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Frogfish
Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 57
Location: Shanghai
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 Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:30 pm Post subject: Help me buy my next lens .... or two ! |
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Frogfish wrote:
Any of you guys have an opinion on these (IQ wise) ? I want to buy higher quality lenses without spending a fortune (don't we all !) and these are going locally :
Zeiss CONTAX CARL ZEISS Distagon T * 28/2.8 (PK mount) : US$520
Zeiss CONTAX CARL ZEISS Distagon T * 35 2.8 (PK Mount) : US$400
Contax Zeiss P 85 / F 1.4 MMJ : US$600
LEICA R 35-70/3.5 E60 (R mount to be converted or with adaptor US$25) : US$400
Contax Zeiss 35-70 zoom / 3.4 Macro : US$300
Leica R 100 4 Macro (R mount to be converted or with adaptor US$25) : US$400
LEICA R 24 2.8 (with hood) (R mount to be converted or with adaptor US$25) : US$530
I am currently using an SMC M 28/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, 43 Ltd and Tamron 17-50/2.8 in these ranges, on a K5. I am particularly interested in a prime around 20/24/28 for landscapes and probably the Zeiss 85/1.4 for portraiture. I'm also not sure if either of those zooms are good buys or not ?
Sorry for the list but all opinions valued and if there is something else I should be looking (under maybe US$700 per lens) please let me know !
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http://frogfish.smugmug.com/
Nikon D800E, D600, Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon 35/2, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 500/4.5 (for sale), Sigma 120-300/2.8, Nikon 85/1.8G, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Sigma DG x2.0 |
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poilu
Joined: 26 Aug 2007
Posts: 10472
Location: Greece
Expire: 2019-08-29
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| Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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poilu wrote:
the 2 zooms are very good, better take the contax for 300$
stay away from the Leica 24
those lens are great on full frame, less on crop
the pentax limited series look quite good from samples I have seen
btw you have great pics on your portfolio!
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Rolf
Joined: 02 May 2009
Posts: 4123
Location: NRW/Germany
Expire: 2015-12-26
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| Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Rolf wrote:
As poilu said before - with a K-5 I would go for Pentax lenses (for example Limited versions). I used few Leica lenses which I converted before to Nikon F-mount with my K-5 too. (only changing the F mount bayonet by a PK mount)
These lenses have an excellent IQ with Nikon D700 (FF) but with the K-5 (APC) I was more disappointed.
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Rolf |
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indianadinos
Joined: 06 Jul 2008
Posts: 1310
Location: Toulouse, France
Expire: 2011-12-05
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| Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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indianadinos wrote:
+1 for the Pentax Limiteds ... Your K5 really deserves an FA-31 ...
Otherwise, you could check also the Pentax-K 28/3.5 or the 28/2.0 (and both will make you forgot the 28/2.8 ) ...
_________________
Please visit my blogs Shooting with a Pentax K10D / FF Visions
Takumar: 24/3.5, 28/3.5, 35/2, 35/3.5, 50/1.4, 55/1.8, 85/1.8, 105/2.8, 120/2.8, 135/3.5, 150/4, 200/4
Pentax-K: M28/2.8, K28/3.5, M50/1.4, A50/1.7, M50/4 Macro, K85/1.8, K105/2.8, K135/2.5, M200/4, M70-150/4
Zeiss: Flektogon 20/2.8, 20/4, 35/2.4, 35/2.8, Tessar 50/2.8, Pancolar 50/1.8, Biotar 58/2, Sonnar 135/3.5, Sonnar 180/2.8
Meyer: Primagon 35/4.5, Domiplan 50/2.8, Oreston 50/1.8, Primoplan 58/1.9, Trioplan 100/2.8, Orestor 100/2.8, Orestor 135/2.8
Schacht/Steinheil: Travenar 90/2.8, Travenon 135/4.5, Quinar 135/2.8, Quinar 135/3.5
Russian: MIR 37B, Industar 50/3.5, Helios 44M & 44M-2, Jupiter 37A
P6: Flektogon 50/4, Biometar 80/2.8, Orestor 300/4
Nikkor: Nikkor-O 35/2, Micro 55/3.5, Nikkor-S 50/1.4, Nikkor-Q 135/2.8
Fuji: EBC 28/3.5, EBC 55/3.5 Macro, EBC 135/2.5
Misc Lenses: Kiron 105/2.8 Macro, Tamron SP90/2.5
... and a few other Vivitar, Tamron, Sigma and Soligor lenses ...
