Author Topic: Recommended Lens brands...etc....  (Read 10881 times)

ratas calientes

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Recommended Lens brands...etc....
« on: October 09, 2017, 07:48:20 PM »
I have started with just a simple Computar M1214-MP2 (12mm prime) lens.  I also have no idea of Computar lenses are high-quality, low-quality, or middle of the road.
I have shopped around, but I have no experience with the variety of lens manufacturers that make C-mount lenses.
What brands should I consider?
And who should I avoid?

Also . . . should I invest in a variable focal length, or stick with fixed focal length?  Not sure what would be best suited for getting started.

I will primarily be photographing firearms function.  But I am sure that my three sons will also come up with other uses!

Thanks.

nik282000

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Re: Recommended Lens brands...etc....
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2017, 11:33:13 AM »
If you want the clearest image possible you need as much light as possible, it doesn't matter if you have a $10k cinema lens or a $10 eBay special, more light = high image quality.

With that out of the way I would recommend using 35mm, manual focus, manual aperture, SLR lenses (60s/70s) for a couple of reasons. They are fairly reasonably priced, you can get lenses as cheap as $20. Also there are way more choices in the 35mm Nikon/Cannon/Yashica/Konika/etc. range than you will ever find in native C mount. That will give you a huge selection in focal length and aperture (and bigger aperture gives you more light). Finally you will also get a better image in general out of a 35mm lens on a c-mount camera because you are only using the center of the lens, where it is sharpest and has the least aberrations.

The one big drawback is the crop factor, the Chronos sensor is 2/3" which is 3.9x smaller than 35mm film. So a lens that would give a wide field of view on a 35mm camera will be very zoomed in on the Chronos. If you have the space it is easy enough to just step back a little (or a whole lot) to get your subject in frame.

BiduleOhm

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Re: Recommended Lens brands...etc....
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2017, 11:56:16 AM »
That's pretty much exactly my plan: using a F-mount to C-mount adapter and some Nikon lens (the first one will probably be a 35 mm prime) and also the 12.5-75 mm Computar C-mount lens ;)

I already have the 12.5-75 lens and the adapter, now I need to hunt for a cheap Nikon lens :)

thebishop

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Re: Recommended Lens brands...etc....
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2017, 12:52:49 PM »
I just tried shooting with a canon EF 50mm 1.4 prime - looked quite good at initial glance! But with 3.9x crop, it is quite the telephoto. Have ordered a 14mm Samyang lens with canon EF mount too, that corresponds to 55mm which should be quite useful focal length...

jasonfish

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Re: Recommended Lens brands...etc....
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2017, 05:50:56 PM »
« Last Edit: October 14, 2017, 06:00:36 PM by jasonfish »

patrickrebstock

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Re: Recommended Lens brands...etc....
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2017, 04:18:31 PM »
hey guys im going to be shooting water housing in the surf for wave shots and surfing
im looking for the look of a wide fisheye, and am trying  to guess what might work best
i have been adapting to ef for my longer lenses with good results, thee 300mm2.8 cannon is a dream at 1200mm @2.8 for tripod work
im looking at native c or cs mount for the fisheye to get it small and wide enough
im looking at https://www.amazon.com/Fujinon-FE185C086HA-1-C-Mount-Fisheye-Cameras/dp/B00HSY339Q/ref=pd_day0_421_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00HSY339Q&pd_rd_r=ZBTZY60JTQ288HJV32QC&pd_rd_w=BX2ya&pd_rd_wg=rNUkb&psc=1&refRID=ZBTZY60JTQ288HJV32QC

and the https://www.amazon.com/Fujinon-FE185C057HA-1-C-Mount-Fish-Eye-Cameras/dp/B00OBMP4IG/ref=sr_1_42?srs=3028911011&ie=UTF8&qid=1508108859&sr=8-42

and https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1245293-REG/entaniya_ent220_220_deg_fisheye_lens_for.html

any thoughts?

Nikon1

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Re: Recommended Lens brands...etc....
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2018, 03:07:04 AM »
Kinda eyeing this:

https://www.sainsonic.com/collections/manual-prime-lens/products/kamlan-50mm-f1-1-prime-lens?variant=34480948555

with https://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Pro-Adapter-C-mount-Cameras/dp/B00AUKDUDE

I have a similar adapter for my Nikon F lenses, and it's been great. But f1.1 seems appealing.

Thoughts?


EDIT:

Ehh, maybe not
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRt2mNFxdDI

If you realy want to buy this Lens, keep in mind, that it is Sony E-Mount.
Sony E-Mount has a way shorter Flange distance than the most typical SLR-Cameras.
So you can´t just by an standard Adapter to make that lens fit on a Chronos.
You will need to come up with a way to mount it on the Chronos.
So you either have to Design a Adapter yourself or modify the Lens.

Nikon1

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Re: Recommended Lens brands...etc....
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2018, 03:28:09 AM »
hey guys im going to be shooting water housing in the surf for wave shots and surfing
im looking for the look of a wide fisheye, and am trying  to guess what might work best
i have been adapting to ef for my longer lenses with good results, thee 300mm2.8 cannon is a dream at 1200mm @2.8 for tripod work
im looking at native c or cs mount for the fisheye to get it small and wide enough
im looking at https://www.amazon.com/Fujinon-FE185C086HA-1-C-Mount-Fisheye-Cameras/dp/B00HSY339Q/ref=pd_day0_421_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00HSY339Q&pd_rd_r=ZBTZY60JTQ288HJV32QC&pd_rd_w=BX2ya&pd_rd_wg=rNUkb&psc=1&refRID=ZBTZY60JTQ288HJV32QC

and the https://www.amazon.com/Fujinon-FE185C057HA-1-C-Mount-Fish-Eye-Cameras/dp/B00OBMP4IG/ref=sr_1_42?srs=3028911011&ie=UTF8&qid=1508108859&sr=8-42

and https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1245293-REG/entaniya_ent220_220_deg_fisheye_lens_for.html

any thoughts?
I have that same 2,7mm f/1.8 Lens, and it is great.
The only difference is, that my Lens does not have an Iris-Control. So it is just f/1.8 all the time and cant be changed.
I used it a lot on my Nikon, but i dont have a Chronos yet. I think it would be great on the Chronos.
It Provides a 185° Field of View and is producing a circular image on my Nikon1 Sensor.
Keep in mind, if you want to use it in a waterproofe Case: This Lens also has no Focus Ring!
So you focus it by unscrewing it from the Mount.
That means you will need to put those thin c-Mount Spacers between the Lens and the mount to lock the Focus and prevent it from Further unscrewing if you move the Camera around a lot.
Otherwise a realy wide, nice Lens.
I got mine for 200€ or 250€ (used, i think).
Somewhere around that Price, cant exactly Remember.
But those with the Iris Ring tend to be a bit more expensive, from what i have seen.
.
I added some Pictures to the Post.
Samples Taken with Nikon J5, unedited, just Downscaled for web.
Other Lenses shown are:
Pentax 4.2mm f/1.6
Pentax 6mm f/1.2
I got those two for pretty cheap.
around 30-40€ as far as i can remember.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2023, 08:45:11 AM by Nikon1 »