RED Cameras and Zeiss Compact Primes/Zeiss Compact Zooms

[Peter Granqvist]

dear colleagues... time has passed since the release of the Zeiss Compact Lenses... sure many among you have tested them, even shot whole productions with them... I think it'd be rather interesting to hear the different opinions, let's say in-depth-opinions... are they really fit for major productions...??? what can be said about them in comparison to higher quality lenses (MP/UP/Leica/Cooke/Angenieux/Arri-Alura)...??? I think it would be very interesting to hear, especially for all folk out there thinking about to invest into CP glass...

 

[Ignacio Aguilar]

Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 are good lenses for what they cost. The build quality is very good and the ZF glass inside is sharp, with the typical Zeiss look. Plus they cover 36x24mm (8-perf 35mm, stills Full Frame) so they cover Dragon 6K and are future proof in case bigger sensors get released. Also, being able to change mounts is another plus, as you can use them (or rent them) in/for different cameras. The main drawback is that the wides are a bit slow (15mm and 21mm T/2.9, I don't even consider the 18mm T/3.6, which is ridiculous for a cine prime lens) and that they also breathe a bit. Wide-open (T/2.1 on 28, 35, 50 and 85mm) they show some CA. But since these lenses are Zeiss, clients are open to rent them and if you're an owner-operator, you'll find no problems using them on your own shoots. I consider them a good investment.

But you can't really put them against Master Primes, Leicas, S4s or 5/i's, as these are high end glass and CP2's are entry level glass, not really intended for major productions. But they hold well vs. Angenieux DP's, Alura and Ultra Primes, and probably vs. the new Compact Zooms, which I haven't tested so far and I doubt many people will notice the difference in projection or a blind test.

There are T/1.5 versions for 35mm, 50mm and 85mm, but I have never tried those.

 

[Erick von Schulz]

It's tough to compare Master primes with CP.2's or any low end glass compared to ultra high end glass.

Having said that. I would say what ever your budget can handle. If you are starting out. Use Samyang cine lenses. Then move up to Zeiss CP.2's or ZF.2's.

As you make more money you can upgrade.

Now as quality goes. I have shot with Samyngs, Zeiss cp.2's, ZF.2's Ultra primes,, Schneider FF35 as well as Cooke S5's and more.

We shot 86 commercials this year and all were shot with a set of ZF.2's and they are stunning. They have some workingissues like focus in the opposite direction of normal cine lenses,

But sharpness is up there with the best in the world of DSLR lenses, They are even sharper then the Zeiss super speeds but they are 30+ year old lenses.

Then it comes down to projects. If you need anamorphic or a vintage look etc. You will have to use different lenses.

We shot 3 short films and 4 features with the CP.2's. These are great as well. To me about the same as the ZF.2's with more matte box friendly.form factor.

I have also used Samyangs mixed in with some lenses. I have used the 10mm and 14mm then color matched them with the Zeiss lenses using Davinci.

So if you can afford to go with the CP.2's. I would do it and have no worries.You can not go wrong with those lenses.

Also remember just because you spend ten times more money for a lens does not make it ten times better

For instance a Zeiss CP.2 100mm Makro is about $4,900 the Master Prime 100mm is $27,490.

Yes there is a big difference like the F/1.3 on the Master lens but from F/2.0 and on I bet there is only a small difference.

Now this small difference can be huge for a particular shot. But in day to day shooting. It might not justify the expense of buying it.

It might be best just using it as a rental when needed and use your CP.2 100mm for the majority of the time.

 

[NateWeaver]

Compact Primes and the Compact Zooms are in two completely different places image quality wise.

I know that may sound ridiculous, but it's true. Zeiss has created a real head scratcher. The CPs are old still designs, with mismatching performance and apertures between lenses. The Compact Zooms are all new designs, not derived from nothing else. Their performance bears this out, they are amazing lenses, I own 2.

Google Andy Shipsides' from Abel comparison of the CZs to Ultra Primes and Master Primes. They deserve to be in the same sentence, believe it or not. Compact Primes....no.

I myself got my hands on a couple Master Primes for a second and shot some charts against my 28-80 CZ. MP is still a better lens of course (duh), but it was a lot closer than you'd guess.