Future lenses for future sensors. BIGGER SENSOR - BIGGER COVERAGE needed

[Cristian Mihai]

Hello guys

For 2 months i am searches for building a lens set. I want bother you with details but from the informations i got one thing is sure. Sensors will get bigger from now on. Somebody whispered that Arri is also preparing a cheaper Alexa with a bigger sensor, Red already has it, at NAB almost certain will see others. In this ideea i am a bit confused about choosing optics. What might see a good choice now it might not be so in the next few years. What are your thoughts on that guys ?

 

[Michael Tiemann]

It is amazing how little things change every 2-3 years, yet how much things change every 5-10 years. If you chase technology trends every year, you will spend a lot of money and never be happy. If you decide "this is the way I'm going to do things for the next 5-10 years" and invest accordingly, you'll still spend a lot of money, but there's a small chance you'll be happy, too.

 

[Bérenger Brillante]

Most people should stick to APSC 35mm. It's not like there are no high-end lenses in this coverage.

Michael is right, choose how you will work with it. Not what you think clients will want in the future.
Sell your work not the gear you work with.

 

[Cristian Mihai]

I've seen this happening in the photo industries also. When switch to digital, they preached the workflow. When moved to full frame sensors was about pixels, more the better and in the end i was pushed by advertising agencies and publications to move to digital backs from Phase One or Leaf etc. After that they were keep pushing for the MP number. I see this in becoming the trend also for video. They create the hype and end customers are asking for it. Is more about the camera and gear than you. So i want to invest smart. Not willing to spend twice.

 

[Mark Andersen]

It a good thing most of us did the RED thing, the upgrade process has been a real pleasure going from R1 to R1 MX to Epic to Dragon, with minimal pain, thanks again RED

 

[Matt Uhry]

I see this in becoming the trend also for video. They create the hype and end customers are asking for it. Is more about the camera and gear than you.

The first trick is to present yourself as a creative cinematographer / filmmaker and not a guy who has some gear. Then get the equipment that helps you do your work better or make money - or ideally both of these things at the same time.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

 

[Phil Holland]

The first trick is to present yourself as a creative cinematographer / filmmaker and not a guy who has some gear. Then get the equipment that helps you do your work better or make money - or ideally both of these things at the same time.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

What Matt said.


However, to the original poster, remember there are really just a few "true" formats generally speaking.

16mm
Micro Four Thirds (a newer format just a bit smaller than 35mm)
35mm (4-perf/3-perf - Dragon 5K is about this size, which is nice)
Red Epic Mysterium-X 5K FF
Red Epic Dragon 6K FF (Pretty much in between 35mm and FF35)
FF35mm (8-perf/VistaVision)
65mm (5-perf)
70mm IMAX (15-perf)


I agree with Matt and depending on your needs you need to plan accordingly. My personal journey is to have lenses that cover my favorite formats and I have that now. And occasionally I'm still grabbing glass here and there to flesh out a set or have some creative exploration. Super 35mm is pretty much standard and I'd personally start there as there are many options for budget through high end cinema lenses. There are certainly good cost effective options for FF35 as well.

*edit, I should add, while it would be nice to own one set that covers all your needs format-wise. Odds are you find better performance and flexibility with lenses designed for the format you are shooting (or close to the format you are shooting on).

 

[Ryan Hamblin]

As usual Phil has it covered. but just to stir the pot... you can never go wrong with Pentax 6x7 glass or hasselblad stuff. I bet we will see a lot of it get cinevised as some point. I love putting my pentax lenses on my scarlet... talk about tack sharp... I sure do "..." a lot...

 

[Cristian Mihai]

Let's get the glass first until Nick will start a thread about medium format lenses. ))

What i would like is some stability. Like i had for years with film. That's all. Back then i was more occupied about the frames, composition, subjects etc. Now is even hard to stay informed from month to month if you know what i mean.