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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 :)

Newbie Lense Delima

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StudioManTG

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I'm purchasing a red within the next two weeks and I'm trying to make a decision on lense. I am very new to the HD/Cinema style camera and film camera terms so here goes.........

My budget has been tightened and if I purchase the red with red lense I'm spending $6K more than I realy can afford to. What is the quality loss when considering red prime vs. used zeiss prime or nikon adapter that I could use my plethor or exsisting lenses from my d200 with..... what is going to give me the most bang for the buck towards a cinematic rich image with nice dop? I appreciate the patience with my ignorance in advance! BTW, I need both focal ranges of the two zoom lenses but can only afford the $6500.00 one from red but and would have to purchase the nikon adapter anyway to use the longer zoom lenses....Im lost. Thomas
 
Hello Thomas. Reading between the lines of your post, I gather that you are planning to use your RED for your own projects and not as a rental unit for others to use. If indeed that is the case, it sounds like you have answered your own question. You already have Nikon lenses and plan the purchase the RED Nikon mount, so why don't you wait on the RED zoom and see if the Nikon lenses meet your needs. If, for some reason you feel they don't, you can still get the RED zoom.

If you are new to the cine style of shooting, you will have to spend the $6500 on other things like a tripod, mattebox, follow focus, etc. Don't expect the $6500 to buy all three. ;-)
 
You should seriously consider the Zeiss ZF primes converted to cine-style by www.RPlens.com They are certainly the best bang for the buck.

Take a look at some of the lens tests that have been done, and done quite well I might add. My camera is not out on the rental market and I don't really need the PL mount vs. the additional 20K it would cost to have the same quality lens set with PL vs Nikon mount Zeiss ZF's. The quality is certainly there with the Zeiss ZF lenses but not the cost associated with the Zeiss Prime PL Cine lenses. I have also been informed that the Zeiss ZF lenses use some of the same elements found in Zeiss Master Primes.

I ordered a nice set from Peter. 18mm 25mm 35mm 50mm 85mm and 135mm as well as the Peleng 8mm fisheye. All new glass, with warranty.

Take a look at this thread and make an educated decision.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13760&highlight=Nikon+Mount

One argument when using the ZF glass is that the focus rotation is reverse of the Cine glass which can complicate the job of your AC, however the viewfactor follow focus system can easily solve that problem with a simple flip of a switch.
http://www.viewfactor.net/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=Inclino1
 
I've been loosely following the Nikon lens issues. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

The Nikons without an aperture ring are an issue, as the Red adaptor will not provide one. You can try the thread about the G/DX series Nikons for a company to convert the Red Nikon mount to provide an aperture ring.

There are two other options (at least) in the works for even better solutions however.

Many are waiting for the Birger mount, which has been delayed endlessly. The promise of the Birger is that it will also be an electronically controlled follow focus that uses the Nikon focus system so that you can turn a dial back and forth to focus, and you won't have to touch the lens manually. This sounds good to me, especially for the price they were giving. Whether it's available or soon to be available, I don't know.

IMS also has a fancy system (that some believe will work WITH the Birger if you want). The IMS system allows easy changing of different mount adaptors so you can go from Nikon to Canon to PL to etc. Something to look into.

The older Nikkor lenses with the aperture ring are no problem.
 
the ziess ZF are the way i'm going. i'm basically in the same boat as you. grab some focus rings from redrockmicro.

there's some footage around here somewhere of the ZF's on a red and it's a beautiful thing. these lenses are color matched as well.
 
Gary Stone said:
the ziess ZF are the way i'm going. i'm basically in the same boat as you. grab some focus rings from redrockmicro.
Click to expand...

The Redrock rings won't give you full focus range on some of the ZFs. The locking part gets in the way. If I remember correctly, at least the 25, 50 makro and 100 makro need near 360 degree turn.
 
Or you could eBay your Nikon lenses and go Canon with the Birger mount. Birger will be the ultimate indie solution as it controls not only the iris but will provide a Bluetooth remote focus knob that utilizes Canon EF lenses' internal focus motors. There are lots of other high tech goodies that will be coming. Birger also plans a Nikon electronic mount but that is still a little farther down the road. Birger has had some difficulties getting released do to a Red mount redesign, some software and some manufacturing issues. But those have all been resolved and they are gearing up for mass delivery.
 
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