PL or stills glass - my 10 cents

Brian Lai · March 16th, 2011, 11:08 AM

Thierry, What adaptor mount are you using on those Sigmas and Tokina lenses? I ordered Nikon and Canon adaptors from MTF weeks ago but never heard back about shipping dates.

I'm looking at the Nikkor AF-S 300 ED-IF but it's autofocus design probably necessitates a short focus throw. Long throws is a rarity in newer lenses - suggestions anyone?

Thierry Humeau · March 16th, 2011, 03:56 PM

I got the last Nikon to F3 adaptor MTF had in stock. They are having an other 100 batch being made so, I assume things are a bit jammed up. Too much success.

Thierry.

Andrew Stone · March 16th, 2011, 07:12 PM

Brian, simply send them an email asking for at ETA. They are very good at responding within a day or two.

Brian Lai · March 16th, 2011, 09:27 PM

Thanks Andrew. Mike Tapa replied they will ship this Friday, fingers crossed.

Alister Chapman · March 19th, 2011, 12:07 PM

I've been out shooting some footage around Iceland today with a Tokina ATX-Pro 28-70 and a Nikon 18-135 DX lens. Both lenses have produced excellent images, but the lack of iris ring on the Nikon DX lens makes it hard work. The Tokina has a traditional iris ring, so I can see what the f-stop is and thus have a rough idea of my DoF and where I am in the relative to the lens's optimum performance. I can also judge when it might be a good idea to change the amount of ND I'm using. With the DX lens, I have no idea of what the f-stop is, so have to best guess everything.

Not buying any more lenses without iris control on the lens body.

Of course PL lenses have nice big iris rings!

Leonard Levy · March 19th, 2011, 12:57 PM

That's helpful for me Alister, I've been debating whether to buy a Nikon 28-70 which has an iris ring or to bite the bullet and spend more for the 24-70 which offers the wider image but no ring.

Thierry Humeau · March 19th, 2011, 01:41 PM

I just bought a couple Zeiss ZF.2s, 50mm F1.4 and 85mm F1.4. Mostly for sitdown interviews. Pretty darn nice and very smooth focus ring.

Thierry.

Leonard Levy · March 19th, 2011, 02:02 PM

I compared my old AIS Nikon primes 28 f2, 35 f1.4, 50 f1.4, 85 f1.4 and 105 f1.8 to some Zeiss and the Sony's on an F3 and was disappointed to find they didn't hold up wide open, by 2.8 they were great, but I'm going for the ZF's as well. The 80-200 f2.8 was great as are all those f2.8 Nikon ED zooms.

Winston Ashley · March 19th, 2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Lai

I ordered the present MTF Canon adaptor with intention to shoot those lens wide open and control the aperture with ND's and ISO adjustments on camera.

Where did you order the Canon EF mount from for the sony? I talked with mtf and they said they only have the FD Canon mount. Let me know cuz I want one!

Jim Tittle · March 19th, 2011, 08:32 PM

I'm been using a Sigma 50-150mm 2.8 zoom for interviews. I had to hold my nose when I bought it--Sigma lenses aren't generally my favorites-- but this is the only 50-150mm I could find.
It's sharp enough at 2.8, and, in a normal size room I can get a decent medium shot and a close up without moving the camera. Plus, it holds focus. The physical length of the lens doesn't change when you zoom. And it was only $500. Hopefully, it won't fall apart, like my last Sigma did.

Steve Kalle · March 19th, 2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard Levy

I compared my old AIS Nikon primes 28 f2, 35 f1.4, 50 f1.4, 85 f1.4 and 105 f1.8 to some Zeiss and the Sony's on an F3 and was disappointed to find they didn't hold up wide open, by 2.8 they were great, but I'm going for the ZF's as well. The 80-200 f2.8 was great as are all those f2.8 Nikon ED zooms.

What Sony adapter are you using and which Sony lenses do you have?

On a side note, can you guys provide situations where you use a 135mm lens? My favorite lens of all time is a Sony 135mm STF (Smooth Transition Focus), but at $1300 and an effective length of ~200mm, I am having a hard time justifying purchasing it for video use (TVCs & Docu).

Leonard Levy · March 19th, 2011, 09:39 PM

I have the MTF adapter Nikon to Sony F3. The Sony's were just the kit lenses. I'm not sure if I was clear before, the Sony's were sharp , it was the old Nikkors that were weak when wide open.

Jim, never considered the Sigma 50-150 before but it is a perfect length for interviews. I've use my 80-200 Nikon f2.8 in the past on 35mm adapters and its beautiful, but the additional width would be nice. Are you happy with the Sigma? Have you compared it to a high quality Nikon?

Nate Weaver · March 20th, 2011, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard Levy

Jim, never considered the Sigma 50-150 before but it is a perfect length for interviews.

The Red 50-150 is this Sigma rehoused. Coupled with the 18-50 it's a handy pair, and yes, it's great for interviews. It's the tight shot in those grabs I posted in the other thread.

Brian Lai · March 20th, 2011, 01:24 AM

The Ruby 14-24mm from Focus Optics is a beautiful rehoused Nikon but it's priced close to a F3 body. Yeah love the big focus scales marked $$$$$.

