f0.7 – Ultrafast Lenses – Legends, budget options, modding, and testing – Epic Episode #13

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In this crazy experiment we push the limits of lens speed by modding a camera to fit a massive Zeiss Biotar f0.73 lens. Along the way, we are going to take you to the dark side of the moon the realm of the legendary Zeiss Planar f0.7 lens and explain how it helped Staley Kubrick to shot Barry Lyndon in candlelight. We are going to go to the basics to explore the possibilities and to expose the limitations of ultrafast lenses. We look into the possibilities that you have to shoot ultrafast yourself, and what budget options there are. Here we test the Kipon Ibelux 40mm f0.85, the SLR Magic 25mm T0.95… and we boost a Vintage Canon FD f1.2 below f1. We compare shooting ultrafast lenses with shooting at high ISO and of course… using both in combination. Special thanks to Lyndon Gaul and the Marmalade for partnering with us.

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Here is Wikipedias list of ultrafast lenses:

Here are links to all gear used or described in this video. Some links are affiliate links (its not more expensive for you, but we get a little something if you use these links… thank you for your support). When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

LENSES

Zeiss R-Biotar 100mm f0.73
…

KIPON Ibelux 40mm f0.85 Mark II
…
ebay

SLR Magic 25mm T0.95
…

Canon DF 55mm f1.2 (don't use diopter adapters, mod or use adapters, native focal reducers)

Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x

Metabones Speed Booster Ultra 0.71x

Kipon Focal Reducer

X-RAY LENSES GUIDE

Where to get?
ebay is the best source:

Can it focus to infinity? (It will not be to pretty)
You can use this formula to calculate the required flange:
Maximum focus distance  = FL x (FL - BF + CF)/(CF - BF)
FL  =  focal length of lens
BF  =  back focal distance of lens (from rear of lens mount to image plane)
CF  =  camera flange distance (look up for your particular camera)

Coverage:
Here is a list from X-Ray lenses that have been reported to cover Full Frame (3rd person claims – no guarantee).

This episode was covered by:

and many others… thank you for your support

Ultrafast Lenses Compendium
MDEpicEpisodeS2E02

#f07 #ultrafastlens #kiponibelux

00:00 - Intro
02:14 - What is an Ultrafast lens
03:58 - Available Options
05:57 - The Moon lens - The Zeiss Planar f0.7
09:45 - Barry Lyndon: Filming at candle light
11:41 - Technical background
15:59 - The Zeiss R-Biotar f0.73
18:30 - What is an X-Ray lens?
20:45 - Modding a camera to 3mm flage
25:10 - f0.7 test film “The Mission”
27:38 - Behind the Scenes with practical tips
36:25 - Lens speed vs high ISO
37:12 - When to go Ultrafast
38:30 - Alternatives that make more sense
39:12 - Kipon Ibelux 40mm f0.85
41:35 - Shooting in the dark – high ISO and Ultrafast glass
43:18 - SLR Magic 25mm f0.92
45:11 - Boosting a fast lens to Ultrafast
48:55 - Verdict

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Cheers from LA,
Soren

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