Hi

I have recently purchased the Mini35 converter for my DVX100A, with the ziess contax mount. But I'm a little scared to purchase any lenses for it, because I don't know what is the best. So if anyone had any suggestions I would LOVE to here them.

thanks for you time.


Matt

It's difficult to go wrong with Zeiss glass, I say. However, because you have the Contax mount, you also have access to the cheapest way to build a nice wide array of lenses. You can get a Contax->M42 adapter, which lets you mount screw-mount lenses onto the mini35. There are lots of Zeiss Jena lenses out there in screwmount format, like the Distagon 20/2.8, the 35mm/2.4, the 50/1.8, the 80/1.8, the 135/3.5 and the 200/2.8. Those are the lenses I used with the DVX/mini35, and the results were superb.

Genuine Contax-mount Zeiss lenses will be newer-design and probably faster, but undeniably more expensive. The lenses I listed go on ebay for usually anywhere from $40 to $150, maybe up to $250 for the more rare ones (like the 80mm).

We used the mini35 with Zeiss SuperSpeed cine lenses, and also with the inexpensive M42-mount lenses (by using the M42->Contax adapter). Other than the cheap lenses being slower speed, it was nearly impossible to tell the difference between the pricey SuperSpeeds and the cheap still camera lenses. MiniDV cameras just don't have enough resolution to tell the difference, especially after being diffused by the ground glass in the mini35.

Thanks Barry,

Hey Barry

Is it possible to use a Phoenix Wide Angle 24mm f/2.8 Manual Focus Lens for Contax / Yashica, with the M42? And how good is Phoenix glass?

thanks

matt

Well, if it's for Contax/Yashica, then you could mount it directly to the mini35. There is no Contax-lens-to-screw-mount-body adapter, that I know of... it goes the other way, screw-mount-lens-to-Contax-body.

As for Phoenix glass, I've never heard of it.

Hi, I have just purchased a second hand mini35 300. And will be using my Xl1.
I've been looking around at lenses and came across a set of Zeiss Primes. These lenses are: 16-24-32-50-85-135 both Distagons and Planars, T stop 2.2/2.4 (135 is T4) in PL mount.

Will these lenses be fast enough for my mini 35?

If you have enough light, they will be fast enough. ;)









Actually, plenty fast for exterior, and fast enough for interior with the addition of a minimum of supplemental lighting. The Mini is a production tool that tends to benefit from all the things that go with shooting film. Like lighting. And these lenses are fast enough
to light for with units in a budgets price range. Kino flows, tweenies etc.

In an average top down flo- lit room, with these lenses, wide open, you would be just under a usable exposure. Ad a couple of fixtures to sex it up, and violla!!


The T4s a problem though for interior if your lit for your other lenses. It will need over twice as much light.

Thanks a lot Jason. I think if i can get him down a couple of hundred pounds from what he's asking. I'll go for it. :-)

Does the mini 35 accept an ARRI STD mount?

>>Does the mini 35 accept an ARRI STD mount?<<

I do not believe it does, however ARRI STD to PL adapters do exist. I would ask someone at ZGC if there are any specific considerations.

Apparently, P&S Technic recommend not using the Distagon lens series with their adapter. For what that's worth.

Did they say why? I mailed them about whether a PL mount to arri adapter would work, they said it "might work". I think i'll give these lenses a miss. Thanks for the info guys. You've saved me money and a headache.

I keep seeing Zeiss lenses for "Contax" cameras. Is that a motion picture lens, and if so, is it good for my Mini35? if not, what other affordable Zeiss lenses can you recommend? I am new, so please forgive me ignorance.

Thanks

Those are still camera lenses, and they are quite good. Recommendations to Zeiss lenses that you may have heard or read refer to the motion picture variety; if you are using still lenses, there are a host of other manufacturers that will deliver fine results as well as Zeiss (Nikon, Canon etc). If you have been looking at still lenses, there really aren't any "affordable" cine lenses, relatively speaking. You might find some offbeat Russian primes somewhere but they will likely cost signficantly more than still lenses.

Thanks Charles. I do have a few Nikon lenses, but they seem to be a bit dark, I pressume because they are still and not enough light comes in, so I wanted to get the Motion Picture lenses. I guess I have to wait until I can afford the Zeiss prime lenses.

Can you or somesle explain the main difference between Zeiss prime lenses and Nikon or Zeiss still lenses. Perhpas quality etc.

Thanks

Brian:

If your Nikons open to f1.4, then theoretically you should get the same light transmission as a Zeiss Superspeed that costs probably 10x as much (if the f-stop equals the same rated T-stop measurement). The differences between still and cine lenses do exist, much of it mechanically based, but for the purposes of shooting with a Mini35 you will probably be just as content with the still lenses as long as you are able to equip them to follow focus such as with Dan Diaconu's setup.

Brian:

If your Nikons open to f1.4, then theoretically you should get the same light transmission as a Zeiss Superspeed that costs probably 10x as much (if the f-stop equals the same rated T-stop measurement). The differences between still and cine lenses do exist, much of it mechanically based, but for the purposes of shooting with a Mini35 you will probably be just as content with the still lenses as long as you are able to equip them to follow focus such as with Dan Diaconu's setup.

I am equipped with a Chroszeil follow focus system and mattebox =) You actually cleared up a lot for me regarding lenses. Now I understand why they are called 35mm 1.4, 2.8 etc. The numbers correspond to the amount of light that come in. THANKS! I am also getting my Nikons geared soon to make use of the follow focus.

I am equipped with a Chroszeil follow focus system and mattebox =)

Good deal. Me too.

Thank you Charles, I owe you one! (gear?)

What about this... http://cgi.ebay.com/Cooke-4in-2-Panchrotal-Nikon-Mount_W0QQitemZ7533597742QQcategoryZ30063QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hi all,

Planning a show on the JVC HD-100 with a P+S Technik to control the depth of field issues that come with 1/3" cameras. Question is, what to put on the front end?

I've heard raves about the new Zeiss Digi Primes. Cooke S4's are already in a class by themselves. I'm wondering if anyone has had a chance to work with both, and what they'd go with next time.

If you can provide relative advantages of each, the detail would be very welcome.

Cheers,

Alex

The Zeiss Digi Primes are for use on 2/3" HD cameras like the Sony F900 and the Viper, so you wouldn't use them on a 35mm adapter. Although, you could mount them directly onto the HD 100 with the 2/3" adapter that is available.

The Digi Primes are the sharpest lenses you can use on a 2/3" camera, although Panavision with their Primo range of lenses might disagree.