First Look - Schneider Xenon FF-Prime Lenses

[Bob Gundu]

Got you Mike...I re-saved them...this time in a better jpeg format...right up to the max of 96/97kb...its a little bigger...hope this helps.

Also Rome, within Redcine-X, you can export an image file (tiff, jpg) or an R3D snapshot frame. There are a few buttons in the left bottom of the interface. That way you don't need to make screen grabs of your screen.

 

[Rome Will]

Got you Bob...will keep that in mind when I really start shooting stuff this wknd and try to post...

For those getting the EF mount version, they feel very solid when mounted to the camera. I've only used these and the CP.2's so I don't have a lot of lenses to compare, but from what I can tell so far, there is not any extra "wiggle" movement when pulling focus (and I'm using a wireless Heden motor, torque on med...might turn it down little lower as these lenses turn a little easier than the CP.2 I had).

And special thanks to HRC for helping me with these!

 

[Mike Nagel]

Rome,

when you choose 1/8 in RCX and then FIT BOTH, that means that the R3D file will be sampled with 1/8 of the resolution (--> 1/8) and the stretched across the available space to show u a large preview (--> fit both height and width in the available space)... that means you're stretching the image and that's why it looks so blurry, I assume you had the sink in focus ? ;-)

choose 100% as preview and you'll see the 1/8 resolution version of the R3D file or export as jpeg with full resolution as Bob said...


- M

 

[Rome Will]

Yeah...I was playing with the focus...I can't tell you what I was trying to do lol!...I opened the file back up and put in "Full" resolution...then zoomed in to show the sink, and then a little of the stove that was out of focus...

 

[Mark K.]

Ketch, in your opinion, do you believe that the CA from the Xenon's are more, less or on par to the CN-E's or CP2's? I know you haven't done true comparisons yet, but given your experience and working knowledge of the lenses (and your initial observations of the sharpness comparison three lenses) what's your opinion? Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I haven't had a chance to shoot the CN-E primes yet (don't often shoot with EF-mount cameras), but I'm pretty familiar with the Zeisses. From the samples we've seen of the Xenon's so far it definitely looks like they resolve more detail than the CP.2s, but CA looks noticeably worse (the Zeisses show a fair bit wide-open, but it goes away as you stop down; it seems to hang around on the Xenon's even when you stop down).

The Xenon's also appear to have a bit less contrast and they seem to catch veiling flares more easily, but they veil nicely.

On the whole, they don't look better or worse to my eye - just different.

At any rate, optical performance isn't the big thing with these entry-level cine-lenses (Xenons, CP.2s, CN-Es) IMO - having proper cine-mechanics with long focus throws and accurate witness marks is. And since they're all more-than-capable of making pretty pictures, I don't think it's anything to sweat.

 

[Jiri Vrozina]

Canons do not have long iris throw as CPs and Schneiders. CPs have fantastic range of lenses. 15 to 135 inc Macro.
I do like Schneider lens design, i just wish they had 14/18mm as well. 25mm is not wide enough. Also Macro would be nice. We shall see next 2 years ;-).

 

[Troy Bakewell]

I haven't shot all lenses in the exact same conditions, but I would choose the Xenon over any other current lens available in its price range and well above it, unless we get to 4 to 5/6 times that.

Ketch.

Would you include the RPP's and the new Sony's in that?

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch.

Would you include the RPP's and the new Sony's in that?

Troy the Schneider are far better then the Sony's NO question...

As for the RPP's it's a bit different, I love the RPP 50mm and still remains the best 50mm even when compared to some much more expensive 50mm, all other are not even close, however my issue with the RPP's has always been their size, weight and overall measurement differences, were with the Schneider you now have all focal at exactly the same size weight and overall measurement, making them best suited for Matte Box use as well as for Gimbal and other gear that needs balancing, as well as Under Water Housing use, were once you have balanced and or adjusted for that one focal, all other can be swapped out in seconds.

Of course it is not just about that, it is also that they are FF vs RPP's been made for S35, but in overall consideration, of image quality, built quality, size, weight, iris design, compactness and even measurements thru out all focal made me choose them over all others...

And as I said, I made my choose based not only on one element, might it be sharpness, image quality, build quality, size measurements, weight and iris design, but the combination of them all which in turn give birth to a perfect set of lenses, even so small for now, were it will hold me over nicely till I get what I desire and been waiting for, the Leica C. Primes...

 

[Ryan Skeete]

Troy the Schneider are far better then the Sony's NO question...

Which Sony's are you referring to? The newly redesigned V2 6-lens set?
Full Frame and physical size aside, in what ways are the schneiders superior to the new Sony's? Have you done side-by-side comparisons or shot with the Sony's?

Sony 6-lens set is available NOW - http://goo.gl/gejnpn
20, 25, 35, 50, 85, 135mm
T2 across the range
Focus/Iris gears same pos across the range (except maybe 135)
< $21,000USD
All six available TODAY!

Lots of pluses for the Sony. I am not affiliated with Sony but have shot three projects so far with the Sony's and have been very happy. If I'm going to invest in a set of lenses I want more than 3 lenses. I'm sorry but I'm not a fan of lens manufacturers releasing incomplete lens sets or one lens here, another lens months from now…CP2, Canon, Schneider Xenons etc...I will put my neck out there and say I don't know any professional DP working today that will go on to a feature or commercial with only three focal lengths. Even if they don't use every single lens every day, they'll still carry a full set of glass!

