Any RPZ 17-50/AF100 users out there?

J

jgardner

Active member
I have a bunch of stuff coming up and I'm thinking of getting this lens. I currently have cine modded nikons as well as a Nikon ED 17-35 2.8 (which is awesome and my go to lens) I'd like to start adding PL glass to my kit and I've heard good things.
 
mcgee - do you have an MB for your RPZ? The shear size of the thing has kept me from getting one (used), fearing that I'll have to sell my car to afford an MB big enough.
 
funny you should ask, I bought this lens about 2 weeks ago and love it. due to my budget I could not afford a PL kit (yet of course) so this lens was the next choice for a variable prime giving me and the client/director a lot of options for focal length.

some things I have noticed about the lens that may be handy to know.
- only 7 blade iris, wasnt too happy about that for the price of the lens. I love round bokeh but cant have it all. there is a reason primes are more than this lens. wide open though bokeh is circular, with slight hexing as you stop down.
- 180 degree focus throw. again, not too happy about it but the ring is quite large, you can get great cinematic throws still.
- all rings are super smooth and have great amount of grease for tension and resistance.
- breathing is evident but not a reason to discredit this lens. breathing will occur in this price range, but you get more for the price that i can let this go.
- lens casing for the internal 67mm lens is plastic. though this was odd for a lens of such price and pristine. everything else was aluminum, not sure why this would not be.

all in all i am super happy with the lens. it is made solid and the RED bomb squad reps are excellent help. i dont think i will ever sell this lens, even with a prime kit this lens will be a perfect go to lens for years to come.

I am using it with solid camera PL system, photos in the rig post section. good luck!
 
I keep the RPZ 17-50 on the camera pretty much all the time, with a Hot Rod. I love the lens, tho it does breath. Love the feel of the mechanics. I don't really need anything longer, all I need is the Duclos for the wide side. My cheapo matte box won't fit it, but the glass is a bit recessed, so I haven't had a problem yet not having a matte box. I was lucky enough to find it used, and was worth every penny. Go for it!

You may consider the RPZ 18-50 - tho the mechanics are supposedly not as good as the 17-50, it's not supposed to be THAT bad. And they, as well as the DiiOptical, version is around $2500-3000 used.
 
Barry_Green said:
The redrock mattebox is big enough for any lens I've ever thrown at it. The redrock is one of the biggest matteboxes going, and it's not car-priced...
Click to expand...

Hmmm. I sold mine RRMB :)

It was quite heavy and bulky. Love the little Chrosziel I have now, but it's definitely not gonna work for the RPZ.

My Epic-owning buddy has a RED MB on his - might check that out.

mcgee - any grabs or work from your AF/RPZ combo out there yet?
 
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