hey guys - i need a good recommendation for a used (a generation or two ago) servo zoom lens that would work with my cam! I see that it is a problem to find one that works because a lot of the older ones cannot accommodate the frame/sensor size and such. What do you pros use under a few thousand bucks!

can you be more specific? are you looking for a b4 lens but with an e mount?

Daniel,

I recommend doing a bit of study on lenses that can cover a S35 sized sensor. You won't find anything in your price range with a servo zoom other than the two Sony E-mount lenses.

There isn't much to choose here...

Sony PZ18-200 - light, long range, superb IS, cheap
but the by-wire focus is awful and it's on the slow side if you start to zoom in

Sony 18-105PZ - nice, constant aperture/length, cheap, nice IS
but the distortion is way to much for uncorrected images (will work on other cameras)

Sony FE28-200PZ - very nice cine zoom with 3 seperate ring for focus, focal length, iris
but the range is more meant for 35mm aka FF cameras

I use either a Canon EF-S 17-55/2,8 on a smart adapter
or Canon 24-105/4,0L on a speedbooster
Both have no autofocus nor servozoom capability and their range isn't huge either.

There isn't much to choose here...


Sony FE28-200PZ - very nice cine zoom with 3 seperate ring for focus, focal length, iris
but the range is more meant for 35mm aka FF cameras



Erik,

Can you provide a link with more info about this lens? I can't seem to find it. Thanks, Joe

Erik,

Can you provide a link with more info about this lens? I can't seem to find it. Thanks, Joe

I wonder if Erik was talking about this one??

Sony FE PZ 28-135mm f/4 G OSS Lens SELP28135G B&H Photo Video

I occasionally use an FS700 e-mount with a Fujinon servo zoom B4 lens. Could as easily be a Canon servo lens instead. I use the B4 lenses with an MTF B4 adaptor from the UK. You can get a brief idea of what can be achieved by looking at a test I did a year or so back. All up under $3K incl lens. Check out these links.

The setup
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-nxcam-nex-fs700/518327-rigging-fs700-day-day-use-my-solution.html

My test
Sony FS700 - First quick test with MTF's B4 2/3" adapter and a SD Fujinon 18 x 7.6 BDERM lens. on Vimeo

A Demo by Alistair Chapman
MTF B4 2/3" to Super35 lens adapter overview. - YouTube

MTF Adaptors
https://www.lensadaptor.com/

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney