dumb question about 35mm adapters

A

aalleexx

Veteran
here is a dumb one for ya

how come everyone that has or is going to buy a 35mm adapter go for the prime
lenses instead of zooms what is the big deal and difference in getting say a
55mm nikon prime and a 28-105mm zoom? the sharpness? the stops that get lost in the zoom range?

thanks guys!!!
 
A good ((constant aperture) zoom is expensive. I can buy two or three fast primes for the price of one zoom. Plus they're comparatively slow as well, maxing out at f2.8 for the majority of them. That's still pretty slow compared to what you can get if you go with prime lenses.
 
Zoom lenses have really bad breathing too on pull focus shots.
Zoom lenses have more glass in them that can cause more defects in the image.

As above 2.8 not fast enough.

Zooms are cool for outside use on an adapter.
NO good inside. You can never get to optimum aperture on a zoom inside.
 
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Zooms are an interesting thing with adapters. As the camera and the adapter together get faster I'm seeing less of a reason to avoid a zoom lens as far as maximum aperture goes.

EX-1 or 200A, HPX500 combined with something like a Letus Extreme or Brevis (speaking about available units) will be a really fast combination in comparison to what we're used to. So, using a Fixed Aperture or even a Variable Aperture zoom isn't exactly out of the question anymore. 2.8 isn't extremely slow all things considered, and most of the time you don't want to use any of these SLR lenses wide open due to issues with light fall off, edge sharpness, contrast etc.

So a 2.8 zoom isn't a bad idea at all at this stage in the game. The dictating factor will be the system that you're strapping a zoom to.

I'm able to get a useable image indoors with both of my slower zooms and that's without lighting. Ideally a zoom would prove better for outdoors use but there's no barring it for indoors either provided, as mentioned, that your gear can support it. It's also very beneficial to have a decent zoom (even if it's "slow" by consensus) when dealing with daylight shoots as shaving time anywhere and everywhere you can-- even switching lenses-- is always ideal. Not having to run for a 50, 85, etc etc because you've got a zoom that performs well in the image arena covering several focal lengths can be a life when the sun is your primary light.
 
Kholi - I have the HVX200A (as you know I have been asking tons of questions about lens/adatpers - have been looking at the Zeiss 28mm/50mm and the M2 Adapter ).

I would be very happy if I can skip having to carry around a case of different lens and keep from having to swtich out everytime I did a set up. Since time is an issue and I will only be in a certain location for a short time, I need to make every minute count.

With that said;

With the M2 adapter and the HVX200A - what Zoom Lens would you say would work well as a package set up? 90% of my filming is outdoors.

I have already ordered my Matt Box, Rods (18") and Base Plate from M2, so that is why I'm looking at the M2 adapter - unless there is a differnet Adapter that would work better?

Thanks
 
I've been out and about shooting with our EX1 "fixed" optics using 3 zooms, the Nikon 17-35 f2.8d, 35-70 f2.8d and the 80-200 f2.8d. Speaking only for the Brevis (which obviously I'm testing with!) all three are fine indoors with no gain dialed in the EX1, generally around f2.8 on the camera, and the zooms at f4.0

The Brevis only sees 1 stop total loss to the camera (with CF1/Le) up to f5.6 on the taking lens, so indoors if you camera has 1 stop of room right now, you'll be fine with these zoom lenses p to f5.6. The three zooms mentioned above are as sharp edge to edge at f4 as any primes I've tested...in most cases sharper. Breathing during focus pulls is definitely an issue....but most SLR primes have similar breathing issues.

The glass you have out front is something worth investing in :-) If I had to pick a single SLR lens to use, it would be a 35-70 zoom f2.8 (constant) zoom.
 
I'd say the 28-70 NIkon ED 2.8. Good wide end and a decent telephoto end which can be extended with the camera's zoom function.

I personally do detect softness on the wider nikon zooms but it's nowhere near as drastic as other primes. The overall image is pleasing indeed and, as said before, with units as fast as the Extreme and Brevis zooms are a sweet deal to have in the lens kit.

For an M2 you would need the fastest zoom you could find.
 
Kholi - I contacted one person that sells len's and they said that they had one (Nikon 24-70) that is auto focus. The cost for the lens was about $1600.

Will this do what I need it to do for wide shots, close up and of course Med shots?

You mentioned that I need to get the fastest zoom I can find for the M2 - will this lens do the trick?
 
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I think it's the 28-70 2.8. 24-70 is the Auto lens and there's no aperture control on it. The 28-70 ED 2.8 can be found for hundreds less than that lens (which is a VR if I remember right).

