I was wrong about cheap cinema lenses

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Meike 35mm T2.1 Cinema Lens - bit.ly/3tmXJS4 - First 50 people to use this code get $50 off! - Coupon: 35mm code - MK3521FF, 50mm code - MK-5021FF, 80mm code - MK-8521FF
2*FF-PRIME Cine Lens Set $100 code：FF-SETX2
3*FF-PRIME Cine Lens Set $150 code：FF-SETX3
I used to not like cheap cinema lenses but I think Meike may have changed my mind. For the price, their new line of affordable cinema lenses are worth checking out! Thanks to @eastonoliverokc and @wooley.studio for helping me make this video.
(BH & Amazon) Meike 35mm T2.1 FF - geni.us/LVkqp
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Portrait lens - geni.us/LEMih
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Camera Monitor - geni.us/dkqaV
My favorite cinematic lens filter - geni.us/p519aA
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Moment ND Filter - geni.us/uMX9
#cinemalenses #meike #blackmagicdesign

[@JimandSairs]

It would have been good to see how the Cooke held up to the same chromatic aboration test

[@Cinematographer_brenton]

these look so smooth and buttery, a huge leap from the rokinon xeen lenses, great video dude!

[@eddieriosyt]

It would be cool for you to compare this lens with a SMC Takumar 35mm f2. I have one I can let you borrow in the name of science lol.

[@ScottSullivanTV]

I've retired my Rokinon Cine DS lenses, and I'm ready to move on to something new! These Meikes did look like a good option... until I saw the chromatic aberration which is the main reason I'm ditching the Rokinons. Also... really good video! Going to check out more of your stuff. It's nice to watch a KZbinr who isn't just a vlogger reviewing equipment after using it to film trees or something.

[@dyowl]

Looking forward to seeing your review of DZO Pictor zooms, Please make it happen. Great video as always 😊💯.

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

Cheers Spenser, another great review on a very important piece of gear!

[@MLee-vcrr]

Nice video man. Great comparison. The Cooke had better color saturation but the Meike had better bokeh. I already had the 50mm and my 35mm just came, so I'm still testing it. I've already noticed this lens has almost no "focus breathing" (the 50mm has a little) on the Sigma fp. I'm not seeing quite the amount of C.A. on full frame as seen in your test though. The image it produces is really clean and non-digital. Keep up the good work!

[@PeterDiBussolo]

Man that footage look so nice!

[@WidescreenContent]

Great video! How is the hromatic aberation compared to the Cooke?

[@Youknowthebo]

I really love your content. Got here after I decided to get the BMPCC4K for my channel. Love that camera and I see so many cool things from your channel on your rig or how you film that I want to try for my channel as well. Keep up the great work.

[@rayt_visual]

Nice. Yea around me here in Toronto, no one has them for rentals and I’ve been debating on these and the DZO primes for owner options. The Zeiss CPs are my go tos for rentals ... but for owning, these are some good prices and looks like some good optics. I saw a bit of a colour shift on your test against the Cooke ... but I imagine fairly easy fix in DaVinci. Thanks for the time to review.

[@vaidehiarts]

Bro, the Meike is a really good lens, and I loved the soft, "cinematic" renditions. But cine-modded FDs (or AI-S NIkkors) are still incredible for their price-to-quality ratio. Might not impress clients as much, but they work great, and are lighter both in your bag and on your pocket.

[@CineMobilePodcast]

Can you tdo a comparison of the Super 35 meike vs the Full Frame Meike?

[@HarrisonDillingham]

The Meike 35 looks to be a very rewarding tool, and your footage showcases a lot of its potential. That being said, I believe it misses the mark when it comes to skintones. I also think your review could have greatly benefitted from a comparison to your FD 35mm, not just the Cooke. Other than that, I think it's fair to say that Meike's Full Frame cinema primes could replace my FD primes in the near future.

[@mivico]

He used an ARRI Alexa with the Cooke and a BMPCC 6K for the Meike so it wasn’t an even comparison. The Meike still looks amazing. Considering ditching my micro four thirds one for the full frame + speedbooster on the BMPCC 4K

[@shamsheeds]

Nice. Would love to know how you made the modifications of your FD lenses to EF. Cheers

[@willwelch801]

I recently started shooting on the Xeen 35mm T1.5 Cinema Lens and it’s really good. Honestly, it’s way better than I expected for a $1,700 Cinema Lens.

