Lenses for S2 Pro

Saleem Kormath · Jan 7, 2003

I want to buy Lenses and a flash for my new S2 Pro. Any suggetions ?

Currently I have the following which I bought with my last camera, Nikon F90.

1) 80-300 D Sigma
2) 35-80 D Nikon
3) 18-35 D Sigma
4) SB-26 Nikon

Regards,

Saleem

Hugensjr · Jan 7, 2003

I recently had an email conversation with Fuji Service dept.

I emailed them because I'm having focussing/sharpness problems with the camera. I also listed my lenses in this email:

Nikkor 28-70 3,5-4,5 D
Nikkor 80-200 2.8 ED
Sigma 18-35 3,5-4,5 D

Bit like yours....

Their response was the following (I'll translate it into English):
********
The settings on the camera should be the following:

Do not select the dynamic autofocus option (no [+] but [ ])
CSM function 7 and 8 disable
Sharpness HARD
Color and Tone on ORG

Besides that: the S2pro on high resolution needs very good lenses, other then commonly used by analog camera's. When not using a good lense, the resluting image maybe dissapoint you, for example with the 28-70 and 18-35. The 80-200/2.8 should produce good images
***********

I'm happy that Fuji gave me a quick response. But what's this for BS!!??

My 28-70 may not be the problem! This is a lens with good optical performance on all camera's I've used (F90, F90X, F80). Not a pro lense but superior to other nikkors (like the 35-80).

So if you must believe Fuji: you'll have to dump all your lenses and by the 17-35/2.8 and a 80-200/2.8 and then you have to set the setting right, and THEN you have a chance of making a good picture.

But you should not worry too much, because not all S2's have the problem I have with mine.....

Succes!......

Patrick

ajs2107922 · Jan 7, 2003

Hi,

The lens you have are not all that sharp. I've have own the sigma 18-35mm and sold it when I got the S2. I would sell the lens you have and start again. A good cost effective lens is the Nikon 28-105D which will give good results without braking the bank.

I then got to Nikon primes 20mm F2.8 and 50mm F1.8 which both work very well. I already had a Sigma 70-200 F2.8 HSM EX which is also very good.

You could try then Nikon 70-300 (second hand only) which was replaced by the 75-300D. The older version is very sharp and can be had for a few $'s.

--
Alex
LWS photographic (UK)

Mahesh · Jan 7, 2003

Hey Saleem,

I have the following 3 lenses and I live and die by them: 20 mm f2.8; 80-400 VR; 28-105 (all Nikkor). I see you have the 80-300 and maybe won't consider the 80-400, but I have to tell you that the VR is just awesome. I can shoot at 400 mm using ss of only 1/90 sec and consistently (> 75% of the time) get sharp images. I rarely use flash, but I do have an SB-80 that's collecting dust

The few times I've used it, it's performed like a champ.

--
RAW data is but a recipe; photoshop the spices...while the printout is the
final meal...and each meal tastes a little different depending on the cook.

--Mahesh Thapa

Teski · Jan 7, 2003

I can't speak from experience on your list below, but here is a recent response I made on my lens opinions:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1020&message=4055165

Hope this may help

Teski

Suredeath · Jan 7, 2003

I have the 35-80D 1:4-5.6 too. Not a great lens but it is not too bad on my S2. I am in fact rather surprised how it holds itself. It came with my F50. Never drop it, the inner stuff is held together with (don't laugh) stickytape.

I had the 18-35 1:3.5-4.5 Sigma too. It's a lousy lens, I got rid of it. With the S2 I have not one pic with it I really find acceptable. (curious how much it cost you , I paid about €450 for it, three or four years ago. Worst money ever spent. It is sort of ok for a 35MM SLR though I reckon)

I don't know the 80-300 myself, and it's not listed on photozone.de either. SO no idea how good/bad it is. I hope to get a VR telezoom someday, the Nikkor 80-400 or even the 80-200 in VR... If it is affordable for me.

Now I use a 2nd hand 75-300 Nikkor 1:4-5.6, not great but a fair lens for the money.

I think your flash will do just fine! (I use the Sigma EF430-ST myself)
Cheers
Sjoerd

Suredeath · Jan 7, 2003

If I am not mistaking it is the other way around.

The old (full metal) 75-300 has a MTF score of 3.36 (good) on photozone, the later 70-300 in plastic comes in a G and an ED flavour, the first (G) gets a 1.98 (poor), the latter (ED) scores 2.56 (average).

Anyway I like the 75-300, but it weighs a fair amount. (approx. 950 grams)

Doug Jones · Jan 7, 2003

Hi Saleem,

The S2 loves sharp lenses. I have managed to pick up all the following Nikkor lenses at very good second hand prices and they all produce excellent images.
24 f2.8
35 f2
50 f1.8 (a "must have" for portraits, scenics)
80-200 f2.8 ED (one touch version) heavy but exceptional glass.

I picked up a 28 f2.8 before the 24 but it is the poorest of the primes and will be sold again.

I bought new a Tamron 90 f2.8 macro - simply the sharpest lens I own - up close or at infinity.

A Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EX DF DG is my workhorse "people" lens. Not as sharp as the primes or the 80-200 but consistently sharp from centre to corners. Some of the 28-?? zooms might be sharper but I wanted the wider 24 (36 equiv) wide end.

Waiting (and saving?) for the new Nikkor DX 12-24 but might have to get a 20 prime to fill in.
--
Doug Jones
Canberra
http://www.panamagic.com.au

photo-op · Jan 7, 2003

I recently sold my 80-400 VR and am enjoying the Sigma 50-500 HSM. Not sold on it but somewhat attracted !

Teski · Jan 7, 2003

Curious why you sold your 80-400?

Teski

JoeR · Jan 7, 2003

--Here is what I chose:

Sigma 15-30 F3.5/4.5
Nikon 28-105 F3.5/4.5
Sigma 50 f2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 100-300 f4.0
Kenko 1.4 teleplus Pro 300

I also have a Nikon 180 F2.8 but it is superfluous now that I have the 100-300.

Are these the absolute best in their class? Probably not, but they are close and I think represent the best value for the coverage.

JoeR

JoeR · Jan 7, 2003

--I tried the Nikon 70-300G lens for a coulpe of days. I didn't get one sharp image from it. Had to take it back. I think the S2 is sensitive to lens quality.

JoeR

photo-op · Jan 7, 2003

Hi teski,

I could not get sharp pics with it. It was a 50-50 thing and I just did not like the agony of wondering how many shots to take to make sure I got one that would print!' I REALLY tried to like it for a long time.
I found myself using the 300mm AF-S f4 alot!

Search

Lenses for S2 Pro

Saleem Kormath

Active member

Hugensjr

Member

ajs2107922

Leading Member

Mahesh

Veteran Member

Teski

Forum Pro

Suredeath

Forum Enthusiast

Suredeath

Forum Enthusiast

Doug Jones

Leading Member

photo-op

Well-known member

Teski

Forum Pro

JoeR

Senior Member

JoeR

Senior Member

photo-op

Well-known member

Keyboard shortcuts