Narrative AND documentary use?

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?73139-mcstrangeloveTo the OP: my usage is similar to yours. For DOC situations I've been using the 14-140 and the Olympus 12-60 2.8-4, which is much better in low light but doesn't have OIS or autofocus.

But honestly even with the 14-140 the autofocus is not an option for me. It's just not reliable. So I had to learn to focus manually and I'm very happy with it because once over the initial panic it's not that difficult, and it allows more flexibility.

As for the missing OIS in the Olympus, if I'm hand holding the camera and zooming in all the way the image is shaking, but it can be somewhat fixed in post. If I'm zoomed out, or most spots in between, holding the camera steadily gives a steady image.
 
I guess the question I should be asking, since I know absolutely nothing about Canon still lenses, is - will the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 even work with the Birger? And if so, will the aperture work smoothly?

If not, I will have to seriously consider the Nikkor.

I can't believe that there isn't some lens genie in Germany or Japan rubbing his hands together at the potential for this market. Many of us would pay some serious cash for a dedicated zoom lens. Maybe not the 20-30G broadcast variety, but that's not what's needed here.. It's been said a hundred times.. a simple, T2.8, 5:1, mechanical zoom. If you want to load it up with OIS and auto, that's your call if it opens the market - but something! Please! Because what's available now just doesn't cut it.
 
Mac said:
...will the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 even work with the Birger? And if so, will the aperture work smoothly?
Click to expand...

The 17-55/2.8 is supposed to work on the Birger, hopefully with IS, but like all EOS lenses the aperture will change in 1/4, or perhaps, 1/3 stops.

It's also not parfocal, but Birger seemed to imply they'll be able to compensate for this. I'm unsure if this feature will only be available with the electronic follow-focus that's due out later this year.

Best,
Bern

-Bern
 
Hmmm.. Thanks for the information. So, basically no improvement over the Zuikos in terms of iris.. Is this true of the Nikkor zooms as well?
 
I agree about the clunky iris. I pretty much use all aperture ring lenses now, but when I use my Lumixes, it is an inconvenience.

Birger says they'll be out in a month. If the final product works like the prototype did, I think it will make a lot of folks happy.

And I agree about the focus direction, that's the one thing that has kept me from Nikons for decades, I always went Canon in camera bodies because everything just focuses the right way. Ended up with ZF's but I got a FF with a reversing gear to handle that...
 
Barry: I did a more comprehensive test of the Cooke yesterday using a fixed ground glass, and the image circle is smaller than I thought.. It would be somewhat useable if I could just stick it on an adapter, but not worth the cost of converting it and buying a Hot Rod. Darn. Oh, and it weighs 5 1/2 pounds.

I thought about the gear thing on the Nikkors, but it really slows down changing lenses. However, with few options, that may be the way to go.
 
The adapter exists, ciecio7 says he has them in stock, $250. Just drop him a line on ebay and tell him you want to order one...
 
Thanks-you're having better luck than I am - I've typed in every combination I can think of with no luck... I'll definitely spring for one...
 
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