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Forums > Back > Canon or Nikon: lens-based decision
#11
[quote name='genotypewriter' timestamp='1297809347' post='6142']

If you're willing to give up auto focus, you can use fast, small (but FF) rangefinder primes on Sony Nex APS-C cameras:



[url="http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?q=leica&m=pool&w=1433188%40N23&s=int"]Leica M on Sony Nex[/url]

[url="http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?m=pool&s=int&w=1433188%40N23&q=voigtlander"]Voigtlander VM on Sony Nex[/url]

[/quote]

I think I am not willing to give up auto focus. I was really excited when Sony announced there will be a fast Zeiss wide angle for the NEX. And now it will most likely be 24/1.7. Quite dissapointing.



In fact, I owned an M8 with a 35/1.4 for a few days, but soon found out that it is not right for me and returned it. I want something that can focus automatically.



[quote name='genotypewriter' timestamp='1297809347' post='6142']

Btw, Canon's current 35 1.4L is noticeably better than Nikon's 35 1.4G in the corners from a recent test I did (will publish it soon).

[/quote]

I am looking forward to it.



[quote name='genotypewriter' timestamp='1297809347' post='6142']

Then you have to try the 85 1.2L II... far better than the 50 1.2L <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Wink' />

[/quote]

Wouldn't it be sad if there was no lens left that one can lust after, but not have it? <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Smile' />
#12
[quote name='ThomasD' timestamp='1297850616' post='6156']

In fact, I owned an M8 with a 35/1.4 for a few days, but soon found out that it is not right for me and returned it. I want something that can focus automatically.

[/quote]



In that case, the Fuji X100 might suit your needs.



-- Markus
Editor
opticallimits.com

#13
[quote name='mst' timestamp='1297853248' post='6157']

In that case, the Fuji X100 might suit your needs.

[/quote]

Actually, manual focus was not the only issue with the M8. I also didn't like not being able to see DoF in the viewfinder. It never bothered me with film rangefinders before, don't know why it did on the M8.
#14
[quote name='koffiejunkie' timestamp='1297845097' post='6151']

You don't say why you're after fast primes. Extreme subject isolation? Or low light capabilities? I'll assume the latter.

[/quote]

Both, but clearly more of the former.



[quote name='koffiejunkie' timestamp='1297845097' post='6151']

Have you looked at Pentax? They do APS-C specific fast primes, and really good ones too. The K5 is pretty much as good as it gets in APS-C DSLR land with respect to low light and high ISO right now. The body is compact, of very high build quality, and fully weather sealed (like the Nikon D3 and Canon 1D series). If you're into that sort of thing, you can get some great older lenses on ebay, for example the 50mm f/1.2. Best of all, *ALL* your primes are stabilized thanks to the in-body stabilisation. If you're after a solution for shooting low light with fast primes, it doesn't get any better right now.

[/quote]

The only non-discontinued fast (where fast is faster than f/1.4) prime is the 55/1.4, the others are rather slow. I agree that for low light capabilities the in-body stabilization is nice, but they would have to come up with a 35/1.4 (roughly) for me take a closer look. That said, 35/1.4 on APS-C is not nearly as nice as 50/1.4 on FF.
#15
[quote name='ThomasD' timestamp='1297849810' post='6153']

I am not sure I get your point. The fast 50 will get most use for the first case. Street photography in the classic sense is not about shooting wide open anyway, is it? A slow lens would be sufficient for this application.

[/quote]



Think of the 50mm primes which give the mentioned (street photo) angle of view in FF DSLR... There's nothing but fast primes between f/1.2 - 1.8 (except for the macro lenses of course)... But regardless of that, I was trying to point out that the FF DSLR bodies are in general too bulky for that type of photography.



If you're only keen on portraits, then I think you can go for a FF, if you like to shoot streets photography, you'd better not... Since you didn't mention what is your type of photography, I had to make assumptions based on the lenses mentioned <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Wink' />...



Serkan
#16
[quote name='PuxaVida' timestamp='1297862905' post='6164']

Think of the 50mm primes which give the mentioned (street photo) angle of view in FF DSLR... There's nothing but fast primes between f/1.2 - 1.8 (except for the macro lenses of course)... But regardless of that, I was trying to point out that the FF DSLR bodies are in general too bulky for that type of photography.



If you're only keen on portraits, then I think you can go for a FF, if you like to shoot streets photography, you'd better not... Since you didn't mention what is your type of photography, I had to make assumptions based on the lenses mentioned <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Wink' />...



Serkan

[/quote]

I'm not getting you.... If one wants wide angle with big apertures (35mm, 50mm)... how would one better not go for full frame?

On APS-C one would need a 24mm f1.4 and 35mm f1.4 for that, and then one would only get an equivalent of less than f2 for each.

No idea why a 5D or 5D mk II are too bulky for photographing in the streets.
#17
[quote name='ThomasD' timestamp='1297861028' post='6162']

Actually, manual focus was not the only issue with the M8. I also didn't like not being able to see DoF in the viewfinder. It never bothered me with film rangefinders before, don't know why it did on the M8.

[/quote]



Yep, understand that.



However, with the X100's hybrid viewfinder, you'd have DOF preview in EVF mode.



-- Markus
Editor
opticallimits.com

#18
[quote name='mst' timestamp='1297863978' post='6167']

Yep, understand that.



However, with the X100's hybrid viewfinder, you'd have DOF preview in EVF mode.

[/quote]

I will certainly take a look at it, but I doubt it will come close to an SLR viewfinder in terms of size and resolution. From what I read it has only 0.5x magnification. I am not sure if this is calculated including the effect of the wide angle focal length, as opposed to SLR viewfinder sizes, which are generally calculated for 50mm focal length. It could then well be that it is equivalent to 0.7x magnification.



After all, also its lens is nothing to get excited about for me.
#19
[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1297863324' post='6165']

I'm not getting you.... If one wants wide angle with big apertures (35mm, 50mm)... how would one better not go for full frame?

[/quote]



I never meant that. I just don't suggest to get a 50mm with FF body for streets photography. Because... see below...



Quote:No idea why a 5D or 5D mk II are too bulky for photographing in the streets.



Because it's bulkier than the cropped format DSLRs, bulkier than rangefinders, bulkier than 4/3s, bulkier than Nex-5 etc... I believe that, the equipments for street photography are tend to be smaller and possibly less recognizable because you take pictures of streets AND people walking/standing on it. I can't imagine a black DSLR body almost as big as a cat swinging on my chest and walking around the streets with it.
#20
[quote name='PuxaVida' timestamp='1297876185' post='6172']

Because it's bulkier than the cropped format DSLRs, bulkier than rangefinders, bulkier than 4/3s, bulkier than Nex-5 etc... I believe that, the equipments for street photography are tend to be smaller and possibly less recognizable because you take pictures of streets AND people walking/standing on it. I can't imagine a black DSLR body almost as big as a cat swinging on my chest and walking around the streets with it.

[/quote]

It all depends on where you are. I'm in place where you'll find it hard to cross the road without someone carrying DSLR crossing in the opposite direction. I can't speak for all places but I think it's time to re-think this age-old "SLRs are not good for street photography" rule... lots more people have DSLRs these days and no one really pays attention to them anymore unless you're carrying a massive white lens. A 50 1.4 on a FF is nothing big at all IMO.



But I have to say, using Live View/LCD to shoot instead of the OVF does get a lot less attention than the latter.



GTW


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