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Zeiss or Xeen

C

Carl Epstein

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Does anyone have any experience with these 2 lenses. I feel the price is pretty close relatively. I dont mind spending a little extra on the cp2 50 2.1 but I am looking for the sharpest picture quality. The Xeen is the 1.5 cinema 50 or set of 3 lenses. The cp2 does not come in a set but I would probably start with a 50mm. The question is more about picture quality than price in this price range.

Thanks.
 
I love my CP2 set!!!
 
"ABX"

anything but Xeen.

Canon cinema Eos are pretty good in this price range. Also, if thinking of starting with a 50mm - consider the SLRmagic APO. It's GREAT for the money.

xeen suck big time.

if you need cheap lenses, Rokinons are literally the exact same as xeens and dirt cheap.
 
I'm very happy with my CP.2 lenses too. Great build quality. They're lightweight, sharp (with nearly 300 degree focus rotation) and they have a pleasing bokeh. There is a video online somewhere that compares the build quality of the Xeen to the CP.2...it's worth watching before you buy.
Cheers.
 
I've heard nothing but good about the latest version of the CineAlta primes. And at $12000 for a set of 5, the price can't be beat either.
 
The new Sonys do sound like the price/performance king at their crazy discount price. But they are a lot bigger and heavier than the CP.2s.

I had a set of the Zeisses, and loved them for their small size, superb mechanics and lovely the lovely pictures they made. I have a set of the Rokinons that I keep on hand for moments when I desperately need the T/1.5 stop, but can't afford to rent better lenses - and they do very well for the price, but the image is certainly not as nice as the Zeiss glass.

If you need the superspeed aspect, well the CP.2s only give you a 35mm, 50mm and 85mm (so nothing very wide), whilst the Xeens offer a 24mm - so that might be an issue to consider.

That said though, the 21mm and 85mm CP.2s are absolute peaches - and any set that includes those lenses will make you happy.
 
i know the zeiss milvus lenses aren't cinema lenses but how would you guys compare them to the xeens if you were strictly comparing image quality alone? Sorry it's off topic.
 
Carl Epstein said:
Does anyone have any experience with these 2 lenses. I feel the price is pretty close relatively. I dont mind spending a little extra on the cp2 50 2.1 but I am looking for the sharpest picture quality. The Xeen is the 1.5 cinema 50 or set of 3 lenses. The cp2 does not come in a set but I would probably start with a 50mm. The question is more about picture quality than price in this price range.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I do not like CP2, but a matter of taste, but I love the Master Prime, and Superspeed.
Ok I got this set one month ago, I was curious to see. I must say that for the price great satisfaction, in addition to being fast, focus 360 degrees, lightweight and no vignetting to 6k and ready 8k.

shoot with Xeen and Dragon , take a look.
https://vimeo.com/154430018
 
Dan Kanes said:
"ABX"

anything but Xeen.

if you need cheap lenses, Rokinons are literally the exact same as xeens and dirt cheap.
Click to expand...


Dan thanks for your comment,

I never heard such a strong argument against the Xeen. I own the Rokinon and I thought the xeen had special coating wich would change the optical performance of the Rokinon desing. You say they perform exactly the same. So on your experience they didn't get any better than Rokinons?
Have you made any side by side test that you could share?

Thanks
Pat
 
If you have narrowed down to just the two, Zeiss CP2 and Xeen, you would be better off with the Zeiss, the Xeen bokeh is far from being pretty. I like the Schneider Xenon FF, similar to the Zeiss they are 14-blade, but they are all the same size. The focus falls off quickly and they produce a very pleasant classic/modern image with one of the best bokeh.

They are worth thinking about.

PS

If you go for the CP 2, try the 50mm Macro, it a better lens than the standard 50mm
 
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Great comments. It seems everyone is very passionate about lenses. So the camera is just the vehicle and the glass is where the personality comes in. I wasn't thinking I would spend as much as the Scarlet W or more on the glass. lol
 
My biggest issue with Xeen is this:

Way overpriced for what they've done, and I actually think they took a step backwards.

