Gary Naka Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 (edited) I still tend to use primes with 35mm film, and of course I don't have a bank account big enough to even buy into the systems that HAVE zooms in medium format. The one "zoom" I latched onto when I was mostly using 70s/80s equipment was the Vivitar Series 1 Varifocal 35-85 2.8, and I liked it enough that I have been keeping my eyes open for one in Nikon mount. I'm pretty sure that it's the only non-manufacturer lens that has ever spent significant time in my bag. From what I've been able to tell, the Varifocal 35-85/2.8 is a non-AI lens, so it is somewhat limited on what camera it can be mounted to. But that would be a lens that I would have loved when I was shooting my F2, with it's meter prong coupling. I have the slightly longer, variable aperture 35-105 on my F2. It replaced the shorter range 43-86 that I used for decades. Makes for less lens changing. Edited September 30, 2017 by Gary Naka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Naka Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 How about a 500 mirror? It qualifies as a prime lens. I recently got one, because I always wanted a mirror lens. And I used it this past week to shoot a tennis match. I had to shoot out over 5 courts to #6, and that was beyond the practical reach of my 75-300. The crop on the 300 was ugly, so I needed the longer lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_hutcherson Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 From what I've been able to tell, the Varifocal 35-85/2.8 is a non-AI lens, so it is somewhat limited on what camera it can be mounted to. But that would be a lens that I would have loved when I was shooting my F2, with it's meter prong coupling. A quick look on Ebay shows both non-AI and AI lenses, although the non-AI version seems more common. The AI versions look to be "real" AI lenses, of course with the double row of aperture numbers and also a dramatically different design for the ring. I think Vivitar made this lens up into the 80s, so it would make sense for them to have switched over to AI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Naka Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Dang Ben, you just added another lens to my shopping list ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Naka Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Found one in GB for $300 + shipping. :( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-35-85mm-f-2-8-Series-1-standard-zoom-lens-Nikon-Ai-fit-Nice-22003121-/122464382099?hash=item1c83722c93:g:DisAAOSwvKtY~6zl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beegeedee Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Today's best primes are so spectacular that, sometimes, I am willing to carry a second or third. So, yes, I prefer the superiority of primes! I zoom with my feet or crop. However, the cost of multiple really long primes vs. my Sigma 150-600 keeps me in a zoom. While this Sigma Sport zoom is extremely good in the short focal lengths, it is a bit(!) cumbersome for walkabouts and candids! "I have always preferred inspiration to information.” - Man Ray “The eye should learn to listen before it looks.” - Robert Frank “To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson "A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” - Dorothea Lange Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Naka Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 hmmm, that Sigma 150-600 looks tempting for a LONG lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beegeedee Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 yes, the big sig is amazing. today, i used it for micro because it was the one lens I left the house with. not as good as the sigma 105, but very multi purpose: _171001_135735_RAL8857 by BG Day, on Flickr "I have always preferred inspiration to information.” - Man Ray “The eye should learn to listen before it looks.” - Robert Frank “To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson "A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” - Dorothea Lange Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beegeedee Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 please define, "a large zoom user?" user of a 6 pound long telephoto zoom (like me) - or - largely using zooms versus primes (not like me) - or - a 300 pound zoom user (LOL) 1 "I have always preferred inspiration to information.” - Man Ray “The eye should learn to listen before it looks.” - Robert Frank “To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson "A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” - Dorothea Lange Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_gordon_bilson Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 I resisted zooms in my film years because I could not stand the Distortion factor - typically barrel at the wide end,pincushion at the long. Now,at least for FX, my screw-focus AF Nikkor 28-105 D makes me very happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlRohrer Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Getting too old to tote around my 5D III and 5D II and all of those heavy lenses so after careful research, I rented a Fuji X-e2 and X-Pro2 for a week each along with two prime lenses, the 23mm and 56mm. Before the week was out, I order the new Fuji X-e3 and should have it this week. I ordered it with the 18-55 as it was quite a deal, then ordered the 27mm pancake. If it works out as well as I expect, I'm going to order another with a prime lens. So the answer is NO, I'm not much of a zoom user anymore. I'm putting all of my Canon equipment, much as I love it, up for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l_philbeck Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Yes I still love my Canon 35-350mm L. I wish it had IS but I'll settle for what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 (edited) Zooms always have a look of distance. A outsider looking in. Edited October 3, 2017 by Allen Herbert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 (edited) Zooms always have a look of distance. An outsider looking in. Sorry Allen, Very pat, but not very credible, and a bit "one size fits all." A little like saying that when I got my first Nikon 24mm, it was a "do all" lens because I shot everything with it for months, landscapes to nudes. Influences of Sieff. Edited October 3, 2017 by Sandy Vongries 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochen_S Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Zooms always have a look of distance. A outsider looking in. There are wide ones too, so I don't understand your statement, unless you figured out that a wide zoom alienates you significantly from your subjects, compared to a prime shot from the same point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 "Sorry Allen, Very pat, but not very credible, and a bit "one size fits all." Okay, a few thoughts.. Jack of all trades but a master of non. Unless you spend serious money on a zoom it will be always inferior to a prime lens...simple physics. I was thinking of street photography and the zoom gives that far away look.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 24mm/28mm is the weakest focal length for a zoom . Primes will always do better at any focal length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Its a case of convenience verses quality. Make your own call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Primes will always do better at any focal length. You are right, except that with quality zooms and decent technique the differences are largely academic. Certainly, on a car trip, I could take all of my primes in a couple of large hard cases. It is much handier to take two camera bodies, a fast 50 and three zooms in a manageable ready to use camera bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Of course the real quality is in the photograph regardless of lens or camera. But we all know that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 "and decent technique the differences are largely academic" When I mess around in P/S to get the look...lens and camera matters very little. Put a zoom photo next to a Leica/Zeiss/Fuji prime lens and you will undestand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 From lens to lens, from monitor to monitor what we see varies, and is, I suspect subjective. Certainly we all have our favorite tools. Wouldn't it be interesting to have a "Monitor Standard" so at least we all started at the same point. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Massive different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 "Monitor Standard" so at least we all started at the same point. ;-) True. Most serious photographers use a Mac. I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Though I prefer my 105 2.8 Micro Nikkor for flowers (a specialty pursuit to me) this just a good Nikon Zoom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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