vertigoanton
Active member
With the news that these will be available with a micro four thirds mount, is anyone considering picking up a pair?
GH5 Fujinon MK parfocal zoom lenses
- Thread starter vertigoanton
- Start date
cyvideo
Veteran
Would be surprised as the X Mount version has electrical contacts within the lens mounts that allows communication with X-series cameras. The E-Mount and M4/3 mounts are dead mounts, no electrical connectivity. After market M4/3 and FZ mounts have been available for the MK series Fujinons for at least 18 months now from MTF in the UK and I think Duclos in the States. I have have the M4/3 and E-Mounts for their S16 adapter and if their M4/3 and FZ mounts are as well made as they are for the S16 adapter they will be great to add camera interchange flexibility to the MKs.
Chris Young
As they're manual lenses I wouldn't rate the need for electronic connectivity super highly.
And yes, the X Mount Version can't be swapped to anything else! Which sucks. So hoping a third party X mount dumb adapter for the Fujinon MK E Mount version gets made?
As Fujifilm's X Mount stills cameras are getting to be very good! So a pair of MK zooms could be great for the person who might hop around between BMPCC4K / X-T3 / FS5 / F55 / etc
icarusfilm
Veteran
Without electronic contacts no IBIS without dialing in the focal length every time you zoom.
QUOTE=IronFilm;1986788116]As they're manual lenses I wouldn't rate the need for electronic connectivity super highly.
And yes, the X Mount Version can't be swapped to anything else! Which sucks. So hoping a third party X mount dumb adapter for the Fujinon MK E Mount version gets made?
As Fujifilm's X Mount stills cameras are getting to be very good! So a pair of MK zooms could be great for the person who might hop around between BMPCC4K / X-T3 / FS5 / F55 / etc[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=IronFilm;1986788116]As they're manual lenses I wouldn't rate the need for electronic connectivity super highly.
And yes, the X Mount Version can't be swapped to anything else! Which sucks. So hoping a third party X mount dumb adapter for the Fujinon MK E Mount version gets made?
As Fujifilm's X Mount stills cameras are getting to be very good! So a pair of MK zooms could be great for the person who might hop around between BMPCC4K / X-T3 / FS5 / F55 / etc[/QUOTE]
So what cine zoom lenses are smaller, faster, cheaper, and metal ?
cyvideo
Veteran
Hate to agree, but I agree. One of my producers owns this lens so I've got to use it a lot (for Sony). It is quite large compared to SLR glass, is very expensive compared to SLR lenses, it's not terribly fast (esp compared to primes) and not all metal (it is fairly light).
But my biggest problem with the lens - and the reason why we rarely use it when we're actually shooting - is that it's just not wide enough for S35 sensors to be a do-everything type of lens. That's doubly true for the MFT format.
In small spaces, its size and lack of wide end makes it all but totally unusable.
In bigger spaces it's fine.... but I was constantly wanting wider shots from it. It's sharper then say the Olympus 12-40mm, but I'd use that lens over the Fujinon because it's smaller (by half or more), cheaper, weather sealed, and most importantly, is about as fast, and has a more practical zoom range.
And that, to me, is the key. If you're using zooms, it probably means you need to work fast (otherwise, you'd use a set of primes) or the action is happening too fast to switch out to them (like a sports event or wedding). Which means you're "stuck" with that lens. Because you're likely going to have to (or at least want to) go to wider shots, you'll have to bring a wider prime... which kinda defeats the purpose of the lens in the first place for many shooters.
Again, this isn't theory, this is what has happened. No one spends four grand for a lens for it to collect dust... but that's what the lens does quite a bit in our collection. Don't get me wrong, we do use it, and it is a nice lens, but for me it's a frustrating "almost but not quite" lens, especially at its price range.
Of course, if you really really need to have a cinema zoom - and some people do - then the Fujinon really is the only game in town at that price... at least it is until the cine-fied versions of the Sigma 18-35 come out.
