FS7: The Prime Hunt Is on...

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digitalinnovations

Well-known member
So I'm starting to look at prime lenses for my FS7, a7rii and C100. I'm leaning toward EF mount for flexibility and I can use my Metabones SB and standard adapters for focal length flexibility on my Sony cams.

My question becomes, what lenses should I be looking at? The new Zeiss Milvus? Rokinon DS? Xeen (probably out of my budget right now but I love the uniform size of the true cinema lenses).

Also, what would be your "go to" for the first lens in a set? 35? 24? 21? 50?

I'd love to hear some thoughts...
 
I would go with a 50mm, I recently got the Samyang 50mm and it's decent, not a bad lens. I also got the 10mm which I'm falling in love with, I know, my 16mm is going to be jealous, but there's a new girl in town.
 
Look at the veydras 25,35,50 and soon the 85mm t2.2
i bought the 35mm and really like it now getting the 50 and 85. They are true cine lenses with 300 degree turns smooth mechanics very sharp optics small and light also under 1k each. It's really nice to work with proper cine glass.
 
icarusfilm said:
Look at the veydras 25,35,50 and soon the 85mm t2.2
i bought the 35mm and really like it now getting the 50 and 85. They are true cine lenses with 300 degree turns smooth mechanics very sharp optics small and light also under 1k each. It's really nice to work with proper cine glass.
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I thought Veydras were made for Micro Four Thirds sensor, do they cover Super 35 ?
 
If you go with EF mount consider picking up both a Speedbooster & a standard E-mount adapter, then start with a 24mm, & a 50mm lenses. Those combinations will cover 17mm, 24mm, 35mm, & 50mm.
 
Depending on your tastes, you might look at vintage lenses like the Zeiss/Contax line, if you're into full manual glass. I've got a set of three (28mm f2, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4) and I can use them on any camera I work with, which generally includes the C100, GH4, and Sony A7S.
 
+1 for samyang
ive got a 14, 24, 50, 85, 135 on a sb ultra.
i mostly use the 50, 85 for interviews, and 14, 135 for gvs. I've just bought a 100 macro, as been in a few situation that really needed it!
 
Agree about the Contax glass mentioned above. I shoot exclusively on Canon-modded Contax glass and have 11 of them. Same optics and coatings as old Zeiss Superspeeds, for a fraction of the price. Very organic rendering.

As for focal lengths, it is 1000% dependant on what you're shooting and you shooting style.

But if I had a single lens it would be a 35mm. Wide enough to get wides. Close enough to do interviews. Zoom with your feet etc.

A good fast 85mm can be the perfect interview lens if you want to throw the back out of focus.

And a 21mm is a thing of absolute beauty, especially the Contax one.

For run and gun stuff I have the Contax 28-85 and the 80-200. You can pay as little as £400 for the pair of them which is without question the best bang for buck of any lens out there. The 28-85 especially is sharp as most primes and on a speedbooster will give you 21-56mm f2.8ish.
 
Yeah, I have 5 Zeiss Contax and they are my go to for prime duties. I keep my trust Canon 50 1.2 when I want a warmer or modern look to match other Canon lenses, but the rendering on the Contax really punches above their weight. Unfortunately they aren't really a cheap buy anymore, as they are quite popular.
 
The Veydras look pretty solid but my hesitation is I'd like full frame coverage. I'm also leaning towards EF mount because I'm not if I'll be sticking with Sony bodies forever and EF seems to either be adaptable or worst case they'd be easier to sell later.

I've heard about the Zeiss Contax lenses but aren't those difficult to find or no?
 
Had a Veydra 5-lens set gathering dust so last week brought a few over to Hot Rod Cameras for a mount swap from m4/3 to NEX (E). The process isn't suppose to require a lens tech, but figured they've been thru it before. The 25mm, & 50mm, conversions were simple enough, but the 35mm had to be sent back to Veydra. HRC offered to swap my lens for a new one, but again couldn't remove the mount, so the issue might not be isolated. Veydra states they use Lockite on the threads, however the screws should still be removable.

Another downside is the focus scales are not accurate, but Veydra states this was a compromise needed to hit their price point.

The lenses are small compared to my "L" primes, especially when the latter is mounted to a Metabones. They balance nicely, & look appropriate, on a minimally rigged FS7. The build is great compared to most other modern options, save for true Cine lenses, but let down by the lack of rigidity in the m4/3, & NEX, mounts, so need a bit of love when used with a manual follow focus.

So far I've only played with them, & haven't come to firm conclusions, but they've mostly been a pleasure, & vaguely remind me of vintage Standard Speeds. If I find myself using Center Crop mode often I could convert the 12mm, & 16mm, to NEX also.

May pickup the 85mm, which is due soon, but more concerned about the lack of a wide-angle, & would like something in the 16mm-19mm range that provides similar color reproduction, & maximum aperture (T2.2). The Contax 25mm/2.8 with a Speedbooster might fit the bill, but I've heard mixed reviews of it's performance wide-open, & unsure if an EF adapted version will work with a Focal Reducer. The cost of a mint-condition 25mm, plus a C/Y Speedbooster, is on par with some of the Veydras, but an EF option could be useful on other cameras too.
 
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I have a Veydra 25mm (currently with Sony E mount but easily switchable to m4/3 mount, which I also have) about to post for sale in the market place. If anyone is interested let me know and I can give you the details.
 
Bern Caughey said:
May pickup the 85mm, which is due soon, but more concerned about the lack of a wide-angle, & would like something in the 16mm-19mm range that provides similar color reproduction, & maximum aperture (T2.2).
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I saw something recently (sorry, don't remember where) that Veydra said they have something coming up for e-mount in the near future. My guess is there will be a 16mm or similar for e-mount.
 
The only decent thing about veydras is their price point. They still breathe and have pretty awful CA.

Likewise I've owned and used Samyangs plenty of times and they are fast and cheap. But they're a long way away from being great in their own right. They're just great for the price. But compare a £400 Samyang 35mm f1.4 to a £180 Contax Zeiss 35mm f2.8 and you'll see the Zeiss is exponentially better. Sharper, better rendition. Nicer falloff. Great mechanics.
 
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