D7000 + Rokinon/Samyang Cine lenses
- Thread starter therussian
- Start date
I was thinking of getting a Rokinon 24mm and 35mm, but now I'm leaning towards the new Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. It won't be released until the end of this month (or maybe next month), but the reviews on pre-production models have been outstanding.
http://www.lenstip.com/374.1-Lens_review-Sigma_A_18-35_mm_f_1.8_DC_HSM_.html
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sigma-18-35mm-f-1-8-dc-hsm-a-lens-review-22257
http://nofilmschool.com/2013/06/sigma-18-35mm-f1-8-price-cost-availability/
The advantages for me are:
1. Excellent sharpness at all focal lengths, even when wide open. The Rokinon 35mm is sharp wide open, but the 24mm is not.
2. You also get 18mm and 28mm focal lengths and everything in between.
3. It's a parfocal zoom (see test on the nofilmschool link).
4. Good build quality.
5. It has autofocus you can use for stills (or video, but usually not a good idea).
5. It's only $800!
The disadvantages are:
1. 2/3 stop slower. Not really a big deal for me because I rented the Rokinon lenses for a shoot and never opened them wider than f/2.8. The Sigma is sharp at f/1.8, and sharper at f/2.8, so no problem for me.
2. It's heavier. Yes, but now you don't have to change lenses and you can zoom if you want.
3. The focus throw is shorter. But at 120 degrees, it's plenty long enough for me.
I going to wait and see the reviews on the production lenses before buying, but I'm pretty much ready to pull the trigger.
http://www.lenstip.com/374.1-Lens_review-Sigma_A_18-35_mm_f_1.8_DC_HSM_.html
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sigma-18-35mm-f-1-8-dc-hsm-a-lens-review-22257
http://nofilmschool.com/2013/06/sigma-18-35mm-f1-8-price-cost-availability/
The advantages for me are:
1. Excellent sharpness at all focal lengths, even when wide open. The Rokinon 35mm is sharp wide open, but the 24mm is not.
2. You also get 18mm and 28mm focal lengths and everything in between.
3. It's a parfocal zoom (see test on the nofilmschool link).
4. Good build quality.
5. It has autofocus you can use for stills (or video, but usually not a good idea).
5. It's only $800!
The disadvantages are:
1. 2/3 stop slower. Not really a big deal for me because I rented the Rokinon lenses for a shoot and never opened them wider than f/2.8. The Sigma is sharp at f/1.8, and sharper at f/2.8, so no problem for me.
2. It's heavier. Yes, but now you don't have to change lenses and you can zoom if you want.
3. The focus throw is shorter. But at 120 degrees, it's plenty long enough for me.
I going to wait and see the reviews on the production lenses before buying, but I'm pretty much ready to pull the trigger.
but, but... zoom lenses for video!?! actually maybe i will get the sigma 50-150 and do some sweet battlestar galactica style event coverage (seems perfect for that). going to read those links sumfun, looks like an interesting lens, though not sure what i'd use it for. edit: the parfocal video test in one of those links is REALLY nice! after some more research it appears parfocal zooms for nikon are hard to find. !!! just found that a used micro-nikkor 70-180 is ~$1500, some sources say it is parfocal.
i ended up getting a nikon 55 f/2.8 ais and a samyang 24 t/1.5 to complement my d5200 so far! really enjoying that combo thus far, using the 24 generally and the 55 for product shots (as it has a 1:2 repro ratio for macro).
i ended up getting a nikon 55 f/2.8 ais and a samyang 24 t/1.5 to complement my d5200 so far! really enjoying that combo thus far, using the 24 generally and the 55 for product shots (as it has a 1:2 repro ratio for macro).
Last edited:
Michael Carter
Veteran
Low budget for Nikkor primes - look at the series E 28mm, 50mm and 100mm 2.8. Can be found cheap, great focus feel, and the 100 is a beauty.
You can often get them cheaper by finding an old film body - that's an easy way to get a 50mm for sure. And you get a groovy vintage camera out of it, often for a hundred bucks.
Af-era lenses are great and many have a nice focus feel. Really don't like a lot of nikkors from the last 5-8 years for video, with the loosey-goosey focus (though many of the classics are pretty loose). Even an old push-pull 80-200 2.8 looks glorious for video - but you'll need to support it well.
You can often get them cheaper by finding an old film body - that's an easy way to get a 50mm for sure. And you get a groovy vintage camera out of it, often for a hundred bucks.
Af-era lenses are great and many have a nice focus feel. Really don't like a lot of nikkors from the last 5-8 years for video, with the loosey-goosey focus (though many of the classics are pretty loose). Even an old push-pull 80-200 2.8 looks glorious for video - but you'll need to support it well.