Let's talk glass: Lenses for the AF100!

Not familiar with that. If it uses Nikon F-mount, then yes you could probably use it unless there's something really unusual about that F601?
 
Any opinions on Nikon vs Canon mounts? I'm particularly looking at getting Zeiss ZF or ZE lenses and the cinemod from Dulcos. Planning on using with the AF-100/GH2 and eventually Scarlet S35. I know the Nikon has a manual aperture ring. I'm use to using that as I have a couple Nikons for my Brevis35 rig.
 
JesterJJZ said:
Any opinions on Nikon vs Canon mounts? I'm particularly looking at getting Zeiss ZF or ZE lenses and the cinemod from Dulcos. Planning on using with the AF-100/GH2 and eventually Scarlet S35. I know the Nikon has a manual aperture ring. I'm use to using that as I have a couple Nikons for my Brevis35 rig.
Click to expand...

Seems Nikons were fan favorites here at DVXuser when 35mm adapters on HVX were popular. This was mainly because Nikon has only one mount for their lenses in the last 60 some years. Canon had a couple, making you choose and be restrained to certain lines of canon. Just recently Canon glass has become more popular with filmmakers due to the 5DmII and 7D popularity. I have a feeling Leica lenses will gain a small surge in popularity among other rare but great lenses. Who knows! To answer the original question, there are more Nikon options for F-mount, but Canon L series are newer lenses which are very attractive, if you can control them digitally.

ZF's are the best Nikons IMO, if not among the best lens series out there.
 
Last edited:
Oh yeah, it is my understanding that the Nikon F mount is the most popular camera lens format ever produced, and should work on the m4/3 lens mount (mechanically, at least) without any issues.
 
Cool. I'm definitely leaning towards the ZF.2s. They do feature an electronic connection to the camera if I'm not mistaken. Is that to display lens settings on the screen if the camera allows it?
 
samsara said:
those zoom are really fast, but don't have OIS and don't autofocus during video with the AF-100

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Zuiko-14-35mm-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000X1P5R4
http://www.adorama.com/IOM35100.html
Click to expand...

I was sort of planning on getting two AF100's with a Olympus 14-35 f/2 and a 35-100 f/2, plus a prime or two for spice if I get some extra cash.

*** I was really hoping that I would eventually be able to use autofocus during video with these lenses, is it for sure that won't be possible with some kind of electronic lens adapter?

(And if so, what options are there for autofocus capable zooms under f/4 and $3k ....?)
 
The lenses don't work well in autofocus mode. it's not a matter of an adapter or not, it's a matter of that the lenses are only useful for stills autofocus. They're fairly unusable for video autofocus.

I don't think people really understand this. There's really only one stills lens in the world that does proper video autofocus, the GH1's stock lens. All the other DSLR lenses I've seen, do SLR-style autofocus. They're meant to hunt to a particular point, and they're noisy and steppy. It's nothing like using a video camera lens.

Use those lenses on an SLR, and put 'em in autofocus, and listen to them, and watch how they work. Then imagine them doing it *continuously*. It's just not appropriate for video.

You can try it, if you want -- you can hold down the PUSH AUTO button. But you won't do it twice. After the first time you try it, you'll understand.

If you want video-style autofocus, you're going to have to get a lens that's built for that. A stills lens is not made for video-style autofocus and will never perform like one.
 
I see. Thanks for the clarification. Of course "video-style" autofocus is preferable, but I am interested to try using the "DSLR style autofocs" during video.

Just, frame the shot, noisily autofocus on the the subject, leave it until you change the shot or something moves out of focus.

Seems useful in some cases, I usually do manual focus with my 7d/gh1 but in certain situations having the camera do it for you can come in handy, especially when you have multiple cameras..

Will the Olympus 4/3 lenses be able to do this SLR-style autofocus?
 
JesterJJZ said:
Cool. I'm definitely leaning towards the ZF.2s. They do feature an electronic connection to the camera if I'm not mistaken. Is that to display lens settings on the screen if the camera allows it?
Click to expand...

My plan as of right this writing is to go with two duclos moded zooms and a bunch of his zeiss zf primes, to me that's the best bang for the buck in terms of cine-style lenses, if not those I would have sprung for the olympus 14-35mm f2 and the 35-100 f2...
 
Barry_Green said:
The lenses don't work well in autofocus mode. it's not a matter of an adapter or not, it's a matter of that the lenses are only useful for stills autofocus. They're fairly unusable for video autofocus.

