Illumina S35 vs. Optica Elite Digital S35 Lenses

[Matt Ryan]

I know there are a couple threads already out there, one by me on the topic of these lenses. Only a handful of people have seemed to use one or the other and there don't appear to be anyone who has ever used both sets. What I'm curious about is if we can turn this thread into an assembling of stills/motion samples of both sets of lenses. It's nice to have video but I'd love to see some HI RES screen grabs from both sets (In 4K+) preferably a R3D grab with no CC.

From my previous thread most who had used the Illumina's said there were good sets and bad sets. Some are soft at the corners while some are pin sharp. Some distorted and smeared while some were great. So it appears it depends on a set by set basis.

As for the Optica-Elites Digital, those who had used them before said they were great lenses from around t2.0 and up as in a sharp image. Apparently wide open these lenses lose contrast and therefore inherent sharpness. We know contrast can be added in post but curious it shooting wide open makes the image too "milky" and soft to begin with.

The Illumina's (http://www.lumatechinc.com/S35.html ) can be purchased from fjsinternational.com for $35,000 which includes a set of 18, 25, 35, 50, 85 all T1.3.

The Optica-Elites Digital apparently are only available through the manufacturer at http://www.optica-elite.com/products/digital/. Prices are $29,000 on the site for the set. The set includes the 18, 24, 35, 50, 75, 100 all T1.3.

Design wise they look somewhat similar. The newest version of the Illumina's in the MarkII, and the newest Optica Elite Digital versions is MarkIII. The color schemes are definitely similar and they both come from Russia. Although I guess the Illumina's are considered from Florida even though they are made by Lomo.

Here are the specs as listed on their respective sites:
Optica Elites Digital S35 MarkIII

Luma Tech Illumina S35 MarkII:

I'd like to start a collection of data from anyone who has had hands on experience ONLY so we can keep this thread relevant. We can speculate all we want but real feedback is helpful to the community as a whole. Let this be an assembling of relevant information with high res stills and motion samples. It would be nice to see the pre graded images as a lot can be done in post to sweeten things up.

Lastly, if anyone has access to, or if we can borrow one of each set, I'd love to join with fellow Redusers to run some tests. I'd personally love to shoot some charts, some scenes with talent and bokeh in the background, etc. There isn't enough info on these lenses out there so I'd love to assemble as much insight and info into this thread as possible and hopefully widen the lens options for everyone.

Can anyone compare these to MK3 SuperSpeeds?

Time to post your samples and give your input.

 

[Matt Uhry]

Last Year our RPP's got stolen from baggage at LAX ( insured ), we began a search for a replacement, criteria were smaller, faster, proper cine mechanics and markings. It came down to getting a set of MK 2 or 3 super speeds, the Optica Illuminas, or the Elites in 110mm "s35mm" or 85mm "digital" barrels. I've done direct comparison tests of all these lenses and ended up choosing, with the blessing of my camera partners the Digital Elites in 85mm barrels.

I think the size and weight of the Digital Elites is about ideal on the epic, resolution and contrast is great from 2 on down ( great all the way from WFO on the 24, 35, 100 ) Look is warm with well behaved CA like S4's They breathe very very little. The designs use cam's not helicals ( cooke's and leica summilux ) so the focus has been expanded on the longer end of the scale and goes faster on the close end for example the 24mm has a useful accurate mark for 100'. On the "Digital" set the minimum focus is not that great and the wider Elites have a bit more simple barrel distortion than I would like. Optics are the same on the Digital Elites and the S35 Elites.

If you want to test in LA and I'm around and they are avail I can bring the set over.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com





The lenses are very nicely made - they use cam

 

[Matt Ryan]

Last Year our RPP's got stolen from baggage at LAX ( insured ), we began a search for a replacement, criteria were smaller, faster, proper cine mechanics and markings. It came down to getting a set of MK 2 or 3 super speeds, the Optica Illuminas, or the Elites in 110mm "s35mm" or 85mm "digital" barrels. I've done direct comparison tests of all these lenses and ended up choosing, with the blessing of my camera partners the Digital Elites in 85mm barrels.

I think the size and weight of the Digital Elites is about ideal on the epic, resolution and contrast is great from 2 on down ( great all the way from WFO on the 24, 35, 100 ) Look is warm with well behaved CA like S4's They breathe very very little. The designs use cam's not helicals ( cooke's and leica summilux ) so the focus has been expanded on the longer end of the scale and goes faster on the close end for example the 24mm has a useful accurate mark for 100'. On the "Digital" set the minimum focus is not that great and the wider Elites have a bit more simple barrel distortion than I would like. Optics are the same on the Digital Elites and the S35 Elites.

If you want to test in LA and I'm around and they are avail I can bring the set over.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com





The lenses are very nicely made - they use cam

Thanks Matt! It's good to hear that the Elite's are a quality option. Out of curiosity how are the lenses wide open? Are they soft and lacking contrast?

Nice to know a set is in Los Angeles. If we could get a set of the most recent Illumina's we could do a proper test comparison.

