Dieter Schaefer

<p>Apparently, the A7S works well with the Voigtlander Heliar 15/4.5 - a feat not even any of the digital Leica rangefinders can accomplish. And there is a new version of that lens coming out. But the A7S "only" has 12 MP.</p> <p>The WATE works well on the A7 series bodies - and so does the Voigtlander Ultron 21/1.8. And now, Sony/Zeiss are about to ship the 16-35/4 - so all is well in wide-angle land.</p>

<p>I purchased a cheap chinese-made L-bracket for my Sony A7 - the tolerances on the dove tails are "very loose" - the bottom portion can't be locked in a RRS lever clamp (know to have possibly have issues with anything but RRS plates and brackets) - it slides even after the lever has been closed - but works fine in a screw-clamp. The side portion doesn't even fit into a RRS lever-clamp and only with difficulties into a screw-clamp one. Only about 1/10 of the price of a "brand-name" product - but there really is no excuse for such sloppy tolerances. <br> Next time I need a new L-bracket, I will go with the one Ellis suggests (or something similiar) - certainly not one specific for the camera body.</p>

<p>Nikon Europe has removed the article - apparently they got wind that it's somewhat outdated.</p>

<p>My refurbished Nikon D7100 didn't have the latest firmware - and once I did the upgrade, live view AF with my Sigma 150/2.8 ceased to function. For the time being, I decided to let it be - if I use live view with that combo, then I would very likely be shooting macro and would prefer manual focus anyway. No issues with the 35/1.4 A though.</p>

<blockquote> <p>Don't the Japanese have the ability to engrave in Kanji then? Because the lettering in the picture is in the Latin alphabet, but the name is plainly Japanese.</p> </blockquote> <p>Apparently not - google translation of the website <a href="http://www.nikon-image.com/event/campaign/df_gold_edition/index.htm">http://www.nikon-image.com/event/campaign/df_gold_edition/index.htm</a> (google translation: <a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nikon-image.com%2Fevent%2Fcampaign%2Fdf_gold_edition%2Findex.htm&edit-text=">https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nikon-image.com%2Fevent%2Fcampaign%2Fdf_gold_edition%2Findex.htm&edit-text= </a> ) yields:<br> <br /> <strong>Character Type: only uppercase letters (symbols and numbers can not be engraved)</strong><br> <br /> Apparently, this can be done to any Df (in Japan): <a href="http://www.nikon-image.com/support/repair/name.htm">http://www.nikon-image.com/support/repair/name.htm </a>(google translation<a href="https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.nikon-image.com/support/repair/name.htm&usg=ALkJrhjU-YHaPxYslD1uBRUZgDrzTwiTPQ">: https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.nikon-image.com/support/repair/name.htm&usg=ALkJrhjU-YHaPxYslD1uBRUZgDrzTwiTPQ </a>)</p>

<blockquote> <p>I'm not sure I'd want to be walking around with a camera with somebody else's name engraved on it.</p> </blockquote> <p>Custom engraving of that knob is available - only in Japan though.</p>

<p>And then there is the Coolpix A and the Ricoh GR - both non-interchangeable-lens cameras but both good alternatives to a 28mm prime lens (at least after the price reduction in case of the Coolpix).</p>

<blockquote> <p>"wait and see" is the only worthwhile response</p> </blockquote> <p>If anything, being a Nikonista teaches you one thing - to have patience (defined as the art of hoping beyond hope).</p>

<p>Well, at least it comes with "Nikon" on the name plate in gold - unlike the D60 "Gold Edition" which kept it white: <a href=" You practically can't give the D60 Gold Edition away for free - will it be the same with the Df "Gold Edition"? In that case, I'll take one ;-) But only if the hotshoe is gold plated too.</p> <p>Note: I purchased the D60 "Gold Edition" because it was cheap, not because it was "golden" - didn't bother me none. Matched the golden writing on the Nikkor better though ;-)</p>

