Comments on: Zeiss: A Cinematic Journey on "Act of Valor"

By: Shane

Shane — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:34:13 +0000

RobG. If given the choice I would use Super Speeds. They are faster and a smaller barreled lens as well. I shot so many music videos with those. Thanks for the comment and support.

By: RobG

RobG — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:56:32 +0000

Shane,

There is so much great info on your site, I feel I am back at film school. I am wondering if the CP.2 T2.1 series of lenses will suffice for HDSLR filmmaking or are the Super Speeds the better option if given the choice.

Thanks again for all you do.

RobG

By: Shane

Shane — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 19:56:39 +0000

McKay, thank you so much for your wonderful kind words and support. 21,35,50mm

By: McKay

McKay — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:24:10 +0000

Hey Shane, big fan. Act of Valor was an incredible visual experience, and the fact that it was done mostly on a camera less than $3,000 blows my mind. My question is if you can only have three of the Zeiss ZE primes, what would they be and why? I hope to eventually afford all the set you have, but for now, what would you recommend? Thanks!

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 02:37:58 +0000

Paul Abrahams, you have to start and you are knocking it out. Keep it up, I have been doing this for over 20 years and I never stop learning. I think that is what excites me and inspires me to create. You never conquer.

By: Paul Abrahams

Paul Abrahams — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:29:20 +0000

Hi Shane, I shoot video with the Canon 60D with 17-55mm EFS, 10-22mm EFS & 85mm 1.8 and though its a far cry from shooting for the big screen I’m learning a ton from your blog. Thanks.

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 03:14:04 +0000

Brandon, go with the 28mm I love that size. Not a big 25mm fan, EVER.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 04:40:51 +0000

Shane, purchasing a set of ZF2 to go with 5D3. 5 or 6 lens set. recommended Focal Lengths? I think i’m going to skip the 18mm and maybe get 15mm in future. A lot of sets come with the 2.8/21, 2/25, 1.4/35, 1.4/50, 1.4/85… what are your thoughts on the 2/25 vs 2/28.. individually or as part of a set. I want versatility and a decent range, but if one lens is better than another.. that helps too.. as well… is the 2/100mm Macro worth adding to the set?

Thanks

By: Shane

Shane — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:32:45 +0000

Angel. Thanks so much for kind words and support.

By: Angel

Angel — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 05:34:02 +0000

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge Shane. Im in film school right know, and let me tell you that your experience and advices have helped me out so much. Amazing filmmaker!

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:20:45 +0000

Ali, thank you so much for your wonderful kind words and support. I am glad you enjoyed the educational series. The stake cam is very simple. 1-C-stand grip head, 1- 1/4 20″ bolt to Baby pin and one 12′ 15mm rod.

By: Ali

Ali — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:45:01 +0000

Hey Shane, I have been reading back on all your blogs and seen all your educational series, I am so grateful for a person on your level to share their experience with everyone else in the world. Thank you so much!

I was also curious to know how you made the stake cam – Is it really as simple as getting a fluid head and a stake and putting them together? Is there more to it and where can you find the stake for this setup?

Thanks again!

By: Shane

Shane — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:48:04 +0000

Santiago, I love Zeiss glass as well. Whatever helps you tell your story. I would recommend the 21mm and the 28mm. The 21 I feel is Zeiss best lens and the most sharpest.

By: Santiago

Santiago — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:31:57 +0000

Hi Shane,

I actually went the Zeiss road. I am not regretting this decision at all! These lenses are amazing. However, I do have an issue choosing my wide angles. Right now the widest I have is the 35mm 1.4 and I want to get two more lenses in this area. My two options would be:

Zeiss 21mm and 28mm

Zeiss 18mm and 25mm

Which combination would you recommend?

Thank you for all your help!

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:58:36 +0000

Santiago, You will not be disappointed with the Canon L series. As long as you stick to the primes and understand the limitations of pulling focus on a still lens that was manufactured for AF. Which means short focus throws that are great for still photography but not for movie making. Zeiss have all the same issues as well, so I say go with Canon unless you want to walk on the wild side and go Leica R.

By: Santiago

Santiago — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 08:56:48 +0000

Hey Shane,

First of all I want to thank you infinitely for all the precious information you give out to us aspiring filmmakers. This website is a true gem for anyone who has been captivated by the magic of film.

I have just recently acquired the money for me to buy a good set of primes and the struggle of comparing both Zeiss and Canon (L Lenses) is killing me. Personally, I would chose the Canon as they offer the nice AF for photography which is something that I also enjoy. However, my main worry is that I am not sure that the Canon hold up as well as the Zeiss in term of video. Of Course, I am no professional cinematographer as I am just starting a career in filmmaking, but I do value the long lasting qualities of these lenses and I know they will last me an eternity (Thank goodness!). Therefore I have to make sure that what I purchase is of utmost high quality. All in all, I am writing this so that you could tell me a bit as to how the Canon L Primes compare to the Zeiss? Is it wise to purchase a set of these instead of the Zeiss? Will I be losing more with video than what I gain with photography?

Thank you so much for your help and once again congratulations on this amazing site!

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:58:11 +0000

There is no crop when using the Fotodiox adapter for ZF lenses.

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:33:37 +0000

Thanks for the kind words and support. All the helmet cam shots were done with ZF glass.

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:07:04 +0000

Darren Sim, thank you so much for the kind words and I am so glad you like the film.

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:06:23 +0000

Blake, Thank you so much for your kind words and all of your support on this. I think all the lenses held up well. The Primo’s definitely rose to the top, but they are 40K a lens. It was so much fun making this movie and I glad that you saw it on a big screen, because when I embarked on this mission everyone told me that this was impossible