Do I rent the Olympus 14-35mm or the Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 35mm/T2.1 first?

S

szimmer

Well-known member
Hello,

As many people on this forum who have pre-ordered or will buy the AF100 soon, I am very excited to test out the AF100 when it comes in the mail in January. :)

My big question is which lens should I rent first?

The Olympus 14-35mm or the Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 35mm/T2.1 first?

From lensrentals.com they are about the same price for 4 days. $148 (with shipping) versus $162 (with shipping). I have seen great sample footage from both.

I am leaning towards the Olympus since it can be used as a variable prime but boy the results from the Zeiss are tempting.

I will need one or the other for a video shoot indoors. Any advice?

Simon
 
Touch to answer that question unless we know what you are shooting? Is this for a specific job, or are you testing them with the intent of buying one? If it's the latter, then I recommend getting both so you can do a side-by-side (well as best as possible with 1 camera body) and decide which you want to own. If it's for a job, then it's hard to answer without knowing the variables of what you're shooting.

B
 
Benjamin Eckstein said:
Touch to answer that question unless we know what you are shooting? Is this for a specific job, or are you testing them with the intent of buying one? If it's the latter, then I recommend getting both so you can do a side-by-side (well as best as possible with 1 camera body) and decide which you want to own. If it's for a job, then it's hard to answer without knowing the variables of what you're shooting.

B
Click to expand...
Sorry about that. This is for a video project not for purchase. The product I am shooting is a rifle and a gun expert showing how well it shoots. The video shoot will be indoors at a shooting range and require mostly close up shots of the rifle and how it is maintained by the expert. Extra lighting may be added if required. There should not be any fast motion shots.

My current camera is the HMC-150. I don't have much practical experience with lenses especially anything as advanced as the Olympus or Zeiss lens when it comes to shooting video so any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Simon
 
Both lenses are great so the thing that separates them is a zoom vs proper aperture/focus rings in movie lens style.
 
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Hello,

Yeah, I feel I can't lose either way. I appreciate the input. Just wanted to make sure I was not forgetting something obvious.

Simon
 
May I ask anyone who has used one / owns one...

Does the Olympus 14-35 do a useable zoom in motion?

Does it hold focus thru the zoom range?
 
I played with it briefly during the Verse shoot. IIRC it doesn't hold perfect focus. It's better than my Canons, but still not a video lens.
 
From other postings the 14-35mm will only autofocus if the focus button is pressed, its not continuous. The focus motor is loud, and it will not maintain focus through its zoom range. But the camera can control iris. Also people say its like having excellent primes within its zoom range. So it is a fantastic lens, just not optimized for video.
 
I don't really see the debate. With the zoom, you get the same focal length as the 35mm CP and can achieve similar exposure. Plus you get the 14-34mm range that the prime won't give you.

The CP is a nice size lens that will make the rig look pretty, especially outfitted with rails, follow focus, etc. But it doesn't seem appropriate at all for this shoot. Personally, it seems restricting to have only one focal length considering the content you're seeking, mixed with the likelihood you'll need the flexibility you'd find with a camera similar to your HMC-150.
 
wbrock001 said:
From other postings the 14-35mm will only autofocus if the focus button is pressed, its not continuous. The focus motor is loud, and it will not maintain focus through its zoom range. But the camera can control iris. Also people say its like having excellent primes within its zoom range. So it is a fantastic lens, just not optimized for video.
Click to expand...

Treat it right and it's a lovely lens. IE, turn off autofocus, avoid zooms, etc.
 
Taylor Rudd said:
I don't really see the debate. With the zoom, you get the same focal length as the 35mm CP and can achieve similar exposure. Plus you get the 14-34mm range that the prime won't give you.

The CP is a nice size lens that will make the rig look pretty, especially outfitted with rails, follow focus, etc. But it doesn't seem appropriate at all for this shoot. Personally, it seems restricting to have only one focal length considering the content you're seeking, mixed with the likelihood you'll need the flexibility you'd find with a camera similar to your HMC-150.
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Agreed. Considering what you are shooting and your background with the HMC-150, I'd take a zoom. You may want some wider shots than what you can achieve with a 35mm prime (especially indoors where physical space is an issue).
 
Hello,

Thanks. Makes sense what everyone is saying.

Olympus it is. :) Don't zoom in or out during shooting and turn off autofocus and the quality should be very good.

For any zoom shots I will have my HMC-150 ready and should combine well with the af100 footage.

I can't wait!

Simon
 
Just saw this lens which may be interesting to try out too:

Panasonic 45mm f/2.8

Anyone have any experience with this one?

Thanks,

Simon
 
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