First Look - Schneider Xenon FF-Prime Lenses

[Karim D. Ghantous]

I've had the Xenons for quite a while now. I won't sugar coat it, the purple fringe CA is bad. But that's the only bad thing about them. In most shooting situations, the CA is not a problem...

But that is exactly the problem. Cinema lenses are (apparently) designed to deal with all situations, not just most of them. That's why they cost more, and that's why most people would not use SLR lenses if they could help it. Now, I'm not saying this to be impertinent or a smart-alec. But unless there's a super-easy fix to the CA in software, I'd be staying away from lenses like this.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

But that is exactly the problem. Cinema lenses are (apparently) designed to deal with all situations, not just most of them. That's why they cost more, and that's why most people would not use SLR lenses if they could help it.

What we have been taught and what the industry, as well as common logic seems to say, would indicate this to be true. Unfortunately, it is not. My advice would be to spend some time at a rental house or get your hands on a variety of cinema lenses to test and scrutinize. However, this is definitely not the reality of it. They all have issues in one form or another. Many exhibit various aberration effects, often worse than the fringing on the Xenons!

Now, I'm not saying this to be impertinent or a smart-alec. But unless there's a super-easy fix to the CA in software, I'd be staying away from lenses like this.

Not too hard to fix in post. But it has more to do with controlling light in high-contrast situations. I can address most of it with good light control and filtration. It's usually not an issue unless I'm blowing out the sky while shooting through tree branches or something.

 

[Bob Gundu]

Lots of so-called cine lenses have issues... including CA!!! In any case, the Xenons really fit my style of shooting.

 

[Rupert Hopkins]

Spoke to someone from Schneider, and someone from Vitec Group, at the BSC last Friday.

They mentioned that the 18 is likely coming out around July this year along with the 135. He hinted that the 18mm will be more expensive than the other lenses but I was guessing that anyway. Also the 135 will no longer be slightly larger than the others in length and instead will be the same size but with a slightly wider diameter between the focus and iris gears. However the diameter/length and both gears will be identical.

Sorry if i'm relaying old news. He also talked about a macro lenses but mostly just said there was a demand for it rather than that they where going to produce one.

Rupert

 

[Mark Toia]

If only they were Brighter Nice bottle otherwise. The charts look great.

 

[Manuel Bauer]

Does somebody know if could change the scales from imperial to metric?

 

[Sergey Surin]

Yep it is possible!
I wrote to the manufacturer and got answer from there:
It is possible but you have to sent lenses to Germany (this operation is possible there only)
it takes about 2 weeks and will cost you 230 euro per lens (without shipping taxes)

 

[Manuel Bauer]

Yep it is possible!
I wrote to the manufacturer and got answer from there:
It is possible but you have to sent lenses to Germany (this operation is possible there only)
it takes about 2 weeks and will cost you 230 euro per lens (without shipping taxes)

Thanks Sergey!

 

[Sergey Surin]

Thanks Sergey!

I'm in your position: there is much more pleasant prices on used sets of Xenon in USA but imperial markings is not comfortable to use and actually for rent or resale value in Europe and it is killing my deal ... Canon CN-e has user switchable option and very pleasant price point in Russia and I'm thinking about change my decision to it. We've got very bad situation with currency rates nowadays....

 

[Manuel Bauer]

Yep it is possible!
I wrote to the manufacturer and got answer from there:
It is possible but you have to sent lenses to Germany (this operation is possible there only)
it takes about 2 weeks and will cost you 230 euro per lens (without shipping taxes)

Here is a statement from Schneider, who did you ask Sergey?

Unlike with the Cine Xenar lenses, the scale of the FF-Primes can't be changed.

 

[Sergey Surin]

Here is a statement from Schneider, who did you ask Sergey?

Unlike with the Cine Xenar lenses, the scale of the FF-Primes can't be changed.

Usually the FF-Primes are available with feet or meter scales.
In contrast to our Cine Xenar III lenses, the scales are not interchangeable.
Surely it is in principal possible to disassemble the lens and replace the scales, but it is some effort and cannot be offered for free.
If you´d like to know, I can request a rough price per lens from our service department?

