I'm done with zoom lenses and AF - long live fast primes and manual focus!

[coyanis64]

No more plastic, ugly looking, super slow AF Zooms!

With the addition of the Angenieux 25mm/f0.95, my collection of fast (manual) primes for the E-P2 is complete:

Great bokeh and very small DOF, a bit stiff focus ring, but thanks to E-P2's fantastic EVF it's fun to be creative with this combo of modern (E-P2) and ancient (Angenieux) masterpieces.

Some samples (all wide open at f0.95):

more: http://www.flickr.com/photos/coyanis/sets/72157623363434162/

 

[zenlibra]

I especially like the 4th picture. I just picked up an E-P1 and look forward to using my Noktons on it.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Never could understand the "no depth of field" thing. Cool effect, though.

 

[bmattock]

Auto-focus and zoom lenses have their place and can be quite useful when used according to their strengths. Manual-focus prime lenses are also quite nice when used appropriately. I don't see any reason to reject one in favor of the other, it's just a question of using the appropriate tool for the job at hand.

 

[coyanis64]

I especially like the 4th picture. I just picked up an E-P1 and look forward to using my Noktons on it.

You'll like it! Oly's E-P1/E-P2 and CV's Noktons are made for each other.

And it would be nice if Voigtländer produces some fast wides (28mm f2 e.g.) for micro4/3 - I'm just dreaming 🙄

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Auto-focus and zoom lenses have their place and can be quite useful when used according to their strengths. Manual-focus prime lenses are also quite nice when used appropriately. I don't see any reason to reject one in favor of the other, it's just a question of using the appropriate tool for the job at hand.

well - yes, but it spoils things a bit - when someone comes along speaking common-sense! 😉

 

[coyanis64]

Auto-focus and zoom lenses have their place and can be quite useful when used according to their strengths. ...
I don't see any reason to reject one in favor of the other, it's just a question of using the appropriate tool for the job at hand.

You're right of course. I admit that there are situations where I use my AF/zoom gear, e.g. shooting in the zoo. Like for this one, where I combined a E-P1 with the Oly 4/3 Zuiko 50-200:

Looked funny - E-P1 just like a lens cap on this huge but optically fantastic zoom 😱

 

[bmattock]

You're right of course. I admit that there are situations where I use my AF/zoom gear, e.g. shooting in the zoo.

I'm often right. It's part of what's great about being me. You're welcome. 😀

 

[back alley]

I'm often right. It's part of what's great about being me. You're welcome. 😀

oh boy....

 

[coyanis64]

I'm often right. It's part of what's great about being me. You're welcome. 😀

...and humility is the other part 😉

 

[bmattock]

...and humility is the other part 😉

False modesty is no virtue. 😀

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I lot of the all-plastic AF zooms are really ugly and feel "just cheesy". I think the polycarbonate mounts was a step too far. Other zooms, such as the Nikkor 70~180 AF Micro-Zoom-Nikkor and AF Zoom-Nikkor 80~200 F2.8 are as well made as any lens you will come across.

 

[bmattock]

I lot of the all-plastic AF zooms are really ugly and feel "just cheesy". I think the polycarbonate mounts was a step too far. Other zooms, such as the Nikkor 70~180 AF Micro-Zoom-Nikkor and AF Zoom-Nikkor 80~200 F2.8 are as well made as any lens you will come across.

I agree with you about the flimsy feel and apparent low-quality construction of many/most modern lenses. Yet their optical quality and superior coatings seem to stand them in good stead and in the end I am forced to accept that if it is the results that matter and not the way the lens feels in my hand, my Pentax 18-55 kit zoom is a cheaply-made, flimsy, killer lens; I'll keep using it.

 

[jl-lb.ms]

I lot of the all-plastic AF zooms are really ugly and feel "just cheesy". I think the polycarbonate mounts was a step too far. Other zooms, such as the Nikkor 70~180 AF Micro-Zoom-Nikkor and AF Zoom-Nikkor 80~200 F2.8 are as well made as any lens you will come across.

Hear, hear. If I didn't have too many cameras, I'd buy a Sony just to use the Zeiss 24-70/2.8.

 

[bmattock]

How hubristic of you, Bill. 😀

Another of the things I am best at. 😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Bill,

Do you actually want to be disliked?

Although I know quite a lot about photography, and am fairly clever, I always reflect that there are those who know more than I, and who are cleverer than I. If I forget this, sooner or later I end up with egg on my face. So I try not to forget it.

I also reflect that there are plenty of people who are nicer than I: more polite and civil. As far as possible, I try to emulate them. It makes for a more agreeable world. Of course I fail on occasion, and there are some people who seem to dislike me on general principle. But I try not to worry too much about that. I have quite a comfortable life as things stand, and perhaps some of the people who dislike me on principle are not as lucky.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Yet their optical quality and superior coatings seem to stand them in good stead and in the end I am forced to accept that if it is the results that matter and not the way the lens feels in my hand, my Pentax 18-55 kit zoom is a cheaply-made, flimsy, killer lens; I'll keep using it.

That is true. The Nikkor 35~80 F4.5~F5.6 is very sharp, used molded aspheric optics. I have an early one, with F-Stop ring, distance scale, and metal mount. That makes it at least 15 years old. It is sharp. The trade-off is the moderate, non-fixed F-stop. Slower than the 5cm F3.5 Elmar. It's on one of my Digital Nikons, and got used today.

 

[tedwhite]

OK, hubris it is, but what about this new black EPL-2 with the attachable viewfinder? There's a lot I don't understand about this camera.

1. It's supposed accept most primes, Leica M-mount, M39 screwmount, maybe others. But how does this work? What kind of lens mount does the camera have? Probably an adapter is required. What type and who makes it?

2. How does the viewfinder work? Does it simply see through whatever lens is attached and "view" accordingly?

3. With a 4/3 sensor, how large can one make a respectable print?

I am intrigued by the camera as it appears ALL my rf lenses might fit. If so, am I looking at a poor man's M8?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I used the $99 Zoom-Nikkor 35~80 4.5~5.6, bought new, for this shot:

On the Nikon D1. Obviously, no complaints about the Bokeh on this lens.

 

[Damaso]

Welcome to the cult of prime lenses!