Other: Samyang/Rokinon Primes any good?

I would not do that personally because it is another 'gotcha' to have some vignette creep in, tape it at 16 maybe.

S
 
Never once had that while I had that lens, but I wouldn't do it now because I sold my 11-16 and went with wide angle primes instead :)
 
Nirv
I think SamRok lenses are OK, you will be amzes at how plastic and light they are!

Particularly interesting are designs that have come to play since the golden era of manual glass.. ie those that only cover S35 eg the 16.

Be aware they focus the other way from your nikons.

Personally Id get 35/50/80 in nikon and consider a 16 and 28(?) from SamRok,

18 20 24 nikkors are a bit precey now.

More usual in the sub 18mm end is the Tonka 11-16

Im doing OK with my 10-24 Tonka

Of course it is worth considering the speed boosted options which basically make a 24 'wide enough'

S

Sage advice Sam, having slept on this I think I'm going to get a speedbooster and Nik 24-70 immediately and put off the prime purchase until I've thoroughly checked out the ZF.2 range.

The 24-70 should give me the "look" I miss from my AIS primes and maybe think about getting a really very good wide prime or the Tonka and I may not need the primes. The 24-70 was wasted on the FS100 but looking at the specs again it might be more of a fit for the FS7.

Are there any close focus issues using the speedbooster with the 24-70? I read somewhere the speedboosters increase the close focus of the lens i.e. gets worse.
 
You mean the modern 24-70?

Personally I dont really like it as the focus seems to catch - it did not seem a worthwhile trade up (at £700) to my £125 28-85 or £100 35-70

Close focus? yep it is the nature of 'speed boosting' to have a negative impact on close focus.

Actually the close focus is constant ie 36inches (for example) with or without the device... the thing is that 36 inches with a non boosted 50 might provide a very tight frame while 36in and a boosted 50 might not enable you to fill the frame enough.

Same old. All lenses are a compromise, personally I take good focus feel and low price.

edit - I considered the 24-70 before the booster was launched I dont know what I would think of it now.. if it has better ability to fill the frame at the long end than the 28-85 when boosted I might take the trade off in 'feel' ? it is still of that generation of lenses that is not designed to last a generation.


S
 
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also dont forget the Stigma 18-35 which has a good rep.

Ive just borrowed one but not played with it yet. (more interested in the nikoor 180/2.8 that was also in the box!)

S
 
Close focus..?

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/2870afs.htm[SIZE=+2]

Maximum Reproduction Ratio
[/SIZE]

1:5.6.
(The 24-70mm AF-S gets to 1:3.7.)

Seems like the 24-70 is better for both FOV and max magnification????

Im not sure what end of the zoom range the max mag is at.
with the 28-85 manual 'macro' is at the wide end (bad IMO)
and the 35-70 the macro is at the long end (good IMO)



S
 
I have the 35-135 and its close focus is out the door and into the next room so isn't a candidate for boosting. Nice image though.

I'm going to check out the 24-70 for the interim and I'll give some zeiss ZFs some serious consideration down the line.

The fact I started this thread discussing primes then finished it discussing zooms is a good thing especially for the bank balance.
 
Well If you have time for primes Im not sure what is wrong with the combo I had for ever when shooting film stills on my FM2.

24-50-135

(+booster for S35)

You'd get those three for £500 all with close focus and 2.8 or wider (2 on the booster)
S
 
Personally I use Leica R with Nikon mounts and a speed booster. Though some times a little steep in coin, they can be had for a good price if you are patient and shop around.
I really like the look though.
 
I have the 12mm and 16mm Rok primes. Very sharp with just a bit of lateral CA. Fairly bright. Focus a bit touchy near the far end of focal range but usable.
 
Okay...BOOM.

Found this great demo video of the Sam/Rok 16mm, 35mm, and 85mm CINE lenses on a BMCC. - KILLER. GORGEOUS.

The first 5-minutes are these 3 lenses - identified in tiny text at the bottom left.
If this don't do it for ya, I don't know what will.
Later on they shoot with the 24mm and it's clear that lens has issues. No matter - stick to these 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdgYfhpzxbg

I lack these exact focal lengths in my lens collection. Guess what I'm buyin'...can ya guess?
 
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