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woodrim
Joined: 14 Jan 2010
Posts: 4060
Location: Charleston
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 1:05 am Post subject: |
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woodrim wrote:
By my standards, with those prices you WILL be spending a fortune. I say the same thing every time someone asks about a 28mm; the Vivitar Close Focus version is my pick.
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Regards,
Woodrim |
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Frogfish
Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 57
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:20 am Post subject: |
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Frogfish wrote:
Thank you very much for your replies .... more food for thought.
I think I will go for the Zeiss 85/1.4. There is nothing else like it for the price, the Pentax equivalent is now around US$2,000 and more of a collector's piece (even though it's rated just as good as the Zeiss) !
Pentax Ltds are really superb lenses. I have the 43 Ltd and I use it a lot, the 77 Ltd is in the Zeiss 85/1.4 range but sells for $900 here so I'm paying $300 more for AF but 2/3 stop slower. The 31 Ltd is a legendary lens - but costs $1,300+ here - which is why I use the Sigma 30/1.4 in it's place, the centre sharpness is higher but the corners and micro-contrast not as good ... but then again it was only $450 ! Many of the shots on this link were taken with the 30/1.4 http://frogfish.smugmug.com/Other/Wenzhou-Zhejiang/18324886_8xRQ82#1410979676_76FjMmM. However I'd like a lense with more sharpness across the frame for landscapes, hence the reason I'm looking at the Distagons / Leicas.
Rolf - your comments are very interesting, and sobering !
Thank you Poliu - very happy to see people visiting, and enjoying, my SmugMug site !
I'm going to have to check out that K28/2.0 - thanks for the tip Indianadinos ! These two below were taken last week with the M28/2.8 but frankly I'm a little disappointed in this lens. EDIT : Just checked out the K28/2 here and it's selling for .... US$1,200 !!! 
_________________
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/
Nikon D800E, D600, Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon 35/2, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 500/4.5 (for sale), Sigma 120-300/2.8, Nikon 85/1.8G, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Sigma DG x2.0 |
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indianadinos
Joined: 06 Jul 2008
Posts: 1310
Location: Toulouse, France
Expire: 2011-12-05
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 6:11 am Post subject: |
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indianadinos wrote:
Hi,
| Frogfish wrote: |
These two below were taken last week with the M28/2.8 but frankly I'm a little disappointed in this lens. EDIT : Just checked out the K28/2 here and it's selling for .... US$1,200 !!!
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I can understand, i have been disappointed by my two M28/2.8 (first and second version) too, that's why i switched to the K28/3.5 ...
Much better contrast and sharpness starting wide open (and, often, underrated and underpriced ) ...
The K28/2 was designed in collaboration with Zeiss, it is a stunning lens. If i remember well, it shares the same optical scheme as the Distagon.
Some members here have published great samples, just search in the galleries ... Unluckily, it is expensive here, too  ...
_________________
Please visit my blogs Shooting with a Pentax K10D / FF Visions
Takumar: 24/3.5, 28/3.5, 35/2, 35/3.5, 50/1.4, 55/1.8, 85/1.8, 105/2.8, 120/2.8, 135/3.5, 150/4, 200/4
Pentax-K: M28/2.8, K28/3.5, M50/1.4, A50/1.7, M50/4 Macro, K85/1.8, K105/2.8, K135/2.5, M200/4, M70-150/4
Zeiss: Flektogon 20/2.8, 20/4, 35/2.4, 35/2.8, Tessar 50/2.8, Pancolar 50/1.8, Biotar 58/2, Sonnar 135/3.5, Sonnar 180/2.8
Meyer: Primagon 35/4.5, Domiplan 50/2.8, Oreston 50/1.8, Primoplan 58/1.9, Trioplan 100/2.8, Orestor 100/2.8, Orestor 135/2.8
Schacht/Steinheil: Travenar 90/2.8, Travenon 135/4.5, Quinar 135/2.8, Quinar 135/3.5
Russian: MIR 37B, Industar 50/3.5, Helios 44M & 44M-2, Jupiter 37A
P6: Flektogon 50/4, Biometar 80/2.8, Orestor 300/4
Nikkor: Nikkor-O 35/2, Micro 55/3.5, Nikkor-S 50/1.4, Nikkor-Q 135/2.8
Fuji: EBC 28/3.5, EBC 55/3.5 Macro, EBC 135/2.5
Misc Lenses: Kiron 105/2.8 Macro, Tamron SP90/2.5
... and a few other Vivitar, Tamron, Sigma and Soligor lenses ...
