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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

francisco santos

francisco santos

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Location
BOSTON/NYC/LA
Website
www.superiormediagroup.net
Hi Redgurus!
Just wanted to chime in on an awesome set of lens I just discovered. I took a chance dropping a nice chunk of changes on a set of illumine s35 and all I can say is wow. Not as sharp as MP wide open but totally usable. Just shot a music video in LA with them last week cant wait to share some still. Shot wide open mainly any other users on here with them?

Thanks,
 
I would love to try these guys out, they seem super rare and most film makers I know have never heard of them. I think they were tested in the SALT tests and looked like they were serious competitors! Share some stills!!
 
Response from Fred in 3, 2, 1..... I'm sure he has a list of other owners

Saying Illumina on a camera forum is like saying Beetlejuice 3 times. haha He just appears. :)
 
We have a set.. Only ever really use them between 1.3 and 2. I use them for a smeary flarey soft image. Stopped down they pick up sharpness and I'd rather switch to a differnet sharp lenses... The lenses also have some foibles that need worked around.. (They can't be used with clip on MB and they are fussy about follow focus positioning... They are also a tiny bit delicate)

This is straight out of the camera no grade

https://www.instagram.com/p/9t-3XfMcug/?taken-by=16ozstudio

This spot I made was all shot (apart from the last shot for focal length reasons) with the Iluminas

https://vimeo.com/user1338904/review/109126732/2cc7a57465

Vimeo link above may not show on Ipad

Before they where bought out TLS did offer to me to have a look at them to rehouse them and I was very keen... Shame it seems not so possible now.

They are a useful stand in for a super speed but both have their pros and cons.

If anyone in the UK was very keen to have a look at a set they could have a look at the ones we have here..

Michael L
 
Michael
i used them with the bright tangerine lightweight matte box with no issues. I have tried the. With the wc matte box clip on and it's very fidgety. The set I have is not delicate at all maybe I lucked out great stills.
 
I think there might be a couple different versions; they extend when focusing like SuperSpeeds, which is why clip-ons might not be the best idea (undue strain on the lens which could potentially cause issues down the line). Other than that, I think they're the most affordable T1.3 lenses available.

I didn't think they were too unknown... Weren't they originally Russian lenses that were then licensed by their designer (who is from Florida) after '89?
 
Mike P. said:
I think there might be a couple different versions; they extend when focusing like SuperSpeeds, which is why clip-ons might not be the best idea (undue strain on the lens which could potentially cause issues down the line). Other than that, I think they're the most affordable T1.3 lenses available.

I didn't think they were too unknown... Weren't they originally Russian lenses that were then licensed by their designer (who is from Florida) after '89?
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dont know much about the history. Yes they extend a on focusing a bit. with the bright tangerine on my ronin im able to get it to work pretty darn well with lil strain.
 
In my opinion the misfit ATOM is the heaviest MB that should go on without bars... If you come from directly underneath with a motor or FF4 than you can just about get away with a LMB15 etc...

The set we have i believe is the latest version and the best mechanically of 3 sets I have seen. I am not knocking these lenses ... they are a great option they just have some foibles. I have chosen to shoot with them a number of times... Leaving masterprimes and ultraprimes on the shelf when I want a different feel. I do nearly always filter them as well because they get sharp very fast as the stop edges down and sometimes that feels inconsistent with some of the more intriguing artefacts that they produce. For the right owner operator they are a really cool option...

Also if any of you saw the 'seceret life of twins' itv doc by Oxford scientific nearly all was shot on the Iluminas ... My partner in my equipment company Brendan McGinty won a RTS for the photography.
 
They can't be used with clip on MB and they are fussy about follow focus positioning... They are also a tiny bit delicate)
Click to expand...

That was a problem with the first versions. The MKII are redesigned and don't have those problems.

Nick
 
mines are not delicate at all actually feel as solid as any MP or UP i have used. I have the latest version.
 
francisco santos said:
mines are not delicate at all actually feel as solid as any MP or UP i have used. I have the latest version.
Click to expand...

I am not attacking your investment. Just pointing out the they have some very minor quirks... I think they are fantastic lenses with a really unique and visually interesting look and really worth the money.

These are mark ii versions we have and yes they are better than the mark 1 version.. With the early version you couldn't pull focus at all if you had a clip on with filters in.

On your mark ii if you put on a clip on MB (with a pola + ND + diffusion) then stick a follow focus from the side or motor from the top ARE you saying it will be fine??... If I am wrong and you have a magic set please stick up a YouTube clip with audio demonstrating the above and I'll be happy to send you a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate and to thanks you. I would them set about having these lenses changed.

Also I have MPs and UPs and sorry but you have very very different standards from me if you think they are solid like that... Have I seen super speeds sets that are worse yes... K35s are often definitely worse ..and I once had a set of rehoused leica macros hired in that you needed steroids to pull focus on...

Ps when I put a MB on I like to put filters in it ... are you factoring that weight in to?
 
On your mark ii if you put on a clip on MB (with a pola + ND + diffusion) then stick a follow focus from the side or motor from the top ARE you saying it will be fine??... If I am wrong and you have a magic set please stick up a YouTube clip with audio demonstrating the above and I'll be happy to send you a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate and to thanks you. I would them set about having these lenses changed.
Click to expand...

I don't have a video, but here's a shot of exactly what you are saying. Works fine. do it all the time. Edit - to be fair, if you get a gorrila AC who tightens the clip on so far that it deforms the lens, then that's a different story. However, my long time AC has had no problems with them. We shot an entire feature on wireless without a single problem. They are considerably better than super speeds as far as clip ons go.

Nick
 

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Hey Nick

Don't want to nitpick;-) but your AC had come from underneath with the motor so it would work that way... That is exactly how we make it work if we run a normal weight clip on with filters... Smart AC = good result! ... You obvously run a good team;-)

To move on what I would really like to know is if anyone has tried the uncoated versions OR had a play with the anamorphic fronts?... If I am honest I was slightly gutted when they made 1.3 rather than 2x... FRED why not 2x?

M
 
I agree 100% on the 1.33 anamorphics. I had heard that they were revisiting that, but it may be false. 2x anamorphic fronts would be amazing. I am also looking for a project for the opportunity to get a set of the uncoated optics, although if I am going that wonky, I am working on a set of Pl mounted Mir and Helios lenses.

As to the motor on the bottom, that's just so you don't have to move it to change lenses ;-)

Nick
 
I actually am using the bright tangerine which is lighter and only a couple filters at a time Michael. For what I do they are amazing glad i made the jump. Great pic Nick what matte box is that? I was thinking of trying my wooden camrea but shes pretty heavy without rods I probbably wont try it.
 
I'm not sure who makes that matte box. It might actually be one of the ones that came with the canon 8-64 super 16 zoom back in the day. It's 95mm with an 80mm insert so It covers all my primes. I usually only use a clip on on hand held or steadicam. We were pretty stripped down for that shot. It was a 2 1/2 block 3-4 min shot.

Nick
 
dont mind the ugliness never said i was a pretty guy lol its overhead lights but this is wide the fuck opennothing soft about it 35mm. They have a cooke 3d feel to my eye but sharpest around 2.8-5.6 still damn usable at 1.3 damn my glasses are dirty no wonder I cant see shit. Its like I got a hollywood black magic filter on my versace's lol
 

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