35mm lens opinions needed (EF or ?) at DVinfo.net

Blake Berg · October 17th, 2006, 11:11 AM

Hello, I am looking into purchasing one of the various 35mm adapters currently available, I am still narrowing down a particular one. The question I have is regarding the best lens mount option for my situation.

I have a Canon SLR with various EF lenses, I understand that the aperature is adjusted electronically with the EF and would be "wide open" on a 35mm adapter. However, since I already have several lenses AND any future purchased lenses could be used on both platforms, does this convenience outweigh the limitation (in your opinions)?

I do tend to gravitate towards as shallow DOF as possible in photography, I would probably do the same with video. How often does anyone here make aperature adjustments for reasons other than artistic expression?

I'm not married to the EF lenses, I wouldn't be opposed to getting Nikon or older FD mount, if they would better suit me - sharing between Photo / Video is an appealing idea . . .

Thanks, Blake

Tony Tibbetts · October 17th, 2006, 11:27 AM

A lens full open can make the image soft. You'll also find that the DOF may be TOO shallow.

Toenis Liivamaegi · October 17th, 2006, 11:37 AM

EF mount is the most versatile mount out there at the moment as it can take almost any 35mm lens out there except Canon`s own FD. It can take Nikon, Pentax K, M42, Olympus OM, Contax/Yashica and Leica R for example.

Canon EF lens mount flange distance of 44mm will allow to mount cheapest and brightest lens found on European second hand market that usually have M42 or Pentax K mounts.

Fortunately even EF lens aperture can be unofficially predialed on any Canon EOS body with DOF preview button as follows: Set your desired lens aperture on EOS camera body then push the DOF preview button and unscrew the lens. Voila, aperture is set.

In the other hand aperture on electronic Nikon mount lenses without aperture ring will remain closed and are not usable with shallow DOF adaptor.

When I buy manual lenses for EF mount I can buy everithing from the new Zeiss ZF ultra high def Nikon lens to cheap 55mm f1.2 Revuenons cause with EF mount you can use them all.

Cheers,
T

Rolland Elliott · October 18th, 2006, 11:33 PM

Nikon 55mm 1.2 or 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 lenses are dirty cheap.

I would get a Nikon mount adapter.

Then like TJ says above you can always get an adapter to mount them on your Canon photo gear latter on.

Peace, Rolland

Bob Hart · October 20th, 2006, 02:39 AM

I have had an opportunity to test the Peleng 9mm f3.5 fisheye on an AGUS35 and it seems it would be quite useful for things like car interiors or confined indoor shots.

On the 24mm x 18mm movie frame the entire image area is covered. Zoomed back to a 36mm x 24mm still-camera frame, the image is a vignette.

There is a bit of brightness fall-off to the corners but not anywhere as much as I expected.

As with any fisheye lens the barrel distortion is extreme and is an intended effect. There is image distortion software which can "de-fish" the image in post.

When adjusting this lens, effort to keeping the fingers out of the image is essential.

A Nikon mount, which is supplied with the Peleng lens but is not fitted up to the lens, is the same as that which fits up to the MTO (Jupiter) 1000mm f10.5 mirror lens.

It replaces the threaded mount which must be removed. The image when using this is as sharp as the lens will yield and the flange to focal plane is correct.

Phil Bloom · October 24th, 2006, 04:13 PM

I went with Nikon's as has been said they are available cheaply and are great quality

October 17th, 2006, 11:11 AM	#1
Blake Berg Tourist Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Americus, GA Posts: 1	35mm lens opinions needed (EF or ?) Hello, I am looking into purchasing one of the various 35mm adapters currently available, I am still narrowing down a particular one. The question I have is regarding the best lens mount option for my situation. I have a Canon SLR with various EF lenses, I understand that the aperature is adjusted electronically with the EF and would be "wide open" on a 35mm adapter. However, since I already have several lenses AND any future purchased lenses could be used on both platforms, does this convenience outweigh the limitation (in your opinions)? I do tend to gravitate towards as shallow DOF as possible in photography, I would probably do the same with video. How often does anyone here make aperature adjustments for reasons other than artistic expression? I'm not married to the EF lenses, I wouldn't be opposed to getting Nikon or older FD mount, if they would better suit me - sharing between Photo / Video is an appealing idea . . . Thanks, Blake

October 17th, 2006, 11:37 AM	#3
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	EF mount is the king! EF mount is the most versatile mount out there at the moment as it can take almost any 35mm lens out there except Canon`s own FD. It can take Nikon, Pentax K, M42, Olympus OM, Contax/Yashica and Leica R for example. Canon EF lens mount flange distance of 44mm will allow to mount cheapest and brightest lens found on European second hand market that usually have M42 or Pentax K mounts. Fortunately even EF lens aperture can be unofficially predialed on any Canon EOS body with DOF preview button as follows: Set your desired lens aperture on EOS camera body then push the DOF preview button and unscrew the lens. Voila, aperture is set. In the other hand aperture on electronic Nikon mount lenses without aperture ring will remain closed and are not usable with shallow DOF adaptor. When I buy manual lenses for EF mount I can buy everithing from the new Zeiss ZF ultra high def Nikon lens to cheap 55mm f1.2 Revuenons cause with EF mount you can use them all. Cheers, T

October 18th, 2006, 11:33 PM	#4
Rolland Elliott Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC 28273 Posts: 108	Nikon has the best and most inexpensive range of lenses Nikon 55mm 1.2 or 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 lenses are dirty cheap. I would get a Nikon mount adapter. Then like TJ says above you can always get an adapter to mount them on your Canon photo gear latter on. Peace, Rolland __________________ Rolland Elliott

October 24th, 2006, 04:13 PM	#6
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	I went with Nikon's as has been said they are available cheaply and are great quality __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

October 17th, 2006, 11:27 AM	#2
Tony Tibbetts Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 385	A lens full open can make the image soft. You'll also find that the DOF may be TOO shallow.

October 20th, 2006, 02:39 AM	#5
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	I have had an opportunity to test the Peleng 9mm f3.5 fisheye on an AGUS35 and it seems it would be quite useful for things like car interiors or confined indoor shots. On the 24mm x 18mm movie frame the entire image area is covered. Zoomed back to a 36mm x 24mm still-camera frame, the image is a vignette. There is a bit of brightness fall-off to the corners but not anywhere as much as I expected. As with any fisheye lens the barrel distortion is extreme and is an intended effect. There is image distortion software which can "de-fish" the image in post. When adjusting this lens, effort to keeping the fingers out of the image is essential. A Nikon mount, which is supplied with the Peleng lens but is not fitted up to the lens, is the same as that which fits up to the MTO (Jupiter) 1000mm f10.5 mirror lens. It replaces the threaded mount which must be removed. The image when using this is as sharp as the lens will yield and the flange to focal plane is correct.