Arri Lightweight Zoom LWZ-1 15.5 - 45 mm, T2.6, 4.4 lbs/2 kg

[Tonaci Tran]

Does anyone have any scoop on this lens? I'm curious as to how much it costs (probably alot) and how it performs.

http://www.arri.com/entry/lwz.htm

http://www.arri.com/prod/cam/lwz/img/lwz.jpg

[Evin Grant]

Supposedly performs very well, I'd guess prce is on par with the Cooke 15-40 at about $45-49K.

Check this out:
http://www.arri.de/news/newsletter/articles/0407/lwz_oceans.html

[Brook Willard]

Yeah, it's about $45,000.

I've seen this lens get a lot of press lately... but it's been around for years. Unless it's some new version that has exactly the same specs and is under exactly the same name, this lens is at least two years old.

I've used it handheld before [on a 235] - it's a great lens and it handles quite nicely. I haven't shot any tests with it, but at a glance... I'd lean towards the Cooke. It may have a shorter range, but it opens to a 2.0 instead of a 2.6. That said, if the Cooke performs on the RED like the S4s do, I'd lean towards the Arri/Zeiss just to avoid all the CA.

But since the zooms are so optically different from the primes, I'd imagine these lenses can be judged as their own entities.

Evin, I smell a LWZ/CXX test coming up.

[Tonaci Tran]

Yeah at that price, I'm diggin the Angy Optimo 2.6 you shot the chopper ad with.

[Mark Pugh]

Yeah, it's about $45,000.

That said, if the Cooke performs on the RED like the S4s do, I'd lean towards the Arri/Zeiss just to avoid all the CA.


Brook,
I haven't heard much talk about Chromatic Abberation on the red before. How bad are the S4s? Can you rank other lenses you've tried on this issue? Do you have any stills you can post? I take it you're saying zeiss primes are much better than S4 primes, or are you talking about zooms?

[Brook Willard]

Zeiss lenses [Ultra Primes or Master Primes] greatly outperform S4s. Lens tests are coming soon.

[Mark Pedersen]

Brook,

Would be very interested in that test!
Are you guys comparing them to S4s?

M

[Mark Pugh]

How far behind the Ultras and masterprimes are superspeeds with regard to this?

[Seth Larney]

How far behind the Ultras and masterprimes are superspeeds with regard to this?

I would love to know this as well..

[Brook Willard]

Brook,

Would be very interested in that test!
Are you guys comparing them to S4s?

M

There will be S4s in the test.


How far behind the Ultras and masterprimes are superspeeds with regard to this?

They'll be in the test too. Stay tuned.

[Sven Seynaeve]

Me to , I've got enough doubts to go with this one or with the Red zooms.
I'm getting the ultraprimes for sure, but don't know if this baby is worth the price difference in my case...

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I've used it handheld before [on a 235] - it's a great lens and it handles quite nicely. I haven't shot any tests with it, but at a glance... I'd lean towards the Cooke. It may have a shorter range, but it opens to a 2.0 instead of a 2.6.

The Cooke also has /i tech on their current model 15-40. Unfortunately, the Cooke is also bigger and weighs 3.5lbs more.


That said, if the Cooke performs on the RED like the S4s do, I'd lean towards the Arri/Zeiss just to avoid all the CA.

Is the CA that bad? What about with the Cooke 18-100? Just wondering what your take is on this. I heard the same thing from someone else a couple days ago. And was told that the Cooke "RED" set, while theyr'e the same lenses as the regular S4's and 15-40 zoom, they have different optical coatings than the standard non-RED models. I don't know if there's any truth to that or not.

[Mitch Gross]

Is the CA that bad? What about with the Cooke 18-100? Just wondering what your take is on this. I heard the same thing from someone else a couple days ago. And was told that the Cooke "RED" set, while theyr'e the same lenses as the regular S4's and 15-40 zoom, they have different optical coatings than the standard non-RED models. I don't know if there's any truth to that or not.

Not true. They are optically identical.

The question of CA and other tech complaints are highly overstated in my book. The Cookes are some of the finest glass out there.

Mitch Gross
Abel Cine Tech

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Thanks, Mitch.

I was figuring the Cooke RED set was identical other than the color of the logo / markings, I will tell the guy at the local rental house to lay off the drugs.

[KETCH ROSSi]

Does anyone have any scoop on this lens? I'm curious as to how much it costs (probably alot) and how it performs.

http://www.arri.com/entry/lwz.htm

http://www.arri.com/prod/cam/lwz/img/lwz.jpg

This Zoom is just nothing short of fantastic.

After seen this lens in action last week together with the MASTER PRIMES I see no difference one both lenses were stopped down to the same aperture, obviously the incredible beauty of the MASTER PRIMES shines especially at the long telephoto range wide open, the isolation power of this lenses are just astonishingly beautiful.

I love mostly my Canon 85mm f/1.2L II wide open because it does just create fantastic images with a very unique bokeh, the ZEISS MASTER PRIME 150mm doubles that, but quality of image is like nothing I have seen in any other lens.

I likely will get the LIGHTWEIGHT ZOOM and most definatelly two MASTER PRIMES 150mm for the two over the shoulder cameras and a couple more in the 100 to 65mm range.

I also look at the Angenieux OPTIMO 24-290mm ( a Monster) I will look soon to get this lens for a day and tested out with a MASTER PRIME to insure that color and image quality is at par so to interlace images among the different cameras wile using ZEISS MASTER PRIMES and Angenieux OPTIMO on the other.


