Can I mix lenses from different companies for one film?

T

taaltrek

Member
I've already made a post asking about using ziess CP.2 lenses for a film I'm going to be working on. I've been considering other options since it sounds like there will be some complications to using the CP.2 lense (need for a lens support, lenses are stiff, have to rent the lenses instead of own them, etc . . .) My question is, if I use a wide assortment of lenses, will it be noticeable if the film is published in HD (1080p)? I would probably use something like this

Olympus OM 28mm 2.0 and 50mm 1.8
Panasonic 14mm pancake (for steadicam shots, and wide angle
Panasonic 14-140
Panasonic 20mm pancake
Panasonic 7-14
Olympus 4/3 14-35 f2 (not sure if I have the budget for this lens.

Anyway, my question is, would this setup work. Would it be obvious when I switched lenses? Could I throw in an old canon FD 85mm as well and get away with it? I've never personally been able to see the differences between lenses without seeing a direct comparison, but I don't want the movie I make to look bad to the discerning viewer.
 
Different lenses are used all the time in films. As long as you are keeping to the artistic look you want to achieve with the use of your lenses, I don't think it will be a problem.
Usually you change lenses when you want to change focal lengths or scenes, so I don't think it'll turn off your viewer.
 
Though I haven't used the Olly lenses you mentioned, I believe all of the Olly and Panny lenses you said will match up pretty easily. I haven't used the FD 85mm. I have used the 50mm 1.8, but your 85mm is a much nicer lens than that 50. Having said that, the 85mm might give you an issue with softness and contrast in comparison. If you have the budget, just get an HD monitor or video village set up to check sharpness/ softness and contrast. I recently used that 50mm FD for the first time and the footage was pretty soft at full res, but I couldn't tell on the small screen. I was able to match it decently in post, though.

I'm sure you'll do color grading, so if it's off a little bit, you just fix it. But it'll take less time the better it matches in camera.
 
I would check them for color accuracy and contrast under different light conditions before making a final decision. They may be fine. However, even different lenses from the same manufacturer from different eras can vary wildly.
 
phudsontx said:
I would check them for color accuracy and contrast under different light conditions before making a final decision. They may be fine. However, even different lenses from the same manufacturer from different eras can vary wildly.
Click to expand...

Ditto.
Also shoot a little chart at the beginning of each scene to aid in post color matching.
 
Okay, so as long as I'm careful, lens mixing shouldn't be an issue? This would make my life a lot simpler that shooting with the CP.2 lenses. Now i just have to talk with my director and see what he thinks.
 
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