The. Lens. Thread.

It's not really distortion as such, just extreamly exagerated perspective. The perspective is actualy real, it's just that you're not used to seeing it.
I could say check out Ansel Adams "The Camera" if it's still in print for explanations, and discusions on "Creative departures from reality".
Dave
 
dave: Stretched objects as you get closer to the corners is distortion in my book. now, maybe there are difference in definition of the word "distortion"
 
85mm is too long for handheld? Let me clarify some things: I have very steady hands, and I will always be using a gunstock "buskhawk"
( http://www.bushhawk.com/_product_42133/Deluxe_Kit )

Would it really look bad to use on that?


Anyways, I know 300-400 bucks is cheap, but I am really talking any 50-150 bucks lenses at the focal lengths I listed. Manual. It seems you can get some nice 3rd party 50mm lenses for that, so where are all the 28,35,and 85mm bargains? Sorry, I don't have very much money. I have to buy all of my audio and lighting gear myself.
 
Ok guys, still wondering about the lenses. Thought I would post the golden info now though. I found this thread on the cinema5d forums: http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.p...k=t&sd=a&sid=7ec5b8b7e217c5eab7971247c1c70d3a

It's just a thread on primes that are good. The posts from Adam M I found very very helpful. I am going to paste in his quote here. It's an awesome post:


Lots of great primes to try, many work with a tight budget.

I shoot mostly alternate glass, and still do even with the new firmware. I've sold all of my canon lenses but two, because the alt glass is superior for video and stills.

This is my first post here on Cinema5D, so i'll share some juicy secrets:

Here's my short list:
Pentax SMC 20mm f4 Great lens, incredibly small. Good luck finding one, but if you do ! $300
Olympus OM Zuiko 28mm f3.5 Not super fast, but super small and incredibly sharp. Sharper than the Canon and better tonal range $50-$80
Carl Zeiss 28mm f2.8 distagon A legendary 28mm, but i prefer my zuiko 28mm $300
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektagon 35mm f2.4 Insanely sharp, incredible lack of distortion, fantastic close focusing. Absolutely killer. $100-200
Pentax Super-Takumar 50mm f1.4 Some versions have thorium radioactive glass (not harmful) and it's an incredibly dreamy lens. One of my favorites, ever. $40 !
Pentax SMC 50mm f1.4 Many say it's better than the legendary Zeiss and i agree. Amazing contrast, punch. Far better than the canon 50mm f1.4, and only $100-$150 You need to modify the lens a little to not hit the mirror. Easy 5 mins.
Contax Carl Zeiss 35-70mm f3.4 As good or better than every Canon L prime within it's range. Better than the primes ! Killer macro mode too. Must have lens. $350
Minolta Rokkor 58mm f1.2 The legend. You need to hack the back or get a custom mount, but woah, f1.4 and SHARP WIDE OPEN. Arguably better than the $4500 Noct-Nikkor. I got mine for $250, but i hear the price is running up these days
Leica R 90mm f2 Summicron This thing is like two lenses in one. Wide open it's sharp but beautifully dreamy and 3D - great for headshots (a bit like the Pentax Super-Takumar 50mm f1.4 radioactive). Stopped down it's razor sharp. Leica lenses have this wonderful way they 'draw' and the results have this '3d' look to them. Some clients have specifically asked for the '3d' lens. $300 There's an APO corrected version which is blazing sharp wide open, much more expensive, and not as good for portraits.

So no.. You don't have to shoot Nikon. There's a lot better alternate lenses than Nikon, and they're cheap. All of these lenses work on your 5D with the right adapter, available on ebay for $20-$45 each. Many have focus confirm chips so they 'beep' when in focus.

Build an entire rig for half the price (or less) of a Canon L lens.

