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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 :)

Luma Tech Illuminas vs. the new Cooke Panchros...a review

I don't think so, Red camo out with RPP, faster & cheaper than S4's. S5's are faster, you pay your money & take your choice. I personally like the Cooke look, no contest IMO.

Lens theory would suggest that a T2.8 lens could produce a better image than a T2 lens as there is less glass for the light to travel through.

Lets be honest you need a very good focus puller to nail shots wider than T2.8, lower budget shoots generally can't pay the $ that those people charge.

roryhinds said:
Isn't it more that it can be done but othe product lines need to be protected.
Click to expand...
 
Has anyone here done this kind of in depth testing with the Compact Primes? I am not SUPER focused on weight, but they are half the weight of the RPPs. Right now I am looking at RPPs CPs or these Illuminas.
 
I'm in the middle of a review of. CP's.

Will post it here when its ready. In short, they are exactly what they should be considering price, and brand. Zeiss quality optics @ a low price. Therefore they have some considerable tradeoffs.
 
Thanks Timur, I really look forward to it.

My main questions are about mechanics and durability, CA, and the LOOK of the images ( meaning it would be great to see one tungsten face and one sunlit face, lol )

I would love to hear your opinion about them vs RPP vs Illuminas and vs the Zeiss bigger brothers.

Can't wait to read it!
 
If anyone is interested in seeing the Illuminas they can come to Hollywood, Florida when we receive the next shipment from the factory which will be in about 10 days. All sets in this shipment are sold and will be forwarded to their new owners shortly after we receive them.
The lenses can be seen at The Camera Group International which is a rental facility. The Illuminas can be compared there to other lenses of your choice, including Zeiss Super Speeds, Cooke S4's and UP's. Ft Lauderdale airport is 10 minutes from Hollywood. PM me if interested.
 
Fred, does any one on the west coast have a set of these available to test? I know focus optics had a set a while back. Any plans to have someone on the west coast act as a service facility for the lenses?
 
What is the wait time for a set of illuminas?
 
Hi Fred,

Been thinking about the Illuminas, but just read they will go up in price (again) after June 30. They will be $34,995.
First time I contacted you, a few days before newyear, they where 26 995$. So in 7 months they went up 8000$. May I Ask why?
 
No problem Fred! I just wish it was my footage. Every day that goes by I am more settled on these Illuminas. The speed / weight / quality / price really seems to be a win. Only loss seems to be the name (no offense) in that it may be harder to rent them. But my projects come first, and people will usually use what I want them to... and if not, I can always rent. but for me, I need to own. So if all goes well, i will be testing these vs CP.2s and RPPs... but again, weight and speed are against the others.

Exciting times!
 
I explored purchasing these 8 months ago... but there were some persistent "rumors" that I am delighted to see have been overcome. Fred is a passionate guy and I appreciate his tenacity...

VERY excited to see these lenses are also improving. I would seriously consider a set but I have to admit I find the constant price increases
a bit disturbing. The RED PRO PRIMES are slightly above 1/2 this price on the next price increase.

Correct me if Im wrong, but are they the ONLY new lens manufacturer raising prices...every few months... ?? and in a shaky economy... for whats now gping to be $16K more than the tack sharp (but yes big) RPP's... we use
the latter all the time now on features and commercials with no complaints... and rentals are increasing with every use.

It is very hard for me to justify paying almost $10K more now 6 months later... given I could have bought this same latest revision for less... "on a buy it now before they go up, offer".

Not trying to tick you off Fred, but even with INCREDIBLE demand of the ZEISS ULTRA PRIMES for 3D work, they are not raising their prices for Schott glass increases.

I highly recommend talking to LOMO about a GROUP BUY discount deal... for REDUSERS, and I bet you sell 10 or more sets, if they perform under the rigors of commercials and features.
then I bet you sell a whole bunch more soon after, much Like the RPP.

BTW, am I missing something Jeffrey? I cant see anything but a white screen on that link. Im running a new Macbook Pro with Safari
 
Tim!

That link appears to be finicky. I had to refresh a couple times this time before it popped up... strange. I am ( at the moment ) on a pc, windows 7 pro, google chrome. worked yesterday on my MBP. Just try to refresh a couple times?

Now I am not an Illumina fanboy... yet. But in my recent research it sounds like they had those prices set, but the first prototypes were problematic in the mechanics and materials. So when they revised I am betting R&D, materials, and maybe Japan all played a part? ... sounds kind of familiar, actually. Just not in lenses. To me, if they are as sharp as the RPP, half the weight and that much faster.... the price seems right. In between RPP and Panchros?

Now a group buy on here..... HMMMMMMM!

(btw - all wish me luck this week, in Detroit looking for a couple mill for the project I am building up. Looking likely-ish!)
 
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