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Zeiss Super Speeds or Red Pro Primes?

S

Steve Roberts

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I have an upcoming project to shoot on an EPIC at 5K. I have not been able to find a definitive answer if the Zeiss Super Speeds or the RED Pro Primes will actually cover the entire sensor when shooting 5K.

Unfortunately, I won't have time to test the lenses on camera before making the decision.

Can anyone confirm coverage with either of the sets (ranging from 18mm to 85mm)?

Also, I read the SALT reviews on both lenses, any good or bad opinions on the characteristics of each set?


Thanks,

Steve Roberts
 
Both will cover 5k @ 16:9 or 2:40 crops. The super speeds are a bit more of a frisky look with lower contrast and a bit of CA and edge falloff when wide open. The RPP's are clean and good and a bit large and heavy. Clean = RPP's Interesting = Zeiss SS. After that it's up to your taste and the storytelling needs of the project. Both lens sets are very strong performers at T2.8 - T11. Focus marks on RPP's are just OK. Of course if you need T1.3 the Speeds are the way to go.
Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
 
no debate... superspeeds... but only mkII or mkIII.. atay away from the 3 bladed iris on the mkI, and the hideous triangular bokeh
 
I have both but ever since I bought the Epic I've been using SSs because they are much lighter. RPPs are like having MPs. Very good but heavier.
 
Don't be afraid of the 3 blade iris of the mark I super speeds. It's funky/groovy and kind of fun.

Mark IIIs are a joy to work with.

for the price RPP give you the absolute cleanest image.
 
DID YOU KNOW!!!!!

That RED lenses could have been made smaller and lighter...
But RED choose to make them big because they look more PRO...

If RED re=made those lenses slightly smaller and lighter than the ARRI ULTRA primes. I'd buy 2 sets in a heart beat!

RED PRIMES are pin sharp and eat Super speeds in optical quality... FACT!!!! I know this because I use them both.
But the super speeds are Bright and small... Thats why I use them alot. RED PRIMES Are just to bloody big and heavy for F1.9 lenses. It's there only fault. Optically almost as good at the famous Leica's. RED nailed optical quality!

Come on RED. Think smart guys. SMALL CAMERA, SMALL EVF, SMALL batteries, Small and powerful everything.... bring out some small bright glass. 18 up to 135mm please all at 1.4.... Finish the puzzle !!!

To answer your question Steve..
If its a tripod styled shoot and you want pin sharp images at F1.9... use the RED PRIMES.
If its a hand held shoot and fast moving in low light... Use the MKIII super speeds...

PS... Consider the 17-35 RED ZOOM and the 50 to 150 RED ZOOM...
Small. Pin sharp and both F2.8. I have shot mammoth jobs on these and super fast to work with!
Only use primes with bright Fstops if you want shallow dept of feild or shooting in low light... other wise.. they are not needed.

:))))))

I_love_my_EPIC.jpg
 
Mark Toia said:
PS... Consider the 17-35 RED ZOOM and the 50 to 150 RED ZOOM...
Small. Pin sharp and both F2.8. I have shot mammoth jobs on these and super fast to work with!
Only use primes with bright Fstops if you want shallow dept of feild or shooting in low light... other wise.. they are not needed.
Click to expand...

Amen,

Those are my go-to workhorses!
 
Mark Toia said:
DID YOU KNOW!!!!!

That RED lenses could have been made smaller and lighter...
But RED choose to make them big because they look more PRO...
Click to expand...

That's a strong statement. Why do you believe this to be the case? I think size is the number one complaint about the RPP's, so I hope your theory isn't correct. That would be a weak business move on RED's part.
 
Julio Quintana said:
That's a strong statement. Why do you believe this to be the case? I think size is the number one complaint about the RPP's, so I hope your theory isn't correct. That would be a weak business move on RED's part.
Click to expand...

Always started from a rumour.... but this one was from close to the source.

At the end of the day. if Ziess can make a small bright prime, so can RED... It's as simple as that.

Red are the real deal and can probably better many companies with design, buying power, production methods etc...

They will bring out AF / Manual combo lenses soon.. (hopefully small, bright and light) that will smoke the competition.
They read the forums and they know that lens weight and size is a massive problem. The will change there thinking for the next round of glass, I can assure you of that.

There small ZOOMs (50 to 150 is the best) are the testament to being able to make good glass in small packages. The RED primes with less glass in them and only F1.9 were just a mistake. Sometimes cool looks does not fit into usability.

They know that now.

I'm just really keen to see the next phaze for them in the lens department.

I'm not satisfied with any primes I have at the moment...

Something like a ULTRA prime size with F1.3 brightness, light weight and affordable with the same size front diameters... Pin sharp like the RED primes, Covers 6k... and you have my money.
 
Thanks everyone for your input!

I agree that the RPP's are very heavy for what they are, but if they perform well I'll give them a close look.
 
Toia.

What do you think about the Leicas? I'm assuming they hit all your boxes. Except price. Thoughts?
 
Production ready complete Leica Summilux-C sets are finally hitting the states. There are a few in town I know of. The only glass I've been able to test so far was the 40mm and I quickly started an evil plot to rob a bank. On top of that, their size is just so dead on. One day soonish I'm hoping to shoot charts of the entire set at different distances and do some flare/glare tests.
 
Evin Grant said:
I find supers soft until T2.8, I personally prefer Standard speeds (T2.1).
Click to expand...

+1 on this, I was a little underwhelmed by superspeeds in low light. Could have been the set or the rented camera, but they were soft. I would personally go with RPP if the choice were mine.
 
I see that they are not available Patrick - I am really curious about them going missing from the store. Must be a new version on its way.

I did do a test with the RPPs and they do look great... but are heavy. Adding the 18-50 zoom for the few handheld shots we are going to have might do the trick!
 
Nathaniel Kramer said:
no debate... superspeeds... but only mkII or mkIII.. atay away from the 3 bladed iris on the mkI, and the hideous triangular bokeh
Click to expand...

See I think the triangular booked looks awesome!

Funny some folks really despise it.
 
I just I picked up another RPP, it's the 18mm size - I am super impressed by it. Virtually no breathing, awesome optics ... it's basically turned into my favorite lens overnight. (it completely slays my CP2's of that mm size). At T1.8 it's totally clean, and has a great "feeling" bokeh (it's a bit different from the rpp 35). I mean ... i'm probably gushing ... but this 18mm is special (Nar ... my RED rep ... you put some pixie dust on it?), I'm always on a big setup so the extra weight of it isn't noticeable ... I wounder why more people aren't in love with this lens(I mean this is something i'm going to keep forever, kind of places me on a quest to collect all the RPP lenses).
 
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