First Look - Schneider Xenon FF-Prime Lenses

[Phil Holland]

That's awesome Phil. How do you see yourself using these, considering you already have a full set of Xenar III's? Prep for Vista? Do you see them replacing the Xenar III set? I'm on the market for some ff lenses and am desperately hoping for more Otus lenses, with a full cine mod hopefully. Though this set looks right up there.

Hopefully on a beach surrounding by beautiful people somewhere

Seriously though, I'm kitting up and have been kitting up for years for VistaVision. I have the Xenon-FF Primes now as well as several other types of glass (complete sets of primes) for this format. I've truly been waiting for a digital VistaVision camera for well over a decade. Weapon + Dragon 8K finally provides something right and proper that's way in bounds for my needs, wants, desires, and creative lustful whimsy. I'll likely be getting all three Zeiss Compact Zooms when I can make that make sense as well and the Otus primes are on my horizon once that wide exists. I shoot for 50-80% of the year and use lots of glass and want a legion at my disposal for various creative reasons.

There's no chance I'm getting rid of my Cine-Xenar III Primes. That's a hand picked set and they are some of my favorite S35 primes (also my first true set of cinema primes I've ever purchased, I got personal feels there). On Dragon I've been working mostly 6K HD/WS through 5.5K and 5K with them. However Dragon 8K is going to "need more".

Phil how do you put the PL mount on? Do you use that black ring that comes in the PL kit too or just the PL Mount?

Mine came with the PL mount attached. I use mostly PL mount lenses for my shoots. I imagine it takes a driver to swap mounts. Honestly haven't done it yet. I've had the lenses for less than 24 hours and need to shoot some QC tests this week and then I can dig into taking them apart. But honestly, I'll likely never attach an EF mount to these. But never say never, who knows what the future holds.

 

[Tyler Dreher]

Hopefully on a beach surrounding by beautiful people somewhere

Seriously though, I'm kitting up and have been kitting up for years for VistaVision. I have the Xenon-FF Primes now as well as several other types of glass (complete sets of primes) for this format. I've truly been waiting for a digital VistaVision camera for well over a decade. Weapon + Dragon 8K finally provides something right and proper that's way in bounds for my needs, wants, desires, and creative lustful whimsy. I'll likely be getting all three Zeiss Compact Zooms when I can make that make sense as well and the Otus primes are on my horizon once that wide exists. I shoot for 50-80% of the year and use lots of glass and want a legion at my disposal for various creative reasons.

There's no chance I'm getting rid of my Cine-Xenar III Primes. That's a hand picked set and they are some of my favorite S35 primes (also my first true set of cinema primes I've ever purchased, I got personal feels there). On Dragon I've been working mostly 6K HD/WS through 5.5K and 5K with them. However Dragon 8K is going to "need more".




Mine came with the PL mount attached. I use mostly PL mount lenses for my shoots. I imagine it takes a driver to swap mounts. Honestly haven't done it yet. I've had the lenses for less than 24 hours and need to shoot some QC tests this week and then I can dig into taking them apart. But honestly, I'll likely never attach an EF mount to these. But never say never, who knows what the future holds.

Thanks. Could you take a picture of the PL mount on the lens and PM me it if its not too much trouble?

 

[Zhibo Lai]

25mm front glass

25mm front glass

I also received my 25 and 100 this month, completed the set.. Fantastic lenses.
Anyone else with 25, wanted to double check that the 25 does not have that front glass element as pictured here.

 

[Kyle Wullschleger]

The final design of the 25mm does not have the large front element.

 

[Tyler Dreher]

Never mind, I figured it out.

 

[Phil Holland]

I also received my 25 and 100 this month, completed the set.. Fantastic lenses.
Anyone else with 25, wanted to double check that the 25 does not have that front glass element as pictured here.

View attachment 65907

The final design of the 25mm does not have the large front element.

What Kyle said. The image is a mock-up and then the prototype lens was a bit different than that as well. Revisions were made to the design and that's the 25mm we have ended up with today and it is rather nice.

This is similar to what's happening with the 18mm T2.4 at the moment. It's going through a bit of design revision to make sure it's "as good" and matches the 25mm.

 

[Alan Torres]

I hope everyone that has their 25mm lens is enjoying it. After 3 months of waiting my lens finally shipped from B&H. However, My UPS driver thought it would be a good idea to let some stranger named "John" sign for my package leaving me without a lens.

Anyone ever experienced something like this? B&H is putting a trace on my order but they say they won't get back to me for another week. I just hope that if my package isn't found that I won't have to wait another 3 months...

update:
Turns out the driver delivered it to a building down the street and the guy who signed didn't bother to tell anyone until 4 days later. Glad I have the missing piece of my set for this weekend!

