You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Anyone Using Zeiss Lens on 800 For Portraits
- Thread starter habib
- Start date
I use the Zeiss Makro Planar 100mm f/2 ZF.2 on my D800 frequently for any situation where one would normally use any 100mm prime, including some portraits, though portraiture isn't my forte.
I also use the Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2 ZF.2 for landscape photos semi-frequently.
These lenses are "German" only in design and brand; they are manufactured in Japan. Regardless, build quality is extremely high.
None of the Zeiss lenses have AF; they are all manual focus only, but the "ZF.2" lenses do have CPU coupling to the camera for electronic aperture control, photo EXIF metadata communication, and for using the Nikon viewfinder focus confirmation indicator. Despite the manual focus only, these lenses have VERY smooth, very well damped, very precise focusing feel and control. As you would expect, IQ is very high. If you nail focus, they are very sharp and they provide a certain "look" to photos that I like, with vivid colors and nice micro-contrast. I don't find the lack of AF to be a huge deal, and they have such a precision feel to them, that I enjoy the challenge of nailing manual focus. I just wish there was a good focusing screen available for the D800 or some other user-friendly focus confirmation a bit more precise than Nikon's "little green dot."
I love Zeiss lenses!
I can't afford Leica lenses, so I can't comment on them, but they have a great reputation. I do have some of their optics, however, and they're beyond spectacular, so I have no doubt their camera gear is equally impressive. Leica doesn't make a Nikon mount lens to my knowledge, so I'm not sure you can even use their lenses on a Nikon body, but I'm sure it's technically possible with an adapter of some sort. Regardless, neither AF nor electronic aperture control would work.
I also use the Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2 ZF.2 for landscape photos semi-frequently.
These lenses are "German" only in design and brand; they are manufactured in Japan. Regardless, build quality is extremely high.
None of the Zeiss lenses have AF; they are all manual focus only, but the "ZF.2" lenses do have CPU coupling to the camera for electronic aperture control, photo EXIF metadata communication, and for using the Nikon viewfinder focus confirmation indicator. Despite the manual focus only, these lenses have VERY smooth, very well damped, very precise focusing feel and control. As you would expect, IQ is very high. If you nail focus, they are very sharp and they provide a certain "look" to photos that I like, with vivid colors and nice micro-contrast. I don't find the lack of AF to be a huge deal, and they have such a precision feel to them, that I enjoy the challenge of nailing manual focus. I just wish there was a good focusing screen available for the D800 or some other user-friendly focus confirmation a bit more precise than Nikon's "little green dot."
I love Zeiss lenses!
I can't afford Leica lenses, so I can't comment on them, but they have a great reputation. I do have some of their optics, however, and they're beyond spectacular, so I have no doubt their camera gear is equally impressive. Leica doesn't make a Nikon mount lens to my knowledge, so I'm not sure you can even use their lenses on a Nikon body, but I'm sure it's technically possible with an adapter of some sort. Regardless, neither AF nor electronic aperture control would work.