Prime lenses - separating facts from fanboys.

[suicdekng]

I will be up front about this - I am a Canon fanboy. I insist that Canon has the best glass and cameras these days. I might be wrong, but you won't change my mind =P

HOWEVER - This weekend I had the opportunity to shoot on a 105mm f1.8 Nikkor manual lens, and a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 manual lens using a Fotodiox adapter to attach to my 7d. The images seemed sharper and more impressive than what I can get off my 24-70 2.8L canon. For awhile I have been looking into getting a couple primes, and I think now is a good time.

I know Canon, Zeiss and Nikon all have appealing options, and since this is for video ONLY, autofocus and the like is entirely irrelevant to me. Now, why I mentioned fanboys in the intro was because I know there are TONS of people on the nikon or canon glass argument sides, and I dont want someone's opinion based on brand preference. I am fine with getting one of each or whatnot.

I am planning on getting the Tokina 11-14mm 2.8 lens soon, but before that, I want to make sure there isnt a prime in the same range that would be a better option. Price isn't a huge concern, this is glass we are talking about. I cant afford 2k a lens, since i need several, but $1000 isn't unreasonable.

So, what I am looking for is a prime lens in the 100-110mm range, the 130-150 range and the 11-15mm range. a 200 wouldn't be out of the question, either.

I dont want to go with anything over a 2.8 aperture, because I don't assume that many primes in the 100-200mm range that are 2.8 or smaller could compete with the 70-200mm 2.8L canon lens. And I could just buy that lens and the tokina and be done with it... but then, i would have 3 zooms and no primes... and everyone seems to think primes are better. Soooo... talk me out of the 70-200mm 2.8L and into some primes!

Thank you all.

 

[miseducation]

Get the Tokina. People with the means to acquire more expensive or exclusive glass usually still end up with the Tokina.

 

[PerroneFord]

It's simple...

Vintage glass looks different to modern glass.

I have Nikon, Canon, Fujinon, and Sigma glass. I like it all for different reasons.

I wanted a Nikon SET so that when I am lensing movies, I can move from lens to lens and keep a consistent look. You could do that on a fast zoom as well. Until you try to add a follow-focus unit to it. Then, the short throw of modern zooms falls short.

If all you want to do is attach a lens to your camera and shoot some video, then buy a Tokina, a Canon, or whatever. They all look just fine to me. Computer designed, contrasty, sharp. Vintage glass is a bit different. And has a look you don't get with modern glass. As you noted from your use of those old Nikon primes... I fell in love with that look over 20 years ago. Haven't changed my mind yet.