Zeiss users: Do you ever wish for auto focus?

[photophreek]

wickidwombat wrote:

using a tripod for a wedding? you are joking arent you?
maybe for a couple fo set shots max but 99.8% of the shooting is run and gun
hardly time to change lenses let alone setting up a tripod unless its planned wel in advance and co-ordinated as part of the rehearsal.

I shot weddings for years when there was no autofocus, digital, nothing and I used a tripod all the time.  I didn't in the church or candids at the reception, but everything else.  I found the tripod very useful and allowed me to concentrate on posing and lighting rather than shooting thousands of shots hoping something sticks.

[Albi86]

Got a Zeiss 21mm and I do not miss the AF at all.

Keep in mind though that this is wide and mostly used for landscapes and other events where I have a second or two to focus in.  The Canon Focus-Assist gives you an Auto-Focus confirmation - the only thing different is that you are the "motor".   I can see it being an issue on longer lenses or action/sports shot. 

For the wide, the edge-to-edge sharpness, microcontrast, and color rendition easily out-performs the Canons.  For me, its even worth being a prime instead of a zoom for the quality shots I get.

No regrets.

I'm interested in this.

I knew it would work as well as the points' sensitivity, which means the lens has to be stopped down to at least f/2.8 to get an accurate focus confirmation. How do you find it when working wider open?

[psolberg]

I've been following Zeiss maniac Lloyd Chambers. His comparisons really show how canon/nikon gear just isn't holding up to the level of quality of Zeiss, not to mention Leica.

the MF issue worries me but it seems from this thread that owners don't find it that big a deal since they aren't spraying and praying. I think I'll keep AF glass but will defitinively head to zeiss for my video/landscape needs. their glass is just gorgeous.