Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140

Ned Soltz · October 28th, 2011, 05:42 AM

That's the same rig I played with at Photo Plus. In fact, the journalist who wrote the article had the press appointment before me. He also photographed me holding the rig, but I wasn't as compelling a subject as the Japanese women.

Week after next when I have the rig for a couple of days I'll post some shots.

Ned

Paul Ream · October 29th, 2011, 05:57 AM

More pics from Sony...
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1319889351

Duke Marsh · October 29th, 2011, 06:23 AM

The EX1 heritage really shows there, doesn't it?

Ned Soltz · November 1st, 2011, 08:32 PM

Yes, Duke. Lens looks exactly like the EX lens except it is one big monster.

As I said, more after I have it for a day or two.

Ned

Tom Bostick · November 13th, 2011, 09:05 PM

Anyone had the chance to play with the lens anymore?

Ned Soltz · November 13th, 2011, 09:49 PM

I'm looking at it right now but it goes back in the AM.

I'll be writing a more complete review of the lens as well as of the SR R1 HDCAM SR solid state recorder later in the week,

It is a big and I mean big lens. Same controls as EX lenses. With 1.2 firmware (still to be released) rocker zoom works and choice of auto or manual as well as SteadyShot stabilization. Not a lot of contrast. Not a lot of detail. Respectable lens to make the F3 more of a run and gun or ENG type camera. Keep the perspective then, and if those functions are what you need, this lens will do it.

No lens markings. But if you're shooting ENG, distance is less critical than if shooting cinema. Short focus throw makes pulling focus very hard. But, then again, this is an ENG lens.

Another option is the 2/3" lens adapter from Abel and buy a used 2/3" lens.

Keep in mind the lens has a list of $12,200 and aprox street of $9900. Sony is offering a $1500 rebate for early F3 adopters (don't know when the cut off is) so that brings your cost down to $8400.

Ned

Steve Kimmel · November 14th, 2011, 10:05 AM

Looking forward to your review Ned! Where can we find the review when you write it?

Alister Chapman · November 14th, 2011, 12:04 PM

Ned, can you check for the iris stepping as opposed to being smooth. So far I have only played with pre-production units and these have all stepped. I've been told the production units should be smooth.

Ned Soltz · November 14th, 2011, 01:44 PM

My unit was also preproduction. It stepped.

Ned

Tom Bostick · November 22nd, 2011, 03:33 PM

Ned's Review

Going Handheld with the Sony F3Ned Soltz, Ned Soltz, Ned Soltz

Do you have any sample footage from your shoot or any screen grabs Ned?

Ned Soltz · November 22nd, 2011, 09:34 PM

I'll try to get something up. Going absolutely nuts trying to keep up at the moment...

Ned

Tom Bostick · November 22nd, 2011, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned Soltz

I'll try to get something up. Going absolutely nuts trying to keep up at the moment...

Ned

much appreciated :)

Doug Jensen · November 23rd, 2011, 06:32 AM

Ned, good review. I would say you were very fair with the pros and cons. Having used the lens a little bit myself, I agree with most of the comments from all three of you.
It's not a lens for me, but I can see where it might fit in for someone else.

Tans Mark · November 25th, 2011, 12:45 AM

Another review about the zoom lens:

Duke Marsh · November 25th, 2011, 07:11 AM

It telescopes! Another compromise. I can see the lens having certain uses, but at that price and with all those compromises its going to be a small group of people that want it.

I think what I'd want is approx 18-100mm, no telescoping, F2.8 throughout at $6k instead of $12k, but I don't think that's likely. I'd buy if they made it though.

October 28th, 2011, 05:42 AM	#31
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 That's the same rig I played with at Photo Plus. In fact, the journalist who wrote the article had the press appointment before me. He also photographed me holding the rig, but I wasn't as compelling a subject as the Japanese women. Week after next when I have the rig for a couple of days I'll post some shots. Ned

October 29th, 2011, 05:57 AM	#32
Paul Ream Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dorset UK Posts: 65	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 More pics from Sony... http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1319889351 Attached Thumbnails

October 29th, 2011, 06:23 AM	#33
Duke Marsh Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: OC, CA Posts: 65	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 The EX1 heritage really shows there, doesn't it?

November 1st, 2011, 08:32 PM	#34
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 Yes, Duke. Lens looks exactly like the EX lens except it is one big monster. As I said, more after I have it for a day or two. Ned

November 13th, 2011, 09:05 PM	#35
Tom Bostick Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Austin TX Posts: 292	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 Anyone had the chance to play with the lens anymore?

November 13th, 2011, 09:49 PM	#36
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 I'm looking at it right now but it goes back in the AM. I'll be writing a more complete review of the lens as well as of the SR R1 HDCAM SR solid state recorder later in the week, It is a big and I mean big lens. Same controls as EX lenses. With 1.2 firmware (still to be released) rocker zoom works and choice of auto or manual as well as SteadyShot stabilization. Not a lot of contrast. Not a lot of detail. Respectable lens to make the F3 more of a run and gun or ENG type camera. Keep the perspective then, and if those functions are what you need, this lens will do it. No lens markings. But if you're shooting ENG, distance is less critical than if shooting cinema. Short focus throw makes pulling focus very hard. But, then again, this is an ENG lens. Another option is the 2/3" lens adapter from Abel and buy a used 2/3" lens. Keep in mind the lens has a list of $12,200 and aprox street of $9900. Sony is offering a $1500 rebate for early F3 adopters (don't know when the cut off is) so that brings your cost down to $8400. Ned

November 14th, 2011, 10:05 AM	#37
Steve Kimmel Major Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 256	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 Looking forward to your review Ned! Where can we find the review when you write it?

November 14th, 2011, 12:04 PM	#38
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 Ned, can you check for the iris stepping as opposed to being smooth. So far I have only played with pre-production units and these have all stepped. I've been told the production units should be smooth. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

November 14th, 2011, 01:44 PM	#39
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 My unit was also preproduction. It stepped. Ned

November 22nd, 2011, 03:33 PM	#40
Tom Bostick Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Austin TX Posts: 292	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 Ned's Review Going Handheld with the Sony F3Ned Soltz, Ned Soltz, Ned Soltz Do you have any sample footage from your shoot or any screen grabs Ned?

November 22nd, 2011, 09:34 PM	#41
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 I'll try to get something up. Going absolutely nuts trying to keep up at the moment... Ned

November 23rd, 2011, 06:32 AM	#43
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,440	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 Ned, good review. I would say you were very fair with the pros and cons. Having used the lens a little bit myself, I agree with most of the comments from all three of you. It's not a lens for me, but I can see where it might fit in for someone else. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

November 25th, 2011, 12:45 AM	#44
Tans Mark Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: EU Posts: 60	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 Another review about the zoom lens: Sony F3 Zoom Lens and SR-R1 Recorder on Vimeo

November 25th, 2011, 07:11 AM	#45
Duke Marsh Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: OC, CA Posts: 65	Re: Sony 14x Zoom Lens SCL-Z8X140 It telescopes! Another compromise. I can see the lens having certain uses, but at that price and with all those compromises its going to be a small group of people that want it. I think what I'd want is approx 18-100mm, no telescoping, F2.8 throughout at $6k instead of $12k, but I don't think that's likely. I'd buy if they made it though.