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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 :)

debating a couple Zeiss lenses for scarlet. Feedback please.

Domenic Barbero

Domenic Barbero

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Considering buying three lenses for my scarlet AL canon mount. I have roughly 4 grand to spend. here are the lenses i like. if anyone has used these on RED, would love some feedback on which you prefer and why. Ive seen some numbers and tests on here but looking for more real world experience. So here is what im looking at.

Zeiss 50mm makro 2.0
Zeiss 35mm 2.0
Zeiss 85mm 1.4
zeiss 100mm makro 2.0
canon 70-200 2.8
canon 16-35 2.8

Ive used lots of canon glass and been moderately happy. used zeiss lenses twice and i remember being blown away both times by focus throw, hard stops, build quality and color.

So if you were in my shoes, what would you get?

thanks guys. Looking forward to responses. for some reason getting new lenses always makes me the happiest.

PS. already have tokina 11-16 which i love.
 
ive used all of those lenses before, never really blew me away. Not too in the mood for canon. but i guess either way i shouldnt rule it out. Just love the optical feel and look of zeiss and the colors to me are more attractive
 
Zeiss 50mm 2.0 is a beautiful lens... but breathes heavily. Focus is a bit long at close ranges. I'm looking at getting a 1.4 just for less breathing and shorter focus throw.
 
does the focus throw outweigh the option of macro in terms of usability? thats the one thing i like about the lens over the 1.4 is the ability for macro if needed.
 
The macro is amazing. Love the look of the lens but the focus is a bit trying in terms of throw and breathing, in certain situations.

Just want a simple option that's easier to manage.

The macro is a better looking lens. Great separation. I'm just getting both myself.
 
man this is hard. Just saw lots of samples with 24mm 1.4 canon. wow. great quality. Would just love the zeiss lenses. So bad.
 
I have both zeiss 50mm'. The makro does breath heavily, but it's macro. The 1.4 is a little soft wide open but it's one of the cheapest zeiss lenses. I use it all the time. The 35/2.0 is probably my favorite lens out of all the zeiss range. It's extremely sharp and has a wonderful 3d quality.
The 100mm makro is amazing.
I'd go zeiss over canon for reason of the longer focus throw alone but it really depends on your shooting style.
also, there seems to be sets of zeiss glass that come up for sale every now and then, don't be afraid to buy used.
 
go zeiss for sure, if only for the manual focus ring. i got rid of all my canon glass, because focus-by-wire on the scarlet just seemed so much more exaggerated and imprecise.
 
good to know. I really want to go zeiss, the only thing keeping me from that is the AF in canon glass, if i do get canon lenses there may be improved af down the line. i sure do love the zeiss lenses though :)
 
even with ring gears and follow focus? do they not hold true to markings? Too much rotation? i was going to go with ZE but same lens just different direction rotation. i can also live without the manual iris
 
You can also more affordably go with some Contax Zeiss, just sayin'. The older coatings look quite beautiful on the RED.
 
i saw someone had some contax zeiss on the forum that they were selling. They look nice. good call. Im gonna see what i can find. do they make them in EF mount
?
 
I meant a good adaptor, i know they arent ef. Im really skeptical of adaptors. love the contax look though.
 
Anyone recommend Leica to zeiss?
 
Domenic Barbero said:
i saw someone had some contax zeiss on the forum that they were selling. They look nice. good call. Im gonna see what i can find. do they make them in EF mount
?
Click to expand...

Nope Contax Zeiss come in their own mount - C/Y mount, for Contax/Yashica. They are easily adapted with $20 rings for Canon mount. I use them on my DSLR all the time, and used them on our Scarlet last week for a shoot. You can also get Leitax mounts and PERMANENTLY make them EOS (Duclos can do this easily for you, too).

Or if you plan on working with a mixture of STILL and PL glass, then the ALL STAR mount may also make sense. We have one now and are currently testing it out.

Good luck!
 
thanks Nick. choosing lenses is hard. Sigh!!
 
Jim Dollarhide said:
Don't get the Zeiss ZF lenses. I have the full set. Practically impossible to pull focus professionally. CP3s (you could get one ! )
Click to expand...

It really depends what you are shooting. I use the zf's for interview and travel b-roll work but I also have a set of cp2's for the times that I have a focus puller. If my choice was between pulling focus on the zf's or a canon lens, then the zf's win every time. Put the zf's against the cp2's, then obviously the cp2's win.
 
ahhhh ok. I really prefer a less sharp more old school feel to my lenses. Like old cooks or ang. Which would give me a more old school feel? contax? the canons are very sharp. Which is nice but i enjoy the more vintage feel. Any other recs for a couple lenses under 4g? Ive only worked with canon and zeiss glass so my field of expertise is limited.
 
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