Primes questions

[Satyaa]

I am getting my Z7ii tomorrow. I am researching primes. I need a 28/35mm and a 75/85mm primes (say, f/2 or faster).

I will be using Tamron 28-75/2.8 G2 where I need the zoom flexibility (and hopefully faster AF). Anything nearing f/2.8 is not worth carrying another lens because I can use this zoom.

I am looking for something under $300 and hopefully, reasonably small. Ideally, f/1.4 primes would be good, but not this year for budget reasons.

TTArtisan 75/f2 seems to fit these criteria. Is it good?

For 35mm, the Meike f/2 has bad reviews. Same with Yongnuo 35/f2. Viltrox 28/1.8 and 35/1.8 are over $400.

Samyang has a 35/1.8 E mount lens for under $300 but it needs an adapter (adding up the cost).

Any other suggestions/thoughts?

Thanks!!

 

[skyrunr]

You are correct. Anything worth switching away from your decent Tamron f2.8 zoom is NOT going to be under $300, not even adapting f-mount glass, but there are some $400ish options. I don't even feel the strong need to switch away from my 24-70F4S or 24-120F4S for the S primes (previously owned) either.

• I'm not so sure I'd swap off the 28-75f2.8 for 1 stop. If it is that dark consider a good monopod and drag the shutter with sports IBIS.
  
  
• Those inexpensive third-party lenses may not resolve that well on a 45mp sensor. You could consider going with the Sigma DX primes (in DX mode.) I used my DX lenses on my Z7II when paired with the Z50.
  
  
• I'd probably go with the Viltrox AIR series primes, but you'd have to wait for them used to meet your budget.
  
  
• If you want something compact and more on the artistic side, the 26f2.8, and you certainly have enough pixels to crop to 35mm.
  
  
• We need a few more non-S lens options.
  
  
• I wouldn't get an 85mm lens with the Plena (135mm) around! The 85-S IS worth the price of admission.

I have the Tamron 20-40f2.8 (adapted e-mount) and 70-180f2.8 (with the 1.4TCz) as my primary lenses. The weight/size/range/speed/cost are hard to beat. I actually shot Sony for a year due to these lenses.

Enjoy the new rig, it is a great camera. I hope we see firmware 2.x for the II's eventually.

 

[Satyaa]

Thank you. That's helpful.

The 28-75/2.8 focal range covers about 90% of my needs. For the other 10%, I am getting a Viltrox 20/2.8 prime.

The fast primes are not an urgent need. I can wait until my budget allows, and I find a good used one.

 

[quattro88]

I got TTartisan 35mm F1.4, FF, manual. It's pretty cheap and sharp. Works very well on my Zf. I also have Viltrox 20mm f2.8, FF, autofocus. It's a great lens. Well built and sharp.

--
Efraim
Quebec City, Canada
Web: http://www.rightonphotography.com

 

[Satyaa]

I got TTartisan 35mm F1.4, FF, manual. It's pretty cheap and sharp. Works very well on my Zf.

That sounds good, but I am not finding a FF version. I only see APSC version (at B&H).

If you're referring to the APSC version, which results in 50mm FF FOV, I don't use that focal length.

I also have Viltrox 20mm f2.8, FF, autofocus. It's a great lens. Well built and sharp.

+1. Thanks.

 

[jmccas]

I am getting my Z7ii tomorrow. I am researching primes. I need a 28/35mm and a 75/85mm primes (say, f/2 or faster).

I will be using Tamron 28-75/2.8 G2 where I need the zoom flexibility (and hopefully faster AF). Anything nearing f/2.8 is not worth carrying another lens because I can use this zoom.

I am looking for something under $300 and hopefully, reasonably small. Ideally, f/1.4 primes would be good, but not this year for budget reasons.

TTArtisan 75/f2 seems to fit these criteria. Is it good?

For 35mm, the Meike f/2 has bad reviews. Same with Yongnuo 35/f2. Viltrox 28/1.8 and 35/1.8 are over $400.

Samyang has a 35/1.8 E mount lens for under $300 but it needs an adapter (adding up the cost).

Any other suggestions/thoughts?

Thanks!!

 

[Satyaa]

I am getting my Z7ii tomorrow. I am researching primes. I need a 28/35mm and a 75/85mm primes (say, f/2 or faster).

I will be using Tamron 28-75/2.8 G2 where I need the zoom flexibility (and hopefully faster AF). Anything nearing f/2.8 is not worth carrying another lens because I can use this zoom.

I am looking for something under $300 and hopefully, reasonably small. Ideally, f/1.4 primes would be good, but not this year for budget reasons.

TTArtisan 75/f2 seems to fit these criteria. Is it good?

For 35mm, the Meike f/2 has bad reviews. Same with Yongnuo 35/f2. Viltrox 28/1.8 and 35/1.8 are over $400.

Samyang has a 35/1.8 E mount lens for under $300 but it needs an adapter (adding up the cost).

Any other suggestions/thoughts?

Thanks!!

Have you considered the 40mm/2? Cheap and a pretty good lens.

The TTA 75/2. Great little lens for the cost. The optical coatings aren’t its strong point. It’ll ghost pretty heavy shooting into the sun.

I am on the edge about the 40/f2. If I don't find another option, I will probably get it in few months. I like focal lengths around 30mm (28 to 35). 40 is a bit long for my taste but I may learn to live with it!

Thanks.

