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Which first PL Glass should I buy?

Phil Moreton

Phil Moreton

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Hi Guys,

I'm having some real difficulty deciding what PL glass I should buy. I've always rented PL glass and only ever owned Nikon and Canon lenses. Now that I've saved a certain amount I would like to splash out on either a zoom or a set or primes.

In regards to my budget, below are my choices:
- Arri Alura 18-80mm T2.6
- Zeiss CP2s, set of 5. T2.1 (mostly)
- Sony F series, set of 6. T2.0
- Cooke Mini S4i, set of just 3. T2.8
- Cooke 20-100mm, T3.1 Varotal zoom

My initial thoughts:
+ I would love the Cooke Mini lenses, but I can realistically only afford 3 and I feel that 3 would not give me enough range for the narrative work that I do.
+ I've never been impressed with the CP.2s, they are really only the list as it is in my price range and that they have a proper cinema housing.
+ I don't know the Sony F series at all. Is it an option, does any one own them or shot with them?
+ I do like the Cooke zoom, I like the cream warm look, I've shot with it a couple of times but the speed of the glass is a problem and it only covers 4k on the MX sensor and looks like this will still be the case when Dragon comes along.
+ I'm leaning towards the Arri, what are your thoughts on this lens?


Please let me know your thoughts and / or other suggestions. No still glass.

Thanks,

Phil
 
Sadly it's not on my list as its over my price bracket.
 
I certainly agree with that. I do like the look of the Xenon FFs. Shame they aren't available now.
perhaps the Alura for now and then save slowly collect the xenons
 
Used Arri Standard Speed T2.1 Primes
 
Hey Phil, I've been weighing up the options for about 3 months now. And like many are mentioning, the Schneider Xenon FF's look like a new kind of bang for buck. Similar predicted price point as the CP.2's, though from what reports are saying, greater in quality optically and build. I'd hold out for a little longer!
 
Logan Gee said:
Aren't there only 3 Xenon primes?
Click to expand...

There will be 6 fairly quickly. At launch 35mm, 50mm, 75mm. A 25mm is happening. After that, likely around 3-5 months you'll be seeing an ultrawide 14mm and a 100mm. There might be an 18mm after those two. There have been talks of a 100mm macro and a 135mm as well, but I'm sure that's a bit in the future.
 
Logan Gee said:
Aren't there only 3 Xenon primes?
Click to expand...

currently, but they are expanding the line.

Why not for the time being look into a set of RPP's or a RPZ 17-50 and the new GL Optics rehoused 70-200. Those two zooms together give you a lot of range and are rather inexpensive. RPP's although heavier, are extremely great for the price. Then when you pick up some rental income or get a couple of jobs, sell your lenses and buy a new set of higher end lenses (Xenon or the like) once they come out.
 
Phil Holland said:
There will be 6 fairly quickly. At launch 35mm, 50mm, 75mm. A 25mm is happening. After that, likely around 3-5 months you'll be seeing an ultrawide 14mm and a 100mm. There might be an 18mm after those two. There have been talks of a 100mm macro and a 135mm as well, but I'm sure that's a bit in the future.
Click to expand...


What 14mm and 100mm Macro?
I am in ;-)
 
Phil Moreton said:
Please let me know your thoughts and / or other suggestions.
Click to expand...


Just to add something to the general advice from my perspective. Lenses are a tricky thing. Rental is a reality and if you have desired sets or primes or zooms that can be part of your business plan.

In terms of narrative and commercial shooting though I leave that stuff out of the equation. Personally at a bare minimum if you are getting cinema primes you're going to want 3 lenses. A wide, a medium (normal-ish look), and a long. Just what those three lenses are is really a personal choice. For me on S35 sized sensors or formats that's often something like 18, 35, and 50mm. Sometimes a bit long, sometimes a bit wider. Lately with my new lenses I've been shooting a lot at 18, 35, and 75mm. That's been feeling good for what I've been doing.

Can you shoot an entire movie with one prime? Yes. Absolutely. It would probably land in the 18-40mm range for most folks if they were shooting on a S35 format. However, I've met some who don't actually like to shoot too much wider than 65mm, often due to the sensation of separation and distance commonly from subject to camera relative to framing. I get that logic.

For me personally a proper narrative set is a 18, 25, 35, 50, 75, and 100mm lens. That to me is a standard and to most I've worked with it's what they are looking for. There's nuance in there for some, like preferring something like a 27, 28, or 32mm. The slight variance between a 75mm and 85mm is also a very personal choice and can effect what you want in your set (and that's also where we see the variance in 5 and 6 lens sets). The lesser used lengths on both extremes are the 14/15/16mm and 135mm. Those are often problem solvers or creative tools. Longer is specialty and often dictated by the content shot and that's where 200, 300, and beyond live. I don't see much longer than 300mm used on narratives, but if there's a shot you need to get that's 800mm than that's the solution really.


No matter what prime set or zoom lenses you purchase make sure they cover your needs, business plan, and desired focal lengths. Even a full set of inexpensive cinema glass is a good chunk of change, but more so than the cost, remember that these lenses may be with you for the rest of your life.

So choose wisely.

In terms of the best lenses, we discuss performance and optical character until New Years, but the best lenses are the ones you can afford. The good news is that there's competition now at every price point.
 
The cheap PL list:

Old russian glass
Old angie
11-16duclos mod
dog schdit optiks

its not exactly prime glass lol
 
Matt Ryan said:
is no one interested in RPP's?
Click to expand...

Used sets of these are going for amazing prices. Perhaps the most underrated cinema primes out there and their price to value ratio is very high.

The only critique that I see come up with these lenses over and over again is their weight. For some that's a deal breaker, for me I actually want something with a bit of heft to it. I got a "whole thing about that".
 
Phil Holland said:
Used sets of these are going for amazing prices. Perhaps the most underrated cinema primes out there and their price to value ratio is very high.

The only critique that I see come up with these lenses over and over again is their weight. For some that's a deal breaker, for me I actually want something with a bit of heft to it. I got a "whole thing about that".
Click to expand...

Exactly, great lenses if you don't mind the weight. Everyone seems to overlook them but I'd take them over CP.2's, Canon Cine Primes, or any still glass for that matter. They are sharp as hell and all around great looking lenses (Although they are s35 lenses).
 
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