RED PRO 18-85

[Tim Whitcomb]

Man I know I am late to the game, but this RED PRO 18-85 ZOOM I just picked up in the used section for a feature is just a fantastic zoom lens for the $. Even at $15,000 I think it would be a steal of a lens. Especially when paired with OPITEK handle and Mounts and Support. This lens deserves a lot more credit and people should think twice about buying zooms at 2 -3 x this price and instead put the leftover $ in a pro support gear. FF-4, MB14 6x6 Filters and ESPECIALLY a $5K Microforce Zoom controller and Haden Motor = butter smooth mechanics. Im not seeing any ramping or breathing, just a gorgeous little zoom. (thanks to a sweet Duclos service prior to sale) The zoom is sharp and contrasty and when paired with a digicon and promist filter combo, you can get some wonderful softened facials with detailed, low con images. We shall post pics when production allows.

NOTE: I highly recommend that RED CHANGE the B.T. prices. $$6,000 is stupid cheap and a MUST own ZOOM for that kind of $.

Why are they discounted 40%? $9,995 for NEW is an absolute steal and this is no RPZ 18-50 by any means. This is a PRO Lens. I think $25% off new is a more appropriate refurbished price. $6K is too low. :)

[Alexander Ibrahim]

I'm really good with the 18-85 lens being $6000 for the battle tested version.

It is a heck of a lens, and I can't wait to buy one. I think RED hit a key market with them that was completely unaddressed by the "big" lens manufacturers. They made a great modern motion picture zoom lens for the $10,000 price point.

No one else does that, which is why it can only be compared to very expensive cinema lenses. These aren't top end cinema lenses though. Red has taken advantage of the Pareto principle.

But... seriously, why the heck do folks on REDUser keep asking for RED to raise prices?

Competition will come to this market, especially now that Sony and Panasonic are making cheap PL cameras.

I'd like to go on the record for LOWER prices for everything.

The end times are near for anyone whose business model depends on the notion that they own expensive gear. So, if that is why you are asking... then remember- no matter how good your RED kit is, you will still have to compete with Sony F3, Panasonic AF100 and the DSLRs. It's harder and harder to compete when your lens costs more than the competition's entire camera system.

[Meryem Ersoz]

NOTE: I highly recommend that RED CHANGE the B.T. prices. $$6,000 is stupid cheap and a MUST own ZOOM for that kind of $.

Why are they discounted 40%? $9,995 for NEW is an absolute steal and this is no RPZ 18-50 by any means. This is a PRO Lens. I think $25% off new is a more appropriate refurbished price. $6K is too low. :)

yes, shh, don't tell. You got one, I got one...give the others a chance!:smilewinkgrin:

I have to agree with Alexander. The 18-50mm was stupid cheap when it was released, for what it was. Now you can pick that $5500 lens for a battle-tested $2K. The more successful RED is, the more these lens prices will continue to come in. Let us stay just a little bit ahead of the inevitable deflationary curve, at least for a little while...

And a thank you to RED, for delivering such a nice lens at such a nice price.

[KETCH ROSSi]

Glad to see finally you got one too Tim ;)

My favorite Zoom, PERIOD!!

[Gunleik Groven]

Haven't even tried it yet...

But I guess I'll get a chance next week.

How heavy is it?

It will be a bit like connecting the Epic to the Zoom instead of the otherway around, which brings up the question of mounting cameras on their lenses instead of their bases, (like one can do with some still glass), when cameras shrink and lenses stay big...

6000 sounds like an ansolute Go get It, though...

[KETCH ROSSi]

How heavy is it?


As per the Red store:

Weight: 9.9 lb [4.5 kg]

Use of lens support recommended, we use the Optitek one ;)

[Tim Whitcomb]

I'm really good with the 18-85 lens being $6000 for the battle tested version.

It is a heck of a lens, and I can't wait to buy one. I think RED hit a key market with them that was completely unaddressed by the "big" lens manufacturers. They made a great modern motion picture zoom lens for the $10,000 price point.

No one else does that, which is why it can only be compared to very expensive cinema lenses. These aren't top end cinema lenses though. Red has taken advantage of the Pareto principle.

But... seriously, why the heck do folks on REDUser keep asking for RED to raise prices?

Competition will come to this market, especially now that Sony and Panasonic are making cheap PL cameras.

I'd like to go on the record for LOWER prices for everything.

The end times are near for anyone whose business model depends on the notion that they own expensive gear. So, if that is why you are asking... then remember- no matter how good your RED kit is, you will still have to compete with Sony F3, Panasonic AF100 and the DSLRs. It's harder and harder to compete when your lens costs more than the competition's entire camera system.

I only said that because I paid $7000 on reduser as I had not seen they had them cheaper in the store :)

Id think this is a bargain at $10K. hands down. Love this lens!

@ KETCH - actually your review is the reason I decided to buy it! Thanks!

[Julio Quintana]

Just for reference, the RED-1 body is 10 lbs. That's a pretty big lens. Sounds like an awesome deal though for stationary work though.

[JanneJansson]

RPZ 18-85 is a great lens. Have shoot tons and tons local commercials and videos with mine. ..but you don't do hand held shoots to long :)

[Joe Shemesh]

Interested to know if the whole range is usable at 5K?

best
joe

[KETCH ROSSi]

I only said that because I paid $7000 on reduser as I had not seen they had them cheaper in the store :)

Id think this is a bargain at $10K. hands down. Love this lens!

@ KETCH - actually your review is the reason I decided to buy it! Thanks!

Hehe, I have been charged with making people Buy Red stuff ;)

But it is my pleasure to share my opinions and tough on the gear we use, and happy that you are happy as well Tim ;)

[Ivan G]

Anyone want to unload one for 6k hit me up!

[Jon Carr]

I believe there's one in the battle tested section for 6k

http://www.red.com/store/battle-tested/product/red-pro-zoom-18-85mm-t29-i-bt

[Shawn Nelson]

What will the coverage be on Red 5k? I seem to recall the lense doesn't properly cover 5k at the wide end. Did Red ever clarrify?

[Gunleik Groven]

What will the coverage be on Red 5k? I seem to recall the lense doesn't properly cover 5k at the wide end. Did Red ever clarrify?

Only thing I have seen is on the 17-50, where Jim said it did vignette a bit below 20...

[Matthew Duclos]

My measurements give me a hair over 30mm image circle when set at 18mm. This would vignette just a tad on Epic if you're using the entire sensor, maybe not if shooting in 16:9. At the long end, 85mm, I recorded an image circle of about 40mm which will cover Epic just fine.

[Gunleik Groven]

Thanks Matthew!