Due to the problems of Nikon lenses barrel turns, lengthens or shorterns, and different thread sizes, it is very hard if not impossible to use follow focus and matte box altogether with my Letus35 Extreme, any professional camera lens like the Zeiss T2.1 MK2 would eliminate many of this problems, correct? Let's pretend that money is not a problem, if I invest in buying these Zeiss T2.1 MK2 lenses I would not only be able to use it on the Letus35 extreme adapter but on an interchangeable camera too, correct?
Professional camera lens
- Thread starter myCharlie
- Start date
IanD
Well-known member
The Zeiss 2.1 standard speed primes do not work well on 35mm adapters due to the rear exit pupil and some other considerations. You will get severe vignetting or portholing with them, especially on the wider primes. If money is no object I'd go for the Zeiss 1.3 super speeds either MK1 or Mk2. These work fine on both 35mm adapters and film cameras.
Will Clegg
Veteran
Many users here have been able to use Nikon lenses with the LEX, follow focus, and matte box combo - I saw a great rig this week in New York with featured the LEX, indiFOCUS, a Nikon 80-200mm, and the Indie Snap matte box. All the equipment worked very well together and the image was very crisp and clean.
Of course, if money was truly not an object. I think I would go for the Zeiss cinema lenses too... I don't know much about them but I'm sure they are easier operationally, in addition to being very sharp and fast.
Of course, if money was truly not an object. I think I would go for the Zeiss cinema lenses too... I don't know much about them but I'm sure they are easier operationally, in addition to being very sharp and fast.
Currently I have all all Nikon lenses (24mm, 28mm, 50mm, 55mm macro, 85mm, 135mm, and 180mm) but the outside thread at the end of the lens all have different thread size so I'll need a step-down adapter ring; however, that's not the problem. The problem is that the lens barrel turns when I focus. So if I clamp the lens to the matte box adapter ring, I won't be able to focus the lens. In addition, I don't know of any remmedy for a lens that the focus ring moves up and down the barrel as I focus, especially my 50mm f1.4 macro lens. I have the IndiFocus Pro and Cavivsion matte box.
I'm curious about the Zeiss lens (not because I can afford it) but for understanding the differences and quality of the lens.
Thanks for the reply.
Will Clegg
Veteran
Yeah, I guess you would need a different matte box that doesn't hard mount to the lens to make it work with that set. Also, gearing all of those lenses is a pain, I imagine!
With the Zeiss PL mount primes, I believe they are all geared to 0.8 pitch already, right? Would be much, much easier. Are the thread sizes always the same on the cinema lenses?
With the Zeiss PL mount primes, I believe they are all geared to 0.8 pitch already, right? Would be much, much easier. Are the thread sizes always the same on the cinema lenses?
IanD
Well-known member
The Zeiss 2.1 is by definition a standard speed lens. 2.1 refers to the T stop of the lens which is probably f2 or f1.9. As you probably know T stands for 'transmission' and takes into account the amount of light absorbed by the optics and coatings. It is a standard in motion picture lenses where accuracy in exposure is more critical in order to match shots within a scene. The 'super speed' lenses are all T1.4 (Mk1) or T1.3 (MK2 and MK3).
I see. I noticed that some of these lens already came with gear, right?
So back to my problem, so the Cavision matte box is the problem in my issue, then, right? If there is no remmedy to make my current matte box work, what are some other matte box that will this to work with Nikon lenses in this case?
So back to my problem, so the Cavision matte box is the problem in my issue, then, right? If there is no remmedy to make my current matte box work, what are some other matte box that will this to work with Nikon lenses in this case?
Will Clegg
Veteran
I do not have a matte box (yet), but I am told that these would work:
Vocas, Chroziel, Cinevate, and the forthcoming Redrock and indiMATTE. The Vocas and Chroz are quite pricey but very good design. Cinevate and indiMATTE are apparently same design as the Vocas - you might want to check out this thread for a lively discussion on the issue.
I also have the indiFOCUSpro, indiRAILSpro, and Nikon mount, but for an M2, so I think I am in the market for the same matte box as you...
Vocas, Chroziel, Cinevate, and the forthcoming Redrock and indiMATTE. The Vocas and Chroz are quite pricey but very good design. Cinevate and indiMATTE are apparently same design as the Vocas - you might want to check out this thread for a lively discussion on the issue.
I also have the indiFOCUSpro, indiRAILSpro, and Nikon mount, but for an M2, so I think I am in the market for the same matte box as you...
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IanD
Well-known member
The main advantage of cinema lenses vs slr lenses is not only optics, although cine primes tend to have more consistent performance across the t stops and are color matched within sets. The main advantage is mechanics. Cine primes are designed to be used with a follow focus and breath far less than comparable slr lenses.
Also most cine lenses have the FF gear mounted in the same place relative to the lens mount so you don't have to move the FF to engage the gear. You just pop the lenses on and off and they all mate up with the FF gear with no fiddling. Another way to do this, BTW, is to have the FF gear in an underslung position so the lens rests on it rather than engaging the gear from the side. This way you don't have to adjust the FF when changing lenses. Not all FF units can do this. Lucky for me the Cinetech does.
