Picking Decent Stop-gap Zoom Lenses

Leonard Levy · February 19th, 2011, 12:15 AM

Don't forget the Nikon 80-200 f2.8 ED which is an excellent lens and can be found for less than $900.

Thierry Humeau · February 19th, 2011, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the clarification Nate. So, that Sony PL set is does not reach much on the wide end basically. Good to know.

Thierry.

Dave Sperling · February 19th, 2011, 10:49 AM

With all this prime lens use that could be happening again, it could be time to take the old 'Director's Viewfinder' out of the closet and dust it off!

Nate Weaver · February 19th, 2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thierry Humeau

Thanks for the clarification Nate. So, that Sony PL set is does not reach much on the wide end basically. Good to know.

Thierry.

Nope. That set should have been more like 28, 50, 85. If you're only going to have 3 lenses, 35 and 50 look too much alike if you ask me.

I know I'm a broken record, but people should be looking to the Red 18-50 and 17-50 for this camera. I've gone entire days of shooting without taking that lens off my Red/7D/GH2. And it's dirt effing cheap.

Nigel Akam · February 19th, 2011, 02:25 PM

Nate

I've been looking at the Digioptical version (18-50) from B&H, which I hear is the same. How is it mechanically, optically, etc...

thx

Steve Kalle · February 19th, 2011, 03:21 PM

For the money and a similar range, the Nikon 17-55 f2.8 for $1360 is a great alternative to that Red. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300490-USA/Nikon_2147_17_55mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html

Thierry Humeau · February 19th, 2011, 04:43 PM

I ordered the F3 with the prime set for production work but since I am planning to use it mostly for doco and news mag, the most appealing lenses offering I have found is from Sigma using MTF Nikon F3 adaptor. I need to keep my F3 super light and keep extra gear to a minimal.

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Autofocus Zoom Lens For 202306 B&H
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens for Nik 300306 B&H
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Nik 583306 B&H
Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM High Performance 686306 B&H

Thierry

Nigel Akam · February 19th, 2011, 05:06 PM

All those lenses look great. I also picked up the Tokina 28-70 used (thank you Alister for mentioning it) and the Tokina 11-16 2.8. MTF's adapter works great, and Mike's simple solution to control aperture on the G type lenses is brilliant. Works like a charm.

I was worried about the 11-16 not covering the F3 since the F3 sensor is slighter bigger, but it does not seem to vignette on the edges especially at 11mm in the minor tests I've done around the house.

I'm thinking the same way for the smaller projects, to use these and my Zeiss ZF primes, which look amazing on the F3.

Still waiting to see what the new crop of Cine lenses and zooms around NAB

Nate Weaver · February 19th, 2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Akam

Nate

I've been looking at the Digioptical version (18-50) from B&H, which I hear is the same. How is it mechanically, optically, etc...

thx

I've rattled on about it ad nauseum on here already because I think it's such a solid choice for this camera and budget range, I'll just link to that:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/1601467-post16.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/1615095-post13.html

Short story, mechanics are inconsistent, optics are sharp. Better than anything else in price range if you buy used.

Nigel Akam · February 19th, 2011, 10:27 PM

Thanks Nate

Ryan Hollings · February 19th, 2011, 11:08 PM

RE: digioptical 18-50

Nigel,

I tried to pick up both the 18-50, and the 50-150 when B and H had the kit, as Nate mentioned on that previous post, I thought I would take a gamble.

Literally 3 days after I bought the kit, they "discontiuned" the 50-150 lens.. so I got the email stating the 50-150 was no longer avail.

Long story short, as Nate said great price range, haven't had any "big" tests with the lens, but playing around home with it, looks nice and sharp.

fwiw, the red 18-50 is $5 bux cheaper =)

There is actually one on eBay right now, incase somone is interested:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RED-18-50mm-T3-Z...46397433632442

Nigel Akam · February 20th, 2011, 08:06 AM

Thanks Ryan

Emmanuel Plakiotis · February 20th, 2011, 12:42 PM

Sigma just announced a stabilized version of the 50-150/2.8 in APS-C format. Aprox. 70-200 in full frame.

Sigma stabilizes 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO OS HSM: Digital Photography Review

I think its good complimentary choice to the standard 17-55/2.8 zoom. I have the Canon 17-55/2.8 and I'm very satisfied with its performance on a 7D (not to mention that makes the camera water resistant).
Funny the angenieux version of this zoom costs $20 000 and the zeiss $30000. Better ergonomics, better optics but still they are 20X...

BTW does anybody know, when the canon EF adapter for the F3 is due?

Chuck Fishbein · February 20th, 2011, 01:52 PM

Sorry I missed this if it was cover...

