JD750 Loc: SoCal

Thank you for that information!

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

A few years back I owned 3 Zeiss lens, 21mm, 50mm and 85mm. They were exceptional lens, well built, but heavy, and only manual focus. At some point in my photographic travels I reached the place that the weight, and manual focus were not acceptable. I loved the Zeiss's and their results, but today I don't miss them at all.

nealbralley Loc: Kansas

I haven’t used either lens, but my Nikkor 24mm f/1.8 G provides excellent results when images are viewed on a computer screen or printed on photographic paper. Certainly, you can count lines, but when viewing a printed image, the Nikkor 24mm, f/1.8 G will prove to be more than good enough for most applications. Frankly, I can’t maximize the finer qualities of most lenses top-end lenses and cameras. The premium prices just aren’t worth it for most of us! I try to live in the world of “Good enough!”

therwol Loc: USA

I own the older lens. I don't own the newer lens that you're referring to, but it's on my "think about" list. I don't find the Nikon 24mm f/2.8 to be any more than adequate, nothing spectacular.

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Its our UHH Sacred Tradition.

User ID

Amen, brother !!!

User ID

Not your exact lens in question, but in seeking a top tier trio of primes when I took up a 50MP FF I went to ZIV Cosina, of which the Zeiss 25/2.0 is a product. I was not disappointed. Their best lenses are spectacular, given careful focusing and a suitable tripod. I really do shoot brick walls ... Im collecting murals :-)

(TWIMC my trio is 20/40/90.)

alphadog

Let me conclude what I know at this time. After 60+ years of photography, part of this question contained the question is IT worth the extra money to buy a superior lens? Being age 74, I included but did not state since I am getting close to my demise and can afford the more expensive lens, is it worth getting?

I believe IF what you are doing is of any value, then obtaining the finest Glass and best body is worth it.
In this case, I was posing a very good Nikon 24 f/2.8D lens against a Zeiss 25 f/.2 T Distagon. I believe the Zeiss is superior in all aspects without doubt, aside from wt and manual focus from my past experience with Hasselblad v Nikon lenses in general.

Now for others who are MUCH younger or would never consider paying $450 - $800++ for Zeiss v $150 or so for Nikon, one answer was suggested by a poster, Both lenses can provide acceptable images, I don't have any examples of the Zeiss lens since I don't own one yet. Attached are some Nikon 24 f/2/8 images which I believe demonstrate this lens is MORE than capable of producing beautiful sharp images. This past year I have been published in Lenswork and in the latest Contest Winners B&W photo magazine and the images which were accepted were taken with a flawed Nikon 24 f/2.8 lens [ there is a huge deep scratch on the front element] hence my desire to either replace the identical lens or upgrade to the Zeiss.

In conclusion, I think, Thank You all for posting your opinions and sharing your experience. IF I ever wind up obtaining the Zeiss lens, I will post some images. I already ordered another Nikon 24 f/2/.8D replacement for the time being, but immediately felt guilty given my time left on earth, maybe it's time to splurge some and upgrade.

I am certain other readers here have had similar debates, so it is nice to hear how or why they decided to take whatever action resulted. Again, IF I were a working pro, I would always go for the best I can afford, being a serious amateur makes it more difficult to justify additional expenses. Thank you all very much for the responses... kind regards, Richard ... you can see what that flawed lens could do here

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Heres hoping that the 25/2.0 brings you plenty of joy before your demise .... and BTW, how much $$ are you asking for it "afterwards" ?

Live long(er) and prosper !

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good point. Would I see a difference in my pictures between a $1,000 lens and a $1,400 lens? Probably not. I might get a warm, fuzzy feeling know that I was shooting with the best available lens, but I'm sure I wouldn't see a difference in the results.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Well that means you have room to improve, until you do see the difference. Right? ;)

I guess it's like fine wine. Can I tell the difference between $30 bottle and $400 / bottle wine? Not when I was younger.

alphadog

Just to put things into perspective, THIS is the Nikon 24mm f2.8, I have been using and have already posted several images previously, will attach one more.

The lens produces sharp images despite this huge scratch on the front element is deep with an edge, I have been fortunate to be able to reproduce award-winning images... so my posed question regarding a good v a higher quality lens demonstrates I think, that a good lens even scratched is able to reproduce a decent image...so there is NO need to mortgage your house and buy the MOST expensive lens available UNLESS you want to ...

There is certainly a "psychological" component that comes to play when one has the best or most expensive equipment; for me, NOW there is NO excuse for not producing a fine image since I can NO longer blame the quality of the gear.

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Surprisingly, scratches on a lens don't have much, if any, effect on images.

http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches
Inside- http://photographylife.com/what-to-do-with-dust-inside-lens

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Really, Jerry ? $1000 and 1400 are in the same ballpark, even the same infield. It would be a toss up as to which scored better in very critical testing, regardless of who made which lens. You present a 40% difference, typically just enough to cover name prestige marketing or other "non imaging" differences.

If a $900 lens and $3500 lens seem fairly equal, then you have something to really scratch your head about, and sometimes that scenario comes up.