What really are our options for 2/3 lenses.

[james Mallon]

Is there really cheap quality options for the 2/3 interchangable in regard to lenses. I see lots of c-mount lenses for peanuts on Ebay like old Bolex etc.
Can they produce a nice image along with other c-mounts in the 100-500 dollar price range or should we just bite the bullet and buy Red primes.

 

[David Rasberry]

Go to www.oldlens.com
Scroll to the bottom of the page and there is a gallery of c-mount 16mm lens photos taken with the Lumix G/GH1 cameras. Should give you a good idea. The vignetting you see on some lenses due to covering the larger 4/3 format sensor won't be a issue for the 2/3" Scarlet.
Bolex Switar RX lenses are made to focus through the REX prism Bolexes and will show some chromatic aberration on a Scarlet. Don't buy lenses that are hazy or visibly scratched, the glass should be clear and clean.
Because the faster and better c-mount lenses are so popular with m4/3 shooters, prices have gone up a bit for lenses like the Angenieux 25mm f.95. I'm impressed by the old Kodak Ektars.
The mini-primes are looking like a pretty good buy all around with the price increases on old glass.

 

[Brian Shephard]

Hi David,

Will these c-mount lenses natively fit onto the 2/3" Scarlet? Or is there an adaptor needed? I assume the Scarlet will ship with the ability to fit the miniPrime lenses.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[David Rasberry]

Hi David,

Will these c-mount lenses natively fit onto the 2/3" Scarlet? Or is there an adaptor needed? I assume the Scarlet will ship with the ability to fit the miniPrime lenses.

Thanks,

Brian

C-mount is supposed to be an option. Whether that is an interchangeable mount or a screw on flange adapter for the mini-Red mount remains to be seen.
There are C-mount adapters available for standard PL mount so that too is an option.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

What David said above -- C-mount will be an option somehow, even if by current PL to C-mount adapters.

That said, the RED mini-primes look like a steal at $950 each and with the possibility of a slight discount for the set.

 

[Brian Shephard]

Thanks guys. I do plan on buying the mini-prime set. The price is astounding, even if there isn't a discount (but hopefully, of course, there will be).

I do a mix of shooting styles and projects. I'm interested in buying some zooms to have handy for quick shoots and c-mounts seem to be the ideal, inexpensive way to go.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Old 2/3" - be wary of glass for SD ENG cams

Old 2/3" - be wary of glass for SD ENG cams

Like the subject says, "Old 2/3" - be wary of glass for SD ENG cams."

You can read this as "Alex's second hand info", so please don't take this as gospel. In any case I'm just suggesting you add a bullet point to your checklist for buying.

In order to keep prices down and meet demand a lot of glass was made for 2/3" SD ENG cameras that has various issues- the upshot being they won't resolve enough detail or have other issues (CA being common) when used with HD cams, much less RED.

A lot of higher end ENG glass is unaffected, but most of the older lenses I've seen that work for HD are actually old 16mm glass converted to b4 mounts.

From the conversation, it doesn't seem any of the glass you are all talking about falls into the "potential trouble" category, and I feel as though I am adding common knowledge.

I just wanted to add that note in case someone who doesn't know runs across this.

Besides it might prompt someone who knows more than me to comment.

 

[Jason Ramsey]

There is always the option of purchasing a fixed scarlet to use as your zoom. Would perhaps be an even more attractive option for some if there were some type of package option, or brain only option for the fixed that might lend itself towards folks wanting to do just that.

We'll have to wait and see, but even at 4750, looks to be quite a steal just for the lens that comes on it

 

[steven moreno]

Fujinon 16x lens for JVC GY-HD250

Fujinon 16x lens for JVC GY-HD250

I have a HD250 and an HD100 that I am prepping to sell when the time is right...I was thinking about keeping one of the cameras to use the lens on a Scarlet S35.

That would crop quite a bit, though, and probably not be worth trouble, right?

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

There is always the option of purchasing a fixed scarlet to use as your zoom.

Yeah that's been suggested around the forms here and there and what I'm thinking of doing. Actually I'm buying the fixed Scarlet anyway, I haven't decided if I will go for the 2/3" interchangeable as well. But that makes great sense. Most good 16mm zooms will probably be inferior to the modern glass in the RED fixed zoom and they will still sell for more than the fixed Scarlet brain. Buy the fixed along with the interchangeable and when you need a zoom, just swap the brain.

 

[Jimmy Odom]

Honestly until the last couple of days I've been SOLD on the interchangeable. Although I've began tossing around the idea that by buying the Mini-Primes I'm effectively backing myself into a corner. I won't be able to use them on myb S35, which is where I want to eventually end up at, nor will there be a market outside of RED that would purchase them second hand. This means that I'm stuck with them, unless someone else goes this route later, but who knows.

I LOVE the though of the Speed of the Mini-Primes, but one HUGE drawback has become the integration with industry standard gear; most notably the FollowFocus', gears, and Mattebox.

The Mini-Primes REALLY seem as if we'll need some secondarly purchased piece of gear which willl allow us to attatch a modern FF unit to them, adding to the eventual cost of the rig. Also filters, are a concern, due to the Mini-Prime's small diameter. This is why I'm not postive anymore.

Although I LOVE the idea of renting a set of the Zeiss Super Speeds, and having the ability of attatching them to my 2/3. I don't really like the options of Native lenses for us.

Oh well I guess we'll need to wait and see....