[@JonasStuart]

I bought 4x Meike's (12mm, 25mm, 50mm and 85mm) for my P4K and they're great. The more I use them, the more I learn their strengths and weaknesses and therefore get a lot more from them now. They're a LOT cheaper than the full frame ones - but looking at your footage here, the full frame version has nicer bokeh °¬) By the way, when I'm watching your channel I feel like I'm watching a channel with at least 10x the audience so well done on quality and presentation °¬)

[@AlexandervanderWallen]

Realy dig this. Any thoughts on the slr magic microprimes for e mount system?

[@nicklong7442]

Sick dude. You’ve got one of the most underrated channels

[@earlyspark2556]

Great video !! you should try the IRIX cinema line lens

[@tuttmamman3490]

Can you compare this to the dzofilm primes?

[@ansenvideoproduction]

Hey these are nice! I'd like to compare them with Irix cinema lenses line to see which one is better. But these Meike's could be the cheapest, good quality cine option!

[@impatrickt]

should have got an 82 inch TV instead

[@bensanders2101]

Great video - this answered a lot of questions for me.

[@briandipierro8865]

I've been looking at this lens, and it's definitely got that really NICE quality look to it. I've never liked the image that came out of Rokinon lenses, nor Samyang. Viltrox are pretty nice to me, I'm really curious on their own cine lenses they're doing now. So curious on that 20mm T2.0.

[@EmileModesitt]

Great video, thanks! I actually liked the look of the Meike footage much more than the Cooke lol

[@Mucarofilms]

Great video, fx3 vs bM coming soon?

[@collinausbury]

Thinking about getting a set of Contax Zeiss primes for BMPCC6k. Then again, the bigger build would be nice too. Thanks for the reviews man. The cool thing about you is that you change your mind. You're not a brand loyalist just to be one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@maximilliannewcombe1719]

Hey Collin, I'm super late on this but as someone who is just selling their COntax set to get the Meikes I would say you really, really need to be aware that it's very difficult to get the Contax lenses serviced anywhere (at least here in the UK), as many lens techs have told me that pulling them apart often does more harm than good. I've also had a really bad experience with buying them and months later discovering serious issues that devalue the lens. I think FDs are a much safer bet, they seem to be much more consistent, plentiful and easier to directly adapt.

[@collinausbury]

@@maximilliannewcombe1719 thanks a bunch, man! So glad this community thrives through helping each other out.

[@collinausbury]

@@maximilliannewcombe1719 moving toward Nikon AI-S primes. Started adapting a set already.

[@maximilliannewcombe1719]

@@collinausbury Nice, I saw those on the ShareGrid Ultimate Lens test I think, they look great. Might have to look into them in the future, hopefully the prices remain okay as everyone continues to forget that Nikon exist haha

[@thatguypew]

ETTR TUTORIAL PLEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEEE! I've seen other people do it but they dont do it as well as you

[@830Video]

I'm one lens away from completing my set of biotars. I have the zeiss biotar 35mm and 58mm, just need the 75. Vastly superior to the helios copy

[@ilawodfilms5038]

How does this stack up vs the Sigma 18-35mm cine?

[@MARZILLI]

What do you think of the DZO Vespid line? Nice vid!

[@spensersakurai]

Still need to try those out.

[@EdwardWischer]

It definriely has an amazing quality to it... definitely one to add to the list

[@topicruben]

Man!!!!!!!!! I've been in LOVE with Meike lenses since a LONG time 😭, but never tried one. The image is great, and here when you compared it to the other expensive lens, it really shone!!! The only "down" detail for me is that it opens at T2.1 versus the Sigma 18-35mm opens at f1.8 🤯... I just got the bmpcc 6k pro and I'm loving it. I have a very cheap lens (Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and the nifty 50 which I love), but I defo want some cinema lenses and now Meiki is making EF!!!! QUESTION! how did you remove the cover for the plugs in the 6K??? Thanks Spenser!

[@renaissancedigital5730]

old comment I know but the Sigma 18-35 is actually T2. The 1.8 is an f stop measurement. If you check their cinema version it is marked T2 which is essentially the same as the meike 2.1

[@cire30a]

get the zy optics 1.0 cinema lenses and let us know! im excited for them

[@unobruno_]

Yoooo! with what did you grade that footage of your friend playing a game? was that shot on pocket 6K or Alexa classic???? amazing color on wooden floor and skintones!

[@jasonmagbanua]

Agree!

[@_CRiT_hits_]

Ooooooof I have an a7c and a few high end Sony E lenses and have been eyeing an fx3... But for literally the price of that body I could get a bmpcc 4k AND this Meike?? Damn that is tempting 🤔

[@microbroadcast]

So, did your friend keep his FX3 or go for the BMPCC6K Pro? Thanks for posting your thoughts on the lens.

