Canon 14mm F2.8 vs. NEX 16mm F2.8 w/wide converter: is it worth it?

moldcad

moldcad

Veteran
As can be read in my signature, I use vintage FD glass on both the FS100 and Letus adapter with EX1 when I need that shallow DOF look in my 2-camera shots. The widest Canon prime I have is currently 24mm F2.0, and - while plenty wide on the Letus - it's not wide enough with the S35 sensor of my FS100...

I do have the NEX 16mm/F2.8 with wide converter, but as we know they are not brilliant as far as sharpness is considered (though not that bad, either). I'vee been thinking to buy the widest FD ever made - the 14mm F2.8 - but it's difficult to spot, and while the more popular FD glass comes really cheap now - this one can be quite expensive :(

Please advise: does the Canon 14mm F2.8 provide enough advantages IQ-wise over the NEX 16mm F2.8 (w or w/o wide converter) to justify the expenditure?

TIA
 
Thanks Derran for the heads-up - no, never heard of it, but it definitely would be a good alternative. Your link doesn't seem to work for me; could you post details you know?

Never mind, found it :)
 
OK, so indeed - all 3 are interesting lenses; pity the one that I need most (10-18mm) isn't cheap :) Let's see whether its IQ is going to worth $850...
 
Why do you want a 14? - Of course is your choice.

I have a nikkor 14 and a nikkor 18

I find the second is used much more, is simpler to use better value and is significantly better performing than 18-XX zooms

The 16 pancake is fun and worth every penny IMO - I have that too

S
 
Why do I need 14? Well:

- to go even wider than with my current 24 on Letus
- to have an alternative to the pancake/wide converter combo on the FS100, with (possibly) better IQ and able to accept ND filters

OK, the second is moot now with the 10-18 NEX coming - but with its price, and assuming an FD 14 could be found for much lens, well...tough.
 
Last edited:
moldcad said:
Derran, are you sure the 1018 will accept filters? As with all ultra-wides, its petal hood is fixed permanently so a no-no for large vario-NDs for sure. Perhaps at least a fixed ND can be screwed in though.

EDIT The hood is removable!
Click to expand...

Good news right? That was also the first thing I was looking for with this lens. :)
Seems to be (almost) everything we've been asking for.
 
Letus? what adapter and Ex1?

Talking FS100 I would not consider 24 to be wide. (or superwide on FF35)

18 I do consider to be wide on S35 and Superwide on FF35
I consider 14 to be comical on FF35 and rarely needed on S35

If your current widest lens is a 24 then it would be kinda strange to have 14 as your next option.

And my nikkor 14 and the canon below (if I get what you are considering) are a PITA to ND, unlike an 18?

I would do some work on the FOV calc on http://www.tawbaware.com/maxlyons/calc.htm before you buy the wrong thing a 10mm jump at the wide end is huge while a 70 and 80mm lens are similar.

Of course you may have a very specific look that you know and want.

ND Hell..
FDn14mmf28La.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your opinion. Yes - the lens on the picture is the thing I'm considering (well, have been - after Derran's info on the upcoming NEX 10-18, I'd buy the FD 14 if and only if I find it really cheap). All my FD glass were purchased on eBay for really silly money :))...
 
Of course if you pick up a deal wonderful.

As part of a (costly) package I would consider 18/3.5 from contax etc as being more used (by me anyway)

id probably get a prime 18 over that zoom too for the same money - but thats just me

S
 
I dont know it but my 18/4 nikkor cost 2X the amount and is not so wide - so I would say a very useful lens at the price.

(and yes wide costs, I also have many longer nikon lenses for 120EU ect)

72mm front will be easy to filter

Obvioulsy do your own research.

I dont think it would be redundant on the FS100 once you see what a sharp straight, flare free image looks like compared to your 16 'toy lens' and enjoy a manual focus feel you might find the 16 redundant!

I use my 18 every shoot.

S
 
Gary W said:
Tokina 11-16 mm
Click to expand...

Yeah, sure great lens, but:

- I'm after something I could use on both the FS100 and Letus Elite (35mm adapter)
- as for the FS100, the announced 10-18 NEX (with ISS) looks more attractive

Not to mention that the Tokina not being cheap, it also requires an expensive NEX adapter...

So, for the time being, I went for the Tokina 17mm F3.5 FD mount; it should be great on the Letus, not bad on the FS100 - and only cost me some 100 Euros...
 
Last edited:
You can get it in a heap of mounts, Canon, Nikon, Olympus... I have the EF for my 5d. Will be adapting it to the BMC as well, would be a treat on the FS.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top