AF100 PRIMES QUESTION: NIKON AI-S 50mm 1.2 & 85mm 1.4 VS. ZEISS ZF 50mm & 85mm 1.4

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aficine

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AF100 PRIMES QUESTION: NIKON AI-S 50mm 1.2 & 85mm 1.4 VS. ZEISS ZF 50mm & 85mm 1.4

Hi My Fellow AF100 Owners:

I just got my new AF100 and am about to get some nice prime lenses but I wanted to get some professional opinions first.
I'm thinking, to start out, getting either the Nikon AI-S Superspeeds 50mm 1.2 and the 85mm 1.4 OR the Zeiss ZF 50mm & 85mm 1.4's. I have the Tokina 11-16mm on the way...

Does anyone have anything to say about these particular lenses, particularly the Nikon AI-S 50mm 1.2 vs the Zeiss ZF 50mm 1.4?
Mathew at Duclos said the Nikons were great as cinema lenses so I'm kinda leaning towards them, especially because they are slightly more affordable. Any suggestions or advice on these remarkable lenses would be fantastic...I appreciate your time.

Best Regards,
Gene
AFI Fellow
 
I have all of the lenses in your list, and modded by Duclos as well. They are all terrific, but I do find myself using the Zeiss's most often. I prefer the mechanics in particular.
 
Congrats on the camera. I have a mixture of lenses. I'm swapping out the Nikons for Zeiss ZFs but I have (had) different Nikons than the ones you describe. For instance I had the 85mm AF 1.8 which looked great but the throw on it was shorter than on the Zeiss 85mm and so the Zeiss makes it easier to follow focus. The Zeiss 85mm 1.4 is beautiful but I'm not sure how it compares to the Nikon 85mm 1.4. They seem close in price. I have the Nikon 50mm 1.4 AIS which I use all the time and like very much but it's not the 1.2 so I can't comment on that, but I'm going to continue to swap them out for Zeiss's. Good luck with the camera and your lens choices
 
StephenM & Hscully, and everyone else...

Thanks guys, some totally good insight. So I'm going with the Nikkor 1.2 AIS and Zeiss ZF 50mm & 85mm 1.4's. Now, which adapter is the one to
go with? I saw a Novoflex which is pretty pricey and a METBONES. What's the best Adapter to use? Thanks again everyone, for your time & expertise...
Please feel free to comment on lenses and the adapters or anything else for that matter!

Gene
 
I use the Metabones as all my lenses have irises. Works great, and it's shimmable if flange distance of off on your camera. Get the Novoflex if you need to adjust iris on the adapter.
 
Hi Stephen, and everyone else...

I'm confused.
All of the lenses I'm ordering have Iris: Nikkor AIS 50mm 1.2, Zeiss ZF 50 & 85 1.4's.
However, on the Phil Bloom weblog he says to get the Novoflex, especially with use on the Tokina 11-16mm.
Doesn't the Tokina have an iris. I'm about to order that as well.
I'm confused on which adapter I really absolutely need. Sould I just get the Novoflex becuase it covers all grounds? Or
would I be safe with a metabones for use with above metioned lenses?
Thanks for your expertise!

Gene
 
The Tokina does not have an iris ring (it does of course have an iris), the only way to control is to use either an electronic mount like the RedRock with a Canon mount Tokina or a Novoflex adapter with a Nikon mount Tokina. The Novoflex adapter can adjust the iris mechanically by moving the lever on Nikon lenses.

If you are getting a Nikon mount Tokina, the Novoflex is the better choice.

If you have the resources, Matthew Duclos' Tokina based 11-16 is the perfect choice. His lens includes a traditional manual iris.
 
Stephen,

Okay makes better sense now.

Yes, I was checking out the Duclos Tokina but wow, that price--and zero discounts. I can get a twin Af100 for that amount. Besides, his lens has a 5-6mos wait list.
You think overall, it would be better coverage & stop-wise to get the Oly 14-35mm 2.0, for almost have as much as the Ducos?
My AF100 money-pit is getting deeper and deeper (sigh).

Thanks again for the info!

Gene
 
I've not used the Olympus, but you'll find many reviews here.

The Duclos 11-16 is a PL cine lens and works (and is priced) like one. But optically, the un modified one is the same. It's a terrific lens.
 
I have an Olympus 11-22 that I use as a variable prime. It requires another adapter but it's clean. I also have a 12 mm Hyperprime by SLR Magic, that seems to be OK and that's not too expensive. If you get the novoflex, get the Tokina. That is a really good lens for the AF100.
 
Ever considered Leica Summicron-R's, or Summilux-R's (35, 50, 80/90)? I mean, if you've got enough for Zeiss glass... why not?
 
I have to admit, I'm not all that familiar with them. I've never tried one. I bet they're beautiful but I just checked the 50mm Summillux is $4K at B&H. My goals all go to shooting digital cinema and if I had $4K for a 50mm I would make it the Zeiss Compact Prime. I'm trying to get the best lenses I can for shooting with the AF100. The Duclos ZF 50mm is just over $1K. Even the used Leicas look pretty expensive. Am I missing something?
 
I only buy used Leica lenses anyway... they're sturdy enough that, unless they were in a war zone, they're probably pretty sound. Used prices come down well into Zeiss territory.

Typical used prices on Summicrons range ~$1K for the 35, ~$600 for the 50 and 90. Summiluxes run about double that.
 
thanks for the tip. I'll add the Leica lenses to my quest. Is there a particular adapter that you use for the AF100. I found that the Nikon ones can vary greatly in quality.
 
Shane Hurlbut talks a decent amount about Leicas if you need more comparison - as in tests and things from somebody who's a heck of a lot more seasoned professionally than me. Most of his blog is Canon-centric, but glass is glass regardless of what camera it's placed upon.
 
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