evinsky
Well-known member
...and you want to put together a system capable of producing top notch imagery. That means you have approximately $2000 to spend on some glass (assuming the on board drive is $1K) and it's got to be good or else why buy the Red, right? So where do you start?
I suggest e-bay and if you're a little hesitant about that then KEH
http://www.keh.com
I'd like to have this thread be primarily about affordable first option lenses
that indies can afford but still produce big screen quality.
But what mount and what lenses should you get? Mike Curtis mentioned in his article that Jim Jannard was recommending snatching up late series Nikkor lenses because they are cheap and high quality. I agree but have a little more to offer as to specific lenses that could make up a very comprehensive and capable optical tool set for most applications.
I'm suggesting a total lens kit price of $2K because almost all of us (myself included) can probably afford this in addition to Red bringing the total price of the system to right around 20K. (not including tax)
So where to start?
Nikon has made two series of manual focus lenses that were made in different periods during and after the 70s. The AI series introduced with the F2 are for the most part optically identical to the AIS series that was introduced with the F3 and subsequently made into the 90s and even a few beyond. My recommendation is that when possible try to get the AI series, despite their older vintage, as long as the mechanics are good and the optics clean. I recommend this for two reasons, first they are generally cheaper than their AIS equivalents given the same condition and second they have a longer focusing draw. In other words it takes a longer rotation to achieve the same focus thus giving you more precision. The AIS lenses will still do the job, but with such an astoundingly high resolution sensor every bit helps.
What about AF lenses? There are a few AF lenses that I would recommend over their MF equivalents but over all the used AI and AIS lenses are a better deal and are more rugged because of their all metal construction.
With one exception...
The AFS 17-35mm F2.8 Nikkor is the first recommendation on my list.
This lens can be had for about $900-$1100 on E-bay, $750 if your lucky.
It is one of Nikon's sharpest wide angle lenses, period. Even compared to primes. It's relatively fast, T3 probably, and gives you an equivalent 35mm still focal range of 26-55mm, enough to cover most of your wideangle to normal shooting. You could buy AI primes but you'd need to get at least five lenses... the 18mm F3.5, 20mm 2.8, 24mm f2.8 28mm f2.8 and a 35mm f2. Of these only the 28mm 2.8 out performs the 17-35 and only the 24 and 35 match it.
If you can only afford one lens to start with, this may be the one.
What other lenses to choose from comes down to a preference between more focal lengths of faster lenses. All of these are very sharp, proven designs so optically your not giving anything up. Of course the faster lenses will be slightly softer wide open but you can still make beautiful images with them.
Short tele: 50mm= 77mm in 35mm still terms.
First the 50mm f1.4 is a no brainier, $100 and a great performer.
Medium tele: 85mm=132mm 105mm=163mm
Faster 85mm F1.4 $350-$500 Fantastic all around
Cheaper 85mm F1.8 $250-$350 Also great (AI or earlier only)
Faster 105mm F1.8 $350-$500 Also great
Cheaper 105mm F2.5 $100-$280 A classic in Nikon glass.
Macro 105mm F2.8 Micro $200-$350 1/2 life size magnification.
Long Tele: 135mm=210mm 180mm=280mm
Faster 135mm F2 $400-$600
Longer 180mm F2.8 ED $250-$350
So I hope your ready to have some fun with glass. I know I can't wait.
rogar-BigGrin(DBG)
E.
I suggest e-bay and if you're a little hesitant about that then KEH
http://www.keh.com
I'd like to have this thread be primarily about affordable first option lenses
that indies can afford but still produce big screen quality.
But what mount and what lenses should you get? Mike Curtis mentioned in his article that Jim Jannard was recommending snatching up late series Nikkor lenses because they are cheap and high quality. I agree but have a little more to offer as to specific lenses that could make up a very comprehensive and capable optical tool set for most applications.
I'm suggesting a total lens kit price of $2K because almost all of us (myself included) can probably afford this in addition to Red bringing the total price of the system to right around 20K. (not including tax)
So where to start?
Nikon has made two series of manual focus lenses that were made in different periods during and after the 70s. The AI series introduced with the F2 are for the most part optically identical to the AIS series that was introduced with the F3 and subsequently made into the 90s and even a few beyond. My recommendation is that when possible try to get the AI series, despite their older vintage, as long as the mechanics are good and the optics clean. I recommend this for two reasons, first they are generally cheaper than their AIS equivalents given the same condition and second they have a longer focusing draw. In other words it takes a longer rotation to achieve the same focus thus giving you more precision. The AIS lenses will still do the job, but with such an astoundingly high resolution sensor every bit helps.
What about AF lenses? There are a few AF lenses that I would recommend over their MF equivalents but over all the used AI and AIS lenses are a better deal and are more rugged because of their all metal construction.
With one exception...
The AFS 17-35mm F2.8 Nikkor is the first recommendation on my list.
This lens can be had for about $900-$1100 on E-bay, $750 if your lucky.
It is one of Nikon's sharpest wide angle lenses, period. Even compared to primes. It's relatively fast, T3 probably, and gives you an equivalent 35mm still focal range of 26-55mm, enough to cover most of your wideangle to normal shooting. You could buy AI primes but you'd need to get at least five lenses... the 18mm F3.5, 20mm 2.8, 24mm f2.8 28mm f2.8 and a 35mm f2. Of these only the 28mm 2.8 out performs the 17-35 and only the 24 and 35 match it.
If you can only afford one lens to start with, this may be the one.
What other lenses to choose from comes down to a preference between more focal lengths of faster lenses. All of these are very sharp, proven designs so optically your not giving anything up. Of course the faster lenses will be slightly softer wide open but you can still make beautiful images with them.
Short tele: 50mm= 77mm in 35mm still terms.
First the 50mm f1.4 is a no brainier, $100 and a great performer.
Medium tele: 85mm=132mm 105mm=163mm
Faster 85mm F1.4 $350-$500 Fantastic all around
Cheaper 85mm F1.8 $250-$350 Also great (AI or earlier only)
Faster 105mm F1.8 $350-$500 Also great
Cheaper 105mm F2.5 $100-$280 A classic in Nikon glass.
Macro 105mm F2.8 Micro $200-$350 1/2 life size magnification.
Long Tele: 135mm=210mm 180mm=280mm
Faster 135mm F2 $400-$600
Longer 180mm F2.8 ED $250-$350
So I hope your ready to have some fun with glass. I know I can't wait.
rogar-BigGrin(DBG)E.
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