Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • 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 :)

RPP 300mm - Have you used one?

Per von Koch

Per von Koch

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
296
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Sweden
Hi!

Thinking about getting myself the RPP 300mm for the Epic.
Looking for some thoughts on this lens. If you can, please post some samples
Much appreciated :)

Cheers!
 
I remember this quote from a while back. Has always made me curious to get my hands on one...

Jannard said:
The RPP 300mm is the single most under appreciated lens in the world. :-)

Jim
Click to expand...

The comment was made in a thread about this video from Mark Toia - whole thing shot with the RPP 300mm:

 
Last edited:
It's the kind of lens that I try (and fail) to use on every shoot… Sadly it's mostly a case queen on the equipment shelf. However; it makes incredible images and I love the rear filter tray.
 
Love the 300mm, also one of my favorite Super-telephotos.... Used extensively on the SkyDive Dubai shoot.

Love especially few of the opening scenes shots of the running horses in the High Desert Dunes, impossible to have gotten without it!!.


Especially some of the detail close up shots to sequence the slow mo.

attachment.php


1383772_1375159219391416_1097446755_n.jpg


67963_1375154309391907_1543454753_n.jpg
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 7.21.29 PM.jpg
    Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 7.21.29 PM.jpg
    15.3 KB · Views: 0
I bought mine from Ketch, shot my piece then sent it to Australia. I'd buy it back any day but sold it to buy a set of Super Speeds.

I'd like to post some stills and will if I can find a moment. What I can say now is that the lens opens up a new world for your cinematic vision, if you haven't used a long lens. You can finally see the details of your vision, including silk spider webs in the trees, far off buildings in the valley bottom from the mountains, the moon, that kind of stuff. But for the moon I would use a 500mm-600mm or a doubler.

I used it for some landscape work in the mountains I had wanted to shoot for sometime. My advise is to give your shots some motion, just a slight acceleration. We used a O'Connor 1030 and it "stutter" in the pan. It was difficult to get silky smooth motion, and trust me, I tried several times. My own heartbeat pulsing down to my finger tips through it off. Web compression also suffers from pan moves, you see it on Netflix all the time.

You need a VERY smooth tripod for this work, maybe a geared head, I still don't know. So "CHECK," yeah, it's a good lens. Now the next box, what tripod head is smooth enough for movement with the 300mm?

You might also consider a still lens. Even the 300mm "breaths." Some IS (image stabilization) isn't a bad option with such an extreme focal length. How often will you rack focus? You can rent, you can buy. I got mine for 3300 USD and sold it for 2225. Not bad for a $75 loss and weeks of "free" rent. It holds it's value and should for sometime to come, even with the Dragon sensor.

Good Luck!
 
Thanks guys for answering :) Really means alot!

Ketch, those horse shots looks amazing! Wondering about the size of the lens in your photo with the Epic there. Did you use some lens support there when filming. Looks kinda scary with that photo of the Epic ;)

Gunleik: I'm a fan of your work. Great that you like the lens.

And Will, I'm getting the battle-tested one. A little more expensive but I don't like buying lenses of forums. Thanks for the heads up on the tripod issue. We got a heavy Sachtler and a Vinten so I don't think there will be any issue.

I'm using it to film animals at a zoo. 75 films. Here's a frame that's kinda cute :)
 

Attachments

  • bild_02lejon_small.jpg
    bild_02lejon_small.jpg
    41.8 KB · Views: 0
Will Keir said:
I bought mine from Ketch...
Click to expand...

And actually regretting having sold that lens every day... ;)


Per von Koch said:
Thanks guys for answering :) Really means alot!

Ketch, those horse shots looks amazing! Wondering about the size of the lens in your photo with the Epic there. Did you use some lens support there when filming. Looks kinda scary with that photo of the Epic ;)
Click to expand...

Pleasure Per Von,!

And thanks, your shot looks super as well!!

When I accepted to Direct and shoot the SlkyDive Dubai piece, it was only if I could trow in the mix particular shots, and one of those was that of the Horses in the Desert, so I am happy you like those shots!!

And no, I did not used any Lens Support, not for the 300mm, nor for the even heavier 18-85, but I did so on the PL Ti mount, and even then I always did so for short takes, and or with the camera tilted up, as to alleviate the stress on the Lens mount, did not worry about the PL Ti mount, but the rear elements on the lens could get indeed damaged if used for extensive periods with no support, so I always strongly recommend that one makes use of it at all times, unless with full knowledge of how a particular lens can be handle, and never of course on a AL Canon Mount.


So I would make sure that the first thing you do is get yourself a nice Lens support, as I would not put any lens bigger and or heavier then the 70-200 on it without one.
 
Per von Koch said:
Looked really great Shawn! Good short too :) Need to pick my kids up early after watching this one...
A RPP 300mm it is then! Placing order.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
Just be careful about the front cap. I have a gen1 300 and it has developed some coating marks on the front element from the flimsy cap coming in and touching the glass. i keep meaning to ask Red if they ever fixed this with better caps, it was a disappointing discovery, given how good of care I give all my glass.
 
Nice shot, made me smile tonight. Thanks.

Per von Koch said:
Thanks guys for answering :) Really means alot!

Ketch, those horse shots looks amazing! Wondering about the size of the lens in your photo with the Epic there. Did you use some lens support there when filming. Looks kinda scary with that photo of the Epic ;)

Gunleik: I'm a fan of your work. Great that you like the lens.

And Will, I'm getting the battle-tested one. A little more expensive but I don't like buying lenses of forums. Thanks for the heads up on the tripod issue. We got a heavy Sachtler and a Vinten so I don't think there will be any issue.

I'm using it to film animals at a zoo. 75 films. Here's a frame that's kinda cute :)
Click to expand...
 
Support definitely needed when mounted to the front of an old landcruiser! Leopard on RPP 300mm. Great lens. Great camera.
 

Attachments

  • dashmount.jpg
    dashmount.jpg
    93.5 KB · Views: 0
  • leopardleg.jpg
    leopardleg.jpg
    103.5 KB · Views: 0
Yeah and a steady hand + smooth tripod if your plan on movement. My only wish for that lens would be some IS to smooth out the acceleration jitters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top