Lenses for Scarlett Question

[Joseph Wilkins]

Hello,

I currently own a sony EX1 with a redrock lens adaptor, a Canon 5D MK II and am anxiously awaiting the RED Scarlett S35 with removable lens capability.

I am about to lay out a chunk of change on 3-4 lenses and have been looking at either Canon or Zeiss lenses. I want to use these lenses with all 3 cameras ( EX1, MK II and Scarlett)

I am getting 20mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm... all Prime lenses... no zooms.

With Canon I'll be paying around $1600 for these lenses... with Zeiss it is more like $4,000. While I can afford the $4k, I want to know if anyone thinks this is worth it... or if there is another brand I should consider in the sub $5k budget.

Thanks

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Yes the Zeiss are worth every penny.

They compare more properly to the Canon L series lenses. Personally I prefer the Zeiss lenses.

Usually the performance of the lenses are comparable, but because Canon must include more servos and electronics their lenses are much more expensive.

Both the Canon L series and Zeiss lenses far outperform the more budget oriented Canon lenses.

Depending on hwo you shoot though, you need to choose between the auto functionailty of the Canon lenses and the full manual operation of the Zeiss. If you shoot a mix of photo and video , and plan to use the same lenses for both, then the Canon lenses may be a smart choice.

One thing I do not like about Zeiss ZE (Canon EOS mount) lenses is that they don't have an aperture ring. You use the camera to control them.

That's all good and well if you are going to use those lenses on a Canon camera only. If you are using them on a RED though, you need the manual aperture ring.

That may change with Scarlet and the electronic Canon mount- but I'll believe it when I get to test some gear. I never ever plan on the availability and functionality of future gear. (daydreaming and drooling don't constitute planning... right ?)

In any case my solution has been to shoot on the RED and Canon 7D with Zeiss ZF lenses. These are Nikon F mounts, and they have aperture rings. I use Photodiox Nikon F to EOS mount adapters.

When shooting stills, so far I just use the Canon 18-135 kit lens. Its junk, but my stills are for fun, never for work.

It sounds out of your budget, but a very exciting option is the recently announce Zeiss Compact Prime 2 series. These will have an interchangeable EOS/PL mount, and real cine style housings , with geared aperture and focus rings.

 

[alex lemon]

Hello,

I currently own a sony EX1 with a redrock lens adaptor, a Canon 5D MK II and am anxiously awaiting the RED Scarlett S35 with removable lens capability.

I am about to lay out a chunk of change on 3-4 lenses and have been looking at either Canon or Zeiss lenses. I want to use these lenses with all 3 cameras ( EX1, MK II and Scarlett)

I am getting 20mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm... all Prime lenses... no zooms.

With Canon I'll be paying around $1600 for these lenses... with Zeiss it is more like $4,000. While I can afford the $4k, I want to know if anyone thinks this is worth it... or if there is another brand I should consider in the sub $5k budget.

Thanks

I'm curious what 3-4 canon lenses you were planning to get for $1600? Seems like a shame to put 2nd rate glass on a RED S35...although perhaps you would be using them while saving up for something better.

 

[Peter Szivolt]

As far as i know the Sony PMW-Ex1 hasn't got the interchangeable lens option yet the PMW-EX3 is the one it those..

 

[Jim Retar]

As far as i know the Sony PMW-Ex1 hasn't got the interchangeable lens option yet the PMW-EX3 is the one it those..

He has a lens adapter.

re: which lenses... I would personally go for a set of Canon L glass. I love the look, feel and weight of them.