Zeiss Ikon Wide Angle 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZF Review

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(More customer reviews)This fantastic Zeiss Distagon lens is a slightly improved version of the legendary Contax SLR Zeiss 28mm f2 Distagon which, unfortunately, was not produced as long as its f2.8 sibling. Without a doubt, this lens (or rather, the Zeiss version which I do own) is the best 28mm lens I know of for manual focusing Nikon SLR cameras. It offers superb contrast and resolution at virtually all apertures, with optimal performance at f4 and slower apertures. However, still at both f2 and f2.8, this lens demonstrates superb contrast and resolution from the center of the lens outward towards its edges. This is a great lens which I strongly recommend for available light photography, but I can also recommend it too for all-around, general purpose photography as well. Due to its superior T* multicoating and ample aperture blades (I believe either 9 or 10), it renders out-of-focus areas with a very pleasant, almost subtle, bokeh.

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Zeiss Ikon Wide Angle 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZF Series Manual Focus Lens for the Nikon F (AI-S) Bayonet SLR System Description The Zeiss 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZF Manual Focus Standard Lens offers high standards in terms of performance, reliability and, of course, image quality. You can count on highly advanced flare control for crisp and brilliant images. And virtually zero geometric distortion, ensuring precise accuracy when reproducing shapes, especially useful when photographing products and architecture. The Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon T* ZF closes the gap in the line of high-end lenses for analog or digital Nikon SLR cameras. This bright lens offers a popular wide-angle view and has a minimum focusing distance of only 9.5" (24 cm). Thanks to the floating design, image quality remains almost consistent from the close-up range to infinity. Compatible with Nikon's F (AI-S) bayonet SLR system. Features High image quality in the close-up range makes this lens ideal for still life photography of small objects Control of flare and ghosting are outstanding, so that even extreme highlights in the image field do not affect the quality of the image Precise mechanism enables exact manual focusing Carl Zeiss T* lens coating Specifications Filter Size58mm f/Stop Range2.0-22 Minimum Focus Distance9.5" (24 cm) Magnification1:5 Angle of View74° Groups/Elements8/10 Length2.7" (69mm) Maximum Diameter2.5" (65mm) Weight1.16 lbs (530 g) WarrantyZeiss Warranty