Jim Tittle · March 20th, 2011, 06:19 AM

Jim, never considered the Sigma 50-150 before but it is a perfect length for interviews. I've use my 80-200 Nikon f2.8 in the past on 35mm adapters and its beautiful, but the additional width would be nice. Are you happy with the Sigma? Have you compared it to a high quality Nikon?[/QUOTE]

For what it costs, and what I'm using it for, the Sigma is OK. The most important test is whether my clients like the way it looks. So far, they do. I'm shooting with it between 2.8 & 4, to keep the backgrounds soft.

I've compared this lens to the Nikon 70-200, but not with charts. Just swapped them out, while looking at a field monitor. One thing: the Sigma flares more. But, with interviews, flare isn't usually a factor.

March 16th, 2011, 11:08 AM	#16
Brian Lai Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 61	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents Thierry, What adaptor mount are you using on those Sigmas and Tokina lenses? I ordered Nikon and Canon adaptors from MTF weeks ago but never heard back about shipping dates. I'm looking at the Nikkor AF-S 300 ED-IF but it's autofocus design probably necessitates a short focus throw. Long throws is a rarity in newer lenses - suggestions anyone?

March 16th, 2011, 03:56 PM	#17
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents I got the last Nikon to F3 adaptor MTF had in stock. They are having an other 100 batch being made so, I assume things are a bit jammed up. Too much success. Thierry. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

March 16th, 2011, 07:12 PM	#18
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents Brian, simply send them an email asking for at ETA. They are very good at responding within a day or two.

March 16th, 2011, 09:27 PM	#19
Brian Lai Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 61	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents Thanks Andrew. Mike Tapa replied they will ship this Friday, fingers crossed.

March 19th, 2011, 12:07 PM	#20
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents I've been out shooting some footage around Iceland today with a Tokina ATX-Pro 28-70 and a Nikon 18-135 DX lens. Both lenses have produced excellent images, but the lack of iris ring on the Nikon DX lens makes it hard work. The Tokina has a traditional iris ring, so I can see what the f-stop is and thus have a rough idea of my DoF and where I am in the relative to the lens's optimum performance. I can also judge when it might be a good idea to change the amount of ND I'm using. With the DX lens, I have no idea of what the f-stop is, so have to best guess everything. Not buying any more lenses without iris control on the lens body. Of course PL lenses have nice big iris rings! __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

March 19th, 2011, 12:57 PM	#21
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents That's helpful for me Alister, I've been debating whether to buy a Nikon 28-70 which has an iris ring or to bite the bullet and spend more for the 24-70 which offers the wider image but no ring.

March 19th, 2011, 01:41 PM	#22
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents I just bought a couple Zeiss ZF.2s, 50mm F1.4 and 85mm F1.4. Mostly for sitdown interviews. Pretty darn nice and very smooth focus ring. Thierry. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

March 19th, 2011, 02:02 PM	#23
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents I compared my old AIS Nikon primes 28 f2, 35 f1.4, 50 f1.4, 85 f1.4 and 105 f1.8 to some Zeiss and the Sony's on an F3 and was disappointed to find they didn't hold up wide open, by 2.8 they were great, but I'm going for the ZF's as well. The 80-200 f2.8 was great as are all those f2.8 Nikon ED zooms.

March 19th, 2011, 08:32 PM	#25
Jim Tittle Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 114	Sigma 50-150 2.8 I'm been using a Sigma 50-150mm 2.8 zoom for interviews. I had to hold my nose when I bought it--Sigma lenses aren't generally my favorites-- but this is the only 50-150mm I could find. It's sharp enough at 2.8, and, in a normal size room I can get a decent medium shot and a close up without moving the camera. Plus, it holds focus. The physical length of the lens doesn't change when you zoom. And it was only $500. Hopefully, it won't fall apart, like my last Sigma did.

March 19th, 2011, 09:39 PM	#27
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents I have the MTF adapter Nikon to Sony F3. The Sony's were just the kit lenses. I'm not sure if I was clear before, the Sony's were sharp , it was the old Nikkors that were weak when wide open. Jim, never considered the Sigma 50-150 before but it is a perfect length for interviews. I've use my 80-200 Nikon f2.8 in the past on 35mm adapters and its beautiful, but the additional width would be nice. Are you happy with the Sigma? Have you compared it to a high quality Nikon?

March 20th, 2011, 01:24 AM	#29
Brian Lai Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 61	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents The Ruby 14-24mm from Focus Optics is a beautiful rehoused Nikon but it's priced close to a F3 body. Yeah love the big focus scales marked $$$$$.

March 20th, 2011, 06:19 AM	#30
Jim Tittle Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 114	Re: PL or stills glass - my 10 cents Jim, never considered the Sigma 50-150 before but it is a perfect length for interviews. I've use my 80-200 Nikon f2.8 in the past on 35mm adapters and its beautiful, but the additional width would be nice. Are you happy with the Sigma? Have you compared it to a high quality Nikon?[/QUOTE] For what it costs, and what I'm using it for, the Sigma is OK. The most important test is whether my clients like the way it looks. So far, they do. I'm shooting with it between 2.8 & 4, to keep the backgrounds soft. I've compared this lens to the Nikon 70-200, but not with charts. Just swapped them out, while looking at a field monitor. One thing: the Sigma flares more. But, with interviews, flare isn't usually a factor.