Glass investment...

[Joe Medlock]

I'm interested in hearing some oppinions on your lens sets.

I'm looking into investing in some new cine glass. I've curently got a set of Zeiss ZF.2's (Duclos EF cine moded) and a Canon 24-105mm for more run and gun productions.

Camera wise I own a RED ONE MX, Canon C100 and a Sony A7s (Maybe a Raven in the future)

What lens do you think is worth investing into. Have been looking into CP2's, Xeen's and Schneider FF's and maybe even a RED PRO Zoom. Something in this line of budget ideally. Our RED ONE is curently in PL mount variation but thinking to just invest in a Nikon mount and use the ZF.2's or a Leitax RED ONE EF mount (as the lenses curently are converted to EF) and the A7s has the Metabones EF adaptor



Also would it be worth inbesting in PL or EF? I like the idea of a CP2 style interchangable mount to accomodate the line of cameras I have

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Hi Joe. I own the Red One MX (with Leitax EF mount). That mounting system also allows for PL. I have a set of Contax (Leitax EF mounts), Nikon AIs (use Redrock adapters to convert to EF when using them on RED), Pentax Takumars (using M42 to EF adapters) and overall I like the system. There is some issues I ran into with some of the bigger EF mount lenses where it would unscrew the whole mount (have to look into that more) but with the smaller lenses no issues. But my thought was that this would give me a solid EF mount for the Red One, and the option of PL with the Leitax PL mount if I needed it. If your plans are to upgrade to Raven, then you are EF mount. Scarlet W and you've got choices. I think if you're going to own glass, you have to decide whether the glass is an investment you are making for your personal style of shooting or if it's something you hope clients will rent from you. If it's the latter, I would lean towards a set of glass that has a wide rental base so you can get the ROI on it. For me, I have glass I would want to shoot on and I rent whatever is needed for a particular job. I'd love to own some Leica cine glass or Cooke S4s but I would never see much ROI on it.

 

[Brody_B]

Otus. Great price, sharp, high quality build, very fast, long focus throw.

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Brody, I think what I'll end up with is the Contax for more organic, softer image and the Otus series for a more modern, clean look. That's a pretty sweet combo.

Joe, what kind of work do you do?

 

[Christoffer Glans]

I would keep an eye on the new Celere HS lenses now conquering the world

 

[David Peterson]

I feel Sony CineAlta PL lenses provide the best bang for buck for buying PL lenses new:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/906631-REG/sony_scl_pk6_f_cinealta_4k_six_lens.html

But also keep an eye out on what SLR Magic is up to with their PL series.

 

[Brendan H. Banks]

Hi Joe. I own the Red One MX (with Leitax EF mount). That mounting system also allows for PL. I have a set of Contax (Leitax EF mounts), Nikon AIs (use Redrock adapters to convert to EF when using them on RED), Pentax Takumars (using M42 to EF adapters) and overall I like the system. There is some issues I ran into with some of the bigger EF mount lenses where it would unscrew the whole mount (have to look into that more) but with the smaller lenses no issues. But my thought was that this would give me a solid EF mount for the Red One, and the option of PL with the Leitax PL mount if I needed it. If your plans are to upgrade to Raven, then you are EF mount. Scarlet W and you've got choices. I think if you're going to own glass, you have to decide whether the glass is an investment you are making for your personal style of shooting or if it's something you hope clients will rent from you. If it's the latter, I would lean towards a set of glass that has a wide rental base so you can get the ROI on it. For me, I have glass I would want to shoot on and I rent whatever is needed for a particular job. I'd love to own some Leica cine glass or Cooke S4s but I would never see much ROI on it.

I second this. Have a solid, cost-effective (that's a relative term that you get to decide on) in-house, and rent big bad lenses when the budget permits...even maybe sacrificing a bit of your pocketable cam budget. I would LOVE to have a set of Ultra Primes (my go-to for s35 PL primes), but most of the jobs benefit from me having my favorite still glass (I'm partial to Sigma). Been really toying with the concept of the Angenieux 16-42 because I really don't mind shooting zooms and love that lens (along with the fairly similar Canon CNE equivalent)...but will hold off for a bit. There's sort of an in-between world with PL glass like the Cine Alta primes where if you can afford and justify to have them in house, they'll be great but they sure won't be winning you any jobs on their name...at least not around my parts.

Heard many good things about the Otus series as others have pointed out. I go for a slightly softer look typically which steers me away from them...but if I have any app or sports content, I know I'm turning to those.