Best lens for the buck? at DVinfo.net

David Delaney · March 28th, 2007, 05:36 AM

Is there a true observable difference between the Nikon and the Canon lenses? The Canon seem to go for a little more money on Ebay, but this group seems to prefer the Nikon. Are they the same and price is the difference?

Ben Winter · March 28th, 2007, 10:15 AM

David, the consensus here is that they are basically the same.

Yves Fortin · March 28th, 2007, 04:25 PM

I have to agree, both Nikon and Canon have excellent lens. One advantage to Nikon for 35mm adapter is all the old lens work on the same lens mounts.

Daniel Browning · March 28th, 2007, 05:41 PM

There are more similarities than there are differences. But perhaps the differences will matter to you. Need a 200mm f2? Canon discontinued theirs, so Nikon wins there. 400mm f/2.8 IS? Advantage Canon. 24mm f/1.4? Canon only. Need a super-ultra-wide 12mm rectilinear? Sigma is the only game in town. (Luckily, they make both Canon and Nikon lens mount versions.)

You have to decide what's important to you before you can choose a lens system.

Jad Meouchy · March 28th, 2007, 05:51 PM

Most of the irises (iri?) on the Canon FD lenses don't work without something being wedged in there, whereas the Nikon AI irises always work fine. This is my experience, but can anyone confirm this?

Ben Winter · March 28th, 2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jad Meouchy

Most of the irises (iri?) on the Canon FD lenses don't work without something being wedged in there, whereas the Nikon AI irises always work fine. This is my experience, but can anyone confirm this?

All the Canon FD lenses I have are fully functional just by the sliding of a metal tab, no wedging needed.

Bob Hart · March 28th, 2007, 09:31 PM

In cost effective terms, my winner, a CIMKO f3.5 28mm-85mm zoom for Nikon mount which was $10.00 in Cashies discount bin. I wouldn't use it for serious work but you can do the wickedest fast crash-zooms with it.

John Colette · March 29th, 2007, 09:44 PM

- if you are using a 1/3" CCD and the lens that comes with a prosumer [Z1 / DVX XLH1 etc] camera, and are putting a ground glass in front of that, you will be hard pressed to see the difference with various still primes.

All adapters soften the image, and I don't know many people using really effective focussing apparatus [read: they use a 250 pixel flip out screen...]

So apart from some colour casts between lenses if you swing them on the same lighting setup - the Canon vs. Nikon question is irrelevant.

Buy a good Sigma. Cheap. Works.

David Delaney · March 30th, 2007, 11:31 AM

thanks for all the responses. It seems to me the Nikon's are cheaper on Ebay. I already have Canon FD lenses, I just wanted to know if I got a Brevis or a SGpro, if I should go for the Nikon instead...thanks

Ram Ganesh · April 5th, 2007, 06:17 PM

Nikon 50mm f1.8 is only about $100 (NEW) - a pristine lens for a great price

March 28th, 2007, 05:36 AM	#1
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Best lens for the buck? Is there a true observable difference between the Nikon and the Canon lenses? The Canon seem to go for a little more money on Ebay, but this group seems to prefer the Nikon. Are they the same and price is the difference?

March 28th, 2007, 10:15 AM	#2
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	David, the consensus here is that they are basically the same. __________________ BenWinter.com

March 28th, 2007, 05:51 PM	#5
Jad Meouchy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 663	Most of the irises (iri?) on the Canon FD lenses don't work without something being wedged in there, whereas the Nikon AI irises always work fine. This is my experience, but can anyone confirm this? __________________ software engineer

March 28th, 2007, 09:31 PM	#7
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	In cost effective terms, my winner, a CIMKO f3.5 28mm-85mm zoom for Nikon mount which was $10.00 in Cashies discount bin. I wouldn't use it for serious work but you can do the wickedest fast crash-zooms with it. Last edited by Bob Hart; March 28th, 2007 at 09:34 PM. Reason: spelling

April 5th, 2007, 06:17 PM	#10
Ram Ganesh Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 175	Nikon 50mm f1.8 is only about $100 (NEW) - a pristine lens for a great price __________________ http://www.wizedot.com

March 28th, 2007, 04:25 PM	#3
Yves Fortin Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Montreal, Qc Canada Posts: 40	I have to agree, both Nikon and Canon have excellent lens. One advantage to Nikon for 35mm adapter is all the old lens work on the same lens mounts.

March 28th, 2007, 05:41 PM	#4
Daniel Browning Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 949	There are more similarities than there are differences. But perhaps the differences will matter to you. Need a 200mm f2? Canon discontinued theirs, so Nikon wins there. 400mm f/2.8 IS? Advantage Canon. 24mm f/1.4? Canon only. Need a super-ultra-wide 12mm rectilinear? Sigma is the only game in town. (Luckily, they make both Canon and Nikon lens mount versions.) You have to decide what's important to you before you can choose a lens system.

March 29th, 2007, 09:44 PM	#8
John Colette Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 108	- if you are using a 1/3" CCD and the lens that comes with a prosumer [Z1 / DVX XLH1 etc] camera, and are putting a ground glass in front of that, you will be hard pressed to see the difference with various still primes. All adapters soften the image, and I don't know many people using really effective focussing apparatus [read: they use a 250 pixel flip out screen...] So apart from some colour casts between lenses if you swing them on the same lighting setup - the Canon vs. Nikon question is irrelevant. Buy a good Sigma. Cheap. Works.

March 30th, 2007, 11:31 AM	#9
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	thanks for all the responses. It seems to me the Nikon's are cheaper on Ebay. I already have Canon FD lenses, I just wanted to know if I got a Brevis or a SGpro, if I should go for the Nikon instead...thanks