rconey Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 On a Nikon Z7 I enlarge in the viewfinder, using the central focus point on the subject. Then focus, usually not needing the focus peaking color prompt. Then zoom back out to full frame view. Then recompose the image with the subject where I want it. Unless it is a wide open, fast lens this gives the subject in focus. For static objects, it should be possible to move the focus point, zoom in, focus critically, and then take the picture without zooming back out. That still won't give precise image edge placement but is not too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 Does a mirrorless camera, like the Z6 or Z7, focus at the selected aperture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Schaefer Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Does a mirrorless camera, like the Z6 or Z7, focus at the selected aperture? It depends - within a certain range, yes. For sure if your lens is fully manual. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodeo_joe1 Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 I know it's not really the point of this thread to weed out lenses suitable for digital use, but I can't help commenting on how good I find my 28mm f/2 AI-s Nikkor is on a digital camera. Such a sharp little lens! Right into the corners at f/2. The only thing that lets it down is a slight warm - verging on brown - colour rendering. Not unpleasant and easily corrected, but out of line with the rest of my Nikkors. It works well with either a full-frame DSLR or MILC, and not all lenses do. I can recommend grabbing one if the opportunity arises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Schaefer Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Does a mirrorless camera, like the Z6 or Z7, focus at the selected aperture? within a certain range, yes. More specifically, IIRC, then some cameras I have used or read about will use the working aperture down to f/5.6 or even f/8 before they stop-down no further during the focus process. One advantage is that focus-shift of a lens is easily corrected that way. I would consider having less light to focus in when the lens is stopped down a disadvantage - but apparently, the camera manufacturers think/know otherwise. It certainly is one major difference to viewfinder-AF in a DSLR that is always carried out with a fully open aperture on the lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Schaefer Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) 28mm f/2 AI-s Nikkor Good to know; thank you. The highly-acclaimed Ai-S Nikkor 28/2.8 unfortunately does not fare that well on a digital camera - especially not when used a near-infinity focus distances. WOW, keh has one in EX condition for $320 - almost the same price range as the AF-S 28/1.8 ($360)! I guess quite a few people know about this lens being a gem? Edited March 8, 2021 by Dieter Schaefer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels - NHSN Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 I am admittedly in my early experiments with adapted lenses on my Nikon Z6II, but I think sensor stacks design/implementation has a huge influence on what works. I had an Lumix GH-1 Micro4/3 on which anything shorter than 50mm (full frame) would yield smeared corners and I quickly lost interest in adapted lenses - this is said to have a very thick glass layer in front of the sensor. Yesterday I put my Voigtlander 21/4 (the first LTM version) on the Z6ii and I was quite impressed. Despite its design for Leica film cameras with light hitting the sensor in a very obtuse angle, images came out very acceptable, I think it looked better than my adapted Nikkor 20/3.5 Ai - which wasn't too bad either. Acquaintances using the same VC lens on a SONY a7 series 24MB BSI sensor camera (allegedly the same sensor as in the Nikon), were quite dissatisfied with their results. I imagine there must be differences in lens stack design in play - or could it be software? I do program the focal length and aperture in the camera, but I thought it was just for EXIF ID and for the camera to know the focal length when applying minimum acceptable shutter speed in auto mode, and perhaps IBIS? I also grabbed a few shots with my Voigtlander 12/5.6 (first LTM version) expecting the results to be useless, but they looked fairly good and the lens is worth further experiments. My Nikon 28/2.8 AiS on the other hand was disappointing as others have reported. I love it on film but the corners looked bad in the z6ii - again, My Voigtlander 28/2 that was designed for Leica M film looked much better. Niels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 would yield smeared corners I suppose software could correct for smear by a kind of graduated, radial compression, ie non in the middle, and more on the edges. I suppose it would leave a full FX frame about 34 x 22mm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petrochemist Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Does a mirrorless camera, like the Z6 or Z7, focus at the selected aperture? When adapting lenses via dumb adapters the camera has no way of controlling the aperture. As long as the lenses stops down to the selected aperture all focusing/metering etc. will be done at that aperture. If the lens has a stop down mechanism & this isn't operated the lens will remain wide open what ever position the aperture ring is in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 When adapting lenses via dumb adapters the camera has no way of controlling the aperture. Of course! As long as the lenses stops down to the selected aperture all focusing/metering etc. will be done at that aperture. Really?. If I select f32 on a Z7, are you saying it tries to AF with a lens stopped down to f32? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 More specifically, IIRC, then some cameras I have used or read about will use the working aperture down to f/5.6 or even f/8 before they stop-down no further during the focus process. That's what I'd heard too. Probably on here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petrochemist Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Of course! Really?. If I select f32 on a Z7, are you saying it tries to AF with a lens stopped down to f32? No the aperture is selected using the lens's aperture ring! The control from the camera is meaningless (as per part one of your reply. :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodeo_joe1 Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 WOW, keh has one in EX condition for $320 - almost the same price range as the AF-S 28/1.8 ($360)! I guess quite a few people know about this lens being a gem? I didn't realise it was on the 'desirable' radar Dieter. I bought mine years ago and don't bother price-checking unless I'm interested in buying or selling. Maybe I'll sift though some stuff that I consider below par with a view to selling. Some people will buy any cr*p that they think is currently 'cool' or 'characterful'! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petrochemist Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Of course! Really?. If I select f32 on a Z7, are you saying it tries to AF with a lens stopped down to f32? Left it too late to edit my initial reply. With a dumb adapter there is no AF. Focusing aids will all function irrespective of the aperture, but focus is much easier to pinpoint at wide apertures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chulster Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 WOW, keh has one in EX condition for $320 - almost the same price range as the AF-S 28/1.8 ($360)! I guess quite a few people know about this lens being a gem? I guess that explains why the 28mm f/2 AI-S that i bought for $180 was a dog. Seller must have known it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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