Biogon 35 F/2

R

ronnie_retro

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Howdy,
For years, I'd shot my chromes with a Nikon 50 mm f1.8, itself a fine lens. For convenience in framing I'd also bought a Nikon 35 - 105 zoom, but sold it since the sharpness was lacking compared to the fixed 50 mm. I wanted even better imaging and so bought a Bessa R2-A and 35mm F/2 Biogon.

Just thought I'd let everyone know that my impression of the lens , from my first rolls of Provia 100, is outstanding! :D Most of my shots were the optimal f/4. The brilliance of color is absolutely stunning with excellent contrast, and superb razor sharpness. I usually have a reasonable amount of daylight when I shoot so shutter speeds were commonly 1/250 to 1/500 sec. , which helped show the resolution the lens is capable of.

I know B&W shooters get higher resolving power, but you're missing 1/2 the story if you never see the color reproduction this lens is capable of.

My new standard lens. I'm one happy camper.
 
The 50mm F1.8 AI Nikkor is quite a lens. Just for a comparison, have you ever shot with the Nikkor-O 35mm F2 or slightly later multicoated 35mm F2 Rubber-inset-focus ring? These older 8-element 35mm F2's by Nikon were quite sharp and contrasty, and often get more than their "modern" replacement.

I'd be interested in your opinion, comparing it with the Biogon.

Oscar has my "ex" RIFR 35mm F2 on a Nikon F2 Photomic, and I had the Nikkor-O factory AI'd.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
The 50mm F1.8 AI Nikkor is quite a lens. Just for a comparison, have you ever shot with the Nikkor-O 35mm F2 or slightly later multicoated 35mm F2 Rubber-inset-focus ring? These older 8-element 35mm F2's by Nikon were quite sharp and contrasty, and often get more than their "modern" replacement.

I'd be interested in your opinion, comparing it with the Biogon.

Oscar has my "ex" RIFR 35mm F2 on a Nikon F2 Photomic, and I had the Nikkor-O factory AI'd.
Click to expand...

Quite true, the Nikkor 35/2 is a gem of a lens ! Which makes me remember someday I have to put together a nice set containing that 35 plus a 24, a 55/1.2 and the 105/2.5 :)

Saw some of them on the bay etc but with my recent history of lost/returned parcels, I'm a bit afraid of tempting my luck again :(

Ronnie please post some images when you can, I've been intrigued about that lens since it was announced, it's clearly out of my reach, but hey one can dream, isn't it ? ;) And of course, enjoy your new gear !!!
 
As for the Nikkor-O, I agree with Brian. It's one of my favorite SLR lenses. Definitely needs to be used with the hood.

Taffer, that is a dream set of MF Nikkor lenses. I like the 50/2 better than the 55/1.2 though. And don't forget the 180/2.8 ED AIS. ;)
 
ray_g said:
As for the Nikkor-O, I agree with Brian. It's one of my favorite SLR lenses. Definitely needs to be used with the hood.

Taffer, that is a dream set of MF Nikkor lenses. I like the 50/2 better than the 55/1.2 though. And don't forget the 180/2.8 ED AIS. ;)
Click to expand...

The 180 f/2.8 is a good lens? A local store is sellling one and I've been thinking of getting it- for use on the S3.

Doh! Another hijack, apologies!
 
Sure, I'd be glad to post some pics. However, as a retro man (who else shoots slides these days? :) ) , I of course have no scanner. What's the procedure to do this - find an optical house in town, get them to scan the chromes, and either email them to me or burn a CD? What sort of resolution and file format should I specify? Once I have them, what's the procedure to upload them?
 
JD: The 180mm F2.8 Nikkor-P, and later versions are a terrific lenses. There was a "rumor" that nikon used ED glass in the original Nikkor-P version without charging the Extra Dollars. They are in F-Mount and will not work with a Nikon S3. Nikon made a 180mm F2.5 in RF mount for the S-Mount reflex housing. I have 250mm F4 with an N-F tube that was originally for the reflex housing.
 
Hmmm.... I wonder if I could use those beauties (properly AI'd) on a D70...

Back to the original thread: Ronnie, some labs will give you the option to get a CD burned with your slides as one of their development options. Did that myself some time ago when I used C-41 b&w film. As for size and res, I got them at 72 dpi, and around 2000 pixels on the long side, but it may depend on the humour of the guy/gal working the scanner that day :)

To upload here inside a thread you must go to the advanced reply mode, then click on manage attachments and then browse and upload the images from there. Around 600 pixels on the long side is fine.

Or you can go to the gallery and upload your photos there :)
 
Ronnie: I shoot chromes and also have no scanner, so don't feel alone. In fact, I have some K64 and E6 to send off for processing. The lab I use for the K64 (Dwaynes in Kansas) doesn't have scanning service (or at least not the last time I used them), and I haven't hooked up with a good scanning service yet.

Trius
 
taffer said:
Hmmm.... I wonder if I could use those beauties (properly AI'd) on a D70...
Click to expand...
Yes, but I don't think the D70 will meter. That should not be a big problem, though.
 
If it is, you can always use them on an EOS body with an adapter;)
 
Brian Sweeney said:
JD: The 180mm F2.8 Nikkor-P, and later versions are a terrific lenses. There was a "rumor" that nikon used ED glass in the original Nikkor-P version without charging the Extra Dollars. They are in F-Mount and will not work with a Nikon S3. Nikon made a 180mm F2.5 in RF mount for the S-Mount reflex housing. I have 250mm F4 with an N-F tube that was originally for the reflex housing.
Click to expand...

Thanks Brian,
It's an "AI" lens, and this one does work on my S3- does that mean it's not a stellar lens, or that it won't meter on the S3?

JD
 
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