Lenses for HPX 500

[raphavf]

Hi All
About the lenses for the HPX500, what do you think about the cannon "
KJ16x7.7B-IRSD HDgc 16x 2/3" with 2x Extender ?
I'm waitting for help.

[raphavf]

No one??:undecided

[Mac]

I think I responded to this question in another forum, I assumed it was you - to the best of my knowledge the production version of this lens hasn't hit the shore yet.. but, knowing Canon, it's probably a decent choice... I ordered the Canon (w/o 2X) - but I needed to start shooting and settled for the Fujinon...

I believe it was Robert Lane or Barry, who used the prototype of this Canon lens early on and thought it was pretty good...

[Barry_Green]

I used the Canon w/2x on the preproduction HPX500 up at the Iditarod. It's decent, but it breathes a lot. I got to play with the Fujinon w/doubler at Broadcast Asia, and I think I'd probably prefer it over the Canon but without having them side-by-side there's no way to really know for sure.

[mule ferguson]

I received the Fujinon/2x with my HPX2000. I wanted the Canon but is was not available at WH Platts, so they gave me the Fujinon. I have been very pleased so far.
Mule Ferguson

[joe 1008]

Hello Mule! What´s about breathing with that lens?

[Icarus2005]

It's simple really, they don't want anyone to have a lens that doesn't beathe for under 20 grand.

since all the lenses offered from both Fuji and Canon are under to 10k marke, they are all made to breathe like crazy so they can protect their high end lenses.

Just like pany could easily have put variable rate in the SPX2000, but they want to protect their flagship Varicam.

Anyone that uses this camera for filmic work though wouldn't think of using those lenses, and like me will rent digiprimes.

[smelni]

there are ways of managing the breathing of a lens once you understand the DOF tables and how different focal lengths can be used since the breathing is far less apparant, and sometimes not there at longer focal lengths

[joe 1008]

If breathing is inevitable and contrast, cromatic aberration and resolution of the Fujinon is similar to the Canon I will go with the cheaper Fujinon and save 1,5 grands and spend them somewhere else. (Fo example for a lightweight dolly that could buffer the breathing...)

[mule ferguson]

,I really have'nt noticed this.
Mule
.



If breathing is inevitable and contrast, cromatic aberration and resolution of the Fujinon is similar to the Canon I will go with the cheaper Fujinon and save 1,5 grands and spend them somewhere else. (Fo example for a lightweight dolly that could buffer the breathing...)

[joe 1008]

So the cheapest option seems to be the best choice? What a rare and beautiful perspective. :smile:

[raphavf]

Thank You...I have already ordered at this time...I hope I dont regret.
I'm just waiting...and ancious to test

[raphavf]

Well thinking better... whats the better choice??? For generally use...Help me please...I've changed my mind and my order and I have to decide.

[jonnyh1968]

So what are the medium to high end lenses? (excluding the primes)

[Noel Evans]

Im currently seriously considering http://www.fujinon.co.jp/jp/products/tvlens/hd/ha21-7.8e.htm

Running around $25k here in Japan. I know what I am looking for and this would seem to deliver - havent seen it first hand however. Need to test one. But I am also factoring in the thought that cameras may all move to cmos down the track and TBH I have no idea if this lense will be appropriate for that technology when it comes - anyone care to add some known info on that?

Barry, what are your thoughts on this point: the HPX with a high quality lense v next camera up with a lower quality HD lense.

[Cees Mutsaers]

Can anyone give an overview of the available lenses for the HPX with the cons and pros and for wich type of shooting they are suited best?

[jonnyh1968]

yeah! what's up? Well it seems that the usual suspects carry the same packaged lenses which seem to achieve a mediocre grade among DVXuser patrons. Those CAC lens are:

- Canon KJ16ex7.7BIRSD (w/2x) : $12,000
- Canon KJ16ex7.7KRSD (wo/2x): $8,000
- Fujinon XA17x7.6BERM (w/2x) : $8,300
- Canon KJ20x8.5KRS (wo/2x): $7,000
- Fujinon XA17x7.6BERM-M58B (wo/2x): $6,500


Then theres the lens Noel wants but the price is significantly higher:

- Fujinon HA21x7.8BERM/BERD: $25,000


It seems the 2/3inch lens market is very confusing (in a good way).. So the first set of lens's I listed are CAC but not official HD glass? But Noel's is HD ? ? ? ? Can someone elaborate?

