A new direction?

Unsure what forum to put this in but decided its more about glass then anything else. I remember well a sad day for me that I realized that film was going away and digital was the future. At that time, I owned a Hasselblad 500C/M and a Contax G with 21,35,45,and 90mm lenses (previously had Contax SLR equipment). Superb optics and loved it but saw that Contax was not heading digital and I was not going to be affordable digital Hasselblad. Totally addicted to Zeiss glass but I sold out my equipment and in my defiance towards the digital age, left photography for a number of years. A number of years ago, I got back in with a 30D and all Canon lens, 10-22mm, 17-55mm, 100mm macro, and 70-300mm. It was a new world, digital, zoom lenses and autofocus. I have enjoyed it.

I enjoy macro photography, and landscape and of course casual family photography. So now I am thinking of getting back to my "roots". Selling all my present equipment and back into the world of Zeiss. Contemplating a 5DMkII, Zeiss ZE 21mm, Zeiss 50mm (F1.4 or F2 macro) and Zeiss ZE 100mm macro. Manual focus, take my time, walk in the countryside type of photography and quiet evenings just staring into that Zeiss glass .

Can anyone relate to my experience? Have you taken a similar turn? Any regrets?

I'm not there [yet]. But I did start in the film days and waited until I could afford a FF before joining the digital world. I just started down the manual path a month ago, beginning with a TS-E 24mm (in lieu of a [STRONGly desired] Zeiss 21mm) and a Rokinon 14mm. I really do enjoy the manual experience and have some nice beginner photos.

Now, I have to admit, I cannot fathom giving up my AF lenses. So much of my [hobby] photography relies on the AF system and the AV metering that I'd, in no way, be willing to give that up. ...just one opinion

I started not too long ago with a Nikon D200 and the kit lens. I got the camera after having a horrible experience with a point and shoot, and I got the nicest one I could afford. Loved it to death, bought a nikon film SLR on ebay and got into manual focus lenses, then built up a small collection of vintage lenses.

After a while, I was not impressed with the low light ability of the D200 and switched to the 40D. It does quite a bit better at ISO 1600 and is usable at 3200 most of the time, whereas I was limited to about 800 on the D200. Kept my film equipment because it is fun to use and is only worth a couple hundred all together. Plus, I can use it on my 40D with an adaptor.

Now that my financial situation is a little better than in college, I'm looking at upgrading to a 60D or maybe go back to a D7000 or similar to try out some video with the manual focus lenses. I think the solid feel and damped focus ring will be great for video, and the sharpness is much better than on my zoom lenses.

it's been a fun hobby, and will save memories as my newborn daughter grows up!

You had me worried with that "getting back to my roots", I thought "film" and then "insane". Your plan sounds fine.

rick_reno wrote in post #13185433
You had me worried with that "getting back to my roots", I thought "film" and then "insane". Your plan sounds fine.

Nothing wrong with film.

I hope you aren't trying to call us hobby film shooters insane! I mean I'd check your tires regularly from now on, but definitely not insane!

Pink Avocado wrote in post #13185899
Nothing wrong with film.

I hope you aren't trying to call us hobby film shooters insane! I mean I'd check your tires regularly from now on, but definitely not insane!

So how's your Kodachrome processor holding up?

Tires, haha.

I'd love to get a film camera like an EOS-3 but the processing and film costs...not to mention the loss of my beloved live view / instant review...sheesh. Would be worth it for the dynamic range though.

Edit: Actually, this reminds me that I've got a roll of C41 135 to get processed. Wonder if it's still good...

BrentBoshart wrote in post #13184683
Unsure what forum to put this in but decided its more about glass then anything else. I remember well a sad day for me that I realized that film was going away and digital was the future. At that time, I owned a Hasselblad 500C/M and a Contax G with 21,35,45,and 90mm lenses (previously had Contax SLR equipment). Superb optics and loved it but saw that Contax was not heading digital and I was not going to be affordable digital Hasselblad. Totally addicted to Zeiss glass but I sold out my equipment and in my defiance towards the digital age, left photography for a number of years. A number of years ago, I got back in with a 30D and all Canon lens, 10-22mm, 17-55mm, 100mm macro, and 70-300mm. It was a new world, digital, zoom lenses and autofocus. I have enjoyed it.

