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PL lenses prime kit.
Ask for a quotation.
PL lenses prime kit.
The Zeiss Superspeed 1.3 MKII series – the unofficial name of these lenses, but which is the one that has finally been consolidated as if it were – appeared in 1983, parallel to the Zeiss Standard MKII series, also popularly known as the Zeiss 2.1. Since then, both games have consolidated as two excellent alternatives for all types of projects and, today, they continue to be used as much or more as when they appeared on the market. As a curiosity, it should be mentioned that they were the first two sets of lenses that used the PL mount, since then globally standardized for film lenses.
There are several factors that contribute to it. In the case of the 1.3 series, obviously its maximum luminosity – which can save us at a certain moment when the light conditions are very unfavorable – is one of them, as well as its compact size and its construction, solid and modern, with doubles Focus scales on the imperial and metric systems and a rotation of 270 degrees, ninety more than the previous High Speed 1.4 series. Also, unlike that one, whose iris only had three blades and entailed a triangular bokeh, the Zeiss 1.3 have seven blades and a much more circular blur than the 1.4. It should also be mentioned that the MKIII version has exactly the same glass and performance as this MKII, although its exterior varies a bit and offers larger focus marks and only in the imperial or metric system, not both at the same time.
It could also be said that the Zeiss Superspeed 1.3 are practically like two sets of lenses in one. This is because between T / 1.3 and T / 2.5, approximately, they are soft and little contrasted and very prone to introduce aberrations in the image, which makes their appearance seem more outdated, like that of other optics of the 70s -80. However, once they close at T / 2.8 or more, they begin to gain sharpness and contrast very quickly, until they become practically modern Zeiss Ultra Prime. Additionally, it should be mentioned that its circle is very large (the 18mm covers 5.5K in the RED sensor and 6K from 25mm, so that they also cover the 3.2K of Arri), although logically its best performance occurs in an area similar to the classic Super 35mm for which they were designed.
THE BEST: its enormous luminosity and compact size in a game that offers a remarkable balance between the modern image of some Zeiss Ultra Prime and the softness or reduced contrast of older optics, depending on the diaphragm we choose.
THE WORST: that their focal points are somewhat limited, without the variety or intermediate possibilities of some Zeiss Standard 2.1, or even without their telephoto lenses, although they are perfectly compatible with the 40mm, 100mm, 135mm or 180mm of the Zeiss Standard series, with which They usually complement each other.
Zeiss Super Speed MKIII 18mm:
Opening: T1.3
Minimum focusing distance: 0.30m
Weight: 1.13kg
Zeiss Super Speed MKIII 25mm:
Opening: T1.3
Minimum focusing distance: 0.30m
Weight: 900g
Zeiss Super Speed MKIII 35mm:
Opening: T1.3
Minimum focusing distance: 0,35m
Weight: 793g
Zeiss Super Speed MKIII 50mm:
Opening: T1.3
Minimum focusing distance: 0.71m
Weight: 793g
Zeiss Super Speed MKIII 85mm:
Opening: 1.3
Minimum focusing distance: 0.90m
Weight: 907g