Scarlet fixed lens question

[Bart Allen]

Is it better to have a fixed lens or change lenses? new to the business just wondering, don't crucify me for my stupidity please.. The Scarlet looks like the way to go so I won't have to buy Glass

 

[Sergio Perez]

Not an easy question to answer. For ultimate image quality and when you have time and flexibility to change lenses (depends on your type of work) the interchangeable is best. For documentaries where you are in unpredictable scenarios, when time to change lenses is not an option, when you need to be fast and reliable, fixed lens should be a beter option. The fixed lens should be the best option for ENG, for example, for sports coverage, for documentaries were you have no time to change lenses, or for Guerrilla, no permit, "move very fast or be busted" filmmaking.

For fiction work, interchangeable all the way. Also you should take into consideration sensor size and budget. A fixed lens Scarlet will be a much cheaper solution then an interchangeable lens one, mainly because of the cost for the lenses.

 

[Bart Allen]

Thank you very much =)

 

[Lawrence Bansbach]

Not an easy question to answer. For ultimate image quality and when you have time and flexibility to change lenses (depends on your type of work) the interchangeable is best. For documentaries where you are in unpredictable scenarios, when time to change lenses is not an option, when you need to be fast and reliable, fixed lens should be a beter option. The fixed lens should be the best option for ENG, for example, for sports coverage, for documentaries were you have no time to change lenses, or for Guerrilla, no permit, "move very fast or be busted" filmmaking.

For fiction work, interchangeable all the way. Also you should take into consideration sensor size and budget. A fixed lens Scarlet will be a much cheaper solution then an interchangeable lens one, mainly because of the cost for the lenses.

I could make the opposite argument. For ultimate image quality and consistency, you could argue for the fixed Scarlet, since it should be optimized for the Scarlet. For documentary work, you could just as easily argue for use of a wide range of lenses. High-speed primes, zooms, and telephotos -- whatever gets the shot in variety of situations. For fiction work, which is arguably more controlled, you could conceivably do well with a single lens. Some films have, for aesthetic reasons, been shot with a single prime.

 

[Sergio Perez]

I could make the opposite argument. For ultimate image quality and consistency, you could argue for the fixed Scarlet, since it should be optimized for the Scarlet. For documentary work, you could just as easily argue for use of a wide range of lenses. High-speed primes, zooms, and telephotos -- whatever gets the shot in variety of situations. For fiction work, which is arguably more controlled, you could conceivably do well with a single lens. Some films have, for aesthetic reasons, been shot with a single prime.

A fixed zoom lens is never optically at the same level of primes. Also you have faster aperture in primes vs zooms. You also have much more "creative freedom" with your lenses when you are in an interchangeable system- you can get ultra wide angle shots, fisheye shots, 1.2 shallow DOF shots, super telephoto... Lets not forget we are talking about a sub 10K fixed lens camera here. There are lenses that are double that price for a reason...

As for "consistency", that's an "issue" that can be corrected in post- its what's done most of the time.

I think you just posted that post, Lawrence, just for the sake of playing the "Devil's Advocate"

 

[Bart Allen]

Thanks 4 the advice guys =)

 

[Richard_JP]

I'm with Sergio here. Rule of thumb is fixed for sport, doc and anything that involves a less controlled environment.

The interchangeable will give you the flexibility to create beautiful shots, that can't be achieved with the fixed. Before any one starts saying "the fixed will create beautiful shots" and starts bashing me. The key word is flexibility.

The ultimate would be if RED could make the 2/3 zoom to fit the interchangeable. But that's just wishful thinking...

 

[Paramon Ivanovich]

I'm with Sergio here. Rule of thumb is fixed for sport, doc and anything that involves a less controlled environment.

+1
if you're setting up your shots, and there is always a room for another take - get interchangable, but that will involve addidtional cost , you'll need a few primes;
if not, or not always - fixed lens is not better, but safer