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icarusfilm
Veteran
Im a prime guy but when the 18-55 cam out I was shooting on the FS7 and I decided that I have no excuse not to have it so I bought it.
I used it on one project just to see and its nice and sharp and par focal and non breathing too much barrel distortion for my taste (but all zooms have it)
And then I haven't used it again for me there was nothing wrong with it but also nothing right with it either. I don't shoot things that need a lot of range Im fine with two primes a 35mm FF equivalent and an 85mm I don't really need anything wider or tighter, but overall it produced a good boring image.
QUOTE=jdv;1986788425]Hate to agree, but I agree. One of my producers owns this lens so I've got to use it a lot (for Sony). It is quite large compared to SLR glass, is very expensive compared to SLR lenses, it's not terribly fast (esp compared to primes) and not all metal (it is fairly light).
But my biggest problem with the lens - and the reason why we rarely use it when we're actually shooting - is that it's just not wide enough for S35 sensors to be a do-everything type of lens. That's doubly true for the MFT format.
In small spaces, its size and lack of wide end makes it all but totally unusable.
In bigger spaces it's fine.... but I was constantly wanting wider shots from it. It's sharper then say the Olympus 12-40mm, but I'd use that lens over the Fujinon because it's smaller (by half or more), cheaper, weather sealed, and most importantly, is about as fast, and has a more practical zoom range.
And that, to me, is the key. If you're using zooms, it probably means you need to work fast (otherwise, you'd use a set of primes) or the action is happening too fast to switch out to them (like a sports event or wedding). Which means you're "stuck" with that lens. Because you're likely going to have to (or at least want to) go to wider shots, you'll have to bring a wider prime... which kinda defeats the purpose of the lens in the first place for many shooters.
Again, this isn't theory, this is what has happened. No one spends four grand for a lens for it to collect dust... but that's what the lens does quite a bit in our collection. Don't get me wrong, we do use it, and it is a nice lens, but for me it's a frustrating "almost but not quite" lens, especially at its price range.
Of course, if you really really need to have a cinema zoom - and some people do - then the Fujinon really is the only game in town at that price... at least it is until the cine-fied versions of the Sigma 18-35 come out.[/QUOTE]
I used it on one project just to see and its nice and sharp and par focal and non breathing too much barrel distortion for my taste (but all zooms have it)
And then I haven't used it again for me there was nothing wrong with it but also nothing right with it either. I don't shoot things that need a lot of range Im fine with two primes a 35mm FF equivalent and an 85mm I don't really need anything wider or tighter, but overall it produced a good boring image.
QUOTE=jdv;1986788425]Hate to agree, but I agree. One of my producers owns this lens so I've got to use it a lot (for Sony). It is quite large compared to SLR glass, is very expensive compared to SLR lenses, it's not terribly fast (esp compared to primes) and not all metal (it is fairly light).
But my biggest problem with the lens - and the reason why we rarely use it when we're actually shooting - is that it's just not wide enough for S35 sensors to be a do-everything type of lens. That's doubly true for the MFT format.
In small spaces, its size and lack of wide end makes it all but totally unusable.
In bigger spaces it's fine.... but I was constantly wanting wider shots from it. It's sharper then say the Olympus 12-40mm, but I'd use that lens over the Fujinon because it's smaller (by half or more), cheaper, weather sealed, and most importantly, is about as fast, and has a more practical zoom range.
And that, to me, is the key. If you're using zooms, it probably means you need to work fast (otherwise, you'd use a set of primes) or the action is happening too fast to switch out to them (like a sports event or wedding). Which means you're "stuck" with that lens. Because you're likely going to have to (or at least want to) go to wider shots, you'll have to bring a wider prime... which kinda defeats the purpose of the lens in the first place for many shooters.
Again, this isn't theory, this is what has happened. No one spends four grand for a lens for it to collect dust... but that's what the lens does quite a bit in our collection. Don't get me wrong, we do use it, and it is a nice lens, but for me it's a frustrating "almost but not quite" lens, especially at its price range.