BTW. Tonaci, I understand you wanting to get more bang for your bucks, but I imagine you also understand that the LIGHTWEIGHT ZOOM 15.5-45 and the OPTIMO 24-290 are two completely different beasts, one been so little, compact and at almost the same weight of a MASTER PRIME (just over 4lb) and the other been just as big as a lens dan get, it is not only the fact that weights the same as a fully configured RED (bringing your rig total weight at about and over 50 to 60lb) but is just BIG and LONG, also the front element diameter is huge.

So I'm sure you will be considering all the facts as well as the accessories that will go fitted with each lens you might choose, I know I'm forced to do a lot of home work on this.

Let me know if you want to joint forces at any point when ready to purchase or just wanting to test some of this lenses.

I'm dealling with Eric at ARRI NY.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com

[Evin Grant]

The 24-290 Optimo is gorgeous! It's razor sharp and has an extremely beautiful bokeh and focus fall off. It is a Monster though.

[KETCH ROSSi]

I agree with you Evin, it is as sharp as the Master Primes, but what I want/need to find out is if it is

[KETCH ROSSi]

I agree with you Evin,

the 24-290 Optimo it is extremely well designed lens and very sharp, also produces great color rendition and also true the blur is impressively god.

My main Q? still remans as if it can intercut images shot with the Master Primes, as we all know that the M. Primes, M. Zoom and LWZ-1 are Super Color Matched, so would the Optimo optics design be?

We should definetely do a test on this lenses.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

[Evin Grant]

I'd love to. Do you have a favorite renal house?

[KETCH ROSSi]

No, never rented before.

[Andrew M.]

I did play with this one last year, here is my post:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5585

[KETCH ROSSi]

I did read that review when you posted few months back as I'm very interested in the LWZ-1 to use with with the MASTER PRIMES, but after playing around with the 24-290 OPtimo I become very curious to see the way this two lenses can interact footage.

Better yet even so the Optimo is huge, I likely buy, it, vs. buying the LWZ-1 as it will only be intended for use on Sticks and Cranes, so having the extra range would be nice, eliminating the need for switching zooms.

Obviously my main concern is that the Optimo must match the Super Color Matched Master primes, I don't want to waiste all the unecessary time to correct this in post.

I intent to get two 150mm MP, one 100mm MP and one 65mm MP, to go with one of the two zoom above mantioned.

So looking forward to do this test of this two Zooms.

Caio,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com

[Tonaci Tran]

Hey Ketch!
You are definitely going to benefit from having at least one lightweight zoom in your package for your Actioncam =)

Man, I saw some stills from a job that Evin did using the ultra primes and I was BLOWN AWAY. I can't imagine how good the Master Primes look.

[KETCH ROSSi]

I know Tonaci,

right now I'm looking on what I can get quicker, it might also be that at list for the first camera ActionCam setup I will get a 65mm MASTER PRIME, which I think is likely one of the better fixed focal lenght to use on steady cam, ( any one with experience fill free to correct me ).

I imagine most of you are familiar with Battle Star Galattica, and if all of you have noticed they have drammatically change their utilizzation of focal lengths from the first season to recent episodes, they are going for extreme close ups and Super Extreme Close Up, well this is the look I go for my projects as I like to dramatize character action situations.

And it could be likely for me to end up with three steady cams operators so the LWZ-1 or two will be surely in my company's lens kit.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

[T. Glen Phelps]

I can't seem to find out if the LWZ-1 has LDS contacts or not. My guess is that it probably does but I can't seem to confirm it. I know the Master Primes do but ARRI's literature does not mention LDS on Master Primes either. Mitch?

[KETCH ROSSi]

Yes we surely know that even so it is not specified the Master Primes 14mm to 150mm do have LDS as well as the Ultra Prime 12mm to 180mm.

The LWZ-1 does as well to my understanding.

Also to my understanding they sale an adapter ring which mounts to the bottom of the lens to make this lens LDS.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

[T. Glen Phelps]

Hi Ketch

I think the adapter ring (the Lens Data Mount as ARRI calls it) only works when you use it in conjunction with ARRI's lens motors.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/1402_1200946838.jpg

[KETCH ROSSi]

Yes,

but if it works with the motor should also work with out, it just makes more sense to use the LDS system with wireless system FF.

Again I'm pretty sure the LWZ-1 comes with LDS system.

Will we if Mitch confirms this.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

[Mitch Gross]

I will have to check with Arri on this. I'll report back when I hear.

Mitch

[Brook Willard]

I've used an LWZ with LDS contacts before. It may have been a prototype, but they do exist.

It really is a fantastic lens. I wish it was a bit longer, but it's a great zoom for handheld [and I love me some zoomy handheld...].

[Mitch Gross]

From Arri:

The zoom does not have a standard LDS contact within it, but they can add the adapter mount and program it.

Mitch Gross
Abel Cine Tech

[KETCH ROSSi]

Same here Brook,

I guess even so it does not come from factory with the LDS it is still very good that it can be added and programmed by ARRI.

At this point I'm wryly trying to find as much as I can about the advantages of shooting with LDS lenses vs. non LDS lenses in order to finalize what lenses would I go for.

I surely know that in the long telephoto range I want to go with the MASTER PRIMES because I want to shoot wide open at T*1.3 and I don't care how many ND's I have to add to get the right exposure, I just want the incredible Bokeh this lenses produce.

From 50mm and below however speed it is not an issue at all.

The fact that ARRI super color matches all the MP,UP MPZ and LWZ-1 make it much easier to intercut lenses, even so I do believe that with Digital it is not a big of an issue as it is when shooting film as far as color matching in post.


Thanks Mitch for the info.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com