[@spensersakurai]

He sent back the fx3! Raw won him over

[@GeraldBertramPhotography]

What's really interesting is how Meike got into cinema glass in the first place and the lawsuits with Veydra. Quite a bit of drama that has all seemed to work out in the end.

[@A1Bokeh]

Dang never knew that

[@rayt_visual]

I own a full set of Veydras ... and still love those lenses. But now want FF lenses and this is a good news ... just wish the full set of these Meikes would be put already.

[@espenglomsvoll]

I dont think Ryan at Veydra got in to a lawsuit with Meike :)

[@phileezor]

That lens looks cleaaaan. Dope video as always.

[@HiddenOaksMedia]

Maybe a bit unrelated, but do you care to share your thoughts on the FX3? I have it, and I’m not die hard Sony, I’m just curious how you feel about it. I’m kicking myself for not going with the fx6, but I think I’ll end up wanting both

[@microbroadcast]

I would be interested to hear your experience of the FX3, & why you wish you had gone with the FX6 instead. 🙂 Maybe consider making a short video yourself? I’m sure others would be interested as well.

[@HiddenOaksMedia]

@@microbroadcast I probably will honestly, it’s a very interesting time for Sony. At $4k, you’re kinda teetering on professional. Arguably too expensive for hobbyists and better quality than KZbin. If you’re doing this for jobs, you’ll want the electronic VND. Polar pro vnds work, but they’re not ideal for run and gun and switching lenses. No SDI, and you absolutely need a Ninja v. It’s very awkward to mount a monitor, but it can be done. The ergonomics are just not really there for all day use. It’s top of the line for fun and solo use, but it doesn’t fit into a professional work flow at all

[@williamtuke1326]

@@HiddenOaksMedia Many thanks Ben for your insights. Really appreciate you taking the time to reply. 👍

[@bigdazz8951]

What up bro bro... Do I need an adapter for the 6k pro?!

[@oscarsoysal]

Just bought my Meike using your code thank you 🙏🏼

[@noahlebel-turcotte4662]

I have the rockinon ones. They are great lol.

[@captainradio5894]

Was the skin tone difference glass-related? Or caused by something else?

[@edouhoekie]

I own a bunch of rare M42 lenses which arguably still get a nicer rendition than most cine lenses. As long as you don't need sterile visual perfection.

[@dotta4763]

Great video as usual. You said you’d rather get a PL lens then a EF. Wouldn’t you stick to the EF to be able to use it on a speed booster to get a FF look?

[@spensersakurai]

I ended up using these on my Komodo for a while with the speedbooster. I liked it but the weight was a lot for the speedbooster.

[@dotta4763]

@@spensersakurai interesting. I decided to go for a S35 25mm PL.

[@mynam3isnathan]

I still think if I was going for full-frame capable legit cine primes I'd go with the SLR Magic APO HyperPrimes. They feel like the budget friendly Zeiss Otus option to me with more useful housings. Though for the cost I love what Meike is bringing to market. For now sticking with my FD's though. And for what it's worth through the grapevine I've heard that IronGlass may be doing some FD rehousing in the future and that's pretty much the endgame on my personal gear roadmap. UPDATE: Having actually fully watched the video now I can definitely say I still don't like the Cooke bokeh, or anything that matter that's not nice and clean and circular outside of anamorphic options. Overall tonality out of the Cooke's still feels great as it always does though. Nice coatings etc. but I think the FD's also have fantastic coatings. Focus breathing, or lack there of on the Meike lens was awesome. I still think I'd lean into something Apochromatic if I was buying into a modern looking / rendering set but for the price and the mechanics the Meike's feel like they'll be a no-brainer for some people. I still feel justified in maintaining a vintage set and something super clean like Sigma zooms or primes with some filtration though when I need it. But that's specifically because I don't need the robust cine housings for handheld / run and gun shooting scenarios.

[@arnav6236]

I have these Jupiter Soviet lenses and genuinely they have a very similar look to that lens but of course so cinema housing

[@stuCameraman1]

Very nice looking lens....thanks for sharing......dribble 😊

[@felipehenaovideo]

Try Nikkor AI or AIs no problem with EF mount, Crazy good Quality if you get a copy in mint condition

[@gabrielmachadobsb]

One thing that I immediately noticed is how the skintones are much clearer on the Cooke. The Meike seems to have a somewhat yellow cast on skin

[@stu9000]

Probably more to do with Arri vs BM P6k cameras

[@JimandSairs]

Is it the cameras or the lenses we’re looking at re colour rendition !?

