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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 :)

UPGRADING LENS KIT - WHAT TO BUY?

Just got to play with some Sony Cine Alta's (massive thanks to 'Videocraft' - Melbourne) and got to say I love theses lens. The build quality is amazing, and I'm loving the image coming out of them. They are heavy I concur, but well worth it in the long run. I tested all the lenses on Dragon 6k FF and didn't get any vignetting at all!

This picture was shot at 6k FF on the Sony Cine Alta 20mm at T2.0, ISO 800. As you can see there is no vignetting in the corners :)

16h25o3.jpg
 
My set of Sonys definitely vignettes as the test on the last page shows, but for the value they're the best thing out there until you want to spend $8,000 per lens or more. Usable at 6kHD or 6kWS so the vignette doesn't really matter.

I wonder if sony secretly adjusted the image circle size of the wides on newer sets?
 
That sample is quite "close-up", might be vignetting at infinity. At least my 20 and also the 25 vignette on 6K FF at infinity. My set is bought about year ago in Germany. Cheers!
 
love to see more tests. Every other review says the wider lenses vignette at 6k. This is the first to contradict that. I'd be good to know.
 
Ended up purchasing the Sony CineAlta PL lenses! Apparently they're on backorder though as Japan had an earthquake which has interrupted delivery, but I've been provided with a display set to use in the meantime. Used them on a music video shoot and absolutely loved them!
 
I second this. The SCLs have an absolute amazing optical quality, especially for this price by far the best deal if you´re OK with their size and weight. I love my set, too.
You will probably replace the rear lens caps sooner or later, I like the ones from TLS.

Cheers
Ulf
 
Sensors are getting bigger. I would rather spend $$ on some decent Full Frames.
Leicas, Zeiss or Sigma Rehouse or even Schneider.
 
Ended up purchasing the Sony CineAlta PL lenses! Apparently they're on backorder though as Japan had an earthquake which has interrupted delivery, but I've been provided with a display set to use in the meantime. Used them on a music video shoot and absolutely loved them!

How is the breathing on the Sonys?
Also, anyone know the lineage of the glass? Are they a ground up new design or possibly based an older Minolta design?
 
How is the breathing on the Sonys?
Also, anyone know the lineage of the glass? Are they a ground up new design or possibly based an older Minolta design?

Breathing is well controlled, as is the CA which for me was the deal breaker with the Schneiders. I see that Minolta design pop up regulary but AFAIK it has never been confirmed. The SCLs have aspherical elements, a clear and modern look without being boring. Try to get your hands on a set and see for yourself. Don´t expect them to rent, you would need a well known name. Also servicing them might become a problem sooner or later, but then again at the price they are sold for now...
 
Right now, here the options I think make sense:

CNE's (attractive price, cover full frame)
Zeiss Compact Zooms (great price, cover full frame)
Cooke Mini S4s (look amazing - too slow?)
Ultraprimes (Used Set)
Celeres (look like best deal, but set needs to be bigger...and have an extra wide, and extra tele to be usable).

Those Sony's look interesting too, though kind big?

Same for RPPs - great deal, but def big.
 
I've found the Sony's to have little to no CA (I was originally going to go with the Xenon's but way too much CA for my liking after testing, though I did love their look). Never liked the look from the CP.2's and found them a bit 'hit and miss' with their line-up. The Canon CN-E's were also one of my first choices originally, but after getting to use a set, I found they had a weird 'pink' fringing that looked bad (the Zeiss in the same test fringed out blue in the same areas, but it was more pleasant to look at). I also wanted something that was built from the ground up to be a cinema lenses rather than being based on stills glass. After testing the Sony's I got my brand new set of 6 Sony PL CineAlta Primes for $15000AU (around $10,900US). At that price there, there was no argument in my mind I chose well :D
 
id love to ask a question to this thread, trying to round out my personal lens kit for the raven (little by little), im in the search for the best , widest s16 lens that can be adapted to eos mount for shooting in 2KWS format. also interested in perhaps something made for apsc or micro 4/3's. would be nice to adapt something like that kowa 8.5mm! thanks in advance!
 
If I was offered a trade, my 6 Sonys for the 3 Otus lenses I'd have to sit and think a while, that's for sure.
 
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