Experiences with the Duclos modded ZeissZF.2 (Nikon) Primes

[Andrew Stone]

Hoping a few people here have had experiences with the Duclos Cine-mod ZeissZF.2 lenses.

Of particular interest is how the lenses perform in relation to true cinema lenses. Obviously these lenses turn in the opposite direction from Cine lenses. Would like to find out if there are breathing issues with some of the lenses with rack focusing. I recall a thread where someone had issues with a 50mm. Also if they are noisier than film lenses when both focusing and coming to the stops when doing a full turn on either the focus or iris rings.

 

[Mike@AF]

All the cine-mod does it add focus gears, declick the aperture ring, and add stet-up rings. That's it. So the "performance" won't change. With actual cinema lenses you also get matching color, little to no breathing, different direction of turning the focus, longer turns when focusing for more accurate focus, the lenses are all the same physical size, the aperture is measured in T-stops instead of f-stops, the mount is usually PL or other commonly used professional cinema mount type, and I'm sure there's other differences as well.

Yes, you will get breathing in them as they're still lenses and not designed to not have breathing since they're not specifically meant for cinema use. The amount of breathing will depend on the range of the rack focus.

Once you declick you won't hear any noise from the lens when changing aperture. You can put the click back later if you wanted. You will hear metal taps if you focus or change the aperture all the way to their extremes.

Duclos is good. I have their focus gears on all my lenses. I did the declicking myself since it's easy. I also have my own step-up rings to 82mm threads instead of 77mm because I didn't want to step my 21mm down to 77mm threads.

 

[Viddovation]

Andrew -

I own a set of six ZF & ZF.2 lenses that have recently been modified by Duclos. I owned and used a 25mm ZF f2.8, 50mm ZF f1.4, and 85mm ZF f1.4 for about two years prior to the recent mod. The other three I bought explicitly to be modded and for use on the upcoming PMW-F3. Those are: 18mm ZF f3.5, 35mm ZF.2 f2.0 and 100mm ZF f2.0.

The mod seems quite good. The aperture is declicked and smooth & quiet. It's not positioned in a practical place for followfocus gearing, but hey...

The gearing for focus seems study and I'm happy with it. The lenses do seem to have more telescoping travel than they did prior to the mod, and I don't think I'm imagining that...

They shouldn't be noisy. If there is noise, it would be with your follow focus, not with the lens mechanics.

You could use a reversing gear if you want to keep the experience the same for your focus puller.

The Zeiss CP.2 series are rehoused ZF lenses with a few changes - including an increase in the number of aperture blades for more pleasing bokeh.

Breathing is minimal, particularly when compared to most still lenses.

If you have the 30k + to get real PL glass, these don't compare... but for the money, I'm quite pleased. My set of six primes and one (currently unmodified) Nikon 80-200mm zoom have cost me less than 10k.

 

[Mike@AF]

The lenses do seem to have more telescoping travel than they did prior to the mod, and I don't think I'm imagining that...

You are imagining it. They don't do anything to the inside of the lens to change the telescoping travel. Even with declicking, all that gets removed to do that is the mount. The aperture ring is right there and the focusing isn't affected at all.

 

[Noel Evans]

Andrew Im using a set of Zeiss ZF.2's that I had Duclos do the cinemod to. I also use a Cinevate Durus follow focus with them. The Durus gearbox can be flipped thus when using it, your lenses will focus the same way as cinema glass.

Heres the question. Are these lenses now as good as something like a Cooke Panchro? Nope. But, do they look good? Yep. Do they cost anywhere near cinema glass? Nope.

Bottom line is they are fantastic for what they are. And Zeiss ZF.2's ARE colour matched.

 

[Viddovation]

Completely possible. But regardless - be aware - these is some telescoping. Only an issue really for a mattebox if you have it screwed tight to the rails.

 

[Andrew Stone]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful comments by all. My situation is this. I have an EX3 and have a motley set of prime lenses, mostly Nikkor. They were good for their intended use with a Letus. I knew this was an interim measure a few years ago. Now I have some gigs that are coming to fruition so I am probably going to get an F3 so color matching the EX3 will be relatively easy in post. I shoot a fair amount as a steadicam op so I have a lot of "other" costs. Much as I would like to get a set of CP.2 lenses when I factor in the camera, steadicam related purchases and the lenses, it just doesn't make business sense this year spend 20 grand on lenses. The Sony lenses, the 3 that you can get with the F3 have got mixed reviews from the limited field reports that have come in so I am seriiously considering my alternatives and what rises to the top of the pile (at least right now) is a set of Duclos modded ZeissZF primes. All full new set from Duclos are a bit more than the Sony lenses but I would have a proper 5 lens kit.

Feel free to convince me otherwise.

BTW I posted this thread in the AF-100 forum as I know a lot of you have spent a fair amount of time over the past couple of months looking at lens options.

 

[Viddovation]

Andrew - Duclos will mod lenses you buy elsewhere, and they don't do the business volume to be able to sell at the prices B&H can get.

Also, the ZF's primary difference from the ZF2's is that they don't offer the metering electronics. Look at ebay to find some ZF lenses for cheaper than you can get ZF2s new. Then send the lenses in to Dulcos. If you send them six lenses for mod at once, they'll do 10% off (or at least, they offered me that deal a few months ago).

For the money, I'm very happy with the compromise.

 

[Mike@AF]

Completely possible.

Not "completely possible". Definitely imagining it. If the lenses ended up having longer telescoping after the mod, especially any amount that would be noticeable, then you wouldn't be able to focus properly at all. Check the specs on the lens and measure the lens. You'll see it hasn't changed.

 

[Viddovation]

Not "completely possible". Definitely imagining it. If the lenses ended up having longer telescoping after the mod, especially any amount that would be noticeable, then you wouldn't be able to focus properly at all. Check the specs on the lens and measure the lens. You'll see it hasn't changed.

Alright then. My experience has been that I've been "imagining" more telescoping since getting the mod.