http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/ Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:33:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-1386 PORTLAND FILM » Blog Archive » The DSLR Cinematography Guide Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:15:54 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-1386 [...] Zeiss lenses “produce a colder, contrasty feel. They are incredibly sharp… Be sure to use more fill light when using these lenses and also control your highlights.” Shane’s absolutely right; one of the disadvantages to a DSLR movie when compared to, say, 35mm film is the DSLR has less dynamic range (and, to date, lacks some of the gamma knee options of a sophisticated video camera to control highlights). A very saturated, contrasty lens like the Zeiss would often be an advantage, and I do appreciate their aesthetic (I own a Zeiss set myself), but you have to be even more careful with Zeiss lenses to protect your highlights from blowing out harshly (tip: use the Magic Lanternzebra stripes). Zeiss lenses are famous for having very large, all-metal focus rings with a lot of fluid drag, which many DPs like (I actually find the action a tad too heavy for handheld work), and they share many rendering qualities with Zeiss cine lenses, which is to say: they’re beautiful. [...] [...] Zeiss lenses “produce a colder, contrasty feel. They are incredibly sharp… Be sure to use more fill light when using these lenses and also control your highlights.” Shane’s absolutely right; one of the disadvantages to a DSLR movie when compared to, say, 35mm film is the DSLR has less dynamic range (and, to date, lacks some of the gamma knee options of a sophisticated video camera to control highlights). A very saturated, contrasty lens like the Zeiss would often be an advantage, and I do appreciate their aesthetic (I own a Zeiss set myself), but you have to be even more careful with Zeiss lenses to protect your highlights from blowing out harshly (tip: use the Magic Lanternzebra stripes). Zeiss lenses are famous for having very large, all-metal focus rings with a lot of fluid drag, which many DPs like (I actually find the action a tad too heavy for handheld work), and they share many rendering qualities with Zeiss cine lenses, which is to say: they’re beautiful. [...]

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-1173 Shane Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:55:03 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-1173 Jen Rich, you are welcome. Jen Rich, you are welcome.

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-1137 Jen Rich Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:44:46 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-1137 Thanks for this post. It it very helpful for me. Thanks for this post. It it very helpful for me.

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-712 Shane Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:53:29 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-712 Shalom, thank you so much for your kind words. Shalom, thank you so much for your kind words.

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-705 Shalom Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:12:46 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-705 Hi Shane, Just heard your interview on Lensflare35. Incredibly inspiring stuff. Great to hear you talk about the soul of the camera and also the environmental impact we can make but using these amazing DSLRs. Can't wait to see your extensive lens comparisons! Awesome work and words!! Hi Shane, Just heard your interview on Lensflare35. Incredibly inspiring stuff. Great to hear you talk about the soul of the camera and also the environmental impact we can make but using these amazing DSLRs.
Can’t wait to see your extensive lens comparisons!
Awesome work and words!!

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-697 Blake Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:18:58 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-697 Hi Shane, I've been checking your blog almost daily for several weeks now. Thanks for being so generous with your info/time! I just bought a few Contax Zeiss lenses (28 2.8, 35-70 3.4, 135 2.8) and I've been reading that some of these lenses have large tabs that may hit the 5d mirror or scratch the AF contacts. I know that you have not personally tried these lenses yet, but since you've mounted an array of other glass, I wonder if you or any of your readers may have some advice on how to carefully try these lenses. I have read that some people have no problems and others have been forced to "shave" the offending tabs. Thanks again Shane! Hi Shane, I’ve been checking your blog almost daily for several weeks now. Thanks for being so generous with your info/time! I just bought a few Contax Zeiss lenses (28 2.8, 35-70 3.4, 135 2.8) and I’ve been reading that some of these lenses have large tabs that may hit the 5d mirror or scratch the AF contacts. I know that you have not personally tried these lenses yet, but since you’ve mounted an array of other glass, I wonder if you or any of your readers may have some advice on how to carefully try these lenses. I have read that some people have no problems and others have been forced to “shave” the offending tabs. Thanks again Shane!

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-693 Shane Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:28:32 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-693 Abdi, thank you so much for your kind words, I have not tried that. Have you tried fotodiox.com, maybe they have an adapter for them. Abdi, thank you so much for your kind words, I have not tried that. Have you tried fotodiox.com, maybe they have an adapter for them.

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-687 Shane Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:08:29 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-687 Shalom, it is your vision. Use what makes your creativity come to life. I always choose the lenses based on the story and its characters. You never can go wrong when you put the story first. Shalom, it is your vision. Use what makes your creativity come to life. I always choose the lenses based on the story and its characters. You never can go wrong when you put the story first.

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-659 Shalom Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:01:29 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-659 I use a Contax 85mm 1.4 and 50mm and both are great. Only 6 blade aperture as apposed to the 9 blade on the recent models but still have that Zeiss magic. I also own a Yashica 28mm 2.8 which is pretty great too. I had a cameraquest adaptor but have since got some cheap ones from Ebay and these work just as well. I use a Contax 85mm 1.4 and 50mm and both are great. Only 6 blade aperture as apposed to the 9 blade on the recent models but still have that Zeiss magic.
I also own a Yashica 28mm 2.8 which is pretty great too.
I had a cameraquest adaptor but have since got some cheap ones from Ebay and these work just as well.

]]> http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/08/zeiss-lenses-sharp-and-snappy/comment-page-1/#comment-645 Abdi Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:38:09 +0000 http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/?p=40#comment-645 is it possible? is it possible?

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