Let's talk glass: Lenses for the AF100!

Yes I was pleasantly surprised of your lumix lens footage Stephen. It fits nicely and holds up well against expensive Zeiss Primes. I went for older Nikon glass, since I came from old Nikon 24x36mm film cameras and still had some glass. I bet somebody will build a full adapter soon. Til then I am happy with my cheap HongKong adapter.
 
Zak Forsman said:
apparently there is a "LENS CHECK" option in the OTHER FUNCTIONS menu that has caused some people to see black. give that a shot?
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Thanks Zak! You were right, when I switched "Lens Check" to "off" I then got a picture. However the lens is still unuseable as it has no non-electronic aperture or focus. I am returning it to Olympus for service.
UPDATE 31st Dec: someone kindly emailed me: "I just got my AF101 and tested it with both 14-35 and 35-100. Autofocus works with the 14-35 not with the 35-100. But IRIS works on the 35-100 and you can adjust focus manually."
 
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I'm looking through some legacy lenses formerly used on 16mm film cameras. You know, like Angenieux 10- 120's, Egleets, Som Berthiots, etc. Now, I understand some or all of these C-mount lenses may yield severe vignetting. But why? I know it is mostly to do with element to sensor distance but is there a chart somewhere that explains or demonstrates how severe this vignetting will be or what factors I need to consider with regards to micro 4/3"? Is there a mathematical formula I should be using? The idea of using old motion picture zoom lenses on the AF 100 appeals to me but am I asking for trouble? Also, I have an old Fujinon ENG lens with a B4 mount that would be interesting to experiment but it may even produce even more severe vignetting.
 
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I'm thinking about the Olympus line. I don't have the scratch for the 2.0 zooms, but I was think about these.

11-22/2.8-3.5
14-60/2.8-3.5
50-200/2.8-3.5

Thoughts?
 
bought a few to round out the collection of Nikon AIS manual focus lenses. have the metabones mount and the following at my disposal. can't wait to play.

16mm f/2.8
24mm f/2.0
35mm f/1.4
50mm f/1.2
85mm f/2.0
135mm f/2.0
300mm f/4.5
 
Johnf said:
I'm thinking about the Olympus line. I don't have the scratch for the 2.0 zooms, but I was think about these.

11-22/2.8-3.5
14-60/2.8-3.5
50-200/2.8-3.5

Thoughts?
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No budget for 2.0 is understandable but are you OK with not having constant aperture? That's something I'm trying to avoid. But the wide Olys are nice.
 
The zooms are just a way for me to move around and compose a sequence of shots from one location (eng style).
I never use zooms in my shooting.
So I'm ok with it. I'm looking for super-sharp, non filmic.
 
Suggestions for kit

Suggestions for kit

I purchased a AG-AF101E (European model) a few weeks ago and ordered the Panasonic 14-140mm m43 lens with it. i liked the comparison somewhere on this forum that this lens basically gives you the features of a standard video camera like the EX3. I like the lens, its versatile and offers a good range for everyday use.

But of course it doesn't perform all that well in low light conditions, so I started looking at other glass for this camera.

What other lenses do you suggest I get? Primary use for this camera would be for creative documentary (no ENG, but more controlled. the 14-140mm is good when things have to be shot fast, but would like to expand the lens range with some primes). I'm on a limited budget at the moment, so unfortunately the Leica Noctilux 25mm 0.95 is a bit out of the question right now :)
Also, for the more expensive glass, I'd rather rent on a project to project basis, as I normally do when shooting fiction or commercials.

I recently bought a second hand Rokkor MC 50mm f1.4 and adapter. It's a really nice lens for portraits and gives the cinematic look i was looking for.

i think i also need a fast wide angle but not really sure what to go for:
so far i've shortlisted these:

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm lens, F2.5 ASPH
Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95
Noktor Hyperprime 50mm f/0.95 (hard to find anywhere it seems)

if you have any other suggestions on what to get, please go ahead. Doesnt even have to be wide-angle.

and has anyone used this SRL Magic Toy Lens 26mm 1.4 for video? (CCTV lens...)
curious if its really any good for only 75 euros...

edit: and by the way, do all c-mount lenses result in vignetting on a micro 4/3 system?
 
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The 11-22 is a superb wide angle lens. 11 is about as wide as you can go in stills without serious distortion, and it is the fastest 4/3 lens wider than 14. That you can zoom is a bonus.

The 14-60 could either be the 12-60 or the 14-54. The 14-54/2.8-3.5 II is supposed to be one of the fastest focussing Contrast AF lenses if that helps. The 12-60 is a bit slower through the range, but runs a little wider and a little longer. Also has the direct driven SWD type focus ring rather than the earlier electronic focus rings.