 

[monte12345]

I ask because the 28mm f2.8 Nikkor Z is an excellent lens at a distinctly low 300 dollar price. Too bad you missed the sale where it was 230 USD. As for the f2.8 aperture, compare the weight of this lens to your 28-75mm zoom. As I am a big fan of going light this is my primary purpose for choosing primes over zooms.

As for 35mm, Viltrox just released a 50mm f2.0 at 199.00 that has been getting rave reviews for it's image quality / cost balance. I expect that fairly soon they will be announcing a 35mm f2.0 built along the same lines and a similar price. I have their 20mm f2.8 for myself because I really like going light with primes and it is actually an excellent lens and a stunning value. Unfortunately the 35mm focal length is a bit of a sucker hole in terms of what is available because there just aren't many lenses available at this focal length.

Note my dream lens from Viltrox would be a 100mm f2.8 Air, because it would be a relatively tiny lens compared to any other 100 or 105 and likely be lighter than the 50mm f1.8 Nikkor Z.

 

[Z8ZF]

I am getting my Z7ii tomorrow. I am researching primes. I need a 28/35mm and a 75/85mm primes (say, f/2 or faster).

Any other suggestions/thoughts?

Thanks!!

Get a Z8 or Z6III..

 

[Satyaa]

I ask because the 28mm f2.8 Nikkor Z is an excellent lens at a distinctly low 300 dollar price. Too bad you missed the sale where it was 230 USD. As for the f2.8 aperture, compare the weight of this lens to your 28-75mm zoom. As I am a big fan of going light this is my primary purpose for choosing primes over zooms.

I don't need the speed all the time but it is a possibility I want to take advantage of when going for primes. Otherwise, the Tamron 28-75/2.8 will do very similar job for me.

Yes, there is the weight thing to take care of. For that reason, I might consider it on the next sale. Or never, with price increases from tariffs!

As for 35mm, Viltrox just released a 50mm f2.0 at 199.00 that has been getting rave reviews for it's image quality / cost balance. I expect that fairly soon they will be announcing a 35mm f2.0 built along the same lines and a similar price.

I'd love to try that.

I have their 20mm f2.8 for myself because I really like going light with primes and it is actually an excellent lens and a stunning value.

I am getting this along with the Tamron zoom.

Unfortunately the 35mm focal length is a bit of a sucker hole in terms of what is available because there just aren't many lenses available at this focal length.

Yes. I got used to that focal length because of the manual film camera I started with in the late 70s. Seems more of a habit than anything. But in recent times, I am using the 28mm more.

Note my dream lens from Viltrox would be a 100mm f2.8 Air, because it would be a relatively tiny lens compared to any other 100 or 105 and likely be lighter than the 50mm f1.8 Nikkor Z.

My use for Z7ii will be under 100mm focal length. For anything 80mm and up I will use the G9ii with 40-150/2.8 pro. These focal lenghts for my use do not need the 45MP.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Satyaa]

I am getting my Z7ii tomorrow. I am researching primes. I need a 28/35mm and a 75/85mm primes (say, f/2 or faster).

Any other suggestions/thoughts?

Thanks!!

Get a Z8 or Z6III..

Does either one come with a fixed fast prime around the focal lengths I am interested in? If yes, I missed it. I will take a look.

Thanks.

 

[yardcoyote]

I have the TT Artisan 75mm f/2 and I like it a lot. It's well made, sharp, has solid, pleasant rendering qualities and its autofocus, while not quite as lightning fast as my one S lens, is still plenty snappy. I would call it a very good lens overall and an excellent one when you factor in the bargain price.

 

[quattro88]

I got TTartisan 35mm F1.4, FF, manual. It's pretty cheap and sharp. Works very well on my Zf.

That sounds good, but I am not finding a FF version. I only see APSC version (at B&H).

If you're referring to the APSC version, which results in 50mm FF FOV, I don't use that focal length.

I also have Viltrox 20mm f2.8, FF, autofocus. It's a great lens. Well built and sharp.

+1. Thanks.

Sorry, my mistake. 35mm f1.4 is indeed an APSC lens. However, there is an advantage to use manual APSC lenses on Zf. As you know, Nikon Z DX lenses, when mounted on Zf, automatically switch to DX mode with its 10Mp resolution, but manual DX lenses allow you to use FX mode and to retain 24Mp resolution if you can ignore vignetting.

--
Efraim
Quebec City, Canada
Web: http://www.rightonphotography.com

 

[Satyaa]

I got TTartisan 35mm F1.4, FF, manual. It's pretty cheap and sharp. Works very well on my Zf.

That sounds good, but I am not finding a FF version. I only see APSC version (at B&H).

If you're referring to the APSC version, which results in 50mm FF FOV, I don't use that focal length.

I also have Viltrox 20mm f2.8, FF, autofocus. It's a great lens. Well built and sharp.

+1. Thanks.

Sorry, my mistake. 35mm f1.4 is indeed an APSC lens. However, there is an advantage to use manual APSC lenses on Zf. As you know, Nikon Z DX lenses, when mounted on Zf, automatically switch to DX mode with its 10Mp resolution,

but manual DX lenses allow you to use FX mode and to retain 24Mp resolution if you can ignore vignetting.

I was not aware of that. It is a good thing, especially on 45MP Z7 bodies. If I lose few MP to cropping the edges, that's a win. For the situations where I will use the primes (slow, deliberate shooting), a cheap manual focus lens will be a good option.

Thanks.