Had to pick between a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 and a Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 for a customer's F2

Guy brought in a beat up Nikon F2 last month, wanted a 50mm lens mounted. I had a Nikkor AI-S and a Zeiss ZF.2 sitting on the shelf. Picked the Nikkor because it's built tougher for that camera, and the aperture ring felt smoother. Customer was happy, but I still wonder if I should have gone with the Zeiss for the sharper optics. Has anyone else dealt with that kind of choice for a classic body?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_beth1d ago

Honestly, that 'aperture ring felt smoother' part got me. It's like how I always grab the older cast iron pan at my friend's place instead of the fancy nonstick one. The Zeiss is probably sharper on paper, but the Nikkor just feels right in the hand, like it was meant for that camera. Sometimes the thing that works better in real life beats the thing that looks better on a spec sheet.

christopher9521d ago

I get what you're saying about the cast iron thing, but I have to push back a little on the "feels right in the hand" idea. I've used that exact Nikkor and honestly, the aperture ring on the Zeiss is way more precise in my experience. The Nikkor is definitely built like a tank and feels solid, but that smoothness you mentioned? I think it can fool you into thinking it's better. Like, I'd take a slightly stiff but dead-on accurate ring over a buttery smooth one that has a little play any day. If I'm shooting a portrait and need to nail focus at f/2.8, I want the lens that gives me the sharpest result, not the one that feels nice to twist. Specs matter when you're actually trying to get a specific shot.