Anyone using Nikor zoom lenses?
I have a nice arsenal of Nikon primes, and was wondering about how the zooms work on the Letus Extreme. I'm interested in the ability to zoom in/out, and also not having to change lenses in certain situations.
A local guy has the nikkor 35-70mm f 2.8 for sale. The zoom on this lens is "push-pull" as opposed to turning a zoom ring. Would a zoom ring be better with the Extreme?
A friend jsut got an 80-200 f2.8 which I also want to try. His is the one with the zoom ring. ( I wish i could use my 70-200 vr, but it doesn't have the manual iris ring...)
What are the negatives or drawbacks on using fast manual zooms as opposed to primes?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Bruce s. Yarock
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

Bruce,

The push pull type zooms are not all that suitable as both the ones you mention have no zoom lock and therefore the focus can easily drift as you zoom.

You should be able to use the Nikon 70-200 you already have if you get the EOS letus mount and use ag lens adapter from here Nikon G - Canon EOS Adapter (http://www.16-9.net/nikon_g/)

The Newer lever operated one looks the business.

Alternatively you can wedge something in the aperture lever to keep the 70-200 open at the desired aperture, but I would get the adapter, it's far easier.

Dan

Dan,
Thanks for the info. I have the nikon mount on my Extreme, since all my lenses are Nikon ( I shoot Nikon dslr). I'm a bit confused by the link. Are you saying that if I get an additonal mount for the Extreme, I can use my 70-200 in manual iris mode? Whichexact mount would I have to get, and would I need to do back focus adjustment each time I changed mounts?
I guess I could also use my 17-55 f2.8 with the same mount as for the 70-200, correct?

Bruce Yarock
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

Dan,

my friend's 80-200 has a zoom ring, not the push pull zoom.
Bruce

Bruce,

Apologies I misread your initial message, if your friend has this 80-200 Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.htm) or this one Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200afs.htm) then it is perfect. I use the first one for my adapter and 5dmkII work.

I have a Nikon 70-200 f2.8VR like your as well, it can be fitted to a Letus by using EOS mount adapter but I think you need to standardise on a mount because changing the Letus every time will as you point out be a pain. You could of course fit an EOS adapter to each Nikon lens you want to use and save the cost of getting a new 80-200, but you have to weight that against the cost of a Letus EOS mount and the EOS mount adapters (from $15 to $200 dollars). Might be easier just to get a 80-200 I guess, especially as they can be picked up quite cheaply secondhand.

The 17-55 is not a full frame lens, it is designed for smaller APS size sensors of the Nikon D90, D300 and D2x. It will fit and work with the EOS adapter but you may have to zoom in on the video lens to compensate for the lack of coverage, some cameras like my EX-1 can't zoom in enough in macro mode for APS sensor lenses.
Hope that helps

Dan

Dan,
A friend lent me an 80-200 f2.8, and as soon as I get a chance, I'll try it. Otherwise, I'll jsut stick with my Nikon primes.
Bruce S. yarock
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

Dan,
is there a wide nikon zoom that has manual iris (like the 80-200). that is fast enough? It would be nice to have the option of using just two lenses for certain situations.
Bruce Yarock
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

The modern Nikon 2.8 zooms are extremely sharp lenses, every bit as good as the older primes.
there is a 17-35mm, an 80-200, a 70-200 and a few variations on the 28-80 range.
They work great on the adapters but aren't as fast as an f1.4 of course.

Bruce,

As Leonard says the 17-35 f2.8 is the preferred wide angle zoom of choice, if funds are tight have a look at an older 20-35 f2.8, also good. I have both. In the 28-70 range there is an older f2.8 with aperture ring, on a budget try finding an old Tokina 28-70 f2.8 ATX-ProII (the other versions are not so good). In the USA Keh is a good source for all of these.

Dan

Dan,
As for the 80-200, I can borrow my friends' any time I need it ( I swap him my 70-200 f2.8 vr, and he's thrilled). A 17-35 doesn't sound like much range, and looks really expensive. The older tokina sounds more like what I'm looking for. I searched keh, ebay and google, but there was nothing. Any other ideas where I could fuind one of these?
Bruce Yarock

Dan,
I found this one for sale. Is it the same lens?
Tokina Lens (Nikon Mount) - 28-70 F2.8 Tokina ATX PRO SV (77), Digital usable

Bruce

No sadly not, Tokina made several versions of the 28-70 f2.8, the SV is thought by many not as good as the ProII. The later 28-80 f2.8ATX is supposidly not as good either. You want this one Review Tokina AT-X 287 series - PlanetNikon Forums (http://www.planetnikon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7549)

I got mine for about $230 US

Dan

Thanks, Dan. If you see one any where for sale, please let me know.
Bruce

Dan,
What about this lens?
Nikon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 35-70mm f/2.8 AF Autofocus lens (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=800617945&is=USE)
Bruce Yarock

Bruce,

The 35-70 is a lovely lens but it is of the push pull variety making it hard to maintain focus when you zoom. Most video guys prefer a two touch lens with a seperate ring for zoom and focus.

