Standard Speed Zeiss vs. Super Speed Zeiss "b-speeds / MK1"

[doondoon]

Question for all the shooters.

Based on your experience, if you had to make a choice between a fast T1.4 lens with a half rotation for focus OR a slower T2.1 lens with a full rotation for focus... Which one would you chose.

What is the better of these two "evils".


The reason I ask this is because I'm looking to purchase either a set of T1.4 Zeiss Super Speeds "b-speeds" AKA MK1's OR a set of T2.1 Zeiss Standard Speeds.


Optically both sets are very similar... it's just the speed vs. full/half rotation thing. These lenses would be used primarily in unison with RED.

thanks,

Michael

[Florian Stadler]

I had to make the same choice, I owned both sets and had to sell one to buy some other gear. I ended up keeping the standards.

The reasons for it were:
-Expanded focus scale
-16,24,32 are modified to CloseFocus - I shoot commercials and boy can you get product shots with these...
-I like to shoot at 2.8 1/3 not 1.3
-I never want to shoot on a P&S adapter again and that's where you needed super speeds
-I also have a set of Cooke S2/3. This is the lens set that will give me the softer, warmer flarier look and the Standards will give me the sharp, colder Zeiss look.

Against it:
-An extra stop
-Interesting triangular bookeh
-rental rates better for super speeds
-long term value? (actually not sure about that)
-2 looks in one lens: soft wide open - sharper at 2.8+

So it's really a toss up. Tough decision.

[Greg M]

I would go with the Standard Speeds, unless of course the extra stop is really needed. Personally, I rarely shoot wider than 2.8, and the standard speeds look great on the Red.

[Hans von Sonntag]

If they would be MK2/3 Superspeeds no question what I would be prefer (got a set of MK2 Superspeeds).

Summa sumarum I would give the longer throw the preference. The Standards are more pratical in everyday use.

Hans

[Jorge Díaz-Amador]

I definitely don't think the look of the T1.4 Super Speeds and the T2.1 stardards are similar at all. But then I can see the difference between Distagons and Planars.

The Super Speeds have a bit more micro contrast (edge sharpness), and probably slightly more contrast overall at the same stop (except f1.2-f2). The triangular bokeh is just on the older T1.4's, as the Mk.II T1.3 have seven-blade irises. At less than T5.6 the triangular bokeh is hard to notice. At T1.4 - T2.8 the iris is nearly round.

Standards have a very nice "relaxed" bokeh, better than even the Mk.II T1.3. This is because of the older optical design. They are not as aggressively corrected for spherical aberration. They also simpler designs with less elements. I like the way they look on the RED ONE.

The focus scales on the T1.4's are small because they were just a back-up. Those lenses were designed to go into the ARRI 35 BL-I Prime Lens Blimp. LOL! Such old technology!

Parts availability for repair is better for all the Mk.II lenses, but some of the T1.4 elements are the same as the T1.3 so I can get those too. But I would definitely rate the mechanical design of the T2.1 Mk.II as better than the T1.4 Mk.I.

BTW, not all Mk.II T1.3's have wrap-around focus scales. The first ones rotated 170º only.

Hope this helps. PM me if you have additional questions.