The killer price / performance setup:
Olympus OM Zuiko 28mm f3.5 $50-$80 It's not just good for the price, it's good for ANY price. This lens is sick
Pentax SMC 50mm f1.4 $100-$150 Fast, razor sharp, near as good as a 50mm gets. Period.
Canon 85mm f1.8 $300-$400 Yep, not an alternate... This thing should be called an L lens. They're incredible, cheap, fast and way-overlooked.

World-class quality with a wide, standard and semi telephoto for only $500-$600ish wow

I've got around 23 alt lenses, done numerous shootouts, obsessed over reviews and tech specs. You can get really great stuff cheap, if you don't mind manual focus (great) and manual aperture (great)

Good luck. There's a whole world of amazing (and dirt cheap) lenses which work on the dreamy 5D
Click to expand...


So based on that, I am still gonna get the 28-75mm, and I am gonna try to find one of those Pentax SMC 50mm f1.4's. That's it for now, but I really really want to save up for the Canon 85mm f1.8 after reading more about it. And then, I just need a wider lens. I wonder how hard the modification on the Pentax 50mm is though. That worries me a bit.
 
boogerg2, what I'm seeing in your photo is simply the very steep perspective that any wide angle lens will give. The people in the foreground are just nearer the camera, that they're also nearer the edge is co-incidence.
Do a test: Take an object and move it from centre to edge keeping the distance constant. Does it appear bigger? If it does, that's distortion.
Dave
 
I've never used the Tamron 28-75mm but from reviews it seems to be a good lens optically. Though I doubt it has very good mechanical properties, you can purchase it and see how it works for you. That's the MO of a lot of people here including myself, buy a lens, try it out, if you don't like sell it and get something else.

I'm of the opinion that eclecticism (is dat a word?) is a nice thing in musical taste, but for cinema, having a whole bunch of disparate lenses from all sorts of manufacturers isn't always a good thing unless you're just collecting for kicks. Which is fine and I do it too being a lens nerd. But if you're shooting cinema, and even a doc, it's professional to decide on one line of lenses from the same manufacturer, like the Zeiss ZFs which I know are too expensive for you.

My vote for the Canon 5D for budget narrative work: 24mm F2.8 ai or ais, 50mm F1.4 ai or ais, 105mm F2.5 ai or ais. That will cost you about $600 though, probably too much. I can't think of much more because I don't have the experience with Pentax or other lens lines besides Minolta which doesn't work for Canon.

For docs and music videos I would just use Canon EOS AF glass.

Entity said:
Ok guys, still wondering about the lenses. Thought I would post the golden info now though. I found this thread on the cinema5d forums:
It's just a thread on primes that are good. The posts from Adam M I found very very helpful. I am going to paste in his quote here. It's an awesome post:



So based on that, I am still gonna get the 28-75mm, and I am gonna try to find one of those Pentax SMC 50mm f1.4's. That's it for now, but I really really want to save up for the Canon 85mm f1.8 after reading more about it. And then, I just need a wider lens. I wonder how hard the modification on the Pentax 50mm is though. That worries me a bit.
Click to expand...
 
Entity said:
Ok guys, still wondering about the lenses. Thought I would post the golden info now though. I found this thread on the cinema5d forums: http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.p...k=t&sd=a&sid=7ec5b8b7e217c5eab7971247c1c70d3a

It's just a thread on primes that are good. The posts from Adam M I found very very helpful. I am going to paste in his quote here. It's an awesome post:

So based on that, I am still gonna get the 28-75mm, and I am gonna try to find one of those Pentax SMC 50mm f1.4's. That's it for now, but I really really want to save up for the Canon 85mm f1.8 after reading more about it. And then, I just need a wider lens. I wonder how hard the modification on the Pentax 50mm is though. That worries me a bit.
Click to expand...

I agree with most of what he say's but although I'm not familiar with the 20mm f/4 you could almost get a nikon 20mm f/2.8 a legendary lens for that money. Another option is the russian arsat 20/2.8, they can be had new for a bit over $100. There is a 50mm super tak smc which IMO is the one to go for. Oh and he sounds like a nikon hater....they've made some great lenses but they are a little overpriced and you can get as good or better for less.
 
