Marshmellow
Contributor
Alien,
Wow, what a hassle for a lens that was announced, what 2 years + ago? They must of had a lot of the lens in circulation for them to require the lens be sent back to them for the firmware upgrade. I can't imagine them intensionally shipping with bad FW and than asking for a return. Like Phil said, most lens FW can be upgraded by the user. Weird that Zeiss requires a factory performed update?
Until this lens proves out, I'm sticking with the Canon 60mm custom port I purchased from DrKevbo. The C60 EF-S has a good reputation, is 15mm longer (35mm equivalent) which helps in that 50mm macro is still quite short for working distances, plus the longer lens is more compatible with diopters from what I've been told and read. In addition, the custom C60 port has manual focusing. Perhaps Nauticam will eventually make a gear for the Z50. Off hand, I can't remember the width of the Z50, but the gear may run into the same issue as the S10-18 and Z16-70 in that they need the new wider mini-port ID for the gear to fit. If this is the case, Nauticam might eventually make a macro port and gear for the Z50. I think the Port 45 and extension was just a stop gap measure until they can put a gear and new wider ID port together. Just my opinion, because manual focus is usually important in macro and they haven't offered a gear yet for whatever reason.
The advantage I see for the Z50 over the C60 is the fast autofocus which can be nice when in current and stabilizing oneself with the left hand and a "Lembeh" stick. I don't have the lens and Metabones adapter yet (soon, on their way) but hope the auto focus will be good enough on static subjects that I can get a focus, however slow, and then "lock and rock" the final composition should I be in current or need to stabilize myself. I suppose if the Z50 focuses quick and accurately, using the "lock and rock" technique will overcome any need for a manual focus gear.
Since you already have the Zen mini-port adapter for your Z12 and DP-170, you may want to consider using a S&S macro port that will fit the adapter (I believe all MDX and NX ports will work, but check that out with Phil or S&S). The new Zen adapter has the wider mini-port ID and will most likely work with a focus gear should Nauticam eventually produce one. Either way, this may cut down on the number of extensions and size of ports you carry.
Lastly, there is a serious rumor that Sony will produce a longer FE (FF) G Series Macro in late 2014 for the A7 series, which would make for a much needed longer macro that will most likely work with your Zen adapter and S&S extensions/ports. Something to look forward to for us serious macro shooters. Of course, we know how long we've waited for the Z50. LOL.
Look forward to hearing your results with the Z50 once you get things ironed out.
Cheers,
Marsh
Wow, what a hassle for a lens that was announced, what 2 years + ago? They must of had a lot of the lens in circulation for them to require the lens be sent back to them for the firmware upgrade. I can't imagine them intensionally shipping with bad FW and than asking for a return. Like Phil said, most lens FW can be upgraded by the user. Weird that Zeiss requires a factory performed update?
Until this lens proves out, I'm sticking with the Canon 60mm custom port I purchased from DrKevbo. The C60 EF-S has a good reputation, is 15mm longer (35mm equivalent) which helps in that 50mm macro is still quite short for working distances, plus the longer lens is more compatible with diopters from what I've been told and read. In addition, the custom C60 port has manual focusing. Perhaps Nauticam will eventually make a gear for the Z50. Off hand, I can't remember the width of the Z50, but the gear may run into the same issue as the S10-18 and Z16-70 in that they need the new wider mini-port ID for the gear to fit. If this is the case, Nauticam might eventually make a macro port and gear for the Z50. I think the Port 45 and extension was just a stop gap measure until they can put a gear and new wider ID port together. Just my opinion, because manual focus is usually important in macro and they haven't offered a gear yet for whatever reason.
The advantage I see for the Z50 over the C60 is the fast autofocus which can be nice when in current and stabilizing oneself with the left hand and a "Lembeh" stick. I don't have the lens and Metabones adapter yet (soon, on their way) but hope the auto focus will be good enough on static subjects that I can get a focus, however slow, and then "lock and rock" the final composition should I be in current or need to stabilize myself. I suppose if the Z50 focuses quick and accurately, using the "lock and rock" technique will overcome any need for a manual focus gear.
Since you already have the Zen mini-port adapter for your Z12 and DP-170, you may want to consider using a S&S macro port that will fit the adapter (I believe all MDX and NX ports will work, but check that out with Phil or S&S). The new Zen adapter has the wider mini-port ID and will most likely work with a focus gear should Nauticam eventually produce one. Either way, this may cut down on the number of extensions and size of ports you carry.
Lastly, there is a serious rumor that Sony will produce a longer FE (FF) G Series Macro in late 2014 for the A7 series, which would make for a much needed longer macro that will most likely work with your Zen adapter and S&S extensions/ports. Something to look forward to for us serious macro shooters. Of course, we know how long we've waited for the Z50. LOL.
Look forward to hearing your results with the Z50 once you get things ironed out.
Cheers,
Marsh
