F3: F3 lenses

R

randomname

Well-known member
I'm about to finalize the purchase on my first F3, and while I couldn't be more excited about the camera, I'm not entirely sure what to do about lenses right now. I shoot on a 5D, and my lenses are mostly EF mounts, I have a set of Rokinon primes, the 24-105L, and the tokina 80-200 2.8. The camera is coming with a Nikon mount, I'm tired of my lenses focusing in different directions, and the way Nikons focus feels more "correct" so I'm planning on switching over over to all nikon mount lenses. Obviously I'm keeping the 80-200, and am planning on starting out with zooms and then building up my lens collection with older nikkors. The Tokina 28-80 looks like a great deal, but it would definitely leave me needing something on the wide end. Is there anything in the 17-50 range that has a long smooth focus ring that won't break the bank?
 
Im not sure what they go for used right now but the DX Nikkor 17-55 2.8 is a fantastic lens, I use it probably 80% of the time when Im shooting. I wouldnt say it's focus throw is long but what AF lenses are?
 
Haha, I think it depends on how strong your piggy bank is! The Red 17-50mm is the cheapest PL zoom you'll find in that range (everything else is at least 4x the price of the Red lens) and it's a nice all-rounder. They go for about $5000 used though, so whether that's in your price range or not I don't know - but it would solve your issue with focus throw, focus markings.

The Nikon 17-55mm is a beast, with lovely contrast and sharp detail (if a bit of distortion on the wide-end), it has a very short focus throw though (as does every 17-50mm stills zoom lens I've ever seen). So a lot of it comes down to what you need more - money in your bank? or proper focus control?
 
Re: zooms , the Nikon 2.8 zooms are all very good whether its the 17-55 or , full frame 17-35 , 24-70 or 28-70 & of the course the 80-200 and 70-200. Also the Tokina 11-16.
I am currently testing the first iteration of the Sigma 50-150 (used for $460) and am stunned by how sharp it is - beating out my Nikons., but it has more longitudinal CA. Also a perfect range for interviews. As a result I ordered a new 50-150 OS which has stunning reviews - extremely sharp and virtually no CA. I may sell my 80-200 and stick with the Sigma.

Re: Primes , if you can afford them the Zeiss ZF's are much better than the old Nikon AIS's when wide open. They are also generally better than the Rokinon's though the Rokinon 85 is pretty good. They are more expensive , but still so much cheaper than PL glass that they are a steal, especialluy if you buy used ZF1's.
 
randomname said:
I'm about to finalize the purchase on my first F3, and while I couldn't be more excited about the camera, I'm not entirely sure what to do about lenses right now. I shoot on a 5D, and my lenses are mostly EF mounts, I have a set of Rokinon primes, the 24-105L, and the tokina 80-200 2.8. The camera is coming with a Nikon mount, I'm tired of my lenses focusing in different directions, and the way Nikons focus feels more "correct" so I'm planning on switching over over to all nikon mount lenses. Obviously I'm keeping the 80-200, and am planning on starting out with zooms and then building up my lens collection with older nikkors. The Tokina 28-80 looks like a great deal, but it would definitely leave me needing something on the wide end. Is there anything in the 17-50 range that has a long smooth focus ring that won't break the bank?
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In actual fact the Canon lenses focus in the Cine direction. It's the Nikon lenses that go the other direction. Not that there's anything wrong with Nikon. All my non-PL glass is Nikon mount. However, you already have a large investment in Canon mounts. The 24-105L is a very good and versitile piece of glass as long as it's the F2.8 version. Why not just change mounts on the F3?

If you do go Nikon the brand of mount/adapter should make a difference in your lens selection. The Prolock has a nice smooth iris ring making G lenses (without an iris ring) easily usable. Some of the other mounts are more of a pain to get the aperture correct. Not impossible but more fiddly. I try to get all my Nikon lenses with aperture rings, but someof the new ones (which can be quite good, although mostly plastic) only come in G version without the ring. Pro Nikon photographers say the G stands for 'gelded' because Pro's want full control.
 
randomname said:
Nikons focus feels more "correct" so I'm planning on switching over over to all nikon mount lenses.
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You might wanna learn to get used to Canon/Cinema lens direction. Nikon is actually the wrong way. If you ever wanna step it up in the game, you'll be dealing with the opposite direction of nikon lenses. It's better to learn and like the Canon/Cinema lens direction for pulling now, you'll only hate yourself later for not doing it as you'll have to un-learn a TON of muscle memory for bigger gigs/better gear down the road.
 
