What do you guys think of this lens package?

Michael Solomon

Michael Solomon

Well-known member
What do you guys think of this lens package that I'm considering for my new FS-100?

1) Sony LA-EA1 Adapter http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-LAEA1-Mount-Adaptor/dp/B003QK1VK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320965444&sr=8-1
2) Tokina AT-X Pro DX 11-16mm F/2.8 ASPH. For Sony/Minolta
http://www.amazon.com/Tokina-AT-X-DX-11-16mm-Minolta/dp/B00385YI9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320965483&sr=1-1
3) Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 Lens for Sony Cameras http://www.amazon.com/Rokinon-35mm-Lens-Sony-Cameras/dp/B004X1SG3U/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320965567&sr=1-1
4) Rokinon 85M-S 85mm F1.4 Aspherical Lens for Sony http://www.amazon.com/Rokinon-85M-S...ectronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320965598&sr=1-3-fkmr0

Does the adapter and all these lense works together? Will the lens/adapter combo give me electronic iris control using the wheel on the camera?

It was between using the Sony LA-EA1 adapter and sony mounts and going with Nikon mounts and a Nikon Adapter. Seems like Sony is preferable since (I think) I get electronic Iris control and the lenses actually focus the "correct" way.

Aside from that, have you guys used these? How's the focus throw? Long/short, smooth/stiff etc.
 
I have both the Rok lens' Both the 35 and 85 have about 100 degrees of focus throw (roughly from 8 oclock to 12 noon positions)
My 85 is about twice as "stiff" as the 35 on the focus (I assume that was intentional)
Both lens' are very good IMHO for the price range they are in. (and I would recommend them for that price range)
I have nikon mounts with novaflex adapters so I use everything manual.
 
Just waiting for someone to confirm that those lenses and the adapter are compatible, as well as that the combination will allow me to use on-camera iris control via the wheel and maybe AF?

Side note, what size follow focus rings do you use for the Samyang lenses? I can't find information on the width of the barrel.
 
Yes, the adapter is compatible with all of those lenses.

You will not get auto focus with any of those lenses (only with NEX mount lenses). With Tokina 11-16mm, you'll be able to control the iris using the wheel on the camera body. The Rokinon/Samyang lenses are all manual -- the iris control ring is on the lens.
 
Is there a better adapter than the LA-EA1 I've seen multiple people mention it isn't that great though they never elaborate why. Would it be better to go the Nikon route with more solid adapters?

Edit: and then last question, do sony lenses focus the "cine way"
 
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LA-EA1's plastic construction may not be the greatest. Also the aperture cannot be changed during a clip. The aperture stops down at the point when video capture begins.
 
From what I understand about the LA-EA1, when you stop down, it goes completely to the fastest aperture, then goes to your desired aperture. This was a showstopper for me and many others. Example -- if you are at f/8, and want to go to f/5.6, (and the lens is a f/2.8 lens) -- it won't just go straight to f/5.6. It will go to f/2.8, and then go to f/5.6.

Sony is coming out with a LA-EA2. Hopefully when stopping down it doesn't fully open up.

For me, I'm using a $50 fotodiox nikon adapter with manual aperture control on the adapter itself with nikon F-mount lenses (sigma, tokina 11-16mm, etc). The $300 Novaflex and $400 MTF are better adapters for sure.
 
I guess the other downside I didn't think about with Nikon and any of the manual rokinon lenses is I'll lose the ability to adjust the iris in 1/3rd stops ><

edit: another side note, I'm not seeing manual aperture control on the tokina 11-16mm nikon mount?
 
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Michael Solomon said:
Well since the lenses in my first post come in both Sony & Nikon variations, which route would you guys go.
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The biggest reason why you should go with a Nikon mount is the vast number of quality lenses Nikon offers. With those lenses, it won't make too much difference which mount you go with (the lens quality is going to be the same).

Also, LA-EA1 adapter's build quality is more solid than 99% third party adapters that are out there.
 
Yah, so it seems that there's no manual aperture control for the 11-16 tokina. So how are you guys changing the aperture on this lens when it's on the FS100?
 
Michael Solomon said:
Yah, so it seems that there's no manual aperture control for the 11-16 tokina. So how are you guys changing the aperture on this lens when it's on the FS100?
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Probably using a Nikon mount version (which has the manual aperture control)

I would (and have) personally go all Nikon mount. After PL it is one of the most adaptable and long lived mounts (technically it can be adapted easier than PL, but since PL is still the big dog I would place it up there) and because of these two things has quite a bit of legacy support and mount options on cameras (the F3, Red One, Epic, FS100, AF100 all the Canon DSLRs, etc. It was also one of the most popular mounts on the 35mm adaptors)

It would just be easier to future-proof your lenses if they were all in Nikon mount.

Please note though: these conclusions are based solely on my own opinions and observations and may be totally off-base (though I would like to think not of course...)
 
Michael Solomon said:
This adapter? http://www.amazon.com/Novoflex-Adapter-Nikon-Lenses-Cameras/dp/B0041GCXIG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320985061&sr=8-1

Or can you reference me to one that will allow for control over the 11-16mm tokina as well as the other two lenses I linked in the first post? Sorry, I'm finding the whole aperture control/mount/adapter thing confusing ><
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That adapter won't provide aperture control. Any lens other than the Sony A mount, the lens has to be manual and provide the aperture control on the lens itself. Not all Nikon mount lenses have manual aperture control. A case in point -- Tokina 11-16mm. IF you want that lens, you have to go with the Sony mount and LA-EA1 adapter.

On the other hand, all Rokinon lenses are fully manual. Meaning it'll have aperture control on the lens regardless what type of mount you go with.
 
Ah crap... just ordered the lenses and that adapter.... Guess I'll have to return the 11-16mm in favor of something that I can actually control the aperture on then. Maybe the nikkor 20mm or 24mm
 
Michael Solomon said:
Ah crap... just ordered the lenses and that adapter.... Guess I'll have to return the 11-16mm in favor of something that I can actually control the aperture on then. Maybe the nikkor 20mm or 24mm
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So just out of curiosity what did you end up going with?
 
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