Which short Zoom Lens (PL Mount) to buy as RED Zoom replacement ?

[Dominik Muench]

Hi Guys,

so far I've been using my first generation 17-50mm RED Zoom for a lot of my work.

Unfortunately the lens died on a production and now I'm in the market for a zoom lens of similar size and range. I have a budget of around 6K.

Would you guys go for the Red Zoom again ? To be honest I wasn't overly impressed by this lens. The gears were very stick and overall the lens had a wobbly/ unstable built and feel to it....not to mention that it seemed quite a soft lens too.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

There is simply no other Short PL Zoom like the RPZ 17-50 which now in its V2 look has even a nicer slimmer design.

Fact is this little zoom is simply all that there is out there in PL mount with Cine built quality together with a great image and very sharp optics, also it is phenomenal the fact that you can almost go Macro on this little one.

I don't use Zooms, and only buy them for specific projects, but if I was to keep one, this would be it.

 

[Dominik Muench]

thanks Ketch so you reckon the RPZ has improved considerably in terms of optical and build characteristics as compared to its predecessor ?

you wouldn't have any sample shots taken with one ?

 

[Brice Ansel]

Dominik,
you should give a try to the Leica Vario Elmar 35-70, wich is as good as the Leica's primes, it has a macro function aswell.
Best
B.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

thanks Ketch so you reckon the RPZ has improved considerably in terms of optical and build characteristics as compared to its predecessor ?

you wouldn't have any sample shots taken with one ?

No Dominik, the lens is exactly the same, only the Front Hood has been changed.


Sorry no shots I can post at this time, as they are all in my Edit Volt, which is not with me.

 

[Dominik Muench]

hey Brice,

thanks for the tip, will have a look at this baby.

oh so its essentially the same lens then....hmmm

 

[John Marchant]

A lot of the answer depends whether you really mean the 17-50 RPZ, or the older 18-50. Quality was variable in all respects on the 18-50, anywhere between sloppy, sticky and soft all the way to sharp and perfectly acceptable.... This is not so on the 17-50 Pro. I certainly wouldn't characterise it as soft, 'stickiness' of the FIZ rings depends on what you mean. They are heavily damped and take a lot of effort compared to some glass, particularly stills lenses, but should not stick or jerk in any way.

 

[John Marchant]

For clarity -

Red 18-50

Red Pro 17-50 v1

Red Pro 17-50 v2

 

[Dominik Muench]

Hi John

thanks for clarifying, yep I have the old RED 18-50.

 

[John Marchant]

I think you'd find the current 17-50 V2 very satisfying in that case

 

[Dominik Muench]

hm thats good news then thanks for the help.