Wedding lenses. So much choice, don't want to get it wrong.

M

MBradshaw

Member
Hi everyone, I've read so many threads, both here and on other sites but still not certain I'm going the right way.

I'm about to move from Sony Z7's to two FS100s or a fs100 and a fs700. I have no current lenses apart from a few minolta mds and a minolta 70-210 f4 i use with my vg10.

I need fast lenses for weddings but trying to figure out how important Image stabilisation is. For now it seems the only way to get IS/OS is to use the kit lens (too slow) canon lenses with metabones adaptor (Hard to get adaptor at the moment) or sigma [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]70-200mm f/2.8 with OS in an alpha mount.[/FONT]

I'm worried about going the wrong way and because I have to buy lenses for two cameras thats a lot of money to invest. At the moment I'm leaning towards sony lenses such as a 16-50 2.8 because it's parfocal and the sigma 70-200, both with the la-ea2.

Anyone else that does weddings or work in low light situations have another solution? Sony's lens roadmap say they are going to release some fast wide zooms and long zooms which is probably what I'l end up with, but I need something to use for the next year or however long it takes them to bring them out.

Appreciate the help. Michael.
 
Frankly, the best image stabilizer is a tripod/monopod. It simply cannot be beat. Outside of that, go for the fastest lenses you can afford.
 
Hi gary, i hardly, if ever take the camera off tripod . if is isnt something to worry about do you think i'd be better with some nikons and the novoflex adaptor? so many factors!
 
Nikons are the best all-around lenses you can use, considering that they are so adaptable. You can simply purchase another Nikon G adapter and to put them on practically any other camera you may one day own. I personally have a set of fast primes in the Nikon F mount with manual aperture as these are even more compatible still. I use them on a GH2, but I can rest easy knowing that an FS100/700 or C300 or anything is merely a decently priced adapter away.

As for zooms, don't go slower than a f/2.8, and I especially recommend the Nikon G version of the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 because that can give you a lovely wide that always seems to really open up the space.
 
nikon 17-55mm 2.8 is a great lens, sharp wide open & nice bokeh at the long end of the zoom - recommend the novoflex adaptor
 
I use the Nikon 17-55mm F/2.8 and Nikon 80-200mm F/2.8 for event coverage.

The 80-200mm is parfocal. Haven't been let down by these two yet seems to be
a good deal in terms of coverage. Not to mention they are just plain sharp. That
80-200mm is an amazing pick for sharpness and just overall quality.
 
yes the nikon 80-200 is another great addition, you will need lens support - wasnt aware its parfocal, will do my own test but read somewhere else it wasnt so would always refocus after zooming
 
ade4all said:
yes the nikon 80-200 is another great addition, you will need lens support - wasnt aware its parfocal, will do my own test but read somewhere else it wasnt so would always refocus after zooming
Click to expand...

By my tests, focusing on something zoomed and then zooming all the way out I have been
able to verify it remains in focus. Also you are very correct a lens support is a must with
this one. It's quite heavy! Worth the weight however.
 
Chris Johnston said:
Sony 16-50 2.8 is parfocal? You might want to check on that.
Click to expand...

http://www.shawnlam.ca/2011/sony-sal1650-on-nex-fs100/

This is where I get the Info that the Sony 1650 is parfocal. Apparently some people have had to send them back until they get one but they are supposed to be parfocal.

In terms of nikons lenses with manual iris what should I be searching for to find these? Is there a particular range or mount to search for?

Appreciate this, seems I'll be getting Nikon stuff now. Adaptors are cheaper too.
 
Nikon F is the mount you want for manual aperture. And I highly recommend you get them "declicked", which makes the iris ring as smooth as the focus ring. That allows you to smoothly change the aperture, say, from shooting outdoors and going in. The transition is seamless.
 
Thanks Damien, is this from zacuto? Do you just screw this to the tripod mount on the lens and then slide it up the rails? This is all new to me so I'm not sure whether the lens is screwed down or whether it just rests on the rails through a support.
 
Yes, it's from Zacuto. The center rod with 1/4" thread just slides out completely. You can attach the rod to the lens first (and loosen up the lock knob on the lens so it spins freely) , then mount to camera. The Zacuto mount support will slide up from below and clamp to your rod support. Very easy.
I don't know where you live, but I found this on Craigslist (LA): http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/pho/3013310404.html All you would need after that is the 2 inch rod with 1/4" thread on top. Can't be too much money.
 
Hi Damien, I'm in UK but sometimes it's still cheaper to buy stuff from the US even shipping and taxes! Appreciate the help.
 
I'm buying the 16-50 with the LAEA1 adapter because its parfocal, no need for AF or messing with the mirror so the extra $200 for a LAEA2 is a waste for me. I was playing with one is a Sony store last week on a A77 and its a nice lens, Shawn Lam is right - it should be a "G" lens. Its put together just like the 24-70. Why not try the Minolta with the FS100? That's only 1 stop slower than a 2.8 and the FS100 is so clean at high gain settings with virtually no light - and the grain is much more acceptable than something like a 5d2. Check the comparisons on YouTube and Vimeo - at ISO 6400 equivalent the FS100 is so much cleaner than any DSLR IMHO. All of my lenses except for the Nex 18-55, 50/1.8 and the 24/1.8 are adapted Rokkors. And my Rokkor 24/2.8 is so good that I'm getting ready to ditch the Nex Zeiss 24 and use the cash for the two Sigma lenses and a Tokina 11-16 in Sony mount.

You can carry the extra bulk of larger lenses, but why if you don't need to? One stop doesn't make a difference on the FS100.
 
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