2d HDSLR lens purchase: canon or not?

[Bobonli]

I'm contemplating my second lens purchase since getting a 7d. Contemplating because I'm not sure it's necessary. My main glass is 50mm Zeiss ZE. It's very sharp and I like that it couples to the 7d's electronics for things like exposure and focus confirmation when in stills mode.

I have a small collection of Nikon glass, all but one lens has aperture rings and they also work nicely with the 7d but, of course, they do not couple with the camera the same way a Canon or ZE mount Zeiss does. I'm trying to decide whether to slowly switch to Canon glass for the benefit of having the electronic coupling and focus confirmation features, particularly when using it to shoot stills.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this. How much do you rely on the ability of the lens to "talk" to the camera, or do you work completely manually when using the camera for video? How important is it to you to control the aperture with an aperture ring versus the camera's command dial?

The other thing running through my head is whether it's worth it to send my Nikons in for "modification" to have the aperture stops removed, etc such as the service provided by Duclos. Has anyone here had this work done to their lenses?

Thanks.
Bob

 

[thisisapocalypse]

I don't think it's absolutely *necessary* to have the camera able to talk to the glass when doing video, and especially if you're doing mostly narrative stuff (shorts, feature, etc.) - however, if you see yourself doing more stills work, doing ENG, etc., the ability to have the camera talk to the lens and make changes more quickly and for stills, autofocus is something that is worthy of consideration.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the modern canon glass (especially L lenses) is really, really good, so it's not just that you will have the ability for the lens to talk to the camera, but you'll also be using arguably the best glass reasonably available (aside from renting high end cine lenses - but then your'e talking PL mount mods, etc. etc.,) - lenses like the 24mm f/1.4 L Mkii, 85mm f/1.2 L Mkii, 35mm f/1.4 L or any of the Zeiss ZEs (the 18mm and 21mm are awesome...I mean, they all are really) - honestly it's very tough to beat the modern Canon L glass - but of course, if most of the work you do is going to require manual focus or focus pulls then these lenses aren't quite as ideal because they aren't so easy to focus manually.

ZEs might be your best bet all around, but who knows. I just think it's worth pointing out that you're getting more than just the ability for the great Canon lenses to talk to the camera, you're also getting the best glass.

 

[Ted Ramasola]

Bob,

In my experience, using manual lens from 35 adapter to HDSLRs, it doesnt bother me that the lens can't "talk" to the camera. Our use of 35 adapters sort of, made us get used to it.

What mattered more, to me that is, is the presence of an aperture ring.
Though, since getting a canon, I had a tokina 11-16 thats a canon mount, so I didn't yearn for the aperture ring.

With regards to removing the aperture clicks, or stops if you may, caused by a spring loaded ball bearing, I realized I didn't need to, even though my lens tech can easily do it, in fact he asked me once if I want to.

The reason, for me that is, of setting aperture is primarily the control of DOF, NOT so much with exposure, since the current DSLRs are so light sensitive.

What I do, which I found effective in say, panning from a bright outdoor through a window for instance to the dark interior is to set auto ISO. I find the transition smooth in the case of the canons.

Hope that helps.