C-mount lens for 2/3 scarlet question

[ReddBaronn]

I've been reading that many c-mount s16 lenses will not resolve at 3K, and therefore one should get the mini red primes for the 2/3 interchangeable lens scarlet.

This doesnt make much sense to me though: 3K from a scarlet will need to be debayered down to 2-2.3K, which seems to be a reasonable resolution for a s16 lens to resolve to. When the image is downscaled, it will be sharpened.

Is this sound logic? There are some pretty cheap c-mount lenses available (should the miniprimes be too expensive for my budget), not to mention they would also be useful for shooting on film too.

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Just because in theory a lens for 16mm has to have higher resolution than one for 35mm... doesn't mean that they do. Some C-mount lenses are quite sharp and some are not -- it's just something you have to test.

I've never liked a mount though with a screw thread... you'd think that would give you some variation in the final back-focus once you've screwed the lens onto the camera. I never knew if I should be really cranking that C-mount lens down or not. But I used some that were pretty snappy even though small.

 

[C.H.Haskell]

What kind of mount is the new 2/3 Skarlet if not C? RED?

 

[David Rasberry]

One can go with PL mount and use Arri 16mm lenses too. The options listed for Scarlet include B4, the standard mount for 2/3" HDTV cameras, c-mount, Mini-Red. B4 needs a prism to correct chroma aberration to match the optical standard, so likely will be more expensive. PL mount is listed for the S35 version, but should be usable on 2/3" too.
c mount may be the choice for the budget concious who want interchangeable lenses. There is a pretty broad range of vintage 16mm lenses available at relatively low cost. I have picked up a few c mount 16mm lenses as well as some industrial TV lenses. I plan to post tests on them so people have some idea of the quality range when Scarlet arrives.
There are also relatively low cost c mount adapters available for Arri S mount, and various 35mm still camera mounts.

 

[ReddBaronn]

Wow, good to know. I'll be looking for the most cost effective option, as I'm on a student's budget.
Actually, where would be a good source for buying used lenses? I dont like the idea of buying off ebay... are there any good stores, or sites that are reliable?

 

[Rex McArtor]

In all honesty, ebay is great. I have never been ripped off on it and have been using it for years. I will also be using it to buy c-mount lenses when the scarlet is released. If you are just looking for a good store to look for c-mounts check out bhphotovideo. They aren't used (usually) but they are very reasonable priced and they are very quick with shipping. I would definitely hold out though and see some reviews on different lenses on the scarlet. As no one really knows how the machine visioned lenses will look I am kind of hesitant about purchasing any when it is first released and may end up waiting a few months.

Also, if anyone from red is reading these forms. What is with the extreme lack of updates. I mean I love your camera's and I definitely plan to buy one of the scarlets when they come out. But is there any way we can get like weekly, or at least monthly updates as to how things are coming.