*** RPP''s & RPZ's FOCUS Re-Markings Professional Service ***

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Don't thank me yet, Shawn. Thank Ketch and Mark Pederson for approaching me about it. I'll get the ball rolling again and determine cost and time frame. FYI, it won't be cheap. Keep in mind that RED made many sets of lenses that consisted of a dozen parts each and kept the cost to a minimum. We would be making less than 100 of a part that requires precise calibration. And we keep all of our manufacturing in the US.

Hey Matt, I'm still interested -- I was standing at that same table with you, Ketch and Mark at NAB. I've owned my RPPs since the beginning, so warranty has long past, hard to believe it's been that long.

Keep us all posted.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Hey Matt, I'm still interested -- I was standing at that same table with you, Ketch and Mark at NAB. I've owned my RPPs since the beginning, so warranty has long past, hard to believe it's been that long.

Keep us all posted.

Hey Jeff,

yeah I remember.. hehe

 

[Adrian Correia]

I'm in Matt....can't praise you guys highly enough for the work on my Super Baltars....you have my utmost confidence.

 

[Harry Clark]

Nice!
If this modification can be done it would certainly overcome a practical annoyance these lenses have.
As Frederic points out, not having ANY marks between 5' and 10' is bad... and as Jacek points out, there is a limit to how many marks Matt & co. will be able to squeeze in on the "distant" part of the lens due to the linearity of the helix design.
And I would not be surprised to hear that each lens needs to be done individually for accuracy.
But Duclos is certainly the place to go for this. My Mark 3 Superspeeds (overhauled last year) came back like brand new. Really. Like. Brand. New.
You guys do wonderful work, Matt!
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Nice to hears your good experiences with Matt, and this is why I fill comfortable doing this with him, we do respect his work, and hope to be able to make our RPP's sets that much better, and even so well in knowledge of design limitations, I do believe that they can be made better at a reasonable price, which will still make the RPP's a great set of lenses at a great price point just a little more usable in the Focus Markings range then originally

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

My original 18-50 RED zoom came back from a rental in lousy shape, after Duclos serviced it the lens had smoother mechanics than it did brand new. Kudos.

IMHO remarking only makes sense if the number of marks in critical ranges and the accuracy of them is up to "cine" standards - the cost of which may prove substantial. If the cost is not too high, I'm in.

Cheers - #19

 

[Ketch Rossi]

IMHO remarking only makes sense if the number of marks in critical ranges and the accuracy of them is up to "cine" standards - the cost of which may prove substantial. If the cost is not too high, I'm in.

Cheers - #19

That is the intention Blair, will be of no use other wise

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

all I can say...

all I can say...

That is the intention Blair, will be of no use other wise

Is Good Luck Matt!!!!!!
I've remarked dozens of lenses over the years. Definitely not my cup of tea....
Matt hit me up if you need advise.:emote_hippie:

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Is Good Luck Matt!!!!!!
I've remarked dozens of lenses over the years. Definitely not my cup of tea....
Matt hit me up if you need advise.:emote_hippie:

Hehe, well its not my cup of tea either even so I also have re-marked several lenses.. just that they wash off with use.. dam markers don't last long :001_tt2:

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

not this kind of remarking

not this kind of remarking

Did you calibrate blank scales and had them engraved Ketch?:ihih:

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Did you calibrate blank scales and had them engraved Ketch?:ihih:

Off course.. haha

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Mapping of the Markings added

 

[Tim Naylor]

While I agree that the markings on the lenses are somewhat of a problem, there are other and more significant problems causing my set from not being rented as much as I had originally hoped for. Here's what I'm hearing from people:

1) RED got a bad reputation (here at least) with their first two zoom lenses because they were poorly made (mechanically). They need a good service (lube) to work.

2) The RPPs are too big and heavy compared to something like Ultra Primes.

3) They have a weird flare-issue.

4) The markings are off.

5) The markings are oddly spaced.

Most of the people who have rented them have been very happy with them, however. I mostly bought them to shoot with them myself and for that they're absolutely perfect, but I'm not a professional focus puller or DP (as much as I'd love to be one day). I am - however - considering selling them again and buy something else partly because I'm finding it very troublesome that I can't get the lenses serviced locally.

For certain type of shoots, I think they're great, but weird inconsistent flaring at certain lengths and stops, kept me from buying a set. I'm fine with the weight and size. It's an extra two-three pounds on the nose compared to UP's. Not a big deal when a full rig weighs 25-30lbs. I have had a few AC's complain about the markings and that distances jump too fast past the midranges. And some quite good AC's have blown some focus cues because of not being accustomed to this. But I still find myself having to use RPP's when production wants to shoot 4.5k (soon to be 5k) when production can't afford MP's. So who knows, they may just start renting more in the days to come. I've a feeling Xenars lens barreling forward trait may keep alot of DP's from dealing with them.

For rental, RPP's are in a odd place. For short form, it's not hard to talk production into spending an extra 200-400 and have Ultra's or Cookes. Which leaves low budget indies - which for owners are not always ideal in terms of rental price / wear index. I'd love to see a new iteration come out that solves the issues you cite. I'd easily pay 10-15 grand more. Because if the issues you site are solved, they'd earn their room and board quite quickly.