General MF lens discussion

colormaniac wrote in post #11092265
So, even manual lens needs microadjustment?

No, not if manually focusing in live view.

No, focus adjustment is only for making sure that the AF sensor agrees wth the image sensor. For manual focus it's all up to you.

Focus confirm chips may be adjusted but really if you're just going to turn the focus ring until it beeps and flashes, what's the point?

I'm not using AF confirm adapter here. Per you guys advice, I got adapters without AF confirm. Yet I used Live View 10x to help manual focus and it's still off. Maybe it's just poor focusing skill.

It's a judgement call with manual focus so keep practicing!

So, uh, I'm jonesin'... any opinions on the Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/180 (C/Y)? I don't even like telephotos that much, but $300ish for a pretty beast... I mean, I have to have something longer than 90mm, right?

Here's the Nikon version of the Sonnar 180/2.8, on the left (the P.C version is multi-Coated), and Nikon's own design on the right...
the newer version, called ED, is a bit more compact and said to be THE 180 to have....but both are fine lenses

My SMC Tak is here!

1) It's tiny!
2) It's purty!
3) No mirror clash at infinity (big sigh of relief)
4) No half stop between 1.4 and 2?
4) I need to go outside and shoot something at less than ISO1600.

Kitacanon - Cool - thanks!

Seems that I'd spoken too soon - there is a little bit of mirror clash... sometimes. It doesn't interfere with the upswing, but does occasionally catch on the return. A tiny nudge away from infinity frees it, though. I'll have to see if I can dig out a decent file to shave a little off of the metal surrounding the rear element.

Some second impressions:

Little bit of yellowing of the elements, but it's not worrisome - this doesn't seem to come through at all, after WB (in cam or PP).
Lots of travel to the focus ring.
The Auto/Manual aperture slide button is nice - shouldn't be too long before it's second nature to stop down, meter and then open up (with the switch) to focus, when necessary, before snapping.
Although I didn't like the idea of half stops, being used to third stops, I'm finding that it makes it easier to keep track of, and select, my desired aperture without taking my eye off of the VF.
It's certainly usable at f/2 and looks promising at f/1.4... I'm hoping that changing to an EE-S screen will help with my focusing, though.

Oh, dog shot (she looks happy, doesn't she?) - I'm pretty sure that this is at f/2, 1/60, ISO 800.

Manual focus lenses are the one reason I wish I had gotten nikon gear. Manual focus nikkor lenses are cheap!!!! Have you guys seen the old nikkor 200 F 2? It's "teh secs."

Now I hear photodiox is making decent fd ef adapters?

pyrojim wrote in post #11106657
Manual focus lenses are the one reason I wish I had gotten nikon gear. Manual focus nikkor lenses are cheap!!!! Have you guys seen the old nikkor 200 F 2? It's "teh secs."

Now I hear photodiox is making decent fd ef adapters?

There's really no difference between using an old Nikkor on a Nikon and using one on a Canon body with an AF confirm adapter ($25 on eBay). Although from what I've heard they might meter more accurately on Nikon bodies. I, for instance, have an AI-S 28mm f/2.8 which is an absolutely spectacular lens on my 5d2. Even at 2.8 (aside from the corners, which suck but shape up as you stop down) it's sensor-defeatingly sharp. One of their lenses that I'd really like to try is the old 105mm f/1.8, but it's a bit too rich for my blood at the moment.

cptrios wrote in post #11106756
There's really no difference between using an old Nikkor on a Nikon and using one on a Canon body with an AF confirm adapter ($25 on eBay). Although from what I've heard they might meter more accurately on Nikon bodies. I, for instance, have an AI-S 28mm f/2.8 which is an absolutely spectacular lens on my 5d2. Even at 2.8 (aside from the corners, which suck but shape up as you stop down) it's sensor-defeatingly sharp. One of their lenses that I'd really like to try is the old 105mm f/1.8, but it's a bit too rich for my blood at the moment.

Fortunately, I have the 105 F1.8 in my possession. It was my dad's lens from the film era. Sadly though I haven't been using it recently, eventhough I have an adapter to mount it on my 5D2

edit: added a sample pic, shot 2 years ago with my 40D

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/evowei/29489632​49/

hello everyone..
sorry if i just jump in..
a friend of mine is going to germany in a couple of weeks..
he's kind enough to let me pick a lens of my choice and he'll try find that in germany..
i'm gonna use this as a 'normal' or general walk around lens..
i have an eye on Zeiss Pancolar 50 f/1.8 or Leica Summicron 50 f/2 but any suggestions would be highly appreciated..
i'm looking for good contrast, good color rendering.. being a sharp lens (most of these are sharp anyway) is a nice bonus..
please write down your recommendations..

pengster wrote in post #11107566
Fortunately, I have the 105 F1.8 in my possession. It was my dad's lens from the film era. Sadly though I haven't been using it recently, eventhough I have an adapter to mount it on my 5D2

edit: added a sample pic, shot 2 years ago with my 40D

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/evowei/29489632​49/
Bloom. by eVoWei, on Flickr

Shot wide open, ISO 200, 1/800s on the ex-40D

Oh i hate you, i've always wanted one of those!

But the 200mm f/2 would be higher on my list i think...