Zoom Lens (that I can zoom with while shooting)

Chris Messineo

Chris Messineo

Veteran
I have the 14-140 lens, but I can't zoom while shooting (the focus goes soft and the light flickers).

Is there a zoom for under $1,500 that will let me zoom while shooting?
 
Chris Messineo said:
I have the 14-140 lens, but I can't zoom while shooting (the focus goes soft and the light flickers).

Is there a zoom for under $1,500 that will let me zoom while shooting?
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Sure. However, you are not going to get a 10x zoom range with a constant aperture.
If you want to zoom without the image 'getting darker' zooms like the 50-150, 70-200,
17-50, and 24-70 are all options (obviously you will need an adapter.) Panasonic has some
MFT power zoom lenses as well, but I'm not sure if they are constant aperture as I shoot
Super 35 not MFT.
 
If you can live with a short the zoom, the Olympus 12-40 is excellent. I use it with the Lumix 35-100 and the combination works well, only one lens change, and the overlap of the focal lengths gives me a little room to maneuver. I seldom zoom in a shot, but when I do the Olympus holds aperture and focus.
 
Look into an old vivitar series 1 lens. Them and Kiron make some old vintage lenses that I believe are 28-90/105mm that are f3.8 or f4.5. Would probably need a speed booster to go with them and they are push style lenses so you can focus and zoom at the same time.
 
I have and use a Vivtar Series 1 28-90/2.8-3.5. While it is very nice in certain situations, it is extremely varifocal... The moment you zoom, you lose focus.

I run a set of 3 zooms in Nikon G mount with Speedboosters for zoomy work: Tokina 11-16, Sigma 18-35, and Sigma 50-150. When the Speedbooster is properly collimated they are all parfocal with constant aperture and non-extending with repeatable focus. The two Sigmas are even approximately the same size for quick changes with follow focus.
 
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The Canon 35-105/f3.5 FD is parfocal, nice image, adapters avaiable and around $150. I use one and built a zoom motor attachment.
 
mcbob said:
I have and use a Vivtar Series 1 28-90/2.8-3.5. While it is very nice in certain situations, it is extremely varifocal... The moment you zoom, you lose focus.

I run a set of 3 zooms in Nikon G mount with Speedboosters for zoomy work: Tokina 11-16, Sigma 18-35, and Sigma 50-150. When the Speedbooster is properly collimated they are all parfocal with constant aperture and non-extending with repeatable focus. The two Sigmas are even approximately the same size for quick changes with follow focus.
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Darn thats a shame. Any other recommendation for a zoom in that focal range? Maybe sigmas new 24-105. (Would go good with the 18-35 and 50-150 lenses). Might be a little bit better for run n gun shooting
 
Minolta "Beercan" 70-210 lens is parfocal, sharp and cheap. At f4.0 constant, you're not as fast as the bigger 70-210 f2.8's, but it's much lighter and easily more affordable. I use mine on the Sony FS-100 with an adapter. Other than the front focus ring being very thin (and nearly frictionless), it's a fantastic bargain-priced parfocal zoom.
 
banolan said:
The Canon 35-105/f3.5 FD is parfocal, nice image, adapters avaiable and around $150. I use one and built a zoom motor attachment.
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My favourite long-range manual zoom. Don't forget internal focus and zoom so there's no lengthening of the lens at any time.
Looks and feels far more expensive than it is.
 
I use ENG B4 lenses with 2x extender. You need a B4-M4/3 adapter of course and you'll go full manual (aperture and focus). But they are parfocal and you can get a powered zoom. SD models can be found on eBay for a nice price. They are a bit soft, but very usable I think.
 
You might take a look at the lumix GX vario 35-100 f2.8 optimized for video..
Panasonic has it on Black Friday sale for $899...it will cover a big part of what you need
at a constant 2.8....

You'd still need to cover the bottom end..So you could look at tht
lumix 12-35 f2.8 With that you'd pretty much have it...
Ops - $400 over budget but not sure if you have a less expensive option???

Cheers,

Tye
 
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Another option might be the Sigma 24-105mm F4. I am currently talking to the people at PChood.com to get one of their cinematics mods done to the sigma 24-105mm f4. It does add focus gears and possible a manual aperture ring (waiting to hear back about that part as thats the selling point for me). Sure it might not make it a true cinema lens but still a 24-105 F4 would be great on the AF100 (for my style of shooting at least).
 
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