Our Second F3

jcoxshooter

jcoxshooter

Well-known member
We are about to buy our second f3 and are planning on going with with the red 18-50 lens. On our first one we have the red 18-85 but want our second unit to not have to so bulky. Is the 18-50 as nice as the 18-85 monster of lens?
 
I have the 18-50. A very compact lens and decent for the money when you can find them. 17-50 is better but more expensive. The built on the 18-50's is touch and go. Some units are good. Others have balky mechanisms. Mine is a little stiff and I'll get it serviced when I have some down time. As a general purpose PL "variable prime" the 18-50 is worth the $3K or so you will pay.

Ned Soltz
 
I have rented the RED 17-50 zoom and the 50 Red Prime. While nicely built and a good form factor, I find both lenses soft and lacking contrast. I hate to say that the Nikon 17-55 f2.8 is a better lens (optically). Sure its a crap lens as far as build and the aperture control is lousy, the image IS better and noticably sharper. Again, I know all of the reasons not to use this lens, but it's sharper, higher contrast, lighter weight, and cheaper-least of all. Believe me I would rather own the RED, but I can't justify the poorer image quality for a better feeling lens. I use an Optitec adapter to secure the lens to the F-3, and also has far better aperture control than a lousy MTF adapter. I know what you're thinking, so enjoy the RED zoom, it looks great on the F-3 and is very nicely balanced with the camera.
P.S. just so you don't think that price was my real motivator, my main lens is the 18-80 Alura 2.6. Best $25K I have ever invested in video gear. Just no way to hand hold it.
 
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