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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

WTB: Duclos Zeiss ZF's 35 1.4, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 100 1.4, Duclos 11-16, in Nikon Mount

I would highly recommend the 50mm f/2 macro over the 50mm f/1.4. Million times better.
 
Thanks all. I have heard that, and ahve actually used both - the challenge is, I am shooting a doc project in very low light in live environments, and I am thinking that extra .6 stops is worth the downside. Thoughts? Is the CA that bad?
 
Hey Anson, I own both yet I only reach for the macro. Wide open the fringing is pretty bad and when stopped down it's not nearly as nice as the f/2. Add the close focus the macro provides and it's a no brainer.

I had a long conversation with Matt Duclos as I originally wanted the 1.4 for obvious reasons. Trusted Matt's advice cause I'm not stupid :w00t: and am so happy I did.

My advice would be to get the Duclos f/2 and then buy a non-modified f/1.4 on eBay for like $400. That's what I did.

Reason is because you will only use it at 1.4 so don't need the iris declicked, and it gives you the option to always try to use the macro first, but pull out the 1.4 if absolutely necessary. Get a removable focus gear if you need.

My set is the 28 f/2, 35 f/2, 50 f/2 macro, and 85 f/2, with the 50 f/1.4 kicking around in the kit. Didn't go for the 18 as it's too slow, and thought the 100 was too expensive. My kit is very popular with everyone who has used it, and it has served me incredibly well for 2 years now.
 
Heh, wouldn't sell them to save my life! :thumbup1: They are really quite amazing and will serve you well.
 
jimhare said:
My set is the 28 f/2, 35 f/2, 50 f/2 macro, and 85 f/2, with the 50 f/1.4 kicking around in the kit. Didn't go for the 18 as it's too slow, and thought the 100 was too expensive. My kit is very popular with everyone who has used it, and it has served me incredibly well for 2 years now.
Click to expand...

Jim you meant 85/1.4?

I own the ZF 50/2 Makro (non-modified cos it's too expensive), and it's a great lens. So +1 on that :)
 
I ended up buying the 35, 50 and 85 all in 1.4 after playing with someone elses and talking to Matte Duclos - it seems that the 1.4 is similar optically to the 2.0 when stopped down to 2.0, so why not ahve the extra .6 stops when I absolutely need it, and just stop down otherwise. Duclos expressed this opinion as well. I don't find that the 1.4 is quite as good as the 2.0 stopped down to 2, but its very close. Your mileage may vary.

Very very very excited about these lenses. I wish I had bought them sooner, they are incredible at the price point. I've shot a few higher end industrials on susperspeed mk3's, and superficially don't see a significant superiority vs. these Duclos ZF's - and the focus ring does not move forward and back! We are so so so lucky to have Mr. Duclos doing this work on these lenses.
 
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