Just bought AF100, need lens suggestions under $3K

nedcam

nedcam

Well-known member
Hello,

I was at an auction of an AV company today and about to bid on some audio gear when a bare bones AF100 came up and I bought it. I have rented them before from private owners so I know the basics but now I have to pimp mine out with shoulder rig, follow focus, etc. Until it starts proving it can make money for me (I am a freelance DP and use many different model cameras every month), I want to keep the lens purchases low for now. I can always rent finer glass, although that's a logistical hassle.

If I want to get the "basic/must have" lenses for primarily talking heads/B-roll shooting, if you wanted to keep the lens budget between $2000-$3000, what would you suggest? I do a lot of documentary style shooting rather than narrative. Lots of corporate video too. Also, I want to be able to roll exposure without seeing click stops. Because of the speed my clients want me to work I would like to get lenses that will act as variable primes if possible.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!
 
The Panasonic Lumix lenses don't get a lot of respect, but the 7-14mm, 20mm and 14-140mm are all awfully practical, if a bit slow, on the AF-100 and would make a good kit for fast-paced shooting as long as you have decent light. The prices are modest and the image quality is just fine. A broad zoom range is especially useful when trying to work in a hurry. Neither of the zooms is really suitable for zooming while shooting, though, and need to be treated as adjustable primes on the AF.

- Greg
 
For the price and versatility you can't go wrong with the Lumix 14-140. I know people have mixed feelings about that lens, but it has saved me a few times. I'd highly recommend it as a must have for the AF.
 
Hey Ned,
Novoflex Nikon adapter, Nikon 17-55 dx f2.8, Nikon 50mm AFS G f1.4, Nikon 85mm AFD f1.4 OR Nikon 80-200 AFD f2.8.

I have this set up near Orland Park if you want to check it out some time.
 
Nikon manual lenses are a good deal and give excellent results. Novoflex adapter is top notch. Enjoy!
 
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my suggestions are
tokina 11-16 f2.8
tamron 17-50 f2.8 non vc
rokinon 35 f1.4
rokinon 85 f1.4
 
I'll second the novaflex adapter and Nikon 17-55 f/2.8. Tack sharp. It pretty much lives on my cameras. Wish I had two of them.
 
Nikon 17-35mm 2.8
Tokina 28-70mm 2.8
Nikon 80-200mm 2.8

I've shot most of my stuff with these. I just recently got the 17-35mm and am loving it!
 
I recently purchased an af-100 as well and got sucked into the hype of the voigtlander 25mm f 0.95. I know it is not a variable prime but it is an awesome lens and I am so happy I got it. I also do mostly talking head corporate stuff and to me this is the perfect lens for that type of work.
 
I use the 14-140, 20mm F1.7 pancake, 35mm Nikon DX f1.8, and 50mm Nikon F1.8 using an adaptor with aperture ring. I studied Ken Rockwell's Nikon lens site to find inexpensive but good (and fast) Nikkors
 
another for novoflex adaptor with nikon 17-55mm 2.8 and Nikon 80-200mm 2.8, and a couple of fast primes anywhere from 24mm up to 50mm
 
Whatever lens you get, don't skimp on a cheap lens adapter. I just had my $30 Fotodiox Nikon mount from Amazon fall apart in the middle of a shoot this morning. Two of the three screws holding a collar just fell out, causing the lens to come loose. Mercifully, they fell onto the floor instead of back into the sensor, and even thought they're the size of eyeglass screws we were able to find both of them.

I'll be ordering that Novoflex adapter in a couple of minutes. :angry:
 
Ned-

Sounds like you were at the Roscor auction.

I have quite a few lenses I use with my AF100, and might be able to rent you what you need for a project. This way you could try different options without buying. My studio is in the West Loop.
jerry at metrospacemedia dot com
 
The 14-140 is a relatively good fallback, I'm actually using the 14-45 (metal mount) for run-and-gun, which can usually be found for under $250, I tested the 14-45 against a pile of other lenses (including Leica R primes) and was surprised how well it resolves. The biggest issue for me with any of the m43 lenses is the entire aperture-stepping routine, I never tried auto-iris with the 14-140 so I can't comment, but every other m43 lens I've tried has this problem. The workaround is just getting to know your zebras and riding the iris wheel.

There is a galaxy of primes available, for $1k you could probably put together an entirely excellent set. I think that clean Canon FD is the best bang-for-the-buck, Nikkor would be next (and they made a fast 35 and 85), lots of people like the old Pentax Takumars or even the Zeiss Jena zebras. I'm currently cine-modding a set of Contax-Zeiss's (35, 50 and 85) but my wide is a Tokina 11-16 and my long is Tokina 300 f2.8. I recommend paying attention to flange-focal-spec if you want to future proof your lens kit, this is the one downside to the Canon FD's and one thing really in favor of the Nikkor mount. Novoflex adapters are pricey but in the end worth it. The Polish guy (ciecio7) makes reasonably good stuff too.

The consensus holds that the RED 18-50 or 17-50 is the only affordable choice for a true cine style PL mount mid range zoom.
 
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Letzring said:
The consensus holds that the RED 18-50 or 17-50 is the only affordable choice for a true cine style PL mount mid range zoom.
Click to expand...
Or the DigiOptics (or is it DigiOptical?) 18-50, which is a less-expensive lens that some say is a clone of the Red 18-50 (or that it may be the same manufacturer selling it under a different label, or who knows?)
 
Barry_Green said:
Or the DigiOptics (or is it DigiOptical?) 18-50, which is a less-expensive lens that some say is a clone of the Red 18-50 (or that it may be the same manufacturer selling it under a different label, or who knows?)
Click to expand...
Thats is you can find one for sale. B&H used to carry them, but they state "discontinued" now.

I would agree with some stating that the 14-140 is a good general lens that adds functionality to the af100 (IS, AF, and iris control through the wheel). I wish panny or lumix would release or just give us an update about the 12-50 Xpro lenses. I have a feeling they might not come to market. Panny was really a no show with the large chip system and road maps at this years NAB.
 
Original Poster here: Thanks everyone for their advice. I was offered a package of lenses from a local shooter I know, and have rented them previously. I have searched all the previous posts on this forum regarding lens choices and am a little confused as to how important the difference between say 2 or 2.8 is from a 1.4, in terms of the AF100. Can't you just dial up the ISO, or is it too noisy? Here is a list of the lenses, does anyone have any bad experiences with any of them? Thanks in advance!

Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 lens Distagon
Zeiss 50mm ZF f/1.4 lens Planar
Nikon 85mm f/1.4D lens AF-D
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens
Tokina 28-70mm f/2.6 lens AT-X Pro II
Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8 lens
 
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