Lens Test- RED 50mm / Zeiss 50mm / Nikon 50mm

[Ryan E. Walters]

While I completed these tests on my HVX, I did use the RED 18 - 50mm lens, and I thought that you might find the results interesting. I would think that if these same tests were done on the RED itself the differences would be even more pronounced.

Anyway, I hope you find this useful:
I recently took some time out to compare the differences between three 50mm lenses and to see for myself the difference between a $100 piece of glass and a $6500 piece of glass. I wanted to see what you are paying for when you buy the more expensive glass. For this test I used the HVX-200 equipped with the Letus Extreme and a Nikon F mount along with a PL mount. The lenses used in this test are as follows: a used Nikon 50mm f1.8 ($100); a new Zeiss ZF 50mm T1.4 ($550); and the RED 18mm - 50mm Zoom T3 (f2.8) set at 50mm ($6500).

For the results you can check out the rest of the entry at my blog: Now that's a nice piece of Glass! (http://ryanewalters.235studios.com/Ryan_E._Walters_-_Cinematographer/Blog/Entries/2007/12/11_Now_that’s_a_nice_piece_of_Glass!.html)

In short, the better glass you get, the better the final image will be.

[Sanjin Jukic]

If we could see a bigger resolution-test-pictures be a really good.

HD 1920x1080 px would be the best.

[Mike Prevette]

Coulple things to keep in mind.

1) the Letus and all adapters for that matter are limited by the resolution of their ground glass, and that of the Achromate, and camera lens

2) the swapping of mounts between nikon and PL could induce all kinds of issues for any kind of truely scientific test.

That being said, nice test. My money is on the ZF in the long run. Not to mention it's speed advantage.

[David Mullen ASC]

Isn't the fact that all three lenses were photographed off of the groundglass of the Letus Extreme somewhat of a limiter in terms of line resolution, not to mention the resolution of the HVX200?

[Sanjin Jukic]

Isn't the fact that all three lenses were photographed off of the groundglass of the Letus Extreme somewhat of a limiter in terms of line resolution, not to mention the resolution of the HVX200?

David,

that's true.

[Ryan E. Walters]

Isn't the fact that all three lenses were photographed off of the groundglass of the Letus Extreme somewhat of a limiter in terms of line resolution, not to mention the resolution of the HVX200?

Wow, thanks David for stopping by. :)

Yes, both the fact that the HVX was used, and that an adapter was used means that the full resolution capabilities of the lenses cannot be tested- agreed.

My guess is that if I had the RED and the Nikon mount to do further testing that the differences would be come more evident.

[Stephen Williams]

Hi,

Whilst this is interesting I don't think it's necessarily any indication on how the lenses will perform on a Red.

Out of interest how did you focus the lenses?

Stephen

[Jim McKinney]

A couple of years ago I did a shoot with the HVX200, mini-35 adapter, and some decent Nikon Lenses. At the last minute, we needed a wider lens for a certain shot, and sub-rented an Arri 14mm Ultraprime. There was a substantial difference. I can only imagine the differences would be more exaggerated going into the Red universe.

[reality]

Not to mention, you're comparing zooms and primes. You should really be comparing zooms to zooms or multiple zooms and primes.

[Shawn Nelson]

Hi,

Whilst this is interesting I don't think it's necessarily any indication on how the lenses will perform on a Red.

Out of interest how did you focus the lenses?

Stephen

Uh, wouldn't it rather mean that the results of this test would be magnified on a Red? So it should be farely indicative I'd think.

[Stephen Williams]

Uh, wouldn't it rather mean that the results of this test would be magnified on a Red? So it should be farely indicative I'd think.

Hi Shawn,

Not really any connection, Red does not film off a moving ground glass.

Making any assumptions before a test can give you a false idea leading to a false result.

Something I learnt 20 years ago, test, test, then test again.

Stephen

[Shawn Nelson]

Hi Shawn,

Not really any connection, Red does not film off a moving ground glass.

Making any assumptions before a test can give you a false idea leading to a false result.

Something I learnt 20 years ago, test, test, then test again.

Stephen

Lens test are an interesting thing. I was able to test an old 25-250mm Angenieux PL and while it probably wouldn't test well on charts, I absolutely loved how it looked! The warm colors, the slightly milky but still sharp enough feel. I'm definitely trying to find one around $1000 but haven't yet been succesfull.

[Stephen Williams]

Lens test are an interesting thing. I was able to test an old 25-250mm Angenieux PL and while it probably wouldn't test well on charts, I absolutely loved how it looked! The warm colors, the slightly milky but still sharp enough feel. I'm definitely trying to find one around $1000 but haven't yet been succesfull.

Hi Shawn,

I bought one from Digital Domain for $300 on Ebay, I stripped it down & used it as a prop.