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Frogfish
Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 57
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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Frogfish wrote:
This new review / test on Pentax Forums might be of interest to some (comparison of the Zeiss 28/2.8 to the legendary Pentax 31 Ltd):
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/154533-shootout-fa31-limited-vs-contax-zeiss-28mm-f2-8-%96-zeiss-limiteds-peer.html
_________________
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/
Nikon D800E, D600, Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon 35/2, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 500/4.5 (for sale), Sigma 120-300/2.8, Nikon 85/1.8G, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Sigma DG x2.0 |
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rbelyell
Joined: 13 Oct 2009
Posts: 4269
Location: somewhere in the mountains of central NY
Expire: 2014-01-31
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| Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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rbelyell wrote:
zeiss planar 85/1.4 is my personal favorite on FF, and from what ive seen i do not think one can get a better lens at even twice the price. having said that i have recently seen at least two for sale on ebay for under $600usd.
as for 28's, unless youre committed to high prices, have you thought of yashica ml 28/2.8, or kiron 28/2.0? i have both and they perform better to my eye than the pictures you've posted here.
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Epson RD1 + Elmarit 21/2.8; Summarit 50/1.5; Summarit 75/2.5; Elmar-c 90/4; Sankyo Komura 135/2.8, Hektor 135/4.5; Braun Paxina 29 6x6; Photax Boyer Paris; Holga 120 Pano
GREAT STUFF FOR SALE:
Contax T
Hasselblad XPan + 45/4, 90/4
Kodak Retina Reflex IV + full set of Schneider Krueznach lenses
Mercury 2 half frame 35mm
Kodak Pro slr/n
Fuji GM670+100/3.5+65/8!
Praktisix 6x6 medium format + ZeissBiometar 120/2.8
Bessa T 101 Anniversary Edition in Navy Blue
Mamiya Six Folder with Zuiko 75/3.5
Adaptall: Tamron SP 28-85 macro
Cameras: Canon IX
PM for more complete descriptions/pix. All in great shape!
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'buy me a drink, sing me a song,
take me as i come 'cause i can't stay long' |
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Frogfish
Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 57
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:57 am Post subject: |
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Frogfish wrote:
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts & advice in this thread.
Today I bought both the Zeiss Distagon 28/2.8 in beautiful condition and a Zeiss 85/1.4 in pristine condition (I had my little repair shop guy check them out for me) and I'm now having them both converted to PK mount (reversible), they should be back in 7-10 days - all for less than the cost of a 31 Ltd. Now I'm like a child with Xmas just days away
_________________
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/
Nikon D800E, D600, Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon 35/2, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 500/4.5 (for sale), Sigma 120-300/2.8, Nikon 85/1.8G, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Sigma DG x2.0 |
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ManualFocus-G
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 6622
Location: United Kingdom
Expire: 2014-11-24
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| Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:13 am Post subject: |
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ManualFocus-G wrote:
Congratulations, they are both superb lenses! The 85/1.4 is just stunning in every way and the 28/2.8 is a great "normal" lens on crop. I went on holiday last week and took only the Distagon 28/2.8 with my Nex, results were superb 
_________________
Graham - Moderator 
Shooter of choice: Fujifilm X-T20 with M42, PB and C/Y lenses
See my Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/manualfocus-g |
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Frogfish
Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 57
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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Frogfish wrote:
| ManualFocus-G wrote: |
| Congratulations, they are both superb lenses! The 85/1.4 is just stunning in every way and the 28/2.8 is a great "normal" lens on crop. I went on holiday last week and took only the Distagon 28/2.8 with my Nex, results were superb |
Thanks Graham ... not long to go now !
_________________
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/
Nikon D800E, D600, Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon 35/2, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 500/4.5 (for sale), Sigma 120-300/2.8, Nikon 85/1.8G, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Sigma DG x2.0 |
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