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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Illumina S35 vs. Optica Elite Digital S35 Lenses

Fred Salaff said:
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.
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Fred has a horse in this race ( he's an equipment dealer that sells illuminas ) if it's true I might get another set from Elite - I really like them and for that price it's an unbeatable value. Elite is run by engineers and scientists: they suck at marketing, but the lenses are sweet.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
 
I'm curious what the Elite's produce image wise wide open. Everyone keeps talking about it but I haven't seen anything shot wide open with these lenses. I have seen shots wide open with the Illumina's and while slightly soft they still look good.
 
I shoot wide open with the Elites frequently. Same issues, but to a lesser degree if you've used the Zeiss Superspeeds wide open. lower contrast, still good resolution. In a perfect universe the producer on your night exterior shoot would let you get a Musco, but if you need to you can rock T1.3 and add a little contrast in RedCine it's fine. I've found the Elites T1.3 to be a bit faster / brighter - or maybe more honest than other prime sets

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
 
Matt Uhry said:
I shoot wide open with the Elites frequently. Same issues, but to a lesser degree if you've used the Zeiss Superspeeds wide open. lower contrast, still good resolution. In a perfect universe the producer on your night exterior shoot would let you get a Musco, but if you need to you can rock T1.3 and add a little contrast in RedCine it's fine. I've found the Elites T1.3 to be a bit faster / brighter - or maybe more honest than other prime sets

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
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Do you happen to have an R3D grab so we can see how the contrast looks? Im curious to see how much work is needed to make it look good.
 
Matt Uhry said:
Fred has a horse in this race ( he's an equipment dealer that sells illuminas ) if it's true I might get another set from Elite - I really like them and for that price it's an unbeatable value. Elite is run by engineers and scientists: they suck at marketing, but the lenses are sweet.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
Click to expand...

So who sells Elites in the USA? Or do you order direct from the factory? More to the point, if the factory is closing who will service them here?

How do they stack up against Superspeeds? That T1.3 has me thinking... anyone got a set to rent in NYC?

Mike (A true Scotsman, always after a bargain!)
 
Mike 'Fireman' Ross said:
So who sells Elites in the USA? Or do you order direct from the factory? More to the point, if the factory is closing who will service them here?

How do they stack up against Superspeeds? That T1.3 has me thinking... anyone got a set to rent in NYC?

Mike (A true Scotsman, always after a bargain!)
Click to expand...

It's all through the factory. Fred told me 2 years ago that the factory was closed but they still return my emails so I assume they are open. Any lens tech should be able to service them.
 
Hi!
I wouldn´t send them to russia for service. Van Diemen in the uk told me they have done these lenses before, no problem. They are no mystery.
I am checking up this information about factory closing. I like to have a 14mm.....:)
Roger
 
Hey Roger,
Would you happen to have an R3D grab of one of the lenses wide open? I'm trying to get images up so people can see the lens characteristics and how they look wide open. There isn't a lot of info on these lenses out there so if you have any screen shots, footage, or R3D grabs, they would be very helpful.
 
I talked to Optica Elite today! They have no plans of stopping productions. Unfriendly rumors have been put out there!!
 
Rogerhaugen said:
I talked to Optica Elite today! They have no plans of stopping productions. Unfriendly rumors have been put out there!!
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I just spoke with them via email and can confirm this.
 
Hi Matt!

I will do this next week! I am on holiday right now. But remind me!

Roger
 
Paul Nordin said:
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.
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Hey Paul,
Do you have any R3D Grabs of the lenses wide open? If so can you post them here so we have examples? Thanks
 
Jon MIchael Puntervold said:
This rumor was a quite nasty move by Fred...
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Indeed that was a nasty move by Fred - it's a small community and I'm surprised he did that.

I emailed Grigori at the Elite Factory in St Petersburg and they are still up and running. When I needed some Ft marked focus scales they were able to provide them with no delay and reasonable cost.

When I get back from out of town shoot I'll try to do some shots with the elites at 2.8 and 1.3 and post the r3d's I don't think it would be that useful to look at a frame without another similar one to directly compare with when trying to compare subtle contrast changes between stops.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
 
I most humbly apologize for the mis information! The bad Russian translation given to me about the factory closing was, in fact, a change of address. A friend of mine just received
an email from Grigory stating:

"You can buy lenses directly from us.
But at this point in the reserve there is nothing, as there is a big demand for lenses and lenses all reserved.
If You have the opportunity to expect then I can reserve for Your lenses. This is our old address.
Now we're moving to a new address.
I just wanted to clarify who and where was touting the value of our lenses.

A set of 6 major series lenses ELITE S35 MKIII from 18mm to 100mm is 30700 Euro."

Once again, please accept my apologies to all.
 
I've following this thread and to whomever posts images from the Elites and Illuminas I would love images wide open and at around T 3.5. I'd appreciate that. I've been considering these.
 
Phil Holland said:
I've following this thread and to whomever posts images from the Elites and Illuminas I would love images wide open and at around T 3.5. I'd appreciate that. I've been considering these.
Click to expand...

Be good to have some comparative images please.
 
Here is a Elite 28mm 1.3 test I did a while ago. i will do some test not of boards later. Its a jpg still frame from Sony f3. Bad lighting just done in a hurry.

Roger
 

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