EPIC CAMERAS Save crap lenses. view test.

[Michael Totten]

Mark-

I have to respectfully disagree with your take on those old super-speeds :)
I love the way old glass looks on an Epic.
I use to own a set of Zeiss "b-speeds (I think they were the predecessors of the MK-1's you used). In terms of pulling focus they were absolute shit... 1/2 turn rotation for focus and no matter how many times you had them calibrated they never seemed to hold.

On the other hand they were soft on skin and fell off beautifully around the edges (both focus and light) - I grew to love them for this reason.

These lenses were essentially doing (optically) what a colorist may be asked to do in post (adding mild softening and vignette's). Obviously they should be used only when you're fully committed to that particular look & they certainly don't compare in any respect to Master Primes.

You wrote in your original post: "So the moral of this post is.. sometimes.. not all the time. Bad lenses actually look good... but are saved by the EPIC's 5k image quality."

I would re-phrase and say: So the moral is, sometimes, old lenses actually look better and enhance Epic's 5K image quality.
I don't mean to imply there is anything wrong with the image an Epic produces (I love the Epic)... I'm just saying "good" is subjective and depends on what look you want.

It's all very subjective.


PS. Your footage looks great.

[Brandon J.F.]

Great work Mark! I really enjoy your posts. I agree about old glass and RED cameras being a great combination. I love the look I get with my LOMO lenses.

[Pawel Achtel]

Nice piece, Mark.
If you need Master Primes, all you need to do is ask :)

[chad vachter]

has anyone tried old , low budget tricks like spreading different gauges of nylons, sheers ect over the rear element and then onto the epic.
i wonder if it would soften the image like it does for film cameras, or would it register as a pattern on that epic sensor ...
might be fun to play with .

your scooter commercial was great Mark , seen alot of your posts. now when i see them i will take them with even more notice.

as we say in the states " when ef hutton talks ... "

[Kemalettin Sert]

check Life Cycles its the best stuff shot on RED (Red One) and they only used nikon lenses...

[David (dudi) Namir]

We also use sometimes what you call crap lenses. We removed the coating, I describe them as sharp lenses with a soft look.
They are either Zeiss "b-speeds/ T.14 with a later add on of PL mount or Zeiss MK1. I am not sure.
They are very nice lenses we shot with them On Alexa and on Rd M-X haven't shot with them on the Epic yet
http://www.dnkarentals.com/uncoated/
They are for rent by the way

[Mark Toia]

Nice piece, Mark.
If you need Master Primes, all you need to do is ask :)

At the time, you didn't live in Thaliand and India :) problem with these two countries is every one says yes... But struggle to ccome up with the goods. But I still love them.

[Mark Toia]

Mark-

I have to respectfully disagree with your take on those old super-speeds ... I personally love the way 30 year old glass looks on an Epic. I owned a set of Zeiss "b-speeds/ T.14" for a few years (I think they were the predecessors of the MK-1's you used). In terms of pulling focus they were absolute shit... 1/2 turn rotation for focus and no matter how many times you had them calibrated they never seemed to hold.

On the other hand they were soft on skin and fell off beautifully around the edges (both focus and light) - I grew to love them for this very reason.

The way I see it, these lenses were essentially doing (optically) what a colorist may be asked to do in post (adding mild softening and vignette's). Obviously they should be used only when you're fully committed to that particular look & they certainly don't compare in any respect to Master Primes.

You wrote in your original post: "So the moral of this post is.. sometimes.. not all the time. Bad lenses actually look good... but are saved by the EPIC's 5k image quality."

I would re-phrase and say: So the moral is, sometimes, old lenses actually look better and enhance Epic's 5K image quality.
I don't mean to imply there is anything wrong with the image an Epic produces (I love the Epic)... I'm just saying "good" is subjective and depends on what look you want.


PS. Your footage looks great.

Let me correct myself. The actual lenses we used were crap... Not all Ziess Mk1s are crap.

[Danai Chutinaton]

Mark, amazing work as usual!

By the way, I'm from Thailand (born and raised) and I don't always say yes and struggle to come up with the goods. Let me know if you find yourself in a bind in Bangkok, would love to help!

At the time, you didn't live in Thaliand and India :) problem with these two countries is every one says yes... But struggle to ccome up with the goods. But I still love them.

[Mark Toia]

Mark, amazing work as usual!

By the way, I'm from Thailand (born and raised) and I don't always say yes and struggle to come up with the goods. Let me know if you find yourself in a bind in Bangkok, would love to help!

You have master primes for rent and an EPIC. I'll be calling :)