Lenses... at DVinfo.net

Andrew Allsbury · June 10th, 2009, 10:49 AM

I have an XHA1 & Letus Extreme. I am currently using a Nikon 50mm 1.4 AI. I'm looking at the following lenses, please let me know if you guys think they would be good additions for commercial video production with the Letus. Also if you have these lenses or similar for sale please let me know!

Nikon 105mm f2.5 (NON-AI)
Nikon 85mm f2.0 AIS
Nikon 24mm f2.0 AI

Rob Collins · June 10th, 2009, 08:15 PM

I'm sure those are great, but I can't say enough about the focus play of a manual Zeiss lens. I think 35mm adapter users are their main customer. For rack focus shots, or just to be able to focus more easily, they can't be beat. Good glass too.

Bruce S. Yarock · June 12th, 2009, 04:32 AM

Rob,
Which exact model Zeiss are you talking about? I have a full set of Nikon primes, but I'm having trouble focusing with the 24mm, and was thinking of going the zeiss route.
Bruce yarock
Yarock Video and Photo

Rob Collins · June 12th, 2009, 06:20 AM

I have the 50 f/1.4 and would love to add the 28 and 85 (currently have those on a Sigma and Nikon). I've also used the 18 f/3.5, which is very nice.

Bruce S. Yarock · June 12th, 2009, 08:59 AM

Rob,
What I was asking is which model Zeiss lens. For example there are different models-planar, distagon, erc. Is there an internet site that explains the different models?
Thanks
Bruce Yarock

Rob Collins · June 12th, 2009, 09:05 AM

Nate Haustein · June 12th, 2009, 09:41 AM

I just completed my set of Nikkor primes last week. (28/50/85/105 for SGblade)

Let me tell you, a great lens is the Nikkor 28mm F2.8 AIS. Extremely sharp. The 85mm F2.0 AIS you're looking at is a great deal too, I especially like it for interviews. The 105mm and 85mm are pretty close in my opinion, as in you don't get that much closer with the 105. I'd say the 24/28 and the 85 are the first ones to get.

Andrew Allsbury · June 12th, 2009, 11:03 AM

Thank you guys, as always your input is greatly appreciated. I believe I will start with the 85 & 28 mm lenses. If anybody has or knows of a good deal on the lenses please let me know!

Andrew Allsbury · June 12th, 2009, 11:07 AM

How do you guys feel about using "non-ai" nikon lenses?

Nate Haustein · June 12th, 2009, 12:00 PM

Maybe I'm just a little anal but I like my set to match (i.e. AI/AIS, etc) :)

I got an incredible amount of information from Ken Rockwell, I highly recommend you check him out.
Nikon Nikkor Lenses

B&H and Adorama have good prices on used lenses if they're in stock, also check out Keh. I got all mine off ebay. At most of the vendors, the 28mm AIS 2.8 costs about $250-$275 in great condition, the 85mm AIS F2.0 is about $200-$250.

Rob Collins · June 12th, 2009, 01:10 PM

All true, just keep in mind that we're talking about using lenses on the Letus. A full manual Zeiss would not be most people's choice for still work with today's DSLR's. But AF lenses are not that much fun to manual focus (as, of course, you must do with 35mm adapters).

Bruce S. Yarock · June 13th, 2009, 05:10 AM

Andrew,
Here's what i've been able buy at fairly good prices:
Older Niikon manual primes-
24mm 2.9- Hard to focus ( unfortunately I sold a 28mm 2.8 that was a really nice lens).
35 mm 2.0- Nice lens!
50mm 1.4- Excellent.
85 mm 1.4- I bought this af/manual lens to use for still portraits and it looks really nice on the letus. very expensive lens-$1000. Beautifull bokeh.
105mm f 1.8- Great classic lens.
135 2.8- Good also.
TC for the 135. Good out side . Turns it into about a 170mm but you lose a couple of stops.

Rob,
Thanks for the info. Boy those wider zeiss distagons are expensive. Where do you find the biggest difference between say nikon manual primes and the Zeiss?
My biggest pronlem I'm having is with the 24mm. With wide lenses outside it's really hard to judge focus, because i can't zoom in close enough to tell. Would the Zeiss wides be easier in that regard? ( I'm having an easier time with the 35mm).

Bruce yarock
Yarock Video and Photo

Bruce S. Yarock · June 13th, 2009, 05:17 AM

Forgot to mrntion- I bought a used Tokina 28-70 f 2.8 zoom used at bh. It's ok but I'm not crazy about the color. It was about $175.
BNruce Yarock

Rob Collins · June 14th, 2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce S. Yarock

Where do you find the biggest difference between say nikon manual primes and the Zeiss?

I don't have any experience with Nikon manual primes.

Christopher Warwick · September 20th, 2009, 05:52 PM

My lens collection is pretty much complete, although I was thinking of buying an old 300mm lens, then again I was thinking the only possible use for it would be very long distance shots, for example a shot to the road from a tall building or some such... Might be a waste of money.

I would love an ultra-wide lens, but I don't know which one to go for. Any suggestions? My widest at the moment is the Nikon 24mm, but it's not wide enough for some shots.