I don't think people really understand this. There's really only one stills lens in the world that does proper video autofocus, the GH1's stock lens. All the other DSLR lenses I've seen, do SLR-style autofocus. They're meant to hunt to a particular point, and they're noisy and steppy. It's nothing like using a video camera lens.

Use those lenses on an SLR, and put 'em in autofocus, and listen to them, and watch how they work. Then imagine them doing it *continuously*. It's just not appropriate for video.

You can try it, if you want -- you can hold down the PUSH AUTO button. But you won't do it twice. After the first time you try it, you'll understand.

If you want video-style autofocus, you're going to have to get a lens that's built for that. A stills lens is not made for video-style autofocus and will never perform like one.
Click to expand...

I realize this, but in terms of the "steppiness" of the lens, I've not witnessed this when I was autofocusing for a shot on my 7D. I have about 5 lenses I use and while I would never use autofocus during recording, I don't see why focus controls cannot be implemented to at least set the focus electronically even if it is not touched during record OR allow us to change it manually but electronically during record.

The Magic Lantern people demonstrated this with the 5D and their own firmware and I thought it looked absolutely acceptable. While I understand the lens is noisy, in the cases where I am using it, I am using a boom or am planning on completely rebuilding the audio from scratch.

The whole point in my liking of the AF100 was getting rid of a bunch of equipment hanging off my camera. Technically, there is no reason this shouldn't be possible as it's been shown to work. RED has built this technology for other DSLR lenses not designed for video and I've specifically asked them about it's functionality and they've told me it is working.

Maybe I am alone in wanting manual electronic focus capability, I'd sure be interested to know what others think of that.

The absolutely sad thing is that TWO solutions are almost available for the Canon cameras that are both highly impressive.

This one that is AWESOME:

http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=19746

And there is another one coming from a company that I forget were I save the link. I'll try to find it and update this.

EDIT: Here is the other one, offered in both a wired and wireless solution: (Impero HDSLR Controller) (And a powered cage)

http://www.viewfactor.net/

The point being, I will have two viable options for something that I will not easily be able to do on the AF100 :(
 
Last edited:
Cool. Well that's something.

Hopefully though some native m4/3 "bright zoom" video lenses will appear close to the launch of the AF100.

I rather like the Olympus Zuiko Super High Grade series, 7-14mm f/4, 14-35mm f/2, 35-100 f/2 for around $2k each.

A similar offering from Panasonic with video capabilities would be very welcome!


Still a little confused though, what is are the main advantages of, for instance, the DigiOptical 18-50 and 50-150 Zoom lenses compared to the Olympus SLR lenses?
 
i rather like the olympus zuiko super high grade series, 7-14mm f/4, 14-35mm f/2, 35-100 f/2 for around $2k each.

A similar offering from panasonic with video capabilities would be very welcome!
Click to expand...

+1
 
Nityananda_SCSMath said:
Still a little confused though, what is are the main advantages of, for instance, the DigiOptical 18-50 and 50-150 Zoom lenses compared to the Olympus SLR lenses?
Click to expand...
Well, PL mount, primarily. The DigiOptical lenses can't really claim the precision focus markings and repeatability advantage that you'd find in, say, the Red Pro Zoom or any Cooke or Angenieux zoom. The DigiOptical lenses are kind of the "prosumer" version of a cinema lens. They don't have witness marks and aren't guaranteed to hit their focus marks ... which is basically the same way an SLR lens is. A proper cinema lens has witness marks and, when collimated properly, will be so precise that you can measure by tape measure and know for sure that focus will be perfect. The DigiOptical lenses aren't at that level (and neither was the original Red 18-50 zoom, or 50-150 zoom, which some of us think are the exact same product as the DigiOptical lenses).

Still, there will be advantages, including a slickly smoothly lubricated long focus throw and a de-clicked iris for smooth iris transitions.
 
I see. And all the RED, Cooke, Angenieux lenses are basically rental-only in price.

What about the Duclos modified Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8? How does it compare?

For instance, will that lens be able to do repeatable focus points? That seems like a really critical attribute for a shallow DOF camera you want to be doing rack-focus shots on..
 
I think it is enevitable that someone builds a nice fast moderately priced servo cine zoom lens with a good wide to telephoto range. It's a matter of when and not if.
 
follow focus

follow focus

Everyone's talking about servo zooms but as there is such a wide variety of lenses at our disposal I think there will be a major issue in pulling good focus.

Any recommendations on a good follow focus that has several gear options, very little play, and one that could be used on the very wide array of the lenses we may encounter?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top