Arri Zeiss standard Speeds MKI MKII?

[Shehab_Illyas]

Did all the original standard speeds only have a Arri B mount or were there some with PL mounts? I know that there have been many that have been modified to PL and in the MKII they started with PL mounts. I am looking to buy a set and they look like later models with the T* coating and PL mount also with the iris ring but the paint on the markings are in yellow, and most of the MKII I have seen are in orange. Was it common to re-paint the markings? I know that some earlier MKI had a T* coating as well so it's hard to determine when they were made. Are there any other tattle tail signs? Also does anyone know if the standard speeds will work on the new Epic-w? Thanks

 

[Ignacio Aguilar]

The original Zeiss Standard Speeds (16-24-32-50-85mm + 135mm) came in Arri Std mount. These lenses cover 35mm academy, so they will work on Super 35 sized HD cameras with the proper mount, but won't cover the full Helium sensor since it's slightly bigger than that.

The early Standard Speeds MKI weren't T* coated and, according to most sources, the later series that use it only differ in coatings, with exactly the same mechanics and optics. I own a set of the non T* coated series of lenses.

Standard speeds MKII came out circa 1983 with the T* coatings and PL mount, which had just been introduced by ARRI. Some sets seem to have been manufactured in Arri Bayonet mount, since I've seen a couple of them over the years.

The T* coating of the MKII should be more advanced than the T* coating of the MKI. MKIIs T* coating should be closer to that of the Zeiss 1.3 lenses that came around the same time (MKI or MKII, depending on sources), while the Standard MKI with the T* coating should be closer to the T* coating of the first series of High Speed lenses by Zeiss, the T1.4 B-Speeds, which are milkier and less contrasty than the later generation of lenses.

 

[Nick Morrison]

The original Zeiss Standard Speeds (16-24-32-50-85mm + 135mm) came in Arri Std mount. These lenses cover 35mm academy, so they will work on Super 35 sized HD cameras with the proper mount, but won't cover the full Helium sensor since it's slightly bigger than that.

The early Standard Speeds MKI weren't T* coated and, according to most sources, the later series that use it only differ in coatings, with exactly the same mechanics and optics. I own a set of the non T* coated series of lenses.

Standard speeds MKII came out circa 1983 with the T* coatings and PL mount, which had just been introduced by ARRI. Some sets seem to have been manufactured in Arri Bayonet mount, since I've seen a couple of them over the years.

The T* coating of the MKII should be more advanced than the T* coating of the MKI. MKIIs T* coating should be closer to that of the Zeiss 1.3 lenses that came around the same time (MKI or MKII, depending on sources), while the Standard MKI with the T* coating should be closer to the T* coating of the first series of High Speed lenses by Zeiss, the T1.4 B-Speeds, which are milkier and less contrasty than the later generation of lenses.

Hey Ignacio, the coverage of Standard Primes is all the same yes? 16/20/24 are basically Academy? Regardless of MKI, MKII, or MKIII?

 

[Shehab_Illyas]

Thanks so much for the info Ignacio, I am pretty sure the ones I am looking at are MKII then, would you mind if I send you a few photo's just to confirm? Is there anything you would look out for (other then the obvious) with these lenses when buying? It is great news that they will sill be usable with the newer tech as well. I really like the look of them as they are not as crisp as some newer lenses I have tried but still have nice detail.

 

[Ignacio Aguilar]

Hey Ignacio, the coverage of Standard Primes is all the same yes? 16/20/24 are basically Academy? Regardless of MKI, MKII, or MKIII?

My set of MKI covers less than MKIIs. I suspect what causes portholing is the construction of the lens itself, with a very narrow front. MKIIs, being small lenses, are a bit wider and avoid that you see the lens itself outside the Academy 35 area. Most MKII that I've seen cover Super 35m even though the 16mm vignettes a lot, except for an specific set that had been modified for close focus and was hardly usable at all on a Red One M at 4K!

 

[Ignacio Aguilar]

Thanks so much for the info Ignacio, I am pretty sure the ones I am looking at are MKII then, would you mind if I send you a few photo's just to confirm? Is there anything you would look out for (other then the obvious) with these lenses when buying? It is great news that they will sill be usable with the newer tech as well. I really like the look of them as they are not as crisp as some newer lenses I have tried but still have nice detail.

Please post the pictures here, then somebody else will be able to help you too. If the lenses are marked T2.1 then these are not MKIs for sure.
Regards,

 

[Shehab_Illyas]

Here are few pictures of the lens. I was unsure what version they might be because of the yellow paint makings and what I have see on the net most of the MKI are with yellow markings and the MKII with orange. Is it safe to say this lens is a MKII standard?

 

[Ignacio Aguilar]

To my eyes that's a Standard MKII. I don't think there was a third or MKIII series of Standards, and if there was one, the differences should be minor and none of them optical.

 

[Nick Morrison]

My set of MKI covers less than MKIIs. I suspect what causes portholing is the construction of the lens itself, with a very narrow front. MKIIs, being small lenses, are a bit wider and avoid that you see the lens itself outside the Academy 35 area. Most MKII that I've seen cover Super 35m even though the 16mm vignettes a lot, except for an specific set that had been modified for close focus and was hardly usable at all on a Red One M at 4K!

Very helpful. Thanks Ignacio!!

 

[Shehab_Illyas]

To my eyes that's a Standard MKII. I don't think there was a third or MKIII series of Standards, and if there was one, the differences should be minor and none of them optical.

Thanks so much for taking a look Ignacio. Cheers!