Nikon Series E?? 50mm and 100mm on Philip Bloom website?

[JPUSC]

Hey all.

I was considering buying the Sigma 30mm a few days ago for it's cinematic look, but then someone gave me a pair of Nikon Series E lenses, 50mm (1.8) and 100mm (2.8). Are these lenses good? How do they compare with the Sigma 30mm?

Are the Nikon Series E lenses the ones used here in the video examples? I know it's the one pictured in the example pictures: http://philipbloom.net/2012/02/01/the-art-of-lens-whacking-real-lights-leaks-and-ones-done-in-post/

 

[Egg Born Son]

Nothing wrong with series E. Not quite as rugged as Nikkor but rugged enough. Optics nearly as good. I've had both those lenses and they're good. I kept my series E 50mm over my AIS because I don't use it much (only because it's a boring focal length when you've got choices) but I've held onto it. I got rid of the 100mm only because I got a 105mm 2.5 and needed cash and couldn't justify doubling up.

Can't compare it to the Sigma firstly because I've only used full frame lenses and also because the focal lengths are not comparable on the same sensor. The 30mm can't be used on FF cameras. The difference in focal lengths will have a bigger impact on the image than the optical characteristics which are only apparent in pixel peeping. Ken Rockwell found some issues with the 30mm you might want to read about: http://www.kenrockwell.com/sigma/30mm-f14.htm

On a full frame you might want a wide to round out the set, a 28mm or 35mm. On a crop sensor you'll need a wider lens, preferably a more expensive 20mm.

Yes, it's a series e in that first photo.

 

[TheDingo]

For fun I picked up a mint condition Nikon Series E 36-72mm f/3.5 zoom from eBay for $50, which I'm curious to see how well it holds up as a low-cost interview lens for the GH2.

Shooting still photos, I've had great success with almost all of the Series E lenses. The lenses to buy are the later models that were redesigned to incorporate a solid aluminum ring in front of the aperture controls. ( you can't miss the bright silver ring )

History of Nikon Series E Lenses

 

[JPUSC]

Thanks so much for the responses! It is good to know that the optics are almost as good as the Nikkor, which is what I'm after...not so much the build or material.

I'm still undecided...while looking through vimeo, the videos taken with the Sigma 30mm look pretty nice while the ones with the Nikon Series E are about half and half.

Ah, will the Sigma 30mm work with the GH2?

Was considering the Nokton 25mm until I saw the images from the Sigma 30mm and it had a look I liked...but then I got a hold of these Nikons!


Just a quick comp on vimeo:

Nikkor 50mm: http://vimeo.com/31702030
Nikon 50mm E: http://vimeo.com/26493130
Sigma 30mm: http://vimeo.com/53172868

Also saw this: http://vimeo.com/39953108 with the Nikon E-series 50mm, but he says he paired it with an anamorphic, so I'm not sure if that image can still be achieved without it?

 

[Egg Born Son]

I wouldn't put too much stock in videos on the net for judging the lenses. The lens itself plays a far smaller part in the resultant image. An image can be soft for many more reasons than the optics. You might not be capable of duplicating a great image using the same lens. The video on the net is not the same as it came out of the camera, or even the NLE. Why not take your camera body and Nikons into a store that has the sigma and do a test? And if the Nikon's were free and you were already committed to the sigma, why not get both?
And so the lens addiction begins...

 

[homestar_kevin]

I have the entire series E and love them all.

They are very good lenses

You have 2 very good lenses there and you got them for free!?!!

Why are we even still talking about the sigma?

I understand you might think the Series E is a budget line because that's what it was originally marketed as, but let's put it in perspective.

Budget iine 30 years ago means they use plastic in some, not all of the construction.

Your sigma 30mm, I guarantee, has worlds more plastic than the series E stuff.

Ive' been using mine for 2 1/2 years on top of the 28+ other years they've been around and they're all holding up great.

While we still see and refer to the Series E as budget, and they are budget friendly($ wise), they are nicer than a lot of 'non-budget' lenses today IMO.

Don't discredit them because of what you have read on the internet.

You got them for free, you can at least spend $20 bucks on an adapter to check them out.

 

[David G. Smith]

I have a 100MM 2.8 Series E lens, and I can attest to its sturdiness. I dropped that lens from about 6 feet off the ground and cringed as it hit the ground. The only damage is a bent filter ring on the front. The lens works great, no damage to glass or mechanics at all. I could not image dropping any newer lens from that far. Imagine a Canon "Nifty-Fifty"... I am going to keep that lens around. I like it and I don't remember the exact price I paid for it (Off of eBay) but it was well under $100.00. They are solid good looking lenses.