Why Photographers Misunderstand Nikon Z System

Nikon is the one camera company doing things a little different, and photographers don't understand it. They have released the 35mm f1.4 Z and the 50mm f1.4 Z lenses. But they have a "higher" tier S lineup of 35mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.8 lenses. The S lenses are more modern, clinical and perfect. Sharper and more well corrected for character flaws. The new lineup is cheaper, faster, but with that vintage character look, 3D pop, micro contrast etc. And photographers are mad about it for some reason.

Today we compare some stuff, Sony vs Nikon. Sony has the opposite situation as Nikon. Zeiss 55mm f1.8 is the one with the 3D pop and character, low element count etc. VS the Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.4 I just bought. We will compare those lenses as we talk about Nikon's lens situation. And finally test the Nikon RED luts.

If you buy today's gear through my affiliate links, the pop will be yours.
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[cameraconspiracies]

If you buy today's gear through my affiliate links, the pop will be yours.
Thank you for your Bitcoin donations :)

[TaiJason]

Imagine seeing a random guy with a yellow shirt and red cap in the mist of a lake doing kicks while he’s mumbling about camera brands and 3D pop 😂

[EddieInzauto]

OH MY GOD MY BRICK WALL ISN'T GONNA BE SHARP ENOUGH IN THE CORNERS!

[JohnSpearsJr]

By far my favorite channel to go to for comedy and honest opinions about cameras and more.

[englematic]

My favorite lens when I shot on nikon was the 35mm f/2D. Just such a nice dreamy look that popped. Just take those same optics and put them in a lens body with a modern mount.

[shadowrevival]

In the search of a perfect lens, we forget that imprefection is what makes the picture 🤗

[c.d.osajotiamaraca]

Dude, you are killing it. You are providing so much info you should be selling transcripts as a newsletter, or a "before you buy" equipment manual.

Big qualifying questions: 1. What kind of photographer are you? 2. How big is the photo going to be? 3. How does the camera mimic the human eye? 4. What do you want the viewer to focus on?

Take question 4 for example. You will notice that when your eyes are concentrating on a singular object, every other object in the field naturally blurs. This implies concentration, interest and well... focus. Essential for hunters, needleworkers, surgeons and falling in love. Whereas, when you are at the top of a mountain surveying a landscape the point of focus is stretched to get a contextual overview. In short, "looking" is a technical act that is essential for human survival, communication, adaptation, and navigation.

So... is it a portrait or a landscape? No matter wether its a closeup, establishing shot, or mid range. We can treat the human body as a landscape, or we can make a portrait out of a single mole in the landscape of the human body. What is of interest? There are only two fundamental types of compositions. I know, big claim, LOL. We can apply this same thesis to portraits and landscapes of people places and things. Read that again. The approach you are so critical of is the "non art oriented photographer" who is selfishly, ignorantly, or purposefully making the photo the object, and NOT THE SCENE within the medium.

For instance, a really artful DP knows how to lead the focus of the viewers gaze with manual focus between the action of the context and the subject. Further, the steadiness or jitteryness of the camera movements, angles transport the viewer into feeling situation. The idea that everything in the field of vision has to be sharp is like saying all camera movements need to be steady. Is such a person an artist or an illustrator? It all depends on what emotional state the photographer is trying to communicate, or not.

Keep it coming. Based on this vid alone you are my new favorite photography vlogger. Thank you!

[vacuumandgaspressurecoexisting]

There is a non-radioactive 50mm 1.4 Takumar. Simonsutak here on youtube made a video about the different versions. I have the radioactive version and i sleep with it under my pillow every night.
I have to agree with the general sentiment, it is sharp and fun. I have messed around with lots of vintage glass and if you are looking for a fast vintage fifty then just get the Takumar and be done with it.

[rogmag]

Now *that* would be a fun episode. Watching Kasey reviewing a radioactive lens against his better judgement and taking all the precautions to the extreme.

[ShutterNChill]

About the Super Takumar 50mm F1.4: I also have that lens (7 element non-SMC version), and indeed, it is radioactive, one of the most radioactive of all radioactive Takumars. I have not measured it, but according to online data it's one of the most radioactive lenses of any kind. The rear element is radioactive, the front is not. It is x200 more radioactive than the background radiation. It's still perfectly fine if you keep it on your desk or lens cabinet, from there it's not causing any health hazards. Just do not sleep with it, do not keep it in your pants pocket, do not lick the rear element every day, and do not keep it on the camera as the sensor gets a teensy little stressed if the lens is left on for extended periods (little more background noise). (BTW I have left it on my 5D for weeks at a stretch, and have not seen any deterioration / side effect, so that thing that the internet preaches about sensor stress might just be a little exaggeration, not substantiated by my experience.)
I use a Tiffen enhancer filter on it, and the colors are purely magical. Just make sure to clean the lens well. (I have taken apart mine and did a very thorough cleaning that pretty much transformed it from mediocre sharpness mediocre colors to outstanding colors and sharpness just right). Also, it can focus very close, close enough for near-macro territory with background obliterating blur.
SUPRISE: it has a non-radioactive version! The legendary 8 element version is non-radioactive. It has better sharpness, better color, better 3D pop, no radioactivity.... what can go wrong? Oh, the price

[pslaathaug]

The ducks sped up after they realized you were talking to yourself. ;)

[SMGJohn]

LOL, you been on DPReview forum to read those elitist people with their 40k posts stats what they think about new Nikon lenses. I swear these people buy gear only to put it in their equipment list so they can go brag about it in an echo chamber and how sharp pictures of their backyards are.

[Molly_Smokes]

I completely agree. I’m still adapting my old Nikon Ai-s lenses to my Fuji. Beautiful results. Having auto focus on them would be great on a native system.

[JohnDrummondPhoto]

It took 20 minutes to get there, but the goldfinch at the end saved the video. 😉😆

[avjake]

OH SNIP! The OOF sailboat in the background was so awesome.

[jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

The best thing is you can adapt nearly any lens on the market to Nikon Z-Mount cameras.

[shadyninja]

I strongly suspect that a Nikon z 85mm toneh 1.4 will follow before the end of the year

[ShadesOClarity]

Again, that nice fog/mist, leading lines, water, ducks, boats and Toneh. I think both of those lenses look good. I work off of only three lenses for my RP. The only R lens I use is the 24-105 T4. Good content, as usual.

[AprilClayton]

Lack of sharpness on the face is definitely pleasing, or at least less scary.

[Flamamacue]

Those people are weird. They either obsess over MTF charts only to put it through some lo-fi Dehancer film style emulation anyway OR they obsess over MTF charts only to post 12 photos from their local park and never use the lens again