Let another lens thread... standard zoom for AF101

H

Hywel

Well-known member
Hi All,

We've done a few shoots thus far with our AF101 using prime lenses only (14mm, 20mm, 45mm Lumix plus 25mm Voigtlander). For the most part, exchanging primes is no trouble. But a standard zoom for times when you want an intermediate focal length or when you need to shoot quickly and the ability to swiftly grab a cutaway or closeup saves time moving the camera/slide/tripod/dolly/track would be handy.

I've got a Birger mount on pre-order so will be able to use my Canon zooms, but none of the ones I have cover the "standard" zoom range for m4/3. (I've got the 16-35mm L and the 24-70 mm L plus a stack of primes).

So I'm in the market for something like a 14-50 mm or a 12-60 mm zoom for the AF101. My requirements are:
- as fast as possible. We want depth of field control and don't want to have to relight the set to grab a quick closeup.
- preferably in a camera mount we already use i.e. micro four thirds or Canon EF. I'd stretch to a 4/3 or PL mount adaptor if necessary as I can see myself investing in a collection of glass in those mounts but it seems daft to buy just one Nikon mount lens as I never use Nikons! :-)

We'll be using it primarily on sticks as a variable prime so image stabilisation isn't a concern nor is zoom action, but parfocal and limited breathing would be nice, obviously. Controllable aperture on the camera or mechanically on the lens ring would be nice but I'm willing to gamble on an EF mount lens and Birger releasing their mount.

Obvious possibilities are:
Olympus 12-60 mm f/2.8-f/4 - nice focal length range but slow
Panasonic 14-50 Leica D f/2.8-f/3.5 - looks OK - anyone got experience
Olympus 14-54 f/2.8-f/3.5 - looks OK - anyone got experience?
Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 - bit lacking at the wide end but bearable, fixed aperture goodness
Sigma 17-70 mm f/2.8-f/4 - bit slow
Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8
Tamron 17-50 mm f/2.8 - seems remarkably cheap for f/2.8 lens what's the catch?

Anyone got a strong feeling or experience of these lenses?

And anyone know anything at all about the Zeiss LWZ.2 zoom lens? I'd not be averse to dropping a substantial chunk of cash on a really good lens but I have no idea how much this beast might cost (is it Cp.2 expensive, or Master Prime expensive?) I notice from Zeiss' website that it is available in m4/3 interchangeable like CP.2's, which is appealing...

Cheers, Hywel
 
Unfortunately they all appear to be either slow or quite expensive.

I have the Lumix 14-140 for exterior work, as again it's a slow lens. For interiors I will use primes.

I would love a fast zoom though at a decent prize. Just for when I'm not able to keep switching lenses/mounts.
 
The Olympus 14-35 f2 is a great lens on the AF and VERY fast for a zoom, and sharp wide-open, which is unusual. The Canon 17-55 EF-S is great and I use that a lot on my 7D, but yes, it's less wide on the AF. I am happy I added the Olympus to my kit.
 
Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 - bit lacking at the wide end but bearable, fixed aperture goodness ? how are you going to mount efs to EF adopter? is it possible at all?
 
Benjamin Eckstein said:
EF-S and EF are the same mount. The Birger will accept both.
Click to expand...

The eos kipon mount has a manual iris which works fine but it is NOT compatible with ef s lenses...or so say the instructions.

I've worked a few jobs with the red 17-50/2.9 and it's very nice to work with. Also just worked with the 18-85 it's pretty heavy but looks great.
 
Iam using the olympus 12-60. Very good lens - sharp, iris controle, but no auto focus. IMO faster and sharper than the Pana 14-140.
Pana has auto focus controle working with the camera.
 
HI,

I have been following the "monster" lens thread but was interested in a specific lens for a specific purpose, rather than general discussions, which I why I started a fresh thread. I did consider the f/2.0 14-35 mm Olympus, but I fear the zoom range may not get me to where I need to go (I'm most likely to be using the lens at 17 mm for a wide-ish angle then needing to zoom in to grab a few quick cutaways and closeups without moving the camera and its rig). So the 17-55mm or 12-60 mm look like better options, despite their relative slowness.

Cheers, Hywel
 
Hywel said:
HI,

I have been following the "monster" lens thread but was interested in a specific lens for a specific purpose, rather than general discussions, which I why I started a fresh thread. I did consider the f/2.0 14-35 mm Olympus, but I fear the zoom range may not get me to where I need to go (I'm most likely to be using the lens at 17 mm for a wide-ish angle then needing to zoom in to grab a few quick cutaways and closeups without moving the camera and its rig). So the 17-55mm or 12-60 mm look like better options, despite their relative slowness.

Cheers, Hywel
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call a 2.8 zoom slow. I'd recommend, then, the 17-55 Canon. The IS apparently will work with the Birger mount too so that's a plus. I find it not as sharp wide open as the Olympus ones wide open, though.
 
Hi,

Fixed f/2.8 through the whole zoom range would be fine, I agree... big shame that the Panasonics and the Olympus 12-60 can't manage a fixed f/2.8.

Looks like holding out until the Birger mount appears then buying one of the 17-55 mm f/2.8 fixed maximum aperture zooms may be the way forward.

Cheers, Hywel.
 
Hywel said:
Hi,

Fixed f/2.8 through the whole zoom range would be fine, I agree... big shame that the Panasonics and the Olympus 12-60 can't manage a fixed f/2.8.

Looks like holding out until the Birger mount appears then buying one of the 17-55 mm f/2.8 fixed maximum aperture zooms may be the way forward.

Cheers, Hywel.
Click to expand...

From what I understand, a fixed aperture zoom that's range is bigger than 3x is tough to do, and would be big, heavy and expensive.
 
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