If you had only 50k for lenses

[Ketch Rossi]

I would get 2 Master Primes.

Sorry couldn't help my self here...


It really depends so much on the needs of the individual, its shooting needs, its style, its likes an dislikes, and so on, that the choices can be so many at this point.


But you can surely start form the very top, with only 2 Master Primes indeed and built up from there with the absolute best glass there is.

Or get a set of 4 Ultra Primes.

Or a full set of Red Pro Primes plus the 300mm and their 17-50 and 18-85 zooms, with funds to spare for filters and MB + support and lens cases etc.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Just sy to to Xenars... not worth the money even though I have not see version 3... We tested the crap out of Xenars and other "off brands" in the lens section. and the Red Pro Primes were by far the best bang for the buck in the "off brand" prime set market. All are almost impossible to rent to anyone but super low budget indies who dont have money. Cook Panchros were most people's favorites but the 2.8 seems to be a mental block.

WHy is nobody bringing up the NEW Zeiss CP2 Super Speeds at T1.5? They looked pretty amazing at NAB and only $15K for a 3 lens set which could be complimented by the zooms jeff mentioned.

Same can be said for the equivalently priced new Cinema Series Primes by Canon - which also looked gorgeous at NAB.

that all said Ultra Primes and Master Primes are an excellent choice and you can always get out of that choice for basically what you pay for them... not to mention should rent without issues.

I also would wait for the Nov 30 announcement given Red has quietly let the RPP's phase out... I cant help but believe they have some amazing new lenses in the works for Dragon... but that doesnt mean it will be part of the Nov 30 announcement.. but I hope it does.

 

[Paul Harb]

Great comments from everyone! Thanks.

 

[Timur Civan]

Interesting Timur, you own mini S4's...reason you would pick 3 UP's instead? The 2.8 an issue for you?

No, just an alternate path. I find I only use 4 lenses anyway. 32, 40, 65, 100. If we're gonna start over, I'd have gone with 3 S4s.

 

[Stephen Williams]

dont think 2.8 is an issue for personal use..But its a big negative for rental business.we have panchros (mini S4) for a year and they rented like 10 days only in 1 year
just because of T 2.8

I used them last week, they are brilliant, I would take above UP's any day. My first choice being Leica C primes!

 

[Michael Lindsay]

I used them last week, they are brilliant, I would take above UP's any day. My first choice being Leica C primes!

Hi Stephen

Have you shot properly with the Lecias yet? I've played around with them for 15min and they seem great... but I really need to sort out a proper shoot to understand them better. Care to share your findings..

thanks

Michael L

PS I shoot allot with UPs and find them easy and versatile. Curious why you are not so keen on UPs? They are maybe a bit boreing but... ?

 

[Stephen Williams]

Hi Stephen

Have you shot properly with the Lecias yet? I've played around with them for 15min and they seem great... but I really need to sort out a proper shoot to understand them better. Care to share your findings..

thanks

Michael L

PS I shoot allot with UPs and find them easy and versatile. Curious why you are not so keen on UPs? They are maybe a bit boreing but... ?

I find the UP's boring , clinical & breathe a lot. The Leicas do not breathe at all, sharp wide open, beautiful Bokeh & do not flare. I actually used the front element as a reflector on a macro shoot!
Why would I use boring lenses? there not even cheap!

 

[James Houk]

I find the UP's boring , clinical & breathe a lot. Why would I use boring lenses? there not even cheap!

Well, they're a known name that is in demand. They're not cheap to buy, but they also do rent at good rates. At least, that's what I do with my Ultra Primes - rent them out at a fair rate.

 

[Carelton Holt]

I hear there is a significant improvement in the Schneider Xenar IIIs. The external focus is gone and they have up to 18 blade apertures which should make for some killer bokeh. The images looked pretty impressive on the following link (though no true cinema work on this reel): http://vimeo.com/49864243 We are looking for primes in the same price range and definitley fighting the same mental battles with regard to making a final decision! We love the images we see from Cooke Panchros, but struggle with the 2.8 issue. There are plenty of times we shoot on Canon L series lenses at 2.0 and faster and just hate to have a hard limit at 2.8. Argh!!!

