What would you include in an essential Prime lens outfit?

T

thinkoffline

Member
Hi everyone!

I am a newbie to cinematography. I apologize, therefore in advance! I do have a steeped background in VFX as a Flame Artist but this is my first attempt behind camera.

I have a question. I have just splashed out on an HVX200, a Letus Extreme, Tripod, Matte-box, Follow Focus etc. and, now that funds are becoming limited, I was wondering what anyone out there might recommend as a good set of Primes?

I opted for the Nikon mount on the Letus to compliment my stills camera but have just found that the DSLR lenses don't work with 35mm adapters! Gutted!!

Am assuming that a 50mm f/1.4 and a 28 f/1.4 are pretty necessary but am wondering what is best togo to for a long lens? 85mm, 105mm, 135mm etc?

Any advice anyone may have would be greatly appreciated!

I am looking at lenses offered by the following dealer: http://www.lenses35.com/order.html
If anyone has had any experience with them I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks so much in advance for any help!
 
I own a 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm. I also own a pinhole adapter.

However, it is important to note that Speilberg shot Catch Me If You Can with a 35mm, 50mm and 85mm. It isn't necessary to have a huge number of lenses.

I wouldn't recommend buying the lenses from the link you listed. The lenses are really slow. Go to ebay and stick with lenses that are in the 1.2-1.4 range. Your DP is going to thank you when you're only losing a half stop of light through your glass.

I wouldn't buy anything slower than a 2. Slow lenses will require you to bring a significantly larger lighting package...and if you're an independent filmmaker this is tough to come by.

Consider the true costs. Faster lenses might cost another 100 dollars a lens. But, a 1 day rental on a 5K is 100 bucks. You'll have offset the extra money spent on lenses after a week of shooting.

Also, producers and directors don't always understand this area, so they'll think you're a miracle worker (when all you did is make a smart purchase.) You'll hear things like "Damn! The last DP needed twice as much light and it never looked this good! You're AMAZING!" Don't bother mentioning it was because you were using faster glass. They wouldn't understand what that means anyways.
 
20mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, 300mm

the faster the better, go for the fastest lens you can buy, even if you need to wait to buy them all, try to stay under 2.0 if you can, KEH.com is a great place to get used lenses.


Jon
 
Hey guys - thanks so much for this input - really great! I think I will aim for a 28mm, 50mm and 85mm to start me off - seems like a good spread to begin from. I should also have mentioned that I am very conscious of the need for good lenses but also for the practicality of experimentation. Cheap lenses will get me shooting - for pro shoots I am planning to hire PL lenses and upgrade my Letus mount.

Forgive my ignorance but when you advised to stick with lenses in the 1.2-1.4 range I am having some trouble. I'm finding loads of 50mm's at that range, but no 28's or 85's am I not looking hard enough? Even my Ebay search just came up with 50's at 1.4. They all seem to be coming in at f/2.8 which I know is above the threshold that you advised. Not sure what to do here? Can I twist your arm for a little more help?

My thanks again - really great to know there are chaps out there willing to help a newbie!!
 
My apologies - I take it back regarding my comment over the f-stops (nearly!!!) - KEH.com is great - definitely buying from them! Thanks Jon!!! Anything above a 50 at f/1.4 seems possible with these guys. However, I am still having difficulty finding anything under a 50mm below f/2. I am assuming this is the norm?
 
I just finishing shooting a feature length "film" using only an Nikon 28MM and 50MM. I really wish I could have gotten an 85mm, that would have come in handy on so many occasions. But you can do it with just two IF YOU HAVE TO. I would say grab a 20 something, a 50, and an 85 just to start. Try www.KEH.com I got my glass for $225.00 combined and they were in good condition.
 
Hey chaps!

Sorry to keep pushing this forum forward but a quick question about KEH.com
Has anyone had experience with their "Bargain" Lenses? If I get lenses rated BGN then I could get 1 more lens than if I got those rated EX. Just curious as to how much of a "Bargain" I would be getting or could I end up regretting it?!?!
 
thinkoffline said:
Hey chaps!

Sorry to keep pushing this forum forward but a quick question about KEH.com
Has anyone had experience with their "Bargain" Lenses? If I get lenses rated BGN then I could get 1 more lens than if I got those rated EX. Just curious as to how much of a "Bargain" I would be getting or could I end up regretting it?!?!
Click to expand...

Of course EX are better than BGN. Both of my lenses are BGN and there was absolutley nothing wrong with either of them. Glass was perfect, no brassing, or mold, etc. They just looked a little used. I can't speak for everyone but BGN was the way to go for me. I saved some money and everything worked great. DO NOT GO WITH UG though. some of those are really bad. Just buy one BGN and see if it works for you, if so stay that route, if not jump up.
 
Great advice filthrich! Thanks so much to all of you for taking the time to help!

If anyone is interested my VFX (Flame Artist) reel can be seen here www.thinkoffline.com - keeping my fingers crossed my experience here will help out behind the camera!
 
I'm affraid you won't be able to fin any affordable Nikon 28mm f/1.4 though, these lenses are highly sought and aren't manufactured anymore, meaning their prices have skyrocketed somewhere around 1,500$ or more for a used lens.


Best option for a 28mm Nikon mount would either be a Nikkor AIS 28mm f/2 or a Kiron 28mm f/2. I own the later, and it's as good as the Nikkor IMHO. I see no differences in sharpness and CAs at the centers, I think the corners loose a bit more sharpness on the Kiron.

Hope this helps!
 
Thanks Gabe - I have just ordered 2 Nikkor lenses - 28mm f/2 AIS & a 50mm f/1.4 AI from KEH.com. Looking forward to their arrival!

BTW - KEH.com seems to be a great store, I am a newbie but KEH is apparently very well known among the more seasoned of you! I spoke with Ken who was very helpful - they have a 14 day money back guarantee and 60 day for manufacturing defects so you get a chance to check out the lenses first. Will update you when they arrive!

My thanks again to everyone who has pitched in on this!
 
keh is great place, I must advise, a 105mm is my favorite lens, I do not go anywhere without it, if I could recommend any lens specifically, a 105 would be it, just saying, BGN are generally great lenses, just the out sides are usually scratched, but the glass is usually great! and KEH stands behind that money back guarantee completely. best of luck!


Jon
 
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