Recommend a Manual 50mm Prime EF

With the current situation regarding the EF mounts and the MFT mounts, I think what I'll do is pick up an EF mount first, then opt out for the MFT later.

I have mostly MFT glass, but I REALLY prefer all manual lenses. Manual focus, manual aperture.

Can anyone recommend a good 50mm prime, all manual, with an EF mount, which I will adapt to MFT later.

I was thinking a ZEISS ZF (since the Nikon versions have the manual aperture) and have them Canon mounted via adapter, then later MFT? Anyone with insight, gladly appreciated.

Thanks a ton.

I have the Carl Zeiss 50/1.4 ZF.2. Great lens. Long focus throws. Built like a tank.

I also have a Nikon 55mm f/1.2 AI and an Olympus OM 50mm f/1.8.

Normally pressing the Iris button on the BMCC automatically adjusts the lens iris settings. Does this function work with the Carl Zeiss 50/1.4 ZF.2? Are there any disadvantages?

No. The ZF mount zeiss are manual focus AND manual aperature.

The EF versions have electronic aperature control. The nikon mounts do not.

I prefer total manual control.

Another option are manual Zeiss Contax lenses for C/Y mount. The 50mm 1.4 is a great lens and adapts easily to EF with a simple mechanical adapter. The 1.7 version is still cheap and tack sharp.

See the "Zeiss Contax survival guide" at reduser.net under "Lens Tests".

You also have the option of the old Pentax K mount (plus £6 adapter) SMC manual lenses.

I've been shooting DSLR for a coupe of years and all my lenses are old manual Pentax.

The 50mm f1.7 is nice and can be got for less than £40

The 50mm f1.4 is fantastic and can be got for around £70

Thanks! Those old Pentax look interesting. I wonder if I can get those aperture rings de-clicked. Hmmmmm.

Adapters for EF mount, and later to MFT right? Excited!

I love my Pentax SMC 50mm f1.2. Been using it for 2 years on my 7D and although it is a bit soft at f1.2, at 1.8 becomes a lot sharper.

You also have the option of the old Pentax K mount (plus £6 adapter) SMC manual lenses.

I've been shooting DSLR for a coupe of years and all my lenses are old manual Pentax.

The 50mm f1.7 is nice and can be got for less than £40

The 50mm f1.4 is fantastic and can be got for around £70

How long is the focus throw? These have the same focus ring direction as canons right?

Pentax focus throw is the opposite of Canons. Is the same as Nikons.

The ZF mount zeiss are manual focus and MANUAL APERTURE.

That's true, the ZF does, but not the Zeiss ZE-Mount-Lenses. Those don't have a manual aperture control ring because the iris is supposed to be set electronically inside the Canon-Camera.

But that means that you can't use ZE-Zeiss-Lenses on the EF-Mount-BMCC properly (as shown in this Video: ), because you are unable to control the iris (not inside the camera and not on the lens, because there is no manual aperture ring).

Is there an adapter ring to mount a ZF on a EF-BMCC that works? Or how did you solve this aperture/iris problem?

Yes companies like Duclos, do a Cine Modification to ZF lenses to ZE mount.

You get the ZF mount to ZE mount conversion, declicked aperture ring, and gears on the focus ring. The only thing you have to worry about is having to throw focus in the opposite direction.

They sell pre-modded ones, or you can send your ZF Zeiss lenses in. My only concern is that the majority of my glass is MFT, and I'd like to get a manual 50mm prime on the EF BMCC, and hopefully use it later when the MFT are more common.

Though, I may be asking for a bit much.

For what i understand, most photography shops do it. It´s actually really easy but if you do it at the store they charge you around 20€ (here in Lisbon).

That's true, the ZF does, but not the Zeiss ZE-Mount-Lenses. Those don't have a manual aperture control ring because the iris is supposed to be set electronically inside the Canon-Camera.

But that means that you can't use ZE-Zeiss-Lenses on the EF-Mount-BMCC properly (as shown in this Video: ), because you are unable to control the iris (not inside the camera and not on the lens, because there is no manual aperture ring).

Just for the record - My Zeiss 50mm f1.4 works just fine with the BMCC; the forward and backward buttons control the aperture. With v1.2 of the firmware, the screen displays the aperture, as well.

I really love these Zeiss lenses.

Thank you! Did you mean the ZE-Version? Sounds great!

Pentax focus throw is the opposite of Canons. Is the same as Nikons.

Glad somebody knew, I shoot Canon but own no Canon lenses

I've found a great article on using Zeiss ZF.2-Lenses on the BMCC: http://www.fstopacademy.com/blog/a-port ... stockholm/ They suggest using the Nikon-Mount-lenses with adapter ring because of the additional manual aperture ring. And because I'm a Nikon user already it makes much more sense. So I can use my Zeiss lenses on the BMCC AND the Nikon camera.