MyCharlie, the issue you seem to be having is that your lenses don't focus internally- meaning the front element moves out when you pull towards minimum focus. One thing to note: not all cine primes focus focus internally to avoid this and not all slr primes focus externally. Some slr primes do focus internally: Most of the Zeiss ZF series do, as well as the newer Nikon 80-200 zoom. I'm sure with some research you'll find many more as well.
My Lomos do not focus internally so the front element does extend a bit during a focus pull. Luckily not much and my mattebox insert manages to move with it fine.
Also most cine lenses have the FF gear mounted in the same place relative to the lens mount so you don't have to move the FF to engage the gear. You just pop the lenses on and off and they all mate up with the FF gear with no fiddling. Another way to do this, BTW, is to have the FF gear in an underslung position so the lens rests on it rather than engaging the gear from the side. This way you don't have to adjust the FF when changing lenses. Not all FF units can do this. Lucky for me the Cinetech does.
MyCharlie, the issue you seem to be having is that your lenses don't focus internally- meaning the front element moves out when you pull towards minimum focus. One thing to note: not all cine primes focus focus internally to avoid this and not all slr primes focus externally. Some slr primes do focus internally: Most of the Zeiss ZF series do, as well as the newer Nikon 80-200 zoom. I'm sure with some research you'll find many more as well.
My Lomos do not focus internally so the front element does extend a bit during a focus pull. Luckily not much and my mattebox insert manages to move with it fine.
IanD
Well-known member
My suggestion would be to mount step up rings on your lenses to bump them all up to a common front size which works with your mattebox. This won't cost more than a few bucks per lens,not including the corresponding lens cap you'll also need. If your lens moves a great deal during focusing and the donut insert in your mattebox is too rigid to move with the lens as it expands this may not work.
If there is some give in the insert set the mattebox tightly against the lens when its at its maximum extension for the focus pull you want to do. Now shift your focus to the far end of your pull. Is it still in contact with the mattebox insert?
Of course all of this is only critical if you have a filter in the mattebox and light is kicking it from the back. If not you may not even need to use the insert which mates with the front of your lens. The mattebox will continue to shade your lens against flare and veiling glare and your front element can move unhindered.
I hope this makes sense.
If there is some give in the insert set the mattebox tightly against the lens when its at its maximum extension for the focus pull you want to do. Now shift your focus to the far end of your pull. Is it still in contact with the mattebox insert?
Of course all of this is only critical if you have a filter in the mattebox and light is kicking it from the back. If not you may not even need to use the insert which mates with the front of your lens. The mattebox will continue to shade your lens against flare and veiling glare and your front element can move unhindered.
I hope this makes sense.
Okay, so those Ziess lens from Zacuto's site are not Cine lenses then, right? Are those Zeiss lenses in Zacuto's site focus internally?
The main problem with mine situation is that the lens barrel turns as I focus so unless there is a matte box adapter ring that will alow the Nikon lenses to turn as I focus, it won't work. Does anyone know of such thing?
The main problem with mine situation is that the lens barrel turns as I focus so unless there is a matte box adapter ring that will alow the Nikon lenses to turn as I focus, it won't work. Does anyone know of such thing?
Aahh! By looking at the IndiMatte photo in the link posted above, the reason it works in that matte box is because they're using a foam type of donut from the matte box to the lens. Now, if I can ge this type of donut somewhere to fit my mattebox's thread, I'm good to go with all my lenses. Any idea where I might find some donut rings that will work with my Cavision matte box and my Nikon lenses?
IanD
Well-known member
Ok, the Zeiss primes on the Zacuto site look like ZF stills lenses. The front element extends a bit on some of them but doesn't rotate which would be a huge problem for using a screw on polarizer. Look carefully at the lens entering the mattebox. It looks like they are using a flexible donut which has an elastic opening to fit snugly on the lens. This sort or arrangement might work well for you.
I would look into a DYI solution if I were you. it shouldn't be difficult at all: find some material, sew an elastic band into a opening big enough for your largest lens, mount that material to your mattebox insert and voila.
I bet you can also find one for sale. Check the different mattebox manufacturers for their donut inserts. Most likely one will work in your Cavision MB.
I would look into a DYI solution if I were you. it shouldn't be difficult at all: find some material, sew an elastic band into a opening big enough for your largest lens, mount that material to your mattebox insert and voila.
I bet you can also find one for sale. Check the different mattebox manufacturers for their donut inserts. Most likely one will work in your Cavision MB.
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I'll take a look at those Zeiss primes on Zacuto closer.
Around where I live, there is no store that will sell that type of foam. Even if they are, it's hard to cut out a perfect circle. I'll check different matte box manufacturers to see if they sell the foam type donut. Any matt box manufacture suggestions?
Around where I live, there is no store that will sell that type of foam. Even if they are, it's hard to cut out a perfect circle. I'll check different matte box manufacturers to see if they sell the foam type donut. Any matt box manufacture suggestions?