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Archive 2011 · Lenses for "3D" look?

keira007
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p.1 #1 · Lenses for "3D" look?

Hi everyone.

I'm a fan of the 3D look that many people have produced on this forum. So under various conditions, what lenses can provide the most 3D look, in other words the highest chance of 3D?

I have a Canon 500D and will upgrade to a 5D soon. I'm trying to build a kit of 3 or 4 lenses and my requirement is that the lenses must be under 1000$ each.

Some lenses I'm considering:

Wide angle: really need recommendations
Zeiss 35mm f/2: not really wide but I don't know more lenses in this focal length. Not the Zeiss 21mm, it's too pricey.
Tokina 35mm f/2.8 macro: some say that its performance is very close to the Zeiss.

Normal:
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 or Zeiss 50mm f/2: honestly I don't really like any of them.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4: good performance but not really 3D.
Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4: Some of the bokeh it produces are very different from others. But for 3D it may not be good.
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 macro: seems like nobody noticed this lens, even though many reviews said that it's a great lens.
Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm f/3.4

Tele
Sonnar 85mm f/2.8
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro
Olympus 90/2
Canon 135L
Zeiss 135mm f/2.8

Did I miss some great lenses or some lenses won't mount on Canon body?

What will make a great combo in your opinion? Please suggest any lens you like. You're welcome.

Thanks.

Mar 17, 2011 at 06:14 PM

Sami Ruusunen
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p.1 #2 · Lenses for "3D" look?

So what are you shooting mostly? Your choice of lenses should be dictated mostly by the subject.

Mar 17, 2011 at 06:28 PM

sirimiri
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p.1 #3 · Lenses for "3D" look?

Welcome to the forum. No offense, but try searching a little bit, really. Here is just a smattering of posts, there are many many more.

www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/983034
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/884056
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/857613
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/932105
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/856355
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/822469
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/990237
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/983034
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/667180
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/983034

Mar 17, 2011 at 06:33 PM

keira007
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p.1 #4 · Lenses for "3D" look?

Sorry, I forgot to mention it. Subjects are people, mostly. But the working distance and conditions aren't fixed so I'd like to have lenses that can cover: wide/normal/tele/macro/low light.

Mar 17, 2011 at 06:37 PM

keira007
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p.1 #5 · Lenses for "3D" look?

sirimiri wrote: Welcome to the forum. No offense, but try searching a little bit, really. Here is just a smattering of posts, there are many many more.

Honestly I've read through most of the topics about 3D, except for some image topics that go over 100 pages.
Many of the lenses are superb, but to work as a kit is still something to consider. I want a system that balances the flexibility and the IQ.

Mar 17, 2011 at 06:43 PM

fsiagian
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p.1 #6 · Lenses for "3D" look?

Zeiss 25mm for wide angle. Not as expensive as the 21mm.

Zeiss 100mm for tele and macro.

I use nikon by the way. For people, i find it hard to mf.

Mar 17, 2011 at 06:48 PM

fsiagian
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p.1 #7 · Lenses for "3D" look?

What's wrong with 35 and 135 L?

Mar 17, 2011 at 06:54 PM

crazeazn
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p.1 #8 · Lenses for "3D" look?

absolutely nothing wrong with the 35 and 135L

probably the best zeiss in z* has to offer is the 21 and 100makro.

Mar 17, 2011 at 06:57 PM

carstenw
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p.1 #9 · Lenses for "3D" look?

There is nothing wrong with either 35L or 135L, but they don't produce 3D, just foreground-background separation. The only Canon lens I am aware of producing 3D is the 200/1.8.

Mar 17, 2011 at 07:11 PM

Sami Ruusunen
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p.1 #10 · Lenses for "3D" look?

unless you really need the "normal" lens and 35mm is the widest you need, I would go for a kit like 35-85-135 (at least on full frame)

canon 135L is one of the "must" have lenses on people photography. On other focal lenghts there are so many lenses and so many opinions about them, should just dig some high res photos from lens review sites, flickr etc and do some comparing of what you are after. Since most of the low-res photos on forums are post processed (area sharpening/blurring) you should really try get some high res images to your hands.

