Building a Nikon Prime set... need recommendations

A

AlexMacP

Active member
Hey all

I am putting together a prime lens set for my Canon 5Dii . As much as I would like to, I can't afford a Zeiss ZF/Leica R lens setup at the moment.

I am thinking of getting a set of 4 lenses:

20mm/35mm/50mm/105mm

Are there other focal lengths that you think would be better? Also are there lenses in particular that you would recommend? I am going to be
shooting cinematic-style commercials. (...well that's the plan at least)
 
super-wide anything, maybe an L-zoom.
there are many old cheap lenses +100, i like 135. i picked up a Porst 135 for like 15 bucks, very nice cinematic colors & bokeh.

nikkor 50 1.8 is said to be better than the 1.4 but on fullframe wide open it gives stunning colors & film-like vignetting, and hey it's nice to be able to go to 1.4 when needed.

from my own collection my vintage preferences are: nikkor 50 1.4, MIR-24M 35, Porst 135, Jupiter-9 85. (now you're using 5Dmk2, but it should be noted that especially vintage glass can have a MAJOR differenece in usability/estetics depending on crop factor -- some glass i don't use on fullframe, and vise versa)
 
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I have the 105 f/2.5 AIS manual focus and it is a great performer. Smooth, all metal construction and a built in hood. I see them over at KEH.com and they're priced well.
I also use the older pro 35-70 f/2.8 and hence cover a bunch of territory. I've had to add blur for some of my in-studio shots just to protect the innocent! again a t-rrific lens!
unless you want a fisheye, I'd say right in that 20mm range sounds right. I use a 17-35 Tameron, but I'd rather have a prime.
 
I went on an Ebay frenzy.

I bought the 20mm/2.8 Ai-s
35mm/2 Ai-s
50mm/1.4 Ai-s

I am currently bidding on a 105mm2.8 Ai-s Micro. If I don't win I will get the 85mm/2 Ai-s

Thanks for the recommendations!
 
I am currently selling a 105 f/2.5, 135 f/2.8 (both cinevised) and a 180 f/2.8. Let me know if you are interested.

Also, the lenses you just got are all very good. I would at least suggest an 85 f/2 and maybe a 105 f/2.5 or 2.8 to round off the set. You may find that you need a 28 or 24 in between the 20 and the 35 (those two are actually quite far apart)
 
So, I was looking to get a Nikkor 85mm and was leaning towards the 85mm f1.8. Why the recommends of the 85mm f2 instead of the 85mm f1.8?
 
AlexMacP said:
Hey all

I am putting together a prime lens set for my Canon 5Dii . As much as I would like to, I can't afford a Zeiss ZF/Leica R lens setup at the moment.

I am thinking of getting a set of 4 lenses:

20mm/35mm/50mm/105mm

Are there other focal lengths that you think would be better? Also are there lenses in particular that you would recommend? I am going to be
shooting cinematic-style commercials. (...well that's the plan at least)
Click to expand...

Than Ken Rockwell is your best friend :beer: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/10-best.htm

Frank
 
I own the 85mm AF 1.8D. It is a breath-takingly gorgeous lens. It's rather sharp wide open but tack sharp at F4. The 100 degrees of focus pull does kind of suck some times, but don't be misunderstood, it's still a wonderful lens if you don't get the F2 AI.
 
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