New Optar Illumina pre-announcement@reduser.net

[Matthew Rogers]

Not to mention that $14,000 over the RED primes for T1.2's and an 18mm makes it work it!

Matthew

 

[Stephen Williams]

Hi,

More than 1.5 stops faster is worth paying for if they are useable wide open.

Stephen

 

[Nils J. Nesse]

Gregory is a neighbor of mine and I've talked to him about the lenses and he assures me that it is a very modern design with top quality glass. As paul says the proof will be in the pudding. If the optical and build quality are up to reasonable modern standards the fact that the are t1.2 means they will be an extremely good value.

If Gregory is your neighbour... It would certainly be interesting if you could conduct a test of the Optars on a Red. Just a wishful suggestion

 

[Michael Hastings]

If Gregory is your neighbour... It would certainly be interesting if you could conduct a test of the Optars on a Red. Just a wishful suggestion

I'm sure we will do something when the new lenses are available. Right now I'm trying to find time to do some serious tests abovewater and underwater with the Canon lenses and my birger mount.

 

[Jorge Díaz-Amador]

Optar Illumina S35mm Primes

Optar Illumina S35mm Primes

I also know Gregory and am located relatively close to him and AquaVideo. I've also had experience with Gregory's S16mm primes, the Optar Illuminas. Other than having slightly less contrast and a little more flare at T1.3, they performed very close to the Zeiss Super Speeds and is some cases (like the 12mm) performed better, at least at f2 and above.

I shot with an 8mm T1.3 Illumina (personally owned) extensively in S16mm and other than the slightly reduced contrast (when a bright object like a window was in frame), the lens blended in very well with my Angenieux 11,5-138mm HR and Zeiss Mk.2 S16mm primes. Rent "Southern Justice" and I'll tell you what shots I used the 8mm on.

With better coatings and more modern glass I will be very curious to see how the performance can be improved.

In 2001 ARRI USA's price for a set of 5 Mk. 3 Zeiss Super Speed S35mm was $34,580.- Gregory's price seems totally reasonable to me if the quality is as promised. The wishful thinking about Zeiss quality primes for cheap prices is just a pipe dream.

 

[Fred Salaff]

They are here and now and $34,500. made their debut in Miami yesterday. Full set: 18,25,35,50,85...all T1.3. They are called ILLUMINA (without the prefix "Optar") S35mm lenses.

A 2 day training session was held Dec 9 and 10 for lens technicians who came from the West Coast, East Coast, Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Latin America. The Chief Designer from LOMO in St. Petersburg was the trainer along with Gregory Mirand. The 3 day event, (including the open house) was held at Cine Video Tech in Miami which graciously provided their entire rental facility, including projectors, collimators, comparison lenses from Zeiss and Cooke, RED and Arri cameras, tripods, lighting, and its expert personnel, led by Egon Stephan, Jr. owner of CVT.

 

[Michael Hastings]

They are here and now and $34,500. made their debut in Miami yesterday. Full set: 18,25,35,50,85...all T1.3. They are call ILLUMINA (without the prefix "Optar") S35mm lenses.

A 2 day training session was held Dec 9 and 10 for lens technicians who came from the West Coast, East Coast, Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Latin America. The Chief Designer from LOMO in St. Petersburg was the trainer along with Gregory Mirand. The 3 day event, (including the open house) was held at Cine Video Tech in Miami which graciously provided their entire rental facility, including projectors, collimators, comparison lenses from Zeiss and Cooke, RED and Arri cameras, tripods, lighting, and its expert personnel, led by Egon Stephan, Jr. owner of CVT.

Damn, I forgot all about that. Look forward to seeing them.

 

[Derek Wan HKSC]

They are here and now and $34,500. made their debut in Miami yesterday. Full set: 18,25,35,50,85...all T1.3. They are call ILLUMINA (without the prefix "Optar") S35mm lenses.

A 2 day training session was held Dec 9 and 10 for lens technicians who came from the West Coast, East Coast, Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Latin America. The Chief Designer from LOMO in St. Petersburg was the trainer along with Gregory Mirand. The 3 day event, (including the open house) was held at Cine Video Tech in Miami which graciously provided their entire rental facility, including projectors, collimators, comparison lenses from Zeiss and Cooke, RED and Arri cameras, tripods, lighting, and its expert personnel, led by Egon Stephan, Jr. owner of CVT.

Would anybody who attended the event report on the experience and impression, especially the part for test and comparison of different brands? Thanks.

 

[Scott Webster]

Bumpsville