Advice on Nikon glass sought...

J

jdv

Well-known member
So it's pretty apparent that there's very little native glass for the FS100. The Sony 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Zoom Lens seems to be the only real option (other then a 16mm pancake lens).

This lens is $600 if you order it as part of a kit from the usual suspects; however it appears to be on back order from all of them. Meaning you have to buy it separately if you actually want to go out and start shooting with your new best friend. Unfortunately, the lens by itself costs $800. The one universal comment is that it's slow - and I shoot horror movies.

Also, I'm always wary of buying a video camera lens as those lenses almost always lose more value then their still counterparts. Round up of the widely varied opinions here:
http://notesonvideo.blogspot.com/2011/05/should-you-buy-sony-nex-fs100-kit-lens.html

So let's say I want to spend that $600-$800 on Nikon glass, figure 3 primes or 1 zoom - can anyone give me specific model advice on this? I know nothing about Nikon glass.

Thanks for any help....
 
A cheap good kit that i would do is a 28/2, 50 1.4, 85/2

If you had a bit more, or if you can swing some deals i might change that 28/2 for a 24/2 and a 35/2. That would give you a bit more range.

A four lens set of 24, 35, 50, 85, you can shoot most stuff.

That being said, it is generally considered that the 28/2 is better opticly than the 24/2
 
I have a Nikon Prime set, well, most of it that didn't get stolen... I bought most at local photo stores second hand and a ton off of keh.com they have superb glass for really good prices, I would check out what they have... best refurbished glass in my opinion. 35 f2 is an awesome piece of glass, 50 1.4 is a staple, 85 2 is always a great one... also think about getting on the long end the 105 2.5 and the wide end possibly a knock off wide zoom... 11-16 tokina http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554036-REG/Tokina_ATX116PRODXN_11_16mm_f_2_8_AT_X_116.html that should hold you down for a while.
 


I started writing a reply to this… and it grew so long I turned it into a blog post.


http://www.selfreliantfilm.com/2011/07/how-to-build-a-lens-collection/


Lots of advice on that page, but more to the point, here are some lenses I use most and recommend most highly:


20mm f/2.8 -- around $300 on ebay


28mm f/2.8 -- under $300 on ebay
OR
35mm f/1.4 -- this one is pricey -- probably $500 on ebay *


50mm f/1.8 - Series E pancake -- probably $50 on ebay **


* To start out, you probably don't need both a 28mm and a 35mm. Decide whether you want a wide-normal (the 28mm on the FS100 is like a 45mm on a full frame) or a tele-normal (the 35mm on the FS is like a 56mm on a full frame).


** The 50mm Series E is not as fast or heralded as the 1.4, but you can find these SUPER CHEAP and on HD you would be hard pressed to see the difference!!


I have a few telephotos, but I don't use them that much. If you need something basic maybe a Nikon 105 f/2.5? I haven't used it but I have heard good things about the new Rokinon 85mm. It's affordable so it might be worth looking into.


If you need super wide, though I don't own one, go for a Tokina 11-16. I've used it. It's impressive. That lens will be most of your budget, though it's a great bargain at under $700.
 
Thanks guys - one question: Assuming manual F stop adjustment, is there any thing differentiating Nikon glass?

Meaning, if I buy a "dumb" Nikon adapter, I'll be able to use all that old Nikon glass w/o penalty?
 
jdv said:
Thanks guys - one question: Assuming manual F stop adjustment, is there any thing differentiating Nikon glass?

Meaning, if I buy a "dumb" Nikon adapter, I'll be able to use all that old Nikon glass w/o penalty?
Click to expand...

I have the $50 fotodiox nikon to nex adapter and it works fine, and also has aperture control for G style lenses without aperture rings. I'm sure others will recommend adapters from MTF, Novoflex, Adaptimax, etc.
 
One thing

I recently bought a bunch of glass in the cheap end (manual nikkors)

The 28 F2 has a bit of backlash - the effect is that when you change focus direction the iris changes by half a stop making the shot unusable

The other lenses are great

I would suggest physically trying lenses before buying them

S
 
Pretty much where I sit too - planned on getting the cam + an adapter then going to my local brick and mortar and just slapping on the glass. Figure I'd buy one lens off of him to make it worth his while, then come back to this thread to get ideas for the rest.
 
P. Harrill said:


I started writing a reply to this… and it grew so long I turned it into a blog post.


http://www.selfreliantfilm.com/2011/07/how-to-build-a-lens-collection/


Lots of advice on that page, but more to the point, here are some lenses I use most and recommend most highly:


20mm f/2.8 -- around $300 on ebay


28mm f/2.8 -- under $300 on ebay
OR
35mm f/1.4 -- this one is pricey -- probably $500 on ebay *


50mm f/1.8 - Series E pancake -- probably $50 on ebay **
Click to expand...

Thanks Paul - checked it out and it's chocked full of good tips. How do these Nikon pieces hold up to the high Canon or Zeiss glass? I'm certainly not a brand snob - I just want what works and bang for the buck...
 
@ jdv - I think Nikon AI-S glass is the best bargain out there. I like Canons, but hate the endless focus ring and I miss having an aperture ring. (If I had a Red Epic[!], which allows control over focus and exposure, I'd get some Canon glass, no question.) I have no experience with Zeiss still photo lenses.

Shane Hurlbut's post on the differences between Zeiss, Canon, and Nikon might be helpful: http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2010/02/06/still-lenses/

It's only one person's opinion, but he is in the ASC and shoots with DSLRs.
 
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Get an adapter like the novoflex, some manual focus/aperture full-frame Nikons and you'll be in heaven.

I was shooting with those last week and was extremely pleased by the results.
 
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