Lens Recommendations for a new AF100 owner

M

Mars

New member
I'm going to be purchasing an AF100 next week and am stepping into the ginourmous world of lenses for the first time, as I've shot solely on the DVX100B for the last three years.

I've been doing a lot of research on lens technology, but I would be grateful for any suggestions/recommendations for purchasing an "all-purpose" lens, that is, a lens that could be used adequately for run-and-gun, but with a reasonable zoom range, and also used for more standard fixed setups. Mostly for independent filmmaking.

Put another way: if you were starting out today, what lens would you buy to learn with?

A bonus would be that the lens would also be something that would still prove useful over time, as more single-purpose lenses are purchased.

Budget: $500 - $800

Thanks in advance!

Martin
 
I just shot an interview with a Zeiss ZF 85mm Nikon Mount which was wonderful. However, I think you'd be fine picking up a couple of Nikon or Canon prime lenses. Like a 50mm 1.4 or 35mm.

Do you have an SLR? Start there. Always good to repurpose lenses.
 
The Panasonic 14-45mm and 45-200mm zooms are great low cost starter lenses. Yes they are slow ( f/3.5 - 5.6 ), but they are sharp and have decent image-stabilzation. ( NOTE: forget the 14-42mm zoom, as it is pretty soft at the long end )

For shallow DOF or low-light shooting, a Micro 4/3 adapter with good used Canon FD / Nikon AIS prime lens ( 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm ) is the way to go. ( affordable, fast, and sharp )
 
I would have a look at a used Nikon 17-55 DX F2.8 as a general purpose run and gun. It has a good range (Equiv FF stills 34-110mm) and fast constant aperture, easy to manually zoom and focus, solid build and good future resale value.
 
Mars said:
I'm going to be purchasing an AF100 next week and am stepping into the ginourmous world of lenses for the first time, as I've shot solely on the DVX100B for the last three years.

I've been doing a lot of research on lens technology, but I would be grateful for any suggestions/recommendations for purchasing an "all-purpose" lens, that is, a lens that could be used adequately for run-and-gun, but with a reasonable zoom range, and also used for more standard fixed setups. Mostly for independent filmmaking.

Put another way: if you were starting out today, what lens would you buy to learn with?

A bonus would be that the lens would also be something that would still prove useful over time, as more single-purpose lenses are purchased.

Budget: $500 - $800

Thanks in advance!

Martin
Click to expand...

You just described basically every situation we all get into possibly with a camera. Take a breath and narrow down your options. Fast older manual Nikon primes always work well but for only $500 you cant get much. Remember the crop factor as well. A 50mm on a AF-100 is basically a 100mm field of view so maybe a med. wide like a 17 to ???
Dig deep in this forum you can read hours of info on this topic . I have and thanks to everybody that contributes! Best place for AF-100 info around.

Cheers.
 
CineStill said:
I would have a look at a used Nikon 17-55 DX F2.8 as a general purpose run and gun. It has a good range (Equiv FF stills 34-110mm) and fast constant aperture, easy to manually zoom and focus, solid build and good future resale value.
Click to expand...

$1500.00. Just sayen.
 
I'm ready to buy the AF100 but it seems like all preferred short zoom lenses are out of stock, or the good adapters as well.
 
I have the Nikon 17-55...it's a workhorse, Use it all the time. The Tokina 11-16mm is also a must have, probably the best wide angle lens out there for under $1000.
 
hey guys I just purchased an AF100 as well today and shopping for lenses, about to buy some Nikkons...but how much did that Zeiss 85mm go for? Did you get it used or new?
 
FilmBoy77 said:
hey guys I just purchased an AF100 as well today and shopping for lenses, about to buy some Nikkons...but how much did that Zeiss 85mm go for? Did you get it used or new?
Click to expand...
I got it on Ebay for $900.00 and free shipping. Oh crap! Did I pay that much for a lens? I must be crazy!
That's not a bad price for a ZF version. Nikon 85mm is cheaper but you only live once. Maybe.
 
If you are on a budget and are looking for an 85mm f/1.4, check out the bower/vivitar 85mm f/1.4 for under $350 new. I bought it to try it, and loved it. It matches all my nikkors well, has an AWESOME bokeh, and is sharp and fast. The only bummer is the cheasy plastic housing, but the mechanics are fine and the 1/2 stop apertures increments are nice... and it is MUCH less expensive than the nikkor and zeiss 85mm f/1.4. I am really happy with it, and love the look of it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/614837-REG/Bower_SLY85N_85mm_f_1_4_Manual_Focus.html

Here is a review on it:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/vivitar/85mm-f14.htm

I made a couple long posts on Lenses (nikons in specifics) for the AF100 on this thread... long story short, used nikon primes for bang for buck:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea......but-I-m-a-bit-green-about-what-else-I-need
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...else-I-need.&p=2313119&viewfull=1#post2313119
 
Thanks for all the great advice. And thanks Oliver for those links to your previous posts - that's exactly the kind of counsel I was looking for.

One lens I haven't seen mentioned here but have run across in other posts is the Olympus 14-150:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674725-REG/Olympus_261504_M_Zuiko_Digital_ED_14_150mm.html

I take it that zoom lenses will never do as well as fixed telephoto or wide-angle lenses will for their dedicated purposes, and ultimately one wants those for the best results. Is it a rookie mistake to try to buy a lens that will be more versatile (a zoom, e.g.) or is it more advisable to invest that money in a better, more limited purpose lens with the intent to build up one's lens "library" over time?
 
Mars said:
Thanks for all the great advice. And thanks Oliver for those links to your previous posts - that's exactly the kind of counsel I was looking for.

One lens I haven't seen mentioned here but have run across in other posts is the Olympus 14-150:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674725-REG/Olympus_261504_M_Zuiko_Digital_ED_14_150mm.html

I take it that zoom lenses will never do as well as fixed telephoto or wide-angle lenses will for their dedicated purposes, and ultimately one wants those for the best results. Is it a rookie mistake to try to buy a lens that will be more versatile (a zoom, e.g.) or is it more advisable to invest that money in a better, more limited purpose lens with the intent to build up one's lens "library" over time?
Click to expand...

Zooms are not all bad, but slow ones are. You really need fast glass to get the most from the AF100. A lens such as that f/4-/5.6 at f/5.6 lets the camera have 1/4 as much light as a f/2.8 lens. That is the same difference in light as between shooting at 400 and 1600iso. If you are looking for a zoom, look for a constant aperature zoom, perferably f/2.8. I like the nikon 17-35 f/2.8 as a nice zoom for the AF100, but it is around $1500 so over budget, but it pairs well with the tokina 11-16 f/2.8 to cover from as wide as you ever reasonably need to be though to normal. Then you just need to pick up a couple primes like a 50 f/1.4 and an 85 f1/4 and you are pretty much set. Maybe ad a 35 f/1.4 as well for low light.

Keep in mind that most zooms are varifocal lenses, and will not hold focus while zooming. For a parafocal zoom like on the HVX, you would need to get a Cine-zoom lens which is $$,$$$. So consider you zooms more like variable primes, and that they will save you a lens change and let you carry less glass, but you won't be doing HVX style zooms with them.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top