Panavision. Again.

Adam Frisch FSF · April 22, 2004

Need some advice. I'm about to shoot a commercial here in London and

would like to try Panavision for a change. It's what they call a "viral", which

means a film made for the internet, so the budget is limited.

I mainly need some advice on lenses. It's a spherical shoot and I'm going

for full aperture super-35. It's a very post-heavy spot, so I'll need some

lenses that don't distort or bend too much. On the other hand, I don't mind if

they're less contrasty - that'll just enhance the look we're going for. It also

involves a lot of handheld, so they must be light. I'm thinking the equivalent

to Zeiss's brilliant older T2.1 series. What lenses would you recommend for

that?

Also, I'd like to get the oldest camera possible to save money, but at the

same time have a camera that is manageable when handheld. Would an

old GII or Gold do the trick, or is anything but an XL murder on the back?

Thanks a bunch.

Max Jacoby · April 22, 2004

I mainly need some advice on lenses. It's a spherical shoot and I'm going
for full aperture super-35. It's a very post-heavy spot, so I'll need some

lenses that don't distort or bend too much. On the other hand, I don't mind if

they're less contrasty - that'll just enhance the look we're going for. It also

involves a lot of handheld, so they must be light. I'm thinking the equivalent

to Zeiss's brilliant older T2.1 series. What lenses would you recommend for

that?

Also, I'd like to get the oldest camera possible to save money, but at the

same time have a camera that is manageable when handheld. Would an

old GII or Gold do the trick, or is anything but an XL murder on the back?

Besides Primos you have two PV-mount options: Ultra Speeds and Super Speeds. Both are Zeiss glass and the Ultras are a bit faster (1.4 as oposed to 1.9)

As for cameras, the Platinum and G2 are pretty much the same weight, they are tad lighter than a 535B, around the weight of a Moviecam Compact.

I am 2nd AC at the moment on a project where the gear comes from Panavision London. They gave the production a good deal, we have a Moviecam Compact and Cooke S4s, as well as Cooke S3s. I am sure if they are not too busy and have a Panavision camera available, they will be able to accomodate you.

David Mullen ASC · April 22, 2004

They have both Ultra Speeds and Super Speeds in two categories, "Z Series" (I assume "Z" means "Zeiss") and "MKII Series". The MKII's are even older, cheaper, and softer -- plus more prone to flare. Actually, if you like the flaring, the old MKII Ultra Speeds are kinda pretty.

Jarin Blaschke · April 22, 2004

I've also handheld a Gold - Not a problem at all.

Kevin Zanit · April 22, 2004

I second the above.

The GII is a good solid camera. Not unmanageable to hand hold, reliable, and simple to use.

The "Z" in "Z series" does indeed stand for Zeiss (stating the obvious here).

Kevin Zanit

Phil Rhodes · April 23, 2004

Hi,

On a slightly different track, when I was talking to them late last year, Panavision London were staggeringly open about how desperate they were to get their Arri gear out the door. Particularly in 35mm, the attitude wasn't quite "it's sitting on the shelf, you may as well take it," but it was pretty close to that.

I guess that's a sad sign really, but worth bearing in mind. In general, it seems that the availability of 35mm short ends and camera equipment is actually so much better than super 16 that the larger format may end up being a better choice overall.

Phil

Adam Frisch FSF · April 23, 2004

Ok, thanks.

But what you're basically saying is that ALL the older lenses are, in fact, Zeiss? So if

I wanted something else than Zeiss, my only choice would be Primos, right?

The MKII sound kinda good, David. You know what kind of Zeiss glass's in them?

Patrick Neary · April 23, 2004

I don't know if this helps or not, but you can see a quicktime of a music video shot with the UltraSpeed MKII lenses at: http://www.brokenskyfilms.com just go to music videos then "People Die"

There's a shot of one of the band members eating a sandwich on a sofa (with a bright window behind him) that shows a kind of veiling you can get with these lenses. Overall, I really liked them, and man, they were CHEE-EEEP!

David Mullen ASC · April 23, 2004

Actually, I don't know WHAT are in those MKII's -- I heard once that they were a mixture of elements from Cooke and Zeiss. They may be Cooke S3 elements.. or Panchros (B&L?)...

Jarin Blaschke · April 23, 2004

As far as I know, all non-"Z" type lenses are not Zeiss, such as the older, plain MkIIs.

Mitch Gross · April 24, 2004

I think there might even be some rehoused Super Baltar glass in there that evolved from back when Panavision was making lenses for Mitchell cameras.

David Mullen ASC · April 24, 2004

Who made Baltars and Pancros? Were Baltars by Bosch & Lomb and Pancro's by Cooke?

Mitch Gross · April 24, 2004

Who made Baltars and Pancros? Were Baltars by Bosch & Lomb and Pancro's by Cooke?

Yes.

Max Jacoby · April 24, 2004

On a slightly different track, when I was talking to them late last year, Panavision London were staggeringly open about how desperate they were to get their Arri gear out the door. Particularly in 35mm, the attitude wasn't quite "it's sitting on the shelf, you may as well take it," but it was pretty close to that.

Well if they looked after their gear better, then people would rent it as well...

For Arri and Moviecam stuff, there really is no reason to rent from Panavision.

Marcel Zyskind · April 25, 2004

Why do want to use Panavision?

Arri and Aaton make great handheld cameras.

Can you really see the difference between Zeiss, Primos and Cookes on compressed Internet format? Honestly really?

All the best

Marcel

Adam Frisch FSF · April 28, 2004

Why do want to use Panavision?

Arri and Aaton make great handheld cameras.

Can you really see the difference between Zeiss, Primos and Cookes on compressed Internet format? Honestly really?

All the best

Marcel

Well, I'm a devoted Arri man myself. But I've shot nothing else so I'd

like to try something new. Not for any particular reason other than working

with something I haven't worked with before.