UPGRADING LENS KIT - WHAT TO BUY?

[Joshua Hoareau]

Hi all.

So I've just sold off all my Rokinon cine primes and some Canon glass I was using and am now in the market for a new set of lenses.
I've been going over .R3D files from CP.2's, Master Primes and Canon CN-E's. Master Primes are too expensive right out the gate, so I looked into the Canon CN-E's. Though I could get them for a really good price ($3500AU - $2696US brand new) I didn't like the pink/purple fringing that was appearing in a lot of the .R3D files that had been provided.
I've also heard that something with the focus is a bit iffy?
The CP.2's were a lot more subtle and blue which blended in better with the foil, though CP.2's are a bit too 'clinical' for me. That being said, I've been very interested in the Schneider Xenon's.
Everything I've heard about them is great, though they look like they have some terrible CA going on for the price!

I'm now trying to decide between the Sony CineAltas and the Rokinon Xeen lenses. They both have their pros and cons. I can get both kits at $2500AU per lens).

-ROKINON XEEN-
PROS: Xeens cover FF, they are smaller, lighter and faster at T1.5.
CONS: Still Rokinon, very new to market, little information for longevity, image isn't as pleasing as Sony (personal taste)

-SONY CINE ALTAS-
PROS: Solid Build, great image,
CONS: Heavy, only S35 no FF.

Just looking to get some community feedback

I'm at the point where I'm happy to drop the money, and have a good set of lenses that are going to keep me going for the long term.


P.S. If this has all be answered before in other threads sorry about this post, feel free to link me over to it

 

[Kholi Hicks]

If you aren't planning on renting them out, then I *highly* suggest looking into a set of Sony Cinealta Primes, the new five lens set. They are hands down the best bang for buck personal owner primes that are available right now, with a few caveats:

- cannot purchase separately outside of 5 or 3 lens sets
- Lead time on order
- Not much if any rental value
- Resale value is currently in the 8k-10k(!) range, which is absurd
- Have heard tale that getting them serviced is almost impossible? Not sure if someone can confirm, these were reports from more than a year ago on the interbutts

I've used them and have seen various project shot on them, they are quite solid and have a very great modern look to them. Intensely sharp wide open, but not offensively sharp by any means.

They get my vote right now.

 

[Joshua Hoareau]

They were the original lenses I was looking at and price and quality seemed great, but they're only S35 and there's been a lot of chat whether they work or not on 6k Dragon sensor. I can't seem to find an exact answer on it.

 

[Kenneth C Merrill]

So rang up my local film gear store and found they have the Rokinon Xeen's going for the same price as the Sony CineAlta's ($2500AU each)
There are pros and cons to both kits.

Xeens cover FF, they are smaller, lighter and faster at T1.5, but they are still Rokinon and very new to the market so we don't know their longevity. I also found their image isn't as pleasing as the Sony's (my opinion). Sony CineAlta's have a better more solid build and a better image, but is only S35 and very heavy.

I am not a fan of Rokinons or Xeens. If I were you, I would jump for some rehoused Sigma Art lenses. Similar in price to the other two (CineAlta's and Xeens), but they will cover FF and deliver an amazing image. I've never used GL Optics Sigma primes, but I've used their Zeiss Contax and the Sigma 18-35mm, and I loved them.

 

[Kholi Hicks]

They were the original lenses I was looking at and price and quality seemed great, but they're only S35 and there's been a lot of chat whether they work or not on 6k Dragon sensor. I can't seem to find an exact answer on it.

Ah yeah, good point. For whatever reason I thought they covered Full Frame but I suppose not! Tsk.

You could always hunt down a matching set of Leica Crons or Lux's and have Nan at GL Otpics rehouse. =P

But, yeah, if you like the look of Sigma Art Primes that wouldn't be a bad way to go, or , waiting for a 50-100 and rehousing that along with the 18-35.

 

[Joshua Hoareau]

I've taken the Sigma's off my list for now as I just realised they don't have anything above 50mm :S I'd like to have an 85mm and something a bit higher.

 

[Kenneth C Merrill]

I've taken the Sigma's off my list for now as I just realised they don't have anything above 50mm :S I'd like to have an 85mm and something a bit higher.

How about the new SLR Magic APO primes? Right now they're just shipping a 50mm, but they just announced a 25 and an 85, and there are supposedly a few more to come. I think they cover FF.

I also recommend the GL Optics Zeiss Contax lenses to everyone. I love those lenses. Remind me of Cooke more than Zeiss though.

 

[Ulf Krentz]

I like my Sonys. Not sure where this 3/5 lens set comes from, wasn´t that the older "plastic" series? The recent line is a 6 lens set and is sold at a ridiculous price, not sure about down under but at least here in Germany. The wides (20 and 25) are vignetting on FF dragon but usable for 16:9 and probably also 6K WS. A bit bulky but totally works for me. I was considering the Schneiders as well but while they have a great and pleasing overall look they have a crazy insane CA so I skipped them. Those SCLs really surprised me… HTH. Cheers!

