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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Schneider Cine-Xenar II

Kris.... Buy a set of CP2's or a good old set of MK III super speeds and you will never look back!

Trust me.... I have both.
 
Thanks David.

Anyone have any shooting time with them?

It's these, RED's or Illumina's.... friend is looking for a cheaper rental set to which I will have access.

@Adam... will check....
 
I was looking into those for a while and heard some bad things about them. Abel told me they actually had to return a couple sets and refund the customers because the lenses were not satisfactory. They barrel forward a bit when focusing, making rod mounted MatteBoxes a bit of an issue and requiring a wider gear on the follow focus (as I understand it). The mechanics of them don't seem as good as other offerings. This is all hearsay that I collected when considering them for myself and others here have actually tested them. Kind of a drag because my Schneider still lenses are awesome. It seems like the Illuminas might be the favorite at the moment.

I ended up going Panchro/i's and love them.

CB
 
I saw some photos on Vincent Laforet's blog of him using Schneider Xenar's on his Epic. He might be able to offer some advice. I used the CP2 but didn't liked the look (still they are cheap and have the Zeiss name on them, so I suppose it's easier to rent them out then Schneider's Xenars). The Panchro/i's are supposed to be amazing (never tested them). Here's a threat comparing the Illuminas to the Panchros http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?59647-Luma-Tech-Illuminas-vs.-the-new-Cooke-Panchros...a-review
 
Didn't like em.

Image wise they are nice but its about ergonomics and mechanics.

They have a very "crisp" spherical bokeh, with some of the most smooth bokeh I've ever seen. They also don't breathe at all.

I like how they look but my AC hates them with passion.

I tried em a couple times, but you really need a clip on mattebox, and afaik there is no 18mm yet.
 
They're big and heavy. Compare physical specs with competing lenses. There's a set of Standard Speeds on ebay right now at $19,000.
 
Thanks guys.

I was thinking last night (all night.... no sleep) that maybe a quality zoom with all the lengths represented might be a better way to go for them, like maybe the new Angenieux's? They'd be looking at comparable $$$ by the time it was done.

This sort of research is really interesting as it's basing art with $$$ with personal preferences. Really loving all your input.
 
Kris, you're travelling over worn ground. There have been a number of very interesting threads over the last 9-12 months comparing primes over zooms. In the end, Standard Speeds and Angenieux Rouge series seem to have won hands down (unless you have the bucks to buy Masters.) Look at the comments comparing Standard Speeds to MkIII's. Read the SALT test threads for an eye opener.
 
Timur Civan said:
Didn't like em.

Image wise they are nice but its about ergonomics and mechanics.

They have a very "crisp" spherical bokeh, with some of the most smooth bokeh I've ever seen. They also don't breathe at all.

I like how they look but my AC hates them with passion.

I tried em a couple times, but you really need a clip on mattebox, and afaik there is no 18mm yet.
Click to expand...

Image wise nice? I shot test and a short with them and thought they were at best - junk. The flaring was completely artificial and unuseable. The contrast didn't match well from lens to lens. The shifting length when you pull focus is ridiculous, obviating rod based MB's. Then to top it off, the mechanics were Fisher Price along with a still lens like progression on the focus ring. You couldn't pay me to use them again. In fact, an old set of Mk 1's we tested against them blew them out of the water in terms of sharpness and flaring. Schneider really has to go back to the drawing board with this one. I'd rather use ZF's on a Nikon mount anyday.
 
Oh i though they looked cool. I just hated the mechanics. I didnt notice the matching as when i was shooting with them i only has 2 lenses. they seemed ok.
 
Where do you buy these lenses? I can't find them anywhere. I've heard they are pretty amazing for the price. Haven't seen too many negataive reviews. I am interested in trying one
 
Oh wow. Back when I was looking at them they even had videos about them on their blog. When I was ready to order, though, they advised me that they had just returned the last 2 or 3 sets as they were not satisfactory. They must have dropped them altogether.
 
Wow that really sucks. I really have heard a lot of bad things about the Zeiss Cp.2 lenses, and the Master Primes are out of my budget. I guess I have to go with RPPs. Anyone know how many iris blades the RPPs have?
 
Schneider USA now sells the Cine Xenar lenses directly.
 
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