If you had to pick just one lens

Erik Naso

Erik Naso

Veteran
I convinced my station that I work at to purchase a AF-100. I own one my self so I do have a few of my own lenses. I don't want to use my gear at work so I need to get one lens for now. The 14-140 is available at a discount but not sure if its a good start. What would you do?
 
the 12-60 olympus i hear is a really good choice, not to expensive, but fairly good quality and 2.8 on the wide. i use the 14-35/2.0, it's fantastic, but if it's just one lens the range is too short. i also have the 35-100, so that combo works for me.
 
it were just ONE lens, it would be the 12-60mm.
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Does this lens "talk" to the camera? I don't care about auto focus, but I understand it won't work with an external controller (like the FOXI)... If that's so, then does footage not display in the viewfinder?
 
>the 12-60 olympus i hear is a really good choice

the 14-54mm 43 Olympus is also a good choice.
 
Thanks guys. It wont be the last lens just a good start. I will look into the 12-60 and 14-35. Really excited they want to do this! I'm using a HPX370P and I don't like it. So much smear and weirdness with that camera.
 
Mac said:
Does this lens "talk" to the camera? I don't care about auto focus, but I understand it won't work with an external controller (like the FOXI)... If that's so, then does footage not display in the viewfinder?
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I am quite satisfied with the 12-60 and, though you see a footage/ft and zoom/mm readout in the display, I have been unable to remote focus with the Varizoom, or utilize push-auto focus. Other than that, it's a great lens when used with the Panasonic m4/3 adaptor.

Here's a frame grab from a recent interview shot in 720p.
 

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I have a 14-35mm f2, 7-14mm f4 and some longer Canon FD lenses. I love the 14-35mm. Depends on what you are shooting, I´m shooting a documentary series with only available light and I´ve shot some scenes I´ve never would have been able to with another video camera. With F2 at 800 or 1000 you can really shoot in dimly lit interiors and get descent results. I´ve just moved light sources around and placed people where it´s the most pleasing light.
A fast lens is great, and it´s a lot easier to throw the background out of focus as well
 
snp said:
f/3 @ 18mm, f/3.5 @30mm, f/4 @50mm
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Thanks SNP. That helps. Not bad. I think I could work with that. Does the the m4/3 adapter give you full lens control. Sorry for the dumb Q's. I know I can figure this out on the web but what can I say. I'm lazy today :]
 
I love the 14-35mm
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I had originally ordered the 14-35, but read here that the iris is not responsive and only has 1/3rd stop increments - is that true?

I had decided to get a cheaper lens until something better comes along, but I shoot documentaries and f2 is really appealing.
 
I feel your pain. I was able to rent out the camera straight away to recoup some cost, that´s actually why I bought it (both camera and lens)
 
I tested the the 12-60
It looked nice but the noise that thing makes when you use the zoom ring and on-cam iris control is dreadful.
 
Johnf said:
I tested the the 12-60
It looked nice but the noise that thing makes when you use the zoom ring and on-cam iris control is dreadful.
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Yea, this is what I was curious about. Is this a problem with all Olympus lenses? Those who have the 14-35 are you experiencing this problem?
 
Johnf said:
I tested the the 12-60
It looked nice but the noise that thing makes when you use the zoom ring and on-cam iris control is dreadful.
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I can't say that any noise has been objectionable or a problem with my AF100/12-60mm.
 
My 14-35 does have the noisy on-camera iris clicking but my shotgun has never picked it up as far as I can tell. Not that you can perfectly zoom while filming with it, but the manual zoom makes zero noise.
 
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