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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

High Speed Lens Shootout

Matt Ryan said:
Sorry but we work in PST in the good old USA! haha.
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Damn :) LOL

OK, UK bedtime now - hopefully the thread will be posted later, so I can read over breakfast!
 
Thanks Guys for You hard Work!!!
I put my money on Schneider Cine-Xenar III.........
 
Jiri Vrozina said:
Thanks Guys for You hard Work!!!
I put my money on Schneider Cine-Xenar III.........
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Haha then I'll take your money now! Those aren't included in the test, t1.3-t1.5 only.
 
Nick Morrison said:
Yeah probably. They will become the Super Speeds of 2013. And fetch prices of $50k and above.
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Not connected to the tests, and don't know any results... but without knowing anything, I can attest the Canon K35s are some of the best optics we put on digital sensors - if not the best.
Esthetically, they are the most filmic, by far. Don't care about charts and resolution lines and lens projectors, really... I care about what my eye tells me.

We have two sets and couldn't be happier with them on EPICs and ALEXAs and pretty much everything digital. Famous DPs already began to take notice and are renting them constantly.
Also - we've shot on 35mm as well with the K35 - with sensational results.

Funny - 3-4 years ago, nobody knew they existed.

George
 
Alright guys, unfortunately we are going to have to postpone the results until Monday. There's a ton of data and files to put together and coordinating with everyones work schedules has proven a bit difficult. Thanks for your patience and look forward to posting the results on Monday February 4th.
 
Our results won't change your love for the speeds. You already know they are not edge to edge sharp anyway.

Nick Morrison said:
On pins and needles. I just don't want the Super Speeds to have "depressed". As long as they showed some balls by 2.8, and were "aesthtically" interesting wide open (if a bit soft), I think I'll feel OK.

That's the only set I have an emotional, vested interest in.
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hahaha, your going to be pissed. So much info. I've urged those involved to spend a little more time before this post goes live.

Like RED... It's ready when it's ready boys! :)

Nick Morrison said:
TICK TOCK. TICK TOCK.

Can't wait.
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We actually tested the Schneiders, unoffical after the tests were concluded. They had some positive response.

Jiri Vrozina said:
Thanks Guys for You hard Work!!!
I put my money on Schneider Cine-Xenar III.........
Click to expand...
 
Will Keir said:
Our results won't change your love for the speeds. You already know they are not edge to edge sharp anyway.
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I agree with Will...

Any lens has strengths and weaknesses... and the Zeiss Superspeeds are great lenses! Just like the Canon K35s, the Cooke S4s, the Master Primes, etc etc...
They all have advantages and disadvantages - when you consider them in relation to the esthetic needs of your project. Lens evaluation is not objective. Painters use many tools - is any one better than the other objectively? Does any one produce a better painting? No. It depends on what the specific painting needs, given the style, the subject, the painter's personal preference and so on (too many factors to mention). Lenses are just one tool among many other.

No technical test (even a great one like this one - thanks guys!) can change that. Many, many factors go into choosing the right lens. Least of all, it's how a lens performs on a lens projector...

I'm not at all dissing the test - on the contrary! I appreciate it very much.
Just a quick reminder to people - take what is useful from it (as intended!), don't think the test will make or break a particular set... It's never the case.

George
 
Matt Ryan said:
Alright guys, unfortunately we are going to have to postpone the results until Monday. There's a ton of data and files to put together and coordinating with everyones work schedules has proven a bit difficult. Thanks for your patience and look forward to posting the results on Monday February 4th.
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No prob. Looking forward to it. You guys are doing everyone a service; so we're all happy to wait, I'm sure.

All be it with bated breath...HAHA.
 
Will Keir said:
Our results won't change your love for the speeds. You already know they are not edge to edge sharp anyway.
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Well I'd always assumed that by 2.8 Supers were fine. Almost Ultraprime good. But truth is that for me lenses just need to be good enough. I don't need perfection. The emotional tone and feel is just as (or more) important to me. That era of Zeiss photography for me (whether it be with Standards, Supers, Contax or Hasselblads) is a real bellwether for what I like. Those coatings just, well, have a latitude and honesty, and even a "glow" that I love. I'm a sucker for it really.

ON THAT NOTE: It's not a must, but after all the numbers are crunched, I'd love to also hear how you guys felt aesthetically/emotionally about each set of lenses (irrespective of performance). As we've all pointed out, some lenses have a quality and a value that can't be quantified with math. Just a thought ;)

Good luck guys!!!
 
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the challenge with speed lenses is finding a great set; with the decades of rental use they can be really hard to find.

Did the nikon G Primes make the test ?
 
Nick,

One day we'll have a long conversation about all of this. To really appreciate these tests, you need to sit down with all the notes and sit back and watch the magic. At the end of the day, we could spend a couple days pouring over the data. I'm more concerned with how a lens breaths, how it flares, how it performs wide open and the physical and mechanical build quality. I'm still taking in all the data and will be until the super bowl starts and probably for the months to follow.

For those still reading, we really have a threat in the wealth of information we are able to give to you. This test took the cooperation and generosity of many people and I'm thankful for this opportunity to share. There have been no tests of this scale and magnitude, nothing even close. New and old, everyone has something to gain from these tests and hopefully you come away with a clear idea of what is out there, what "flaws" you can live with and what compromises you'd like to avoid. And that's the power of REDUSER, the wealth of knowledge, of talented and skill individuals coming together for the greater good of all.

Nick Morrison said:
Well I'd always assumed that by 2.8 Supers were fine. Almost Ultraprime good. But truth is that for me lenses just need to be good enough. I don't need perfection. The emotional tone and feel is just as (or more) important to me. That era of Zeiss photography for me (whether it be with Standards, Supers, Contax or Hasselblads) is a real bellwether for what I like. Those coatings just, well, have a latitude and honesty, and even a "glow" that I love. I'm a sucker for it really.

ON THAT NOTE: It's not a must, but after all the numbers are crunched, I'd love to also hear how you guys felt aesthetically/emotionally about each set of lenses (irrespective of performance). As we've all pointed out, some lenses have a quality and a value that can't be quantified with math. Just a thought ;)

Good luck guys!!!
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Never used a Panchro. If you really curious hit up Evin Grant or Phil Hollard. Matthew Duclos would have some thoughts as well.

Jiri Vrozina said:
Would they beat Panchro?
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I really wanted to get the Schneiders when I was shopping, but the Mk II's had numerous flaws. I ended up going with the Panchro/i's and they are as close to flawless as you can get for under $50k. Slower than everything in this test, but sharp, gorgeous and mechanically perfect.
 
Will Keir said:
Nick,

One day we'll have a long conversation about all of this. To really appreciate these tests, you need to sit down with all the notes and sit back and watch the magic. At the end of the day, we could spend a couple days pouring over the data. I'm more concerned with how a lens breaths, how it flares, how it performs wide open and the physical and mechanical build quality. I'm still taking in all the data and will be until the super bowl starts and probably for the months to follow.

For those still reading, we really have a threat in the wealth of information we are able to give to you. This test took the cooperation and generosity of many people and I'm thankful for this opportunity to share. There have been no tests of this scale and magnitude, nothing even close. New and old, everyone has something to gain from these tests and hopefully you come away with a clear idea of what is out there, what "flaws" you can live with and what compromises you'd like to avoid. And that's the power of REDUSER, the wealth of knowledge, of talented and skill individuals coming together for the greater good of all.
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WOW. You guys rock. Looking forward to this even more. Have a great weekend team. Try not to work too hard. We all really appreciate it.

Till Monday!
 
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