Ultra Primes, Optimo Zoom -- Sweet Spot?

[Jerry Doran]

In preparation for a Red shoot using a set of Ultra Primes and the Optimo 24-290mm T2.8 Zoom, can anyone advise me if these lenses have an ideal stop for getting the best out of them? Do they perform best wide open?

 

[Evin Grant]

I wouldn't worry about it with Ultras. They do great wide open.

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Generally though most lenses look better stopped down one to two stops from wide-open. With the modern lenses, it's just not as dramatic an improvement as with something like a Zeiss Super Speed.

 

[Mark Pedersen]

In preparation for a Red shoot using a set of Ultra Primes and the Optimo 24-290mm T2.8 Zoom, can anyone advise me if these lenses have an ideal stop for getting the best out of them? Do they perform best wide open?

You'll find they intercut beautifully. Both look great wide open. David's right. Any lens will improve stopping down slightly, some need more to get to the sweet spot... like the Super Speeds. One approach would be to light to a T2.8 or 3.5 and keep everything at that stop. But if you want maximum DOF, or need the speed, just shoot wide open. The Optimo is an awesome beast of a lens. I still don't know how they get that much performance and speed with that much range. Those French....

M