Zeiss CP.2

[Ryan Flesher]

Brian,
I have the 24mm and 35mm Zeiss Cp.2 EF mount lenses. I use them with my 5d and like them. No they are not perfect but for the money and the mount choices they will work well with my Scarlet EF mount when she comes (SO 1134).

My thought is:

The Red Lenses are far superior for sure. But only come in PL mount and are much heavier and more expensive.

Since I bought the EF Scarlet (because I have the cp.2 and several Canon EF lenses), I don't see another option for video lenses that have good focus and iris rings with professional type throws.
If I ever get a super high paying gig, or before I shoot my feature in 2013, I'll probably get the PL mount for my scarlet and rent master primes.
Didn't you get the TI Canon mount? If so, are you going to get a Pl mount as well for the Red lenses?

Ryan

 

[Brian Iannone]

Don't think about the 5d fields of view. It's an exception, not the rule in motion. The 35mm frame and cine field of view is what you have to get used to . Trying to convert will get confusing.

Okay, that helps. I've been confusing myself with the whole crop factor thing and multiplying numbers, etc. Thank you for that clarification.

Brian,
I have the 24mm and 35mm Zeiss Cp.2 EF mount lenses. I use them with my 5d and like them. No they are not perfect but for the money and the mount choices they will work well with my Scarlet EF mount when she comes (SO 1134).

My thought is:

The Red Lenses are far superior for sure. But only come in PL mount and are much heavier and more expensive.

Since I bought the EF Scarlet (because I have the cp.2 and several Canon EF lenses), I don't see another option for video lenses that have good focus and iris rings with professional type throws.
If I ever get a super high paying gig, or before I shoot my feature in 2013, I'll probably get the PL mount for my scarlet and rent master primes.
Didn't you get the TI Canon mount? If so, are you going to get a Pl mount as well for the Red lenses?

Ryan

Thanks for the reply. I'm not too concerned about lens compatibility between my DSLRs and Scarlet. While the replaceable lens mount on the CP.2 series was something that I though could be very convenient, I've heard too many things about the quality compared to the RPPs and RPZs. Of course, I need to try them for myself so I can see how I like them, but as a primary lens, I think I'll just go with an RPZ. Or maybe a RPP... Decisions, decisions...

I will, however, get a Zeiss lens (probably a CP.2) to use as a primary lens on my DSLRs so I can slowly replace my current Canon lenses.

By the way, I didn't know that there was a 24mm CP.2?

And, yes, I actually do have an order for a Ti Canon Mount. But, I'm replacing it with a Ti PL Mount and I'll wait to get a Al Canon Mount when they're released so I can try a few of my Canon lenses.

Thanks again.

 

[Ryan Flesher]

Sorry,
Typo 28mm (no 24mm).

Ryan

 

[Brian Iannone]

Sorry,
Typo 28mm (no 24mm).

Ryan

Oh, okay.

 

[Kemalettin Sert]

personally i would recommend Zeiss ZF set.
anyone knows duclos modifies Zeiss ZFs interchangeble? (both pl and nikon mount)

 

[Justin Marx]

Thanks much for the offer Justin, I'm going to be cutting my CP2's over to PL for the first time (i'm getting a PL scarlet, I am a canon guy right now) ... the youtube's on how to do do the lense conversion seem fairly obvious ... but I may have to give you a yell when I get the scarlet and do the backfocus.

Honestly the first time I did it I brought it to my local camera house and had the lens guy do it to show me how and what shims to use.. If possible i would reccomend that!! Or I can tell you what worked for me..

 

[Justin Marx]

Brian,
I have the 24mm and 35mm Zeiss Cp.2 EF mount lenses. I use them with my 5d and like them. No they are not perfect but for the money and the mount choices they will work well with my Scarlet EF mount when she comes (SO 1134).

My thought is:

The Red Lenses are far superior for sure. But only come in PL mount and are much heavier and more expensive.

Since I bought the EF Scarlet (because I have the cp.2 and several Canon EF lenses), I don't see another option for video lenses that have good focus and iris rings with professional type throws.
If I ever get a super high paying gig, or before I shoot my feature in 2013, I'll probably get the PL mount for my scarlet and rent master primes.
Didn't you get the TI Canon mount? If so, are you going to get a Pl mount as well for the Red lenses?

