Cheap, Fast Zooms

C

CColton

Well-known member
Yes, I realize they don't exist. But what are the least expensive, fast zoom lenses out there for micro 4/3 via adapters? I like the focal length of the 14-140 but 4.0-5.6 is far too slow for certain situations, since I'm using a GH1 and therefore not going over 800 ISO if I can avoid it.
 
I use a Tamron 17-50 2.8 non vc (nikon fit) as my standard lens using a rainbow imaging adapter with Aperture control. I like the lens a lot, but I would love to have a lens with a longer focus throw. 17-50 is about 34-100 on the GH2 and if you use ETC it gives you a pretty good range and it's constant 2.0 so it's nice for interiors. I bought it used in perfect condition for $330 of ebay.
 
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Thanks! I have a GH1, so no ETC, unfortunately. I have the 14-140 Panasonic, the 20mm pancake, and a 50mm Canon FD prime that I love. Any ideas for longer than 50mm (100mm equivalent)?
 
Ram S.O.S said:
I use a Tamron 17-50 2.0 non vc (nikon fit) as my standard lens using a rainbow imaging adapter with Aperture control. I like the lens a lot, but I would love to have a lens with a longer focus throw. 17-50 is about 34-100 on the GH2 and if you use ETC it gives you a pretty good range and it's constant 2.0 so it's nice for interiors. I bought it used in perfect condition for $330 of ebay.
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You mean F2.8
 
The Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D might be a good option for a telephoto. This is an older lens but still in production, and it's longevity says something about it's quality and popularity. It's around $1000 new or much cheaper 2nd hand (in Australia... so probably much cheaper in the US). Great thing about it is it has an aperture ring on the lens so it's perfect for adapting to other systems.
 
deltoidjohn said:
The Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D might be a good option for a telephoto. This is an older lens but still in production, and it's longevity says something about it's quality and popularity. It's around $1000 new or much cheaper 2nd hand (in Australia... so probably much cheaper in the US). Great thing about it is it has an aperture ring on the lens so it's perfect for adapting to other systems.
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What "series" is that lens, Nikkor, etc.? As in, what would I search for? And what adapter might I need? A 70 or 80-200 is exactly what I'm thinking of, but the only fast ones I knew of were Canon EF and Nikkor lenses, which are anything but cheap.
 
deltoidjohn said:
The Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D might be a good option for a telephoto. This is an older lens but still in production, and it's longevity says something about it's quality and popularity. It's around $1000 new or much cheaper 2nd hand (in Australia... so probably much cheaper in the US). Great thing about it is it has an aperture ring on the lens so it's perfect for adapting to other systems.
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It's a great lens, but still pricey used. I've been looking and for a little more a used canon 70-200 2.8 may be a better choice with great auto features.
 
ROCKMORE said:
It's a great lens, but still pricey used. I've been looking and for a little more a used canon 70-200 2.8 may be a better choice with great auto features.
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Auto features? There is no adapter for EF lenses that can control the aperture....
 
Also, I should've clarified that I'm looking for fast zooms in the telephoto range (>50mm, preferably 100-200)
 
Just checked eBay and there's a TOKINA AT-X 80-200mm f2.8 Nikon mount going for $249 "Buy It Now" price. Tokina make nice lenses.
 
I just ran a quick ebay search for "F2.8 zoom lens" and then specified telephoto in the checkbox; these came up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SIGMA-Zoom-75mm-200mm-F-2-8-3-5-case-CANON-/110674730133?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item19c4ba5c95#ht_1663wt_1141

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivitar-28-90mm-f-2-8-3-5-Series-1-Zoom-Lens-/250801733687?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3a64f2c037#ht_500wt_922

http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-FD-MOUNT-70-210mm-F-2-8-4-Vivitar-Series-1-Zoom-/350452412916?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item51989771f4#ht_4442wt_1018

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tamron-Nikon-35-105mm-f2-8-f-2-8-AF-Zoom-BEAUTY-/320685936723?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item4aaa5f1053#ht_1502wt_907

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-Tokina-ATX-80-200mm-f2-8-fast-OM-Zoom-lens-M-/390299369895?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item5adfa7c1a7#ht_1993wt_1141

http://cgi.ebay.com/PENTAX-M-ASAHI-SMC-ZOOM-MACRO-LENS-40-80mm-f2-8-4-NR-/260766501607?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3cb6e50ae7#ht_1882wt_1141
 
If you prefer a 2-touch manual zoom, Konica made a very good Hexanon 80-200mm f3.5 zoom that regularly shows up on eBay:

http://www.buhla.de/Foto/Konica/Objektive/e80-200_35.html

For me, one of the essential features in a telephoto lens is a built-in rotating tripod collar. With a camera as light as the GH1/2, it's far more flexible and convenient to mount the lens to the tripod and attach the GH1 like a film camera back. And with an adjustable collar, you can optionally set up the tripod at a non-vertical angle, and rotate the lens to level the camera.
 
lpowell said:
If you prefer a 2-touch manual zoom, Konica made a very good Hexanon 80-200mm f3.5 zoom that regularly shows up on eBay:

http://www.buhla.de/Foto/Konica/Objektive/e80-200_35.html

For me, one of the essential features in a telephoto lens is a built-in rotating tripod collar. With a camera as light as the GH1/2, it's far more flexible and convenient to mount the lens to the tripod and attach the GH1 like a film camera back. And with an adjustable collar, you can optionally set up the tripod at a non-vertical angle, and rotate the lens to level the camera.
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What's a 2-touch manual zoom? And that's a good point lpowell.
 
Do you think internal zooms are better than telescoping? I've heard that push-pull type zooms don't last as long because dust can work its way into the lens, as opposed to a lens whose physical length doesn't change.
 
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