Lens options for F3

K

Kenneth Lau

Active member
Dear F3 users, I am thinking about investing on a Sony F3.

I have been reading about it and saw that the PL mount is a little bit different than standard PL mount, therefore some PL mount lens might not fit

into this camera. I am afraid that it does the same for Canon lens. It would suck to invest such money to buy a camera with very little lens

options so I figure to ask the pros before I buy it.

I have some L series canon lens of my own that would like to use it on the F3 and might want to rent some PL mount Zesis/ARRI lens if I have a

bigger budget. Is it true that the lens options are limited? Or do you guys think using only the SONY PL mount lens is good enough that I don't

exactly NEED to use other lens.

Share your thoughts about this camera with me.

Thxx
 
I have never heard of a PL mount lens that won't work on the F3 PL mount.

Your Canon options are limited at the moment. Birger has promised an adapter which provides electronic control of Canon EF mount glass. Otherwise you are limited to "dumb" adapters in which you must set the aperture on a Canon camera and then mount the lens on the F3. Manual control FD mounts are not an issue.

But between PL mount glass and Nikon glass (adapters readily available for Nikon), there are numerous lens options.

Sony primes-- lots of discussion on line about the relative pros and cons. Best to search the forums. Even better is to use the lenses and see if they suit your needs.

Ned Soltz
 
nsoltz said:
I have never heard of a PL mount lens that won't work on the F3 PL mount.
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Same here. As far as I know any PL lens will work on the F3.
I think the confusion arises because the three Sony PL lenses that can be purchased with the F3 may not fit on some other cameras.
My advice is to start with the three Sony lenses (35, 50, 85) and then expand from there as needed.
 
I'll second what Doug just said. The issue with the Sony Primes (which I have with my F3) is that there's a flange that interferes with the the physical shutter on FILM cameras. So if you also have a PL mount film camera - they won't fit on there. Some people have reported that the fit is possible but very tight on RED cameras.

At least on my F3, the Sony primes are a good tight fit even on the F3 which I think is a good thing.

I just got an FD adapter for my old Canon lenses and it seems to work just fine. (got the Kipon) My only complaint with the FD adapter is that several times I've gone to adjust the aperture on the lens and I've nearly accidentally unlocked the lens instead rotating the wrong ring. I'm glad the aperture on the old FDs are still clicked, that helps me know I'm spinning the right ring.
 
I think the Zeiss ZF.2 Cine Mod Primes that Duclos (http://www.ducloslenses.com/Duclos_Lenses/zf.html) sells are pretty good for the price, he will de-click them, fit them out with delrin gears and put an 80 mm adaptor on the front. I've got an 21, 50 macro and 85 mm and have been using them for little more then a year now, the 85 looks nice on interviews.
 
"lens options limited"???
If nothing, I find F3 one of the most versatile "lens" cameras...
For example, just a short search of F3 lens adapters on eBay will give you pretty much all options from still lenses (Nikon, Contax, Canon FD,...) and various options for PL mount. Than Canon EOS adapter from MTF (shipping in January), RedRock/Italy combo ( search this forum for details) and ( hopefully) Birger (one day): you're covered...
F3 might have shortcomings but lens selection isn't one, for sure...
Good luck!
 
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scocklin said:
Thanks Bill, I do love Italian cars, Italian food and Italy!
Click to expand...

Fantastic! As an owner I have toured the factory and driven the Fiorano. And they always make you check in your cameras before entering the factory. Great that you were allowed to get those shots.

All the Best!

Dave
 
I have 2x F3 cameras right now and probably 25-30 lenses in the office at the moment of all makes. There is no PL mount lens I've tried so far that don't fit on the F3.

Disclaimer, while I have not official connection to Sony, my company does sell PL lenses and is modding F3 cameras.
 
The only issue I've seen with the PL mount is that some of the earlier mounts were made a little too tight and one of my clients who owns his own F3 had to send it back for a replacement. But that's the first I've heard of it and it seems to be a fluke.

As far as lensing goes, the Cine-modded Duclos ZF's are pretty nice, or the CP.2's are a nice little set, if you can find them! It's about an 8-week wait to get a full set. I haven't worked with the Sony Primes but I wouldn't see them as a good investment because they are really only meant to be put on the F3. Get some glass you can keep with you after the F3 goes the way of the DVX
 
The Sony PL lenses work on other PL mount cameras. Some issues have been reported on film cameras (don't remember whether Arri or Aaton). Actually, not bad glass but terribly oversized and plastic construction. My major objection is that with only being available in 3 focal lengths, they really don't constitute a complete set of primes. I sincerely doubt that Sony intends to bring out any different focal lengths.
 
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