 

[Alberto Guglielmi]

How about a set of Leica R rehoused. GL Optics has a couple of nice sets now.

 

[Owen Rennie]

Canon cine are great...

 

[Mohammed Almedfa]

If you're considering other S35 only lenses, then don't discount the Sigmas fully yet. The 50-100mm /F1.8 Art is coming out soon, and in other thread on this board the few who have used it prior to release have had very positive things to say. Also if its coverage is as good as the 18-35mm, you should be able to shoot Dragon 5.5K WS for sure (I've shot 6K WS at night through the entire zoom range on the 18-35, wide-open. Granted the environment was dark and the soft vignette added to the mood. But it was pretty much invisible from 24mm onwards.)

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Zeiss Contax lenses to everyone. I love those lenses. Remind me of Cooke more than Zeiss though.

mmm maybe you're judging only by contrast levels...microcontrast and focus falloff are totally zeiss..

 

[Kenneth C Merrill]

mmm maybe you're judging only by contrast levels...microcontrast and focus falloff are totally zeiss..

Actually, it's the focus falloff primarily that makes me think of Cooke's. But hey, I'm a young guy and no expert; so I'm probably completely wrong!

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Actually, it's the focus falloff primarily that makes me think of Cooke's. But hey, I'm a young guy and no expert; so I'm probably completely wrong!

I like both aesthetics really...for different projects of course...but if you like Cooke-like focus falloff try some Leica-R primes...these are much more in line with Cooke lenses behaviour as far as focus falloff is concerned...you'll love 'em trust me!

 

[Kholi Hicks]

I like both aesthetics really...for different projects of course...but if you like Cooke-like focus falloff try some Leica-R primes...these are much more in line with Cooke lenses behaviour as far as focus falloff is concerned...you'll love 'em trust me!

^ This guy has everything and knows his stuff. One hundred percent in agreement that C/Y Zeiss aren't similar to Cookes. They're relatively flat, to me, having owned a full set and recently attempted to rekindle my love for them. THe .2s of ZEs have much nicer fall off and feel better for motion, just me though!

=[ The Leica road is a hard one... I'm too deep to turn back.

I'm voting for Sigmas as well, that 50-100 looks awesome to me. Just the 18-35 and 50-100 alone would be great for everything that you aren't able to rent on.

 

[Nick Morrison]

I also recommend the GL Optics Zeiss Contax lenses to everyone. I love those lenses. Remind me of Cooke more than Zeiss though.

We just shot with our Contax in a gym this morning. Shot with the 100 f2 Planar, WO right into a window...no CA of any kind.

My DP was blown away.

He's used to stopping down Xenon's to an F4 or lower to get that...

So was nice to see even cinemodded Contax primes behave that well.

Of course, not all Contax primes are that well corrected for CA, but the 100 Planar is great (I personally believe it may be the same optical block as the 100mm T2 Standard Prime, they are the same size, stop, and have similar serial numbers)...

 

[Kenneth C Merrill]

I was super interested in getting into the Leica R game, but I found a lot of images where the Leica R demonstrated a sort of double-vision of out of focus objects. The falloff was abrupt from sharp to soft-double-vision. Maybe that's the look? It looked very strange to me, and I'm not a fan--and I've never seen that in Cooke's... I'm not as knowledgeable as you guys; this is just what I've seen... thoughts?

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

the 100 Planar is great (I personally believe it may be the same optical block as the 100mm T2 Standard Prime, they are the same size, stop, and have similar serial numbers)...

Both are incredible...I agree 100% Nick!

I was super interested in getting into the Leica R game, but I found a lot of images where the Leica R demonstrated a sort of double-vision of out of focus objects.

Interesting, please post some examples of what you mean...

Is it just a slight color channels mis-alignment so to speak or something else?

Like a shadow of the out of focus object?

 

[Kyle Wright]

They were the original lenses I was looking at and price and quality seemed great, but they're only S35 and there's been a lot of chat whether they work or not on 6k Dragon sensor. I can't seem to find an exact answer on it.

I have a set and my 20mm vingettes at 6K (I think all formats, but it's been a while since I tested it and don't have my Epic Dragon anymore), but is fine at 5.5K (all formats). Others have reported 6K coverage without issue, so there may be a little variance between lenses.

Here's my test from the thread about these lenses:

Okay, shot some tests in a brighter room and the 20mm seems to vignette equally in all four corners. I shot this at 6K and adjusted the ISO to try and keep a consistent exposure.

 

[Marcus Tjällman]

Hey, I´m selling of a bunch of Xeen´s if your interested.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111973021359?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649