50-200 is a good quality, well build stills telephoto lens, again with the direct drive SWD system. Relatively fast without being ridiculously large.


Johnf said:
I'm thinking about the Olympus line. I don't have the scratch for the 2.0 zooms, but I was think about these.

11-22/2.8-3.5
14-60/2.8-3.5
50-200/2.8-3.5

Thoughts?
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StephenVilas said:
i think i also need a fast wide angle but not really sure what to go for:
so far i've shortlisted these:

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm lens, F2.5 ASPH
Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95
Noktor Hyperprime 50mm f/0.95 (hard to find anywhere it seems)
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Of that list, only the 14mm is a wide-angle. The Voigtlander is a normal field of view, and the Noktor is a telephoto.

if you have any other suggestions on what to get, please go ahead. Doesnt even have to be wide-angle.
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#1 lens to consider adding to a 14-140 is the 20mm f/1.7. It's tiny, sharp, and is way faster than the stock lens. And the field of view is a slight wide angle, so it's a very usable field of view.

If you're on a budget though, it's really hard to beat some used Nikon primes. Go for older Nikon instead of Canon, because the Nikons have an aperture ring.

and has anyone used this SRL Magic Toy Lens 26mm 1.4 for video? (CCTV lens...)
curious if its really any good for only 75 euros...
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I've ordered it but don't expect it in for a couple of weeks. It won't be "good", becuase it's not a general-purpose lens, it's a toy lens designed to deliver a different/unique/retro/old-school look.

edit: and by the way, do all c-mount lenses result in vignetting on a micro 4/3 system?
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Not all, but just about all of them that are 25mm or less. You pretty much have to go to 35mm or more to be assured of no vignetting.
 
Barry_Green said:
Of that list, only the 14mm is a wide-angle. The Voigtlander is a normal field of view, and the Noktor is a telephoto.
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Yes, my bad. i basically listed the lenses i wanted to get, wide angle or not :) The Voigtlander just looks amazing.

So you wouldnt recommend getting the Pana 14mm?

Barry_Green said:
#1 lens to consider adding to a 14-140 is the 20mm f/1.7. It's tiny, sharp, and is way faster than the stock lens. And the field of view is a slight wide angle, so it's a very usable field of view.

If you're on a budget though, it's really hard to beat some used Nikon primes. Go for older Nikon instead of Canon, because the Nikons have an aperture ring.
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I will look into the 20mm f/1.7. this is Pana lens as well?

you're probably right about the Nikon primes. I used a Nikon 15mm f/3.5 before (for EX1 with LETUS adapter) and very pleased with that. but it doesnt seem suitable for m43 if i want to get the same angle. ideally, i would like to have a wide angle a few stops faster and maintaining the same angle (I guess that leaves me with little choice but the glass made specifically for m4/3, keeping the conversion rate in mind for 4/3 to m4/3, i would need a Nikon lens of about 7.5mm which i assume are all fisheye).

Barry_Green said:
I've ordered it but don't expect it in for a couple of weeks. It won't be "good", becuase it's not a general-purpose lens, it's a toy lens designed to deliver a different/unique/retro/old-school look.
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I've seen one here in a few shopping malls in Hong Kong. i guess ill just pick one up for the sake of playing around with it a bit.

Barry_Green said:
Not all, but just about all of them that are 25mm or less. You pretty much have to go to 35mm or more to be assured of no vignetting.
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Barry,

Would a 20mm 1.7 be recommended even if one has the popular voightlander .95 25mm?

Also, for wide, the tokina 11-16mm is popular but what if one has the panasonic 7-14mm for wide?
 
boo said:
Barry,

Would a 20mm 1.7 be recommended even if one has the popular voightlander .95 25mm?

Also, for wide, the tokina 11-16mm is popular but what if one has the panasonic 7-14mm for wide?
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Personally, I sold my 20mm f1.7 when I got my 25mm f0.95. Whether or not you need both depends on how important the auto functions of that lens with the AF are to you.

And the 7-14mm Panasonic lens is a wicked lens on the AF-100. I sold my Tokina 11-16 when I got the Panasonic.
 
For a strictly AF100 user, I'd probably do as Stephen did. But since I have both a GH2 and an AF100, I have to say that the 20mm is probably my favorite lens on the GH2, the size/weight/performance ratio is just off the hook when used with that little body.

Totally agree about the 7-14 though.
 
I love the image from the 7-14. I just don't love automatic electronic lenses. Infanite spinning focus wheel and no aperture dial make it not a blast to use unfortunately. There is a joy in using manual lenses.

I really wish Panasonic would reconsider things when they press on with their range of lenses to take the electronic part out.
 
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