Temptation... beyond 400mm

tikkathree · Expire: 2012-12-28

It's quite simple really. MF lenses for me are a low-cost adventure which, hopefully will bring lots of pleasure. I thought that I had most used focal lengths covered with Canon/Sigma AF lenses and so the decision of what length of MF lens to invest in next (to join my 135mm lens) is proving a bit tricky.
One option is to track down primes which go wider than f4, say up to 200mm, another option is to go beyond 400mm. I'd like to know please how sharp are these long lenses and to what extent does a tripod/monopod become essential please?

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

In my experience following lenses were best in ~ 200mm range:

Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8 C/Y
Carl Zeiss Tessar 200mm f3.5 C/Y
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180mm f2.8 M42,P6, Exakta (Olympic, Zebra,
Bakelit grip,MC)
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 200mm f2.8 M42
Nikon Nikkor 180mm f2.8 ED AIS
Nikon Micro Nikkor 200mm f4 AIS (it is not faster, but it have 0,70m close focusing distance , sharp with beautiful bokeh.
Konica 200mm f3.5
Tamron SP 180mm f2.5
Tamron SP 70-210mm f3.5

Carl Zeiss Sonnar 300mm f4 C/Y
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 300mm f4 MC
Olympus OM 300mm f5.6
Tamron SP 300mm f5.6
Konica 300mm f4.5
Nikon Nikkor 300mm f4.5 AI, AIS
Nikon Nikkor 300mm f4.5 ED
Tair-3 300mm f4.5 (not photo sniper)
Tamron 350mm f5.6 mirror! super sharp

Konica 40cm f4.5
Sigma 400mm f5.6 MC
Novoflex 40cm f5.6

MTO 500mm f6.3 mirror
Carl Zeiss Jena 500mm f4 mirror

Above 300mm sturdy tripod is essential, I am using Amvona tripod carbon fiber legs + big Manfrott clone head.

You can found with all above lenses samples at http://www.mflenses.com/gallery.

tikkathree · Expire: 2012-12-28

Attila,

Thank you that's a lot of information to digest and digestion is best down slowly Laughing