Behind the Cine Lens Manual: The Nature of Lens Character

Lens characteristics have changed over the years and there are lots of factors that have driven this change. In the fourth episode from our interview with The Cine Lens Manual authors Jay Holben and Christopher Probst, ASC they discuss why these characteristics are important.

[aaronthecameraguy]

Really loved listening to this, thank you.

[andrewdunbar]

I think about the glass to sensor like the human eye-to-brain connection.
The human eye is like a camera obscura, or a "mini brain" that does the initial processing.

[gabrielmachadobsb]

While I do like lenses with character, I don't like the "clinical look" discourse. Look at Master Primes, some of the sharpest and best corrected lenses ever: They were used in Blade Runner 2049, Last Black Man in San Francisco, Burning and countless other amazing looking films shot digitally. The Revenant used a mix of Master Primes, Summilux-Cs and Prime 65s and it's pristine and gorgeous. Usually, when something feels lacking, it's not because the lens is too detailed, it's lacking in lighting and production design. Vintage lenses can bring something interesting to the frame on their own, and thus be used as "easy mode" to make something distinct, but they are not proper substitutes to good lighting.

That said, not all sharp lenses are equal. Master Primes have a lot more color depth compared to Sigma lenses, which go to the "clinical look" much more easily (but still can look good with proper use)

[bluefilmsltd]

What do you think of Zeiss Contax lenses?

[MaxKissler]

Regarding the end: There's no inherent difference in depth of field when you're shooting on an Alexa 65 vs let's say an Alexa Mini IF you have lenses with equivalent focal lengths and apertures. An 80mm f/2.8 on a 65 would look almost identical to a 45mm f/1.4 on a Mini. Main giveaway would be aspect ratio.

[blainemarcano]

I’d have to say. I prefer my lenses clean and to create emotion within the frame.

[prottentogo]

I wonder which $50 still lens he's talking about 🙃

[savedfaves]

Whatever the majority of Netflix filmmakers are doing... do the opposite.