Lens: a good 50+mm companion zoom?

M

mcbob

Veteran
On my AF, I've settled on the Leica 14-50 as my normal fastish zoom. At f3.5 on the long end, it's fast enough for most situations... but not always long enough.

I'm trying to research and compare several longer zooms, 4/3 or other mount, in the 50mm+ category, with requirements that they be at least f3.5 (faster is fine), smoothish zooming/focusing, and parfocal (or nearly so). Ideally, the lens would also have relatively close focus for a tele lens. Originally the Oly 50-200/2.8-3.5 seemed like my Huckleberry, but reportedly is far from parfocal. My next choice, a Nikon 80-200, would leave too much gap in focal length range. The Sigma 50-150/2.8 only looks right in the numbers, reviews aren't very positive.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
 
Have a look at the Lumix 35-100. Constant 2.8 with OIS and parfocal. Solid build and native.
 
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Erik, I rented one of those when it was first available, but found myself wanting a little more range most of the time. It's a nifty lens, but adding only 50mm extra isn't worth $1500 to me.

In some ways I wish I liked the 12-35 more so this would be a no-brainer, but I keep working with 50 as my natural focal length break tendency.


edit: with a bit of research, I'm really rethinking my dismissal of the Sigma 50-150/2.8. Earlier versions without OS (which wouldn't work anyway) are relatively light (no support necessary), parafocal, internal focusing, non-extending, and the main problems appear to be with autofocus (which wouldn't work anyway). Speculation this lens was rehoused as the RED 50-150 and sells for multi-thousands. Problem is, LensRentals only has the newer OS version available so I can't rent it for evaluation, and I can't find any definitive video samples with the AF/GH available online.

Any chance anybody has used one?
 
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What about the Tokina 50-135 f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX? I have the Nikon mount version and use it with a Novoflex adapter. It's parfocal, internal focusing, non-extending, very good build quality. I used it mainly for interviews but replaced it recently with the Panasonic 35-100. Tokina doesn't sell this nice lens anymore, I bought mine used on ebay for approx. 350,- USD.
 
The old sigma 50-150 F2.8 is absolutely freaking awesome. I will be reviewing it on my blog and
will post a link and samples here soon. Suffice it to say it is one of my favorite lenses on my FS 100.
 
alaskacameradude said:
The old sigma 50-150 F2.8 is absolutely freaking awesome. I will be reviewing it on my blog and
will post a link and samples here soon. Suffice it to say it is one of my favorite lenses on my FS 100.
Click to expand...

It is the most cinematic zoom for a stills lense I have ever used.
 
I wound up finding an inexpensive used Sigma 50-150 via eBay, and paired it with one of the Fotodiox Nikon G adapters.

The adapter is a wee bit bleh... fit is fine, but the slot for the aperture dial lever wasn't clocked correctly, and the detents were set in strange places, so there would be hard clicks right before and after the limits of full aperture throw and it was impossible to open the aperture fully. Three minutes with some screwdrivers and a dremel solved that issue, and the adapter is now working splendidly at a couple hundred less than a MFT/Novoflex/etc version.

The lens... Holy Crap. This is exactly what I was hoping it would be. Sharp enough, good rendering, light enough (no support necessary), shmooooove focus and zoom, parfocal, repeatable, and constant. Auto nothing, but it'll convey nicely if I ever rent or buy S35.
 
The Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 lacks an aperture ring and it looks like you've seen first-hand what a drawback that is on Micro 4/3 cameras. I also use a Leicasonic 14-50mm f2.8-3.5 on the AF100, and have been totally spoiled by its manual aperture ring. My solution for longer focal lengths is an older (non-OS) Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 zoom in Nikon mount, which is APO as well as parfocal. A bit heavy, but comes with a built-in lens collar. They are becoming harder to find these days:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Sigma...35341186?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item460b2f0382
 
With the right adapter, it's no drawback whatsoever... now that this one is modified properly, it's just a simple clickless aperture ring... only disadvantage is that I never really know what aperture I'm in. Guess I could always calibrate and mark it if I was feeling sporting.

I'd considered a 70-200/2.8, 80-200, or thereabouts, but since 50-70/80 is often that portrait/interview sweet spot, that would be too sorely missed... at least that's been my experience trying to use a Nikon 70-210/f4-5.6 (amongst its other foibles). Also wasn't digging the bulk. 300mm FOV equivalent is at about the limit of my ability to steadily handhold, so the 50-150 is right in my ideal range.
 
Another possibility for others reading this thread is the Tokina 60-120mm f2.8. Rare lens, but I'll be selling mine sometime to help fund a Lumix 35-100mm.
 
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