$10k-range lens set

[M Harvey]

I'm assessing my lens needs in 2022, and will probably wind up completing my Zeiss Milvus cine-mod set (I currently have a mix of classic and Milvus). But there are so many "cine first" choices in or entering the marketplace now-- lens designed specifically for film work--, thought I'd see what people are liking. Fans of the DZO Vespids? The latest Xeen or SLR Magic? The first lenses available from the Meike and Irix sets? Or are most people here sticking with DSLR lenses and/or modding Leica R and Contax?

$10k might be seem like an arbitrary number-- I guess another way to say it is I'm wondering if there are favorite native cine choices much below the level of Sigma and Zeiss CP.3. I'm lucky enough to live in a market with lots of rental options, so I can rent those sets (or Cookes or Super Speeds or whatever) based on the budget and required look of the job. What do you guys pick in 2022 as a do-it-all "house set" for low budget/quick/personal projects?

 

[Karim D. Ghantous]

I have never used cinema lenses, but I hear that the Sony Cine Alta set is amazing value for money. I hear similar things about the RPPs, too. FWIW!

 

[Michael Hastings]

Harvey I have a complete set of 6 of the Cinealta lenses that I bought as b-stock a couple years ago and have never used except for a couple tests on my Epic-W (probably less than ten minutes use on them - probably handled them more making a case for them.) B-stock simply means they were opened for some demo purpose. They are in perfect condition. I am a former Sony System integrator dealer but haven't been for years - that means I knew who to talk to to buy them but probably wouldn't be under warranty now (they might honor the warranty but no way to know.)

The 35, 50, 85 came in the package with the F3 Cinealta camera (that's for sale too but different story - I bought it for the lenses). They are the original "plastic" versions which the concern was they might not last as long for a heavy user but they operate perfectly and not sure if that really has been an issue. They are excellent optically and the upside is they are extremely light for that size of lens which would be really good for gimbal or handheld work.

The 20, 25, and 135 are the later all metal versions bought as a set.

They all are really good lenses. I could sell either set by itself if desired i.e. 35, 50, 85 one set, 20,25,135 the other set and would consider selling the 20,25,135 individually as I realize you might not need all three and they are the more expensive ones.

$10,000 for all six is a little less than I paid but I could make that work - I'm basically semi-retired and was never really a true "cinema" guy - mostly have done travel, nature, and underwater in my career but thought about trying some more cinema-style work. With Covid I basically abandoned that idea and been pretty lazy. (wife has a good job ;-) :wink5:



Send me a text if you're interested - calls go straight to voicemail if not in my contacts.

 

[Nick Gardner]

I own a set Of Illumina S35 MkIIs, and they are great for most things, but when I got a Komodo, I wanted something smaller and lighter to match the camera. I got a set of Rokinon Cine DS lenses. I have to say, I am very impressed. They are really kick ass for what I was looking to do. Build quality is great for what they are, optically they punch way, way above their weight. Also nice to not have 270 degree focus throw for doing small stuff pulling focus by your self. I have a gemiini with all the bells and whistles, these lenses are for komodo small package for me, but they are great lenses.

Nick

 

[Thomas Buchan]

I bought a set of Leica R for about that, and another $5k to fix them up and cine-mod them. They're really nice if you want something with a bit of character, and great for gimbal work. I go back and forth with them and a set of the Sigma Arts (non-cine) that usually have some glimmer glass in front of them. If I were to spend the cash again I'd prob go with the Vespids : )

 

[M Harvey]

Appreciate these thoughts-- keep 'em coming!

a set of Rokinon Cine DS lenses

I'm in the same boat, Nick-- want something to pair with a Komodo. Even the Milvus lenses can dwarf the camera. Glad to hear a good report on these! (On a side note, always wanted to shoot with the Illuminas-- they seem to have a lot of what I like about the Zeiss Super Speeds, which I rent whenever I can!)

...complete set of 6 of the Cinealta lenses...

Thanks, Michael, I've actually have thought about the Sony Cinealtas for sure. The main issue is really just that I haven't been able to try them, nor seen much real-world footage. (The couple times I tried to rent from an owner-operator, it didn't work out.) The few tests I've come across online look great technically-- I might have jumped, but my impression is that they're difficult to re-sell. (I've tracked some sets here and on ebay over the past few years.)
Those considerations aside, they're clearly a contender in this range. The con is that they're a little large and don't cover full frame. Full frame isn't a necessity for me, but competitors like DZO and Rokinon do.

...a set of Leica R...

Thanks for this, Thomas. A friend owns a Leica R set, and I do love the character they bring. I actually might have gone that way, but prices have shot up so high! And the non-cine Sigmas are amazing-- I've owned some, just never love the character of the image, though filtration helps. But they're hard to beat for the speed and resolution.

 

[M Harvey]

If we're talking used, the other lenses I'm interested in that brush the top of this price range are the Schneider FF line. I've only used the Cine Xenars, which tend to be pricier. The only issue really is the chromatic aberration-- part of what's prompting me to act now is a complaint from a long-time client about CA from the older Zeiss lenses I use. The Schneider's would give me a lot of the look I like and good mechanics-- but reports make me worry the CA would be equally or more pronounced.