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An Examination of Lenses: Carl Zeiss Compact Primes.

Timur Civan

Timur Civan

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So i finally got around to writing up the CP's.

Read about it here: http://timurcivan.blogspot.com/2011/07/examination-of-lenses-carl-zeiss.html

I dont hate them. Infact, i very much don't hate them. Those of you that use them, understand i'm sure why I phrased it like that. They are good bits of glass, but they have obstacles that need overcoming. Big Quirks, and big rewards as well. Read on!

Lemme know what you guys think. I will add some moving footage to the post too tomorrow.
 
It is hard to know how many issues. Were fixed ( or created ) with the new versions. CP2s could be a ton better or worse? Any one know?
 
Nice read. Thanks Timur!
 
You've been gentle with Zeiss. Most of my reads and conversations results end up with: don't touch them. They're budget lenses for not too discriminating folks.

Regardess, thanks for the time and effort you spent to educate us.
 
Tim,

I find them to be a seperate entitity than their big brothers. The ultras, supers, and masters are definitly in a different leaugue.

They hardly match, and their inconsistence makes them unsuited for narrative. They are built for budget productions and interview documentary.

Where as the Angeniuex DP series and panchros are fully fledged top shelf glass, you are correct the CP's are not. They are simply cinevised Still lenses.
 
At some point, in your copious free time, I'll be interested to hear your take on RPPs - and indeed RPZs!

Mike
 
I need to get my hands on some. My sights are on RPZ after my next review of the Duclos 11-16mm T3.

Also coming up, superspeed mkI's and I maaaaaaay be able to do i5's....
 
Thanks Timur, I enjoyed the review. The FF coverage of the CP2's is probably the biggest appeal for me, but the negatives outweigh the positives IMHO.
Especially when RPP's, Illuminas and Panchro's aren't that far away in price.

+ 1 for a review on the 5i's ... would LOVE to get some impressions, especially if you can get Clay to lend you his Epic -- if you don't have one yourself by then :)
 
I have an 18-85 RPZ... same place, different day Timur?

Mike
 
Mike 'Fireman' Ross said:
I have an 18-85 RPZ... same place, different day Timur?

Mike
Click to expand...

indeed. Ive used it before, image wise its nice, ergonomically its sketchy, but will good to give it another shake.
 
Hi Timur
Not trying to correct you in any way or being anal pedantic just that "something in the order of a 19 blade iris" is correct, the CP1's & CP2's came out with a 14 blade iris to be precise.This is academic, Your main point is this renders great bokeh , one of these lenses positives .
I love reading your lens reviews, 2 reasons immediately come to mind:-

1. You're not dismissive , you give each lens a chance, no matter how old,T stop or whatever. You try to get the best out of the lens but also give us the cons.

2. These are practical tests, not charts but " in the Field" testing that Indies can identify with.

Finally , a question about the CP's that probably doesn't belong on this forum and you probably haven't tested but what the hell ...
How do you think these lenses would go shooting 35mm film?

Brent
 
Thanks for sharing your comments Timur.
Has anyone heard anything recently about a 15mm or 16mm CP2 2.1 coming? I remember hearing rumours around NAB.
Personally I'm holding off on a set until I know I can get something wider than the 28mm 2.1. Although they may not stand out from the crowd a set seems like a safe investment (when thinking ahead to Red Dragon/FF sensor for Epic).
If anyone has heard further info on the 15mm please let us know...
Cheers,

Brian Broz
 
Well they are the only lenses that will cover anything close to FF. Even the 18mm won't cover the 5D. (Which says to me these are a redesign from the standard still lenses)
 
What about the Canon K35s? Do they cover FF? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that they did. Anyone know for sure? Love all your reviews Timur and looking forward to the MkI review!
 
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