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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 :)

Motion Picture Lens Database

R

Richard Bradbury

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For a long time I have wanted to compile a database of motion picture lenses as a reference guide in putting together camera lists. I've finally had some time to make a start, and with the help of some CML members, lens manufacturers and rental houses, it's getting to be quite complete. It contains lenses designed for motion picture use or converted in large quantities for that use, that are available to rent widely around the world. It lists focal length, max aperture, close focus, image circle, front diameter, weight, length, original mount, and number of iris blades. I'd love to put more information but it's proving too time consuming.

You can browse the listings here:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub...JNdFpMZ0JtX2xCdFBxamFwY2NRM0VIanc&output=html

So far I have only listed 35mm glass, spherical and anamorphic. I've not get entered any special purpose lenses, such as periscopes etc, and I've not started on 16mm glass yet. I don't plan on adding any 2/3" lenses (or anything designed for a prism chip camera). As you will see there are still a lot of gaps, and I know that a lot of Red Users will have better access to some of these lenses than I do. I'd be very happy to hear from you if you can fill in any blanks (or make any corrections / clarifications).

All the best
 
Richard, that is quite an extensive list. Thanks for putting it together. I sold my set of Lomo super speeds a few months ago or I would help fill in some of those blanks. The set included a 22mm T1.6 in addition to the ones listed. Also, the 18mm was a T1.6 as well.
 
Thanks Larry. I know the LOMO section is quite shaky - it's an area I don't really know anything about. I've used a few LOMO anamorphic lenses, but I've never even seen a LOMO spherical prime or zoom. It seems from the communications I've had that there are many generations of LOMO glass - standard and super speed, often with different f- and T-stops. I want to put together a useful database rather than a historical document, so I'm trying to concentrate on the most commonly used lenses, even if that means omitting others.
 
Thanks
 
Richard: that's a great start. I too have a lens spreadsheet. Mine is actually much more extensive. Do you want to collaborate? I can email you mine, as long as I get some credit. My LOMO listing is actually about 4 or 5 times longer than yours. (And I have most of them in my lens collection)

Cheers
 
Sounds great Michael. Email it over. rjdbradbury at gmail etc
 
Hey guys, I registered mpldb.org so that we could get something a little slicker than a Google spreadsheet going. I have a background in web app development (*ahem*) so we could do something pretty nice. Glad to see the project is picking up steam again.
 
That sounds great Erich. The most useful outcome from my point of view would be to have the information easily accessible on an iPhone / iPad. That could be an app or just a phone-friendly webpage. It should be easily editable as there are quite a few missing numbers at the moment. I'd also love to add a photo of each lens, but that's probably way too time consuming.

Thanks for the spreadsheet Michael. Together the two documents will make quite a complete picture. I'll try and find the time to add the extra info to the Google Doc and of course credit you.
 
Hi Michael
I just found your message. Sorry I didn't see it before.

I've literally just finished revising the database with loads more lenses from 16mm anamorphics to 65mm lenses. I spent a long time wondering how to include your Lomo listings which, as you said, were very comprehensive. The thing is that I'm primarily interested in what is available in the rental world for this database - it's all about how I can make use of it as an AC. So what I did was, where there were multiple lenses of the same focal length I took the newest / fastest standard speed and super speed and made two separate lists of each. This way it gives an overview of what Lomos are available without getting into too much detail about each version of a focal length.

I've credited you on the front page. Would you rather I wrote your company name?

URL is now: www.tinyurl.com/cinelenses

All the best
Richard
 
Richard: Thanks for the reply. Very nice site. I hope that it is useful for many folks. Yes, I would love it if could add my company web site to the credits after my name (www.kvmrentals.com). I have a full range of LOMOs available for rental. I may also publish my list, perhaps as a reference guide for people who are trying to buy cine lenses and want to know what is out there. Many unscrupulous sellers try to pass off 16mm lenses as 35 or Super 35mm lenses (or at least be vague about it) and, by adding in the model # (e.g., OKC10-18-1), someone can save themselves some frustration.
 
I think it's a great idea to publish your list. It's really comprehensive, particularly in terms of Russian glass. I didn't know the existence of most of them, so I've learned a lot reading it!

I've updated the front page of the database site with your web site.
Richard
 
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