Keep-a-huntin'! Also don't rule out the 35-70 as it's also a nice lens. I think I was convinced on the 28-70 due to the breathing test on the RED ONE>

Do remember that these zooms also have very short focal throws which presents a bit of an issue for pulling focus. Even my 28-70 Zeiss V-S has a shorter focal throw distance than the primes but I think the trade-off's fine, personally.
 
Combined with a Chroziel DV type follow focus (about $1500) and our 100mm focus gears, these short throws can be tamed. Our long-awaited Cinevate FF is being designed to help with the short throw lenses too so that 1 full FF rotation will cover these lenses full focus range. It's a setup not suited for cine lenses, however we're covering both scenarios with our shipping product. Nikon certainly did not plan for folks pulling focus with their still lenses :-)
 
awsome tips guys, ok now here is anotherone for ya, with the news of the hpx170 comin' soon, guys that have adapters already, are you gonna buy or use a wide lens for your 35mm knowing that the 170 is wide as it is, or is there a big difference shooting naked with the 170 or using a say 28mm lens on it, big difference there?
 
200A is decently wide and I still refuse to take the adapter off. That's why I'm trying to find a 12-24mm Tokina as my widest solution albeit SLOW as heck.

The only other options aren't fast to begin with and cost a heap. I.E Zeiss 16mm. Ich.
 
so kholi do you think there is a noticible difference with the hvx200a at the widest position vs throwing a 28mm lens on it with adapter?
 
I have had good experience with really slow zooms f/2.8-4 and f/4-5.6 on my Brevis (cf1L). One is a 20 year old nikon you could pick up for marbles at your local pawn shop but it is my favorite lens. The Brevis (only adapter I have had hands-on experience with) really allows the use of zooms as far as I am concerned.

But then I don't treat my adapter like I am shooting on a 35mm camera.
 
aalleexx said:
so kholi do you think there is a noticible difference with the hvx200a at the widest position vs throwing a 28mm lens on it with adapter?
Click to expand...

Preference. I like everything that an adapter adds. It's actually probably "smarter" to go with the adapter off for such a thing but... I just prefer the extended use of the adapter itself.

Never tried a strict A/B comparison of the two.
 
thanks, I figured that even though its probably pretty close, the adapter with the wide lens is going to add a different look vs shooting with the naked cam
 
I have a 20-40mm f2.8 I use with my LEX/DVX combo and it works great for me indoors and out.

For my portrait photography work I'm saving up to get the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8, and I don't see me NOT using it with my LEX as well. Although truth be told I also once obtaining that lens DON'T see me selling off my Nikkor 85mm f2 or 135mm f2.8, simply because I capture such beautiful images with both.

But who knows? I sold off my 28mm & 35mm primes after I got my wide zoom.

With 35mm adapter technology improving, at least in terms of light loss and sharpness, it's coming down to a simple matter of preference.
 
Kholi said:
200A is decently wide and I still refuse to take the adapter off. That's why I'm trying to find a 12-24mm Tokina as my widest solution albeit SLOW as heck.

The only other options aren't fast to begin with and cost a heap. I.E Zeiss 16mm. Ich.
Click to expand...

Hi Kholi:

You realize that the Tokina 12-24 F4 is a DX lens? No goodie for your Letus. I have it and it's great on my D80 but forget it for video.

Dan
 
puredrifting said:
Hi Kholi:

You realize that the Tokina 12-24 F4 is a DX lens? No goodie for your Letus. I have it and it's great on my D80 but forget it for video.

Dan
Click to expand...

Indeed. Being that the aperture is already F4 I didn't see it as an issue because you can't get any faster and for anything slower just use ND's or the internal camera iris. Plus m'D70S would enjoy it. :B

If it were faster than that then it might be a no no, but it's already slow so no biggie; at least for me!

Do you happen to have any daylight test shots with it on the Letus? I'd be interested as I have yet to find one for a decent price. Still hunting.
 
The reason to go with prime lenses is simple: Primes are optimized to do what they do, while zooms are compromised to work over a range. It cost's a lot more money to get a good zoom with a good bokeh but it still will not be as good as a set of primes. As an extreme example really wide lenses have glass that is not concentrically round to compensate for barrel distortion. I don't believe you'll find that in a zoom (but I'm sure someone will prove me wrong...)

Plus, the zoom on the camera allows you to cheat a little to get any angle you want with a basic set of primes (28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm). Specifically, my Redrock/HVX/Canon combo has a designed zoom setting of 78, but it is useable from 75 to 82ish. That is enough to get me to the next lens.

Using a 35mm rig really requires a crew of two anyway (in my opinion). The best way to go about it is to figure out a method to change and store lenses quickly. This is a big reason why the Redrock MatteBox is a swing-away design.

Bob
 
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