Ryan

The RPPS are good lenses, but "FAR SUPERIOR" I don't agree..

 

[Brian Iannone]

The RPPS are good lenses, but "FAR SUPERIOR" I don't agree..

Ooh... I see.

 

[D Fuller]

Brian, I think the worse thing you can do right now is spend a lot of money on lenses based on a lot of recommendations you read here. It's all good advice, and these are all fine lenses, but... Lens choice is a very personal, aesthetic thing. You are fond of telling us that you are 18 years old. One of the things that tells me (that and the questions you are asking) is that you need to spend some time with different lenses to find your own aesthetic, and to find which lenses will satisfy it. Don't buy anything right now. Or if you must, make it a general-purpose zoom like the Red 17-55 that you can use for general shooting and will be quite neutral in its presentation. (I believe you've said your camera is coming with a PL mount.)

Don't spend $20K+ on lenses right now.

Rent many different lenses. Find out how they look to you. Develop the eye to be able to judge what you like for yourself.

Check out these guys: Lensrentals.com they have CP.2s, Zeiss LWZs, Schneider C-Xs, and Cooke I/Panchros for rent. And make friends with a local rental house. They will have Zeiss superspeeds, standards, maybe Angineux Rouge zooms, and likely RPPs. You may be able to strike a weekend deal with them if the lenses are not busy.

You have discussed the value of film school. That's a whole different subject, but at your age, with your interest and level of experience, learning about the differences in lenses is a very important part of your education in cinematography. By owning one set of lenses, you'll stunt that education, because you'll use it for everything, and you won't know what any other lenses look like.

 

[Justin Marx]

Brian, I think the worse thing you can do right now is spend a lot of money on lenses based on a lot of recommendations you read here. It's all good advice, and these are all fine lenses, but... Lens choice is a very personal, aesthetic thing. You are fond of telling us that you are 18 years old. One of the things that tells me (that and the questions you are asking) is that you need to spend some time with different lenses to find your own aesthetic, and to find which lenses will satisfy it. Don't buy anything right now. Or if you must, make it a general-purpose zoom like the Red 17-55 that you can use for general shooting and will be quite neutral in its presentation. (I believe you've said your camera is coming with a PL mount.)

Don't spend $20K+ on lenses right now.

Rent many different lenses. Find out how they look to you. Develop the eye to be able to judge what you like for yourself.

Check out these guys: Lensrentals.com they have CP.2s, Zeiss LWZs, Schneider C-Xs, and Cooke I/Panchros for rent. And make friends with a local rental house. They will have Zeiss superspeeds, standards, maybe Angineux Rouge zooms, and likely RPPs. You may be able to strike a weekend deal with them if the lenses are not busy.

You have discussed the value of film school. That's a whole different subject, but at your age, with your interest and level of experience, learning about the differences in lenses is a very important part of your education in cinematography. By owning one set of lenses, you'll stunt that education, because you'll use it for everything, and you won't know what any other lenses look like.

Agree 100%

 

[Mike Halper]

Brian, I think the worse thing you can do right now is spend a lot of money on lenses based on a lot of recommendations you read here. It's all good advice, and these are all fine lenses, but... Lens choice is a very personal, aesthetic thing. You are fond of telling us that you are 18 years old. One of the things that tells me (that and the questions you are asking) is that you need to spend some time with different lenses to find your own aesthetic, and to find which lenses will satisfy it. Don't buy anything right now. Or if you must, make it a general-purpose zoom like the Red 17-55 that you can use for general shooting and will be quite neutral in its presentation. (I believe you've said your camera is coming with a PL mount.)

Don't spend $20K+ on lenses right now.

Rent many different lenses. Find out how they look to you. Develop the eye to be able to judge what you like for yourself.

Check out these guys: Lensrentals.com they have CP.2s, Zeiss LWZs, Schneider C-Xs, and Cooke I/Panchros for rent. And make friends with a local rental house. They will have Zeiss superspeeds, standards, maybe Angineux Rouge zooms, and likely RPPs. You may be able to strike a weekend deal with them if the lenses are not busy.

You have discussed the value of film school. That's a whole different subject, but at your age, with your interest and level of experience, learning about the differences in lenses is a very important part of your education in cinematography. By owning one set of lenses, you'll stunt that education, because you'll use it for everything, and you won't know what any other lenses look like.