Chris

June 10th, 2009, 10:49 AM	#1
Andrew Allsbury Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 99	Lenses... I have an XHA1 & Letus Extreme. I am currently using a Nikon 50mm 1.4 AI. I'm looking at the following lenses, please let me know if you guys think they would be good additions for commercial video production with the Letus. Also if you have these lenses or similar for sale please let me know! Nikon 105mm f2.5 (NON-AI) Nikon 85mm f2.0 AIS Nikon 24mm f2.0 AI

June 12th, 2009, 09:41 AM	#7
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	I just completed my set of Nikkor primes last week. (28/50/85/105 for SGblade) Let me tell you, a great lens is the Nikkor 28mm F2.8 AIS. Extremely sharp. The 85mm F2.0 AIS you're looking at is a great deal too, I especially like it for interviews. The 105mm and 85mm are pretty close in my opinion, as in you don't get that much closer with the 105. I'd say the 24/28 and the 85 are the first ones to get. __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

June 12th, 2009, 12:00 PM	#10
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	Maybe I'm just a little anal but I like my set to match (i.e. AI/AIS, etc) :) I got an incredible amount of information from Ken Rockwell, I highly recommend you check him out. Nikon Nikkor Lenses B&H and Adorama have good prices on used lenses if they're in stock, also check out Keh. I got all mine off ebay. At most of the vendors, the 28mm AIS 2.8 costs about $250-$275 in great condition, the 85mm AIS F2.0 is about $200-$250. __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

September 20th, 2009, 05:52 PM	#15
Christopher Warwick Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roma, Italy Posts: 83	My lens collection is pretty much complete, although I was thinking of buying an old 300mm lens, then again I was thinking the only possible use for it would be very long distance shots, for example a shot to the road from a tall building or some such... Might be a waste of money. I would love an ultra-wide lens, but I don't know which one to go for. Any suggestions? My widest at the moment is the Nikon 24mm, but it's not wide enough for some shots. Chris __________________ Canon XH A1, Letus Elite, WD-H72, Zeiss 35/2, Nikons 24/2.8, 50/1.2, 55/2.8, 85/1.4, Miller DS200, SD 302 FM, 2 X R0DE NTG-3, Senn ew100 G2, SKP 500 G2, Lowel Rifa kit, CS4.

June 10th, 2009, 08:15 PM	#2
Rob Collins Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 229	I'm sure those are great, but I can't say enough about the focus play of a manual Zeiss lens. I think 35mm adapter users are their main customer. For rack focus shots, or just to be able to focus more easily, they can't be beat. Good glass too.

June 12th, 2009, 04:32 AM	#3
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Rob, Which exact model Zeiss are you talking about? I have a full set of Nikon primes, but I'm having trouble focusing with the 24mm, and was thinking of going the zeiss route. Bruce yarock Yarock Video and Photo

June 12th, 2009, 06:20 AM	#4
Rob Collins Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 229	I have the 50 f/1.4 and would love to add the 28 and 85 (currently have those on a Sigma and Nikon). I've also used the 18 f/3.5, which is very nice.

June 12th, 2009, 08:59 AM	#5
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Rob, What I was asking is which model Zeiss lens. For example there are different models-planar, distagon, erc. Is there an internet site that explains the different models? Thanks Bruce Yarock

June 12th, 2009, 09:05 AM	#6
Rob Collins Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 229	This is what I have: Zeiss \| 50mm f/1.4 ZF Manual Focus Lens \| 1405-174 \| B&H Photo And these are what I want: Zeiss \| 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* Manual Focus Lens \| 1405-176 \| B&H Zeiss \| Wide Angle 28mm f/2 Distagon T* ZF Manual \| 1486-409 And here's the Zeiss product page: Welcome to Carl Zeiss Camera Lenses

June 12th, 2009, 11:03 AM	#8
Andrew Allsbury Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 99	Thank you guys, as always your input is greatly appreciated. I believe I will start with the 85 & 28 mm lenses. If anybody has or knows of a good deal on the lenses please let me know!

June 12th, 2009, 11:07 AM	#9
Andrew Allsbury Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 99	How do you guys feel about using "non-ai" nikon lenses?

June 12th, 2009, 01:10 PM	#11
Rob Collins Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 229	All true, just keep in mind that we're talking about using lenses on the Letus. A full manual Zeiss would not be most people's choice for still work with today's DSLR's. But AF lenses are not that much fun to manual focus (as, of course, you must do with 35mm adapters).

June 13th, 2009, 05:10 AM	#12
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Andrew, Here's what i've been able buy at fairly good prices: Older Niikon manual primes- 24mm 2.9- Hard to focus ( unfortunately I sold a 28mm 2.8 that was a really nice lens). 35 mm 2.0- Nice lens! 50mm 1.4- Excellent. 85 mm 1.4- I bought this af/manual lens to use for still portraits and it looks really nice on the letus. very expensive lens-$1000. Beautifull bokeh. 105mm f 1.8- Great classic lens. 135 2.8- Good also. TC for the 135. Good out side . Turns it into about a 170mm but you lose a couple of stops. Rob, Thanks for the info. Boy those wider zeiss distagons are expensive. Where do you find the biggest difference between say nikon manual primes and the Zeiss? My biggest pronlem I'm having is with the 24mm. With wide lenses outside it's really hard to judge focus, because i can't zoom in close enough to tell. Would the Zeiss wides be easier in that regard? ( I'm having an easier time with the 35mm). Bruce yarock Yarock Video and Photo

June 13th, 2009, 05:17 AM	#13
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Forgot to mrntion- I bought a used Tokina 28-70 f 2.8 zoom used at bh. It's ok but I'm not crazy about the color. It was about $175. BNruce Yarock