Which Red Pro Zoom? [Archive]

Ryan Nichols

04-17-2011, 09:45 AM

I apologize if this has been asked before, but I can't find it in the search.

I'm getting a Red One next week and need a good zoom as a starting point. Do the RPZ 17-50 and the RPZ 18-85 have the same optics? Does one breathe more than the other? Which one would you guys choose?

I'm trying to only spend 6k there so if I get the 18-85 it will be the battle tested version.

Thanks!

Stephen Williams

04-17-2011, 09:58 AM

I think you need to have a 'play' with both lenses & see which one works best for you. The optics & size are very different. What sort of work do you want to do?

I apologize if this has been asked before, but I can't find it in the search.

I'm getting a Red One next week and need a good zoom as a starting point. Do the RPZ 17-50 and the RPZ 18-85 have the same optics? Does one breathe more than the other? Which one would you guys choose?

I'm trying to only spend 6k there so if I get the 18-85 it will be the battle tested version.

Thanks!

Steve Sherrick

04-17-2011, 10:00 AM

How much focal range do you need?
Do you need a lightweight zoom or is weight not an issue?

The 17-50 seems to get favorable reviews. I've never used one personally.

The 18-85 has good optics, decent mechanics, and is a nice all purpose zoom. However, like most cine zooms with this kind of range it's not a small lens. But not terrible either. Just depends on what you are looking to do with it. If you could pick this up for $6K, that would give you a very good lens to work with.

You can also have a look at the 18-50 which can be had for $2500-$3500, and then add a Red Pro 85mm prime. The 18-50 is a decent lens to get started with too. Sharp, some mechanical shortcomings but model samples vary so if you can find a good one, you'd be in great shape.

Good luck!

Ryan Nichols

04-17-2011, 10:37 AM

Stephen, I do mostly feature length work as well as some music videos.

I don't know anywhere to go "play" with the lenses because I don't live in L.A. and I only know of two people here that have one.

KETCH ROSSi

04-17-2011, 10:39 AM

Both posts before me said it, different size different range, hard to get one vs the other,
it might not seem much but the extra 35mm range of the 18-85 will more then once show to be a must have,
however the smaller and lighter body form of the 17-50 would make it a lens that will see more use vs
the larger heavier 18-85.

Mechanically they are both excellent, but the 18-85 is IMO superior in Build quality.
Image quality they are both excellent but yet again the 18-85 is IMO superior in IQ as well.

If I was to only have one of this two great Zooms, I would look very hard at the work I would be doing with it,
as I would not want to be forced to carry the weight of the 18-85 around if most of my work was to be mobile,
at the same time I would not want to always be missing that additional 35mm for Fashion work as well as up close flattering work
which I will be missing if I went for the 17-50... for this we have both... ;)

Ryan Nichols

04-17-2011, 10:43 AM

Steve, I know the 17-50 is something like 3.2 lbs and the 18-85 is around 10 lbs. It doesn't make a huge difference but I would like something to run and gun with if I need to. Also, I don't think the 17-50 needs a lens support, so there is a little less weight as well. Focal range isn't that much of an issue, but I need it to cover the wider end, and both do that so it's not a problem. I would like a little telephoto if I can, but its not a huge deal. If I buy the BT version of the 18-50 should I have it serviced/remarked?

I rarely do a live zoom so thats not a big concern. I'm more worried about breathing.

Steve Sherrick

04-17-2011, 11:13 AM

My guess is you will be less likely to run and gun with the 18-85. As Ketch mentions, it's that last 35mm that does get you though. For my run and gun, low budget work I use a Nikon setup. Pro Lock with RP Lens Nikon primes, and primarily two zooms right now. The Tokina 11-16 and the Tokina 16-50. The 16-50 stays on the camera a lot, despite it's issues (changing focal length extends the barrel). A good all purpose lens for me to run around with. But i need the 85mm prime with me as well for those times when I need that range. So, my guess is you would run into similar situation. But if a lot of your work falls into the 17-50mm range, maybe the RPZ17-50 is your best bet.