Lost in translating lens code,
Jonnyh1968

[Barry_Green]

CAC lenses *are* official HD glass. See my CAC article for more info.

But I wouldn't recommend putting a CAC lens on a non-CAC body.

[Noel Evans]

Yes thanks for the article Barry. Clarified a couple points for me. Im still up in the air, though it would seem that a good operator with a CAC lense could compensate and negate (almost) the 25k outlay Im talking about. The other thing is I have no idea how the lense model numbers correlate here in Japan as they seem to be different.

EDIT: And I want a 20xzoom.

[Cees Mutsaers]

Thanks Jonnyh1968,

A side from the zoom range what are the differences between the lenses ??
Does it depend on the type of footage you are shooting which lens you need?



yeah! what's up? Well it seems that the usual suspects carry the same packaged lenses which seem to achieve a mediocre grade among DVXuser patrons. Those CAC lens are:

- Canon KJ16ex7.7BIRSD (w/2x) : $12,000
- Canon KJ16ex7.7KRSD (wo/2x): $8,000
- Fujinon XA17x7.6BERM (w/2x) : $8,300
- Canon KJ20x8.5KRS (wo/2x): $7,000
- Fujinon XA17x7.6BERM-M58B (wo/2x): $6,500


Then theres the lens Noel wants but the price is significantly higher:

- Fujinon HA21x7.8BERM/BERD: $25,000


It seems the 2/3inch lens market is very confusing (in a good way).. So the first set of lens's I listed are CAC but not official HD glass? But Noel's is HD ? ? ? ? Can someone elaborate?

Lost in translating lens code,
Jonnyh1968

[Icarus2005]

next week I'll be on a shoot with fuji digi primes. I look forward to seeing how those work. I've used the zeiss before but feel they are too expensive for what they deliver, not worth it. The fugi are much better priced so I might consider them if they don't breath and have a nice look.

[bruce edits]

So what are the medium to high end lenses? (excluding the primes)
I do not have HD lenses, but my experience with my DSR500ws and broadcast Canon vs. Pro-series Canon lenses might be helpful. A few years ago, I bought the Sony and was going to buy a Canon KRS 18x "Professional" zoom. I asked the salesman at the store what the difference was between this $2000 pro lens and Canon's $12,000 broadcast lens. He went in back and took out their J16xs8BIRS demo zoom and put it on the camera. Wow! It was like night and day! Where the Pro lens was rough edged and contrast-y, the broadcast lens was smooth and even and the image detail level was tremendous. I get little breathing in focus and the colors are true and clean. I bought that lens and never regretted spending more for the lens than the camera body. I know $25,000 seems like a whole lot, but if you are a professional and need to deliver the highest quality image, spend the extra money and make it back through giving your clients that extra quality. Word of mouth will keep you busy. You can always keep the lens when you upgrade to a higher-grade camera.

[jonnyh1968]

So "Broadcast Lens" means what exactly? And is there any reccomendations for a 10-15 K lens for the HPX500? What is a good online lens store that has everything and explains everything?

[bruce edits]

Broadcast series lenses, from Canon and Fujinon, are their highest quality glass. The number of elements, their coatings and groupings, plus the mechanicals are superior to the cheaper Pro-series and CAC series siblings. Go to a high quality camera dealer, like Abel Cine and ask to see the same camera body, such as the HPX500 and compare a CAC lens to a $30,000 Canon or Fujinon HD lens in a still life setup, lit the same, and you'll see the difference in image quality. Is it worth the price differential? That is a decision that is based on many factors, from client expectations to cost/benefit analysis.