My lenses just arived.
The Jupiter is a little sticky but I think that's just down to lack of use, I'll work it a bit to see if it eases up, but for £40 (Not £60 as I thought) it's wort a punt.
The Leitz is GORGEOUS (As you' expect) beautilfully even focus throw of getting on for 300 deg from inf to 2.5m, and the finish makes any Canon Ef lens look crude, only my old 135 f/2.5 FD comes close.
Can't wait to shoot some photos with it!
Now to buy that 5DII (If I've got any money left!)
Dave
 
heh for 40 pounds you can afford to pay to get it lubed.

just did my first grading test, pretty impressed with "the precious". up on vimeo shortly.
 
Looking forwart to seeing it.
I may well get that Jupiter lubed, bit frustrated at the moment, the M42 adapters That I ordered are stuck in the post, due to "industrial action" innaction more like, probably won't get them till Monday now. Bummer! Fortunately I've got a spare Leica R adapter I can use (I'm using one per lens and keeping them there).
Dave
 
A lot of M42 lenses have mirror clearance issues on the 5D, so in all likelihood on the 5DII.

Here's a list: http://www.panoramaplanet.de/comp/

My K mount pentax 50 1.4 requires removing a rather large protruding lip before I can use it on the 5DII without mirror issues.

One way around a lot of mirror issues is to start up live view without the lens on, then seat the lens, and don't turn the camera off or leave live view until you've removed the lens.

Kind of a pain in the ass.

But having the mirror drop and smack into the rear element of the lens or a protruding piece of metal is usually no big deal. The mirror is lightweight plastic, and a stuck mirror is not a "fatal error". You remove the lens, the mirror falls the rest of the way, and you're back to normal.

I would imagine having the mirror hit something on the way up could be more of a problem.

Mirror shaving is a pretty good solution. It can affect resale value depending on who's buying. Plenty of people would pay more for a 5DII with a properly shaved mirror. I'm not certain what it does to the warranty however...
 
cool thx for the list I'd been thinking about whether any of my lenses had clearance issues and wondered whether anybody had put together a list. I was thinking about getting a pentacon 50 but it looks like it's not an option. It looks like the sup taks won't work either. But yeah putting it into live view with the mirror up works if you don't need to shoot stills with the viewfinder.
 
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PaulM said:
A lot of M42 lenses have mirror clearance issues on the 5D, so in all likelihood on the 5DII.

Here's a list: http://www.panoramaplanet.de/comp/

My K mount pentax 50 1.4 requires removing a rather large protruding lip before I can use it on the 5DII without mirror issues.

One way around a lot of mirror issues is to start up live view without the lens on, then seat the lens, and don't turn the camera off or leave live view until you've removed the lens.

Kind of a pain in the ass.

But having the mirror drop and smack into the rear element of the lens or a protruding piece of metal is usually no big deal. The mirror is lightweight plastic, and a stuck mirror is not a "fatal error". You remove the lens, the mirror falls the rest of the way, and you're back to normal.

I would imagine having the mirror hit something on the way up could be more of a problem.

Mirror shaving is a pretty good solution. It can affect resale value depending on who's buying. Plenty of people would pay more for a 5DII with a properly shaved mirror. I'm not certain what it does to the warranty however...
Click to expand...

Hey. Do you have the SMC 50mm 1.4? I really want this lens and I have been reading all about filing lenses back parts down etc, but I don't know specifically what parts. I know that it is possible to modify this lens to work with the 5dmii, so I know that it is possible, I just don't know if it: (1) is beyond my expertise/abilities, (2) requires tools I don't have or can't buy cheaply, and (3) if I would risk damaging the lens.

