FS7: The Sony 18-110mm cine zoom

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BarryLichtner

Active member
Just saw the upcoming 18-110mm S35 version of Sony's 28-135mm cine lens at sonyalpharumors.com.

The one thing they forgot to change for the S35 format is the aperture, though. Why is it still f/4? I really don't want to complain because for some people this will be the perfect overall lens, but for exposing S-Log3 in typical low-light environments, I think f/2.8 is the minimum requirement for the current FS S35 sensors. Not to mention, f/4 chokes off your control over DoF a little soon.

Just how f/4 is the magic number for FF long zooms, f/2.8 is no different on S35...
 
Designing any zoom that ranges from wide-angle to telephoto requires compromises. The greater the range the more significant the compromise.
 
If its around the same price as the 28-135 it will be hard to resist even at f4. Its a great range, parfocal with an iris - Damn I don't want to be buying more lenses right now.
 
I agree, but I think a lot of people (maybe just me) were willing to give up a little on the long end. Basically an S35 version of the 28-135mm, roughly an 18-90mm f/2.8. I simply don't think f/4 on an S35 zoom is fast enough. That's why I didn't get really excited when Canon announced their 18-80mm T4.4, or when Zeiss announced their 21-100 T2.9-3.9 zoom.

But like I said, for some, this will be THE lens and will suit them perfectly. And I'm glad Sony brought out an S35 cine lens like their FF version, despite the f/4 aperture.

(Maybe I'm a little disappointed because I'm sure I'll talk myself into buying this lens anyway, and I wish it was a little more all-purpose for my needs.)
 
The way I look at it is: the kind of stuff that I like to shoot just requires my outs 55 on a speed-booster.
The stuff I don't like to shoot requires a do it all range zoom. If I can get that zoom for 3k instead of 5 or 10k for the jobs Im trying to avoid then great.
Ill buy the Otus 28mm from the savings.
 
BarryLichtner said:
I agree, but I think a lot of people (maybe just me) were willing to give up a little on the long end. Basically an S35 version of the 28-135mm, roughly an 18-90mm f/2.8. I simply don't think f/4 on an S35 zoom is fast enough. That's why I didn't get really excited when Canon announced their 18-80mm T4.4, or when Zeiss announced their 21-100 T2.9-3.9 zoom.

But like I said, for some, this will be THE lens and will suit them perfectly. And I'm glad Sony brought out an S35 cine lens like their FF version, despite the f/4 aperture.

(Maybe I'm a little disappointed because I'm sure I'll talk myself into buying this lens anyway, and I wish it was a little more all-purpose for my needs.)
Click to expand...

That lens does exist in the form of a Cabrio. Which, when it comes to docu-reality settings, I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I've done a few shows on the F55 + Cabrio 19-90 combo. Total backbuster. More feasible if you have an EasyRig, though not all environments allow for that.

Currently doing Season 2 of a series on the FS7 + 24-105 (primarily. plus super wide + telephoto) + speedbooster. The 18-80 / 18-110 range on S35 is really nice for that. Throw on some primes for interviews/b-roll/specialty shots and now you have an all-in-one system for both verité and the pretty stuff.
 
Thats the thing, besides the cost any S35 2.8 aperture cine zoom with a large range will be very very heavy and therefore simply not nimble enough for handheld doc usage. the f4 makes them manageable. You can't have it all...
 
If indeed there is a lens, it would be announced at the Sony IBC press conference on Sept 9. If theoretically there were such a lens, details beyond what a rumor site speculates will emerge. All theoretical, of course. There possibly may be additional lens announcements from other vendors as well. Theoretically. Now let's speculate about more certain things, like iPhone 7's.

Ned
 
Lenilenapi said:
If its around the same price as the 28-135 it will be hard to resist even at f4. Its a great range, parfocal with an iris - Damn I don't want to be buying more lenses right now.
Click to expand...

The new lens is not cheap like the 28-135mm; lots of people will be disappointed.... if you want an 18-110 - you'd have to be prepared to pay for it. at f2.8 - forget it, it would cost in the five figures and would be heavy as sh"t.
 
icarusfilm said:
Thats the thing, besides the cost any S35 2.8 aperture cine zoom with a large range will be very very heavy and therefore simply not nimble enough for handheld doc usage. the f4 makes them manageable. You can't have it all...
Click to expand...

