Filter Reviews

This is my very first outboard DAC and all I can say is: outstanding!

It needs, as every DAC, some burn-in period before enjoying its job (this is not for acustoming your ear to the sound, but to let it "socialize" with your transport and cables and please, select at least the better cables you can get, your system will pay you back), which is actually done pretty well!

The very first surprise comes just after seeing the tiny size of the box, but don't be fooled by it because, as in computers, you don't need a mega sized component in order to have great performance from it.

It will work great with CD software and some, less common, DVD software with stereo PCM audio soundtrack in 16-20Bit/48kHz and yes, it can decode not only 44.1kHz fs but also 48kHz as it always comes in up to 20 bit and PCM.

I have had the chance to hear some other brands of outboard DACs (such as the Bel Canto DAC-1), which also have additional features, but they are often pricey and I don't think that the performance, specially on CD playback, is 5 to 6 times better just comparing their prices with the NC 203.2

By now (and it is my humble and personal opinion) I don't think it is really important to have 24Bit/96kHz capabilities in an outboard DAC, unless you can also decode DD and DTS from it and enjoy those formats in stereo mode (which I think is a downside as these fomats were originally conceived as multi-channel), or have a considerable collection of 24bit recordings of, for example, Classic DADs or some Chesky's. As you always fed the DAC with original 16Bit/44.1kHz signal, the extra bits of capability just gives the DAC a little more "space" to work with the signal, but not necesarily transforms or adds something to the signal. To do so, you will need an extra device for doing that job, and it generally means extra money, with results varying from one manufacturer to another (it depends highly on subject sonical tastes too) and it will please you having an improved signal through upsamling or dithering or both or DSP-ing.

The sound that the unit presents is, in a word, huge! You can actually feel the depth of the recording room; the sound of whatever you heared before is still there but the sense of space is present, you can also hear some details that you could't before and this is not that the DAC is adding something else in the recorded signal, it is simply that it does its job better than the same job done by the internal DAC of your CD or DVD player.

The comparison between internal DACs and the NC 203.2 could be similar to the one you get on video from a LD compared to a DVD. The LD video was very good, but the DVD is excellent. From other perspective it is like comparing a bi-dimensional presentation of sound, in which you have both height and width, with a tri-dimensional one, which includes depth.

If you compare it with other DACs, you will find out certainly better ones, but you can swear, as I did, that the performance is not several times better the one you get with this unit; perhaps, it will improve by some fractions but they won't surpass the 30-50% while the price will increase up to 10 times.

My advice is if you have the money, spend it and get the best you can buy, but if you are conscius about price/performance ratio, you won't be dissapointed at all with the NC 203.2

I bought this for my Nikon d70 and I barely take it off the body. I nkow it is a special application lens but it really versitile. Can be converted to standard wide angle with Nikon Capture software, this works well , but obviously you lose some of the image, not least the funky effect. I feel like i am zooming out a mile with this lens. Very very pleased. Expensive, but a lot of very nicely made glass and you will use it for years.

This is an absolutely fantastic lens - light for its size, and fast focusing too (not that you often need fast focus for wide-angle shots, that is). Quite simply, once you get used to Nikon speed of focusing, even very marginally lower speeds of Canon feel like an eternity.

If you are even considering buying this product, you know very well already what it is and what it does. I just wanted to emphasize the AF speed and clear markings which, in my view, are better than on comparable products from other manufacturers.

It is sharp, it is light, it is wide-angle.

24mm is a ideal compromise (between 20mm and 28mm). Wider than this becomes quite distorted, longer than this limits your view. It is ideal for landscapes if you want to include an interesting foreground. It is also a solid lens, and I am happy with the built-quality. The lens is certainly fast enough for me. On top of that, the optical quality is excellent - perfect for enlargements or slide projection. Good contrast, good colour.

Apart from that, the lens is small and lightweight, which again makes it fantastic for outdoor photographers. I love mine.

I purchased this lens shortly after getting my first SLR camera. While it came with a 28-80mm lens, I found that I wanted something that was faster and that had a little more throw on the long end of things.

I've had this lens now for about nine months, and it rarely leaves my camera body. The optics are great, the build is far better than what comes in an SLR kit these days. The only suggestion I can give to a buyer is to get a top of the line UV filter, because otherwise, you will notice degradation of the image quality.

This Nikon lens is built well. It has a nice heavy feel that will make you feel better about spending the money on it. I know I love mine. I only wish that Nikon offered a version of this lens with a constant (fast) aperture.

I have had this lens for a while now, bought to replace the Nikon F 1.4 lens after that lens was stolen while on vacation.
The lens is lighter than the F 1.4, presumeably because it contains less lens elements, and is slightly slower @ f 1.8. For the majority of photographers ( we amatuers and weekend warriors ), the lens is MORE than fast enough, and I have noticed no difference compared to my old F 1.4 in how sharp my slides are when using the same film ( Ektachrome 100 ).

Considering the lens is available for less than $ 100, compared to the F 1.4 ( which I have seen as high as $ 269 ), I believe it is a steal. Every aspiring photographer should have a 50 mm lens in their arsenal, and I believe for the money, you cannot go wrong with the Nikon F 1.8

This lens is much better than the 28-80 standard zoom that nikon bundles in its kits. The image is very faithful and sharp, and aberrations are non-visible. Despite it being such a powerful zoom, it is surprisingly light, silent and fast. The zoom ring has a substantial grip while the improved focussing ring has a crisp feel about it. However, manual focus is not as smooth as the zoom. The quick and precise Autofocus more than makes up for it, however.
It would be unfair if nothing was said about the looks. The lens with its stylish grip, barrel and hood is 200% guaranteed to attract rave admirations and, of course, a lot of envy.
Overall, a good buy and great value for money!

This lens is even more than I expected it would be. There is no chromatic aberration (the WC-24 did have some). It is very well corrected for a ultra wide angle lens (I get no curving of straight lines), the horizon is straight even when placed close to the edge of the frame. I wish it had a lens hood and you can't put filters on it but it is a great addition to my Coolpix 5000.

Received lens in new condition in a timely fashion. Pleased with purchase.

I picked my off a used shelf; a Collector had brought his entire collection in, one of every item made by Pentax, and sold it for pennies on the dollar. I pondered much before buying it at an outrageously reasonable price. Finally I said, "It's simply beautiful craftsmanship, only about 35 were made worldwide that year; I'll kick myself if I dont". The lens is designed for keeping straight lines straight, the opposite of fisheye and normal ultra wide angle. It does that. Actually, what I use mine for is caracatures; When used 2 inches in front of someones face, the results are unpredictable but usually humorous. It has internal filters, built in sunshield, and its own case.