Your desert island combination?

JMtheDP

JMtheDP

Veteran
So, I'm getting some new lenses next week which I'm rather excited about - and I wondered, what is everyone's dream combo?

That is to say, all considerations out of the window - what is your ultimate camera and lens combo? Doesn't even have to be one you've shot with. Doesn't even have to be ones that would actually work together, or are practical... what is your dream setup?

I am expecting surprises here....
 
For me its easy: F65/Master Primes

You got my dream set-up, James! In fact, my ideal line up of cameras would be F65, F35, and A7s II (10bit and IBIS). Hey, you said dream, right?

Question back to you? Given the equipment you already have, whats your dream set-up?
 
Sony F35 and a Masterprime 25 mm T1.3 ����
I like wide angles, and would happily shoot a whole feature on that lens alone. In fact, I am!
 
Rafael

The Master Primes are the lenses I refer to. Truth be told I am probably more excited about the Aluras I have coming in this week and next. My preferred lenses are actually a pair of short zooms.

I really, really love the Angenieux lenses - although their price is not always justified I think.

I am looking forward to seeing how the small Aluras compare to the Master Primes. I know at least one director who would shoot a whole film on one Alura.

James
 
One of my favourite lenses of all time would actually have to be the Panavision Digital Primo 8-72, gorgeous, gorgeous lens.
 
I've not put any Cooke glass on the F65 (a bit criminal as I owned a set of Mini S4s for a day but I had to sell for the Master Primes) - I did however do a shoot recently with Alexa + S4 + Pro-Mist... gorgeous look.

It is hard to find directors who trust you to put a filter on these days!
 
I'm very curious to shoot on the Cooke anamorphics and Hawk Vintage 74s. Less than perfect anamorphics help digital immensely for narrative work. AND I'm not one for anamorphic flares- rather the optical artifacts and result of compression and decompression of the image that adds some depth and life to video. Alexa/F65.

The JDC anamorphic Cooke SII/SIII primes would be something to try too.

I've shot several features and 24 episodes of a tv show with a variety of anamorphics.

Also curious about the Alexa 65 paired with old glass, like Nikon pre-AI or AI- since you're asking.
 
I imagine the new Cooke anamorphics will probably be quite close to Master anamorphics - ie. technically very good, but lacking "character" (or defects as optic designers probably call them!)

The Alexa 65 would look immense with the new Primo 70s.... just a shame that combo is unlikely for now (Alexa65 is rental only... PV won't be selling lenses any time soon)

I happen to be going past my local branch of Dunton camera tomorrow... I'll ask if they have any S2s/S3 anas about...
 
I'm not really into the master primes. Used them with the red dragon on a shoot - lack some sort of soul. I like older lenses with flaws like Cooke S4s or standard speeds or ultra primes
 
F35 with Cooke S4s or S5s for me.

I'm also not into Master or Ultra Primes for the same reasons as Ed. Which is why I doubt the new Cooke anamorphics will be anything like the Master anamorphics. Why would Cooke shoot themselves in the foot like that? I'm sure it will follow the Cooke look.
 
Alexa Mini w/ a perfectly matched set of Ekran Highspeeds- haven't tried the combo but I imagine it would be very nice.
 
Probably Alexa Studio with Cooke s5 or Bausch+Lomb Super Baltar primes.

I love an OVF, but the size of the Alexa Mini is very tempting..


But what I really want is a CCD...
 
Aaveum said:
F35 with Cooke S4s or S5s for me.

I'm also not into Master or Ultra Primes for the same reasons as Ed. Which is why I doubt the new Cooke anamorphics will be anything like the Master anamorphics. Why would Cooke shoot themselves in the foot like that? I'm sure it will follow the Cooke look.
Click to expand...

What I mean is that they will be true to their Cooke heritage, of course, but like Master Primes they will probably be very low in anamorphic "defects" - breathing and so on. They are front anamorphics though I believe, so should still look like one would expect anamorphic to.

I was going to buy S4s myself, but the exchange rate made them more expensive than Master Primes! And they rent for a lot less, at least here anyway.
 
It would be nice if you could convert the F65 to FZ mount. It would be an easy way to use a boatload of vintage glass without having to have then rehoused.
 
Hunter Hampton said:
Alexa Mini w/ a perfectly matched set of Ekran Highspeeds- haven't tried the combo but I imagine it would be very nice.
Click to expand...

I have the Ekran 18mm high speed, and a set of Lomo High Speeds in PL. I vaguely remember testing Ekrans back in the days of 35mm. The Ekrans are better built than Lomos by far, and the glass coatings more modern. But the Lomos feel better to me, especially the HS 28mm and 75mm. The 100mm Lomo is also very pretty. The 35mm and 50mm HS Lomos are utilitarian in feel. I once had a mint 18mm Speed Panchro- the old one- pre series 2 and 3. Gorgeous, but it vignetted on many digital camera so I sold it- regret that.

We tested Elite anamorphics years ago- they felt flat. Went with Lomo anamorphics.

Shot a feature on Kowa anamorphics. Never again. Not as long as I have to shoot a close up on a female "star."

Still a fan of old Nikon glass- pre AI. Think I'll continue to build up a set (converted to EF mount.)

Not a fan of owning expensive gear anymore. Every project is different. Every year I get stuck shooting with different camera bodies. Also I don't rent gear- so owning cameras has been a losing proposition for me. With this push for ff digital cinema who knows what we'll be shooting on next year.

Last feature I had the Lomo HS primes, OptimoDP zooms and a Cooke 18-100 and Canon telephotos, but I almost always just called for the Lomos- they felt better. Problem with old Russian glass is that they fall apart on you. Not just the image quality- the lenses literally fall apart on you in your hands. They take several overhauls to get them usable once they land in the US of A. and only a couple of lens techs are willing to work on them.

For those reasons I would go Cooke S4, and I'm guessing Cooke anamorphics.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top