<blockquote> <p>how long did the Canonistas have to wait for the 7D upgrade?</p> </blockquote> <p>Not quite as long as the Nikonistas for the one of the D300(s) - and at least for the Canonistas, the wait is over. For the Nikon folks, it's over too - but for different reasons, I am afraid. Go 7x00 or go somewhere else ;-)</p>

<p>The Nikon due to its constant physical length. If that is not of significance to you, then I would get the older Nikon 105/2.8D instead of the Sigma - it's smaller and lighter (but of course has no VR). <br> Personally, I would have a hard time justifying a 105mm lens (for FX) if I already had a 150mm and I don't see a good reason to go to 105 on DX if I already had an 85 - in particular if that means doubling the weight. YMMV though.</p>

<p>The usual position on AF lenses with an aperture ring is the bottom of it (underside of the aperture ring).</p>

<blockquote> <p>Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 Art</p> </blockquote> <p>Sorry, not an A(rt) but a C(ontemporary)</p>

<p>I second what Wouter said. In addition to the 16-85, I would look at the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 Art - less range but a bit faster. I did own the 17-55 and found its range too limiting to be useful as a walkaround lens. In addition, it's a lens designed for event work, not so much for shooting landscape.</p>

<blockquote> <p>21mm is a way different perspective from 28mm</p> </blockquote> <p>Not if you are standing at the same spot - then it's just wider ;-)</p> <blockquote> <p>Which is the most expensive?</p> </blockquote> <p>You can find out the answer to that one easily yourself.</p> <blockquote> <p>Which one is most desireable?</p> </blockquote> <p>Agree with Jean-Yves - a rather meaningless question. If you can answer that one for yourself, then you would know which one to go for.</p> <blockquote> <p>Which one gives the best results.</p> </blockquote> <p>Best for what - I go with Didier on this one: <em>I'd say it depends on what you plan to shoot... </em>as well as with Jean-Yves: <em>only you can answer since only you know what you want from the lens</em>.<br> And since money is no object - here's the perfect solution: buy all three and find out yourself. Then sell the two (or three) that don't fit.<br> <em> </em></p>

<p>Did you check whether TRIM is actually active on your Macbook Air - believe it is by default but maybe you get lucky?</p>

<p>Here's a thread on flickr h<a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/2682619@N24/discuss/72157647884559639/">ttps://www.flickr.com/groups/2682619@N24/discuss/72157647884559639</a>/ that deals with the TC issue - there likely will be an update soon as at least one person will have the fix done. Apparently, a Nikon technical memo has very recently been updated - I just have not been able to locate it. Following that thread and maybe contacting the OP thereof could help you solve the issue?! IIRC, then only one case in that thread is identical to your - i.e. the D750 not focusing with the lens alone - in all other cases, it seems to take the additional electrical resistance of the TC to make the problem surface.</p>

<p>Independent of the serial number, those M6 bodies that actually suffered from the issues you mentioned and had them fixed seem to be the ones to go for. And the ones that have the MP-upgrade done won't suffer from the white-out flare issue. In addition, unless a CLA has been performed recently, you likely will have to get one done rather sooner than later.</p> <p> </p>

<p>How about that top LCD - flicker or no? If it does flicker, then it's a very strong indication for a grounding issue - if it stays normal, then your problem is likely something else. Here's a video of the top LCD behavior: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsLgz_HxoP4&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsLgz_HxoP4&feature=youtu.be</a></p>

<p>I have read a few reports where a D750 wasn't focusing with the 300/4 AF-S when a TC was mounted (specifically, TC-14E or EII) - in all cases the 300 by itself did focus though. Does the information in the top LCD blink when you mount the 300 and attempt to focus? How old is your 300 - this should not be an issue with lenses with a serial number starting with 3 (i.e. manufactured in 2006 or later)? With older lenses, there was a grounding issue that was solved then by soldering a grounding wire to the lens' chip; believe the newer solution is to have a new DC/DC converter placed.</p>

