Best Nikon Lens?

[scott william]

I have searched this thread but havent found any reviews on the Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D Lens on red. Does anyone own and use this on red?

sorry if you have discussed this before.

pic attached.

 

[James Brundige]

Anybody uses the AF-D 80-200mm 2,8 with a 1,4 or 1,7 converter?
Do you recommend it?
I´m looking for a little bit longer lens and still keep it lightwheigt.
Thanks
Marc

I do not recommend converters of any kind. Get a 300 if you need it.

 

[Tim Naylor]

Why not add uniform size hard fronts to your lenses and be done with it?
You can tame this issue with the addition of inexpensive step-up rings.

Chrosziel Flexible Step Down is 100 bucks, 200 for the two rings I need that cover all (8) of my Nikon lenses as well as Super Speeds and Ultras. To have two hundred dollar rings that can cover such a vast range of glass is pretty amazing IMO. 80mm hard front mod on my Nikons will run about 150/lens and short of perfect alignment will not get a perfect seal. "Inexpensive" step up rings run 100 a pop and also requires perfect aligment. From my ET studio rods to Zacuto Jeep to 15mm studio the MB isn't perfectly centered. Not sure which gear is at fault but the flexible rings beautifully compensate for that getting a light tight seal where all the methods you recommend would not.

 

[David W. Jones]

Well I guess that I am just blessed that my little inexpensive setup works so well.
My baseplate offset is full adjustable so the alignment is spot on. And the Zacuto Z-Riser makes matte box alignment easy as well. As far as hard fronts @ $150 a pop, well I just don't go there. I use very inexpensive step rings, you know the $5 kind. And I have never had a problem with light reflecting back into the lens. Plus I have different size step ring & cap sets, so I can change out the hard front size of my lens set in under 5 min to match any size add-on.

 

[Max Bellamy]

Startup lense choices..

Startup lense choices..

Hi,
Im a long time reader, first time poster. I've recently received a grant, which on top of savings I will put towards a scarlet 2/3 interchangeable kit. I've got a limited time to spend the grant part of the $ and am planning on buying a lense or two & a Nikon D90 (I know its video feature is flawed) in anticipation of the scarlet. I'm thinking of purchasing a Nikon AF-S 17-55mm f2.8 DX and a Nikon AF 85mm f1.8. Am I right in presuming a scarlet 2/3 with a Long Valley GDX mount (to control iris) and DX lenses (to reduce 'crop factor') would be a sensible low budget approach? I'de buy full frame lenses and a larger sensor if I had the cash, but its out of my budget. Any suggestions would be welcomed, I need to spend the $ as soon as possible :smile5:

 

[Mark Pamatat]

This depends on what nikon camera you are using.. there is the crop sensor dslr and the Full sensor lenses... I know this cause i just upgraded from a D300 camera to a D700 full frame sensor..

The best lenses they make are their 2.8f line.

14-24
24-70
70-200

They are each about 2000 dollars. I just bought 2 of them, they are definitely incredible.

They also make a great 1.4f prime lense.. i believe at 50mm and 85mm.

Also have a nice macro lense at 105mm ( i believe it is about 2000 as well)

Mark

 

[Larry McKee]

Max, remember that the 17mm end of that zoom is just about a standard "normal" lens on a 2/3" sensor. You might be better off checking into S16mm lenses for the Scarlet. Or at least picking up a couple of wide primes to augment the zoom. I bought a Angenieux 9.5-57mm T1.9 zoom from Visual Products that has worked great in 2K on my RED One. I assume it should work on the 2/3" Scarlet as well.

 

[Max Bellamy]

DX/Full frame crop

DX/Full frame crop

Thanks for the feedback guys,
Just to clarify, im spending this money with Scarlet in mind, I would hold onto it but simply cant. I'm looking for the best lenses for my 2/3 scarlet sensor.
I'm somewhat confused about this 2/3 sensor crop factor business. I know when using full frame lenses ill only 'see' a small section of what is actually available, though because DX format lenses are designed for use on the smaller nikon sensor, wouldn't they be more appropriate for use on my 2/3 scarlet? How different would a 17-55 DX format and a 17-55 Full Frame format lense behave on a 2/3 scarlet?
Starting to look into S16 lenses too, thanks Larry.

