So if I wanted a cheap two-lens Nikon package

[Michael Struthers]

to cover most of the bases while waiting for the Red Zoom - after perusing the most excellent articles from Evin, I think maybe I could get by with

Nikon 24mm f2.8
and a
Nikon 135mm f2

Anybody have thoughts?

[J. Bernard Vallon]

I think you might be better served with zooms. I think you'd severally limit your options with 2 primes.

look at the tamron 28-75 f2.8, or the nikon 80-200 f2.8

they come cheeper used. Evin's lens tests are awesome, especially if your shooting 4k. But if your end product is HD or 2k, pretty much anything made by nikon in the past 5 years will be more than enough.

[Shawn Nelson]

You really should throw a 50mm f1.4 in there too. I got one for $80 used and it looks awesome

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I don't know where you draw the line at cheap, but the 17-35mm Nikon zoom is definitely a must have if you'll be shooting much with the Nikon mount. I also recommend the 50mm f1.4 like Shawn. About $100 on ebay if you watch out for one. There's also the 50mm f1.2, but IMO it isn't any better than the f1.4 unless you really want that extra shallow DOF.

The 85mm f1.4 is super nice, but expensive ($950). The f1.8 model is great too but does fall short of the f1.4 model in a few ways. However, at an ebay price of $300 or less on some days for a near new one, it's definitely one to consider.

[Michael Struthers]

Yes I probably will no-brainer it with the 17-35mm...It's so cheap compared to cine lenses. I just got excited about lenses after reading the articles, it's been a while since I owned any primes. There's something about those super compact lenses that makes it okay to get close....

Like the 45mm f/2.8 - talk about your stealth lens...freakin' cool.

http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/541533014.htm

[Evin Grant]

As far as a cheap kit I would recomend this $500 three lens kit.
20mm f3.5 AI- Compact good optics and affordable medium wide.
28mm f2.8 AIS- Possibly the best 28mm ever designed, CRC and super sharp normal with practically no distortion.
50mm f1.4 AI- Sharp. fast and versatile short tele for close ups and inserts.

[Emanuel A.]

I second Jeff and Michael on the 17-35mm and Jeff on the 50mm f1.4. I'll add a tele zoom and maybe a wider 14mm (I know you Evin are preferring the 15mm even if taking these reviews LINK1 (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1428.htm) LINK2 (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1535.htm), I would be on this route).

Here is more info on these both lenses:
LINK3 (http://www.naturfotograf.com/14nikkor_review.html)
LINK4 (http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_wide.html)

And I would think on the wider Voigtländer 12mm f5.6 option but I'm still waiting for a comprehensive test coming from our lenses guru :) (Evin).

Here is an open thread related:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=44

And an excellent hint provided for Sanjin:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2404&postcount=8

It seems there are some hassles regarding the Nikon F mount for this lens, isn't it Evin?

«The 12 and 15 are available ONLY in Nikon F mount for mirror lockup.»

http://www.cameraquest.com/Voigt%20SL.htm
http://www.cameraquest.com/VCSL1215.htm
http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/voigtlander.htm#adapt

[Stephen Williams]

Hi,

I use a 24mm on 35mm more than any other lens, hardly ever use a 135mm if that helps. I would replace the 135 with either a 35, 85 or 50 depending on what I was shooting but probably in that order.

Stephen

[Evin Grant]

Emanuel, I've only really had experience with the 15mm 3.5. I'll try to test the Nikon and Tamron 14s as soon as I can get ahold of one. It may be just as good, we'll see. The voightlanders seem promising but they too will have to be tested, and only on Red it's self. The long rear element means that it can't be mounted safely on any Nikon DSLR for testing. The 17-35 is indeed my first recomendation, but I felt a cheaper prime alternative was also useful.

[Milan Nikolic]

Evin,
If you recommend Nikon 17-35, what Nikon zoom you recommend above this, like 35-135 or similar Nikon zoom?
I ordered 300 mm Red zoom but need something in between. Thanks for excellent work!

[peter roehsler]

Gentlemen,
do you have a verdict on the SIGMA 15-30? Would this be an option?

[Evin Grant]

Don't know, anybody have a Nikon mount version for me to test?

[Bruce Allen]

Peter, note that the the SIGMA 15-30 is a DG lens (eg limited field of view).

There's a review of it here:
http://www.bythom.com/1530lens.htm

It seems good, except for two problems:
"Vignetting occurs even on the D1 at the widest focal lengths, and at virtually all focal lengths on a 35mm body if you put a filter on the front."
"The lens is put into manual focus by pulling the focus ring backwards towards the camera body, and this action is somewhat "reluctant" on my sample."
At least the aperture ring is nice:
"The aperture ring is very nice, about the best I've felt on a Sigma. Click stops are definite, but you can easily set almost an infinite set of intermediary settings."

Bruce
www.boacinema.com