CP.2 EF to PL Mounts or just get the Canon Mount by RED?

[Curt Schulz]

I am interested in getting a few Zeiss CP.2's for my 7D and upgrading to an Epic-S in a couple years. I understand that a PL mount is more robust, but are there any other benefits of buying 4 to 5 EF-to-PL mounts from Zeiss for $400 a pop over buying the one Canon Mount from RED? Ironically they cost about the same (for 5 lenses).

 

[Jon Thomasberg]

Curt,

I really depends on what style of shooting you intend on once you get your S. If you intend on only using your future S exclusively with your CP.2s, then I don't think there would be a difference for or against one or the other mount. However, if you are needing to rent lenses or add to your collection later, it really depends on your shooting style. If you will have a lightweight EFP run & gun type of rig, then EF mount lenses are much less expensive to rent. By comparison, if you intend on making mainly feature films and the like which demand the best possible image quality or need the look that proper cinema-quality glass offers and you will be using a larger rig, since most PL glass is usually MUCH heavier, much more expensive to rent and have PL mounts, then perhaps go that route.

Because I have DSLRs and a RedOne and a set of CP.2s, I have both mounts. Keep in mind also: It should be much easier (and more robust, given Titanium) to swap 4 screws and 1 mount on an S than to remount (aluminium) your entire set of CP.2s.

Hope that helps,

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Just get the Red Canon mount as suggested.

If you have not bought yet though, I suggest renting them and comparing them to Zeiss ZE lenses.

I also suggest looking closely at the EF autofocus glass, which is going to work very well on Epic.

 

[Curt Schulz]

Thanks for your detailed reply Jon! Great advice. If you are still up, a few more questions if you don't mind Can you do the EF to PL mount conversion yourself? Is there any worry of having to re-calibrate after a mount change? How long does it take to change one?

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Thanks for your detailed reply Jon! Great advice. If you are still up, a few more questions if you don't mind Can you do the EF to PL mount conversion yourself? Is there any worry of having to re-calibrate after a mount change? How long does it take to change one?

You can do the EF to PL mount conversion on the CP.2 lenses yourself, but Zeiss recommends having a lens tech do it the first time to set your shims and such. Once you do the first change, its relatively straightforward and trouble free. Here is the thing, you have to check the backfocus on the camera everytime. Mostly its fine, but sometimes you shift something ... so you have to check. The mount change took me about 15 minutes per lens, but I only did it myself once. I think you can get it down to under 5min per lens with just a bit of practice.

On the other hand, you can swap the Red lens mount in about 15 seconds.

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

Why not make the PL mounts on the CPs properly and get the PL to eos adapter for the camera. That's the right way to do it.
Never have to change the mounts on lenses and have only one adapter to deal with. Of course you won't be paying Zeiss $2000 for 5 lens mounts but you could just send them the cash(donation)- I'm sure they'll accept it....:coolgleamA:

 

[Jon Thomasberg]

@Curt,

I bought my CP.2s with the EF mount, then bought the PL mount kits. There are color coded shims provided in order to get your backfocus right. As Alexander stated, the first time you do it for each lens, it will take you a while to get it spot on. 'Each lens' being the operative phrase, because each lens requires its own backfocus adjustment. After you have taken notes on which shims to use on each lens it will go quickly.

Also, something that is recommended is to purchase (unless yours is included in a kit) a Wiha or similar T6 torque screwdriver capable of using only 0.4nm of torque to tighten the mounting screws. Sure, you can get any T6 driver, but if you don't torque them evenly and in a star pattern your lens mount will not be keeping equal pressure on the mount (bad thing) and can cause problems down the line. THAT plus changing them in a clean, dust-free area is why they recommend a pro change the mounts. It's nothing you cannot due yourself if you are careful about it. Basically, what Alexander just said


@Alexander,

Do you have the whole set? I have 21, 35, and 85. Waiting on 50 macro to come in. Let me know if you ever need mine. They are going on a shoot starting next week, but otherwise let me know since I am just out by Dulles.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Why not make the PL mounts on the CPs properly and get the PL to eos adapter for the camera. That's the right way to do it.
Never have to change the mounts on lenses and have only one adapter to deal with. Of course you won't be paying Zeiss $2000 for 5 lens mounts but you could just send them the cash(donation)- I'm sure they'll accept it....:coolgleamA:

I disagree Jacek.

