Affordable PL mount lenses for the AF-100
- Thread starter Wezbert
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Shipsides
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The Sony lenses won't be available to purchase separately from the Sony F3. The Zeiss Compact Prime 2 and Schneider Cine-Xenar lenses are inexpensive for PL mount glass. uniQue optics also has a set of 6 very nice lenses. Lower price than that you are looking at modified still lenses, such as those from Duclos.
mkfotos.com
Well-known member
I had to check that out, and unless I'm missing something, that price ($3200) is only a 10% down payment on the set. Their "7D" lenses are also ~$4000 apiece.
Viddovation
Veteran
Keep in mind, Duclos's base price for Zeiss ZF.2 lenses is generally higher than B&H or AbelCine... I found it was cheaper to scrounge the lenses elsewhere (including ebay and used items), then send them to Duclos for the mod only.
I was able to build a 6 lenses Duclos modified ZF set for around 8k. Those uniQue optics sets are $32k! No where near as cheap.
Major caveat - this thread is about PL mount glass, and these Duclos mods are Nikon mount. That said, I think they're a viable option because there are Nikon mount adapters available not only for the AF-100, but for other cameras like the RED and PMW-F3, and Canon EOS.
I was able to build a 6 lenses Duclos modified ZF set for around 8k. Those uniQue optics sets are $32k! No where near as cheap.
Major caveat - this thread is about PL mount glass, and these Duclos mods are Nikon mount. That said, I think they're a viable option because there are Nikon mount adapters available not only for the AF-100, but for other cameras like the RED and PMW-F3, and Canon EOS.
Andrew Stone
Veteran
The price list for the Duclos Nikons has them about 100 dollars more per lens than B&H. I would suggest that you invest the time to watch this presentation from Zeiss. It will go a long way in helping you in your lens purchasing decision. The amount of knowledge dispensed in large.
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
I scored both a used Red Pro Zoom 17-50mm PL lens and a Red Pro Zoom 50-150 PL lens on Reduser for a great price, so am just waiting on my HotRod AF100 tuner kit to arrive/
Jarek Zabczynski
Veteran
True but I pay no tax from Duclos and don't have to have my lenses shipped to me then to duclos and then back. I'll pay $100 more for less trips of my lenses back and forth from NY to LA and back alone.
Jarrett P. Morgan
Well-known member
Lomo lenses are very, very good, but they also have their own "organic" feel to them. I am not sure I would have them for my only lenses.
I think on RED right now there is an 18-85 T3 for 6000 used. It has fantastic reviews online and, though I have never used it myself, I think it would be a great lens for an AF. (just a bit heavy.)
I think on RED right now there is an 18-85 T3 for 6000 used. It has fantastic reviews online and, though I have never used it myself, I think it would be a great lens for an AF. (just a bit heavy.)
MadMonkFish
Well-known member
Agree - I like Lomos (Squarefronts) and the Konvas style 35mm's are very similar to 60's/70's Cookes (in design & lens look - creamy).
But, you'll pay a lot to get Oct-19 Lomos converted to PL... or you could get an Oct-19 adapter (not sure on set-up though & if it's shimmable etc).
JPM Photography is right - probably not wise to base all on one lens type. It depends on the look you want and the work you're doing. If you're making Business/Corporate etc I don't think (personally) creamy Lomos would work (unless the client really wants their Video to have that antique look). Of course, if you're doing all promo and Ads then more cine style will be ideal.
If you're on a limited budget, it might be wsie to spread around a little and get a range of anttique and new (non PL) glass?
But, you'll pay a lot to get Oct-19 Lomos converted to PL... or you could get an Oct-19 adapter (not sure on set-up though & if it's shimmable etc).
JPM Photography is right - probably not wise to base all on one lens type. It depends on the look you want and the work you're doing. If you're making Business/Corporate etc I don't think (personally) creamy Lomos would work (unless the client really wants their Video to have that antique look). Of course, if you're doing all promo and Ads then more cine style will be ideal.
