Opinions please. RED Pro Primes, The new Sony 4k PL's or Schneider Xenon FF-Primes.

[Troy Bakewell]

I would love to hear opinions concerning these three sets.

I think I have it narrowed down to either a set of RRP's or the new Sony PL's. The Xenon's have my interest too but I'm not sure I can hold out until the set is completed.

It seems that both the RRP's and Sony share some similar pros and cons, namely that they are both big and heavy, but that doesn't bother me for my uses.

Anyone care to share their opinions?

 

[David W. Jones]

My opinion... Never purchase a set of lenses based on the opinion of someone on the Internet. Always test them yourself to see if they meet your needs.

 

[Matt Ryan]

What's your intended camera? If Epic Dragon than Xenon's are FF while the others are s35. So the Sony's and RPP's wont all cover 6K. Personally I'd go with the Xenon's based on tech specs (Xenons being smaller and lighter) and coverage, but I'd definitely test them all side by side to make a final decision. RPP's are awesome, but unfortunately with the smaller s35 coverage size I would go Xenon.

 

[Dan Kanes]

I don't think that the dragon will require FF lenses. In fact I don't think it's that much bigger than the 5k readout on mx.

I'm too lazy to dig up a chart at the moment, but I don't think vignetting will be that bad on RPP except maybe maybe the 18mm.

 

[Matt Ryan]

I don't think that the dragon will require FF lenses. In fact I don't think it's that much bigger than the 5k readout on mx.

I'm too lazy to dig up a chart at the moment, but I don't think vignetting will be that bad on RPP except maybe maybe the 18mm.

It doesn't require FF but what about the next sensor? and the one after that? IF you want a set that lasts longer with RED, then FF are the way to go.

In our lens shootout a lot of the 18, 21's, and 24's will not cover 6K. So there goes your wides... unless of course they are full frame. The Dragon sensor is quite a bit of a size increase over MX (3.2mm diagonal coverage increase to be accurate).

 

[SUNILPREM]

I prefer Xenon lenses ,because they are Full Frame.If you want to invest in future, just buy the full frame lens.Sensor size is increase soon.

Sunil Prem

 

[Troy Bakewell]

Dang

Yeah the FF Xenon's do sound good. It sucks that there are only three lenses so far though. I wonder how long the wait will be until an 18, 25 and maybe a 100 or 110 appear. Especially the missing 25mm is tough to live without..

 

[SUNILPREM]

CP2 are also good,they are from 15mm to 135mm,so you can get full range of FF lenses.

Sunil Prem

 

[Clayton Burkhart]

I think it's going to be at least a couple of years before the schneiders get a rounded out set.
In the meantime I decided to go with the CP2's for precisely the flexibility of coverage on a variety of cameras and the 15mm is a great lens for many tight situations vs any lens that wide out there.
Honestly, at 2.8 most lens sets equal out and since most narrative work is done at least at that stop, if not closed down even more, it's a no brainer until things mature with schneider. They will hold their value when I decide to resell, so I am quite ok with my choice.

 

[Troy Bakewell]

Clayton

Great point. I wonder how crazy it would be to use CP2's to round out the Xenon's until the rest of the set show up. Two years you think eh? Ugh.

 

[Matt Ryan]

I don't think it will be a couple more years, I think by the end of 2014 the set will be complete. They kind of have to, to compete that is...

 

[Bob Gundu]

The complete set of Xenon FF primes in my opinion will be within two years... my guess is within a year.

 

[Troy Bakewell]

For me, the 25mm is the most important. If they have the 25 I could wait a year for the others.

 

[Mark George]

Troy, I'm fairly certain a REDUser mentioned that a 25mm Xenon was already in the works, and that he even saw a prototype - but, it was not ready to show during NAB and therefore has not been announced officially yet. (Since I can't find the post, I'm not going to name names - maybe I'm delusional.) So, it's possible the 25mm will be available later this year at launch, or soon thereafter.

 

[Brian Merlen]

b4 the dragon pricing came out i was saving up for schnieder FF glass... now im gonna blow it all on a sensor...but if i had to decide today what to get i'd def go ff over s35 simply for safety when it comes to glass....so cp2, or schnieder...maybe canon cine...cp2 super speeds? something in the cheap, light weight price range... i once dreamed of buying 20lb zooms to save a penny...but even with a nice cooke or angie i know i'd be happy...but boy would the form factor become an ever growing nightmare...hauling it around...i think primes and better low light performance makes a lot more sense then my previous plan... the super speeds really appeal to me cuz i want something fast. if only i could score a set of noctilux like speeds.... that's what i'd buy...but master prime are a tad outside of my budget lol

 

[Jon MIchael Puntervold]

It doesn't require FF but what about the next sensor? and the one after that? IF you want a set that lasts longer with RED, then FF are the way to go.

Why do you think S35 will stop to be the industry standard? If anything - Dragon - shows REDs intent to conform to S35, both a 4:3 mode closer to S35 and 3-perf at 5k.

 

[Matt Ryan]

Why do you think S35 will stop to be the industry standard? If anything - Dragon - shows REDs intent to conform to S35, both a 4:3 mode closer to S35 and 3-perf at 5k.

Did I say industry standard? I think your seeing things. My very first question was what camera system are you buying for.... Because RED is all about increasing sensor size and if you think otherwise, maybe you should research the RED roadmap. S35 will remain the "industry standard" whatever that means, but why invest in glass that is on the end of the road for a RED system? FF secures your investment for longer than S35 will, and that's what really matters.

 

[Phil Holland]

Troy, I'm fairly certain a REDUser mentioned that a 25mm Xenon was already in the works, and that he even saw a prototype - but, it was not ready to show during NAB and therefore has not been announced officially yet. (Since I can't find the post, I'm not going to name names - maybe I'm delusional.) So, it's possible the 25mm will be available later this year at launch, or soon thereafter.

Yep. A 25mm is on the way. You'll likely be able to see it in some shape or form soon.

Also, S35 as a format will exist for some time. Red's move to integrate 5K within the S35 3-perf frame size with Dragon was something a good deal of folks were looking for a while.

Dragon's got the resolution and sensor size to be something else as well. It's more about having a digital cinema camera that contains many formats within it's sensor. For Dragon 6K is freakishly close to VistaVision, 5.5K is pretty much Mysterium-X 5K today, and 5K lands in that S35 realm. All provide a great 4K finish. The "format" is up to you though.

The cool news here is if you've got lenses that cover S35 in anyway shape or form you'll be able to finish in 4K and if you've got glass that covers 5K today on MX (like I do) 5.5K and likely 6K HD will work for you.

The other cool news is more and more proper cinema glass is coming that will cover larger than S35.

 

[Mark George]

Yep. A 25mm is on the way. You'll likely be able to see it in some shape or form soon.

Thanks, Phil. I couldn't find your exact post, but knew I'd read it. BTW, I'm really looking forward to these lenses. I pre-ordered through Duclos and can't wait until they are ready to ship. I've never owned lenses before and figure these will be a great start.

 

[Brendan Isaac]

i have 15,25,35 (SS),50(SS),85(SS),135 Cp2's... Love them. For the money no brainer