And if you really need the wide FOV, Nikon's 14-24 is well deserving of its reputation (assuming you can live with its limitations - no filter support being a pretty big one IMHO).
This might help with the 14-24; not a perfect solution, but may work for some.
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Lee-Filt...ngle-lens-12507
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DaveCurtis

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2009, 02:45:33 am »

I would also recomend Diglloyd. It's a paid sight with endless info on Zeiss ZF and ZE lenses. Pixel peepers paradise!

Sean Reid also has a few reviews on ZF lenses.

Also note that Zeiss are putting out a new series of ZF lenses. ZF.2. Theses are chipped versions of the ZF series. Similar to ZE.

I would have to agree with Bernard on the 100mm f2. It is a very special lens. It is very close in performance to the Leica APO and at a fraction of the cost.
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Larry451

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« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2009, 09:14:34 am »

thanks for the info.... guys.
I shoot commercial & my own work....   (30yrs)
commercial = 105 macro manual....  100mm F2 zeiss looks like the best replacement
with my own work (landscape details)  I stitch..... so the 100mm zeiss looks best... but I was also considering the zeiss 85mm for stitching, any thoughts about the 85mm?
I don't use wide angle (28mm max.) very much because I prefer to stitch with a 50mm so again I'm thinking about the zeiss 50 macro
seem like the nikon 12-24 is king of the hill.... I have an older 20-35 nikkor
with cameras constantly changing for the better D3X  to the D3XX?  I think the best glass one can buy is ones best investment for the moment

Dave.......  I'm interested in the new series of ZF lenses???  where can I find the info?  

thanks.
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happyman

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2009, 10:48:17 am »

I second (third) the PC-E 85 - outstanding lens and very versatile with a D3x.
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BernardLanguillier

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2009, 04:59:56 pm »

Quote from: Larry451
Dave.......  I'm interested in the new series of ZF lenses???  where can I find the info?

Here for instance: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0911/09111602carlzeisszf2.asp

Cheers,
Bernard

JeffKohn

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2009, 06:30:57 pm »

Quote from: BernardLanguillier
Here for instance: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0911/09111602carlzeisszf2.asp

Cheers,
Bernard
So do I understand that this means you'll be able to set the aperture from the camera rather than messing with the aperture ring? If so that will be nice. Not having to select the correct non-CPU lens will be nice as well, sometimes I forget to do that and the EXIF ends up being wrong.

I've been considering the ZF 21mm or 18mm, I guess I'll wait a little bit.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2009, 06:31:48 pm by JeffKohn »
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BernardLanguillier

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2009, 07:09:22 pm »

Quote from: JeffKohn
So do I understand that this means you'll be able to set the aperture from the camera rather than messing with the aperture ring? If so that will be nice. Not having to select the correct non-CPU lens will be nice as well, sometimes I forget to do that and the EXIF ends up being wrong.

That's my understanding indeed based on the way it behaves on Canon bodies.

Cheers,
Bernard

gubaguba

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« Reply #13 on: November 24, 2009, 08:13:25 am »

Any of the PCE lenses are going to be great.  The 24-70 is excellent as well and is sharper than my primes is the same range a little CA at its widest that can be seen at 300% that is being picky.  I think buying the best lenses possible is a much better long term investment over camera bodies.  Wish there was a longer Macro lens the 200mm is pretty old but I have to figure there is not a huge demand for it.
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Larry451

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #14 on: November 26, 2009, 11:26:42 am »

I was wondering how the Zeiss 85mm stands up to the nikon 85mm 1.4  
anyone done the tests?
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kers

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #15 on: November 26, 2009, 11:36:05 am »

Quote from: Larry451
I was wondering how the Zeiss 85mm stands up to the nikon 85mm 1.4  
anyone done the tests?


try
photozone

A test with an APC sensor  on both nikon and Zeiss

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-...ew--test-report

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-...ew--test-report
« Last Edit: November 26, 2009, 11:38:16 am by kers »
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BernardLanguillier

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #16 on: November 26, 2009, 07:05:28 pm »

Quote from: Larry451
I was wondering how the Zeiss 85mm stands up to the nikon 85mm 1.4  
anyone done the tests?

If I recall the Zeiss 85 has some issues with focus shift as a function of the aperture.

Cheers,
Bernard

stever

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« Reply #17 on: November 26, 2009, 10:12:06 pm »

if you're seriously considering one of these lenses, the diglloyd guide to zeiss lenses is a good investment
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ddk

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Zeiss vs nikon glass
« Reply #18 on: November 29, 2009, 11:01:52 am »

Quote from: Larry451
I was wondering how the Zeiss 85mm stands up to the nikon 85mm 1.4  
anyone done the tests?


I have them both and prefer the Zeiss over the Nikkor. I can't explain it in any objective way since both are excellent, having worked with MF cameras I'm more partial to Zeiss rendering, color and contrast, I love all the entire ZF range. Having said that my favorite 35mm portrait lens is the Nikkor 135/2 DC!

PS Getting Lloyd's review of the Zeiss lenses is highly recommended, even if you already own them.
« Last Edit: November 29, 2009, 11:05:06 am by ddk »
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