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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 :)

First Look - Schneider Xenon FF-Prime Lenses

A bit of BTS here: All these cases are confusing and cross pollenated. There are a few proper Schneider Dealers in town who took lens protection upon themselves. When the Xenon FF primes hit the market we all scrambled to make cases to offer along with the Pre-Orders. The cases Filmtools has on their site are from Me and Illya (Duclos and Hotrod) Same products same price, no difference. The Duclos 4-hole and 6-hole are based on the same Pelican Storm iM2620. The 4-hole has... 4 holes, and an AKS compartment whereas the 6-hole lacks the AKS but will hold the impending 18mm, 25mm, and 100mm. The very first lenses delivered from Schneider came in ugly plain cardboard boxes. Shortly after launch, Schneider began delivering the lenses with improved foam padding and boxes with some pretty graphics. For anyone looking for 25/100mm updates - delivery is expected shortly after NAB.
 
Thanks for clearing that up Illya! If it's a four hole case like you said, I'll probably need another to carry a full set...but it'll have to do for now.
 
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Update on the Xenon 18,25 & 100.

100 scheduled now for delivery in June, 2014 and 25mm, for August , 2014

The 18mm is scheduled, for delivery end 2014.

Duclos Lenses should get them 1st in US.

Thank you very much

Fury
 
Review: The Schneider PC-TS 2.8/50 Super Angulon and 4.5/90 Makro Symmar.

This might be of interest to those interested in Schneider optics.
 
Nick, what's your source on delivery dates? I'd like to hope your June/August releases are a bad April Fools joke.... that's much further out than anyone has been saying. That would be such a bummer if they are delayed even further.
 
Hi Kyle,

I share your thoughts. Sadly, not sardonically related to todays date, but I did get that info, in sincerity, today.. The dates I gave are, from a major lens house and have always been accurate, as can be.

Thank you very much

Fury
 
Have there been any changes in design or coating since the earlier samples? I had such high hopes for this set as I love Schneider glass, but the CA on the sample images I have seen has me worried....
 
Does anyone have accurate info on how much each of the lenses actually weigh? I've seen everything from 2.3lbs to 3.3lbs. 1lb is a big difference.
 
paul schefz said:
Have there been any changes in design or coating since the earlier samples? I had such high hopes for this set as I love Schneider glass, but the CA on the sample images I have seen has me worried....
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No updates. The CA is there if you "stress" the image a bit too much. While they're nice lenses, they're not as forgiving as the Ultra Primes, Masters, RED primes, etc.. While not as dire as I originally thought, it's still a factor to consider. Rent them and see for yourself. They're still a nice set of lenses with a nice look and I'm enjoying mine and will no doubt keep them for some time. Perhaps if someone else comes along with an alternative set that covers 35mm FF and which is notably better, then I might consider changing. For now, I like the overall look. I love the size, weight and mechanics. I prefer those aspects vs. the CP.2's. As for image quality, I'd say they're similar overall. The 50mm T2.1 macro CP.2 is superior to the Xenon 50mm, IMO. I really like the Xenon 75mm and I'm anxious to keep adding more focal lengths to my set.

FWIW, other primes out there like the Canon CN-E primes also have a fair amount of CA. When used on a Canon camera, there is correction/ compensation done in-camera (software / processing based) to address this. Primes like these Xenons are just "glass and gears" so unless someone profiles enough of them and works with a camera maker to add compensation processing or develops a post-process for them, it's just something we'll have to deal with. As we have to with many camera and lens combinations.

I was seeing far more CA and flare when I was shooting Dragon, but that was with the "old" OLPF and a couple other issues that have come to light. These Xenons are quite fun to shoot on my EPIC-M/X cameras. Hopefully I'll have Dragon soon and can see what they do with the new OLPF and firmware.
 