 

[Domenic Barbero]

if you were gonna test these. id love to come down and help.

 

[Matt Ryan]

if you were gonna test these. id love to come down and help.

Sounds good. Still looking for a set of Illumina's in Los Angeles.

Anyone else have any experience with either the Optica Elites of the Illumina's? Would love to get some still of both the lenses and shots from the lenses added into this thread. So if you have some, please post them here.

 

[Fred Salaff]

I have been told that the Elites are no longer in production. (this needs to be confirmed). Additionally, what is being sold is from inventory and that when depleted there will be no more.
But that's why the price is only $29,000 for a set of 6 lenses. Other info I have heard is that the Elites are of an older design and do not cover 5K (as do the S35 Illuminas).

By now many of you have seen the terrific work of Nathaniel Kramer, all shot with S35 Illuminas. He tells us he is shooting a feature film next month exclusively with the Illuminas.

Further T stop testing at Panavision Canada has shown that the Illumninas are faster than T1.3!

A set of S35 Illuminas is available for testing in Florida. If someone would like to come out and shoot their own tests we will be happy to arrange this.

 

[Rogerhaugen]

Hi!
I bought a used set of 8 optica elite MKIII lenses this year. I would not go for the digital version. On the epic these are very nice and I am very happy with the result. Smooth mechanics and well produced. 5k cover on my widest 18mm!
1.3 a bit low contrast at 2.0 great! (The cooke s4 starts at 2.0 by the way) I wouldn´t shoot 1.3 with them if I didn´t have to. I wouldn´t do that with any lens....
I do not believe they are out of production. I spoke to them earlier this year.

Best
Roger

 

[Matt Ryan]

Hi!
I bought a used set of 8 optica elite MKIII lenses this year. I would not go for the digital version. On the epic these are very nice and I am very happy with the result. Smooth mechanics and well produced. 5k cover on my widest 18mm!
1.3 a bit low contrast at 2.0 great! (The cooke s4 starts at 2.0 by the way) I wouldn´t shoot 1.3 with them if I didn´t have to. I wouldn´t do that with any lens....
I do not believe they are out of production. I spoke to them earlier this year.

Best
Roger

Thanks for the feedback Roger! Do you have any screen grabs or R3D grabs you can post of these lenses wide open? I can host the images so they can be viewed in full res if you would like.

Also, I thought the only difference between the Optica Elites and the Elite Digital was weight and size?

 

[Dave Blackham]

Whats the difference between a S35mm and Digital Elite lens ?

 

[Matt Ryan]

Whats the difference between a S35mm and Digital Elite lens ?

I was originally told weight and size were the only difference but Roger seems to indicate other differences. The Digital version is smaller and lighter than the regular Elite's for sure.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Since Greg has arranged for me, I'll actually be testing extensively a new set of Illuminas MKII here in Rome shortly, need super fast small lenses, and LEICA unfortunately are being way too slow...


We'll report...

 

[Rogerhaugen]

Hi!
I have not tested the digital lenses. But they don´t make them anymore. I don`t know the difference except close focus on the 24mm is not so good as on the MkIII.
The question is why don´t they make these if the quality is the same? They must have been built quite differently to fit into the smaller housing. I don´t mind the size. They are like cook s4. On the epic its still almost to light for my steadicam setup

I would not go for the Optica Elite if you plan on shooting T 1.3. If you close it 3/4 it is completely different. Zeiss Master primes are made for this

I will post some grabs when I have the chance.

Roger

 

[Rogerhaugen]

18mm - 135mm

 

[Dave Blackham]

Since Greg has arranged for me, I'll actually be testing extensively a new set of Illuminas MKII here in Rome shortly, need super fast small lenses, and LEICA unfortunately are being way too slow...


We'll report...

Leica Summilux C is T1.3 ? or other Leica lenses are too slow ??

 

[Harrison Diamond]

I think he means in terms of delivery. I've heard at least 18 months, and as high as 3 years if you order now. Ridiculous. Leica's had some major production bottlenecks on their glass for their rangefinders too- they need to get that sorted fast.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Leica Summilux C is T1.3 ? or other Leica lenses are too slow ??

I think he means in terms of delivery. I've heard at least 18 months, and as high as 3 years if you order now. Ridiculous. Leica's had some major production bottlenecks on their glass for their rangefinders too- they need to get that sorted fast.

He he, as Harrison said, too slow in the sense as they are taking TOOOOOOOOOO long to deliver the Pre-Ordered sets.


Leica Summilux Cine Primes are T1.4.

 

[Adrian Correia]

I got a quote a couple of months ago and the wait was three years....although Leica is supposed to ramp up production....

 

[roryhinds]

I love my Illumina's

 

[Paul Nordin]

I love my Illumina's

Ditto here. In addition to using my set on 3 feature film and numerous commercial (to the enthusiastic glee of the clients), rental demand is growing as DPs In my area get hooked on the lens' image characteristics, price-point, and size.

 

[Fred Salaff]

Today we received confirmation that the Elite factory is indeed closed. No more production. Existing lenses are being sold from inventory at fire sale prices.