What about the Sony PLs?

Just used them again on a different show along with some CP.2's.

From a mechanical and 1st AC's point of view, the CP.2's are a dream compared to the F3 Primes... in addition to what I've said earlier... the barrel rotation of the Sony PL's is less than 180*, which is a far cry from most PL lens sets which are near 300* rotation. Also... I'm not sure if I mentioned previously but there are not only a lack of witness marks with exact lines, but there aren't any at all on the dumb side of the camera, which is where many AC's pull focus under different circumstances. Not even an aperture lens marking in reverse. Nothing.
 
At work, we just bought the F3 with the prime kit. We also bought an MTF nikon adapter so we could use our existing set of ZF Zeiss primes with the camera.

I want to do an un-scientific test where I compare the two. I was wondering if you all had the option, what would you choose to shoot with and why? I've briefly played around with the Sony lenses and they seem fine (they are comically large though) but I haven't done enough work with the camera to really form a solid opinion.
 
ikander said:
At work, we just bought the F3 with the prime kit. We also bought an MTF nikon adapter so we could use our existing set of ZF Zeiss primes with the camera.

I want to do an un-scientific test where I compare the two. I was wondering if you all had the option, what would you choose to shoot with and why? I've briefly played around with the Sony lenses and they seem fine (they are comically large though) but I haven't done enough work with the camera to really form a solid opinion.
Click to expand...

Considering the prior testing already done, you should find them reasonably sharp compared to SLR lenses. The things I don't recall anyone testing are:

1) Color matching. (shoot a color chart and compare)
2) Saturation and contrast. (shoot somewhere with vivid colors and high contrast and compare)
3) Breathing. (shoot while focusing.)
 
So, I shot an interview with the Zeiss ZF SLR lenses. From a simple "eye" test, the the SLR lenses are noticeabley less sharp than the Stock Sony glass. That being said, I've noticed that the Zeiss SLR glass tends to just look more "filmic." The background just bokeh's better.

Screengrab from my interview shoot attached
ZeissLenses.jpg
 
I've been shooting a lot of interview set-ups for an LE show recently and am really starting to like the Sony PL primes. They do seem a lot sharper than the SLR glass I've got, although it's taken me a while to find the sweet spot just under T4 where they really start to shine. What's odd about the bokeh is apparent when you start to close down these lenses... the iris isn't round... it closes like a cats eye into a slit like opening? I tried some Zeiss CP.2's and there's no doubt that they feel a little warmer and more filmic but it's very subtle. For the money, the three Sony primes appear to colour match and work well together on the type of work I'm doing right now.

iv5.jpg
 
Those interviews look great. Every time I shoot one with my F3 and those Sony Primes, it makes me giddy. Great combo! If Sony releases some more focal lengths, I'm in!
 
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