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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 Package Options for Epic (1/2011)

Evin Grant said:
They are really only practical with the upcoming Nikon electronic mount from Red. The Redmote pro will give you customizable focus control similar to a Preston or Berger.
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I really wish RED would deliver basically just a focus knob that we can mount on a handle or rod. I love the Redmote Pro for a 1st AC pulling focus, but there have been plenty of times where I've pulled my own focus and would much prefer 'just a focus knob' on the operator side of the camera.
 
James Brundige said:
I've heard raves about these lenses. In your opinion, how do they compare to the Zeiss ZF's ?

I wish they would make a 50 with a 77 mm front (I've heard rumors about an f 1.2 of that dimension??)
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Different league entirely, I think the ZFs are fine lenses but they are 20 & 30 year old designs for the Contax system. They even hobbled the CP.2 85mm to T2.1 because the performance was noticeably lacking at 1.4. This is not an issue on a 5D but on an Epic it's going to be another story. The combination of new aspheric, floating element formulas as well as the new Nano crystal coating and AFS motor systems IMO really push the limits on what a still optic is capable of. Starting with the 14-24 & 24-70 2.8 zooms Nikon has really been pushing the bleeding edge of IQ, there is nothing like the 14-24 from any other manufacturer. I think the only other optical house pushing things to this level of IQ is Leica with the 21mm and 24mm 1.4 Summilux Ms, and the 50mm 1.4 Aspheric. They are of course considerably more expensive and as of yet not mountable on Epic. Pics to come shortly...
 
paul engstrom said:
I really wish RED would deliver basically just a focus knob that we can mount on a handle or rod. I love the Redmote Pro for a 1st AC pulling focus, but there have been plenty of times where I've pulled my own focus and would much prefer 'just a focus knob' on the operator side of the camera.
Click to expand...

We haven't seen or heard anything about the Redmote Pro in a long time. Why are people assuming that it will actually make for a good follow focus on still glass? Are the electronic focus controls on still lenses smooth enough to make this a viable solution? I've never worked with the Birger mount so I don't have any basis for comparison.
 
Ditto what Evin said. I have a Birger and it works great with L lenses. Very smooth focusing. Focusing knob will be even better if they can add hard stops. I just hope RED has something good available more or less... now. And ideally for Nikon. I'm leaving Canon for Nikon with the Epic.
 
I also have a Birger and the L series lenses do focus a lot better than the non-L. I have both the 28mm f/1.8 and the 85mm f/1.8 (both ~$400 mid range lenses) and optically they are really good, but they do not focus as smoothly as my L lenses. The cheaper lenses have around 400~600 discreet focus points while the L series typically have double this. The Birger actually has two different focusing modes that has a noticable difference between the L and non-L lenses. I do not own one but there are posts here in the forum that the 135mm L series prime has major image shift issues - stay away from it. I have used the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, which works very well.

The attractive thing about having wireless control is obvious, but it is not a perfect solution (of course wireless focusing systems for cine lenses are available). If Red can make autofocus tracking work then Canon stills my find their way into the mainstream, especially if the mounts can be changed out quickly.

Bob
 
GREAT THREAD!

With all these EPIC and Lenses in the wild. I would be happy to host a shoot out (if I can get help with some expenses) I'll put up the facility and EPIC X (3)
NOT A TECHNICAL SHOOT OUT! But all 3 EPIC's pointing at the same subject with the same focal length same distance etc. Not scientific, but what I wish more people would shoot
when comparing. They all are excellent choices... often it comes down to AESTHETIC preference. (ask Barrett about his love affair with Panchros) now we can see WHY.
I also want to do a GREEN SCREEN KEY comparison of these lenses.

LENSES I WOULD LIKE TO COMPARE
1. RED PRO PRIMES - Indent Studios
2. Illumina S35 - Paul Nordlin (Rental Rate?)
3. Cooke Panchros - Christopher Barret (Rental Rate)
4. UniQoptics Signature Series- ?? (Anyone rent these?)
5. Zeiss Ultra Primes - (I can rent these locally)

2nd Test would be A'C's weighing in on mechanics compared to the benchmark UP's .
We have some crusty A/C'S here in portland that don't sugar coat anything who will give us their opinions.

I again will provide EPIC and my Facility and RPP and UPP. Can anyone help with the other rentals?

Let's do this thing... I can also provide a couple Skype cams set up if people want phone in during the "Tests"

Real World shooting Tests. How does this lens compare to the other shooting the SAME subject.

I Dont always check PM so email is best tfw(at)indentstudios(dot)com
 
Hey Tim,

Inspired Cinema here in Vancouver have a couple sets of the Uniq Optics. Contact Richard Metzger.
 
Interesting idea Tim. I would be happy to come up there with my Illuminas and participate.

Two months ago I shot a very similar test with my Epic a friend's Alexa, my Illuminas and his Ultraprimes. Kept cameras as close to each other as possible same focal lengths and rotated lenses as we shot a basic low light scene. Right after I got crazy busy so we haven't written up the results yet, but will later this month.
 
Hi Tim,

I didn't see Zeiss CP lenses, or Schneider Cine-Xenars on your list, but if you were interested I could possibly facilitate those lenses for your test as well.

Let me know.

I.
 
Sounds great guys! I am not good at multiple quotes... so here goes.

@ Paul Nordlin - awesome! I can pay for your hotel (perhaps Fred can kick in airfare or gas $ its only 11 hour drive from SF)
@ Fred - sounds great - maybe help PauL Nordlin with Airfare?
@ Christopher Barrett _ whenever Paul can bring his Illuminas as they are the only ones I know of in US - I can pay your hotel
@ Ilya - thanks for the email. CP2 and Schneider Cine Xenars would be welcome to the party. (I think I can have a 3rd and maybe 4th EPIC there)
@ Paul Engstrom - awesome will do. I will pay shipping both ways.

@ Sean Brown. definitely can use your help. I will have a couple local DP A/C's there as well. You want to help coordinate all this?

We can build a couple "sets" on the stage and then do some exterior stuff on our roof as we have a decent view of the west hills and downtown - so lots of DETAIL - although it will most likely have a big giant silk in the sky called rain clouds.

my email is tfw (at) indentstudios (com)

MEW LIST OF LENSES
1. RED PRO PRIMES - Indent Studios
2. Illumina S35 - Paul Nordlin
3. Cooke Panchros - Christopher Barret
4. UniQoptics Signature Series- ?? (Found Em)
5. Zeiss Ultra Primes - (I can rent these locally)
6. Zeis CP 2 Primes
7. Schneider Cine-Xenars

I almost want to take the UP's off the list... but as the benchmark - lets keep them (presuming for this test that master primes and Leicas being in another class)

EDIT: Now all we need is Rick Darge to show up with his K35's!

EDIT AGAIN: I would also appreciate trading airfare and hotel digs in exchange for rental - as this is on my dime and for the greater good!

Im thinking right after Thanksgiving maybe? Before 10th of Dec.
 
Fantastic Chris. That will give us 4 to 5 EPIC's then... I wiil still get your airfare and hotel digs.

Now the unenviable job of finding a time that works for everyone. :)

We are pretty slow from now until until late December - then things get crazy busy as Indie Season in Portland begins. So it has to be sooner than later.

Let me get with Paul Nordlin and see what works. Im thinking over a weekend? Thoughts?
 
Hey Tim, contact Pieter Stathis here in Vancouver and on REDuser. He's got a nice set of K35s -- the set that has the 50mm rather than the 55mm.

I might be able to drive down with the lenses if the weekend works out...

P
 
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