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Using manual lenses (Leica M, R...) => Leica SL2-S or Nikon Zf?


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Hello everyone,

I love using my manual lenses (M-Mount, Leica R, Contax, M42...) on my cameras. I'm thinking about buying a camera with stabilization.

I must admit that after Bobby's video on Nikon's new manual focus assist system for the Zf, I'm getting more and more interested in this camera.

- My question is which is the better choice between the Leica SL2-S and the Nikon Zf for using manual lenses?

- The Zf uses the BSI sensor from the Z6 and Z6II

=> I'd like to know if anyone has been able to compare the rendering of the Nikon Z6 and Z6II with the SL2-S?

=> What about manual focusing on the two cameras (are they equivalent)?

Thanks for your advice!

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The new tech in the Zf looks like the best thing for manual focus in 30 years, as far as I'm concerned. If it had more MP I'd already have one. Maybe a Z7 variant will come??

Having said that I'd be testing it with M lenses first. Nikon has a relatively thick sensor stack and their corner performance with M lenses has been variable, to say the least. Also to get the full utility you need chipped lenses on the Zf.

The biggest beneficiary of this will be Cosina. The chipped and spectacular Voigtlander lenses for this system will be as hard to find as a Leica 35 APO. And they CV50mm APO for Z mount is close to as good as it gets.

If you're prepared to run a set of chipped CV lenses then definitely the Nikon. If not, more testing is required.

Gordon

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16 hours ago, Krycek said:

My question is which is the better choice between the Leica SL2-S and the Nikon Zf for using manual lenses?

It depends. For M lenses, it's the SL2-S. For SLR lenses, it's whichever you enjoy using the most.

16 hours ago, Krycek said:

What about manual focusing on the two cameras (are they equivalent)?

SLs have the best viewfinder optics. I find that I can focus by eye without any magnification (although that's available at any time by pressing the joystick). I haven't tried the Zf, but if you do, be sure to confirm that you can focus it without help.

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7 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

Do you need a chipped lens to avail of this feature?

Anyway, a chipped M-Z adapter should be enough.

I haven't had more than a few minutes holding the camera so I'm working this out from online reviews. But it appears.

If you use a lens with contacts. Say a Z lens or the CV lenses that are designed specifically for Z mount, then you get a box around the eye when it finds one and that box turns green when in focus. This is because the lens is sending distance info to the body.

If you use any adaptor of any type or a lens with no contacts you get the grey box but not a green confirmation box. But you can hit magnify and it will immediately magnify to that spot for precise focusing.

So a different system depending on the lens in use. But both superior to what we get on any other brand.

Gordon

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vor 15 Minuten schrieb FlashGordonPhotography:

I haven't had more than a few minutes holding the camera so I'm working this out from online reviews. But it appears.

If you use a lens with contacts. Say a Z lens or the CV lenses that are designed specifically for Z mount, then you get a box around the eye when it finds one and that box turns green when in focus. This is because the lens is sending distance info to the body.

If you use any adaptor of any type or a lens with no contacts you get the grey box but not a green confirmation box. But you can hit magnify and it will immediately magnify to that spot for precise focusing.

So a different system depending on the lens in use. But both superior to what we get on any other brand.

Gordon

it seems to me that it works with all lenses, contacts or not

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On 10/22/2023 at 10:50 PM, Krycek said:

it seems to me that it works with all lenses, contacts or not

Not really. I've watched a couple of videos and basically it works like this:

Non-chipped lens: automatic eye recognition and focus magnification on the eye

Chipped lens: automatic eye recognition and focus magnification on the eye + focus confirmation (box turns green)

Non-chipped lens on chipped adapter: automatic eye recognition and focus magnification on the eye + focus confirmation (box turns green)

This is a game changer. Hopefully it will be implemented by more manufacturers.  

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