Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:45 pm
Like the OP, I cut my teeth shooting ENG and those fast, parfocal servo zooms are hard to beat but for modern, large sensor cameras, my pick is the classic Zeiss 'Contax' series. These have a huge following among the RED enthusiasts too with many claiming that they offer far superior performance to Zeiss CP.2s.
Of course, Contax primes are full frame 'stills' lenses BUT they feature a large focus rotation in the correct direction, ultra close focus, minimal breathing and unlike many modern lenses, the Contax series are low contrast lenses so benefit greatly from today's post production Grading practices. No need to shoot Log.
Among the Contax primes, the 100mm F/2.0 'Hollywood' is highly sort after as is the wonderful 21mm Distigon F/2.8. The latter is my all time favourite prime as it is fast (f/1.9 via a focal reducer on S-35) and with a 91 degree field of view, it pretty much sees what your eye sees without any barrel distortion and stopped down a bit, your focus is from about 30cm to infinity. It is the wide lens I use when I don't want the viewer to notice the 'lens'...
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