BEST OLD 35MM LENSES EVER MADE??

[Gregory de Maria]

Hi guys!

 

I'm looking to buy affordable old 35mm lenses for my HDcam. I have a 35 adaptor to mount them.

 

I'm not a DP, I'm just a director.. so I was wondering if someone knew which old lenses were great?? I can definitely rent the brand new ones but I also want to buy some for my own collection.

Anyone knows great ones? Cooke S2-3? Old Nikon, Zeiss?? Please give me some models and names I can look for.

 

I'm looking for primes or even zooms depending prices or how good they are.

 

Thx for you time and infos!!!

[Saul Rodgar]

I would really look at some HD primes on B4 mount, if you haven't done that. The consensus around here is that putting a 35mm adapter on a 2/3" chip camera is not ideal for a number of reasons (with the right fast HD lenses directly on the 2/3" camera, one can get close to the DOF look of 35, size and weight of the camera with the adapter and lenses on, etc)

 

That said, affordable 35mm cine lenses are somewhat a thing of the past, as RED One and other large sensor cameras have kick started the market for older, sub prime 35mm lenses, bringing up prices.

 

Anyway here are some vintage lens names in no particular order or detail:

 

Bausch and Lomb Super Baltars

Kowa cine lenses.

Zeiss Super Speeds

Cooke Panchros (first generation)

Cooke S2s and S3s

Various Lomo Russian lens types.

Canon K35s

Older Illumina sets

Angenieux Zooms

Fujinon Zooms, etc

 

Here are some hopefully helpful links:

 

http://forum.mflenses.com/manual-focus-lenses-f3.html

http://www.cinemalenses.com/

http://www.visualproducts.com/store04.asp?...t=8&Cat2=18

Edited November 23, 2009 by Saul Rodgar

[Chris Burke]

I'll second the recommendation for the Canon K35s. great glass for the money. I also agree that HD primes would be the best choice, but aren't they insanely expensive? Prompting the typical response, "why bother? I'll just rent"

Definitely check out Lomos as well.

[Chris Keth]

I'm a fairly vocal fan of the S2/3 cookes. Really beautiful look to those lenses.

[Saul Rodgar]

I also agree that HD primes would be the best choice, but aren't they insanely expensive? Prompting the typical response, "why bother? I'll just rent"

 

Indeed, that was the thing I neglected to mention. There is something to be said about renting lenses, and most cine gear, for that matter. One can get the right lenses for the project, and not be married to one set when another one could work best. "The right tool for the right job" type situation.

[Gregory de Maria]

thx everyone! very helpful!