Why would anyone use still primes for video? Here are some good reasons:
- They are (or were) designed to resolve great detail, so 4K is a piece of cake.
- They are cheap!
- They are easy to buy and maintain.
- They are light.
- They can be declicked (some easily, others by a technician)
- They give you the option of large apertures
In fact, if you’re on a budget but still demand great quality and are happy to live with the compromises, then I highly recommend still primes.
In this lesson, we’re mainly concerned about primes that must be adapted to the E mount via adapters. For primes that have an E-mount version, please read the previous lesson.
Warning: Information and prices provided in this guide might be inaccurate or wrong, even if I have tried to be as accurate as possible without losing sanity. You are responsible for your own actions. Refer to manufacturers’ manuals and data for accurate information and prices.
I have already explained why I chose and recommend Nikon. Here are some recommended prime lenses from the Nikon stable for each focal length:
| Type | Lens | Filter Thread (mm) | Approx. Price | Purchase links |
| Fish-eye | Sigma 8mm f/3.5 | None | $899 | (B&H, Amazon) |
| Sigma 15mm f/2.8 | None | $609 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 16mm f/2.8D | None | $899 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Wide | Nikon 14mm f/2.8D | None | $1,399 | (B&H, Amazon) |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 | 95 | $2,950 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm F/3.5 | 82 | $1,395 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art | None | $899 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss Milvus 21mm F/2.8 | 82 | $1,843 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 24mm f/1.4G | 77 | $1,879 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art | 77 | $849 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2 | 67 | $1,699 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 28mm f/1.8G | 67 | $697 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 | 58 | $1,283 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Normal | Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art | 67 | $899 | (B&H, Amazon) |
| Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/2 | 58 | $1,177 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS | 52 | $700 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art | 77 | $949 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 | 67 | $1,199 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/2M Macro | 67 | $1,283 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus | 77 | $3,990 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D | 62 | $469 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Macro | 62 | $459 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 85mm f/1.4G | 77 | $969 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss Milvus 85mm f/1.4 | 77 | $1,799 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Otus | 86 | $4,490 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Telephoto | Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Macro | 58 | $749 | (B&H, Amazon) |
| Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X | 55 | $399 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2 | 67 | $1,843 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 105mm f/2.0D | 72 | $1,049 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 135mm f/2.0D | 72 | $1,150 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Sigma 150mm f/2.8 | 72 | $1,099 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 200mm f/4.0D | 62 | $1,649 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Super telephoto | Nikon 300mm f/4D | 77 | $1,134 | (B&H, Amazon) |
| Nikon 500mm f/4G | Drop In 52 | $6,999 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Nikon 600mm f/4G | Drop In 52 | $8,899 | (B&H, Amazon) | |
| Sigma 800mm f/5.6 | Drop in 46 | $6,699 | (B&H, Amazon) |
Don’t forget, you can buy many of these Nikon lenses used in great condition. I’ve only listed new prices. You can most of my recommendations are split between Zeiss, Nikon and Sigma.
My favorite?
For those looking to build a kit of great lenses, you really can’t go wrong with the Zeiss Milvus line. Advantages over other primes:
- Weather sealed
- Color matched (this is a huge deal with still primes, as most of them are not color matched to each other)
- Easily de-clickable aperture
- Smooth focus ring (though there are some concerns as to its durability)
If money were no object, my personal favorite is the Zeiss Otus line. Why on earth would I prefer Otus over Milvus? All I need is a good 50mm and 85mm, and I’m set. Here are some facts about the Otus you might find interesting:
| Otus | Length | Diameter | Filter | Weight |
| 28mm f/1.4 | 5.31 | 4.29 | 95 | 1.35 |
| 55mm f/1.4 | 5.55 | 3.64 | 77 | 970 |
| 85mm f/1.4 | 4.8 | 3.98 | 86 | 1.14 |
To me a few things scream out for attention:
- They are almost the same length, diameter and weight. They will be easier to rig, and change with matte boxes.
- APO – full control of chromatic aberration.
- Control over flare.
- Fully color matched.
- Consistent sharpness! You’d be amazed at how different the sharpness is on lenses that are not matched.
- Long focus throw.
- Non-rotating front filter thread.
- Can be declicked (by a technician).
Maybe it sounds weird to you, but I believe the Otus line will make its way to cine lenses at some point. If money is not a problem you can’t get better than the Otus. I’ve shot with the Otus 55mm with the a7R II and I can tell you I prefer it over the Zeiss CP.2 cine (another lesson).
But because this is a major investment, I’m still thinking about it.