Nikon VS Zeiss

[Evin Grant]

The Zeiss ZF are no better optically than their Nikkor equivilents. There is some advantage to being able to say "Zeiss" on your equipment list. But they are no better for the money. I think most here will be very surprised how well Nikkors and still lenses in general perform, especially recent designed for digital lenses like the 17-35mm. Remember Corpse bride was shot at 8MP using all Nikkors, and finished in 2K I believe. Other than the ergonomics of cinema shooting (breathing, gears, focus draw) I fully suspect the still lenses to compete with current cine lenses and trounce older ones.

[PaulClements]

A bold and interesting statement Evin, I very much hope you are correct :)

[Sanjin Jukic]

I did Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF video test here on Reduser.net forum months ago.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=287

[Sanjin Jukic]

The Zeiss ZF are no better optically than their Nikkor equivilents. There is some advantage to being able to say "Zeiss" on your equipment list. But they are no better for the money. I think most here will be very surprised how well Nikkors and still lenses in general, especially recent designed for digital lenses like the 17-35mm. Remember Corpse bride was shot at 8MP using all Nikkors, and finished in 2K I believe. Other than the ergonomics of cinema shooting (breathing, gears, focus draw) I fully suspect the still lenses to compete with current cine lenses and trounce older ones.

So much orthodoxy in a lens choice is not good at all. I would not say that Nikkors are better than Zeiss and vice versa. And every lens is different. I would suggest if somebody have more money to add some Zeiss still lenses on their list too, just to have another option and the future RED ONE tests will tell us what is a good lens option for every single shooting situation we want. I have collected still lenses from different brands and all are able to get in Nikon F mount. Have a look on the list:

+ Attractive set of Nikkor F, Leica VISO M, Schneider-Kreuznach M42 mount, Haselblad/Zeiss mount and Zeiss ZF 35mm Lenses:

++Primes:
** Nikkor-N A 24 mm f/1:2.8
** Nikkor AI-S 28 mm f/1:2.8
** Nikkor AI 35 mm f/1:1.4
** Zeiss Planar T* 50 mm ZF f/1:1.4
** Nikkor AF 50 mm f/1:1.8 D
** Leica Elmar 65 mm f/1:3.5 Leica-VISO to Nikon F adapter
** Hasselblad - Carl Zeiss Planar T* 80mm f/1:2.8 to Nikon F adapter
** Nikkor AF 85 mm f/1:1.8 D
** Leica Summicron 90 mm f/1:2.0 Leica-VISO to Nikon F adapter
** Nikkor AI-S 105 mm f/1:2.5
** Nikkor-Q A 135 mm f/1:2.8
** Schneider-Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 135 mm f/1:3.5 M42 to Nikon F adapter
** Zeiss Sonnar Olympia 180 mm f/1:2.8 Nikon F

++Zooms:
** Nikkor AF 17-35 mm f/1:2.8 D ED
** Nikkor AF 35-80 mm f/1:4.0-5.6 D
** Nikkor AF 70-210 mm f/1:4.0-5.6
** Soligor Nikon/F 100mm-300mm f/1:5.0

[PaulClements]

How much weight do people put on using the same make/model for different SLR glass? If one had a set of nikons with a couple of Zeiss in there would it mean a noticable difference between the visuals achieved?

[PaulClements]

I did Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF video test here on Reduser.net forum months ago.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=287

And my apologies for not looking in more depth, I do actually remember seeing this a while ago, so thanks. Shame the video link isn't available any more :(

Any chance of mocking up a transition like those posted by Evin, Sanjin? If you would like to email me over 3 images I will happily make a flash or animated gif file for you. Also did you ever do any of the other Zeiss lenses?

Cheers

Paul

[Sanjin Jukic]

And my apologies for not looking in more depth, I do actually remember seeing this a while ago, so thanks. Shame the video link isn't available any more :(

Any chance of mocking up a transition like those posted by Evin, Sanjin? If you would like to email me over 3 images I will happily make a flash or animated gif file for you. Also did you ever do any of the other Zeiss lenses?

Cheers

Paul

Paul,

for all of you once more I will open my home ftp sever for download
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF video test



Here it is the link

ftp://84.112.86.213/Library/FTPServe...rs1_ZF50mm.mov

This lens test is done with Sony FX1E HDV camcorder + Redrock Micro M2 35mm lens adapter + Redrock Micro Follow Focus +
Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50 mm ZF + + Vocas Matte Box.
The video compression codec is Photo-JPEG 75%.
The file size is 49.7 MB, duration 33.15 sec.
Keep in mind that using Redrock Micro M2 35mm lens adapter you already at start loosing a couple of f stops.
With the RED ONE will be much better.
Server is open for the next 48 hours.

Paul thanks for the offer about Flash or animated gif. I am web designer too and will leave video file as it is. For example Evin Grant is doing still photography and his tests need that kind of "animation". Logically mine not because it was already shot as moving images. So you would get a bit impression about the lens performance til RED ONE and the new tests come in a near future.

Mac OS X users for the best FTP download use Firefox 2.0.

Also tomorrow I will add two more lenses in my collection for use with the RED ONE:

Nikkor A 50mm f/1.4

and

Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 10-100mm T2 that is S16 zoom lens to get opportunity for 2K variable frame rates using REDCODE compression with max 60fps shooting. Also for slow motion effects of nature or human body shots in sports etc. Just to get more comfortable for documentary run&gun shooting style.

[PaulClements]

Thanks alot Sanjin, very kind of you, that's a pretty darn good connection for a home server. No chance of doing that here in the UK where I'm based, still can only get 256kb upload... ouch.

I only suggested the flash since it would be such a small file that it could be posted permanently, but you're entirely correct.

In your opinion do you prefer the Zeiss to the Nikkor. I prefer the look of the build quality of the zeiss but I've read that it suffers in cold temperatures with stiffening so perhaps looks are deceiving.

[Evin Grant]

I didn't say the Nikkor was better, just on par with the Zeiss ZF. I have'nt tested them yet but from the research I've seen there is no Increase in resolution (especially wide open) for the extra $.
I do think they will offer very nice imaging, although traditionally Zeiss lenses are cooler (Color not hipness). Now if I can only find way to make a Van Dutch brand lens line.
:poster_stupid:

[Stephen Williams]

The Zeiss ZF are no better optically than their Nikkor equivilents. There is some advantage to being able to say "Zeiss" on your equipment list. But they are no better for the money. I think most here will be very surprised how well Nikkors and still lenses in general perform, especially recent designed for digital lenses like the 17-35mm. Remember Corpse bride was shot at 8MP using all Nikkors, and finished in 2K I believe. Other than the ergonomics of cinema shooting (breathing, gears, focus draw) I fully suspect the still lenses to compete with current cine lenses and trounce older ones.

Evin,

Out of interest are the Zeiss lenses being compared on film or on a digital camera?

I saw a ZF on a lens projector, the resoloution was amazing, well in excess of what can be captured, less distortion & flair.

Stephen