Do quality doco lenses exist for S35 documentary?

T

Tylr

New member
I have spent countless hours researching lenses for large sensor documentary. Optics don't seem to be able to give me a top quality ENG style zoom with good range, IS, and light weight.

The closest I found was the relatively cheap Sony zoom created for the F3. It does pretty much what I'm after, excep that it is an absolute beast of a thing, aperture ramps, front element moves back and forth and ultimately the image quality is average. is there anything else out there?

I realise that I might have to settle for a set of lenses instead and though I own some old Nikons I'm sick of their Nikon focus action. I'd like to invest in something with longevity and Leica R's with a steady rig of sorts might be the best option for quality zoom glass with a manual iris.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
I haven't used it but many people rave about the 18-80 Fujino Alura and the Cabrio, pretty much rental territory. If you are looking to own it is in practical terms necessarily stills lenses, both the Nikon and Canon 80-200 f2.8s are quite good (so is the Leica 70-180, good luck finding one at any price), the Duclos 11-16 is pretty good.

I'm faced with the same dilemma as I move to an S35 format camera, I think I could live with a Duclos 11-16, a Nikon 80-200 and make do in the middle with primes I already have.
 
I'll second Lyle in saying if cost was not a issue, the 19-90 Cabrio would be my first pick for docs. Until then, with my F3 I use a Nikon 80-200 2.8, Nikon 17-55 2.8, Tokina 11-16 and a Nikon 85 1.4 ais for most interviews. If the producer wants variable focal lengths during a interview I'll rent the Nikon 24-70 or use my 80-200 space permitting.

I was a Nikon still shooter for 20 years, so for me they focus in the "correct" direction.
 
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Thanks for your posts.

Fotojorno and macgregor, have you guys used the Alura? It's definitely not a lens for the sort of run and gun doco's I make, handholding any lens that's over 4kgs (10lbs) would quickly put me back on the sticks! No doubt the quality is there, but the Cabrio, lightweight Zeiss Zooms or the Canon 30-105 would be further up the list. Unfortunately the Cabrio is double what I could afford.

A couple of months ago I had the ear of Sony Camera head of development and asked whether we'd see a more improved version of the SCL-Z 14x Zoom lens in the near future. No love. It's either too hard, or people just don't see the market in it. I know broadcasters are interested in upgrading their ageing EX1's and 3's, and no doubt better lens options with a decent zoom and IS would help them make the leap.

The hunt continues...
 
The great hunt!

I dont know what camera you have.. it wont fit all.. but the metabones speed booster could help.

This makes certain older manual stills zooms 'work' doco shooting - if you define 'work' as a reasonable wide (18ish) and enough tele to isolate a subject/do a detail shot (70ish) and not have stupidly short focus throw.

Im a nikon man and just got a 28-85 http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/zoomsMF/2885mm.htm

There are various options that focus the other way contax and the old tokina/angie

To me the huge advantage of old lenses is that have decent long and smooth focus throw

S
 
Tylr said:
Thanks for your posts.

Fotojorno and macgregor, have you guys used the Alura? It's definitely not a lens for the sort of run and gun doco's I make, handholding any lens that's over 4kgs (10lbs) would quickly put me back on the sticks! No doubt the quality is there, but the Cabrio, lightweight Zeiss Zooms or the Canon 30-105 would be further up the list. Unfortunately the Cabrio is double what I could afford.

A couple of months ago I had the ear of Sony Camera head of development and asked whether we'd see a more improved version of the SCL-Z 14x Zoom lens in the near future. No love. It's either too hard, or people just don't see the market in it. I know broadcasters are interested in upgrading their ageing EX1's and 3's, and no doubt better lens options with a decent zoom and IS would help them make the leap.

The hunt continues...
Click to expand...

Apologies.. I accidentally wrote "Alura" instead of "Cabrio", just edited it. The Alura would be to much of a beast for the type of docs I work on.
 
It's though.

I have 3 docu lenses: wide Tokina 11-16, mid range Sigma 24-70, telephoto Sigma 50-150. I try to anticipate what i'll use most likely and go with the lens. Alternatively i out another of those lenses on 2nd body and let 2nd cam op pick up what my lens can't.
 
I would generally say that S35 was never designed for documentary style stuff in the first place. That's the domain of 2/3" camera - and you could buy a total F900 kit with lenses for less than the price of some nice PL glass.

Physics doesn't like you having a larger sensor and getting the same amount of light etc etc... to the chip.

Have you considered one of the HDx35 adapters, which let you use a 2/3" broadcast zoom on a PL mount camera? You can pick up an HJ11 dirt cheap, but it's up to you if you can live with the stop reduction.

After that, the Fuji Cabrio seems to be the first attempt to create a lens specifically for this market.

good luck!
 
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