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Optimo 16-42mm and 30-80mm vs Fujinon 19-90mm Cabrio?

Mark K.

Mark K.

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Hi guys,

Looking into adding zooms to my lens package to save time over switching out primes, and tossing up between a couple of options. The lightweight Angénieux Optimo 16-42mm and 30-80mm do look lovely (albeit with some CA issues wide-open), and would obviously make a neat pair for 2-camera shoots. The other obvious option for roughly the same price is the Fuji Cabrio, which provides the same basic range in a single lens.

Which of these two options would people go for?

And are there other options in the same price range that anyone would suggest?

Cheers,

Mark
 
Both angie DPs don't work with the motion mount, does the Cabrio have the same issue?

Mark K. said:
Hi guys,

Looking into adding zooms to my lens package to save time over switching out primes, and tossing up between a couple of options. The lightweight Angénieux Optimo 16-42mm and 30-80mm do look lovely (albeit with some CA issues wide-open), and would obviously make a neat pair for 2-camera shoots. The other obvious option for roughly the same price is the Fuji Cabrio, which provides the same basic range in a single lens.

Which of these two options would people go for?

And are there other options in the same price range that anyone would suggest?

Cheers,

Mark
Click to expand...
 
The 19-90 is a little bit longer and heavier than the Optimos, still fine for hand held but something to think about if you need an ultra light camera. You can't beat the range of the 19-90, being able to grab a wide and then jam in for a close up on the same shot is pretty special. One thing to consider is the close focus of the 19-90 is 2'10" so it's not great in right spaces and can't do interior car work. The Optimos CF is 2'.

Best,
DE
 
The Angies have a particular aesthetic quality that makes people look good. Excellent dimensionality. For narrative drama, beauty, period, etc I'd pick them over the Cabrio every time.

As much as I appreciate the look of the Angies, the Cabrio is another level of functionality. Part of the appeal of zooms is less lens changes, 19-90mm is a great range. The servo handgrip adds operational flexibility. Fujinon's experience making sharp, low distortion zooms shows in the Cabrio - in my time with it, I never saw a combination of focal length/stop that looked compromised. Pretty impressive considering the zoom ratio/size/weight.

Cheers - #19
 
I'll second Blair's review, the Cabrio is the go-to lens for industrial, run-n-gun or doco style shooting but it does have an ENG lens feel Vs. the cinema heritage of the Optimos. For narrative work the Optimos are my choice hands down.
 
Thanks guys, I can definitely see the industrial/filmic separation between the two from the samples I've seen ( though IQ looks great for both options regardless). I think I'm leaning more towards the Angies. The depth of their lens mounts is a little concerning though - it writes off the ability to use the motion mount on Epic/Scarlet, and I'm wondering if it would also be problematic for the internal NDs on the new Alexa XT and the Amira when that comes out?

It would be frustrating to lose that capability on all of these cameras (I shoot on a fair mix of systems).
 
Industrial is rather harsh description for Cabrio in my opinion. Its pretty fantastic. The Optimos are certainly nice... and so is the Cabrio.

The 16-42 + 30-80 only works for A Cam and B Cam if you or your DP is happy not shooting longer than 80. For some, that's not a problem at all. For others, deal-breaker.

On the close focus front, I'm amazed every time we put that cool little RED 17-50 on the camera. Its a macro. Focuses closer than many primes. Its a fun lens to shoot with just for that reason.
 
I had fun with the RED 18-50mm as well. I also found out pretty early on it's MACRO type capabilities. The close focus has got to be within inches, maybe 2". The breathing is pretty intense though, I sold mine long ago.
 
paul engstrom said:
Industrial is rather harsh description for Cabrio in my opinion. Its pretty fantastic. The Optimos are certainly nice... and so is the Cabrio.
Click to expand...

I think by 'industrial' most people (myself included) are thinking 'steel & glass', sharp edges, slightly cooler tones. 'Organic' for the Optimos is simply earthier tones, a gentler, warmer look.

So I don't think 'industrial' is mentioned as an insult, simply an aesthetic.
 