Using the CP.2 with either PL or EF mount is just fine ... and there isn't much benefit to converting the 7D to PL.

The 7D works just fine with the CP.2s using EF mount.

So does the Epic now that Red has intriduced their Canon mount. That's the real way to go. You know, away from the 7D.

the 7D PL mounts are $500 for the KCW to $5500 for the Denz (permanent mount only with camera body) I'm not sure the cheaper PL mounts will be as reliable and compatible ... so you may as well use the EF mount on the 7D or any EOS camera.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

@Alexander,

Do you have the whole set? I have 21, 35, and 85. Waiting on 50 macro to come in. Let me know if you ever need mine. They are going on a shoot starting next week, but otherwise let me know since I am just out by Dulles.

I own none of them. I usually get them through rentals. I usually send my clients to Erich at DC Camera.

I prefer to use them with the EF mount on the 7D.

PM me your rates for the CP.2 and maybe we can do some business.

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

I disagree Jacek.

Using the CP.2 with either PL or EF mount is just fine ... and there isn't much benefit to converting the 7D to PL.

The 7D works just fine with the CP.2s using EF mount.

So does the Epic now that Red has intriduced their Canon mount. That's the real way to go. You know, away from the 7D.

the 7D PL mounts are $500 for the KCW to $5500 for the Denz (permanent mount only with camera body) I'm not sure the cheaper PL mounts will be as reliable and compatible ... so you may as well use the EF mount on the 7D or any EOS camera.

It's an adapter- you can take it off the camera in seconds and go back to your Canon lenses...
There is only one benefit- you'll never have to swap mounts on lenses- and that's a big one for most people. Oh yeah and another one- you won't have to buy extra (EOS) mounts for the CPs.
And one more thing- if you need a torque wrench for lens mount screws you probably shouldn't be swapping mounts in the first place.....

 

[Jon Thomasberg]

And one more thing- if you need a torque wrench for lens mount screws you probably shouldn't be swapping mounts in the first place.....

Good point, but that is true for most things mechanical. I haven't looked yet (as I am still waiting for my Epic Canon mount), but I bet it is recommended by Red for changing out the Ti EF mount as well. Not just for the CP.2s PL mounts.

According to manufacturer specs, you are supposed to torque every bolt on your car when adjusting things, even the lug nuts on the rims of your car/truck -- I know I do. But how many people don't and still get on just fine. It was just a word of caution on how to do it correctly should he venture down that path.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

It's an adapter- you can take it off the camera in seconds and go back to your Canon lenses...
There is only one benefit- you'll never have to swap mounts on lenses- and that's a big one for most people. Oh yeah and another one- you won't have to buy extra (EOS) mounts for the CPs.
And one more thing- if you need a torque wrench for lens mount screws you probably shouldn't be swapping mounts in the first place.....

Since the OP has not purchased any of the CP.2 lenses ... I suppose they could buy them with PL mount and get the adaptor for the 7D.

Which adaptors for the 7D allow you to use all the CP.2 lenses? I thought it was only the Denz conversion, not any of the screw ins.

I'm going to do something unusual for me right now ... argue against PL glass.

My actual advice is to simply buy some good EF mount primes for the 7D.

Zeiss ZE.2 would be nice. You can buy a whole Zeiss SLR set for the cost of two of the CP.2 lenses. Image quality is very close, and some of the SLR lenses are faster.

Its also worth considering some fast Canon lenses. Operating characteristics are a bit worse on the 7D, but on Epic with a RedMote Pro, they should be very very competitive with low end cinema glass ... and much cheaper.

I mean the Epic Canon mount changes a LOT.

Check this out: http://www.fxguide.com/featured/red-epic-canon-mount-test-drive-review/

Seeing that ... I'd consider the Canon Mount for Epic required gear, not an optional add on.

I'd defer the cost of cinema glass as late as practical right now.

First off information and reviews are still coming in about the Illumina set, which is much faster than the CP.2 and I think gives just as good an image quality for around the same cost. Then there is Red and their promised Red Electronic mount and lenses. The various Canon lenses ...

Over all this is probably one of the fastest changing times in lens history. Take your time.