Has anyone tested a SD lens on the HPX500?

I don't think it's any particular lens that will work well, it's more the lens series. Canon "J" Series and Fujinon "A" Series are what you want to have.


Ducatimark, that's great that it is working out for you. I'm glad yo had the courage to give it a try with the inexpensive lens and it's working out for you. If you have a chance to post some stills, we would like to see them.

Kit
 
dregenthal said:
I'm thinking that something which might be useful would be to compile a list of SD/SD Broadcast lenses (maybe a seperate thread?) that could be added to/authenticated by those who either own or have tested the candidates . . .

Like, I suspect many others, I've been on the fence regarding this camera only because of the lens issue . . . nobody wants to make a mistake.

Anyhow, my thought was that it's something of a community issue and the help would be appreciated by many (and might rate a sticky).
Click to expand...

Agreed. To all our busy forum members, please help out potential HPX 500 buyers and cuntribute to such list!
 
Although I agree that non some 'HD' lenses can be used (I myself use a Canon J 9x5.2IRS and a Fujinon A15x8BEVM to my and my clients satisfaction), compiling a list would create a problem. Although all 2/3" B4 mount lenses will 'work' (eg function in a technical way), it will not always produce acceptable end results.

For some work some lenses would be suitable but for other jobs the same lenses would not suffice. Therefore a conclusive list will be diificult to compile. The assesment of a suitable lens is very subjective and depends on the job at hand. For webmovies and SD broadcast the criteria are obviously different than for high-end musicvideo's, corporate productions and commercials. Normally I use my own lenses, but for commercials I'll rent HD prime lenses and for a new HD documentary series for NatGeoChannel I'll be shooting coming fall, i will rent HD broadcast lenses.

What would be useful is a 'sticky' or something in which we could post screengrabs from our lenses (HD and SD) but then according to some fixed set of standards (testcharts,iris,focal distance etc) so that a comparison would actually mean something regarding usability etc (sharpness, CA etc)
 
Hey guys,
so is there a final conlusion to make?
Could it be: score an old, but formerly expensive SD lens and you will be good?
Does it make any sense, to put a new 15-20K glass in front of the 10K HPX?
My main concern with the HPX is, if it will recognisably improve picture quality over the HVX200 for me.
So far I´ve not been that impressed with the HPX image quality, but I thought maybe it was the bundled glass (can´t remember if it was the Canon or Fuji CAC lens...)
Xianchi´s footage impressed me the most so far and made me think about the HPX again.
So what´s the "perfect" HPX/Lens combination? At which point does it make more sense to rather step up to a better imager like the HPX2000/3000 ?
 
Hey guys - what do you reckon of the following lenses,

Im looking at two Fujinons,
A15x8BEVM x2 extender
A12x6.8BRM Wide Angle

Which do you think would be preferable for drama/ narrative? (so little to no breathing on them hehe, Im wondering what kinda price would you go for these?

Im also looking at the Canon J9x5BIR SD Super Wide , but that may be a bit restrictive! Thoughts appreciated friends :)
 
Spartacus said:
Hey guys,
so is there a final conlusion to make?
Could it be: score an old, but formerly expensive SD lens and you will be good?
Does it make any sense, to put a new 15-20K glass in front of the 10K HPX?
My main concern with the HPX is, if it will recognisably improve picture quality over the HVX200 for me.
So far I´ve not been that impressed with the HPX image quality, but I thought maybe it was the bundled glass (can´t remember if it was the Canon or Fuji CAC lens...)
Xianchi´s footage impressed me the most so far and made me think about the HPX again.
So what´s the "perfect" HPX/Lens combination? At which point does it make more sense to rather step up to a better imager like the HPX2000/3000 ?
Click to expand...

Not to my mind it doesn't


Absolutely it will.

In my mind a decent 18x Canon J series with a 2x extender, (Under $5k), and good used HD wide angle.

This is what I went with. An awesome 20x J Canon 20x SD lens with 2x. Bought it used several years ago for $5k.

Then after buying the HPX, scored a mint Angenieux HD 10x5.3 wide angle HD lens for $8.5k.

That covers all iof your bases for less than buying a new piece of HD glass.


Now, I would never put the SD lens on a better camera like the 2000 or 3000. But they work just fine on the 500.
 
I'm actually using the A15x8BEVMx2, (paid 3200 US dollars) and Canon J9x5.2 with 2x ext. ($4500), for us europeans these prices are very good, because of the weak dollar at the moment. (bought them both from Dale at resource Video)

If you're shooting interiors I would recommend a wider lens than the 15x8. Which lens would suits your scenes best is a matter of style and taste of course. But what I can say about the lenses that I own is that the Fujinon breathes a bit more than the Canon. The Canon has no breathing at all, so if you're pulling focus a lot, I would go for the Canon. I'm actually using the Canon 99% of the time, but I'm shooting documentary most of the time. (Lots of handheld stuff as well, so a slightly wider lens is always preferable)

Good luck with the lens hunting!
 
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Righto i'll bear that in mind mate cheers,

currently im looking at the J15ax8 B4 IRS, with x2 extender. Though I was hoping to try and just get away with interior shoots with this too but basically im gonna get no love trying that?

Ive been offered one in the uk for £1500 ($3000 roughly)
 
I don't know how much love you're trying to get :)

But in my experience with 8mm you always wanna break down the walls, and shooting 6 or 5,2 mm makes you much happier. What lens are you currently using, because maybe you could make a comparison? (are you buying from a dealer, because he should give you the possibility to compare the 15x with a 9x for instance)

good luck
 
@Workstation: How much did you pay for shipping and customs to the NL?
And how long did it take to ship?
Buying old class without being able to test it means trusting a lot on the seller, can you recomend Resource Video?
 
Cheers for the advice workstation! Well at the moment im using the hvx lens hehe... ;)

Im basically wanting a lens that gives me flexibility shooting indoors and outdoors, that would be used to produce my wonderful movie and hence for pull focus etc, im really wanting to minimise breathing with whatever i choose!

Im also a bit limited on the ol' budget though hrmph!

I can also afford however, the Fujinon A12x6.8BRM so that would be wider - but any idea what thats like for breathing anyone?
 
Well, I thought a lot about it before doing it, but I got some hi resolution pictures from Dale which showed the condition of the glass etc. I contacted a former client of his from France, who recommended Resource Video and I just closed my eyes and did it. It turned out very well (50 euro's for the shipping, 75 euro's for customs) and Dale shipped very quickly anyway. The deal went well so I did it again a week or so later with the other lens (same shipping, no customs, don't know why, though)

So, to answer your question, yeah I trust Dale from Resource Video. But caution is always good, I suppose, its a balance between trust and the price for me.
 
Have no idea, don't know this lens. It's just that the Canon J9x5.2 is famous for his non-breathing. So I expect this one will breathe more. Basicly I'm just a fan of my Canon....
 
Oooh yeah im thinking of that one - but i wonder about the breathing whaaa... how bad do u think might be? Im also interested in the wider one actually at cvp (look 2 above) the 6.5
 
You mean the Canon YJ 12x6.5 ? I would stay away from the YJ series from canon, you'll definitely need the J-series for the HPX (if you're planning to shoot HD anyway) I would save some money and get the 9x5.2, the 6.5 is a KRS, which means there's no extender, so crippling you're capability in the longer focal range.
 
Cheers mate much appreciated advice! When you say crippling in the longer focal range - i would think that was still normally long enough no (for most narrative shooting) its max focal length 12x6.8 would be what comparable to 250mm on a 35mm cam?
 
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