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Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens Kit, 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty - with Tiffen 77mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit, Lens Cap Leash, Professional Lens Cleaning Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor Lens is a very good quality lens. It's fast (fixed f/2.8), solid (built like a tank), produce great quality image, and priced very reasonably for a professional grade telephoto lens.
Having said that, there are some additional features that would be nice to have for this lens such as image stabilization, more silent autofocus (AF-S), and shorter minimum focus distance but those features will make this lens a lot more expensive (as those feature is included in the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR lens). If budget is not an issue, then I would recommend the 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR (the Vibration Reduction technology and faster and more silent focus are very useful) or the 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S (which has faster and more silent focus). If large aperture (fast lens)is not your main requirement, then you can get the 70-300mm VR (at a lower price)
There are several version of 80-200mm f/2.8 lens, and the latest one (non AF-S model and that Nikon still produce as of 2009) is the two ring model. The one ring push pull model is also good quality lens (solidly built and produce great image quality) but autofocus is much slower. If budget is an issue, the older push pull model would still be a good choice too.
If you are wondering whether you should get a fast lens or a lens with VR (Vibration Reduction), here's my take: In overall, VR does help a lot (as it will reduce camera shake) and will produce better/sharper picture than equivalent lens without VR (especially if the object is static). If the object is moving (sports/action) then VR feature alone might not help (depending on how fast the object is moving and how much light is available), and a fast lens often end up being a far better solution, even without VR feature as it will allow much faster shutter speed to freeze motion. Using tripod (and a remote) will substitute for the need of VR feature. In general I would recommend getting a fast lens with VR feature (and usually it is expensive) such as the 70-200 f/2.8 VR, but if one can only get for one or the other, then find out what do you want to use the lens for and then use the guideline mentioned here.
FYI: This lens will not autofocus with Nikon D40, D40x, D60 or D5000.
Pros
1. Great quality lens (very sharp pictures. 3 of the glasses made/coated with ED technology)
2. Very fast (fixed f/2.8 throughout the zoom range)
3. Very reasonably priced (compared to 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR and 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S)
4. Built to last. Very solid
5. Great for sport, action, wedding and low-light photography
6. Uses standard 77mm lens filter
7. Bokeh is very nice at f/2.8
8. Autofocus much faster than the older 80-200mm f/2.8 model (the push pull version)
9. The price is very stable (I bought mine several years ago and I could still sell it at the same price today)
10. With non full frame Nikon DSLR, the focal length becomes 120-300mm equivalent (nice reach). you can get Nikon 80-400mm for more reach but that lens is not fixed f/2.8).
Cons
1. Heavy at 2 lbs 14 oz or 1.3kg. (Good arm exercise :), or using tripod or monopod would be nice)
2. Autofocus not as fast and silence as the AF-S model (70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S and 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S), but the autofocus limiter switch improves autofocus time
3. Tripod collar is too close to the zoom ring (you can remove or adjust the tripod collar though)
4. Thread for the filter can be better (it's made of plastic)
5. Lens hood is sold separately (highly recommended to reduce flare and internal reflection)
6. More expensive than Non-Nikon (sigma, tamron etc) brand alternative (some comparable price but they have faster and silence focus)
7. Lens could jump around a bit during autofocusing if you are not strong enough (due to the glass moving fast as the lens autofocus)
8. No Manual focus override mode on Autofocus mode
9. No Macro mode (can't be use for macro shot). closest focusing distance is quite far
10. No VR (Vibration Reduction), which will help a lot for this type of lens (heavy and telephoto)
In conculsion, if you are looking for a Nikon professional grade telephoto lens that is reasonably prices, you can't really beat this Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor lens. This lens is really good choice for sport, action, wedding, low-light, indoor photography.
Happy Photographing!
Sidarta Tanu

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Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens Kit, 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty - with Tiffen 77mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit, Lens Cap Leash, Professional Lens Cleaning Kit: Superb telephoto-zoom lens for sports and nature photography. 3 ED glass for high resolution and high contrast even at maximum apertures. Maintains fast f/2.8 aperture throughout zoom range.

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Carl ZEISS Distagon T* - Wide-angle lens - 25 mm - f/2.8 ZF - Nikon F Review

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(More customer reviews)When I first used the Zeiss ZF 25mm f/2.8 Distagon, it presented various minor optical shortcomings that induced me to avoid using it (as a sort of knee-jerk reaction). But to my surprise, the 25 Distagon has become one of my favorite lenses because of its unusual rendering, and the especially artistic way it "draws" at close range (every lens renders the world differently--don't waste your time on by-the-numbers lens reviews by clueless morons).
The 25 Distagon has the "problems" of strong vignetting and curvature of field wide open, but beautiful image rendition. Combine all three attributes appropriately and you will be rewarded.
The 25 Distagon also offers stunning image contrast and flare control, eminently suitable for difficult lighting and landscapes.

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Superior wide-angle performance combined with extreme close-up potential. This all-round wide-angle lens features a MOD (minimum object distance) of only 6 cm from the front element. Its impressive sharpness is clearly beyond the best color films available today. It also features long-life all-metal barrel of very high precision.Compatibility of ZF Lenses:Nikon Nikkormat series, F, F2, F3, EL, FA, FE, FG, FM, FM2/A, FM3A;You can use the Carl Zeiss ZF-lenses on these cameras without limitations. The aperture transfer works either with the AI lever or with the shank-coupling.Nikon F50, F55, F60, F65, F75, F80, F401, D50, D70, D70s, D80, D100, Kodak Pro 14n, Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro (cameras without AI lever)While manual focus lenses (Carl Zeiss ZF-lenses) can be fitted to these cameras,the cameras will provide no metering to assist exposure. The cameras can be usedin manual exposure mode in conjunction with an external exposure meter.Nikon F70, F90/x, F100, F301, F501, F601, F801, F4, F5, D1, D1X, D1HF70, F90/x, F100, F301, F501, F601, F801, F4, F5, D1, D1X, D1HManual focus lenses (Carl Zeiss ZF-lenses) can be used on these cameras with limitations on exposure modes and metering options. With manual focus lenses onecan use the exposure modes A (aperture priority) and M (manual). For metering one can use centerweighted or spotmetering. Note that it may be necessary to activate a custom mode setting in order to us