I don't think the 18-50 with an 85mm prime is a bad option either. Breathing is there on the 18-50, and mechanically it won't be as smooth as other cine lenses. But these tradeoffs may be okay considering the price point and what you are looking to do with it. You might be able to get this setup for $7K. The 17-50 with an 85mm will cost you over $10K, which is more than the 18-85.

Stephen Williams

04-17-2011, 12:39 PM

I would like something to run and gun with if I need to. Also, I don't think the 17-50 needs a lens support,

If I buy the BT version of the 18-50 should I have it serviced/remarked?

As you mention run & gun, then it's the 17-50, personally I would avoid the 18-50, several owners have said their one is fantastically smooth. I have never seen one that I would work with by choice.

Ryan Nichols

04-17-2011, 02:09 PM

Well, I don't want to run and gun but I'm not sure exactly which of my clients might require the R1 yet. I'm keeping an EX1 back, so most of the run and gun will probably be shot on it when I don't need the quality. I guess handheld is another concern. I could see how with the 18-85 you could get to 30 lbs pretty quickly.

I think I'm leaning towards the 18-85 for now and maybe get the nikon mount to have my stills on it.
Has anybody had good luck with the Battle Tested stuff?

Paul J Steinberg

04-17-2011, 03:54 PM

I went with the 18-85 to give directors with a limited budget 35mm optics that weren't DSLR lenses. It covers a range of the old Zeiss highspeeds that everyone is familiar with. Optically it holds up nice, I find that if you flare it from a hard angle you can get some non-organic looking flares (that's the only way I can think to describe them) that look ugly if you grab a still frame of them but when you see them played back at regular speed they're fine. I just looked at a set of the UniqOptics primes and optically I honestly the 18-85 looked better (with exception of the faster speed of the primes) in many aspects. Bokeh is round and stays round.

The lens is a pretty big chunk of fudge. Not Optimo huge but you will need a lens support.

Mechanically I'd say it's good over all but like many Red lenses, there aren't enough focus marking to make your AC happy and the witness mark is too thick. The only other mechanical mention I'd say is that the focus gear is at the absolute fattest part of the lens. I have the Chroziel follow focus so I couldn't use my standard film pitch gear with it, I had to buy the smallest gear they made and it just squeaks in. If you have the Arri FF you should be able to get it below the lens.

Ryan Nichols

04-17-2011, 04:56 PM

I have a Cavision dual wheel FF. Its ok if i have to buy a new gear. I'm just battling with this over and over again in my head...haha.

I think the BT 18-85 might be the way to go.

Is it small enough to put onto 18" rods?

Daniel Doherty

04-19-2011, 08:09 PM

Sorry to rehash a dying thread but...

How do the optics in the 50-150mm compare to the other zooms mentioned earlier, specifically, the 17-50mm and the 18-85mm?

I'm on the fence between purchasing an 85mm RPP and the 50-150mm Red Zoom. Any suggestions? I already own the 17-50.

Thanks,
Daniel

Ryan Nichols

04-19-2011, 11:03 PM

It's fine Daniel. I want to know too! :)

Daniel Doherty

04-20-2011, 09:23 AM

Ryan,

Due to my extensive research (Google) it appears as if the 18-85 or the RPPrimes are the way to go.

Steve Sherrick

04-20-2011, 09:30 AM

Daniel Doherty

04-20-2011, 09:42 AM

Thank you Steve. I just finished reading that one.

Ryan Nichols

04-20-2011, 11:18 AM

Can someone tell me exactly what I need to support the 18-85 RPZ and mount it to the iris rods?

OptiTek

04-20-2011, 11:53 AM

Can someone tell me exactly what I need to support the 18-85 RPZ and mount it to the iris rods?
We sell support(and optional carry handle) as well as adapter kit to turn your Red Universal mount into support bridge.
It will give you a solid support option at small price compared to Arri bridge.
link: http://optitek.org/lens_support.php