I just spent all week doing research. I purchased the Letus Mini w/ the Nikon mount and the lens I bought is the Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AutoFocus Zoom Nikkor Lens to work with my sony handycam HDR-CX7. It hasn't been easy finding info on the combination since everyone seems to have HV20's Does anyone foresee any problems as far as compatibility? I would appreciate the help. The wonderful folks at Letus haven't responded yet.

I've just setup a mini with the CX7.
Have a look here for some rough and random tests so far: http://www.vimeo.com/avchd.

That lens you got might be a bit limiting. You might want something faster.
I tested a Tamron 17 - 50mm f/2.8 and it worked well and was dirt cheap brand new.

Wow, once the Vimeo video loaded up, I recognized you by you work, since you were the only reference I had that the 35mini would work with the CX7. I love the pigeon/village video. I would be extremely satisfied if I could emulate something on that level. I did hear to keep the "aperture" between 1.4-2.8 with small cameras, I'm not really sure why. Maybe I can cancel the Nikon lens before it ships, everyone including big-photo journalist were saying great things about it on Amazon. Anyways Everyone please weigh in. And Oxlee please kit. thanks

I just did a quick check. Think you should cancel that lens asap.

It looks like a digital lens for digi slr. Digital lens have their aperture controled on the camera. You're gonna see black on your cx7 as nikon digi lens have their aperture closed down when not on a digital slr.

You need non-digi lens that have manual aperture controls on the lens itself.
Check pictures of the lens to see that there is an aperture wheel, aside from focus and zoom wheels.

Zoom lens are large as well. If you want smaller lens for better hand-handling, go for fixed lens. Nikon 24,35,50,85 are really small and handy. I like 'em. And you could prob buy a few old ones for price of one new zoom.

Post edited by: kwylee, at: 2008/05/16 00:09

Post edited by: kwylee, at: 2008/05/16 00:10

Geez The plot thickens! Hey I realy realy appreciate you taking the time out to help me. I'm Still waiting for some support from the Good Ol' Folks at Letus I'm canceling my order as we speak, the I read the guy your reply and he said basically I can't use a Non G lens. I hope that's correct, so now I'm shopping over the phone. LoL But at lease I'm talking to a human, on-line shopping is difficult. I'll let you know what I get. peace

(small correction) He said it MUST be a Non G Lens.

How about these?
1.)Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras?
2)Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras?
3.)Nikon 28mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras?
4.)Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens with hood for Canon DSLR Cameras?
Your input will definetly effect my decision. BTW I canceled Just in TIME!!!

I haven't tried any of those autofocus Nikkor lens, but i assume they should work if they allow manual focus.

I have tried the Tamron as mentioned before, and it works good.
I might get one myself at some point 'cause its so darn cheap (although some might want to just stick to nikkor glass).

A quick dummy-proof way to check lens compatibility - ask the salesman if you can use it on a full manual film slr camera like the FM2. If you can, it'll work.

The lens I have are all 2nd hand AI-S Manual Focus.
Here's a pic if you're interested:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/noodlem/2494907954/

I copy and pasted the tameron you told me about into google, and I got the Tameron that is number 4 on my list. Same one? looks very simular! If it is I will snatch it! and thanks for the dummy proofer.

Sorry. That Tamron one of yours with the "Di II" is a digital lens. You need to get one that is just "Di" like this one : http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/assets/pdfs/spec_sheets/17-35mmDi.pdf

or these ones:
http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/di.asp

Thanks again Oxlee! You have been my only real support tryna get into this.

Nikon Nikkor 50mm
manual focus AI f1.4 E+ Chrome DOF scale

Nikon Nikkor 28mm f2.8
manual focus

Just Got Em!!! Am I learning?!?!

Hah. Cool. The 50 1.4 is great.
Probably the cheapest f1.4 lens out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fjtd0chvBk