Canon glass or PL glass. what is your favorite?

[Ian Planchon]

I am sure thats a loaded question. I am setup for PL pretty much 100% of the time. but there have been instances where I really would like to have a smaller package. what are your thoughts on having a few still lenses for a more ENG/Run and gun doco style setup? does it limit the quality by a great deal, or is it pretty much a non issue? I have a side handle and the OLED EVF, so I can have a pretty compact setup if need be.

 

[Christopher Mills]

I am sure thats a loaded question. I am setup for PL pretty much 100% of the time. but there have been instances where I really would like to have a smaller package. what are your thoughts on having a few still lenses for a more ENG/Run and gun doco style setup? does it limit the quality by a great deal, or is it pretty much a non issue? I have a side handle and the OLED EVF, so I can have a pretty compact setup if need be.

I don't think the mount is the only qualifier.. I know, it's a technicality in answering your question.

However, I think that the price point on non-electronic mounts is so low, that you might want to have several different still lens mounts for your Epic or Scarlet.

What I expect out of a good PL mount lens is a durable and consistent set of mechanical controls over the optic.

Still mount lenses start with a weaker mount at the rear than a PL.

From there forward, each lens of either mount needs to be evaluated on its own merits.

Very few still zooms are going to deliver the same consistency of parfocal performance, and I don't believe that you can know how good they are until you have the exact one you want to use on hand.. not just catalog shopping for 'this type is parfocal'

The mechanisms that make a PL mount so consistent are larger and heavier than still mount lenses.. so be it..

However, I see a lot of great work done with still glass, and no fooling, if you are handholding a lot.. you'll get easier composition with a lighter lens...

So.. I want to be able to have both.. so I rent as well as buy.

 

[Ian Planchon]

I am going to try out a canon 70-200mm L series lens today. normally I would be switching between my 17-50 and my 300mm RED lenses, but something sounds appealing about having one lens and a variable ND filter. I guess I could also just drop a wad of cash and get a really nice optimo and the new motion mount, but the size of the camera would increase quite substantially.

 

[James McLellan]

I shot for several years on a lightweight PL zoom. After looking at a number of prime options I elected to move to AF still primes. Then after a few years I moved to manual still primes. Now I never shoot with zooms anymore. I am not shooting the next Spiderman or Hobbit so price/performance is an issue for me and none of the people I work for can tell the difference between these lenses unless I ask them too. Once you factor in weight, speed and quality, I wonder if I will ever buy another PL lens. Will I shoot with PL lenses, sure, but only if someone else is paying to rent them. Disclaimer: I am nowhere near the level of some of the people on Reduser but I have some idea what I'm doing so take this with a grain of salt.

 

[Dan Wang]

Optical quality on still lenses really aren't bad. In fact, they are designed to resolve for slightly higher resolutions than 4K/5K. I have some CP2s, RED 18-85 and a set of Canon EF Still Primes and honestly, I almost always grab the case of EF still primes over the 18-85 (unless I'm shooting commercial or something that needs exact repeatable focus). The biggest downfall of these lenses, however, is their focus mechanics. Even with skilled focus pullers and wireless systems that expand the pull, it's a pain in the ass.

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

Optics are fine. 70-200 is pretty damn fantastic. Add a lens gear to it, and NOT the kind that hug the lens closely, get the Redrock type, it expands the barrel. If you also pair this with a follow focus like the Oconner ofocus DM with the PHOTO lens hand wheel, you get a pretty great throw, I use this combo a lot and it works really great

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

Optics are fine. 70-200 is pretty damn fantastic. Add a lens gear to it, and NOT the kind that hug the lens closely, get the Redrock type, it expands the barrel. If you also pair this with a follow focus like the Oconner ofocus DM with the PHOTO lens hand wheel, you get a pretty great throw, I use this combo a lot and it works really great

Or....use the OptiTron and get full rotation and perfect consistency with every AF lens, wireless as well...

 

[Ian Planchon]

So I tried some canon glass today, and wasn't too impressed. I am sure its because I am so used to my PL kit. everything just felt off to me. I will probably stick with what I have for now.

 

[James McLellan]

I have to say I think Jacek is right. It is only a mater of time for that MO to take over a huge chunk of the market.

 

[Steve Tammi]

Or....use the OptiTron and get full rotation and perfect consistency with every AF lens, wireless as well...

Great idea... If only there was a way to get some information about the OptiTron and then perhaps make a purchase.

Steve

 

[Nick Morrison]

So I tried some canon glass today, and wasn't too impressed. I am sure its because I am so used to my PL kit. everything just felt off to me. I will probably stick with what I have for now.

Try some Leica R primes or Contax Zeiss primes...may change your tune. You may be responding to the very modern "look" of Canon L glass too, not just the mechanics.

All manual Leica R and Contax Zeiss's have a very organic look, and great mechanics (as far as stills go).

 

[Mark Andersen]

So I tried some canon glass today, and wasn't too impressed. I am sure its because I am so used to my PL kit. everything just felt off to me. I will probably stick with what I have for now.

There is a vast difference in the quality of Canon Glass. Saying I don't like Canon glass is like saying I don't like food. Which Lens? What food? Some suck others are pretty amazing for the money. Currently I'm a big fan of the 24-70s ( the new stuff 2.8 mk2 and the newest F4), the 70-200 is great, tele lenses are and industry standard, and I love my 100 Macro. Most of the L stuff is pretty good, but the fast lenses aren't great wide open, they won't replace a master prime.

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

I love meta-data and controlling F-Stop from the grip. But the optical performance of PL is tough to find in an EF lens. If I'm running and gunning I'll go with lighterweight canon. If it's a big studio shoot I say break out the PL.