If you're on a limited budget, it might be wsie to spread around a little and get a range of anttique and new (non PL) glass?
Lomos are great. I only have anamorphic ones, but the spherical lenses are great also, especially the later mid-80's one. They are razor sharp, and they have high speed versions (T1.4) available. Most are Oct-19, but you may be able to find sets that have been converted to PL.
Their major issue is that they are expensive to do maintenance on.
Their major issue is that they are expensive to do maintenance on.
I was doing some research, and this guy on ebay, ciecio7 seems to make quite good micro 4/3 to OCT19 adapters. However, I im somewhat hesitant about getting something like this because the added distance from the sensor could mess up the focusing ability. Does anyone have any experience with adapters like these?
Thanks
Thanks
Barry_Green
Moderator
Ciecio7 makes adapters that work. If he's making an Oct19 mount for m43, then you can guarantee that you will be able to focus. However, you probably won't have perfect collimation, so while you'll be able to focus to infinity, you probably won't be able to accurately/reliably use the focus marks on the lenses. In another thread we were talking about using Zeiss lens shims with the Ciecio7 PL adapter to get the focus marks exactly right -- I don't know if his OCT19 adapter would allow the usage of such shims, but if so, it might be something to consider.
heavyG
Underwater Giraffe Member
Ryszard (Ciecio7) is really good at answering product questions by email, and responsive to customer requests for changes / improvements. So I would say just contact him and see what he says.
The RED 18-85 is optically good, but its huge and ergonomically a nightmare. most follow focus units cant access its focus gear because of its odd placement at the nose of the lens.
MadMonkFish
Well-known member
I'm using his PL mount & it works for me.
The thread started about PL and now it's onto OCT-19... so safe to assume that you're looking at Cine style glass rather than just PL? If you're going this route, there are lots of other mounts you'll find on cine lenses, all with varying degrees of expense.
As I mentioned previously (IMO!), you should have a few differing lenses for shoots - don't lock yourself down to one type, keep your options open... so Lomo primes are great but what if you really need that extra T-stop (or F-stop in still mode) as the day-light is fading & you're stuck without any lighting gear - but you still have a handful of shots to get through? Then, having a Voigtlander in the lens bag would be very handy (etc).
Just thoughts - have fun building up your lens arsenal!
Exactly!!! Ive gotten sick of all these small slr lenses like the canon FD's because its much harder to focus with them. I think I'm going to stick with Lomos for now because they seem to give the best bang for the buck. Heck, a good lomo lense goes for less then $200!!
MadMonkFish
Well-known member
Good ones vary in price - and sometimes it's the luck of the draw (you may find you end up with multiples as you build up your collection) - older ones will have sticky iris/focus (but still useable) and can be serviced. Some sizes are odd to fit arri pitch focus gears on, but you won't struggle as much with them as SLR lenses. Manual cine lenses are good to use (IMO) & make you think in a more old school way.
I would get a fast new prime (as well)... maybe the Panny 20mm F1.7 (fast & wide) - useful in low light & for handheld/steadi stuff - just to keep one lens in the 'new digital age'!
OCT 19 shims?
OCT 19 shims?
I have both Ryszard (Ciecio7)'s OCT 19 and PL to m43 adaptors. So far I've remarked the focus reference mark . I'm willing to collimate the Lomo spherical primes lenses in OCT19 mount . The adaptors are not built to receive shims.
Yesterday, I manage to test my Lomo lenses and some Illumina lenses with my GH1 on a collimator.
I'm now looking for shims on OCT19 mount, anyone knows a link for those?
OCT 19 shims?
I have both Ryszard (Ciecio7)'s OCT 19 and PL to m43 adaptors. So far I've remarked the focus reference mark . I'm willing to collimate the Lomo spherical primes lenses in OCT19 mount . The adaptors are not built to receive shims.
Yesterday, I manage to test my Lomo lenses and some Illumina lenses with my GH1 on a collimator.
I'm now looking for shims on OCT19 mount, anyone knows a link for those?
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