Thanks and Best regards
Daniela

Mit freundlichen Grüssen
Best regards
i.A.
Dipl. Ing.
Daniela Kesselem
Geschäftsbereich Foto/Film
Business Unit Photo/Cine
Produktmanager Film
Product Manager Cine

Tel: +49 671 601-335
Fax: +49 671 60181-335
E-mail: kesselemd@schneiderkreuznach.co

 

[Marcus Friedlander]

For everyone who has been shooting on these lenses, what zoom(s) do you find match well enough to be paired with the xenon's for faster paced narrative work?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Guidofilippi]

May anybody comment on the new Xenon 18mm prototype shown at NAB? Looks like it will be offered by the end of the year; no pricing yet.

Thanks,
Guido

 

[Phil Holland]

May anybody comment on the new Xenon 18mm prototype shown at NAB? Looks like it will be offered by the end of the year; no pricing yet.

Thanks,
Guido

Here are my thoughts from shooting with it at NAB for a bit. The image next to the lens in the photograph was taken with the 18mm T2.4. I shot about 15 or so shots. I've shot test images like this from both prototypes and the new design is much improved in my opinion.

Schneider Optics

After much delay and anticipation Schneider finally is in the home stretch on the 18mm Xenon FF-Prime. Here's what's good and perhaps why it was worth the wait. It's still T2.4, which makes it the fastest full frame wide angle prime. Because Schneider did an entire redesign we get better quality optics. Also, and this is huge to me, they were able to keep the lens the same length and diameter as the rest of the Xenons! Remember, the old version they showed was not this way. They are working hard to push this baby out, but they are feeling it's going to be released this year. Then they will move onto the 135mm.

Schneider also showed some very nice 3, 4, and 5 stop Circular Polarizer filters that are worth looking at. Very useful for daylight car work.

 

[Hal Long]

For everyone who has been shooting on these lenses, what zoom(s) do you find match well enough to be paired with the xenon's for faster paced narrative work?

Thanks in advance!

I've shot with the Xenons and Cabrios on many projects with very good results. I've also used them with the Angenieux DP series (not my favorite match) and the 24-290 (very good match).

I also shoot them alongside my GL 18-35 on most jobs and have been happy with the results. The GL is very sharp for the wides which works fine. The Xenons have a slightly greener cast but once I've balanced for that in Resolve they cut fine.

H

 

[Marcus Friedlander]

I've shot with the Xenons and Cabrios on many projects with very good results. I've also used them with the Angenieux DP series (not my favorite match) and the 24-290 (very good match).

I also shoot them alongside my GL 18-35 on most jobs and have been happy with the results. The GL is very sharp for the wides which works fine. The Xenons have a slightly greener cast but once I've balanced for that in Resolve they cut fine.

H

Thank you for your response! Good to know about the 18-35. I've been eyeing it for awhile as well.

Any chance you've worked with the CZ zooms? I have a feeling they would be too sharp to match, but I'm willing to bet that that can be fixed optically with the right diffusion.

 

[Guidofilippi]

Thanks for the data, Phil. Looks like it will be available by the end of the year or early 2017, though...

Guido

 

[Hal Long]

Thank you for your response! Good to know about the 18-35. I've been eyeing it for awhile as well.

Any chance you've worked with the CZ zooms? I have a feeling they would be too sharp to match, but I'm willing to bet that that can be fixed optically with the right diffusion.

I have used the CZ zooms on several projects but never alongside the Xenons. Not sure I'd pair them together as the CZs have the standard Zeiss look which the Xenons don't.

 

[arturrito]

Hi Guido, I sent a PM. First Xenon batch in Argentina was mine 2014, november! Would be great share our knowhow and Xenon´s stories.

 

[Karel Šimůnek]

Phil? Xenon's or CP.3's? I have some Ex-demo CP.2's and thinking about upgrading to newer ones. The same size and weight of Schneider is big plus for me and the same length for all lenses is amazing! Better price is another plus for Schneider.