With the MTS adaptor, should I assume that zoom lenses will work as vari-focal only, as there is no back-focus control, or do the lenses sit relative to the film plane (sensor) as on a Nikon?

Ola Christoffersson · February 20th, 2011, 04:38 PM

Yesterday I shot with my MTF adapter for the first time. All lenses used are in the end credits. More details here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...ml#post1620215

February 19th, 2011, 07:54 AM	#32
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	Thanks for the clarification Nate. So, that Sony PL set is does not reach much on the wide end basically. Good to know. Thierry. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

February 19th, 2011, 04:43 PM	#37
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	I ordered the F3 with the prime set for production work but since I am planning to use it mostly for doco and news mag, the most appealing lenses offering I have found is from Sigma using MTF Nikon F3 adaptor. I need to keep my F3 super light and keep extra gear to a minimal. Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Autofocus Zoom Lens For 202306 B&H Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens for Nik 300306 B&H Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Nik 583306 B&H Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM High Performance 686306 B&H Thierry __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

February 20th, 2011, 04:38 PM	#45
Ola Christoffersson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 462	Yesterday I shot with my MTF adapter for the first time. All lenses used are in the end credits. More details here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...ml#post1620215 __________________ Ola Christoffersson, Kamrat produktion, Stockholm - Sweden www.kamrat.tv

February 19th, 2011, 12:15 AM	#31
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Don't forget the Nikon 80-200 f2.8 ED which is an excellent lens and can be found for less than $900.

February 19th, 2011, 10:49 AM	#33
Dave Sperling Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 780	With all this prime lens use that could be happening again, it could be time to take the old 'Director's Viewfinder' out of the closet and dust it off!

February 19th, 2011, 02:25 PM	#35
Nigel Akam Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 70	Nate I've been looking at the Digioptical version (18-50) from B&H, which I hear is the same. How is it mechanically, optically, etc... thx

February 19th, 2011, 03:21 PM	#36
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	For the money and a similar range, the Nikon 17-55 f2.8 for $1360 is a great alternative to that Red. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300490-USA/Nikon_2147_17_55mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html

February 19th, 2011, 05:06 PM	#38
Nigel Akam Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 70	All those lenses look great. I also picked up the Tokina 28-70 used (thank you Alister for mentioning it) and the Tokina 11-16 2.8. MTF's adapter works great, and Mike's simple solution to control aperture on the G type lenses is brilliant. Works like a charm. I was worried about the 11-16 not covering the F3 since the F3 sensor is slighter bigger, but it does not seem to vignette on the edges especially at 11mm in the minor tests I've done around the house. I'm thinking the same way for the smaller projects, to use these and my Zeiss ZF primes, which look amazing on the F3. Still waiting to see what the new crop of Cine lenses and zooms around NAB

February 19th, 2011, 10:27 PM	#40
Nigel Akam Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 70	Thanks Nate

February 19th, 2011, 11:08 PM	#41
Ryan Hollings Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 118	RE: digioptical 18-50 Nigel, I tried to pick up both the 18-50, and the 50-150 when B and H had the kit, as Nate mentioned on that previous post, I thought I would take a gamble. Literally 3 days after I bought the kit, they "discontiuned" the 50-150 lens.. so I got the email stating the 50-150 was no longer avail. Long story short, as Nate said great price range, haven't had any "big" tests with the lens, but playing around home with it, looks nice and sharp. fwiw, the red 18-50 is $5 bux cheaper =) There is actually one on eBay right now, incase somone is interested: http://cgi.ebay.com/RED-18-50mm-T3-Z...46397433632442

February 20th, 2011, 08:06 AM	#42
Nigel Akam Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 70	Thanks Ryan

February 20th, 2011, 12:42 PM	#43
Emmanuel Plakiotis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 344	Sigma just announced a stabilized version of the 50-150/2.8 in APS-C format. Aprox. 70-200 in full frame. Sigma stabilizes 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO OS HSM: Digital Photography Review I think its good complimentary choice to the standard 17-55/2.8 zoom. I have the Canon 17-55/2.8 and I'm very satisfied with its performance on a 7D (not to mention that makes the camera water resistant). Funny the angenieux version of this zoom costs $20 000 and the zeiss $30000. Better ergonomics, better optics but still they are 20X... BTW does anybody know, when the canon EF adapter for the F3 is due?

February 20th, 2011, 01:52 PM	#44
Chuck Fishbein Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weehawken New Jersey Posts: 210	Sorry I missed this if it was cover... With the MTS adaptor, should I assume that zoom lenses will work as vari-focal only, as there is no back-focus control, or do the lenses sit relative to the film plane (sensor) as on a Nikon?