Why use slower lenses?

[Yousuf Abbasi]

I'm just curious, why would someone want to buy standard speed Zeiss at T2.1 when you could have super speed at T1.3? The super speeds allow you to shoot at T2.1, so is there really any advantage to a slower lens?

Thanks

 

[Martin Weiss]

$$$

 

[Jerrod Cordell]

Dolla Dolla Bill y'all.

 

[James T Mather]

Standards are sharper at t2.1 than the superspeeds at t1.3 and t.2.1 (superspeeds are quite soft lenses which isn't to say that this is undesirable). After T4 they all become pretty similar. There was also the cost difference until recently between standards and speeds.

T1.3 lenses as a whole are generally softer and more prone to fringing, aberration and loss of contrast - part of the trade off against the speed benefit.

 

[Evin Grant]

Size, weight and focal length choice as well. The T2.1s are 1/3 smaller & lighter and have 16,20,28,40,100 and 135mm focal lengths that the T1.3s do not, although there is a 18mm and 65mm Super Speed but no standard.

 

[Anton Klima]

HS via Standard Zeiss

HS via Standard Zeiss

... and the depth of field characteristics are totally different

don't like HS lenses on the RED at all

A.

 

[Yousuf Abbasi]

Thanks guys, that makes sense. I knew there was a cost difference, but I figured there might be some other trade offs too. Sharpness, weight, and focal lengths are real considerations.

... and the depth of field characteristics are totally different

don't like HS lenses on the RED at all

A.

What makes you dislike high speed lenses on the RED?

 

[Matthew Rogers]

I much prefer Standards to supers on the RED. There is a much nicer cream to the image with the Standards than the supers. And James is very right about Supers getting soft. When you open past T2.1, they have this diffusion look. It's not bad if you are wanting that soft look, but most of the stuff I shoot I do not want that look.

Matthew

 

[Francis Kenny]

The Red Pro Primes are amazing lenses. One of the best parts about the lenses is the aperture opening. While shooting a movie in Puerto Rico I found myself working hard with HMI's to maintain a stop with the T3.3 lenses I was using. I had to "light" beyond my eye with a ton of HMI light (more than I would with film). I returned home, sold my lenses, and purchased the primes. They have made my life so much easier on a set. Now I use half the light and the images are beautiful. Build 20 being another gift. Being able to shoot at T2 and sometimes T1.8 on a street at night is a big luxury. My only concern is the weight of these lenses. But at such a price, and with such truly amazing images (it reminds me of using the Leica Summericon Lenses), I'll do a few push ups so the lenses don't seem so heavy. That my take on your question. ps. I tested almost everything before I purchased the RPP. Worth every penny.

Hi James. We should get together soon. Francis

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I have to also say that I don't like the superspeeds on RED either, actually not many other places either. They may open up to T1.3, but they don't look good doing it in most cases. I just don't care for their "look". I much prefer the Zeiss T2.1 standards, Ultras and MP's. I actually prefer the RED Pro Primes over the Ultras and the Cooke S4's are still my favorite primes overall.

Other than subjective opinions on how different glass "looks", price and focal lengths are two reasons people choose one series of lenses over another. Also "fast" lenses are not always needed. Outside of the shallow-DOF-crazed 35mm adapter crowd, most people don't shoot with their lenses WFO all the time.

 

[Evin Grant]

If I could build a perfect prime set it would be Zeiss T2.1 glass in Cooke S4 barrels. Or possibly S4 glass with Zeiss T2.1 iris blades. The Zeiss T2.1s control CA better than the S4s but the S4s have a slightly more pleasent focus fall off and better field illumination. My biggest beef with S4s is bokeh, the iris creates a star like pattern at T2.8-4 that can be very distracting. I also quite like the falloff of the RPPs, they are very fine optics but their weight and lack of marks are a deal breaker for me. It looks like I'll be sticking with my T2.1s and adding a few more focal lengths, at least until I can afford a set of S4s and have Duclos re-build all the irises for me:crazy: