Leitax users - consider the "ante" well and truly "upped" - D800 specs

[k-hawinkler]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

This lens 85 1.4 AF- D works fine on my D3.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[roguewave]

I also think the 35 Summicron R is a "nice" all-round lens. No mirror clearance issues. It's not as great as their 50s (and neither is the R 35 Summilux IMO) but it's not that expensive and a nice add to an SLR system.

 

Jaime, I must take exception to your comment regarding the R35 Summilux. I had put it away for almost 2 years, out of my own frustration & inability to get what I was looking for. I just couldn't get the results I wanted. I was about to sell it when I used it to shoot some portraits for a friend. I ended up taking test shots at every iso available (you know how limiting that is on the DMR) and used several different apertures. It took some time, but the subtle colors this lens renders with the DMR are unique. It may have the smoothest transitions to the oof elements, with the exception of the R80 Summilux, my all time favorite lens. Granted, it's softer, much softer than the Summicrons, but therein lies it's bounty. Finding that sweet spot made all the difference. The portraits I made of couples filled the landscape frame perfectly, with lots of air and light to compliment the faces. This lens has many secrets, all of them worth the challenge of discovery! All the Best. Ben

[Jamie Roberts]

Jaime, I must take exception to your comment regarding the R35 Summilux. I had put it away for almost 2 years, out of my own frustration & inability to get what I was looking for. I just couldn't get the results I wanted. I was about to sell it when I used it to shoot some portraits for a friend. I ended up taking test shots at every iso available (you know how limiting that is on the DMR) and used several different apertures. It took some time, but the subtle colors this lens renders with the DMR are unique. It may have the smoothest transitions to the oof elements, with the exception of the R80 Summilux, my all time favorite lens. Granted, it's softer, much softer than the Summicrons, but therein lies it's bounty. Finding that sweet spot made all the difference. The portraits I made of couples filled the landscape frame perfectly, with lots of air and light to compliment the faces. This lens has many secrets, all of them worth the challenge of discovery! All the Best. Ben

 

Hey Ben, note that I didn't say I didn't like the 35 Lux R--I specifically said I didn't like it as much as the 50 R Summilux

 

And I still don't, not because the 35 R Lux is bad by any means, but because next to the 80 R Lux, the 50 R 1.4 is my favourite, and might be my favourite all-round 50 ever

 

But everything you say about it is true, including how frustrating it was to work with if you're expecting a family resemblance from some other R lenses. It is unique in the line-up, and if anything, I shouldn't have mentioned it with the "average-good" 35 Summicron R--because I agree with you that it's actually much better than the slower lens. I'm really glad it's working for you!

 

But, in truth, it can't work for me anymore without a DMR or major camera surgery. And, in context, I was also talking about "adaptable" R lenses, and alas--the 35 Summilux is one of the ones that interferes with many dSLR's mirrors... so I didn't talk about it too much.

 

All the best right back

[Jamie Roberts]

This lens 85 1.4 AF- D works fine on my D3.

 

That's good: mine worked too--until it didn't, and it was totally unpredictable when it wouldn't Over the course of a few thousand shots at a wedding, though, it would generally (but not always) lock the camera.

[Jamie Roberts]

Could it be some things as simple as un-clean contacts between the lens and the camera?

 

When you state "85 1.4 G (not the new one" did you mean 85 1.4 AF- D? Then un-clean contacts could be the answer.

 

Sorry for leading this thread even further away...

 

Hi,

 

No--it wasn't the contacts; the lens was cleaned and serviced by Nikon and I kept them clean as well.

 

As I said, this was a generally reported issue that Nikon looked into. We just never heard anything--denial or fix--back.

[phancj]

The 85 1.4G works like a charm....no issues at all. It is a superb lens for the D800. Sharpness and rendering is astounding.

 

I am having it on the D800 approx 50% of the time.

 

CJ

[Jamie Roberts]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

{snipped}

When you state "85 1.4 G (not the new one" did you mean 85 1.4 AF- D? Then un-clean contacts could be the answer.

{snipped}

 

Just for clarity, Jacob, yes--I did mean the 85 1.4D--the G version had no problems at all.