So I was planning on just buying a hand file and buying the lens. I know that once I see it and see what exactly the problem is/where it hits i will know what to file. Is it this simple? Or do I not need to file anything? The list you posted (thanks btw), just says to "remove back ring and aperture lever." It doesn't say how to do that... Also, will removing the aperture level affect my ability to use the manual aperture ring? I assume no and that the lever is just for when you are using auto expose with a pentax body.

Final thing. There are two "EOS to K mount adapters" on ebay. One is twice as much and brags that it communicates electronically with the body so that it beeps when in focus. I think that this would be helpful, but it could potentially annoying if it beeped excessively or if the focus was a little off etc. Also if it beeped during video mode that would be a nightmare. What do you think the chances of that are?

Here are the two adapters:

http://shop.ebay.com:80/items/__EOS...tax+K+mount+&_cqr=true&_nkwusc=K+mount&_rdc=1




Also, dagnabbit. I need like two grand more to get the basics of my kit! Urg, this is the problem with choosing the 5d mark ii over the GH-1. But I can't change my mind now... I'm in love lol. Anybody have ideas for where I can get 2 grand :undecided :grin:

But seriously.
 
I can't remember if you told us but what exactly are you expecting to shoot with your DSLR?

I know how tough it is to decide between the GH1 and MKII and if I wasn't being paid for pro stills shoots I might have bought the GH1. If it means you have to be dirt poor otherwise then go for a GH1 and get something like a minolta 50/1.4 MC rokkor for low light for $60.

I'm not sure a mirror shave is a great idea when DSLRs are being improved all the time and the biggest resale market for the MKII is stills photographers who may or may not like the idea of a shaved mirror. Plus if you're mostly shooting video you can just engage live view to raise the mirror and it's only a problem shooting at infinity.

The fact is the ultimate DSLR is in a box somewhere or still on a drawing board so you have to buy what you need to shoot with now, get a good price and consider resale value or generate work to pay for it until the ultimate DSLR is available.

I just came across the sigma 17-70mm AF zoom in my search for a 50 with nice bokeh. The sigma appears to have a pretty nice bokeh and isn't very expensive new so it might be worth looking at.
 
I have decided on the 5d, but yeah, the price has made me doubt that decision a couple of times. The thing is, I am also into photography, though I have never owned a DSLR and have only borrowed my friends' and used my school's for projects. The 5d stills makes my mouth water.

My priority is Definitely video/film though. And I really like the footage i am seeing out of it. I will be shooting highly planned out and cinematic shorts first and foremost. I will also be doing some stuff with less planning such as comedy sketches which will have loose scripts but no shot scripts. Finally, I will just take it around with me to document life. Oh, and I will make short documentary pieces here and there. haha. Out of all of those things though, the shorts are the most important. For anything that the 5d ii doesn't seem suited to, I can use my little HF-10 which is actually amazing for the price.


Back to Lenses: I wasn't considering shaving the Mirror, just the actual lens. I wouldn't get the actual camera modified. Heavens no. Do you think I should scrap the idea of this Pentax SMC 50mm 1.4 amazing lens for a great price because of the complications? Is it this hard to use all 3rd party lenses? Ugh.

Also, could you link me to that sigma? How fast is it and would it be a better option than the 28-75 f/2.8 Tamron that I am planning on getting?
 
One thing to add. PLEASE don't go chopping a Zeiss or Leica lens. Some of these are valuable and collectible, and may end up being worth more in resale than the cam. Also the idea of chopping a Leica lens is, to me, something like sacrilege!
Dave
 
Have you looked at that compatible lens list? There's quite a few options there. I don't think the pentax can be modified but there are a couple of pentax lenses (the 55mm I think) that are OK. The Olympus OM 50/1.4 is a good one too.

The sigma is f/2.8-4.5 This seemed to be the best price on ebay- http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360163368339

There's a huge library of pics taken with it on flickr. Don't know how it compares to the Tamron but if you google I'm sure you can find out.
 
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