There won't be any updates to the optical design or coatings. The CA shown in some early test was just one example that sort of set the tone, unfortunately. Jeff is right - rent the lenses or demo them from a reputable source and try them for yourself. Every lens from Rokinon to Leica Summilux-C has CA. It's just a matter of how well it's controlled in infinitely variable lighting conditions. Basically, don't read everything you read, be it me, Jeff, Phil, or anyone... Try the lenses for yourself. It sounds to me like a traveling demo set would be a good idea. Anyone interested?
 
thanks Jeff and Matthew....like i said schneider have always been my favorite lenses, always loved the look....
i know that CA is a given and smaller pixel size does not help.....my concern is that the lenses show quite a bit wide open, and T2.1 is not really what i would call fast....
i have gone through leica R, canon, rokinon, (older) nikon as well as contax and zeiss (both of which i just don't like as much for their contrast and look) and they all have CA, some more, some less....
the only thing i have not tried on my epic is leica M which is pretty much the only glass i have ever used which (in general) showed no CA....but somehow i don't see how i would be able to focus and i hear the RED leica m mount is a little tricky?
there are certain situations i always seems to shoot, backlit flying hair....wide open...CA nightmare...i guess i will see if i can check a set out somewhere....i am mostly interesed in the longer lenses anyway and the 100 and 135 won't be out for a little while...
 
Matthew Duclos said:
There won't be any updates to the optical design or coatings. The CA shown in some early test was just one example that sort of set the tone, unfortunately. Jeff is right - rent the lenses or demo them from a reputable source and try them for yourself. Every lens from Rokinon to Leica Summilux-C has CA. It's just a matter of how well it's controlled in infinitely variable lighting conditions. Basically, don't read everything you read, be it me, Jeff, Phil, or anyone... Try the lenses for yourself. It sounds to me like a traveling demo set would be a good idea. Anyone interested?
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I'll take you up on that post NAB. I also want to write something up on the topic of CA as it's one of the most misunderstood concepts about all glass and has everything to do with light and contrast as well as optics.
 
Phil Holland said:
I'll take you up on that post NAB. I also want to write something up on the topic of CA as it's one of the most misunderstood concepts about all glass and has everything to do with light and contrast as well as optics.
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. . . and angle incidence of the light source
 
Phil Holland said:
I'll take you up on that post NAB. I also want to write something up on the topic of CA as it's one of the most misunderstood concepts about all glass and has everything to do with light and contrast as well as optics.
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looking forward to reading that....not sure how leica does it but the M lenses have pretty much no CA and it looks like the leica cine lenses don't either...oh well...
 
paul schefz said:
looking forward to reading that....not sure how leica does it but the M lenses have pretty much no CA and it looks like the leica cine lenses don't either...oh well...
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They both do exhibit chromatic aberrations, but when it comes to the Summilux-Cs I would describe that at image leading optical performance in that regard. Extremely minimal. They have figured a couple things via the aspherical designs and their coatings that push them ahead of the pack. Various M lenses also exhibit it more or less. Depends on the lens.

Many lenses in high contrast situations that could produce lateral CA can improve by adding a low contrast filter or simply an ND filter of some sort. I'll write this up once I'm back from NAB. There's certain things that haven't been talked about Reduser still :)
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
... While they're nice lenses, they're not as forgiving as the Ultra Primes, Masters, RED primes, etc.. While not as dire as I originally thought, it's still a factor to consider.
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Forgiving is a good thing. One less thing to stress about... hope there's a V2 for these lenses.
 
Nikhil Kamkolkar said:
Forgiving is a good thing. One less thing to stress about... hope there's a V2 for these lenses.
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I can't stress enough how everyone should try them out for themselves. "Forgiving" is in the eye of the beholder and every lens has its own characteristics or texture. They all have CA and some lenses present it differently or react to certain light or contrast situations differently. The point is, lenses are all different and unique in their own ways and there is no lens that is "perfect."

Master Primes and Leica Summilux-C's both have CA. They're also at the top of the market and have top performance and a price tag to match. The Xenons have some advantages too like their compact size and they're much lighter than the Masters or RPP's. Not to mention that they cover 35mm FF, allowing for some play on larger sensors. There are lots of different lens options out there and a place in the market with an appropriate price range for all of them. If you want Leica or Master Prime performance and have the budget, then go for it.
 
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