C100: New Canon Cine-Servo 18-80mm EF Lens Announced $5225 Pre-Orders @Texas Media Systems

My clients try to squeeze the hell out of me in projects where I am not the original contracted party. So 17-120 is out of question in most of the cases. And in projects where there is money, the 17-120 becomes too heavy to carry. Also I need the IS which is not present in the 24-70 f2.8 II. So the 18-80 lens has got all the good features of photography lenses plus takes the benefit of DPAF and has the servo unit. When a 11-24 f4 lens costs 3k usd, one shouldn't expect the CN-E 18-80 with IS at a lower cost. So the cost is like buying one cinema prime lens.

Frankly speaking this lens makes a lot of sense. I shoot a lot from boats and unstable platforms. Any help in form of Image stabilisation is always a help. I am hoping that the IS of this lens would also be better than that of the old 24-105.

Money is always tight. However this lens becomes a no-brainer.
 
People keep saying this T/4.4 lens is slower than the Canon 24-105 f/4. DxOMark lists the Canon 24-105 as a "5.1 TStop," which means the 18-80 T/4.4 has a faster T-stop than the 24-105.


I could see this lens being useful for reality TV that doesn't have the budget for the 17-120.
 
Jim Martin said:
Oh please.....the range of this lens is almost equal to the 24-105mm on a full frame lens. The price is excellent for what you get. I suspect you think something like this should be $2000?.....if so, then you don't understand what it takes to make a lens, let alone a Cine style zoom.


Jim Martin
EVSonline.com
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well, to me 80 is still a little short for a one lens doc shooting.

I am perfectly aware of what it takes to make a lens, I'm just saying that a lot of people would be OK to have a bit of less-cinematic-grade-glass (but still perfectly acceptable) to get a 18-105 servo EF lens for $2000. (Sony did it wouldn't you agree?)

Im a c100 mkII user. I paid 5000€ for my camera. I do mostly documentaries. I sure as hell miss a servo zoom. But I can't pay another 5k for a lens...
 
Also, it would have been so great to add a joystick (to get rid of the Cxxx handle since your hand is not supposed to be on it anymore) as well as a magnification button would have been a great feature....

for this and F2.8, I'd think about it.
 
coutard said:
Also, it would have been so great to add a joystick (to get rid of the Cxxx handle since your hand is not supposed to be on it anymore) as well as a magnification button would have been a great feature....

for this and F2.8, I'd think about it.
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Though you'd be sacrificing the weight, length and IS for 2.8, in addition to atleast doubling, if not tripling your price.
 
coutard said:
Also, it would have been so great to add a joystick (to get rid of the Cxxx handle since your hand is not supposed to be on it anymore) as well as a magnification button would have been a great feature....
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I thought the Cx00 handle can control the zoom rocker with the up/down joystick buttons?

In which case if you already own a Cx00 you wouldn't need to purchase the lens handle, just use your existing one and keep the mag/rec/joystick. If you want to use it ENG style you probably already have a grip relocator.
 
It's actually amazing how impossible it has become to please people, here is a 18-80 f4 super 35mm lens that only weighs 1.3 kg. And it only costs 5+k. And people are still wining. What do you want a 12-200 f1.4 for $999.99?
 
icarusfilm said:
It's actually amazing how impossible it has become to please people, here is a 18-80 f4 super 35mm lens that only weighs 1.3 kg. And it only costs 5+k. And people are still wining. What do you want a 12-200 f1.4 for $999.99?
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I'll take a 12-120 T2.9.(okay, maybe closer to T4 to be more realistic) for $30K. Hell, my 2/3" W/A's are $25k-$30K new...
 
In my world, I own Nikon still lenses, EF and a few L lenses and they are good enough for 80% of my needs. A lens like this is for rentals for higher end projects along with a C300 MKII, it looks like a cool run and gun lens.
 
Matt Turner said:
I thought the Cx00 handle can control the zoom rocker with the up/down joystick buttons?

In which case if you already own a Cx00 you wouldn't need to purchase the lens handle, just use your existing one and keep the mag/rec/joystick. If you want to use it ENG style you probably already have a grip relocator.
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I highly doubt that this would be as precise as a proper zoom rocker.
 
icarusfilm said:
It's actually amazing how impossible it has become to please people, here is a 18-80 f4 super 35mm lens that only weighs 1.3 kg. And it only costs 5+k. And people are still wining. What do you want a 12-200 f1.4 for $999.99?
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Exactly!

Jim Martin
EVSonline.com
 
coutard said:
!! I just discovered that it isn't a real rocker but two buttons !
No seriously on this guys, for 5k, allow me to be a little disappointed.
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Almost all will buy this lens with the grip accessory ($475) that has a rocker......again, if you want to be disappointed, go ahead...but our phone has been ringing and lots of orders are being placed.

Jim Martin
EVSonline.com
 
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icarusfilm said:
It's actually amazing how impossible it has become to please people, here is a 18-80 f4 super 35mm lens that only weighs 1.3 kg. And it only costs 5+k. And people are still wining. What do you want a 12-200 f1.4 for $999.99?
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Wow, I guess the world of super 35 lenses with EF mounts is not established... And an f4.4 5x lens is pretty ground breaking... :)

I jest but seriously, this is the wheel being reinvented. Broadcast zooms have been around for ages with way more impressive specs. The fact that a $1,000 - $2,000 lens gets a motor put on it is not that earth shattering to me. Now if it was a more impressive spec'd lens I might have a different opinion. I guess I don't see this as a special feat. And yes you can call me jaded.
 
Bassman2003 said:
Wow, I guess the world of super 35 lenses with EF mounts is not established... And an f4.4 5x lens is pretty ground breaking... :)

I jest but seriously, this is the wheel being reinvented. Broadcast zooms have been around for ages with way more impressive specs. The fact that a $1,000 - $2,000 lens gets a motor put on it is not that earth shattering to me. Now if it was a more impressive spec'd lens I might have a different opinion. I guess I don't see this as a special feat. And yes you can call me jaded.
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But this is not the 24-105mm's glass re-housed....born from scratch
 
Yes but these broadcast zooms only needed to cover a1/2-2/3 inch sensor, and the good ones cost 15k and up. Also if this 18-80 achieves all its benchmarks (parfocality, low breathing, constant aperture etc.) mechanically and not electronically then it's really a different animal than a photo lens.

Bassman2003 said:
Wow, I guess the world of super 35 lenses with EF mounts is not established... And an f4.4 5x lens is pretty ground breaking... :)

I jest but seriously, this is the wheel being reinvented. Broadcast zooms have been around for ages with way more impressive specs. The fact that a $1,000 - $2,000 lens gets a motor put on it is not that earth shattering to me. Now if it was a more impressive spec'd lens I might have a different opinion. I guess I don't see this as a special feat. And yes you can call me jaded.
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I know this lens will be well received because there is a vacancy in this space. And I know this is not a 24-105 f4 but a new design. But expecting folks to be excited about it (and thankful) depends upon if you really need it. Just making the point that 18-80 F4 lenses are plentiful in the still world. Some are parfocal. All that is missing is the motorized servo design. Would rather it be f2,8 for more usefulness, but nothing against it.
 
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