 

[Larry McKee]

The 17-55 DX and the 17-55 FF lenses should behave the same on the 2/3" Scarlet. Keep in mind, though, that a 17mm lens on the Scarlet will roughly be the same as a 50mm on a FF SLR.

 

[scott william]

Is anybody using this lens Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED Lens??

Does it hold focus throughout zoom?

 

[Jeremy Newmark]

Scott,

We've been using the 28-70 with our Red for over a year and half. When we first got it, it sat in the bag most of the time, but once I started using it, I absolutely fell in love with it. It's very sharp and almost no CA. It is however a stills zoom lens, so no it does not hold focus through the zoom.

 

[Steve Gibby]

Is anybody using this lens Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED Lens??

Does it hold focus throughout zoom?

Yup..that's one of the many Nikon lenses I own and have used on my RED One cameras for about two years now. Optically its an excellent lens. Mine does not hold focus throughout a zoom - thus I use it as a variable prime. Mine gets a lot of use - especially as a lens for shooting interviews.

Unlike the 24-70, the 28-70 has an iris ring - thus it can be used if you just have the stock RED Nikon mount. I use the Long Valley (Underdahl) Nikon mount, so it doesn't matter whether lenses have aperture rings or not.

Images from this lens on RED One are crisp, with no significant artifacts or weirdness. My other Nikon zooms hold focus very well throughout a zoom - 14-24 f/2.8, 17-35 f/2.8, AF 80-200 f/2.8, 50-300 f/4.5 AIS, Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 with Nikon mount. I highly recommend all these Nikon zooms and the Tokina 11-16. As mentioned my 28-70 does not hold focus throughout a zoom - but these other zooms I listed do hold focus through a zoom. That said, I very seldom zoom during RED shots (unless it is really needed for a particular shot), but I almost always use these zooms as variable primes.

A used 28-70 in good condition can be picked up for about $900.

Hope this helps...

 

[scott william]

Thanks Steve. I'm hoping to buy in Australia, but i'll keep looking.

Scott.

 

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

Hi,
Im a long time reader, first time poster. I've recently received a grant, which on top of savings I will put towards a scarlet 2/3 interchangeable kit. I've got a limited time to spend the grant part of the $ and am planning on buying a lense or two & a Nikon D90 (I know its video feature is flawed) in anticipation of the scarlet. I'm thinking of purchasing a Nikon AF-S 17-55mm f2.8 DX and a Nikon AF 85mm f1.8. Am I right in presuming a scarlet 2/3 with a Long Valley GDX mount (to control iris) and DX lenses (to reduce 'crop factor') would be a sensible low budget approach? I'de buy full frame lenses and a larger sensor if I had the cash, but its out of my budget. Any suggestions would be welcomed, I need to spend the $ as soon as possible :smile5:

Buy Fixed Scarlet.

With all those focal lengths you are not getting a decent wide angle (that would be around 10mm and less for 2/3").

If you're on a tight budget get the Fixed Scarlet and invest money on other key equipments that matter to filmmaking (or whatever you do).

 

[Erfort Kuke]

Is anybody using the Nikon 24 - 70 mm? I want to know if it holds focus through the zoom range, and if it has any image shift when focusing? I am trying to decide which is the best between the 28-70 f/2.8 and the 24-70 f/2.8. From what I have been reading it seems that the 24-70 is better optics but I am not sure. I have the Long Valley (Underdahl) Nikon mount so i am trying to understand which performs better in terms of follow focusing and image quality.

Also i wanted to know if the 28 - 70 expands when zooming or focusing and witch one expands the most. I would like to be able to use the lens with a mate box and sometimes expanding lens get difficult to be used with a mate box and filters.

Thanx all

 

[Steve Gibby]

Is anybody using the Nikon 24 - 70 mm? I want to know if it holds focus through the zoom range, and if it has any image shift when focusing? I am trying to decide which is the best between the 28-70 f/2.8 and the 24-70 f/2.8. From what I have been reading it seems that the 24-70 is better optics but I am not sure. I have the Long Valley (Underdahl) Nikon mount so i am trying to understand which performs better in terms of follow focusing and image quality.

Also i wanted to know if the 28 - 70 expands when zooming or focusing and witch one expands the most. I would like to be able to use the lens with a mate box and sometimes expanding lens get difficult to be used with a mate box and filters.