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

just hate to have a hard limit at 2.8. Argh!!!

I think T2 is acceptable, T2.8 is too slow...till dragon...but the perfect spot for SOME works in my opinion,
for narrative where you have to go under 32/40mm I think 2.8 gives you too much dof.
how are the miniS4 WFO?

 

[Mark Toia]

If your buying lenses to RENT... and use occasionally. Get UP's

If you want a set for you only... I'd look at full set Illumina or a set of super speeds (all f1.2) -- or a set of RED Primes... and then you have change for a 25-250 Angenieux , matt boxes, follow focus etc...

Why limit yourself to 2 to 3 lenses, when you have 7

Just my 5cents worth.

 

[paul engstrom]

50k = RED full set primes from 18 - 100, RED 300 prime, RED 17-50 zoom (handheld/steadicam/etc.), Duclos 11-16, 2x Nikon mounts, Nikon 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 24 1.4, 50 1.4, 85 1.4 and Macro + cash.

A very competent and very versatile package of great glass for a huge variety of situations.

 

[jordan levy]

i would get the 20/32/85 Ultra Primes...if you have 50k now, i feel like you might be on the level of person that might have 50k in the near future.
also you can rent them as a budget 3 lens package, after a year, if you love them, keep them and round off your package, if you hate them, sell them for about the exact same money you paid...or if your mission is not to make money but to have the right lenses for shooting your projects, then just rent all the different ones you need for each shoot for about 10 years...then 10 years from now youll be every directors favorite for giving them a decade of free lens rentals
by then you can buy the Super Master Primo Primes f.1

 

[Paul Harb]

I ended up spending a bit more and getting a 16/24/32/50/85 set of Ultra Primes. Thks everyone for the input.

 

[Mark Toia]

50k = RED full set primes from 18 - 100, RED 300 prime, RED 17-50 zoom (handheld/steadicam/etc.), Duclos 11-16, 2x Nikon mounts, Nikon 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 24 1.4, 50 1.4, 85 1.4 and Macro + cash.

A very competent and very versatile package of great glass for a huge variety of situations.

BOOM :emote_head_explode: :emote_happyhappy:

 

[Brian Merlen]

i'd get a set of cookes...or set of ultra primes... or a canon ef cine set and a canon zoom too.

 

[Timur Civan]

I know this subject has been beaten to death but who doesnt like debating lenses. These would be for the owner/operator narrative, music videos, commercials....and would rent out when not using. Also with the Dragon sensor coming up consider sensor coverage. All things to consider....

So, if you only had 50k to spend, would you:

Buy new Cooke Mini S4/Panchros set of 6 lenses 2.8 across

Buy used set of Zeiss Super Speeds M3 5 lenses 1.3 across

Buy 3 Zeiss Ultra Primes like a 24/32/85 and build from there later as money allows 1.9 across

Buy Schneider Cine Xenar III's set of 6 lenses 1.9-2.2 across

Consider a Fujinon 19-90, $ 37,000 and you get a considerable amount left over for beer. . Very light, sharp, compact and with a ultra convenient range.

 

[PatrickFaith]

I ended up spending a bit more and getting a 16/24/32/50/85 set of Ultra Primes. Thks everyone for the input.

Gratz ... it's a nice feeling getting a set of lenses like that, knowing they will be a solid lens for the rest of your life, not too many purchases like that you can make.

 

[Adam Howden]

I'd personally be very war of the Illuminas, I purchased a set and returned them for a refund early in 2012.

I think the schneider's would be a good bet, I'm pretty sure Matt Duclos gave them a very good review. If they're nice and sharp or sharp enough wide open then you onto a winner I reckon. Zeiss Superspeeds MkIII if you can get them would also be a good buy but they're getting a little long in the tooth.

http://www.ducloslenses.com/collections/schneider/products/schneider-cine-xenar-iii-set

 

[Tom Lowe]

Probably Leica Summilux-C 16mm and 50mm.