RED lenses

[swan n]

I have been reading on this forum about how good the RED lenses are and how closely they compare with the higher priced lenses like Master Primes but also that they are almost too sharp, have no bokeh (or not so great bokeh), etc. So, for example to shoot a movie like "Apricot" where the cinematographer used Cooke lenses, what would you have to do with RED lenses to get the similar effect, if it is at all possible? Use a digital diffusion FX filter? Use plugins for lens flare (I know they have used 7D too for dreamy lens flare at some points).

Does anyone have pictures or videos or know of links of such that show the possible character of RED lenses other than just showing that they are neutral and sharp? May be if someone has tried them with filters, effects, etc?. I'm interested in both RED zooms and primes.

 

[Will Keir]

Swan. My rule is always do what you can in the camera. If you want the cook lens look, there are several types of cook lenses.

I have the RPZ, I have had some great results too. DOF sweet spot is with four feet, two feet being the distance I always gravitate toward. You can get the RPZ 17-50mm and the 18-85mm for $6000 total, battle tested. Probably cheaper if you can find them used.
http://www.reduser.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?69-RED-stuff-for-sale

A set of RPPs will run you around $18k on the used market.

If you really want cooks, I hear the least expensive quality set is the Pancros, though I have never used them personally. Hope that helps.

 

[Adam Beck]

I believe the Panchros go for about 8-10k each list. They are nice lenses, just not priced as cheap as the RPP.

 

[Robert Horwell]

The Panchro/i are amazing glass. They match perfectly with S4's. The 18mm Panchro/i is the nicest 18mm cooke manufacture, IMO surpasses the 18mm S4. If i were budget conscious and investing in just one set of glass, that is actively being developed ( cooke are releasing the 135mm this year and a 40mm following in 2013 ) i would purchase the cooke panchro/i set, they are a wonderful form factor, typical cooke build quality i.e solid, robust. They are T2.8, but as senors develop this is no longer a problem. It has never been a problem for me, yes they are a stop slower than the S4's, but how often do you shoot wide open on any lens, very rarely in what you might call normal conditions. S4's perform better at T2.8. Now after saying all that, the Cooke Panchro/i glass is pin sharp wide open. I have complete confidence shooting T2.8 all day long with these lenses. They are not as low cost as the RPP, but if you buy a set of cookes, you have them for life, i don't know if i could say that about a set of RPP's. And yes, i did have a set of RPP's...i sold them.