I was part of the influence convincing them to produce the Samyang/ Rokinon Cine line beginning with some communication back in 2007/2008. I don't expect a medal, but a single tester review lens, or a T-Shirt would have been a nice thank you and I wouldn't feel the need to take this stance. The lenses are cheap enough that I bought them anyway. If they charged 3 times the retail price of a Cine DS, they would still make a huge margin on them.

personal rant over.

I think the coatings actually GOT WORSE. Personally can't stand the color rendition. They aren't cool or Warm, they're excessively neutral, but they also have an ugly magenta/green thing going on that I personally can't stand- but I'm the same way about Sony default coloring.

So, if you hate Sony color in all of their technical demo videos like I Do, you might find these lenses to be similar.

To me, it's a very "feeble" feeling color - not rich and robust.

If Xeen will send me a 50mm Rokinon and Cine DS lens (temporarily) I will shoot it against a bunch of other 50's.

Dont get me wrong - it's impressive to make aspherical glass as cheap as they have, but if they licensed some better coating technology from lomo or zenit for a mark2 set they would probably be something I could look at again.

the SLR Magic APO 50 just murders the Xeen, it has character, is sharp and I would put it on par with lenses between 4 and 8 times the price in terms of the "feeling" I get from the image. now if Andrew could just offer a slip on front cap and rubber back cap I think it would be an improvement ;) and I hope he keeps up the series instead of getting distracted making more m4/3 or other lenses.

Heres a web spot I did with all Xeens, shot at T2.2-2.8 the whole spot. Used Light classic soft diffusion throughout.

https://vimeo.com/154946442


Again - not trying to sour anyone's milk here - if you have them and love them I am happy for you. I would just encourage you to consider the Cine DS first if Xeen is your first choice, and then look at some of the other budget options I think your money can be much better spent and we need to send Samyang a message : 50% off your list price and they may be something to consider possibly.
 
I've only had the stills glass from both companies - Rokinon and Zeiss. I sold the Rokinons because the color rendition on Zeiss is much nicer - very crisp and defined colors. I felt like Rokinon had this mild, yellowish haze that permiated the image.

I believe Xeen is the same glass as the stills, just rehoused so I would expect the same colors.
 
Cp2 are sharp and less CA. I don't like xeen outside price. I'd try xenon and canon cine as well if you want full frame? Or I'd suggest save more for Cooke minis or even consider retro cookes? You dont need new lenses when there's tons of nice retro available too
 
Just for a differing opinion, I really hate the CP2s. They are soft wide open, low contrast, flare horribly (both easily and ugly). Really ugly lenses. The only thing I hate more than the CP2s is the canon still lenses like the 24-70. Again, soul less, ugly ugly flares.

If you are looking to get bargain basement lenses, I would go vintage used over these converted mid range still lenses.

That is my opinion, your millage may vary.

Nick
 
Nick, try the Xeens.

you'll hate them too

LOL.

24-70 v1 canon sucks. v2 24-70 is a different animal and has good microContrast and different flare characteristic.

Gene - I agree with your sentiments - it's all about the color. (And microContrast)
 
Don't buy the Xeens. Just don't. ...OK, that may be a bit harsh. They are OK for what they are, but the QC is terrible and they're plagued with a variety of issues. If you do decide to buy the Xeens, then get them from a good lens dealer like Duclos who takes the time to inspect and adjust each one before delivery. I have personally used the 50mm Xeen, bought it to test them out. It was garbage and I sent it back. For hardly any more money I can buy the Schneider Xenon FF 50mm or a bit more than that and go for the Zeiss CP.2 50mm 2.1 macro...

The Zeiss CP.2's are OK overall, quite nice mechanics and great size/ weight parameters. The issues I have with them is the range of optical characteristics and quality across the set. Some of the lenses in the series are absolutely amazing, like the 15mm. Some of them are total duds, like their 18mm. The good thing is the series is diverse and you can piece together a nice set with the best of the lenses.
 
Can anyone comment on the chromatic aberration on the Schneider Xenons when shooting wide open...
 
Honestly, my brother in law has a set of GL Optics rehoused Zeiss Contax lenses, and they are my favorite cine lenses in the sub-$15K bracket. Contrast is great. They're beautifully creamy. Not as soft as old Superspeeds, but not as sharp as newer Zeiss glass. It's a sweet spot for me.
 
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