I enjoy macro photography, and landscape and of course casual family photography. So now I am thinking of getting back to my "roots". Selling all my present equipment and back into the world of Zeiss. Contemplating a 5DMkII, Zeiss ZE 21mm, Zeiss 50mm (F1.4 or F2 macro) and Zeiss ZE 100mm macro. Manual focus, take my time, walk in the countryside type of photography and quiet evenings just staring into that Zeiss glass .

Can anyone relate to my experience? Have you taken a similar turn? Any regrets?

I think you will enjoy it and the superb image quality that goes with those lenses.

Get the 50/2 Makro. If you want a fast 50, there are loads better than the ZE 50 1.4.

BrentBoshart wrote in post #13184683
Manual focus, take my time, walk in the countryside type of photography and quiet evenings just staring into that Zeiss glass .

Can anyone relate to my experience? Have you taken a similar turn? Any regrets?

That is a fantastic plan....... I sure can relate but not sure that I have the courage to let go of my AF lenses..... I got hooked.

Brent,

I will also recommend many of the Contax Lenses you may be familiar with. The Contax N lenses can be converted to Canon to retain auto-focus. The Contax/Yashica lenses are some of the best made for SLRs.

My Zeiss 21 and 35-70 get the bulk of all my shooting.

I started photography in the old days - with a Yashica FX-D quartz. With zoom lenses. But after short time I bought more an more primes. All manual focus.
My EOs 350D/Rebel XT was my first real digital camera (exept a point and shoot) and my first AF camera too. But I never loved AF. So I inly bought more and more manual lenses, and a Canon EOS 5D camera.
I am pretty happy with that

And yes: The Zeiss "problem": Have seen a Zeiss 100/2 Macro compared with Canon EF 100/2,8 L macro - now I want the Zeiss!!
Have some old Contax Zeiss lenses 25mm, both cheaper 50mm, 85/1.4, 135/2.8 and 300/4. 18/4 should arrive - probably it is at home now?

plasticmotif wrote in post #13187024
My Zeiss 21 and 35-70 get the bulk of all my shooting.

How do you like the 35-70? I have read great things about it. Do you have automatic aperture with it on the Canon?

rick_reno wrote in post #13185433
You had me worried with that "getting back to my roots", I thought "film" and then "insane". Your plan sounds fine.

Why would film be insane? I still shoot 6x9 and 4x5 and both formats bring me a lot of joy and outstanding photos. What is it about film you so detest?

I learned on film and pre autofocus. I now have a modest Canon XSI and a lot of older Nikkor lenses. I plowed through C/Y Zeiss and in the end could not justify the cost. The manual focus Nikkors are tanks and have taken a beating. These professional lenses still perform and at a decent price.

I went through a few AF lenses and now only use manual focus. Regarding macro, I use a M42 bellows and enlarging lenses. It offers a lot of flexibility and is cheap.

I think you will be very happy with the Zeiss ZE lenses and the Canon 5DII.

The Zeiss lenses with the best image quality reputations are:
Distagon 21/2.8 ZE
Distagon 35/2 ZE
50/2.0 Makro Planar ZE
100/2.0 Makro Planar ZE

the other Zeiss are a step below those above for IQ.
the Canon lenses on par with the best Zeiss IQ level are 17 TSE/4 L and 24 TSE/3.5 II. Those two are really quite good, and being Tilt/Shift will open new capabilities.
I have owned/used most of the Canon L's suggested by others in this thread and much prefer the Zeiss rendering.

The Canon 5DII is a good choice for these Manual Focus lenses. You should consider the Eg-S focusing screen, its inexpensive enough to try. The biggest difference is getting used to Manual Focus using Live View 5-10X. Its like using a loupe on the back of large format ground glass; you can quickly move the magnification rectangle about with the joystick. this is certainly the way to to tilt/focus adjustments. Also enable Live View Silent Shooting as it uses electronic first curtain and is better than MLU for lack of vibration.
Mike K

Do it.
No I havnt done it but I have used the 5d2 and the 30D and you are going to be blown away just by the difference in image quality between the two, add that 21mm zeiss which is clearly a killer lens (I would love one) I would swap just for those two.
But as for the 100 macro and the 50mm well I think you might be suprised at just how good canon's L offerings are in comparison.
Have read a review on the 50mm's and there was no real difference between the canon 24-70 2.8L. I have used the latest 100 2.8 macro L and it is razor sharp, the sharpest lens I have used.