Mar 17, 2011 at 07:11 PM

carstenw
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p.1 #11 · Lenses for "3D" look?

Personally I am not a fan of either 35L or 135L for people. I find the 35L boke unattractive much of the time, and the 135L results flat. Here is a very long portrait-a-day thread where you can see both in action. I by far preferred the results from the Sigma 50/1.4 in that thread, and ended up buying one myself, although I am not normally a Sigma fan.

http://www.dslr-forum.de/showthread.php?t=613333

Mar 17, 2011 at 07:26 PM

Sami Ruusunen
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p.1 #12 · Lenses for "3D" look?

carstenw wrote:
Personally I am not a fan of either 35L or 135L for people. I find the 35L boke unattractive much of the time, and the 135L results flat. Here is a very long portrait-a-day thread where you can see both in action. I by far preferred the results from the Sigma 50/1.4 in that thread, and ended up buying one myself, although I am not normally a Sigma fan.

http://www.dslr-forum.de/showthread.php?t=613333

I am not a fan of 35L either but forexample for shooting kids or shy people there really is no substitute for 135L.
I would become a Sigma fan if they would make 35/1.4 with 50/1.4 IQ

Mar 17, 2011 at 07:55 PM

carstenw
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p.1 #13 · Lenses for "3D" look?

Well, I guess that is why we have opinions

Personally, I find the 135L results too flat, as if every photo has two layers: the subject and the background. I much prefer the perspective visible in shots made with a shorter focal length, and with more gradual sharpness rolloff. 85mm/100mm is about the upper limit, and 50-80mm is more my taste, with 35mm shots having an advantage when the environment is included. The CZ35/1.4 is brilliant for this, and I hope the ZF35/1.4 will be as good.

Mar 17, 2011 at 08:37 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #14 · Lenses for "3D" look?

On the wide side ... C/Y 28/2.8
On the normal side ... C/Y 35-70/3.4 or C/Y 50/1.7
On the tele side ... C/Y 135/2.8 Sonnar

A sleeper is the C/Y 80-200/4 from about 80-135 if the f4 isn't too slow for you.

You can probably pick up THREE of these for around $1,000 (+ adapters of choice).

I'd probably recommend the ... 28/2.8 ... 35-70/3.4 ... and 135/2.8 ... as a very nice '3D-ish' kit.
The Contax 100's and the 21 are of course up there, but so is their price.

I've got a Tamron 90/2.5 SP that doesn't do too bad either, and also my 150/2.8 A Mamiya can pull a nice trick here & there, but I really think the C/Y (Zeiss) is the most consistent at being able to swing it (not to suggest all Zeiss do).

I don't have the Sonnar 85/2.8 or 135/2.8 ... but the 135/2.8 is the one (of those two) that I would prefer to go with my other C/Y's.

As you start trying to produce the '3D-ishness' thing, you'll find that each lens has its 'sweet spot' relative to subject shooting distance where you get the most from the lens design.

For the Macro & Low light aspect ... the Tamron 90 and the C/Y 50/1.7 can do some double duty ... just depends on how many pieces you want to put in your bag.

38 pages of 3D discussion from Jan 2009 - Oct 2010 (almost 2 years). One of the most prolific threads on the subject in recent past. Has some missing pics along the way by now, but there's still plenty of examples to see.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/829238/0?keyword=3d#7701654

Edited on Mar 17, 2011 at 09:07 PM · View previous versions

Mar 17, 2011 at 08:42 PM

millsart
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p.1 #15 · Lenses for "3D" look?

So you want people to give you information, but don't want to have to read some of the existing threads that are too long, and too packed with information for you ?

You'd like someone to go and find select post/pages for you from those threads for your reading convenience ?

I'm sorry but don't think thats going to happen. There is a TON of great information and images in the Zeiss/Alt/Leica threads along with so many great images.

