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Distagon 1.4/35 versatility
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:06 am    Post subject: Distagon 1.4/35 versatility Reply with quote
Yes, I know, another Distagon 1.4/35 thread... Rolling Eyes I just felt like showing some of the versatility of this lens in not easy situation (800 or 1600 ISO), used for whole sets or details, black and white or colour, architecture or candids...

www.oriofoto.net/temp/35D/index.html

I also thought it would be nice to show you the 100% size of one of the shots in the series, #8, taken handheld at 800 ISO on the 5D (full frame)

www.oriofoto.net/temp/cento_08.jpg

Remember to make sure that your browser does not resize the 100% shot.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It really is a WOW! lens and a must have. The second one in the 3rd row really strikes me. It is so crystal clear and clean Shocked


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wow that 35mm FOV is HUGE on FF camera. On my 400d a 35mm is just a tele.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 5:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio

FF + your favourite lens - you make a very compelling argument.



patrickh


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, fast wide lenses are alwasy pretty good, and mounted on APS-C they became a 45-55 mm lens so like a "normal" one and very usable focal lengh.
For me, the Pentax FA (yes, AF lens Embarassed ) 31mm f:1.8 ( http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/Pentax%20Lens%20Tests/48-pentax/122-pentax-smc-fa-31mm-f18-al-limited-review--test-report ) would be pretty good. Its very well regarded and its made of metal, it has diaphragm ring , ditances written on the barrel and can be used without any restriction even on the first K pentax camera Smile (so, its a MF lens too)


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
F16SUNSHINE wrote:
It really is a WOW! lens and a must have. The second one in the 3rd row really strikes me. It is so crystal clear and clean Shocked


Me too, actually. I would be curious to see this lens used in a studio by a professional able to use properly flash lights. I think it would be even more incredible.

It is impressive how it manages to separate the subject from the background, for being "just" a 35mm lens, isn't it?

This is the AE version of the lens, made in Germany. Even if there is no talk about this, I find it to be slightly different from the MM version. The MM is sharper, albeit slightly. The AE gives more separation of the subject from the background, and I think a slightly better rendition when 3D effect is not much needed and a smoother background is preferable.

Needless to say, I am keeping both. Rolling Eyes


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bruce wrote:
Wow that 35mm FOV is HUGE on FF camera. On my 400d a 35mm is just a tele.


APS-C cameras are great with teles, because a small 135mm can replace a long and bulky 200mm lens.

On the other hand, the possibility of using wide lenses as, well, wide lenses, is really something important.

I hope that one day, hopefully soon, the full frame digital cameras will become affordable for everybody.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
patrickh wrote:
Orio
FF + your favourite lens - you make a very compelling argument.
patrickh


Thanks Patrick. This is the second time I am using this lens for B&W (even if just digital B&W) after my night snow series. I am impressed by the tone separation and the intensity that the microcontrast of this lens gives to B&W. An example is this:



Look how "present" is the white rose in the foreground and how deep the blacks. I am so happy with this image. It rarely happens that I am happy with a digital B&W just as if it was film, this is one of those cases.

montecarlo wrote:
Yes, fast wide lenses are alwasy pretty good


They (fast wides) are the lenses that, by far, I end up using more.
I just love the possibilities that a shallow DOF gives together with the wide angle of field. Especially in close street photography, they make the subjects so livelier.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:

They (fast wides) are the lenses that, by far, I end up using more.
I just love the possibilities that a shallow DOF gives together with the wide angle of field. Especially in close street photography, they make the subjects so livelier.


Yep I completely agree.
The cheaper solution I found was to use MF like the Pentacon Six with the Flek 50. It's really interesting how your B&W shot really resembles the mine that I posted made with the Flek on 6x6 film.
Autumn is coming and the chances to get a cheap used 5d are raising but don't know how much cheaper I'll found this fantastic distagon though Crying or Very sad


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
A G Photography wrote:


Yep I completely agree.
The cheaper solution I found was to use MF like the Pentacon Six with the Flek 50. It's really interesting how your B&W shot really resembles the mine that I posted made with the Flek on 6x6 film.
Autumn is coming and the chances to get a cheap used 5d are raising but don't know how much cheaper I'll found this fantastic distagon though Crying or Very sad


I would be curious to see the results from this lens in a studio setup like yours. With controlled lighting, I think that the quality of the lens would surface even more than what is possible with available light shots.

The problem with this lens is not only going to be the price, but also the availability. Last year, there was always at least one of them on Ebay at any time. Now, it's at least one month, maybe two, that I can only find the Rollei version, at absurd prices (double than normal Contax version price).
Used 5D will be easily available and prices will drop, like you say, but I suspect that for this Distagon, the prices will rise, also because Zeiss is currently providing a Distagon 2/35, which, although still desireable, is not a 1.4, and the difference when doing close-ups is visible.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I don't know why but I've still to discover the wider focal lengths but here Orio clearly shows how to use such a lens (ok so I'm not on an FF camera but for my reference it's wide).

