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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 :)

Favorite Zeiss classic (zf.2 etc) SLR lenses for cinematography?

M

Mike Finegan

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In particular curious about 15mm f2.8 vs 18mm f3.5 and 21mm f2.8 vs 25mm f2
have 18 and 25 but saw some super enthusiastic comments on 15 and 21
For s35 which wold you rather have in your kit?
Also - do many use 100mm or 135mm on a regular basis? (assuming you have 2 of above and also 35, 50, and 85)
 
Mike Finegan said:
In particular curious about 15mm f2.8 vs 18mm f3.5 and 21mm f2.8 vs 25mm f2
have 18 and 25 but saw some super enthusiastic comments on 15 and 21
For s35 which wold you rather have in your kit?
Also - do many use 100mm or 135mm on a regular basis? (assuming you have 2 of above and also 35, 50, and 85)
Click to expand...

15 is superb. 18 is a legacy design I like, but 15 is flawless optically, faster, and has no distortion.

21 is an amazing design, period.

We us a 100 every now and then, not as often as an 85. 135 almost rarely. 180 alot.
 
Mark K. said:
The 15mm and the 21mm (the 21mm in particular) are two of my favourite lenses ever. They just make everything you point them at look good. They're two lenses you'll never regret owning.
Click to expand...

+1 to that. Especially the 15mm. It is SHOCKINGLY good.
 
Bumping for update

Bumping for update

I have found this thread and want to bump it with a relevant update:

New Zeiss 25mm f/1.4 - looks very good. It does weigh an entire 1lbs more than the 21mm and an inch longer - important note for more solo op / docu work, which I do.

That said, on an S35 sensor: thoughts between a Milvus 21mm vs new Milvus 25mm?

I am looking at a Milvus kit with: 15, (21 or 25), 35 (new 1.4 version), 50, 85.

I could technically swing both if it's REALLY worth it but that gets pricey, fast. The 25mm is significantly more $$, but also a newer/faster design.

Thoughts on 21 vs 25 focal length for S35?

Thank you!
 
Thank you Nick. So on S35, if I had a 15mm on the wide, then a 25, (along with 35, 50, 85) - do you think I would miss the 18 or 21 on the wide end much?

The 25 1.4 does look very nice! I'd also have the 35 1.4.
 
The jump between 25 and 15 is a pretty big one. You may need the 21 as a between focal length.
 
I've had two 18mm Contax, one was totally off, sent that back. The second was great on the A7sII but found it soft on the Epic. I think it is just a bit soft though overall. So it's not something i used very often. I've had a 15mm Irix which was pretty good and the 12 Lawoa which is great. But i may look at the 15mm distagon. I do have a 21mm ZE which is nice, but not used that much.

cheers
Paul
 
I own the whole ZF Classic set. Very good for single operation. Bit of CA fully open on some of them...35/1.4.
You can get them cheap on E bay now since improved Milvus was released.
Milvus 85/1.4 and 18/2.8 are great
ZF are great choice to Leicas Summicron or Contax. Summicron have more “soul” but you get latest coating with Milvus.
 
Thanks everyone. So for my S35 sensor, I may pick up the EF-Mount Milvus 15, 21, 25 (new 1.4), 35 (new 1.4), 50, 85. Sound good? I may add a 100 macro down the road when needed, and I think 135 is longer than I am likely to shoot with except in rare conditions.

I see the Nikon's are popular due to the physical aperture ring (though I don't like the reverse focus, and often prefer to not shoot with a follow focus attached due to the nature of my work - though I have one for certain shoots). All in all, may I regret going EF mount down the road with electronic aputure for such an expensive (to me) lens set? Currently, EF makes the most sense for my setup and it seems the mount is growing in popularity for many cameras.

Much thanks for the assistance.

(I should also add that I am not (currently) shooting narrative or on set, rather corporate and social justice branding work)
 
The Petroff universal follow focus is reversable for Nikon lenses, extremely well built and a bargain, for sure.
 
Does anyone know why the Milvus lenses weigh SO much more than the classic ZE Distagon?

Thoughts on mixing/matching Milvus with classic Distagon? Really like my Milvus, but they are very heavy, so for more run'n'gun type work a couple lighter weight classics might be good. I love the new 25mm f/1.4, but it's huge and 2.6lbs, vs. 1lb and small for the classic 28mm Distagon f/2.
 
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