Probably going with Nikon mount.....now what

[Mike Harrington]

I think i'm going to go the Nikon mount route.

Based solely on Evin's reviews, I will probably grab a 17-35mm zoom
and an 85mm 1.4.

What is another decent Nikon zoom(most likely used as a variable prime)
something that would go out to 200mm or so.

Also what should I look at in terms of focus rings, ect.....any advice on some good quality lens rings.

And finally what do you think of the zeiss F mount stuff.

Thanks

 

[Dustin Cross]

I would avoid the zooms until the Birger mount is out. They are awesome lenses, but they have problems with cine style shooting. i.e short focus throw and some don't have manual iris. They work, but are more of a challenge for cine style shooting.

The older AI lenses are less of a challenge to cine style shooting until Birger is here. Here are the lenses I have and recommend:

AI Primes
Nikon 20mm AI f2.8
Nikon 28mm AI f2.8
Nikon 35mm AI f1.4
Nikon 55mm AI f1.2
Nikon 50mm AI f1.4
Nikon 85mm AI f1.4
Nikon 105mm AI f1.8

AF-S Zooms
Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 AF-S
Nikon 28-70mm f2.8 AF-S
Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AF-S

If you are going to get the zooms, make sure you get the AF-S zooms. They are the ones that will work with the Birger mount.

Once the Birger is out and proven, I might get some of the awesome new Nikon's with no manual iris ring.


Mahalo,
Dusty

 

[Joe Vinson]

Getting the 17-35mm zoom, are ye?

*Ahem*

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10073

 

[Mike Prevette]

The Ziess Zf primes are excellent. IMHO they are way better built, and suited for film work than the modern Nikon primes.

 

[lordtangent]

Do the Ziess ZF focus "cine-wise" or "Nikkor-wise"?

 

[David W. Jones]

Do the Ziess ZF focus "cine-wise" or "Nikkor-wise"?

They focus Nikkor-wise.

The Zeiss Contax lenses focus cine-wise.

 

[Evin Grant]

Optically and mechanically I see no real advantage to the Zeiss ZF primes. However a strong case could be made that being able to SAY you have Zeiss lenses may help you get your kit rented and garner less awkward looks from the ACs. That being said the new 28mm F2 ZF looks to be very promising.

It's a personal decision but a good set of used AI Nikkors can be had for half the price of new ZF lenses and optically there are more choices and speeds open to you in the Nikkors.

My recommended five lens kit is this...
20mm F2.8 AIS (Or the 17-35 but understand it's limitations)
28mm F2 AI (Sharper than the 24 F2 wide open)
35mm F1.4 AI
50mm f1.2 AI
85mm f1.4 AIS