Any how, what also impresses me is the action of the CMOS sensor. Remember that this [digital] camera design is about 3 years old, perhaps there is a good reason why Canon hasn't released an updated model yet?


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Fotal wrote:
I don't know why but I've still to discover the wider focal lengths but here Orio clearly shows how to use such a lens (ok so I'm not on an FF camera but for my reference it's wide).

Any how, what also impresses me is the action of the CMOS sensor. Remember that this [digital] camera design is about 3 years old, perhaps there is a good reason why Canon hasn't released an updated model yet?


And for what I know it seems that the 5D Mark II wouldn't be any revolutionary sensor-wise.

Apart from the Sony 24MP monster sensor (but I would like to see the noise on it) I think we're reached a good level with sensor and the MP race seems a bit calmed down.

10-12 MP are plenty enough resolution for 90% of commercial work, for the rest the quality needed is better suited by MF backs than by 35mm FF CMOS sensors, unless you're not into fashion and sport where the frame rate is essential.
I'd like to hear other opinions on it, better start another thread instead than hijacking Orio's one though Wink


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It's interesting that you, in your later post, have chosen this b&w shot (with the white rose) to show some more lens abilities, because this is the pic that I would have taken from your 35D set to tell you how much I like your shots. Excellent series with an excellent lens used by an excellent photographer!

Last edited by LucisPictor on Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:47 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
LucisPictor wrote:
It's interesting that you, in your later post, have chosen this b&w shot (with the white rose) to show some more abilities, because this is the pic that I would have taken from your 35D set to tell you how much I like your shots. Excellent series with an excellent lens used by an excellent photographer!


Thank you Carsten, you are too generous Embarassed I'm glad you like this picture, I understood it could be a lucky one in the moment I took it, some times this happens (some other times, instead, it's an afterwards surprise). I can say that whatever good is this pic (if any), it was wanted. When I reviewed it at home, I thought it could have been best in B&W, right because of the vividness of the rose. The atmosphere reminded me somehow of the B&Ws of Brassai in Paris, so when developing I tried to deliver those deep blacks that characterize his photos. They make a good atmosphere I think, especially with the contrast provided by the yellow rose (that in B&W looks almost white)


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
nice series with great details
lets see how this lens will render on real b&w


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
poilu wrote:
nice series with great details
lets see how this lens will render on real b&w


Yes, I was having your same thought poilu. I will make a B&W roll soon.


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio, you make me feel so infuriated! I will NEVER be able to achieve results like yours, whatever fabulous equipment comes my way. It may be a great lens, but it's useless without your skill.

I have decided, after flipping between film cameras and my 400D recently, that I will never get on with the crop camera and its tiny viewfinder (unless I use it with AF lenses, as it was designed for). So, my next DSLR when the time comes will definitely be FF. A secondhand, out of date model will be fine. Can you tell me, as I've never handled one, is the viewfinder image in your 5D comparable in size and brightness to a 35mm film camera?


PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:
Orio, you make me feel so infuriated! I will NEVER be able to achieve results like yours, whatever fabulous equipment comes my way. It may be a great lens, but it's useless without your skill.


Thanks Peter for the kind words. I have no special talent, believe me. I wish I had. I wish I was one of those photographers with the artist eye, able to find and extract the art from things or places where normal people sees none. My father had that gift. I don't. Sad My only qualities are these:

- I only photograph what I love, so my photos are sincere and not pretentious (I don't make intellectual photos, only photos from the heart)

- I only photograph for myself, and not to please someone else or to prove anything.

- I don't lose my love for photography when I make bad photos (which happens often), I keep photographing, and loving to do it, just the same - in other words, I don't allow my bad photos to pull me down.

That's all.

peterqd wrote:
I have decided, after flipping between film cameras and my 400D recently, that I will never get on with the crop camera and its tiny viewfinder (unless I use it with AF lenses, as it was designed for). So, my next DSLR when the time comes will definitely be FF. A secondhand, out of date model will be fine. Can you tell me, as I've never handled one, is the viewfinder image in your 5D comparable in size and brightness to a 35mm film camera?


Yes, the size and brightness of the 5D viewfinder is comparable to that of a good film camera. You will want to change the screen thought. The default screen is not ideal for manual focusing. The EE-s replacement will make it easier (it's a bit darker than the default screen, but worth it). Since the EE-s replacement only costs 30 Euros, it is a very recommended addition to a 5D.
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