Nikon SLR glass

triplefinger · Sep 13, 2008

Hello,
I'm planning on buying a d90 Nikon with the primary use of a video camera. Auto-focus doesn't work in the video mode anyway so I'm looking for any old nikon lenses to use on the camera.

preferred lengths: 20/24, 35, 50, 85

I am also interested in any zooms with a constant ƒ-stop

Please let me know if anybody is cleaning out their closet!

thanks, Mike

Please contact me here or at triplefinger@mac.com

Petroleum V. Nasby · Sep 13, 2008

Why would you buy a D90 to use primarily as a video camera? It seems like putting the cart before the horse.

triplefinger · Sep 13, 2008

it's the cheapest hd 24 frame camera with a good sized sensor, disk based recording and interchangable lenses.

That's why 🙂

Petroleum V. Nasby · Sep 13, 2008

Have you seen the latest sub $400 AVCHD SD card camcorders?

I don't think the D90 sensor is going to get you any better video quality. I guess the interchangeable lenses could conceivably be an advantage. 24fps frame mode is common now.

willie_901 · Sep 13, 2008

Good luck, these lenses have been slowly increasing in value since the D200 came out. The D90 will just increase the demand. Your best bet is KEH. Their bargain rated lenses may be perfect for video because small defects in the glass will not matter. I do not think non-AI'd lenses will work on the D90 (but then I haven't investigated anything about video), so make sure you acquire AI or AIS lenses.

Chriscrawfordphoto · Sep 13, 2008

the lack of autofocus in a camera that has a tiny hard to see through viewfinder will frustrate you and ruin the quality of your movies

SolaresLarrave · Sep 13, 2008

I don't know... a still digital camera with a video feature used for video capture instead of a video camera that was meant for video capture?

Sounds like getting a car because it has a lighter.

But if that's what you want... go get it. Have fun shopping!

Livesteamer · Sep 13, 2008

Look for one of Nikons manual focus 24mm f2.8, It's one of their all time wonderful lenses. Mine has always made lovely images in spite of my limited talent. Joe

sepiareverb · Sep 13, 2008

The OP didn;t say he wanted to be talked out of this plan...

The faster Nikkors are usually the better ones, downside being they cost more, often a lot more. The 85/1.4 is top quality- as is the 28/2.0. 20/2.8 may be the only option in that length?

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html
Bjorn will tell you all you want to know.

VinceC · Sep 13, 2008

I'd go for classic AI lenses from 70s-80s. 24/2.8; 50/1.4; 85/2. For portraits, 105/2.5. For long reach, later AI versions of 200/4 are overlooked gems (although a good Vivitar 75-205 range zoom shows you why telephoto primes started to lost favor); classic low-light tele is the 180/2.8

raid · Sep 13, 2008

I second what Vince has said above. In particular, 24mm/2.8 50mm/1.4 105mm/2.5 and also the 50mm/3.5 micro.

BillBingham2 · Sep 13, 2008

Mike,

The 24/2.8 is a classic, as is the 105/2.5. I prefer the 85/1.8 to the 2.0 Bigger but it's still takes a 52mm filter. I'd go for the CV SL II 58/1.4 as a very interesting lens for the 50 range, check out the head bartender's site. If you want great zooms look at the 80-200/4.5, it rocks. 55/3.5 is a bit slow but a fun lens. 35/1.4 is a big chunk of glass but does wonderful things with light or almost none. I like my 35/2, smaller than the 1.4 and much less expensive.

Somewhat newer is the 28/2.8 AIS (make sure it is the AIS version). It focuses very close, almost no distortion, IMHO, it's perhaps one of Nikon's best general purpose wides ever.

B2 (;->

triplefinger · Sep 14, 2008

I want the manual control of the lenses and the DOF.

the ones I saw were 6-8 hundred and not as interesting as far as I'm concerned.

Petroleum V. Nasby said:
Have you seen the latest sub $400 AVCHD SD card camcorders?

I don't think the D90 sensor is going to get you any better video quality. I guess the interchangeable lenses could conceivably be an advantage. 24fps frame mode is common now.

triplefinger · Sep 14, 2008

From what I've read, the non AI lenses will work. I will likely at least try them, or maybe the m42 adapter(i know that infinity focus will not work)

I have a few m42 lenses that might be fun to play with. i think they will focus out to 40 feet, which would be fine in most cases for motion picture.

willie_901 said:
Good luck, these lenses have been slowly increasing in value since the D200 came out. The D90 will just increase the demand. Your best bet is KEH. Their bargain rated lenses may be perfect for video because small defects in the glass will not matter. I do not think non-AI'd lenses will work on the D90 (but then I haven't investigated anything about video), so make sure you acquire AI or AIS lenses.

triplefinger · Sep 14, 2008

I don't see the correlation.

I will certainly use it for both, but a 720p image captured the the right glass with clever composition is what it is.

to get comparable images(based on what i've seen) with a video camera would mean spending at least 3x the price.

SolaresLarrave said:
I don't know... a still digital camera with a video feature used for video capture instead of a video camera that was meant for video capture?

Sounds like getting a car because it has a lighter.

But if that's what you want... go get it. Have fun shopping!

triplefinger · Sep 14, 2008

Thanks for all the good tips
Bill
Raid
Vince
and sepia reverb

BillBingham2 said:
Mike,

The 24/2.8 is a classic, as is the 105/2.5. I prefer the 85/1.8 to the 2.0 Bigger but it's still takes a 52mm filter. I'd go for the CV SL II 58/1.4 as a very interesting lens for the 50 range, check out the head bartender's site. If you want great zooms look at the 80-200/4.5, it rocks. 55/3.5 is a bit slow but a fun lens. 35/1.4 is a big chunk of glass but does wonderful things with light or almost none. I like my 35/2, smaller than the 1.4 and much less expensive.

Somewhat newer is the 28/2.8 AIS (make sure it is the AIS version). It focuses very close, almost no distortion, IMHO, it's perhaps one of Nikon's best general purpose wides ever.

B2 (;->

IGMeanwell · Sep 15, 2008

For those wondering how the D90 does with video

http://vimeo.com/videos/search:D90

There are a couple clips using the some AIS lenses, the 105 2.5 would be very good for this application

This clip has a some good capability type shots: http://vimeo.com/1721667

does show a little rolling shutter but pretty darn good image quality if you ask me.

willie_901 · Sep 15, 2008

If AI lenses will work for your application, then nice examples can be purchased at bargain prices (compared to AI/AIS versions) because the demand for non-AI/AIS lenses is low.

triplefinger · Sep 16, 2008

I did see a video shot with an AI'd lens, so that gives me hope... time will tell!

thx

willie_901 said:
If AI lenses will work for your application, then nice examples can be purchased at bargain prices (compared to AI/AIS versions) because the demand for non-AI/AIS lenses is low.

triplefinger · Sep 16, 2008

I did order this...

28 F3.5 HC AI(52) 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS WIDE ANGLE LENS

from KEH, we'll see. $79

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