Best Nikon zoom

[scott william]

Hi there people in the know,

What’s the best, cheapest Nikon zoom solution? Or is canon a better option?

And are both the canon, and Nikon mounts changeable at home or is it a RED service job?

thanks for the help.

 

[Cail Young]

And are both the canon, and Nikon mounts changeable at home or is it a RED service job?

The various mount plates are field-swappable with a Torx driver (a small one is supplied but if you plan on doing it regularly it may be worth purchasing a more comfortable tool).

As long as you're careful with the /i data cable (where fitted) you'll be fine.

That said, generally it's worthwhile checking backfocus after a mount swap, which may require monitoring and/or lenses you may not have.

 

[Omar Saad]

Hi Scott,

I was actually just looking into some Nikon lens options this morning. Check out the link below. It's from Ken Rockwell's lens review page...here he is specifically reviewing inexpensive Nikon lens options. Check out the Nikon 80-200mm f/4.5 AI-s. Yes it's an f4.5 but it looks like you can get a used one for under $100 listed in "very good" condition at adorama.com. His review on the optics make it sound like lens to look at. I'm wondering if anyone out there has tried it on Red and can give any feedback?


http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/cheapskate-lenses.htm

In regards to the mount swap; I believe you can do it yourself. Look up some of Doug Underdahl's 'how to" videos on youtube regarding swaping the mounts.

Hope that helps,

Omar

 

[Julio Quintana]

Do you want good or cheap? The best all around Nikon zoom is the 17-35 f2.8. Beautiful lens. Almost no breathing, super sharp. $1700.

 

[Lee Saxon]

I've used the 17-35 for years and I can agree with Julio. That along with the 28-70 and 70-200 have been my kit for years.

I haven't tried either yet but I hear that the new 14-24 and 24-70 are even better.

 

[Brandon Fraley]

I got my 17-35 used for $1100

 

[scott william]

The 17-35 and the 70-200, do they have model numbers so i can search for them outside this forum. Thanks for your help guys.

PS: Do these lenes have iris control on the lens, or do i have to use the little screw option located on the mount as seen in the youtube videos?

thanks again.

 

[Tim Morten]

My 17-35 has an aperture ring, but not my 70-200. Breathing is minimal on my 17-35, substantial on my 70-200.

I rented a 24-70 a few weeks ago. It is very crisp, but exhibits barrel distortion at the wide end. It's a good candidate to fill in the range between the 17-35 and the 70-200, since the distortion isn't an issue from 35mm up. It lacks an aperture ring, breathes visibly, and has a moving front element.

Nikons are challenging for pulling focus (need to add external rings to work with gears, "wrong" focus direction, lack of focus stops, focus range isn't what pullers are used to). I've had rings and stops added at Duclos, and many follow-focuses can accommodate the direction change, so that can be solved. I understand that the Underdahl modified Nikon mount supports aperture adjustment, as will the forthcoming Optitek Nikon Pro-Mount. So the biggest compromises over cinema glass seem to be the breathing and the focus range...

Of the three that I've tried, the 17-35mm is my favorite. I haven't tried the 12-24 yet, but I've heard good things.

Cheers,
Tim

 

[Douglas Underdahl]

I like my Nikon DX 17-55 2.8. Got it new for about $1,200. Stays on my camera 90 percent of the time. Seems sharper than my Nikon primes . . .

Tokina 11-16 is a must but hard to find I think.