<blockquote> <p>I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet no matter how much Nikon reps say that there won't be another high end DX.</p> </blockquote> <p>I have hoped for a D300 successor for a long time (as those who follow this forum regularly might know) - but I finally have given up and purchased a D7100 about a month ago. Turns out that the small buffer isn't as much of a concern as I had feared - provided one uses fast SD cards. Can't say I am particularly fond of the mode dial on the left side of the camera - I wish for the old mode button on the right side instead. I believe it is fair to assume that something like the D300/D700 won't come around again.</p> <p>At this point, I don't care whether Nikon releases an answer to the 7D MKII and/or the successor to the D7100 - I am not buying for the time being no matter what features Nikon piles into those new release(s). Similar to the "too late" release of the 70-200/4; it's now "too late" for whatever DX flagship Nikon chooses to release (if any).</p> <p>I use DX now almost exclusively with my 80-400 AF-S - and if I had the feeling that the D7100 isn't sufficient - then with the 7D MkII there is now an alternative - together with a soon to be released new 100-400 lens. But since I never utilized the 8fps the D300 was capable of, 10 fps isn't something I feel I have a desperate need for.</p>

<p>color noise</p>

<blockquote> <p>The Kiron 75-150 f/4 is reputedly the same optical design as the Nikon, just a bit slower. I've never been able to confirm the rumor that Kiron actually made these for Nikon.</p> </blockquote> <p>They are most certainly NOT the same optical design (the Kiron and the Vivitar 70-150/3.8 might be), but the optical formula for the Kiron and the Nikon are not identical (given that the Nikon is a bit longer, this should not come as a surprise). Regarding the production and/or design of the Nikon by Kino Precision, I can only find information by the same person but no independent confirmation. </p>

<p>I have three manual focus "legend or cult" Nikkors left in the bag/closet: 105/2.5 Ai, 28/2.8 Ai-S, and 75-150/3.5 Series E. <br> Never owned the 105/1.8 Ai-S but for the price they go for, I would likely prefer the 85/1.8G AF-S (which I have and which gets about as much use as the 105/2.5 (i.e., very little)). <br> The 28/2.8 AI-S will see less use now too - the Ricoh GR will takes it's place in many applications. <br> And instead of the "sloppy" 75-150, I'd rather have the Kiron 70-150/4 (it's a lot smaller and allegedly optically as good) - it might see some use on a Sony A7 (on which the Nikon 75-150 already feels too big). Unfortunately, the Kiron I purchased recently developed some mechanical issue that killed it and I haven't found another one yet. <br> I had a 20/4 Ai that was supposedly one of the better 20mm lenses - but when I finally got to use it on an FX camera, I wasn't impressed - the heavy vignetting in particular was too much for me and I sold it. </p> <p>55/2.8 Micro - never warmed up to it and sold it.<br> Any 50mm - I have no use for any of them.<br> <br />180/2.8 - never owned one - but have a "legend" from another company adapted to F-mount instead: Leitz Apo-Telyt 180/3.4. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to really live up to its legendary status for me...</p>

<p>In Europe, a lot of places don't allow the use of a tripod and in quite a few places, you cannot even bring a camera bag (there usually are provisions to store it before entering but some are rather small and don't accommodate even a modest size backpack). So a lot speaks for a compact system with lenses that you can stick into pants or coat pockets if the need arises. </p> <blockquote> <p>For example, if people say that 27mm is already enough to capture colosseum/duomo/inside vatican museum/eiffel tower, then I'd gladly take their word blindly.</p> </blockquote> <p>I would not be happy with having only a 27mm in the places you mention. In fact, I rather have a 10-24 than a 18-135 if I could only take one. Both together don't seem to fit your budget - but maybe the 10-24 and the 55-200 does? The gap wouldn't bother me - but it might be an issue for you though. Giving your budget limitations, I would hesitate choosing a prime lens given its limitations.</p>