I am reluctantly coming to accept that as the reality. Just look at the size of the Red 18-85mm T3 zoom:

FSCIMG_6116.jpg

When the Cabrio 19-90mm came out I read material which marveled at what an engineering feat that lens is. Others knowledgable in lens tech were wowed by Fujinon's ability to produce a lens of that focal range and speed yet of comparatively modest physical size in relation to what previously existed.

As much as I love the s35 video format, there is much that was sacrificed in gaining it. The 2/3" broadcast zooms were a dream as an operator. So completely fulfilling of need that most of them never came off the camera and many an owner / op owned only the one zoom and nothing else. Many an event was well covered with 2/3" video and many a story beautifully told. In some ways s35 video is one step forward, two steps backwards. s35 shooting misses countless shots as a result of lacking the needed lens or fumbling around with lens swaps. And the lens engineers are scrambling and scratching their heads with their pencils in attempt to give us a zoom with the focal length and light transmission ability we possessed but abandoned in favor of other considerations. Abandoned somewhat unwisely and hastily.
 
Im pretty sure this photo isn't some wild photoshopped guess. Again, it comes from SonyAlphaRumors (to give them credit):

(The top image age is the new, slightly smaller lens, bottom image is the FF lens.)


vdoo01.jpg
 
nsoltz said:
If indeed there is a lens, it would be announced at the Sony IBC press conference on Sept 9. If theoretically there were such a lens, details beyond what a rumor site speculates will emerge. All theoretical, of course. There possibly may be additional lens announcements from other vendors as well. Theoretically. Now let's speculate about more certain things, like iPhone 7's.

Ned
Click to expand...
DPReview broke the Cooke MiniS4/i DSLR format story. A slightly different price range, however.

But will be available in E-mount too.
 
morgan_moore said:
It should be remembers that s35 at 4 presents about the same amount of photons to the sensor as 2/3 at 2. There is not less light transmissiom
Click to expand...

Fujinon HA 14x4 f/1.8

a half stop more light transmission than f/4 on s35mm.

f/4 max sux donkey dik. To use an expression. :D
 
JPNola said:
Fujinon HA 14x4 f/1.8

a half stop more light transmission than f/4 on s35mm.

f/4 max sux donkey dik. To use an expression. :D
Click to expand...


Technically, the true crop factor between a 2/3" chip and an S35 chip is 2.4, and the pixels are almost 6 times bigger on an S35 chip than they are on a 2/3" setup (and they also include micro-lenses and other new tech).

I agree, though, I don't like f/4 zooms for S35. My imperfect solution is to use three FF f/2.8 zoom lenses on a speed booster. It gives me all the range I need, stabilization, and an equivalent f/2 aperture. It's not as easy as one lens, but the payoff is images that can be designed to hand straight off, or images that can be taken into post and turned into a true cinema quality product. As big a pain as multiple lenses can be, it allows for people to create incredible footage with these new 4K sensors if they have the creativity and the drive. I have no disrespect for the way things used to be shot, but I think productions of all sizes- from tiny docs to corporate propoganda- all look leagues better than they did less than a decade ago. It's been a fast and often uncomfortable change, but it's exciting to be a part of, and I rarely look back.
 
JPNola said:
Fujinon HA 14x4 f/1.8

a half stop more light transmission than f/4 on s35mm.

f/4 max sux donkey dik. To use an expression. :D
Click to expand...

Love that lens. It's our workhorse for run'n'gun (technically a 14x4.5, but who's counting...). People like to hate on 2/3", but in the right hands it can really sing for docu/reality.

morgan_moore said:
Ad how much is this fuiji?
Click to expand...
Saw one vendor recently selling them demo or b-stock for $9750 I think...might have been the more budget friendly 12x4.5 though. The first time I purchased a 14x4.5 new was maybe $26k.
 
Nine times the price of the old 18-105 mm sony F4 Lens. For some improvements (hopefully) and the 'Cine' branding.
 
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