Thanx all

I haven't used the Nikon 24-70 on RED, but as noted in my post above, I have had excellent results with the Nikon 28-70. If you read the reviews on photo tech forums for both of those lenses, they're very comparable in terms of optics, performance, etc. The 28-70 was made from 1999-2007, and in 2007 the 24-70 took its place.

The 28-70 lens barrel does not expand when focusing, and there is no image shift when you focus the lens. The lens barrel does extend forward slightly when you zoom the lens. Actually at 28mm the lens barrel protrudes about 3/4" forward. As you zoom it, by the time you hit 50mm the barrel has retracted all the way back into the lens casing. Zooming from 50mm to 62mm there is no forward movement of the lens barrel whatsoever. From 62mm up to 70mm the lens barrel protrudes progressively out maybe 1/4".

As noted in my previous post, the 28-70 does not hold focus throughout a zoom.

I own 27 Nikon lenses and two Canon lenses, all of which I regularly use on my RED cameras. To hold camera weight down, and thus increase mobility, I never use a matte box or follow focus with any of those lenses. I use screw-on filters (ND, Pola) and hand rack the lens barrels to focus. All my focusing is by eye.

I don't know if the 24-70 holds focus throughout a zoom, if the image shifts when you focus it, and if it telescopes slightly when you zoom. Maybe someone here who owns the 24-70 can answer those questions.

None of the zooms I listed in my last post that I own and regularly use have a problem with image shift when you focus them. In my experience the only Nikon zoom that has an image shift when you focus it is the AF-D 80-200 f/2.8. Neither of the other widely used models of Nikon 80-200 f/2.8, the AF-S and older AF, have image shift when you focus them - I own both those versions of the 80-200 and use them regularly.

 

[Kennan Ward]

Steve,

Thank you THANK YOU! You have given so much great information on lenses through the years!!!!! As an avid Nikon shooter I love my OLDER Nikon Lenses. I too am a ND, Polarizer fan.

This summer I used the Nikon 200-400 F4 with Douglas Underdahl"s Iris Adjustable for non aperture lenses see:

http://www.longvalleyequip.com/gdxmount.php

I am extremely happy with the final sequences!

I am still keeping it simple ..... (KISS).... and use the 17-35 F2.8 and the 60mm f2.8 micro Nikon for the mid zone. I love that minimal glass!!!!!! Also, 50-300 F4 my second love, 400 F2.8 and or 200-400 F4!!!!

Steve,

What's next, can we use these lenses on EPIC, Sorry I have been out of the loop!

Best,

Kennan

 

[Tim Morten]

Is anybody using the Nikon 24 - 70 mm? I want to know if it holds focus through the zoom range, and if it has any image shift when focusing? I am trying to decide which is the best between the 28-70 f/2.8 and the 24-70 f/2.8. From what I have been reading it seems that the 24-70 is better optics but I am not sure. I have the Long Valley (Underdahl) Nikon mount so i am trying to understand which performs better in terms of follow focusing and image quality.
Thanx all

I rented a 24-70... optics were excellent, but it did not hold focus through the zoom. Also, the front element moves (which I suspect you already know). I haven't used the 28-70, so I can't comment on it.

Cheers,
Tim

 

[Evin Grant]

The 28-70 has a telescoping front as well.

 

[Marc Berger]

Is anybody using the Nikon 24 - 70 mm? I want to know if it holds focus through the zoom range, and if it has any image shift when focusing? I am trying to decide which is the best between the 28-70 f/2.8 and the 24-70 f/2.8. From what I have been reading it seems that the 24-70 is better optics but I am not sure. I have the Long Valley (Underdahl) Nikon mount so i am trying to understand which performs better in terms of follow focusing and image quality.

Also i wanted to know if the 28 - 70 expands when zooming or focusing and witch one expands the most. I would like to be able to use the lens with a mate box and sometimes expanding lens get difficult to be used with a mate box and filters.

Thanx all

The 24-70mm have a incredible sharpness, but image shift (strong) and doesn´t hold focus. The best results I get with the 17-55mm 2,8 (DX) which have minimal breathing, no image shift and holds focus. Incredible lens for the price and covers 4,5K.
Marc