Lens collection for under $1k

Robert Morane · December 13th, 2008, 05:44 PM

Excuse my ignorance, but why do you, all, preferer Nikon lenses over Canon lenses for a Canon body?

Chris Barcellos · December 13th, 2008, 05:50 PM

For video purposes, we want as close to total manual as possible plus it is good glass..

Josh Brusin · December 16th, 2008, 12:22 PM

I have had good luck with old Nikons on my Mini35 and really recommend the 35mm 1.4 nikkor- sharpest of my faster lenses. The 85mm 1.4 will give you even more dof and the 55mm 1.2 is nice if you can find one. It's a bit soft when wide open. Sigma made a 1.8 135mm which would make it the fastest 135mm you could get. I have one of those as well in nikon mount... it's a bit soft too but lets lots of light in.

The older Kogaku Nikkors are equally awesome as long as they don't suffer from discolored patches. an 85mm f1.8 will be great for motion. Fast can very equal out of focus unless you're locked down. and 1.4 is really fast... compound this when you try to rack or change focus on the fly with a still lens. That frankly sucks.

Don Miller · December 16th, 2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Morane

Excuse my ignorance, but why do you, all, preferer Nikon lenses over Canon lenses for a Canon body?

There are aperture rings on Nikon glass, except the G series. All Canon EF lenses do not have aperture rings.
The 5DII does not have Av in video mode. To set aperture precisely the easiest way is a lens with a aperture ring.

Ethan Cooper · December 16th, 2008, 03:05 PM

What are you guys using to mount your Nikon glass to the 5D?

Marcus Marchesseault · December 16th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Try this thread:

Nikon to EOS Adapter - Page 2 - The Digital Video Information Network

"Having gone through 3 different nikon-EOS adapter rings recently (of varying prices and claims) I have to say the fotodiox pro version is by far the best, more secure. The converters I purchased via eBay do work, but they are sloppy and have a lot of play in them.

Hope that helps

Brian
__________________
==========================
Brian Valente
Redrock Microsystems "

Ethan Cooper · December 16th, 2008, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the info. Now that I know you can use Nikon glass, I might have to spend some more money. Dang it.

Gonna try the D90 a few more times, but might end up going 5D. The lens issue might make the switch a little less painful.

Jon Fairhurst · December 16th, 2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Cooper

Gonna try the D90 a few more times, but might end up going 5D.

I really wanted to buy the D90, rather than spend the additional $1,700 for the 5D, but the picture quality issues with the D90 nixed it. Specifically, scenes with lots of fine detail, like granite, seem to be beyond the D90 encoder. Also, faces seem to get mottled colors, even in daylight.

It really depends on what your shooting though. I saw one D90 music video that included fast cuts, desaturation and added grain. The result was great! It gave low DOF, and none of the video limitations showed up at all.

But for slower cuts of beauty shots, the 5D rules. If that's important to your work, it's worth the money, assuming you can live with 30p and the exposure work arounds.

Ethan Cooper · December 16th, 2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

Specifically, scenes with lots of fine detail, like granite, seem to be beyond the D90 encoder. Also, faces seem to get mottled colors, even in daylight.

It really depends on what your shooting though. I saw one D90 music video that included fast cuts, desaturation and added grain. The result was great! It gave low DOF, and none of the video limitations showed up at all.

Mottled colors? Whatever that is sounds ugly. I haven't used the D90 enough to break it in the ways you've described.

I saw a great looking music video as well. Wonder if it's the same one. I've yet to shoot anything that turned out that well, but it's nice to know it's possible.

Jon Fairhurst · December 16th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Here's the "mottled face" video:
D90 and HVX side-by-side test on Vimeo

Frankly, the HVX doesn't look a lot better in this regard. (I've rented one, and the results aren't inconsistent.) The D90 isn't terrible or anything, but I wanted better results.

Don Miller · December 17th, 2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

Here's the "mottled face" video:
D90 and HVX side-by-side test on Vimeo

Frankly, the HVX doesn't look a lot better in this regard. (I've rented one, and the results aren't inconsistent.) The D90 isn't terrible or anything, but I wanted better results.

HVX is looking dated. The Nikon doesn't have much detail, even for 720p. I wonder if he had an inexpensive lens on the camera in that test.

Josh Brusin · December 17th, 2008, 11:33 PM

Once the d90 started moving I was kind of cringing... but when it's locked down it's beautiful.

December 13th, 2008, 05:44 PM	#16
Robert Morane Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 267	Excuse my ignorance, but why do you, all, preferer Nikon lenses over Canon lenses for a Canon body? __________________ Measure twice, cut once!

December 13th, 2008, 05:50 PM	#17
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	For video purposes, we want as close to total manual as possible plus it is good glass.. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 16th, 2008, 03:05 PM	#20
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	What are you guys using to mount your Nikon glass to the 5D? __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper

December 16th, 2008, 03:54 PM	#22
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	Thanks for the info. Now that I know you can use Nikon glass, I might have to spend some more money. Dang it. Gonna try the D90 a few more times, but might end up going 5D. The lens issue might make the switch a little less painful. __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper

December 16th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#25
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Here's the "mottled face" video: D90 and HVX side-by-side test on Vimeo Frankly, the HVX doesn't look a lot better in this regard. (I've rented one, and the results aren't inconsistent.) The D90 isn't terrible or anything, but I wanted better results. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

December 16th, 2008, 12:22 PM	#18
Josh Brusin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 439	I have had good luck with old Nikons on my Mini35 and really recommend the 35mm 1.4 nikkor- sharpest of my faster lenses. The 85mm 1.4 will give you even more dof and the 55mm 1.2 is nice if you can find one. It's a bit soft when wide open. Sigma made a 1.8 135mm which would make it the fastest 135mm you could get. I have one of those as well in nikon mount... it's a bit soft too but lets lots of light in. The older Kogaku Nikkors are equally awesome as long as they don't suffer from discolored patches. an 85mm f1.8 will be great for motion. Fast can very equal out of focus unless you're locked down. and 1.4 is really fast... compound this when you try to rack or change focus on the fly with a still lens. That frankly sucks.

December 16th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#21
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Try this thread: Nikon to EOS Adapter - Page 2 - The Digital Video Information Network "Having gone through 3 different nikon-EOS adapter rings recently (of varying prices and claims) I have to say the fotodiox pro version is by far the best, more secure. The converters I purchased via eBay do work, but they are sloppy and have a lot of play in them. Hope that helps Brian __________________ ========================== Brian Valente Redrock Microsystems "

December 17th, 2008, 11:33 PM	#27
Josh Brusin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 439	Once the d90 started moving I was kind of cringing... but when it's locked down it's beautiful.