Bare AF100 Kit To Shoot Out of the Box - What Lenses and Adapters

[David Saraceno]

Assuming that AF100 ships sans lens, which appears to be the case, what does everyone suggest as necessary additional lenses to get started with?

We have two great Nikon AF lenses for our D300s, both zoom - one wide angle and one telephoto.

What would be need to get working with those?

And what value 4/3 lens what make sense as an all around useful one?

thanks

[xmephestox]

Honestly, I've been feeling that canon L series lenses, both zoom and primes have been high ticket lately. They are gonna carry on from system to system for a long time, plus you never know when you'll have additional DSLR coverage too. I'm very impressed with the optical quality, and speeds. Nikon lenses, the newer ones never made much sense to me, could never get my head wrapped around all the different models.

But that's just personal preference of course, staples would be the 11-16 mm tokina of course. Everybody swears by it, and with the crop factor of 4/3 you'll want as wide as you can if you want a change at having that really nice wide shot you are going for. I'd even look into to some straight forward 4/3 lenses, because of the smaller sensor size you can really get away with some incredibly fast glass at a reasonable price.

Telephoto I'd go with a 70-200 zoom L series if you don't mind mixing glass.

[cowpunk52]

While you will most probably be able to adapt Canon EOS glass to the mount, I don't think it's a smart idea - chances are very VERY likely that there will be no aperture control for those lenses, since they are electronically controlled by Canon's EOS system. There is no aperture ring. Unless you want to shoot wide open all the time, without option for stopping down, you'd be much better off going with old Nikons, or other manual focus lenses.

[Bucknfl]

One of the big unknowns is if Panasonic will offer custom kit lenses for this camera, and how much they would cost. I'm guessing they will but who knows?

[David Saraceno]

I take it that even with a 4/3 Nikon adapter, I don't get AF or zoom.

Correct?

[Razz16mm]

My first choice would be a native 4/3 format lens of some kind. This one would be a very good reasonably priced candidate. With a standard 4/3 adapter, auto focus should work if Panny supports it. Reasonable range, reasonable speed for the bucks and very high image quality.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1337

If bucks were available I would pick:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1334&page=overview

And

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1335

[AGMedia]

I could be wrong on these things -- but I'm probably not.

With the exception of Micro 4/3 lenses -- you'll need manual aperture controls on your lenses.

This means most all Canon EOS lenses are out, as well as Nikon "DX" and G type lenses. Unless there's something spectacular up someone's sleeve -- adapters only adapt the mount, not the electronically controlled lens features.

All automatic lens features will be exclusively with Micro 4/3 format lenses.

[David Saraceno]

Does the GH1 stock lens provide for zoom, AF and Iris?

[Razz16mm]

I could be wrong on these things -- but I'm probably not.

With the exception of Micro 4/3 lenses -- you'll need manual aperture controls on your lenses.

This means most all Canon EOS lenses are out, as well as Nikon "DX" and G type lenses. Unless there's something spectacular up someone's sleeve -- adapters only adapt the mount, not the electronically controlled lens features.

All automatic lens features will be exclusively with Micro 4/3 format lenses.

Micro 4/3 conforms to the 4/3 control standard, so lenses for standard 4/3 cameras should carry over all their original functions. The question is will Panasonic fully implement the standard on the AF100? They have updated firmware for the GH1 on their site to support 4/3 lens functions with an adapter. M4/3 has the same 9-pin lens contact layout plus two extra pins.

[Barry_Green]

Does the GH1 stock lens provide for zoom, AF and Iris?
No zoom, but yes AF and iris. Also optical image stabilization.

Right now in the GH1 world, using a lens adapter pretty much means an entirely-manual lens. If you want a video-style lens, run (don't walk) to get the 14-140. It really isn't even worth discussing; the 14-140 is the only all-inclusive, video-style lens on the market.

But no, no power zoom.

[dcloud]

I could be wrong on these things -- but I'm probably not.

With the exception of Micro 4/3 lenses -- you'll need manual aperture controls on your lenses.

This means most all Canon EOS lenses are out, as well as Nikon "DX" and G type lenses. Unless there's something spectacular up someone's sleeve -- adapters only adapt the mount, not the electronically controlled lens features.

