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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 :)

Lens advice...

Gunleik Groven

Gunleik Groven

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Since getting charlie here, I've more or less permanently been renting a sett of superspeeds...

I really like them, but don't have much to compare by.

I had planned to buy RED primes, for a while (if they're anything like they're said to be - and I guess they will be), but with the current shipping schedule, that seems like a less good plan, than what I thought it would be.

So

Should I pick up a set of old superspeeds? Or what is your favourite dope?

Or just rent for a year (looks like that's going to cost in the ballpark of a set of superspeeds... :)

Or...

I've decided I will NOT go the still glass route, even though that was my initial intention.

Any input much appreciated.

Gunleik
 
What is your budget?
SuperSpeeds are good replacement if you were planning to buy RED.
Also not heavy if you do hand held shots.
Also if you need some high detailed shots, wide angle, then you can always rent Ultra Primes.
 
If you actually have the availability of buying super speeds GET THEM!!! They're rare by now. It's great lenses, small, compact, mechanically very good and glass superb. They perform well with RED.

I think that it's a no brainer that RED deserves Cine glass.


Fredrik
 
So superspeeds it's most likely gonna be...

I haven't planned to buy still stuff since I ordered, I just would try to avoid friendly but off topic advice :)

I really have enjoyed that set.

Gunleik
 
I'll pull a Luki and not mention what I have them offered for until things are settled, but as a noob in the lens market I'd like a hunch of what they're worth...

It is (AFAIK) MKII T 1.3 - T 16

18. 25. 35. 50. 85.

I really have fallen in love with the 18...
 
Gunleik

At NAB a set of super speeds sold for $44,000 US. If you can get a good deal grab them but IMO the prices many PL lenses are selling for right now is at the peak. If I lived in Norway like you I would serously look into makeing a trip to Russia to pick up a brand new set of Russian primes. Everyone that I know of that has shot with russian glass have been very happy with their results. Heck a country that can produce quality engineering like the LADA has to be good right?

If you look into buying Russian primes I would love to hear back on your results.
 
I would have to say that a set of Super Speeds in excellent condition is easily worth around 40K.

As I'm sure you've discovered, the PL lens market has gone crazy because of the Red camera; think about it; 4000 plus Red cameras, most of which need PL mount lenses. Only a year or so ago Super Speeds could be found and purchased for under 20K. We all should have seen this coming!

I did buy my Cooke 18-100 early, but had to pay today's price for my Zeiss set of Standards.

The Red set did look terrific in the glass cases and are certainly a bargain at 20K, but they're not available.

The Russian lenses are said to be great, but, again, big problems with delivery. I believe they're promising six to nine months or longer wait.

Only viable options are rental and chancing upon a good used set.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo Ticheli
Director/Cinematographer
 
Finner, thanks. Russia have been/is my other option.

Seems the price I have is ok, then :)

And I already have a Lovely LOMO (made in CCCP), so I'm not wary of Russian glass. Actually I may have a work-trip to St Petersburg this summer anyway...
 
Gunleik, I have a Hartblei and am a fan of the Russians as well. My advice is if you can score a really cheap price on the super speeds (which it sounds is the case) then grab them. Then start to set things up to try and buy a set of russian primes and put the super speeds up for sale on ebay when the russians are ready. You may just make enough money on the super speeds to cover a big chunk of the russians.

My mother is Norwegian by the way and I have always wanted to go to Norway some day. Would you have room for my wife our 9 kids and I if we make it out that way?
 
Actually, yes... But I don't have a bus :)

You're welcome to come, though...

My sister lives i Alaska (as if that was of any relevance, but maybe she could visit you :) )
 
Leo Ticheli said:
I would have to say that a set of Super Speeds in excellent condition is easily worth around 40K.

Leo Ticheli
Director/Cinematographer
Click to expand...

Hi,

Seems an awful lot of money to me for a set of superspeeds IMO, OK it's just a revolution! I wouldn't be surprised to see superspeeds back in the 10-15K range again in 2 years time.

Stephen
 
Gunleik, could you check vigneting on super-speeds.
Shoot white plain surface 2 stops underexposed if you will have time, please.

Finner, what Russian lenses do you recommend?
Any names, addresses, profiles....
 
I had superspeeds (18mm is nice agree) last weekend in Washington-DC and I forgot to aim them at flat surface. Now I am stuck with Master Primes in Toronto, MPs are sharp and heavy but vignetting is to the point that I can't take it out completely in AE using standard lens distortion correction. Have to do mapping and apply as a correcting layer.

18mm in action in DC
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=204426&postcount=23
 
Stephen Williams said:
Hi,

Seems an awful lot of money to me for a set of superspeeds IMO, OK it's just a revolution! I wouldn't be surprised to see superspeeds back in the 10-15K range again in 2 years time.

Stephen
Click to expand...

Hi Stephen,

It's possible that the price of used Zeiss primes may fall somewhat, but I don't think we'll be returning to the, "good old days."

As good as the Red set may be, I believe many, if not most, would prefer a set of Super Speeds over the Red set, and I doubt the Red set will be falling in price, so the Super Speeds will cost more.

Unlike electronics, you can't easily bring economy of scale to highly skilled labor-intensive products such as cine lenses.

A company such as Canon might be able to pull it off if the market was large enough, but I believe that number is probably much higher than the number of Red One and Epic cameras that will be fielded. Maybe not. I don't see Zeiss rushing to sell bargain-priced lenses.

As far as current pricing goes, there are NO options. Nothing is generally available and excellent sets are quickly snapped up because the only other way to shoot with primes is to rent or spend a hundred grand or so on new cine lenses.

You may well believe that forty grand is too much for a set of Super Speeds, but the price is set by supply and demand. Right now the demand is far, far greater than supply.

I believe a return to ten thousand dollar Super Speed sets is as likely as a return to $2.00/gallon gas.

Of course, you could be right; in a couple of years someone may buy a Zeiss set for the price you suggest, but they are quite likely to have spent the difference in rentals over that period.

I'm very happy to own my lenses; I'm not across the street from a rental house and I like being able to shoot at the drop of a hat.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo Ticheli
Director/Cinematographer
 
Leo I think it is all supply and demand. Thing is with demand as high as it is right now I could see more companies jumping harder on building lenses and the competition always means lower price in time. Right now there is a lot of $ to be made in the building and selling of PL glass so I am sure there are a lot of people noticing that and wanting to get in the game. I give it 2-3 years and prices will drop again quite sharply.
 
I don't believe glass will drop sharply, depending on what you mean by "sharply."

Zeiss Standards could well fall to about the same price as the Red set, probably below if they are not pristine. Super Speeds, on the other hand, have advantages; lighter, faster stop, and, arguably, more "name-brand" value.

Can the Super Speeds command twice the price of the Red set? That one I can't predict. I would not be terribly surprised either way.

Even if the price does drop sharply in two or three years, we are still faced with thousands of Red cameras needing PL lenses and, at least until the Red sets ships, and ships in sufficient numbers, virtually no supply in the "affordable" price category.

Speaking of sufficient numbers, are lenses easier/faster to deliver than viewfinders???

Since we getting so few of those in the pipeline, what can we expect from the primes? You can't shoot pictures with a purchase order!

Whatever happens, I'm sure enjoying the Red-ride!

Good shooting and best regards!
 
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