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Rail System or New Lens?

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2strahm4u
Posts: 15 - Karma: 273
I have a dilema. I really want a rail system (matte box, follow focus, cage, rails, ect.) but after watching a lot of these filmmaker unknown videos I realize that a crystal clear/ sharp lens is amazing and makes all the difference.
The lens i want is the rokinon 35mm cine t/1.4 prime lens. I have the 85 and its amazing. The problem is that it's too zoomed in. The 35 would be perfect I think.
Does anybody have this lens? And what do you think I should get?
Jan 23 2014 5:30PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
i have used that lens a bunch and it is super nice. i really like it. i tried doing some follow cam stuff with it on a glidecam one day tho and it was a little too close for a crop sensor. ive also used the 24mm 1.4 cine and that lens is ideal for glidecam work. i got some awesome shots with that one at the last wedding i did and hardly even pulled out the 35.

a matte box and follow focus system is also very nice to have tho but i would go with what you feel is holding you back the most right now. if you are doing a lot of outside work and getting good shots but with constant lens flares or poor focus pulls because your hand is on the lens, then maybe look into a setup like that.

but if you feel like your current lens is what is holding you back then i would go for a new lens. I am still of the opinion that yeah a good lens is great and all don't get me wrong, but if you expose shots correctly and have focus and framing nailed, the quality of your video will be better than a good lens and poor production elements.

i had a co-worker see one of my wedding shots over my shoulder while i was messing with some color grading and he was blown away when i told him i was just using my 60d and that rokinon cine 24mm because he thought i was using a black magic camera or better
Jan 23 2014 5:49PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Dude, get the rail system if you're going video, and then just pick up a cheaper, vintage option for the lens.

I'm assuming you're using canon (if you're on the Nikon system, stop being silly and get the 35 f1.8) so check out these options for insanely less than the Rokinon 35 t1.5 (which is the one you'd actually want since it has the gears already, and a declicked aperture ring)

Olympus OM 35 f2 - probably 200 bucks
Olympus OM 28 f2 - probably 250 bucks
Canon EF 35 f2 - 250ish
Vivitar 28 f2 "Close Focus" (I used to have one, bought it from 1337 for 65$)
Nikkor 28 f2 - Probably 250 bucks
Nikkor 24 f2.8 - 100ish
Sigma 30mm f1.4 - 250ish


I mean, there's tons of options. You can to the Rokinon later if you want, but in the meantime, why not save money and go with both - only with a stop or 2 slower lens (boo hoo)
Jan 23 2014 6:31PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
Lens make all the difference. I would reccomend the nifty 50mm. Things 100 bucks so dirt cheap, and its a nice focal length and the thing is sharp as fuck
Jan 23 2014 7:50PM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
what 'rail system' are you going to get for $500? I am assuming that is your budget since that's how much the Rokinon 35 costs.

IMO, any rail system (with all those things you listed) for $500 is going to be cheap and probably end up costing you money with replacing parts.

Invest in quality glass, that should be a priority over the rail system.
Jan 23 2014 10:44PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
I got a vivitar 28 1.8 from someone here on ns last year and its pretty sweet. Really cool look with the weird bokeh and all. havent really uesd any others to comment on
Jan 24 2014 9:18AM
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