Zeiss zF question(s)

[Rick Darge]

This is for all you Zf lovers out there..

Should I spring for the 50 f/2 macro or the 50 f/1.4 ? There is a $500 difference between the two and as far as I can tell, one is macro and slower. I only have experience with the 50 f/1.4 on a Brevis adapter.

How are you 100mm users handling this lens with a mattebox? The barrel extends, no?

I'm thinking about a 50 & 85 to compliment my 17-35. I already own some nikkors in these focal lengths, but they aren't as nice as the zeiss.

thanks in advance

[Mark Pedersen]

50mm f1.4.
I have it and it is a beautiful lens. 85 is even nicer.

M

[Peter Sensor]

The 50mm F1.4, unless you think you really need Macro.
The 1.4 will give you a more shallow DoF and of course is a full stop faster.
As far as the 100 barrel movement, with a step-up like the one I sell at
rplens.com, there should not be a problem with the lens coming out of the back of the matte box.
- Peter

[C.H.Haskell]

Peter, how are ya man. I did not know you were here on the forum...whats your thought on the 18mm? You know when in July its available?

50 1.4 seems to be the best choice Richard, much cheaper and I played around with it just a few days ago...I would say its a must buy.

[Nils J. Nesse]

I got the 50/2 macro because it's a much better lens! :) (And macro is a bonus)

As I also wanted a 1.4 in this range, for when I need the extra stop, I supplemented with the Voigtländer 58/1.4. It's made in the same factory as the ZFs, very similar build. I feel it is at least as good as the ZF 50/1.4.

[Rick Darge]

Cool, but how is it better Nils? Weight, mechanics, optics? Thanks!

[Kholi Hicks]

If I recall right the 50/1.4 was actually better than the 50/2 (or properly cataloged 1.4/50 or 2/50 Makro-Planar) when edge performance was concerned. The 2/50 is the successor to the 2.8/60 which is only slightly better.

The Contax Yashica version of the 50/1.4 is in the run for the best 50mm lens ever made, I saw NO apparent difference in images between the C/Y 50/1.4 and the ZF (Nikon) 50/1.4 when I had both in my possession. Both were quite sharp at the edges and both rendered the same contrast and coloration.

I wouldn't stray from the 50/1.4 Planar unless you really needed Makro/Macro functions at that focal length. And even then I would probably go for the 100/2 over the 50/2 for spectacular edge and center performance versus the 50/2 and 60/2.8 makro/macro-planar versions.

I do not recall the 100/2 barrel extending during focusing, I may be wrong though.

[ATF]

Hello,

I bought the 100mm F2 Macro and the 50mm F1.4. Very very happy with the lenses. The 100mm does shoot out quite far when you macro focus.

Never thought I would use the macro, but now that I have it, I've been fiddling with it ever since. Very cool!

Can't wait to pick up a few more of the lenses.

Best,

ATF

[C.H.Haskell]

Anyone point me to some RED material shot with the ZF? Not to get off topic Richard, just have not seen many examples of this glass performing on RED.

[Babu Kantamneni]

Do a search Haskel.There was someone who has given a very detailed report comparing these more favourably than satandard primes.
I will also look.
I personally like these over the zooms.
Babu

[C.H.Haskell]

yeah I found the thread comparing to the master primes...great thread but what I have not found using search is some more examples of zeiss ZF footage with RED and I am guessing cause not much exist.

I have already decided to take plunge into this set of Zfs.

[C.H.Haskell]

yeah I found the thread comparing to the master primes...great thread but what I have not found using search is some more examples of zeiss ZF footage with RED and I am guessing cause not much exist.

I have already decided to take plunge into this set of Zfs.

[Shane Kelly]

Haskell,
I'll try and post some zf chromakey footage later today.
Shane.

[albert rudnicki]

Shot with Zeiss zf 28mm, 85mm and nikon 80-200 D

www.yayofilms.com/clients/two/macedonia_albert_1.mov
www.yayofilms.com/clients/two/macedonia_albert_2.mov

[Babu Kantamneni]

Moving!
Babu

[Gary Stone]

Shot with Zeiss zf 28mm, 85mm and nikon 80-200 D

www.yayofilms.com/clients/two/macedonia_albert_1.mov
www.yayofilms.com/clients/two/macedonia_albert_2.mov

beautiful stuff albert.

[Joel Kaye]

Shot with Zeiss zf 28mm, 85mm and nikon 80-200 D

www.yayofilms.com/clients/two/macedonia_albert_1.mov
www.yayofilms.com/clients/two/macedonia_albert_2.mov

Nice! I didn't notice any breathing on the rack focusing.

[albert rudnicki]

I love that zeiss Zf, but I really was pleased with the 80-200.
It's hard to pull focus on it thought, but the optics are amazing from one end to another.
I understand now why they used it on Bournes movies.
If I could do a rehouse for a 5.000 I would do it.

[Ege Eden]

I love that zeiss Zf, but I really was pleased with the 80-200.
It's hard to pull focus on it thought, but the optics are amazing from one end to another.
I understand now why they used it on Bournes movies.
If I could do a rehouse for a 5.000 I would do it.

Hi Albert,
I've posted a question about the lenses you used in a different thread but
I didn't realize you've answered it in this thread...
the 80-200 lens, is it standard digital nikon lens or is it something
else?

[Gary Stone]

Hi Albert,
I've posted a question about the lenses you used in a different thread but
I didn't realize you've answered it in this thread...
the 80-200 lens, is it standard digital nikon lens or is it something
else?

here (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/1986/AF-Zoom-NIKKOR-80-200mm-f/2.8D-ED.html)

[albert rudnicki]

It's a standard full frame nikon ED zoom.
AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8 D
It's the last in this series that has manual aperture ring
You can get a used one for around $1000.
Cheers

[Ege Eden]

here (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/1986/AF-Zoom-NIKKOR-80-200mm-f/2.8D-ED.html)

Oh thanks man!
One more question though...combining a zeiss zf lens with a Nikon lens within the same video?
doesn't it create a difference in terms of sharpness or any difference texturewise? I mean is the difference visible?

[Ege Eden]

It's a standard full frame nikon ED zoom.
AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8 D
It's the last in this series that has manual aperture ring
You can get a used one for around $1000.
Cheers

Hi Albert!
thanks for the reply...I've posted another question that I'm curious in the same
thread...I wonder about your thoughts on the idea of combining two different sets of lenses in the same video...is the difference visible for you?
I mean i didn't understand it when I first saw it...

thanks in advance...

[Gary Stone]

i haven't done it myself, but it wasn't noticeable in albert's footage and he was mixing these very lenses. the zeiss lenses are color matched, so there might be some kind of sight color difference between the ZF's and the nikons, but you could easily fix that in post.

[albert rudnicki]

I Agree with Gary
I find the 80-200 is well complementing the zeiss 85.
With Red raw you will not have a problem grading your stuff. The main visible difference between those two lenses is color temperature.
Zeiss feels a bit colder, it's so tiny that you will not notice it most of the time.

The sequence with the kid and slingshot is mixed with both lenses.
Close up on hands is shot with 85mm Zeiss
The window reflection is done with 80-200 nikon.
Same color grade is applied on both (final cut)

If I have time tomorrow I'll take identical picture with both lenses to show the difference.

[Ege Eden]

well thank you to both of you Gary and Albert...
it's nice news then...
yeah It would be nice to see the results Albert...

thanks again...