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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 :)

Your favorite ultra-small lenses?

Brian Iannone

Brian Iannone

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I'm looking for a very small general-use lens. Due to EPIC's and Scarlet's small size, I find them useful for projects where you need a very low-profile, ultra-portable setup. The brain, a DSMC Side Handle, a RED Touch 5" LCD and a lens are all you need to shoot. Because of this, lenses are now the biggest issue with size and weight in a portable EPIC/Scarlet rig. Even Zeiss' CP.2s are too large for some inconspicuous applications. So, what is your favorite small and portable lens? My issue here is that I'm looking for the smallest possible lens that still delivers excellent optical quality.
 
PL mount: Zeiss Standard Speeds or Cooke Speed Panchro's (not the panchro/i's). Always thought Standard Speeds were better quality than SS's.

Any mount: You really can't beat the size of most Leica photography primes. Nice and small. Red just announced their Leica M- mount... so you can now use Leica-M photography lenses with the camera.
 
I suppose you would have to elaborate on "general-use lens" and "excellent optical quality". For general use I suppose you could go with a Canon 24-70mm or Canon 17-55mm. I'm not sure I would describe either as excellent optical quality, but they might be adequate for your needs. Not really sure.
 
Julio Quintana said:
I suppose you would have to elaborate on "general-use lens" and "excellent optical quality". For general use I suppose you could go with a Canon 24-70mm or Canon 17-55mm. I'm not sure I would describe either as excellent optical quality, but they might be adequate for your needs. Not really sure.
Click to expand...

Hey Julio. By general-use, I mean not an ultra-wide (i.e. 10mm) and not a telephoto (i.e. 100mm). Both those Canon lenses are still too large. And, by excellent optical quality, I mean I'm looking for something that doesn't just cost $100. ;)
 
In all honesty I really don't think the difference between a 2 inch long lens and a 4 inch long lens is going to make a difference in being inconspicuous when you are out and about shooting with your Scarlet. Just buy the lenses you need to shoot your projects and make pretty pictures.

All the Best!

Dave
 
PL mount: Zeiss Standard speeds or Leica Summiluc-C primes (Beyond most of our reach currently)
Nikon Mount: G primes or Leitax Modded Leica R lenses
Canon mount: Leitax Moded Leica R lenses
Leica-M mount lenses are the best choice but currently only 50mm and longer can mount.
 
I too love the idea of a small, low profile, light weight set up for my Scarlet. If you like older glass like I do, then you have many options..

I really love my little Kinoptiks 5 lens set 18,28,35,50,75. They are tiny, but they actually have a full 360 degree focus throw, and are relatively fast at an f2 (except the 18mm f1.8). They are in ARRI standard mount but I use adapters with great success. They flare really easily, but that's part of what I like about them. I would also classify these lenses as being on the cool side in color. Not for every project, but a great little lens set.

Also, Cooke Speed Panchros. Don't have to say much about these lenses. Their reputation says it all. Cooke look in a tiny little package... I adore them. Below is a pic of my beloved Cooke Deep Field Panchro, 100mm, macro (Samcine rehouse) in PL mount :)

I rather like the Zeiss Opton line as well. I have a 16, 50, 85 set that can fit in a tiny hip pouch. I plan on getting 80mm hoods with 77mm threads so I can throw on a screw on variable ND and go super lightweight! These little fellas are all f2. The focus throw is the only bummer. Its really short for cine work, but manageable for sure.

Anything in ARRI standard mount is usually pretty small and can be adapted to fit on a PL mount... old 35mm Schneider Xenon lenses come to mind. Anyway, those are favorites at the moment. Check out the pictures below to see the lenses on my new (but not yet operational) Scarlet :)

Good luck!
 

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Lenses were smaller the farther back you go in time... each with a subjective look that may or may not fit your work:

Old Nikkor primes (w/ F -- EOS adapter): affordable, fast, low contrast look with flare. $100-$600 for f/1.4 primes, hard to beat. as you get newer, more contrast, sharper, more e

Zeiss Jena primes (w/ M42 -- EOS adapter): affordable beauty. incredible pastel, old world style color reproduction, but with flare and usually f/2.8, a poor man's Cooke. $50-$500 each.

There are other options, but these are my favorites in the land of cheap-cheap-cheap.
 
I'll second, third, and forth the Voigtlander 40mm f/2 SL II. It's pancake tiny and built like a tank. It's performance is very good and has some special flavor too.

Also, yes to Leica R and M. Some of my favorite compact glass.
 
Technically mine is the SL I version (and Nikon mount, too) but the only differences are the inclusion of the CPU and they rubberized the focus ring. But yes, the same lens.
 
Leica M and Leica R.

We use A mount so you can also use Contact Y/C lenses, M42, Nikon F. The mount systems offers all sorts of other lens options if your not using PL lenses but then there are two M mounts for the camera too.

Also check out Cooke Pancro in PL, the older series 3.
 
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