I agree the first iteration of Sony PL lenses were a massive fail but the new line is miles apart from the old ones. Most people on here still associate the mention of Sony primes with the old version and that is sad. My advice to anyone looking for a set of PL cinema lenses is test before you buy…but don't overlook the Sony's!

my 2 cents…

 

[Bob Gundu]

Didn't Sony only have 3 lenses the first time they came out? I seriously considered them but I do a lot of hand held work and the Sonys are pretty heavy at 4-5 pounds. Plus they lacked the focus marks that the Xenons offered. Full frame and the ability to change the mounts pushed me over to the Schneiders. I also have the G.L Optics 18-35 1.8 which should cover the wide end for a while. The 100mm will be available in March/April which isn't too bad.

 

[Louis Maddalena]

Yeah, the first sony's were only a set of 3.


These Schneiders are awesome. I opted for the EF mount and so they were a little behind the PLs, I just got them yesterday. I'm definitely going to buy the PL mounts when they come in but I wanted to have the EF mount incase I needed to put it on a canon camera at work, since I have EF mounts as well as PL mounts for my Epic.

 

[Rome Will]

Bob, how does your GL modded Sigma 18-35 look with the Xenon's? I was thinking of doing the same thing, but wondered how the footage from both matched?...color, sharpness...any differences you noticed that you could share?...and I know they have different limits on t-stops, but hopefully you can share some info on other differences you've seen from using them...as always, thank you!!

 

[Rome Will]

And just a heads up, Lone Survivor is a great movie! I really enjoyed it...lots of lens flares lol! Wonder which lenses they shot with...I noticed their lens flares were like the ones I saw with these lenses...the ones in the movie were more blocky, hexagon like...

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Which Sony's are you referring to? The newly redesigned V2 6-lens set?
Full Frame and physical size aside, in what ways are the schneiders superior to the new Sony's? Have you done side-by-side comparisons or shot with the Sony's?

Sony 6-lens set is available NOW - http://goo.gl/gejnpn
20, 25, 35, 50, 85, 135mm
T2 across the range
Focus/Iris gears same pos across the range (except maybe 135)
< $21,000USD
All six available TODAY!

Lots of pluses for the Sony. I am not affiliated with Sony but have shot three projects so far with the Sony's and have been very happy. If I'm going to invest in a set of lenses I want more than 3 lenses. I'm sorry but I'm not a fan of lens manufacturers releasing incomplete lens sets or one lens here, another lens months from now…CP2, Canon, Schneider Xenons etc...I will put my neck out there and say I don't know any professional DP working today that will go on to a feature or commercial with only three focal lengths. Even if they don't use every single lens every day, they'll still carry a full set of glass!

I agree the first iteration of Sony PL lenses were a massive fail but the new line is miles apart from the old ones. Most people on here still associate the mention of Sony primes with the old version and that is sad. My advice to anyone looking for a set of PL cinema lenses is test before you buy…but don't overlook the Sony's!

my 2 cents…

Yes I mean the new Sony V2, the first version could not even be considered...

And yes, I do agree with you that a 3 lens set is an incomplete lens set, but currently Schneider brings the best available option for Dragon and or MX... Despite the fact that they are only 3 lenses, my fortune is that I am also the DP on every shoot I do, so I have no worries there, and shortly the 25mmm & 100mm will be available giving a 5 lens set.

I considered all characteristic of the lenses available, and as I wrote, an over all score placed the Schneider Xenon at the very top.

 

[Bob Gundu]

I have the lenses on order still and have no idea when I'll get them. When I do I'll do test with cutting the sigma with Shneiders.

 

[Alex Boothby]

That would be great Bob. Thank you! I have both lenses on order and am very curious about intercutting.

On another note, I'm a huge fan of your posts. You always have honest, valuable information to share. I just bought a radian and am in line for an RC motion, thanks to your Vimeo review. Much appreciated.

 

[Rome Will]

Understood Bob. Looking forward to it!

 

[Bob Gundu]

That would be great Bob. Thank you! I have both lenses on order and am very curious about intercutting.

On another note, I'm a huge fan of your posts. You always have honest, valuable information to share. I just bought a radian and am in line for an RC motion, thanks to your Vimeo review. Much appreciated.

Ah shucks Alex. I'm glad you found something useful from my posts! :thumbup1: Looks like we have a lot of mutual friends in Toronto. We should definitely catch up!

 

[Nathaniel Opgenorth]

Wow these are really really beautiful...the first thing that comes to mind is some strange mix of Zeiss CP.2's, Canon K35's (like you said), and some other unknown. They don't look as cold as Zeiss but then they aren't warm and fuzzy like a Cooke, really a perfect balance since I lean towards the cold look but realize its overused and the clinical sharp look is just not appealing on every single film. I haven't gotten excited over glass in a while. I think these lenses will really throw a curve ball, they are like the Zeiss CP.2's but they seam higher end like an Ultra Prime but more versatile with the mount, sensor coverage, etc. I can't wait to see what people do with these! If anyone finds some IMDB credits or short films/videos where these are really put to the test post it up!

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

I hope some of these make their way towards Dallas, I'd really like to check them out...