Rainbow Imaging Adapter w/Nikon Manual Primes?

traviswears

traviswears

Well-known member
About to purchase an Af100 for a client. Will be using my 60D as a Bcam on these shoots. Decided on Small DP for monitoring and now just stuck on lens issue.

I currently use a cheap Fotodiox adapter on my 60D to enable the use of a few of my father's old Olympus primes from the 70's and it works really, really well. I absolutely LOVE having the ap ring on the actual lens and the focus ring is like butter on these older lenses. Have never been a Nikon shooter, I don't know much about which of their lenses are best but was thinking about grabbing:

20mm 2.8 (or) 20mm 1.7 Panny pancake
50mm 1.2
85.mm 1.8 (or) 105 Micro 2.8

Will be primarily shooting interviews (Carson Daly Show style) w/a 2shot and OTS w/broll.

Anyone have any thoughts or footage using any of these combos? Also, is there a Nikon mount (that would work w/the RI adapter) fixed ap zoom w/ap control on the lens I could throw in instead of any of these lenses? I would love something like a 17-50 2.8...

I don't do much photography and am starting to really like the manual focus lenses for motion work. It's also nice that I could purchase a cheap adapter to use them w/my 60D as well. Am fairly new as a shooter so really appreciate the professional feedback.
 
You've got the right idea . . . primes.

I've got the Nikon 85mm 1.4, 50mm 1.2 with cheap eBay (Rainbow imaging) adapters hanging off them and couldn't be happier.
(especially not paying more than $25 a piece for the adapters).

Also have a Kipon adapter with built in iris that I use for a couple of my Canon lenses.
 
I guess to know what you need to get, we need to know what you have already. Why not complete a set of vintage olympus if you can so all the lenses match. If the canon ef adaptors come off easy, you could go with Olympus OM to m4/3 mount on the panny. If the canon adaptors are a PITA and you have one for each lens it may be easier to go with the plain ef - m4/3 adapter. I know double adaptors are not ideal, especially with cheap ones, but it is an option. If you find you are shooting b-roll a lot, it may be worth going with a gh2 rig, at least so sharing lenses is easier.
 
Now curious about this lens: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/186250-GREY/Nikon_1960_AF_S_Zoom_Nikkor_17_35mm.html

Looks like it has ap control on the lens itself. Any reason this wouldn't work w/this adapter?
http://www.amazon.com/RAINBOWIMAGIN...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1300040463&sr=8-1

If there's a Nikon mount 2.8 zoom w/ap control on the lens that I don't know about could someone link me to it? I've my hands full and know little to nothing about Nikon mounts. Would be much appreciated. I honestly don't want to spend $200 for an adapter that doesn't let me know which F-stop I'm using. I'm a little confused by the lack of fast adapter-free zoom choices available for this camera.
 
That lens should work with the adapter without aperture control. As you say, it's on the lens. I've got the Bowen (Kipon) adapter for my Nikon primes. It goes for $100 and I think it's fine.
 
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Cool. Wasn't sure if the mount was right or not. I know it says Nikon mount but was just making sure, the person who suggested it to me said his was 'modded' and I wasn't sure what that meant exactly.
 
The cheapy adapters are kind of a crap shoot in getting one with tight specs. Personally, I don't like the idea of my $1700 lens being held on by a cheap adapter.
 
I own the Nikon 17-35 2.8 and it's a great lens. But quite heavy and pretty expensive. It would be a brave person to put such a great and expensive lens on such a cheap adapter. Lenses don't work so well after they have fallen on a concrete floor.
 
Is there really a big issue w/lenses falling off these adapters? The cheap Olympus to EOS adapter I use clicks in and locks just fine. Feels just as secure as my normal lenses. Also, I'd likely be using this set-up w/mattebox and rails perhaps w/extra lens support.
 
traviswears said:
Is there really a big issue w/lenses falling off these adapters? The cheap Olympus to EOS adapter I use clicks in and locks just fine. Feels just as secure as my normal lenses. Also, I'd likely be using this set-up w/mattebox and rails perhaps w/extra lens support.
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I would read the reviews of this adapter on Amazon.com.

Personally I wouldn't trust a cheap adapter with an aluminium mount onto the camera which is load bearing.
 
I bought two adapters from rainbowimaging for some old Sony/Minolta AF slr lenses I had, as they were the only people I could find who made adapters for these lenses. They work fine, and fit the AF perfectly, I can't imagine them falling off. The only caveat I'd offer is that I'd buy one for each lens you have, and just attach them to the lens once and leave them on. Don't know how well they'd hold up to constantly being taken on and off.
 
DrHST said:
I bought two adapters from rainbowimaging for some old Sony/Minolta AF slr lenses I had, as they were the only people I could find who made adapters for these lenses. They work fine, and fit the AF perfectly, I can't imagine them falling off. The only caveat I'd offer is that I'd buy one for each lens you have, and just attach them to the lens once and leave them on. Don't know how well they'd hold up to constantly being taken on and off.
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+what he said.

I did the same thing (bought one for each lens), and while they undoubtedly lack the quality of finish & materials of the $400 version they're solid as a rock.
I'd be curious to hear of anyone that had their lens fall off (if it was properly attached in the first place).
 
That's kinda what I was thinking (and have experienced a little w/my cheap Olympus adapters). Am going ahead w/the older Nikons and the RI adapters. Thanks for the input guys!
 
Rainbowimaging is very good adapter,if you have more money to spent go for other brand,I am happy with Rainbow,thanks
 
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