Lens for documentary

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sharry

Well-known member
Hey guys. I was looking to buy a lens for documentary for my D7100. Now I would want something with a constant aperture even if it is f4. A lens with an aperture ring is also of high priority. I would want something like the Canon L 24-105 f4 but in Nikon. Here are some that I thought would work best:

- Tokina Atx Pro 28-70 f2.6-2.8 (Angenieux Ver)
- Nikon Af-d 28-70 f2.8

These are the only ones that I found. I dont know any Sigma lens so I definately missed them out. Also what would you guys say about shooting a documentary with primes. I think I can shoot a whole documentary with a 35mm and a 50mm. I have not documentary so far with a dslr, only with a Z1 and an EX1. What would you guys say?
 
It depends on what kind of documentary you are shooting, if it's in a controlled environment and you have time to switch lenses, in my opinion, a selection of 20mm, 28mm, 50mm and 85mm and/or 135mm would be the best option. I have been filming a documentary with the D7100 coupled with the set of lenses mentioned above plus a 17-35 and I am happy with the workflow and the results. A 28-70mm would probably be a better choice if switching lenses slows you down too much. I think the best range would be the 24 -70mm but sadly the nikon zoom is a G lens without the manual aperture ring, which could be a problem given that you cannot change f-stop when in live view.
 
I have the Tokina 28-70 f2.6-2.8. It's an okay lens but noticeably soft wide open. Sigma do a 24-70 F2.8 lens with a manual aperture ring but it's even softer than the Tokina, at least my one is anyway. Tamron also do a 28-75 F2.8 with a manual aperture ring. Sigma have just recently released a 24-105 F4; I'm sure they do a Nikon version.
 
The Nikon AF-D 28-70 2.8 is being recieved well. There are a few people on reduser who have been praising it. But it is expensive (almost $900) and it is heavy. But it has a constant aperture, iris ring, internal focusing and the barrel does not extend. It obviously will have issues which are found in still zoom lenses.
 
Personally Im a nut for how the focus feels. And on that basis I prefer the MF lenses. The focus feel overrides all other trade offs (IMO)

Those first gen AF nikons just feel a bit weird (sticky to break into moving) to focus and are very variable model to model

For the price of a 35-70 you have to basically buy one and try it or the 28-85, I chose them both for different jobs - the longer/wider when the job is more rng, the 35-70 for intereview based jobs.

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http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/zoomsMF/2885mm.htm

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/zoomsMF/3570mm.htm

If you are shooting S35/Crop you need this too..
The F4 has longer focus travel than the F3.5, and will accept a 86-77 step down ring with no vignette meaning you can standardise on 77m filters, the zooms I use with step up rings,
If you go matte box the 28-85 works a little better than the 35-70
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/ultrawides/18mm.htm
 
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I am interested in the 28-85. It looks seriously good. How is the image quality say to other lens mentioned on this post like the tokina 28-70? Also how is the focus throw?
 
The 28-85 is not a push pull lens but still the focus barrel moves a lot. I guess you can't use a follow focus with it or can you? There are some pictures where the barrel is not extended and there are some which shows extension almost a push-pull lens like.
 
The 28-85 moves (gets shorter when zoomed to 85) the 35-70 does not

The HIR FAT strap can be locked together, two straps one lens, to make a very wide focus band to account for the movement
http://halfinchrails.com/rigs-and-kits/zip-tie-focus-gears


(disclaimer1: I make these straps, disclaimer2 - I have not tested that 28-85 combination disclaimer3, some of the distribution info on the FAT strap is not up to date.)

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check this thread

@morgan_moore: Hey, those are the straps I use! I didn't know it was you who made them. Real nice.
(I tie them with wire instead of a plastic zip tie, as those seem to become loose with time)
 
Samuel, you always come to rescue. I am reading the link. But I want to tell you that I am more interested in primes. I also should have atleast 1 good zoom lens as well. I am still investing in Nikkor AI primes. Even if I have to buy 1 (which would be the 35mm) but that depends on the zoom I get. Like I have my eyes on the Leica R Vario Elma-R 28-70 3.5-4.5. Its an expensive lens and to fit it in my budget I can only afford 1 prime lens (my choice would be 35mm rather than 50).
 
Remember that leica focus the other way from nikkor - this will do your head in

You should go nikon.. or everything else.. I make no comment on which is a better choice maybe 'everything else'

And yep as well as my 18 and my zoom of the day I usually carry a 3.5 2.5e nikkor ($50) to get me a little more light and less DOF if requred

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I have the tokina 28-70 2.6-2.8 and absolutely love it.

I've been using this lens as my event/run and gun lens for years on the T2i and for the past couple months that I've had the d7100.

It is a bit soft wide open, but not terribly so. It's usable for me wide open. It gets very sharp stopped down a little bit, and just looks great.

For the price of admission, it's probably my favorite lens.
 
A very versatile lens is the 24-85 D 2.8-4. Has the aperture control ring and has close focus. On Dx I've found this lens to be a great performer as it is FF, so DX use only the sharpest part of the lens. You can find it used at KEH for about $350 in EX+ condition. I've had mine 9 years and still love it.
 
I was checking out ken rockwell's test of the Nikon AI 35-70 3.5 and it is looking excellent. Only if it was 28 at wide end.

@Morgan: Totally forgot about the focus direction. I was just swayed away by the leica lens. Happens.
 
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Jeff the 24-85 has a very small focus throw. I have used a 28-105 3.5-4.5 and I loved it. at 105 you have 1:2 macro but the only issue is that the focus throw is small, very much like this lens.
 
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