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Which Lens for an Expansive Zoom Shot?

Pawel Achtel

Pawel Achtel

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Which cine lens would give me the highest zoom ratio?

I like to do a zoom-out shot from extreme telephoto to extreme wide, something that I would shoot with a 40x ENG lens. Can any existing lens of any type be modified to achieve similar result in S35 format?

I don't care about the speed, it can be f/4 or even slower, just sharp, crisp and huge zoom range.
 
How about using a 40x ENG zoom with a B4 to PL adapter.

The Abakus 132 will do B4 to s16 or Red 2K (this is very similar to the RED B4-PL adapter; I woud GUESS that Abakus make special version of this for RED) or if you want 4K then the Abakus 260 would be what you need. Also available in F mount if that helps.

see here
http://www.abakus.co.uk/Format_Converters.htm

You could also use the Optex with a teleconverter to get the full s35 coverage. I'd also want to talk to Abel Cine and see what kind of megazooms the scientific crowd are using on their Phantoms.
 
ENG with extender

ENG with extender

I think that a 40x with a 35mm extender should give you what you need coverage wise.
As far as sharpness and CA you'd have to test- 4K could be border line.
 
I do hate to say this, but might renting a F23, Viper or similar and spending a little more time in post on CC be the easier and ultimately more cost effective solution.
 
I think Kubrick did it in CLOCKWORK ORANGE with an Ang 12-240 and 1.4x or 1.6x adapter. Don't forget that period Cinema Products CP4 zoom motor.
 
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Thanks guys, lots of good suggestions here. I love this board.

I think the Abakus 260 converter is interesting (http://www.abakus.co.uk/Format_Converters.htm). Does anyone know how they achieve 2/3" prism to 35mm format conversion and what compromises I should be looking for?

I guess there will be some T-stop loss, which is OK.

What about CA, distortions and MTF? What degree of degradation should I expect?

Or, would I be better off with a 132 converter and shoot 2.5k or something?
 
This may be of help with the Abakus idea, http://www.reduser.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-33721.html

Conversion is via an optical element much in the same way as a teleconverter, presumably with the formula changed to ensure proper focus of the colours to compensate for the lack of prism block. The 260 will eat two stops of light, again, much like a 2x teleconverter.

Mitch Gross at Abel is probably the chap to speak to; in terms of renting them down under I wouldn't know where to start looking. I wonder if there is something suitable sitting in some Panavision warehouse somewhere?
 
George A. said:
I'm curious - is this lens already converted from a different format? Or is it "natively" a Super16 lens?

In this case, can this lens be converted to the 35mm format, similar to the Angenieux 12-240mm (16mm format) converted to 24-480mm (35mm format)?
Click to expand...

My understanding is that this lens was designed specifically for wildlife cinematography during the era of 16mm and Super-16 shooting. So yes, natively a Super-16 lens. I briefly handled one at a trade show when it first came out. Very impressive optic and awesome zoom range. But its a big lens; the 12-240 is dainty in comparison.
 
Do it digitally, you can pull back all the way to space.... it is easy to add zooms together digitally, just get both your close and wide shot, with two cameras if your action is continuous, if not use the same camera.
 
Hi Pawel

Speak to Anthony Pawley at Southern Cross cameras at FILM AUSTRALIA LINDFIELD
If you need his phone number send me a private message.

He has a brand new OPTIMO 24-290MM F2.8 and its amazing!! I just shot with it for the first time last week.

The pictures are absolutely beautiful and Anthony always does deals. He also rents any lens or camera you need
 
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