[@gabrielmachadobsb]

@@JimandSairs it could be either. A color chart would have been very useful to match the two cameras as close as possible so we would only be looking at lens differences

[@GabrielAlves-lp1qr]

@@gabrielmachadobsb No lens would make that much color difference. Funny how an Alexa makes the Pocket look like an a6300 lol

[@JimandSairs]

@@gabrielmachadobsb A colour chart would have neutralised the differences we're looking to identify and which the video claims to demonstrate. Lenses can render colours very differently. For a worthwhile test the only variable should have been the lenses; so the same camera with lenses of the same focal length, set at the same T-stop, shooting the same subject from the same position, under the same lighting condition (and I'd line up the exposure on a scope by adjusting shutter if the brightness varied)...etc etc. As it is, the test shows us nothing of the colour rendition, which is a shame as I'd have really liked to have seen that. Maybe Square Space can get the Alexa back and run the test with the Cooke and Meike solely on one of the cameras in a more controlled way?

[@zoanyway]

I wonder if that step down situation wouldn't introduce vignetting on a FF sensor...

[@topicruben]

However! having the 6K, or the 6K Pro we could go for the Meike Prime 35mm T2.1 for Super 35, which only costs $539 !!!

[@jonathanl7883]

Do you find you get image shifts when rack focusing the FDs?

[@insanejughead]

Focus breathing, you mean? I have a set of FD's, and it's rather minimal.

[@jonathanl7883]

@@insanejughead no not focus breathing. I have 10 FD lenses myself. I’m talking about a physical shift in the glass/housing that results in the ‘image’ moving up or down when using a focus motor . Hard to explain in words really, you have to see it.

[@insanejughead]

@@jonathanl7883 Oh, that. I have some cheaper FD lenses that will do that. Mine is caused by loose fitting parts between the barrel, focusing helicoid, and mount.

[@hufman9807]

T2.1 full frame is plenty. That's like a T1.0 on mft 👍

[@eddieriosyt]

In bokeh you mean right? For exposure t2.1 is t2.1 no matter the sensor.

[@insanejughead]

The bokeh is the same when comparing the same lens on different sensors, it's just a difference in field of view. Mft requires moving away to get the same framing.

[@rokah1391]

I have a panasonic s5 but in L mount it cost 1000€ whereas EF mount cost 650€ shoud i take EF mount to save those bucks? since i have ring for Ef to L

[@spensersakurai]

I used the ef adapter for all my testing so i wouldnt stress it.

[@rokah1391]

@@spensersakurai i'm idiot , ididn't see it was s35 and not FF . would it change something if i pick the s35 instead ff for panasonic S5

[@stevendukedesigns]

I like the flares better on the S35 then the FF MEIKE's

[@Mr.Monta77]

I found cine modding Carl Zeiss contax lenses is the best possible way to create a quality set of prime lenses. I will choose Carl Zeiss over any cheap chinese lens every day of the week.

[@IsaacProtiva]

I'm not a fan of the hazy look to the defocused areas, cooke looks far better in that area IMO

[@ihauyang8699]

Get a mattebox for your rig and impress your clients even more! (Fix the nd problem on the way)

[@LukasHauf]

I’ve been looking at cheap cinema lenses for a while now and must say that my favorite I’ve seen so far is the DZOFILM Vespid Prime FF series.

[@FTGTapGod]

The Meike is a solid lens. Personally I think the DZOFilms Vespids are the best budget cinema lenses available right now. They are sharp without being clinical, control CA really well, and have almost 0 breathing. They also benefit from having a full set available today. I have a pre-order out for the new Dulens APO Mini Primes which I'm really excited for. They aren't shipping yet, but are designed in house with close references to vintage cinema lenses.

[@spensersakurai]

I'd love to try those out but they seem to be out of stock everywhere.

[@FTGTapGod]

@@spensersakurai hit up soltyscameras.com. He's the US distributor for Z Cam and has at least one set in stock right now.

[@RobWatt]

Roman hense turned me on to meike, very impressed

[@josephdeveau3584]

Honestly, this may be a conversation I have in my own head every few months: I think for owning your own lenses, the re-housed or even straight up Canon FD or FL lenses, or older Nikon, is the way to go. When you need the cinema lenses, just rent them. You'll always be able to rent way better lenses than you can afford. Unless you own a production company (which you likely do), I don't think it's worth shelling out for a lens kit. The only downside of renting lens kits being: 1) if you don't live in a relatively big city it may be impossible, and 2) you always have to rent the whole kit even if you just need 1 or 2...unless you know the people you're renting from, and 3) you'll have to get production insurance. I own a Meike 50mm stills lens for Fuji x-mount and honestly the lens is shit. The colours all shift magenta, there is chromatic aberrations in a lot of scenarios, and it flares as easily as older vintage lenses (good or bad depending on your taste). Obviously there's no right answer but there's this weird obsession with owning cinema lenses on KZbin. If you're in a scenario where you can't rent cinema lenses, need precise focusing, then I can understand buying an affordable cinema lens. But the re-housed Canon FDs are kind of amazing.

