Has anyone compared RED 18-85 to RPP's?

[michael zaletel]

Just curious if anyone that owns both the 18-85 and the full set of Red Pro Primes has ever shot the same subject in same light at same exact focal lengths and posted image comparisons or footage?

Please advise,

-michael zaletel

[OptiTek]

Just curious if anyone that owns both the 18-85 and the full set of Red Pro Primes has ever shot the same subject in same light at same exact focal lengths and posted image comparisons or footage?

Please advise,

-michael zaletel
Since they are all made by Sigma they should have the same look:devil:
Disclosure:
Like most people here I have no clue about the origins of these lenses:
just f***king with you:thumbsup:

[michael zaletel]

If time and portability were not a factor, wouldn't the 18mm prime give you a better image than the 18-85 zoom at 18mm?

-michael zaletel

[Robert Horwell]

If time and portability were not a factor, wouldn't the 18mm prime give you a better image than the 18-85 zoom at 18mm?

-michael zaletel

Yes.

[michael zaletel]

Yes.

Right. So anyone know of any comparison images I can look at?

-michael zaletel

[Robert Horwell]

Right. So anyone know of any comparison images I can look at?

-michael zaletel

Nothing you can download. From my experience primes are always a better image quality than zooms, less glass to go through. I have the 18mm RPP, it's a lovely lens.

[Steve Das]

Theoretically..the prime lens should be abit sharper and more contrasty.
In reality..the difference is probably not too noticeable...if at all.

But surely there are people here who have access to both and could
shoot a real world object test.
Or 2 different people could shoot a test chart to compare...any volunteers..

[David Collard]

One thing for sure, The M-X technology has made the 18-85 an even better lens,
not mention the power of FLUT.

[Matt Uhry]

One thing for sure, The M-X technology has made the 18-85 an even better lens,
not mention the power of FLUT™™™™.

And further more now my pet Chupacabra can exsanguinate (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/exsanguinate) your wimpy Unicorn.

Just do your own test and see what works for you. Any lens has strong and weak points - many of them are subjective.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[Shawn Nelson]

I think the 18-85 was deemed to not cover 5k on epic, that's what turned me off the trail, otherwise i'd be coveting that lens.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

One is shot with RPP 25mm, the other with the Red Pro Zoom 18-85mm.
I can't tell them apart anymore, I guess that's a rather good news.
http://ecmp.free.fr/test_1.jpg
http://ecmp.free.fr/test_2.jpg

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Well, upon further inspection, I can now tell them apart anew…

[Roberto Lequeux]

Geez... don't you think those might be best posted as links?

Just sayin'...

[Steven-Marc C.]

Top one is RPP?

[Jaime Vallés]

Well, what those screen grabs tell me is that the RPPs and the 18-85 zoom are similar enough so as to be practically indistinguishable. Which makes the zoom one helluva bargain, as long as you can live with the size & weight of the zoom, and the slower T stop.

[Roberto Lequeux]

I wanna see the 17-50mm, if it is this close THAT is gonna be the real bargain. Small, light, plenty fast for M-X, and a helu'va lotta goodly-ness in the IQ.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Steven-Marc is right, bravo.

[KETCH ROSSi]

As I said this before, Zooms and Primes, have posed issues and difference in their individual Physical and unique capabilities, this have dramatically changed in the present days in more then one way, but there remain distinct and inevitable differences, for which one must choose one or the other.

IQ, Zooms vs. Primes, same speed, same Aperture, becomes less and less distinguishable especially so with lenses such as the RED PRO line.

Primes:
Faster
Lighter
Sharper then Zooms
More Expensive to get the same range as a Zoom
Primes have both Qualities and defects, more control then Zooms, but not something that any Viewer will ever notice.

Zooms:
Slower
Heavier
Not as Sharp as Primes
Cheaper when compared to a set of Primes needed to cover the same range
Zooms offer the flexibility that Primes can not
Zooms offer the possibility to Zoom in and or out, instead of a needed Dolly when using Primes, but this gives however a different effect to the end result

The list goes on and on, so each must be chosen accordingly, if Weight, Size and speed is not a problem, but money is, the Zoom is the winner all the way, especially with the RPZ 18-85, and the RPZ 17-50.
Flexibility remains by far the best quality of the zoom, especially when in situations were you just simply can not afford time to change Focal in order to get a shot, in wild life and documentary particularly.

[Steve Das]

Well, upon further inspection, I can now tell them apart anew…

Thank you..Emmanuel for this...this test really puts the zoom to the
test as it has alot of fine detail with all the grass and leaves.
Looks like the sun was different as the shadows are different...
might be interesting to try again at same exact time.

Yes..the prime has abit more contrast and sharpness. Enough
of a difference...that might have to change my zoom plans.
Wouldn't hesitate for zoom on anything other than a feature.

[michael zaletel]

One is shot with RPP 25mm, the other with the Red Pro Zoom 18-85mm.
I can't tell them apart anymore, I guess that's a rather good news.


Thanks so much for doing this Emmanuel.

The top image is clearly better and can be made to look like the bottom image if necessary but not the other way around. Is the top image the RPP?

I agree it seems the back focus is off, when was the last time it was adjusted, did you use a focus hook, measuring tape and a pro focus chart? What kind of filtration was in front of the lens on these two shots and what aperture did you use?

Thanks again,

-michael zaletel

[Stephen Williams]

Lack of lens support, stopping down the lens past T8, back focus, clean lens mounts could be responsible for the soft look. Other people's tests are just other people's tests!

[Alexander Bscheidl]

Image this shot on the big screen....looks definitely soft. Probably this is a back focus issue. How ever good lenses costs its price but you all know about this. I am looking forward in seeing the Leica Summilux lenses. They may come close to Hawk V Series lenses.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hi guys,

I have to say that this has been shot in september, with little attention paie to details.
Since then I have discovered that this zoom wasn't holding focus trough zooming wich clearly indicate that it needs attending. The light had changed too and The focus was set while attending the BBQ.

So please don't put too much into those images, I should have the Lens fixed soon and I will also receive an Optimo 24-290, so don't worry, there will be more test to come :)

[michael zaletel]

Hi guys,

I have to say that this has been shot in september, with little attention paie to details.
Since then I have discovered that this zoom wasn't holding focus trough zooming wich clearly indicate that it needs attending. The light had changed too and The focus was set while attending the BBQ.

So please don't put too much into those images, I should have the Lens fixed soon and I will also receive an Optimo 24-290, so don't worry, there will be more test to come :)

Thanks for the update Emmanuel. Much appreciated.

-michael