Red Epic W and first expensive Prime set tips

[Eirik Nicolai Heim]

Satsuki, Yeah I find that very interesting my self. I am thinking that I would like a lens set that minimises the "perfect looking digital picture" or what you should call it. I want more "characteristics and flaws".

Yeah, I will have to travel and check it out by myself and bring my own camera to test for sure. Just trying to narrow it down a bit. I guess the coverage "problem" could be solved by going for wider options with the cooke s4 and get the same field of view in 7,5 K anyway.

Satsuki, do you have some lenses in mind for me you read this thread though?

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

If you can swing the Summilux-Cs you'd have the highest performing lenses I've ever tested. Some delivery formats can really decimate nice masters - no doubt. That said, a well composed and lit scene - with great glass - can look pretty darn good even web encoded. More to the point, IP is on track to become the dominant content distribution platform on the planet - if it isn't already. Bandwidth is improving rapidly in many areas, etc. A well encoded buffered UHD Premium stream in the 40-60mb/s range using HEVC/H.265, or VP-9 should be pain free on 35% of ISPs in the US by late 2018. Point being, think beyond the immediate deliverable format (hi res stills anyone?) unless the content has zero shelf life.

Cheers - #19

 

[Satsuki Murashige]

I am thinking that I would like a lens set that minimises the "perfect looking digital picture" or what you should call it. I want more "characteristics and flaws".

Satsuki, do you have some lenses in mind for me you read this thread though?

Well, if you want 'flaws and character' in a set of cine primes then my favorites would be:

Zeiss Super Speeds Mk3 - 18, 25, 35, 50, 85 (good compromise between character/sharpness/mechanics - can be stiff to focus if not serviced)
(TLS re-housed) Cooke Speed Panchro - 18 Mk3, 25 Mk3, 32, 40, 50, 75, 100 (the most character, gorgeous on faces, could be too mushy in some situations, great S4 style mechanics)
(Alan Bartley re-housed) Kowa Anamorphics - 32, 40, 50, 75, 100 (difficult to find, especially the 32mm, hard to find a good set, limited focal lengths, can't get too wide with the 40mm on non-4:3 sensors)


Modern cine primes:

Cooke S4i - 14, 18, 21, 25, 32, 40, 65, 100 (best mechanics and feel, bokeh can be off-putting)
Zeiss Ultra Primes - similar focal range (best size/weight compromise)
Zeiss Master Primes - similar focal range (smooth and sharp, lovely image, but very big and heavy)

I'm not really a fan of the Leica Summicrons, mostly from a focus puller's point of view (which I'm not anymore). The focus marks are poorly marked and spaced, like the old Super Speed Mk1/2 set. I don't think the image is anything special. Haven't used the Summilux lenses enough to comment on them. But that's just my personal point of view, not speaking for anyone else.

With all cine lenses, but especially vintage lenses, it really pays to have them serviced regularly by a trusted technician. This goes double for anamorphic lenses. Which is why buying from a trusted lens service company can be a really good thing.

 

[Eirik Nicolai Heim]

Once again, thank your great info and tips Satsuki!
I think I will try to buy some modern cine primes first, but seems like 5-6 lenses are all I have the budget for right now. But I think I will have to chose some wider lenses than I originally thought because of coverage and field of view.

Blair, the Summilux are not an option for me, maybe the Summicron.. But from what I saw in the tests that were shared earlier in the tread, what I have seen been made and now what Satsuki says, I think I would like to go for the Cooke lenses. Love the look in some of the recent tv-series that has been shot with Red and Cooke for example.

Still, I will need to test this by myself, but this is what I think at this moment.

 

[Eirik Nicolai Heim]

Ok. I am closing in on this investement now. I will now in a few weeks how much money will be availeble for this investement. Seems like it will be possible to go for 5-6 Cooke S4 lenses or less. I have sent some applications to local organizations that support projects and will know in early June.

If I do get that much help, I am considering to buy a whole set of the new Panchros i/classics that are almost as fast as the S4. What do you think?
Instead of Mini S4. I would then afford every focal length I guess.

 

[Eirik Nicolai Heim]

Another question, should I go for 5 S7/i lenses instead of 6 S4 lenses?