Why I'm Naming My Second Born Carl Zeiss Jr. | BTS With Zeiss Lenses

I don't think there is anything sexier in the lens world than the Zeiss 28-80 T2.9 Compact Zoom Lens. Its robust cine-style housing and calibrated focus scales make pulling tack sharp focus a joy. What is lacks in affordability it drastically makes up for in the most epic of  lens performances you can find. If you have the option to rent this on your next shoot, don't think twice. Make sure to check out the Carl Zeiss showreel below as well.

Showreel

The Zeiss Lenses Used

28-80
The 
Zeiss 28-80mm T2.9 Compact Zoom CZ.2 Lens is a standard zoom lens that is optimized for motion picture production. The lens offers full-frame (36 x 24 mm) coverage and exhibits no focus shift over the zoom range. The cine-style housing features calibrated focus scales and industry standard gearing for focus, iris and zoom. At 7.72" long and with a weight of 5.5 lb, the 28-80mm is relatively compact and lightweight, which makes it ideal for handheld and Steadicam applications.

Zeiss Compact Zooms utilize T* anti-reflex coating and internal light traps to suppress flare, and a circular iris renders attractive bokeh. Interchangeable lens mounts are available in PL, Canon EF, Nikon F, Micro 4/3, and Sony E, which means that users are not locked into a single camera system. A range of mounting options and 4K ready optics make the 28-80mm Compact Zoom a versatile and virtually "future proof" lens.

70-200
The 
Zeiss 70-200mm T2.9 Compact Zoom CZ.2 Lens with EF Mount is a telephoto zoom lens that is optimized for motion picture production. The lens offers full-frame (36 x 24 mm) coverage and exhibits no focus shift over the zoom range. The cine-style housing features calibrated focus scales and industry standard gearing for focus, iris and zoom. At 9.84" long and with a weight of 6.2 lb, the 70-200mm is relatively compact and lightweight, which makes it ideal for handheld and Steadicam applications. 
Zeiss Compact Zooms utilize T* anti-reflex coating and internal light traps to suppress flare, and a circular iris renders attractive bokeh. Interchangeable lens mounts are available in PL, Canon EF, Nikon F, Micro 4/3, and Sony E, which means that users are not locked into a single camera system. A range of mounting options and 4K-ready optics make the 70-200mm Compact Zoom a virtually "future proof" lens.

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Gary Winchester Martin's picture

Gary W. Martin is a commercial photography producer and founder of PRO EDU. His company creates documentary style Photography and Photoshop tutorials with some of the best photographer/instructors in the world. Gary has spent 20% of his life abroad and once made a monkey faint in Costa Rica. He speaks English and Romanian.

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13 Comments

Drool.

Your kid will know the true origin of their name when you ask jr to take out student loans because you chose to buy these lenses instead of saving for their college education.

I know, right? God forbid your kids have to pay their own way and make a life for themselves.

Joking aside, I had that life and missed out on many opportunities because of it. The middle path is the best way, but being childfree is even better!

Lens lust. Gear lust. Production lust.

Career lust...

There are some amazing shots but I don't get the story and the music. is that just me? (it could have been shot with a vast array of other lenses as wel)

So, I have a 50-200 2.8 stills lens which is lovely. The downside obviously being focus shift, and the focus ring is not optimized for a follow focus, so the lens moves a lot during focusing with a FF. Im looking to counter this by attaching the lens collar to the rig itself, but still looking into that.

Anyways, that lens was under 1000 euros. The lens they use is 20.000 euros. Besides it being lovely and sharp, optimized for a FF and having no focus shift...is it really worth 20 times as much?

Sure, if you have the budget, why not...but can anyone explain to me why this thing is so much more expensive, and why you would need to buy one? (I can understand rental for a high cost production)

I'm sorry, but I refuse to accept ANY lens priced at $20,000 is "worth it" - that is nothing short of a ridiculously stupid price...

I think sometimes a price can be stupid when it is based in brand or marketing and not in practical use, like apple computers that sell design instead of functionality compared with pc. I don't know this is the case but perhaps Tara was refering something like this with her comment, knowing that some productions have been made with cheaper equipment is a test that her comment may be right.

Different needs create different value propositions. My 5K 27" iMac was the cheapest and best configured solution for my needs. A similarly specified Windows machine would have cost see $800 AUD more.

In the same way a $20,000 US cine lens may have the required capabilities for a specific project.

Hello! This is my first post, I just wanted to say that we have just received our Zeiss 28-80mm Compact Zoom and I must say that this is my favourite lens in the world!

I prefer it to our Arri Ultra Prime lenses, the Zeiss 28-80mm simply does NOT breath at all and it holds focus throughout the entire zoom range. Simply an outstanding lens for the money!

Regards
Stewart
Panny Hire / Zeiss Lens Hire (UK)