Dan

Dan,

Does your Tokina have Pro II written on the lens?
Mine is a 28 -70 2.6 - 2.8 but it only says ATX Pro. Cost was about the same used. I've always assumed that was the top of the line.

I wished it tracked focus, but it changes through the zoom range.

How well does the Nikon 20 -35 compare to the 17 - 35, and likewise what do you think of the alternative Nikons compared to the Tokina 28 - 70.
If I could afford all 3 Nikon Zooms I'd do it.
By the way the Tokina 80-200 f2.8 is also a decent poor man's alternative to the Nikon, but not as sharp.

Leonard,

It doesn't say Pro II on it, but you can tell by the finish, compare it with this one Review Tokina AT-X 287 series - PlanetNikon Forums (http://www.planetnikon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7549)

Not so much top of the line but best of the bunch IMHO. My focus does stray a little when zooming but if you focus at the long end then pull back it really isn't far off, certainly usable.

I have the current Nikon 24-70 f2.8, Canon 24-70 f2.8L and the Tokina. They rank pretty much in that order for quality but for video use I find the Tokina has better manual control and a nicer focus ring. It also has a look to the image that I like and I often use it as my carry round video lens. It is one of a very few independent lenses I would ever use.

The Nikon 20-35 is very good but not quite in the 17-35 league but it can be bought much much cheaper and has nice manual focus compared to newer glass. I'd take it over other independent 17-35's like the Sigmas or Tamrons. I don't agree with Ken Rockwell on much but his review of this lens is pretty on the money Nikon 20-35mm f/2.8 Review (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/2035af.htm)

Both the Nikon 20-35 and Tokina 28-70 ATX Pro II are much underrated IMHO.

dan,
I thought it had a zoom ring. Any idea where I might finf that Tokina?
Bruce

I think you just need to strike lucky. I was only looking a week before I found mine. Keh, B&H and ebay are all good places, one will turn up eventually. Otherwise place a wanted ad on some of the popular photography sites, there's always someone trading up to the latest Nikon.

Dan

Dan, I meant top of the line Tokina.

I think I have the same lens then , I think its the only one that is 2.6 - 2.8.
The Tokina's seem to to be the best off brand of the bunch in my reading and experience so far.
The Tokina has 2 hash marks for focusing - one for 28mm and one for 70 so that is your guide to keeping good focus.

+Of course having proper back focus with the adapter is the critical thing. My Nikon 80-200 holds it perfect and its my guide to whether my back focus is correct.

I will look into the 20 - 35. Thanks

Dan,
keh has two available. The 28-70 is $199 and the 28-80 is $469. Is the 28-70 a good lens for our purposes?
thanks
Bruce Yarock

Cameras and used cameras available from KEH Camera Brokers. (http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductList.aspx?Mode=searchproducts&item=80&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=&BCC=&CC=&CCC=&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=tokina)

Sadly that is not the ProII, you could try it but I would personally keep looking

Dan

Dan,
I picked up a Tokina from B+H for $149 plus shipping.It's not the pro 11, it's the 2.6-2.8 model. I got it today, and played with it a bit. It's a nice image,is well built, and seems to hold focus throughout the range. The only problem is that as you get closer to the wide end, the zoom ring gets tight.Not sure if that is normal. They give a 15 day return policy, so I figured I was safe.
let me know what you think.
Bruce
Yarock Video and Photo (http://www.yarockvideo.com)

It shouldn't get tight but at the price it seems reasonable if you are happy with the images. Happy shooting.

Dan

I'll take it to my local repair guy and ask him what he thinks about the tightness.It happens between 35 and 28mm.
I haven't actually recorded anything, just fooled around through the hd monitor. I'll also try it on one of my dslr's.
Bruce

Dan,
What do you know bout this lens?

80-200 F2.8 TOKINA SD ATX AI (77) 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS

Thanks
Bruce yarock

Bruce,

I used to have this lens and it is so so wide open, try finding the Nikon 80-200 f2.8D two touch zoom lens instead.

Dan