 

[Bob Gruen]

Has anyone compared or intercut these lenses with a Focus Optics Ruby?

Bob

 

[Rupert Hopkins]

Phil,

I have just purchased the compact Schneider case from Jason Cases, I will send a photo of my lenses in the case once it arrives. Ordering another lens this week. I'm torn between the two remaining. 100mm or 35mm, I'm thinking 100mm extends my focal range but 35mm is such a necessary length as well. Dam not been able to afford the full set straight away hehe.

http://www.jasoncases.com/store/product/schneider-xenon-6-lens-case-compact/

 

[Phil Holland]

Phil,

I have just purchased the compact Schneider case from Jason Cases, I will send a photo of my lenses in the case once it arrives. Ordering another lens this week. I'm torn between the two remaining. 100mm or 35mm, I'm thinking 100mm extends my focal range but 35mm is such a necessary length as well. Dam not been able to afford the full set straight away hehe.

http://www.jasoncases.com/store/product/schneider-xenon-6-lens-case-compact/

Nice. I picked up the Hot Rod Camera case the day after I took delivery of the set because I needed to have them kitted up pronto. I was able to drive down and grab the case. Been shooting with them a bit. I'll have some footage and a few other special things shortly. Using them mostly when shooting at 6K at the moment.

 

[Gunleik Groven]

still happy about these, phil?

seems like an obvious place to go as an owner...

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Any news about Schneider 95mm True-Match Vari-ND filter?

Billy,

This are available for sale now, they mint be in stock or not,but are indeed available.

 

[Phil Holland]

still happy about these, phil?

seems like an obvious place to go as an owner...

So far I'm happy. Still pretty much the best deal on freshly designed cinema primes for VV. I'm actually more impressed with the lens housings and mechanics the more I shoot with them. Hard to do this at this price point. 25, 35, 50, 75, and 100mm make for a nice set at 6K for sure.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

The housings and mechanics are top notch. I feel the lenses are a bargain, but optically still leave a bit to be desired. They show more CA and fringing than I would like under high contrast scenarios and the 35mm being the worst offender in the set. OTOH I love the overall look and texture they impart to the image. They're not tack sharp like the RPP's or Masters, and some of their flaws add to that look they have. I like the way they flare and just like using them when the entire package is considered in terms of look, physical size and weight, mechanics, etc.. At times I wonder why I bought them -- I have plenty of lenses around here. However, I'm glad I did buy them because I don't have anything else like them.

 

[Guidofilippi]

I´ll take delivery of my full set of Xenons sometime next week... they are already in Customs awaiting paperwork.
First set in Argentina yet.

Guido

 

[Guidofilippi]

Phil,

I have just purchased the compact Schneider case from Jason Cases, I will send a photo of my lenses in the case once it arrives. Ordering another lens this week. I'm torn between the two remaining. 100mm or 35mm, I'm thinking 100mm extends my focal range but 35mm is such a necessary length as well. Dam not been able to afford the full set straight away hehe.

http://www.jasoncases.com/store/product/schneider-xenon-6-lens-case-compact/

Hi Rupert, do you know what model of Pelican case is it? Looks like a 1510 I guess...
Guido

 

[Nick Fury]

The housings and mechanics are top notch. I feel the lenses are a bargain, but optically still leave a bit to be desired. They show more CA and fringing than I would like under high contrast scenarios and the 35mm being the worst offender in the set. OTOH I love the overall look and texture they impart to the image. They're not tack sharp like the RPP's or Masters, and some of their flaws add to that look they have. I like the way they flare and just like using them when the entire package is considered in terms of look, physical size and weight, mechanics, etc.. At times I wonder why I bought them -- I have plenty of lenses around here. However, I'm glad I did buy them because I don't have anything else like them.

She luvs me...She luvs me n...:crazy:

Thank you very much

Fury

 

[Zhen Jie]

My babies are finally together! Thanks to Ketch for hooking me up with these!

Had my foam custom-made(sent the 25mm over for measurement) by mycasebuilder, put into the Nanuk 940 in yellow. Love the case, feels more solid than Pelicans.

 

[Anton Shavlik]

nvm

 

[Toby Linden]

What Kyle said. The image is a mock-up and then the prototype lens was a bit different than that as well. Revisions were made to the design and that's the 25mm we have ended up with today and it is rather nice.

This is similar to what's happening with the 18mm T2.4 at the moment. It's going through a bit of design revision to make sure it's "as good" and matches the 25mm.

Just a quick confirmation of what Phil is saying: I just got word from Schneider today that the 18mm, as well as the 135mm are indeed still in development and should be released early 2016. If both lenses perform like the 25mm, they're going to be a no-brainer. I just love the 25mm and have the subjective feeling that it's noticeably better than the 35mm in terms of CA, for example.