[@porSancho]

There other meike cinema lenses, cheaper. Since 12mm. Price: $390.

[@osasidaeproductions3759]

It’s the colors for me man .. your colors are awesome

[@CommentRodent]

The Samyang/Rokinon cine lenses aren't bad, they actually complete well against the Canon cine lenses.

[@clearmotionfilms]

Biggest problem is if you didn’t use the Rokinon cine lens kit yet then you’re wasting your time that’s the only cheap lens that’s worth your time until you buy your pro pro kit. I say this cause in the video you said you didn’t even mess with those.

[@BP-qi3dt]

Cooke S4 minis or whatever. Here’s my Mikey lenses

[@BLiu1]

Super interesting that Meike is making cinema glass now! Just a small nit, Meike is pronounced may-KUH sorta like the word "make" with an extra syllable kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWeUnJ2rjqecec0

[@fourth1000]

sigma lenses are crap. minus the 18-35mm zoom. buy zeiss distagon. what doesnt get mentioned is micro contrast and 3d separation. closest to a cooke lens you'll get. Nobody needs cinema lenses. its just for convenience of swapping lenses out. just slide your matt box and follow focus back and fourth and save a couple grand. Roger Deakins got buy using ziess distagons just fine.

[@gummoman]

friend, your test is a little incomplete. You could have done better. You didn't measure lens respiration, nor cooke lens aberration for a good comparison. Also measuring the two different lenses with different cameras is not objective.

[@jaredking232]

cheaper AND more affordable - well said

[@spensersakurai]

Words are hard

[@nick_g]

Great video. “Budget Cooke lens…” would’ve been a better clickbait title. Just sayin’

[@A1Bokeh]

Ive heard a lot of people saying cinema lenses are same as photo lenses just diff body

[@ryta5465]

I hear that as well, especially for those cheap cine lenses made in China. I've never owned them so I can't tell though.

[@A1Bokeh]

@@ryta5465 they make some dope lenses though I can't knock um

[@EugeniaLoli]

Get an IR CUT filter for your bmpcc 6k, and have it ON even when not using an ND filter. And I'd suggest you upgrade all your filters to 82mm and use step filters. I made the mistake originally of going to 58mm, and then I bought more lenses that were bigger.

[@sakhiwomthunzi]

Which IR Cut filter do you use?

[@EugeniaLoli]

@@sakhiwomthunzi ice brand

[@sakhiwomthunzi]

@@EugeniaLoli Thank you, and it doesn't affect your image quality?

[@EugeniaLoli]

@@sakhiwomthunzi Given that I soften the image using guassian blur in post, I don't think a filter (or 2 stacked filters, including variable NDs) have an impact to the kind of image I want to get. Film didn't have more objectively visible resolution than 2.4k (and with vintage, under-performing lenses), so a 4k camera with modern lenses can handle a couple of filters without a problem. I go for the soft, film look. Sharpness is too video-y.

[@terrygriffin5201]

Your previous sentiment about lens were wrong. The real reason why the costs9 much is Hollywood, Bollywood and major film companies got the bucks to spend and will pay a premium for anything.

[@timlawson8945]

there’s so many ads in this video i couldnt cope anymore

[@goonytunes4119]

That's a dank lens

[@jtnfilm]

If you really want to elevate your shots then save your money, rent the lenses you need. For the money you would spend on buying one lens you could rent any cinema lens package. Guarantee that will help you level up much more quickly than owning an expensive/cheaper cinema lens. Think more about building your reel with killer shots than owning expensive equipment. It rarely pays off to own lenses unless they are high end cinema lenses which only increase in value and even then it really depends on what and where you’re working.

[@AlbowaSinema]

Zeiss are entry level lenses? 😂😂🤦🏾‍♂️

[@lulumink0]

Yeah, now you complain about no ND filter after you returned the 6K Pro, hahahaha.

[@adamouellette5971]

CA on these is horrendous

[@pleappleappleap]

Wary != Weary

[@rl-nh6fn]

Meike 35mm Prime when u film in wide situation its so baaaaaaaaad

[@lulumink0]

DZO Vespid are even better than this.

[@declicked]

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