Reader Q and A: Nikon D850, Leica M9/M10/SL, Hasselblad X1D.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

I received the question below via email yesterday and I thought I would share both it and my answer (expanded somewhat for this post) since I’ve been receiving many similar questions lately.

—Peter.

 

Hello Peter,

I’ve been thinking a lot about your comments… trying to decide if I’m going to change anything.  

As much I love the [Leica] SL, I’m not going to keep it.  The autofocus is good, but I’d say not great.  Autofocus always seems to be a love/hate thing for me.  I suspect the [Nikon] D850 would probably autofocus better.  I’m getting real close to pulling the trigger on the D850 and likely the 58mm you have.  The only reason I haven’t, is the size of the outfit, and do I really want to start investing in another platform.

Then there is my [Leica] M10/M9 debacle.  I have and really like the M10, but in the end maybe I should just use my M9 once it’s back with the new sensor.  It would certainly make for a better travel outfit.  I’m curious why you didn’t keep one of your M9s just for travel.  If it’s dollars, it certainly makes sense.  While I considered keeping the SL + M10, I really felt it would be financially irresponsible for me…

Any thoughts on the [Hasselblad] X1D?  I love the size and sensor, but I’m sure it would not make as good all rounder as the D850.

Anyway, loved your image today of your wife and son.  It’s really nice.

Mr. TM.

 

My response:

–

Hi TM,

Regarding the Leica M9 and M10:

  • I once wrote an article for Steve Huff stating:  Always use the best camera you can afford (and learn to use) for your family.  The M9 — after 10 years — is no longer that camera.  The M10 isn’t either.
  • The form factor and manual focus for M cameras are the main attractions for me, but I can no longer accept the trade-off of having an inferior sensor vs. something like the D850.

Regarding the Hasselblad X1D:

  • I like it too (amazing form factor) but it’s outside of my budget.
  • It’s still a product-in-evolution, so that makes the price point even more unattractive to me.
  • The larger sensor is indeed the main draw, but for my use the D850 is much more versatile and will likely yield me more keepers.

Regarding the Nikon D850:

  • All of the above comments, and:
  • It’s not convenient as a carry-everywhere camera, so I can’t casually head out the door with it.
  • But I would consider carrying it with the Nikon 58/1.4G for an outing with my family if I thought there would be opportunities to photograph.
  • I mostly use it when I deliberately want to photograph, and want high quality output.

Thank you for your good words!

—Peter.

Eye Contact, closer.

2018, Favourite, Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.4G, Nikon D850, Portrait, Q&A, Teaching point, Within 200 feet of My House™

Technical:  f/1.4  |  1/800  |  ISO 800

I could have photographed this at ISO 200 if the shutter speed was set to 1/200 sec but I wanted to ensure maximal sharpness and introduce a little “grain” (in the form of noise) to make the look a little less clean.

Post-processing: Current experimentation “v. 2.02”.

—Peter.

↑ Nikon D850 + Nikon 58mm f/1.4 G.

Follow-up to Nikon 58mm f/1.4G Test Shot (crop).

Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.4G, Q&A, Teaching point

For those interested, here’s a closer look at yesterday’s image taken with the Nikon 58/1.4G.

At f/1.4, you can see how the 58/1.4G has a slight glow; this is in contrast to the vivid sharpness of something like a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART.  If sharpness is your only measure of a lens’ worth, then the Sigma is your lens of choice for the 50mm-ish focal range.

In all other respects (colour, bokeh, 3D effect, etc.), I would choose the Nikon.

—Peter.

Nikon 58mm f/1.4G Test Shot.

2018, Favourite, Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.4G, Nikon D850, Print, Q&A, Teaching point, Within 200 feet of My House™

The light hasn’t yet returned to Toronto so there won’t be anything worthwhile to post with my “new-old” Nikon 58mm f/1.4G lens for a while.  Therefore, as always, I’ve resorted to employing what little window light remains when I return from work to conduct a test shot or two.

The silky smooth output of the 58/1.4G is just as I remember it.  What’s different this time, however, is how much easier it is to achieve precise focus @ f/1.4 with the D850 vs. the D810 I previously owned.  In fact, it was this issue (unreliable focus) that made me sell this lens in the first place.

—Peter.

↑ Nikon D850 + Nikon 58mm f/1.4 G.

Worthwhile reading re: Nikon 58mm f/1.4G.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

There’s a DPReview “user review” thread on the Nikon 58/1.4G that summarizes better than I ever could what is so special about this lens:

DPReview Nikon 58mm 1.4G User Review

Also worth reading is this response, also in the same thread:

Response re: Nikon 58mm 1.4G (practical advantage)

(pay particular attention to the ruler demonstration which reveals the practical advantages of this lens when shot wide open)

—Peter.