FilmDude said:
You might wanna learn to get used to Canon/Cinema lens direction. Nikon is actually the wrong way. If you ever wanna step it up in the game, you'll be dealing with the opposite direction of nikon lenses. It's better to learn and like the Canon/Cinema lens direction for pulling now, you'll only hate yourself later for not doing it as you'll have to un-learn a TON of muscle memory for bigger gigs/better gear down the road.
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that's a non issue if you have a reversable follow focus. you can make it go whatever direction you want.
 
Nikon 17-55/2.8
Tokina 11-16/2.8
Tokina 50-135/2.8
Nikon 28-70/2.8
Nikon 50-300/4.5 ED (big mamma)
Nikkor 50/2.8 micro
Samyang 35/1.4


What else?
 
I have the original non-IS version of the Sigma. It is a perfect focal length for medium shots and is my go-to interview lens for the F3. I believe-- but I'm not certain-- that this is the lens that Red repackaged in a PL mount and which now goes around $7K used, if you can ever find one.

Ned
 
I agree with Ned. I also have a Sigma 50-150 that I use for interviews with the F3, and now the F55. Frankly I hate using SLR lenses (this Sigma is the only SLR lens that I will use for video) but the range of focal lengths and the constant f/2.8 f-stop make it perfect for interviews.
 
I'm trying to figure out the lenses for my F5. I'll hire expensive PL as required but need a more affordable solution to own and use the remainder of the time.

I'm considering the Optitek EF and Nikon adapters. I want a range from 11mm to 150mm (or 200mm) split over 3 lenses, preferably IS, preferably parfocal, definitely not Nikon (reversed) focus direction and nothing slower than 2.8. The Tonkina 11-16 appears a no brainer. The Canon mount adds remote lens control but is isn't as ergonomic as the Nikon mount when not using an AC. Any thoughts?

Doug Jensen said:
I agree with Ned. I also have a Sigma 50-150 that I use for interviews with the F3, and now the F55. Frankly I hate using SLR lenses (this Sigma is the only SLR lens that I will use for video) but the range of focal lengths and the constant f/2.8 f-stop make it perfect for interviews.
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Doug, are you mixing the 50-150 with PL glass? If so, are you changing the mount each time? What are you using for wider work?
 
I only use the 50-150 for interviews when I want to be able to vary the focal length occassionaly without stopping to change lenses, otherwise I will use a 75 or 95 prime. The reversed focus direction is no big deal in that type of shooting because you mostly set it and forget unless the subject decides to move. Technically it does not look as good as my PL lenses, but for interviews, it looks just fine and is worth the trade-off for having a zoom. I leave my MTF adapter permanently mounted on it so changing lenes is no big deal. For under $1000 the Sigma is a hell of a bargain, but I wouldn't want to shoot with it for anything other than interviews.

Some of the interviews in this highlights reel, from a class I taught last year at Maine Media, were done with the Sigma, but I can't really remember which ones now.
https://vimeo.com/47894843

My PL lenses include:

Duclos 11-16 (just arrived two weeks ago)
Cine-Xenar 25, 35, 50, 75. 95
Sony PL 35, 50, 85 (now up for sale with my F3)
Red Prime Pro 300mm

I'm debating about investing in a Cabrio 19-90 or possibly a Canon 30-105 Cinema lens. I'll decide later this summer when some upcoming projects firm up. If I get the Canon, then the Sigma is history.
 
I like the idea of leaving the adapter attached to the Nikon Lens but have not done that because there is no way to "seal" the back of the lens that is attache to the adapter. I have asked for a plastic cover to be developed for the back side of the Optitek adapter so that it could be left attached to a favorite lens and quickly changed with the PL mount adapter, but there does not seem to be much interest in this.
 
I just watched the Maine Media video I posted the link for above, and the first two women were definitely shot with the Sigma. Not sure about the ones in the middle, but the last couple were with Sony PL primes.
 
I'll be able to compare the Sigma 50-150 series I with the new OS version in about a week and will report my findings here. Stay tuned campers.
 
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