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  • 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 :)

Anybody got the new Apogees from DSO?

Scot Yount

Scot Yount

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Ladies and gents,
Just wondering if anyone has seen a set of the new Apogee lenses from DSO, or Richard Gale if you like. I think I am going to order a set and I am wondering if anyone can weigh in on their experiences with them vs. the Trump lenses which I have, and use all the time.
Not looking for a review per say, as they are the exact same glass as my Trumps, but include an updated housing and a 28mm!!!
 
Optically they are the same. I am asking about the new housings.
 
Hey Scot.

The housings still extend during focusing so focus is not of the same standard as true modern cinema lenses, however the overall action is improved over the original Trump series - less helical wobble, more tactile hard stops which help for focus motor calibration. reduced weight of focus action

There is a reduction in overall physical weight

aperture adjustment is also more refined and damped

back focus is more easily adjustable allowing a more accurate hard stop at infinity. The use of aperture disks also no longer changes the back focus - previously the trump series had a slight change to the hard stop when apertures were installed meaning you could go slightly past inf. The APOGEE lenses have a marker so the user can be sure the rear cell is fitted to the exact correct point for hard stop at inf, regardless of which aperture is used.

The 28mm is front heavy so is best used with the supplied 15mm lens support to allow nicer focus action (the lens works fine without the support but for easier focus action the support stops helical sag and increased weight to focus pull). We were going to go for a lighter design, but for the IQ, we needed to use heavy glass types and large elements.

Overall these are not lenses to be bought by people expecting a cheap alternative to true cinema lenses. The mechanisms are perfectly operational, however those who tend to be spoiled with perfect internal focusing modern cine lenses will be disappointed. Realistically I think these lenses will be enjoyed by those who are used to working with older glass and who are willing to sacrifice some of the mechanical limitations in exchange for optical character that cannot be achieved with anything else. A wide sensor area and a 2.40:1 crop with the APOGEE's will outdo most vintage anamorphics in terms of resolution and ease of use, for a fraction of the cost and with a very convincing look.

Sadly due to the rarity of the Weapon VV chip, Red use is a little limited in terms of FOV. Until the VV sensor size is more popular with Red shooters I tend to suggest that an FS7 mk2 + speed booster is the way to get the most from the lenses (since the lenses cover a 43mm image circle with ease.

Hope this helps. As the maker of the lenses I am often encountering users expecting the world (mechanically speaking) and often due to a hesitance to work around the quirks they get overlooked. Uptight Ac's hate these lenses, chilled out creative types love them.

A sci-fi feature is currently being shot with a pair of APOGEE sets on the Helium, which will be exciting to see.
 
Richard Gale Optics said:
A sci-fi feature is currently being shot with a pair of APOGEE sets on the Helium, which will be exciting to see
Click to expand...

Would LOVE to know more about this.....when you can spill more beans....
 
Hey Richard,

What's the ETA on delivery if I were to order a set today? Is your 18mm gonna be out soon?

Yean
 
I had been on the verge of ordering the Trump lenses for years, because I loved the images they produced, but I was always a bit concerned they might be a bit of a pain to use on professional shoots where you need to swap lenses quickly and be able to work with a focus puller and all.

When Richard finally announced the Apogee set, I took the plunge and orderd them immediately. It took a few month for them to arrive, which was clearly announced at the time I placed my order, and I have to say they arrived right in time, exactly as promised.

I've never had the Trump lenses in my hands so I can't compare, but the build quality on these is pretty nice, they feel nice. They are not Master primes or Cookes, of course, but I have no problem using these on a professional set. You still need to treat them carefully and gently, but I guess we should do that with any lens anyway ;)
Actually, I do a lot of Mōvi where I need to work fast and change setups quickly. The Apogee lenses haven't been an issue on the Mōvi Pro, even though the weight of each lens is VERY different (58mm is super light, the others become heavier as they have optical attachments, heaviest being the 28mm I think). Swapping lenses and re-balancing takes maybe a couple of minutes, not more, which is fine. And the focus gears are at the same position on each lens, so you don't need to re-adjust the focus motor every time you change a lens. Haven't had any issues with the PL mounts, they fit well on my Red PL mount.

So yes, with my limited experience so far I'm pretty happy with them and will try using them as much as possible in the future, I really like the images they produce. Of course they are vintage lenses so you have to learn and work with their weaknesses, but once you embrace them it's a fun ride. The rear inserts offer a wide range of possibilities too, from subtle to super strong effects on diffusion, bokeh, etc...
All I miss now is a wider lens, 28mm will be a bit limiting in some situations. If anyone has found a workaround, I'm interested in hearing it :)

Oh, and here is a little music video I shot 100% with these lenses and the 2x "anamorphic" iris inserts. Shot on Epic-W at 6-7K, on a Mōvi Pro. Mainly 38 and 58mm, plus some 28mm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VOLFvbRekA
 
Nils that was awesome. I have the Trump 58 and want to go out and shoot it again after watching your video.
The Apogees seem a little to much for the amount I would use them but the look is just wonderful.
Im wondering if there is a 2x Anamorphic insert for the Trumps?

Did you get on skates with the Movi???
And the colored lights at the end??? Just jells or DS1?
Tanks for sharing.
 
Russ Fill said:
Nils that was awesome. I have the Trump 58 and want to go out and shoot it again after watching your video.
The Apogees seem a little to much for the amount I would use them but the look is just wonderful.
Im wondering if there is a 2x Anamorphic insert for the Trumps?

Did you get on skates with the Movi???
And the colored lights at the end??? Just jells or DS1?
Tanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words Russ :)
Just to be clear, what I call "2x anamorphic insert" is just an oval shaped iris insert that goes into the back of the lens. It changes the bokeh shape and is pretty convincing in my opinion. So I guess this should also be possible with the Trump lenses.

Regarding the Movi, I was mostly walking (with easyrig + Serene combo), some shots are done from a van and a few (like the first one) were done using a Segway. Not a must but it does help ;)

And the colored lights were just a Skypanel S60-C (manually operated). Love that light, powerful and versatile.
 
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