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Nikon 135mm f/2.0D AF DC-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)This lens is not just a specialty 'portrait lens' but a superb piece of optical excellence from Nikon, and a lens that you can buy now and use for an entire career or lifetime of photography. It is among Nikon's sharpest lenses ever produced, with sharpness exceptional even wide open at f/2 in the corners. Autofocus is extremely fast on a D300 or D700. At f/2 the bokeh is gorgeous, close to that of the famed 85mm f/1.4, but more interesting as the 'defocus control' (not a good term for the actual function but Nikon's choice) allows you to do the following things:
- leave it at the same aperture at which you are shooting (i.e. if you're shooting at f/2 or f/2.8, then set the DC ring at f/2, or f/2.8 in either direction) to get beautiful bokeh and a sharp subject; in this case, your bokeh will be more pronounced either behind or in front of your subject (assuming there are things in front of the subject which are out of the depth of field or focal subject). An example: a row of flowers in a garden in front of the subject, with focus on the subject set, and shooting aperture of f/2.8 = setting the DC at f/2.8 "F" ("front") causes the flowers in front of the subject to have 'more bokeh' than normal, whereas setting it at "R" ("rear") causes the same for the rear row of flowers (although this is a bit harder to see unless you're at narrower apertures where you usually don't get that much creamy bokeh).
- set it beyond or below the aperture you are shooting, to gradually 'defocus' the subject that is already in focus. Now this sounds like anathema to anyone who wants "sharp" photos from lenses (as "sharpness" is one of the big selling points) but for portraits specifically, a tack-sharp shot is in fact not always what you might want. For older, more 'mature' subjects which may have the various blemishes, wrinkles, lines, etc. which would be very pronounced and distinct in a tack-sharp lens' focus, a slight change of the DC ('defocus control') ring allows for the ever so slightest (at one stop different from your shooting aperture) to a much more soft 'defocus' of the subject. In other words, if you're shooting at f/2.8, setting the DC at f/3.5 or more (either "F" or "R" - I found "R" to be a bit nicer) will gradually place the subject of the portrait ever so slightly out of focus - or 'soft' focus, as the old lenses and filters would create - and make the subject very attractive without any of the unwanted details that one wouldn't want in a portrait enlarged to, say, 11x14 or whatever size.
The wide f/2 aperture allows for beautiful bokeh and tack-sharp shots without manipulating the DC ring, if you're not interested in 'soft' focus, and the f/2 aperture is exceptional for low light photography, whether at night, indoors or outdoors, or in a low-light setting such as a theater, sporting event indoors or outdoors, etc.
Some say this lens is 'hard to use' because of the DC ring; once you take a few sample shots with it and experiment with one subject, you'll start to get a feel for the types of settings that you find most pleasing, and use those in the field. Or, you can just not change the DC ring at all and enjoy the extreme sharpness, superb bokeh and extraordinary color rendition from this ultra-pro-quality lens.
The construction is solid, tank-like and built to last a photographic lifetime; the price is not trivial, but it is about right for this level of lens, and as a one-time investment, it's justifiable given the shots you will get from it. There is no VR, of course, so it's important to use good technique to get the sharpest shots (i.e. try to limit camera shake, use fast shutter speeds, etc.) at this 135mm focal length. On a DX camera the focal length converts to about 200mm so this is superb for portraits outside (basically at the same length as the non-DX 200mm f/2 pro lens which sells for $5k). However, the long focal length means that the slightest camera shake at slower shutter speeds may impede sharp photos; I try to stay at 1/100 or faster when handheld to avoid this (and in low light, the f/2 wide open will allow that if you have your high ISO set on a newer model that gives usable images even at ISO6400). Now on a tripod for portraits this lens has to be best in its class; the difference between the 85mm f/1.4 may be only 50mm in focal length, but the effects that this lens can produce with some judicious use of softening the subject's focus really stand out in enlarged shots, particularly those of weddings, etc. where tack-sharp isn't always the aim, and even a slightly "dreamy" or "romantic" mood is the goal. It focuses quite close for this focal length and aperture, so both head-shot-only close-ups and head-and-shoulders portrait shots from farther away (even full body shots, if you're far enough) are possible. It's nice as a medium telephoto or quasi-macro lens outside, as well, for flowers and other nature shots, as the focal distance works well.
Ergonomics: excellent. The built-in hood is a little clumsy but very convenient, and doesn't ever get in the way. The weight is perfectly balanced and feels terrific on my D700. The rubber focus ring doesn't move when focusing, and is perfect to grip with the left hand (assuming a right-handed camera shooter). There is no case included with the lens in the box, but a Nikon soft lens bag for $15 or so is a good investment - get a big one like the CL-S2, as this lens is rather large (not much smaller than the 70-300mm VR). The recommended nylon hard case is a bit bulky and not really necessary if you already have a camera bag or backpack that holds a few lenses - just get the soft case to protect it from scratches, etc. inside that bag.


