New Zeiss Compact Primes preview...

[Evin Grant]

I had a chance to preview the new Zeiss Compact Primes this morning at Band Pro thanks to Michael Bravin.

first of all I'm not going to go into optical quality much here. This is for two reasons first off these lenses use the same glass elements and formulas as the widely reviewed and used Zeiss ZF still lenses. Secondly these will have their chance at our upcoming SALT test along with many of the other new optics coming available. What I will say is that these lenses differ from ZFs in two ways that affect their imaging...

1st, the glass elements are hand picked for quality and consistency.

2nd the lenses feature a beautiful 14 blade iris that should substantially improve bokeh and OOF object rendering.

OK so these barrels rock!
Double sided focus scales with more witness marks than you can shake a cinetape at. Smooth consistent focus not too dampened and not too loose, with zero backlash pretty much on par with UP barrels.

Consistent barrel size, OD and internal focus for easy lens swaps...

And because I know you'll ask for it...

A frame grab and BTS shot. (This is from the superb 28mm T2.1, WFO at minimum focus distance)

 

[Frank Weeks]

Impressive Evin. As always, thanks for your time

 

[Matthew Duclos]

Who is this "Zeiss" company... Do they have any background in making lenses?:thumbsup:

 

[Jaime Vallés]

Those look really nice. Thanks for the preview, Evin!

Any hints as to pricing?

Also, do they focus the Nikon direction, or the cinema lens direction?

 

[Evin Grant]

Cinema, $40K for a set of 7.

 

[chuck colburn]

Look at them. They focus cinewise. This is one of the reasons they will cost you.

 

[jaadgy akanni]

Cinema, $40K for a set of 7.

So that's 18mm, 21mm, 25mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm...

 

[Evin Grant]

That's what I saw on the table.

 

[chuck colburn]

So that's 18mm, 21mm, 25mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm...

Nice. If they could get the 15mm that is made for the Leica M mount into the grouping it would be killer.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/zeiss-m-mount.shtml

 

[Michael Bravin]

Look at them. They focus cinewise. This is one of the reasons they will cost you.

These are Cine lenses in all mechanical aspects with FF35 optics from Zeiss. They are not re-worked or re-housed still lenses unless you want to be linguistically literal in that the glass elements are from a still lens design.

Thanks again Evin for your feedback

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

Now these looks like great lenses!!! I will definitely be getting them for FF shoots.

 

[chuck colburn]

Got any pictures of them in pieces? No, really, I'm not kidding. I would like to see the guts. lol

 

[Zakaree Sandberg]

they look good. very professional.. but on a budget.. i like the fact that i have these same lenses for less than 5k...
im dealing with the shorter focus throw, and funky iris ring..
not to mention reverse focus.. but hey.. im happy to know that my glass is the same glass that will be used on big budget shows

 

[Steve Freebairn]

So Evin, would you get the RED Pro set or this set?

 

[jonnycom]

Did the lack of engraving seem weird? I kinda like the idea but wonder if the marks would rub off over time.

 

[Mike McEntire]

Do they cover FF35? Assuming so seeing as they are based on the ZF lenses.

 

[Zakaree Sandberg]

yes they cover ff35

 

[albert rudnicki]

Evin,
What was the focus throw on them?
Was it any then better the ZF?
Thanks

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

Evin,
What was the focus throw on them?
Was it any then better the ZF?
Thanks

The pics are quite revealing :thumbsup:

 

[Evin Grant]

Evin,
What was the focus throw on them?
Was it any then better the ZF?
Thanks

WAAAAAAY better nearly 360º on all lenses.

Did the lack of engraving seem weird? I kinda like the idea but wonder if the marks would rub off over time.

Not especially, I doubt it will be a problem, they seemed hardened or enameled or something.

So Evin, would you get the RED Pro set or this set?

Horses for courses... depends on weather I go full frame or not.