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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 :)

Red 18-50 and 50-150 zooms

Curtis boggs

Curtis boggs

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Im curious about these two Red zoom lenses, .. anyone know this story on these?

18-50 and 50-150
 
The original PL mount Zoom lenses launched by Red. See also Red 18-85, which I might speculate is a fujinon design.

Possibly the Optics are by sigma (see 18-50 f2.8 Sigma and 50-150 f2.8 sigma) - both very good lenses.

Some speculate that the housing is by Cooke.

Generally a lot of the 18-50s you see that have been heavily used are in poor mechanical condition- uncertain whether that is a mild fault in assembly tolerances or that they were rode hard and put away wet - abused by people who tried them as "my first cinema lens" and didn't know how to treat Pro grade gear (see story about renting a red one which literally had rust and parts came in a subway sandwiches plastic bag)

Generally the 50-150 is considered quite fantastic if you can find one. Less of the abuse happened to these because it seems like users buying these may have been more experienced, or because they were just assembled with stricter tolerances.

18-50 was later superceded by 17-50 Red and 17-50 version 2.

If you need two decent zooms that cover s35 and don't plan on renting them out, they are good lenses.

These days comparables would be sigma 18-35 and 50-100 cine, but the 50-100 is a heavy mouth breather.

Consider these notes anecdotal. I'm sure there are others with different opinions or experiences.
 
This matched zoom pair is also unique in having the VERY VERY useful Cooke /i contacts on the PL Mount for FULL METADATA recording.

I also prefer the look of the 18-50 VS the later 17-50 which is also lacking the Cooke /i feature...not being built by...you know who... ;)

Unfortunately I need a second camera body, so I'm selling my perfectly calibrated pair (metadata matches 100% with physical rings/markings).

In fact I'd accept a Scarlet W brain as a trade.

PM for info.
 
I don't know anything about them like Dan Kanes does, but I have been told they weren't very good mechanically. I had the 18-85, which is a really nice lens if you can deal with its 10 pound heft. (Consider that the Fujinon Premier 18-85 is one stop faster, weighs 15 lbs, and is $87,300) I still have 2 of the 17-50 version 2 lenses which I think look great. They are perfect on a S35 camera like the Scarlet-W. I do have some intel on who made them for RED and while Dan might be right about the lenses you are asking about, the newer ones were not made by any of the names he mentions.
 
Also very interested to hear ppls thoughts on these lenses. The 18-50 in particular could be a great fast doc zoom.
 
Tom Dowler said:
Also very interested to hear ppls thoughts on these lenses. The 18-50 in particular could be a great fast doc zoom.
Click to expand...

I am confused. Why do people think the older 18-50 might be preferable to the 17-50? Which is better housed and a smidge faster...
 
Tom Dowler said:
Also very interested to hear ppls thoughts on these lenses. The 18-50 in particular could be a great fast doc zoom.
Click to expand...


That's what I'm thinking! I love my 18-35 Sigma but I'd love to have just a touch more on the long end.

C
 
18-50 looks great - just like a sigma 18-50.

17-50 is 90% a Tamron based optic.

Probably more contrast with the Tamron base.

The sigma has a more round tone and looks like... a sigma 18-50 - medium contrast, good basic lens. If it's around $2000 just buy it and if you don't like it, sell it. Someone will want it.

For my money I like the sigma 18-35 either rehoused or fresh from sigma cine.

If you're spending more, get an Angenieux 15-40 EZ2 or one of the CNE zooms or the list goes on. We are spoiled for choices these days.

18-50 is a good lens, but not a face melter.

If you wanna try the optical characteristic before getting serious - check this:

http://amzn.to/2v42kv7

Btw - I'm one of the few rare weirdos who would prescribe using a 1.4x or 2x extended on a sigma 18-35.

Lens has enough contrast and is fast enough that if you need a little extra reach and don't want to buy a whole separate lens, could Be usable.

Alternately if you don't need speed but want doc reach look at the Canon 18-80 T4.4 servo zoom.

Or the fujinon 20-120 3.5
 
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Dan,

I have the Sigma 17-50 sitting right here, .. is this the same glass as the Red 17-50?

The Sigma lens doesn't work on the Epic w, . won't control T stops
 
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