GEAR
BUYERS’ GUIDE
SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH XENON schneiderkreuznach.com
Schneider-Kreuznach has its Xenon series of primes in standard and Cine Tilt versions. On the Tilt lenses, the focal plane can be shifted, angling the lens to the camera body by up to 4° either way from standard by turning a dial. This allows the plane of focus to move up to 80°. It’s great for shooting products close- up, keeping them sharp at wide apertures. Xenon FF-Primes include 18mm T2.4, and 25, 35, 50, 75 and 100mm T2.1 lenses. A circular, 14-bladed aperture grants smooth bokeh, and precision focusing design ensures minimal breathing. The
manual focus markers are accurate, with 300° of barrel rotation. The Cine Tilt range is only available in E-mount and there are 25, 35, 50, 75 and 100mm T2.1 versions.
SAMYANG MF samyanglens.com
Samyang now has four ranges for full-frame, manual focus lenses ideal for video. The most affordable cine optics are the VDSLR MK2 range, available in 14mm T3.1; 24, 35, 50 and 85mm T1.5; as well as 135mm T2.2. These Mark II versions have improved weather sealing, focal lengths on both sides and nine aperture blades. A set of the 24, 35, 50 and 85mm lenses is £2677/$2346. The Xeen range consists of large cine primes suitable for 8K capture. The range is 14mm T3.1, 16mm T2.6, 20mm T1.9, 24, 35, 50 and 85mm T1.5, plus a 135mm T2.2. They all feature consistent optical performance. A set of the 14, 24, 35, 50 and 85mm is £7254/$8625. A smaller and lighter set of Xeen primes called the CF range is made with carbon- fibre composite within the lens barrel. These have a 95mm front section to fit a wider selection of matte boxes and new coatings to improve image quality. They are available in 16mm T2.6, as well as 24, 35, 50 and 85mm T1.5. The full set costs £8550/$10,975. Samyang’s latest range is the Xeen Premium. There is the Anamorphic 50mm T2.3 and Xeen Meister in 35, 50 and 85mm T1.3 – in Sony E, Canon EF and PL mounts. The 50mm T1.3 is £8280/$8495 and has a 13-blade aperture to create natural-looking backgrounds and round bokeh. Pros: Lots of different options Cons: Cheaper lenses are not the most advanced
Pros: 14-bladed iris for smooth bokeh
Cons: Cine Tilt can be awkward to master
SIGMA CINE PRIMES sigma-imaging-uk.com
Sigma’s range of full-frame primes and zooms shares many optical design features with its Art prime lenses, but re-housed in a traditional all-manual, metal body with a clickless aperture ring. The 11 primes from 20-135mm are all T1.5, while the 14mm is T2. They all come in PL, Sony E or Canon EF mounts. The markings can be specified in feet or metres. The nine-bladed iris produces smooth bokeh, with ghosting and flaring minimised. Each lens in the range offers consistent gear positions and 180° of barrel rotation. FF High Speed Primes feature a clickless iris with linear markings, dampeners on each gear ring for silent operation, 0.8M gear pitch and engraved markings in luminous paint for low-light visibility. Filter size is a consistent 82mm, while the front diameter of all lenses is 95mm. A 50mm model is £3332/$3499. Additionally, Sigma offers these lenses in a Classic range, with certain non-coated elements for a combination of low-contrast, vintage looks.
SAMYANG AF samyanglens.com
Samyang has two AF ranges, one for general use and a newer range called V-AF. The brand’s first AF lens was a 50mm f/1.4 for full-frame Sony, released seven years ago. Now, there is an improved Mark II model. Samyang boasts a range of AF lenses, but the new £599/$679 50mm is just 88.9mm long and weighs 420g. Samyang also has a second-gen 35mm f/1.4 AF prime for E-mount with a focus hold button. The lens is designed to minimise vibration and noise, with near-silent focus tracking. Plus there’s a new 24-70mm FE, the brand’s first AF zoom. New Samyang V-AF lenses offer a consistent size across the range, fast maximum aperture for shallow depth-of-field and smooth bokeh, a lack of focus breathing and an iris with no hard-click T stops – plus an all-manual focus mode with a precise, linear and tactile feel. All of this in AF lenses to fit Sony full-frame cameras. They can come in a set of all three – 24, 35 and 75mm.
Pros: Bargain lenses that perform Cons: Fly-by-wire manual focusing
Pros: Stunning image quality Cons: Only three mount options
79
PROMOVIEMAKER.NET
Powered by FlippingBook