Just pick and page and start reading. I've read through every page and it can indeed take a while but you don't have to do it in one sitting. Do 20 pages a night for example.

They are all fantastic resources as you can really get a feel for how a lens performs by seeing its results from a bunch of different shooters, which is far better than just one persons opinion.

Your eyes are your best resource as its about what you think looks good, and has that "pop".

keira007 wrote:
sirimiri wrote: Welcome to the forum. No offense, but try searching a little bit, really. Here is just a smattering of posts, there are many many more.

Honestly I've read through most of the topics about 3D, except for some image topics that go over 100 pages.
Many of the lenses are superb, but to work as a kit is still something to consider. I want a system that balances the flexibility and the IQ.

Mar 17, 2011 at 08:58 PM

keira007
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p.1 #16 · Lenses for "3D" look?

Please don't get me wrong. The lenses list above is results from reading almost every topics about 3D on this forum, adding some special. I used the custom google search of the forum and read almost everything. There are great examples in many topics that gave me general idea of what a lens can do. An image topic is too slow to load, and I think that people tend to choose their best 3D images to show in those 3D dedicated topics. Maybe some lenses are missed but that's what I hope to get from someone who has following those image topics from the very start.

Well I'm not someone who just ask without searching first

Mar 18, 2011 at 06:09 AM

keira007
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p.1 #17 · Lenses for "3D" look?

RustyBug wrote:
I'd probably recommend the ... 28/2.8 ... 35-70/3.4 ... and 135/2.8 ... as a very nice '3D-ish' kit.

For the Macro & Low light aspect ... the Tamron 90 and the C/Y 50/1.7 can do some double duty ... just depends on how many pieces you want to put in your bag.

38 pages of 3D discussion from Jan 2009 - Oct 2010 (almost 2 years). One of the most prolific threads on the subject in recent past. Has some missing pics along the way by now, but there's still plenty of examples to see.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/829238/0?keyword=3d#7701654

Thanks Rusty, I want opinions like that

So basically, a combo of C/Y 28mm/2.8, C/Y 50/1.7, C/Y 135mm/2.8 Sonnar will be enough for almost all situations then? Or should I go with the C/Y 35-70 and add a dedicated macro lens such as Tamron 90mm or Sigma 70mm?
I already read that topic, such great topics can't be missed when searching

Mar 18, 2011 at 06:19 AM

keira007
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p.1 #18 · Lenses for "3D" look?

You people are awesome

I didn't even think to get so many replies like that after such short time.
Thanks a lot everyone

P/s: and please keep suggesting the best kit, I appreciate every comments

(Oops, did I use icon too much?)

Mar 18, 2011 at 06:24 AM

Anden
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p.1 #19 · Lenses for "3D" look?

Zeiss 35/1.4 + 35-70/3.4 and 85/1.4. Add 21/2.8 for WA and 100-300/4.5-5.6 for tele.
That is what I did and trust me, I have tried alot of lenses.
As for Canon lenses. Don´t go there for 3D. I have not tried the 200/1.8 though.

A

Mar 18, 2011 at 10:29 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #20 · Lenses for "3D" look?

For the wide angle lens, if you are patient you should be able to find a contax/yashica or rollei mount zeiss 35 mm f/1.4 for less than a thousand dollars. I don't think you will find a better 3D lens and it seems to be excellent for portraits. In the normal range I would recommend a Minolta MC Rokkor 58mm f/1.2. It is another fabulous portrait lens and many here (including me) love the bokeh it produces (for me I find that true especially at f/2) and it can produce some pretty decent 3D, although not everyone would agree with that. In the tele range the excellent 3D lens is the contax/yashica mount zeiss 100mm f/2. This and the 35 f/1.4 compete for 3D king. It is an exceptional portrait lens. It should be available for about a thousand dollars if you are patient. I don't think you can go wrong with this three lens kit for 3D. Get some tubes for macro or an inexpensive dedicated macro lens and you should be all set.

Mar 18, 2011 at 10:36 AM

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