Zeiss CP.2: New Cine Lenses for DSLR

[michael zaletel]

Thoughts?

http://photography.bhinsights.com/content/zeiss-cp2-new-cine-lenses-dslr.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Zeiss+Cp.2&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

-michael

 

[Sam Taylor]

Hi Michael
There was a thread somewhere from a few months back discussing these lenses.

 

[michael zaletel]

I don't think they were shipping at that time were they Sam? I'm mainly interested in feedback from people who own one of these new lenses. I'd like to know if anyone has used these on RED MX with Canon Birger Mount as well.

 

[Tobias Straka]

I recently shot with a set of these and for shooting with DSLRs, I really like them. Finally, you can actually pull focus. However, I'm not so sure about using them on a Red / any other high quality camera, I think the optics don't quite hold up compared to other lenses. One other thing I don't like is that the T-stops vary from 2.1 to 3.6. 3.6 being quite a challenge in some situations.

Overall, I like them, they're well built, very light and perfect for DSLRs. But personally, I would not buy them, I need something that holds up nicely if you put it on a Red, but to be honest, I'd need to do some testing to give a final rating...

 

[Steve Das]

...I think the optics don't quite hold up compared to other lenses...

The Optics are exactly the same as the still photo lenses...of which you
could buy a couple of for the price of just one CP prime lens. As such
these lenses are overpriced for what they are. Not to mention the
difference is stops from lens to lens.

 

[Joel Kaye]

They are kinda slow for the price considering they are primes. I mean, the Canon 50mm f/1.2 is a monster lens for less money.

They seem to be fully manual so I don't think they'd be a great match for the Birger. I just got off a show where I was pulling focus on Canon lenses using both a Bartech with a gear and the Birger system. Both worked fine... and we pulled a lot of complicated stuff. Jib, steadicam, dollies... push ins. I pulled some 140mm at 2.8 closeups with the Birger (3 inches of DOF or so). It's all doable but you need to practice and have the knack for it.

 

[Tobias Straka]

The Optics are exactly the same as the still photo lenses...of which you
could buy a couple of for the price of just one CP prime lens. As such
these lenses are overpriced for what they are. Not to mention the
difference is stops from lens to lens.

True - I own the 50mm 1.4 ZE and I didn't see a big difference. Color tone is a tad different. The focal throw is nice though. The still photo lenses went up in price btw - I paid $580 I think, now they're over 700...

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Thoughts?

http://photography.bhinsights.com/content/zeiss-cp2-new-cine-lenses-dslr.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Zeiss+Cp.2&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

-michael

Look, the glass is identical between these and the Zeiss ZF.2 lenses.

They are very good lenses, and I've been very pleased with the images from Zeiss ZF lenses in production.

There are some differences due to being rehoused for the cine application. Along with the rehousing, they got a new aperture, which produces an even nicer rounder bokeh.

I think they are comparable to the RPP's. They are a touch cheaper, a bit slower. I like the look and the bokeh better on the Zeiss- but the RED's look is nice too.

What you are truly paying for, compared to the SLR versions of the Zeiss glass, is cine ergonomics. On the 50 and 85mm it hardly matters, the ZF and ZF.2 both have great ergonomics once you put a ring on them- assuming you don't want to pull aperture. (Big assumption eh?)

On the 35mm and wider, you may be doing yourself a great favor by looking at these lenses. They are the best thing going for DSLR's right now.

You can switch the lens mounts- so why you would choose to use it on a Birger with RED is a mystery to me... I'd rather switch it to PL mount and use it with RED that way and use the EF mount for Canon DSLR's only.

Compared to the RPP's what you are paying for is the ability to swap between mounts. If you must use both DSLR and PL mount cameras, its a very smart economical move.

Right now my lens plans:

RED 17-50mm PL mount

Zeiss CP.2 35, 50, 85 (swappable PL/EF mount for use with DSLR and RED.)

And either a Tamron 17-50 or Canon 17-55 EF-S lens for the DSLR.

Two Tokina 11-16's. One in EF mount and another PL converted.

I am intrigued by both Angeniuex and Zeiss's swappable mount offerings for zoom lenses, but I'm having a hard time justifying those lenses in my mind right now compared to the RED 17-50. For the money, I'd spend on one of those lenses, I can buy a RED Body/CF module, Bomb EVF and a RPZ 17-50.

Far future plans include a short f/2 PL zoom (Cooke 15-40 or Fujinon 14.5-45, haven't seen the Fujinon yet though) and a set of Leica PL primes (which I think are "just" ~$10,000 each)

 

[Tobias Straka]

You can switch the lens mounts- so why you would choose to use it on a Birger with RED is a mystery to me... I'd rather switch it to PL mount and use it with RED that way and use the EF mount for Canon DSLR's only.

Compared to the RPP's what you are paying for is the ability to swap between mounts. If you must use both DSLR and PL mount cameras, its a very smart economical move.

I agree, but remember, you'll always have to do a proper colimation, swapping mounts itself will take around 10 minutes, then you need to figure out what shims you'll need. Yes it's easy, but especially in the beginning, this process is time-consuming... PDF for changing mounts: http://www.zeiss.com/C12575690045D103/EmbedTitelIntern/MountChangeInstructionsCP.2/$File/MountChangeInstructionsCP2_EN.pdf

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

Options

Options

I've actually done all of the above- Made EOS mounts for RPPs.
Made PL2EOS adapter for RPPs so you can use them on unmodified Canons.
No (EOS)remounting necessary for lenses while swapping from RED to DSLR.
It actually beats me why Zeiss did not do this..
I sell all the products mentioned.
See pics..

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

I agree, but remember, you'll always have to do a proper colimation, swapping mounts itself will take around 10 minutes, then you need to figure out what shims you'll need. Yes it's easy, but especially in the beginning, this process is time-consuming... PDF for changing mounts: http://www.zeiss.com/C12575690045D103/EmbedTitelIntern/MountChangeInstructionsCP.2/$File/MountChangeInstructionsCP2_EN.pdf

Well I suppose that depends on how often you have to switch them.

Of course... we should all be checking out OptiTek's adaptor lineup right now...