This is really good advice. Sometimes you can even go into some rental houses and use the lenses there if they're not busy (the lenses themselves and the rental facility). Their hope is that you'll use the lenses there and when it comes time for you to rent the lenses for a shoot you'll rent from them. Not every rental house will do that, but some will and it will let you get a feeling for the lenses, though probably not under optimum lighting conditions. But it's still an opportunity without as much expense. But definitely try a lot of lenses before you buy. But if you have the spare money to spend on the lenses and can use them to get yourself more jobs then it's an investment that could pay for itself and then some, and eventually let you upgrade to whatever you later find you like more. And once you start getting those jobs, there's no reason why you couldn't get production to rent better lenses if the project calls for it and there's a budget for it. That will also let you get more experience with other lenses.

 

[PatrickFaith]

I've seen a lot of comments back and forth on film school ... but I think a huge advantage of film school is the ability to very cheaply check out a lot of different gear. It's real tricky to rent when your under 21 (yes it's doable, but it's not easy ... especially depending on where you live). Also rental really add's up ... and you don't really check out the best gear anyway (it's hard to just "play" with rental gear, since your normally under the $ clock to do something).

You don't have to go to the most awesome film school to get really cheap rental rates as a student. Often the mid-tier schools have great gear. Just going to school ... many rental places give you better rates. ( ... i.e. night school counts as far as gear rental and rental rates, not sure if their is a internet school that has rentals though).

 

[Brian Iannone]

Brian, I think the worse thing you can do right now is spend a lot of money on lenses based on a lot of recommendations you read here. It's all good advice, and these are all fine lenses, but... Lens choice is a very personal, aesthetic thing. You are fond of telling us that you are 18 years old. One of the things that tells me (that and the questions you are asking) is that you need to spend some time with different lenses to find your own aesthetic, and to find which lenses will satisfy it. Don't buy anything right now. Or if you must, make it a general-purpose zoom like the Red 17-55 that you can use for general shooting and will be quite neutral in its presentation. (I believe you've said your camera is coming with a PL mount.)

Don't spend $20K+ on lenses right now.

Rent many different lenses. Find out how they look to you. Develop the eye to be able to judge what you like for yourself.

Check out these guys: Lensrentals.com they have CP.2s, Zeiss LWZs, Schneider C-Xs, and Cooke I/Panchros for rent. And make friends with a local rental house. They will have Zeiss superspeeds, standards, maybe Angineux Rouge zooms, and likely RPPs. You may be able to strike a weekend deal with them if the lenses are not busy.

You have discussed the value of film school. That's a whole different subject, but at your age, with your interest and level of experience, learning about the differences in lenses is a very important part of your education in cinematography. By owning one set of lenses, you'll stunt that education, because you'll use it for everything, and you won't know what any other lenses look like.

This is really good advice. Sometimes you can even go into some rental houses and use the lenses there if they're not busy (the lenses themselves and the rental facility). Their hope is that you'll use the lenses there and when it comes time for you to rent the lenses for a shoot you'll rent from them. Not every rental house will do that, but some will and it will let you get a feeling for the lenses, though probably not under optimum lighting conditions. But it's still an opportunity without as much expense. But definitely try a lot of lenses before you buy. But if you have the spare money to spend on the lenses and can use them to get yourself more jobs then it's an investment that could pay for itself and then some, and eventually let you upgrade to whatever you later find you like more. And once you start getting those jobs, there's no reason why you couldn't get production to rent better lenses if the project calls for it and there's a budget for it. That will also let you get more experience with other lenses.

I've seen a lot of comments back and forth on film school ... but I think a huge advantage of film school is the ability to very cheaply check out a lot of different gear. It's real tricky to rent when your under 21 (yes it's doable, but it's not easy ... especially depending on where you live). Also rental really add's up ... and you don't really check out the best gear anyway (it's hard to just "play" with rental gear, since your normally under the $ clock to do something).

You don't have to go to the most awesome film school to get really cheap rental rates as a student. Often the mid-tier schools have great gear. Just going to school ... many rental places give you better rates. ( ... i.e. night school counts as far as gear rental and rental rates, not sure if their is a internet school that has rentals though).

Excellent, excellent advice everyone. This is why come to the forum. I don't know where else I'd be able to receive such incredible responses to my questions.