Jump to content

Relative sharpness of Optar Illuminas compared to Zeiss, etc.?


Recommended Posts

Hi -

 

I'm fairly new to film (ironically, transitioning from video), but I'm currently looking into getting a set of primes for my super16 Kinor SX-2M (PL mount).

 

The Optar Illuminas look great to me, and as I'm a happy Russian camera (+ zoom lens) owner, I have faith in an all-Russian rig.

 

I'm just wondering where the Illuminas fall in the scale of sharp to soft lenses.

 

I found this rundown of lens manufacturers on konvas.org:

 

"Sharpest, hardest, downward to warmer, softer-- In my use, only, spherical lenses--

 

Late Zeiss

Late Cooke

Fuji Cine

Rodenstock

Schneider

Later Leitz

Later Lomo

Canon Cine

Angenieux

earlier Zeiss

Cooke Speed Panchro

B&H

Earlier Leitz

earlier Lomo"

 

Ideally, I think I'd like to get something in the middle of the spectrum, for all purpose use - I don't want clinical, but I don't want gauzy. I've read that the Illuminas are comparable to the Zeiss superspeeds. But maybe that comparison is based on the T-stops and coverage rather than the warmth of the lens? Is there any quantifiable lens rating (i.e. lpmm?) that can give me a sense of the sharpness? And should I even be worried about this? (Although, when spending this many rubles, I will worry about whatever I can.)

 

I'm also wondering if anyone has followed up on the few seemingly half price deals on the net for Illumina sets (i.e. ~$7400). I read that these are bait and switch scams.

For instance:

http://xl1solutions.com/optar_illumina_lenses_are_the_fi.htm

 

Any advice is welcome. Thanks very much!

 

----

Lens list quoted from this page:

http://konvas.org/faq/whats-the-look-and-f...ooke-other.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Member

What's your budget?

 

Optars are pretty comparable to Super Speeds, I've seen DPs use mixed sets of Optar/Zeiss. Super Speeds tend to be softer and less contrasty between T1.3 and T2.8 and sharpen up a lot when stopped down, so I imagine Optars are similar. From most expensive to cheapest, sorry I don't know exactly how much they cost:

 

The sharpest, most contrasty lenses for Super16 are the T.13 Zeiss Ultra16 primes. I think they cost something like $20,000 per lens!!

 

There are some very nice modern zooms out there made by Canon, 6.6-66mm, 11-138mm, etc.

 

The Canon 7-63mm is slightly older but still very sharp and contrasty, good close focus, low breathing. The Zeiss 12-120mm is also crisp and contrasty, cuts well with Super Speeds, but has a 5' close focus (3'6" with vignetting) and breathes like a mofo.

 

The Canon 8-64mm is older still, a bit soft and distorted on the wide end but with good close focus and low breathing, and pretty cheap these days.

 

I haven't used any Super16 Cooke zooms, but the 9-50mm is reputed to be very good. A bit soft in a good way, as Cookes are generally wont to be.

 

I'd say if possible, you should go to a rental house with your camera and ask to look at a bunch of lenses, maybe shoot some tests and see what you like. Call first and ask if it's okay, of course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...