Of course, if you really really need to have a cinema zoom - and some people do - then the Fujinon really is the only game in town at that price... at least it is until the cine-fied versions of the Sigma 18-35 come out.[/QUOTE]
icarusfilm
Veteran
I agree with Dingo- whoever is out there shooting with photo zooms with a combination of 'push AF", zoom and refocus, step iris etc. is really just winging it and is only possible because a client accepts these gafs.
None of this crap would ever fly in a professional environment. If you are working in that environment and need a zoom the fujis are the most affordable option out there.
The strength of the Zooms is not held up for micro 4/3's. I would say the issue is more with the format that you are shooting than the lenses.
When paired with the Fuji X-T3 or the Sony's in S35 mode, if you have got two cameras and the two lens set for instance, you can shoot the whole vocabularly of a film with them.
The reality is that the mount is easy to change by the way. So I can put the bayonet mount on them for Fuji, Sony, 4/3's and now for the F3/F5/F55 (FZ mount). Not too many zooms out there that can do that.
I would say they provide consistent results and speed up the process of shooting narrative for instance. Quite happy with them.
The only time I would consider a prime is for a specialty shot or if I needed F1.4 or F2
When paired with the Fuji X-T3 or the Sony's in S35 mode, if you have got two cameras and the two lens set for instance, you can shoot the whole vocabularly of a film with them.
The reality is that the mount is easy to change by the way. So I can put the bayonet mount on them for Fuji, Sony, 4/3's and now for the F3/F5/F55 (FZ mount). Not too many zooms out there that can do that.
I would say they provide consistent results and speed up the process of shooting narrative for instance. Quite happy with them.
The only time I would consider a prime is for a specialty shot or if I needed F1.4 or F2
jonpais
Well-known member
If you’re looking for a compact parfocal cine zoom with a larger range at a significantly more affordable price point ($1,700.00) for a micro four thirds sensor, the DZO 20-70mm T3.1 should be available in the fall.
https://youtu.be/C651qB0GnDY
https://youtu.be/C651qB0GnDY
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ozmorphasis
Well-known member
I really wish they made this upcoming lens in a wider range. 12-50 or 14-55, or something along those lines for m43 use. I guess it could be speedboosted, but I don't trust parfocality once a lens is speedboosted.
In any case, one of the criticisms of the MK lenses on m43 is that they are not wide enough. The DZO does not address that.
That does look great!
After renting the MK 18-55 I was impressed enough to put it at the top of my list of lens to get this year. I loved the image and handling and actually found it's plastic housing to be an asset since it allows the lens to be much lighter than one would expect. As yoclay indicated, it's also a huge positive that the mount can be easily switched in the field. The ability to easily use this beauty on an F55, Sony FS700, or BMD Pocket 4K cinema camera is pretty sweet.
I've been looking at the Nucleus-M Wireless Lens Control System. Does anyone have experience using this with the MK series lenses?
https://tilta.com/shop/nucleus-m-wireless-follow-focus/
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jonpais
Well-known member
Unfortunately it cannot be speedboosted, as it is a native micro four thirds mount lens.
Nevertheless, it does address the size issue, the cost, the limited focal range and plastic build quality (confirmed metal, not plastic). Sorry, guess no lens is going to please everyone.
Fortunately for P4K and Lumix shooters, the Fujinons are no longer the only game in town.
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Greg Hughes
Active member
I nearly bought these but ended up choosing the slr magic anamorphic x2 set. If your spending that kind of money for a 'similar' look as to what you can achieve with other lenses.... Then why pay so much?
I paid the full amount for the anamorphis and have used them... Dropped them.... Bashed them.... And they still work.
Lenses gathering dust at that price point lose more value because your not using them to make more money
I paid the full amount for the anamorphis and have used them... Dropped them.... Bashed them.... And they still work.
Lenses gathering dust at that price point lose more value because your not using them to make more money