Yeah Mark I've just jumped into your exact situation. So much functionality with the Cabrio but love the characteristics of the Angenieux. Anyone heard of any issues with the Cabrio resolving 4k? How is the macro function?

Also curious Cabrio/Angenieux vs Alura's????

What did you do Mark? Purchase yet?

Jamie
 
I have a Cabrio. im in love. It does have a macro function that helps its CF, but it is a "macro mode" not natively built in the lens' focus range.

I happen to particularly like its look. Me and My DIT refer to it as "Oooh" factor. If a lens makes you say ooo! its a good lens. The Angeiuex's definitely do that, but so does the Cabrio. I've been finding that i sort of don't "notice" the cabrio; meaning it doesn't get in your way. It just does it job, looks good, is ergonomic and never really has a point (Stop or Length) where you say, ooh i have to avoid that. The best pieces of gear i own are the ones that stay out of my way making images. Epic, Cabrio, FF4 and Oconor head all pass that test.

Jamie Hamill said:
Yeah Mark I've just jumped into your exact situation. So much functionality with the Cabrio but love the characteristics of the Angenieux. Anyone heard of any issues with the Cabrio resolving 4k? How is the macro function?
Click to expand...

I sold a set of MiniS4's to get the cabrio. first job i used it on, my note from the directors was, and i Quote "The lens is too sharp, tommorow lets put diffusion on the lens".... I think that sums it up.
 
Jamie Hamill said:
Yeah Mark I've just jumped into your exact situation. So much functionality with the Cabrio but love the characteristics of the Angenieux. Anyone heard of any issues with the Cabrio resolving 4k? How is the macro function?

Also curious Cabrio/Angenieux vs Alura's????

What did you do Mark? Purchase yet?

Jamie
Click to expand...


No, I'm a ways from purchasing, especially since things are starting to quieten down for the year. I'll need to do some proper testing before I commit to anything. Now that I've been giving it some more thought, I suppose the new Zeiss Compact Zooms (15-30mm and 28-80mm) should also join the discussion. They're at the same price point and offer easy coverage of 6K Dragon (which the Angies won't do, and I'm not sure about the Cabrio?).

I've heard people have been very impressed with the Zeisses (and I am a fan of the Zeiss look, though it's very different from the look of the Angies which is also gorgeous)... Urgh, this is tough.

Timur, do you find yourself switching the Cabrio out for other lenses much? Or does it manage to cover 90% of what you do?
 
Re: industrial. Cabrios can certainly kill it on industrial videos, etc. but LOTS of tv and and movie productions are shooting the Cabrio too because of its beautiful image quality. Cuts really nicely with Zeiss. Complements Alura studio zooms too.

We're finding same thing as Timur; there's no weak spots with the Cabrio 19-90. Right now its the only zoom we're completely comfortable purchasing. The Optimo DP lenses continue to work too; they are extremely nice lenses as well. Its good times for lightweight glass with the recent lightweight Aluras, upcoming ff zeiss lenses and Canons. While we have Cabrios and Optimos, my gut tells me that a talented DP won't be limited by any of these. The situation in glass is much different and more open now than it was five years ago.
 
Jamie,

Owning the 19-90 AND the 85-300 Cabrios I can tell you that the macro function is simply awesome! I had put myself on the list to buy the 16-42 and the 30-80 Angies a while back, but when I heard the news about the servo controller being ON the Cabrio that sold me! Our clients LOVE this lens. It's EASY for us to take 'corporate', TV and documentary style clients into the 4K realm because we have this lens. Those kind of folks don't use or understand prime lenses. They don't have the patience for them either.

I've been exceptionally happy with these two lenes. The footage speaks for themselves!
 
Suggest you take the 30-105 Canon compact cine zoom for a spin. It delivers a lot of pure chroma to the sensor in a compact under 5 lb package. They also make a 15.5-47 wide version, essentially duplicating the Angie approach of shorter zoom ratios to control weight/size - though the Canon's have a bit more reach. They are a little over $20K each, similar to the Angies.

I have not tested it personally, but the Canons should work with the motion mount - something the Angie DP Rouge variants of the Optimo design can't due to the longer throat - the "regular" Optimos should be fine with the motion mount but are roughly double the price.

Cheers - #19
 
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