All automatic lens features will be exclusively with Micro 4/3 format lenses.
nikon G
heres magic up someone's sleeve
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-G-lens-to-GF1-G1-GH1-Olympus-E-P1-EP2-mFT-adapter_W0QQitemZ350313162053QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK _Photography_CameraLenses_Lens_caps_hoods_adaptors _ET?hash=item51904aa545#ht_2587wt_1166
of course it only controls the aperture. not auto focus which is moot anyway :D

canon, it is possible but expensive... check redrockmicro's live lens

[David Saraceno]

Sorry to ask dumb questions, but will the Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm lens be compatible with the AF100?

Interesting that it runs as much as the GH1.

[Razz16mm]

Sorry to ask dumb questions, but will the Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm lens be compatible with the AF100?

Interesting that it runs as much as the GH1.

Certainly, AF100 is a micro 4/3 standard camera. 4/3 and m4/3 are both defined multi-manufacturer standards originated by Olympus.
Lenses designed for them from any manufacturer should support all functions included in the lens specifications on any m4/3 camera from any manufacturer. 4/3 lenses are fully supported with an adapter on m4/3 cameras, but not the other way round.

Good optics are expensive. Premium lenses that cost way more than the camera to which they are attached are common. Your image is ultimately no better than your glass.

Camera models come and go, especially in the digital era. But good lenses are forever. There is still significant demand for some premium ultra-fast 16mm primes that happen to cover 4/3 and are more than 25 years old. They typically sell for more than a complete GH1 package with the kit lens and in some cases as much or more than their prices when new..

[David Saraceno]

That's why I'm interested on how well my two $2k Nikon D300s lenses will work with the AF100.

[GDV]

Oof, so it's a no-go on using Canon lenses for the Af100 eh? ...sigh... I was kinda hoping mine could make the jump.

[Barry_Green]

Oof, so it's a no-go on using Canon lenses for the Af100 eh? ...sigh... I was kinda hoping mine could make the jump.
Of course you can use Canon lenses on it. You can use any lens on it.

What you won't get is automatic control of the iris or autofocus on your Canon lenses. At least, with today's adapters you can't. Maybe some enterprising company will manufacture translating electronic adapters that would translate Canon electronic codes into m4/3 electronic codes, kind of like the Birger mount does for the Red, and then you'd have fully operational mounts for all lenses.

But as of today, you can get a simple mechanical adapter and put your Canon or Nikon (or Olympus or Pentax or Leica or ... anything else) lenses on it.

[Razz16mm]

But as of today, you can get a simple mechanical adapter and put your Canon or Nikon (or Olympus or Pentax or Leica or ... anything else) lenses on it.

That is one of the best features of the M4/3 format. Short flange focus distance makes it very easy to adapt to just about any other lens mount system.

[Justyn]

It does seem a bit of a letdown that it doesn't come with a lens for 6k, even a kit lens. This is in the same pricepoint as the 170, without a lens. I know there's additional RND and a whole lot of stuff that goes into this, but certainly not having to produce a lens is also cost savings. Even if all of this is bleeding edge stuff for this pricepoint.

[David Saraceno]

Or consider providing alternative adapters for Nikon or Canon as part of the package.

[dadoboy]

It would also be great if people would encourage some of the well known adapter makers and 35mm GG adapter co's like Letus, Redrock, Cinevate or Shoot35 to make adapters which allow for back-focus adjustment if the AF-100 does not provide for that on the camera (unlikely). It would significantly raise the cost of an adapter, but I think there would be a market for it for AF-100 buyers. I would readily pay $300 or much more for something like that for Canon FD or Minolta MD.

With these co's having back-focus adjustments on their GG adapters, they would have the mechanical know how.


OMaybe some enterprising company will manufacture translating electronic adapters that would translate Canon electronic codes into m4/3 electronic codes, kind of like the Birger mount does for the Red, and then you'd have fully operational mounts for all lenses.

But as of today, you can get a simple mechanical adapter and put your Canon or Nikon (or Olympus or Pentax or Leica or ... anything else) lenses on it.

[AGMedia]

What you won't get is automatic control of the iris

It's not a lack of "automatic control" on Canon EOS lenses -- it's a total lack of iris control. That Redrock thing someone linked to looked interesting -- and if you're already heavily invested in Canon glass that may be the headache worth exploring.

