RED Pro Primes vs Zeis CP2

[Lee Saxon]

I've also heard that using full frame glass can be a disadvantage (if using cropped sensor) as you're not using the whole part of the glass where the quality is.

You have that backwards. Resolution is highest in the center and lowest in the corners, so if you're only using the central "sweet spot" of the lens and not the corners, you're going to see better performance.

[Ned Wilson]

I love RPP's. For whatever reason, they get a bad rap. AC's hate the upper markings on them and find their focus draw isn't as progressive as the Zeiss. This I have to agree, but I don't find it to be a major issue. They are incredibly sharp though. The edge to edge sharpness and brightness is great. While I don't think they're MP or Cooke S4 or 5 quality, in most situations I'd take them over Schneiders, Panchros and CP's. Panchros and CP's are just too slow at the wider lenses. Panchros are slow across the board and if you do commercial work, that 2.8 sometimes just isn't soft enough in the backgrounds. It makes me wonder why Panchro owners just don't buy a Rouge or some lightweight Zoom. And generally you light for the slowest lens in the set. RPP's look fine wide open. The beefs I have with RPP's is finding the sweet spot for flaring. It's not consistent and you must test each lens in terms of stop and focus to find it. But hey, for 25 G they're a steal. Also, I wish they had more focal lenghts: ie, 14mm, 40mm, 65mm and 135mm.

Also, another major issue is of course weight. If you do alot of handheld then consider Panchros or CP's. They're way lighter and the focus marking issue is much bigger when it's on the ops shoulder. If you do loads of green screen, then RPP's are a clear winner for me. They're so sharp, they pull great keys and the minimal breathing is better for motion trackers on your green. If you rent your package to other people then consider Ultra Primes. At almost 3x the price, they'll still fly off the shelves and pay themselves off quickly while your RPP's collect dust.

[Chien "Ben" Zheng]

The Red prime lens looks sharper and less contrast to my eye over the Zeiss. I enjoy the color reproduction of Red lens more to. Personal preferences.

[nigelsmith]

I'm planning on buying a RED Pro Zoom 17-50 and a RED Prime of 85mm. That should cover the basics for film making on a budget.
Can anyone share experiences with Zeiss and RED lenses, how they compare. Would an 85 Zeiss be better than 85 Red prime?

I just ordered these two lenses, after much research.
I felt that the RPP 85mm won out over the CP2 - partly for matching with the RPZ, but mainly for a closer focusing distance, faster speed, and the weight differential is negligible.
The only quality that the CP2 lens leads on is accuracy of witness marks - but if you use a FF then this is not that important....and you can always mark them up yourself with camera tape like any good F/P [!st AC] would anyway.

Reviews by users of both lenses are flattering - the 85mm RPP is apparently one of the best RPPs.
I had planned on buying the 100mm but research persuade me otherwise.
The 17 - 50mm RPZ comes out way ahead of the original 18 - 50mm and the 18 - 85mm in reviews, but then you probably already knew that!
Even taking into account breathing, these are easily the best cinema lenses you can get at this price point.
I can't wait for them to arrive!

[Brigham Edgar]

the original 18-50 Red Zoom was rubbish, absolute rubbish...but I do believe some really good ones do exist. Optically soft, bad breathing, bad marks, the list goes on. So bad I had a lens tech here in Australia try to 'service' them and said no point. Hence they were discontinued.
The 18-85mm on the other hand is a great lens. We benched this lens at Panavision and their lens tech said it was easily as good as any other cine zoom on a test bench and charts. From there it goes to lens looks and characteristics...and that's personal preference. I have heard the 17-50 zoom is also just as good and a steal at its price point. Good pick!

[Brian Merlen]

I have the Duclos 11-16, Red Pro Zoom 17-50 and a Zeiss CP2 85mm. Love them all, and I basically have a full set with three lenses. The poor mans version of course. I'm very happy with all three and have no issues cutting between them.

that sounds like a great idea!

i'd get the duclos 11-16 and then the red 18-85. that would cover everything i need! other choice is an old retro lens that also covers everything i need, but with all the baggage that brings (more support gear, form factor, beat up over decades, etc)

the only thing i'd regret is the speed of the primes is so sweet. i have no clue what to buy, just hoping to hit lotto, then blow it all on good glass!

[Daniel Stilling]

that sounds like a great idea!

i'd get the duclos 11-16 and then the red 18-85. that would cover everything i need! other choice is an old retro lens that also covers everything i need, but with all the baggage that brings (more support gear, form factor, beat up over decades, etc)

the only thing i'd regret is the speed of the primes is so sweet. i have no clue what to buy, just hoping to hit lotto, then blow it all on good glass!

you would also need support for the 18-85...