I currently have the Canon 1dmk2 8mp and the Nikon D300. I also shoot 4x5 on an Arca-Swiss Monolith and I want the best lens I can afford for 35mm and larger sensors.
Can any of the Nikon or Canon lenses equal the German Digital lenses?
I have the Nikon 85mm PC an Canon 24mm TSE.
Many thanks,
Mike

There are plenty of lens review sites, have a read. What focal length are you looking for? And are you looking to shoot pictures of test charts professionally, or do you have anything interesting you'll be shooting?

I have been using 4x5 equipment for 30 years. I need wide angle and normal lenses for Architecture, Interiors and product photography.
I value the opinions of photographers who actually use the equipment. Not lens test charts.
I have many interesting subjects to photograph.

I have used a Contax 35-70mm for 3 years now on a 5D and on a 1DsII. I'd swear it's the sharpest zoom lens, lens in general I've used yet. It's not just sharp but has great contrast. That lens plus a C/Y to EOS adapter cost me about $450. I used it plenty for interiors and product and general shooting.

I am also looking for a great lens for 35mm digital. I was looking at this on B/ H's website, will this work on the new canon 1ds mark3.

Schneider Wide Angle 28mm f/2.8 PC Super-Angulon Manual Focus SLR Lens for Canon EOS

???

If you're interested in architecture, pretty much all the 35mm lenses below 50mm (and many above) distort lines in comparison to the symmetrical view camera lenses. You can usually correct these distortions easily in software, but it's another step. Another complication to this is that Digitars/Rodenstock HRs are used on cameras without AA filters. Someone in the MF forum has mentioned using Nikons on MF backs via a True Wide or Digiflex - maybe ask there.



I was interested in this lens at one point, and the general impression I got from user reports is that it depends on your expectations. I gather it's "same same" as the Digitar 28. People coming from the rest of the Digitar line think it's a crappy lens that turns straight lines into banannas. People coming from Nikon/Canon think it's an exotic lens because its German/Schneider. I decided it wasn't worth it without trying, and continue to use my Nikon 28PC.

I think the Nikon 17-35 has a nice look to it. I haven't used the 14-24 enough yet to form a more specific opinion than "it's sharp!"

not too kill the thread but have you an idea about the Contax 28-70/3.5-4.5?

I am looking for a zoom from 24 or 28 to 50 or 85...

thanks