What Is The Consensus For Recommended Mid-Range Cinema Zoom? $4000-ish

N

Nityananda_SCSMath

Active member
I, like many, am looking for a mid-range fast (f/2.8 or just a little slower) zoom lens for narrative filmmaking with the AF100.


It's hard to tell what the consensus among informed people is for what's good.

The Olympus Zuiko 14-35 ($2300) and 35-100 ($2500) are often mentioned, and that appears to be what AbleCineTech is recommending, it's the only fast zoom lens they include in one of their packages.
These seems like a good lens combo except that the 35-100 can't be used with a follow focus for repeatable focus marks, which does NOT lend it to narrative filmmaking. I suppose there was that Manfrotto 521PFI Focus Remote Control, would THAT work for the 35-100 ??

Then there is the Olympus Zuiko 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 and Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 but I don't know if these will work with repeatable focus pulls either. EDIT: OK they are SWD so they should.

There are the zoom lenses from RED, like the RED 17-50 f/2.8 ($6000) but surely there is a cheaper option for a sharp bright zoom lens that can do repeatable follow focus?

And there is the AF-S NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED zoom ($1300), can it be used with a follow focus? Wouldn't that be a better choice then the Zuiko lens that can't be used with a follow focus?
What about using Panasonic 7-14 f/2.8, NIKKOR 14-24 f/2.8, Nikkor 24- 70 f/2.8, and 70-200mm f/2.8? I'd rather have less lenses but that covers a long focal length and I THINK all those Nikkor's can be used with follow focus for repeatable focus pulling?

What about zooms from Canon, Nikon, Tamron, Tokina, etc? I would think for close to $5000 you can find some manual zooms at f/2.8 that look good and lend themselves to a certain degree to cinema-style shooting?




Basically my question is for those of you who know what's out there, what are your top recommendations for a bright zoom lens (or pair of lenses) that can do repeatable follow-focus pulls and comes in under $5000?

Would love to hear your thoughts....
-Chris
 
Last edited:
""""""And there is the AF-S NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED zoom, can it be used with a follow focus? Wouldn't that be a better choice then the Zuiko lens that can't be used with a follow focus?""""""

I have this lens, and have tested it on my Panny Lumix GF1 in anticipation of my AF100's arrival.

This Nikon lens works perfectly with the Redrock Micro V2 follow focus. It's really a fantastic lens. I own a host of other older fast Zuiko primes as well, and this Nikon blows them away in sharpness. I plan on the 17-55 being one of our go-to interview lenses on the AF100. I also have the Nikon 28mm f2.8 AFD, Nikon 50mm f1.4 AFS-G, Nikon 85mm f1.4 AFD, and Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AFD. All are bright and sharp on the GF1, and all work with the Redrock follow focus. Can't wait to use them on the AF100...
 
vicrattlehead said:
...And there is the AF-S NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED zoom, can it be used with a follow focus?

I have this lens, and have tested it on my Panny Lumix GF1 in anticipation of my AF100's arrival.
Click to expand...
vicrattlehead, how do you control the Nikkor 17-55mm's aperture on the GF1?
 
Nityananda_SCSMath said:

Then there is the Olympus Zuiko 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 and Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 but I don't know if these will work with repeatable focus pulls either.
Click to expand...

The 12-60 and the newer updated version of the 50-200 have SWD so the focus should be directly linked and not focus-by-wire like the 35-100.
 
lpowell said:
vicrattlehead, how do you control the Nikkor 17-55mm's aperture on the GF1?
Click to expand...

I use the Novoflex adapter, which has an aperture ring that controls the iris mechanism within Nikon lenses that don't have an external aperture ring (G lenses). You can also close the ring on the adapter down, and then control Iris with the standard ring on your older AFD Nikon lenses.

Been really happy with the Novoflex, and it's very solid. Worth the $290.
 
You could also look for the Tokina 28-70 AT-X Pro lenses.
Not the later SV (super value model), but the AT-X Pro I or II.
They have a constant aperture of 2.6 througout the zoom range, and sell on ebay for approx $ 200-300 (if you can find them).
These models are the most sought after, and are based on the famous Angenieux 28-70 optical formula.

This lens is mattebox friendly, because it does not extend during focusing and/or zooming (all is done inside the barrel). It also is almost parfocal, only the last 5mm or so to the telephoto side of the lens is off. But anything between 65mm-28mm is parfocal.
Sharpness and contrast wide open is not bad, although stopping down the lens a bit helps to improve it.

I did a simple comparison of the Angenieux 28-70 and Tokina 28-70 AT-X Pro I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKD98G59snA
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top