Announcing the S.A.L.T. (Southland Alternative Lens Test)

[David Mullen ASC]

I think we've decided that there are too many lenses to test in one day to add an IR test. I think there are around 80 or more lenses and doing three different types of tests on all of them is pretty much the day right there.

 

[Karl Gustav H.]

"I didn't inhale and never tried it again"

But did you in sunshine, snow or rain?

A very,k very bad joke I've been waiting to use. Sorry

 

[Miltos Pilalitos]

I think everyone has a good idea of the RED light zooms. RED did a great job with providing an affordable zoom that is easily accessible. These can be picked up at almost any rental house for very little cost and there are many, many reviews of them on the web/REDUser already. I don't think it would be in our best interest to test these as well. If we go through everything else and we still have time, maybe we can squeeze them in.

I have both RED ZOOMS and know very well how they perform. What i don't know and was hoping to find out from this test is how they compare to their "pro" cousins.

Maybe this test will be the only chance for many of us to see clearly if the difference in image quality is enough to make an additional investment in the RPP set worthy.

 

[david farland]

So it looks like the lineup will be as follows: (no particular order)

Zeiss Super Speeds
Zeiss Standard Speeds
Zeiss Ultra Primes
Zeiss Master Primes
Zeiss Compact Primes
Cooke S4s
RED Pro Primes
UniqOptics Primes
IB/E RED Null
Angenieux 15-40mm Optimo
Angenieux 17-80mm Optimo
Angenieux 24-290mm Optimo
Angenieux 16-42mm DP
Angenieux 30-80mm DP
Ruby 14-24mm
Duclos 11-16mm
RED 18-85mm

And a few others are still pending.
Some of these may not be included depending on time restraints.

Gents, please correct me if I'm missing anything here.

Thanks Matt et al....much appreciated.

I'd just add, that as there might be 100x more Red 18-50's used on Reds than say some of the Angenieux or Zeiss's, there should be a atleast one spot for them, even at the expense of another lens.

D

 

[Evin Grant]

I'll ask if they can be brought, we can't guarantee they'll be tested but we'll try.

 

[david farland]

Thanks Evin.....as Miltos states it'll give a lot of people a frame of reference.

Also, I'm sure you've all thought about the possibilities of publishing these lens comparisons on website.....
D

 

[Brook Willard]

Don't worry, the results will be posted and widely available. Everybody will be free to talk about everything that happens during the test as well... and I'm sure there will be pictures galore.

It will take us a little bit of time to compile the data and have something ready to present. There'll be a lot of footage to sort through, organize and analyze. We'll also have a screening of sorts for those involved in the test a week or so after the test. I'm guessing all of the goodies will be posted at some point in that 1-2 week window afterwards.

 

[Mitch Gross]

Guys, calm down on the IR question. IR is heat. It could be a really sunny day but a cool breeze may be all that's needed to eliminate any IR pollution. It's not an automatic thing. When we do our IR testing it is indoors using huge tungsten lights in very repeatable conditions.

 

[Matt Uhry]

All the lenses pass IR pollution including the RPP's, some a little more some a little less. You will want a filter like a hot mirror at times. If you've not purchased one because you think you won't need it with the new lenses think again.

Further suggestions for aspects and lenses to test is most welcome, but we do have a pretty comprehensive list of tests, and lenses to test and already have edited out many things we simply won't have time to do. The primary objective will be direct comparisons under controlled conditions.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

 

[Antoine Fabi]

Is it possible to test the Illumina ?

Thanks

Antoine

 

[Evin Grant]

Is it possible to test the Illumina ?

Thanks

Antoine

We tried very hard to test the Illuminas but they just don't have prototypes ready since the NAB ones went back to the factory. There may be a chance to test them in a few months but the rest couldn't wait that long.

 

[Antoine Fabi]

Hey thanks Evin,

Very much appreciated!

Antoine

 

[Adrian T.]

I second the plea to include the RED 18-50 mm in the test. Not because nobody knows it, but because everybody knows it! It's all about comparison.

Your efforts are much appreciated.

:hippie:

 

[Mitch Gross]

Well they're in the throws of the test now, so any further suggestions are too late. We'll hear results soon enough.

 

[Chris Parker]

these results will be GREAT for everyone, and everyone's time and dedication to pull this off is much appreciated. where and when should we look for results?

 

[Matthew Duclos]

Done. Now to compile all the data.

 

[Evin Grant]

All your glass are belong to us...

All your glass are belong to us...

 

[Jarred Land]

heh heh heh thats awesome...

 

[Brook Willard]

You guys will have to give us some time to make sense of everything we got today. We shot 170GB of footage... and most clips were about 10 seconds long. We've got our work cut out for us.

But don't worry, it'll be coming soon.

 

[Frank Weeks]

Take your time guys. All those,who have chosen to take part, deserve a fair appraisal.

That's an amazing photo Evin.

A cinematographers wet dream.