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This high-performance, medium telephoto features Defocus Image Control allowing for control of the degree of focus in the foreground or background.

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Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)This lens is highly coveted by anyone that has ever shot with it. The 9-bladed aperture creates beautiful bokeh (the out of focus areas) and the sharpness, color and contrast are amazing. Primarily designed as a portrait lens, it really shines at f/2 to f/5.6 with an amazing 3-D like quality that has to be seen to be believed. The fit and finish are first class, with a nice feel and balance to it. It uses 77mm filters like most other Nikon pro glass and flares quite easily so be sure to use the included metal lens hood.

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85mm lens for Nikon SLR cameras

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Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)This lens is THE lens to own if you want to shoot indoor sports. The newspaper I work for has me out on a lot of volleyball, hockey and basketball beats, and this lens does not come off my camera. I have taken this lens out to soccer games and baseball games but use it mainly as back up. If you want to shoot these sports you'll want something up in the 300-400 range. Soccer especially.
The 2.8 aperture is a must for these low (and orange/brown) light situations. I was using a 200mm f4 but fell just short of being able to freeze the action perfectly without any blur. The little bit of extra light makes a world of difference.
I shoot with a D80 and find that I can keep my ISO down around 400 and be very comfortable with the results. In my situation (newsprint) I could go as high as 800 and be alright with it, but the glass in this lens lets me keep it low.
If you are in the fence, pick this lens up. For under 1000 bucks you can't beat it. It's ultra wide, and doesn't lose any sharpness at 2.8.
The only situation where you should not buy this lens is if you own a D40 or D40x. These bodies will not support the AF function of this lens, and seeing as how this is a great medium tele sports lens, not having AF would make this lens a bust.
They make a version with a built in motor that will communicate the D40 and D40x but it'll cost you close to 800 more.
As a side note this lens is heavy (as are most 2.8 tele lenses) There is a lot of big glass in this lens and after an hour or so of shooting hand held you will really want a mono pod. This lens has a great tripod shoe, so don't be afraid to throw it up on mono and go to town, your arms will appreciate the help
One final note. If you are undecided about this lens because it does not have any sort of optical stabilization or vibration reduction consider what you will be using this for. If you are shooting sports or action you wont need and it wont use it. If you are shooting from a tripod or good mono pod, you wont need and wont use it. The VR is only good in handheld situations when the object you are photographing is stationary.
This lens is a 5 star lens


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80-200mm D-Series Zoom lens for Nikon cameras

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