Going back to the "OP" -- the best lens options for this camera are going to be Micro 4/3 lenses, or, a Nikon to micro 4/3 adapter with Nikon mount Zeiss primes (this is assuming you're not going the cinema lens route). Remember -- it's about a 2x crop factor -- so your 50mm Zeiss prime will be 100mm equivalent on the AF100.

The cheapest route will be some adapter for lenses with manual iris controls and used lenses. There's always some guy on this forum who proudly tells the story of the five dollar Nikon prime he bought on Ebay.

The big picture is -- the lens makes your picture. The AF-100 will seem like a totally different camera with each different lens you use. There are some magnificent old lenses out there that you can pick up at low cost -- and there's an ocean of crap out there that will be more difficult to handle while producing genuinely mediocre imagery.

Compromising on the quality of your lens is compromising the quality of your images. If you're on this forum -- it's likely that your images are your business.

Meaning, I'd rather have one quality lens (and work around it) than six pieces of junk.

The bad news is that you need to factor in the cost of quality lenses to the price of this camera. The good news is that the ability to pick your lenses opens up a universe of creative options previously only available through a 35mm lens adapter.

[Justyn]

Renting is certainly a great option for me for my feature, but it would be nice to have some staple go to lenses in the aresenal. I think I might be different though in my intention is to buy the 100 or whatever is out there at the time, use it for my feature, and then sell it right away. I'll be inproduction mode and if needed will pick up another camera in the future. We certainly are on the bledding edge just as we were for the HVX.. and that proved to be a very good purchase.

[thisisapocalypse]

It's not a lack of "automatic control" on Canon EOS lenses -- it's a total lack of iris control. That Redrock thing someone linked to looked interesting -- and if you're already heavily invested in Canon glass that may be the headache worth exploring.

Going back to the "OP" -- the best lens options for this camera are going to be Micro 4/3 lenses, or, a Nikon to micro 4/3 adapter with Nikon mount Zeiss primes (this is assuming you're not going the cinema lens route). Remember -- it's about a 2x crop factor -- so your 50mm Zeiss prime will be 100mm equivalent on the AF100.

The cheapest route will be some adapter for lenses with manual iris controls and used lenses. There's always some guy on this forum who proudly tells the story of the five dollar Nikon prime he bought on Ebay.

The big picture is -- the lens makes your picture. The AF-100 will seem like a totally different camera with each different lens you use. There are some magnificent old lenses out there that you can pick up at low cost -- and there's an ocean of crap out there that will be more difficult to handle while producing genuinely mediocre imagery.

Compromising on the quality of your lens is compromising the quality of your images. If you're on this forum -- it's likely that your images are your business.

Meaning, I'd rather have one quality lens (and work around it) than six pieces of junk.

The bad news is that you need to factor in the cost of quality lenses to the price of this camera. The good news is that the ability to pick your lenses opens up a universe of creative options previously only available through a 35mm lens adapter.

You could use NDs as a compromise in setting exposure on the Canon L glass, you'll still be shooting wide-open, however, but the Canon Ls are all quite good wide-open. You can also put a Canon L lens on a Canon body, hit the DOF preview button and remove the lens, if I'm not mistaken and it will hold whatever aperture it's at - but that's a pain in the ass.

I feel that its kind of getting strange that we keep talking about the fov "equivalent" as if the basis of comparison should be 35mm FF film - since so many of are using these for indie shorts/features and whatnot, isn't the more appropriate comparison Super35? In which case the m4/3 sensor is very close to the same size?

Aside from shooting "vistavision" or on a Canon 5D, it's not that common to be shooting a film on 135 size stock. Those are really outliers compared to shooting Super35.

[Justyn]

I think that there when you spend 6k on a camera body, you have to atleast have either electronic connections to the lenses and be able to control iris and such through the camera, and or shoot with glass that has the Fstops on the outside of the lens, otherwise what's the point. As it is, most of the DSLRs are so frustrating in how they compromise all of the tools that we've come to love in a camera. Not having built in NDs, no zebras, no wafeforms, etc. As much as the final image can be glorious, it's also highly frustrating.

I'm looking to get some solid glass and then rent when I need other things... Renting glass is a good solid option and pretty cheap too.

[Razz16mm]

The Micro 4/3 to standard 4/3 lens adapters from Olympus and Panasonic do carry the electronic lens controls for 4/3 lenses. You only lose the auto focus function for now. Iris control is maintained.