I shot with 'BUDGET' Cinema Lenses for 1 year - Here's what happened

For the last few year I've been able to put the DZO Film Vepsid cinema lenses to the test and really determine if they're worth the investment, and essentially giving up autofocus.

Check out the lenses:

Video chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Why use Cinema Lenses?
2:37 - The Tech Stuff
3:41 - Image Quality and Lens Tests
5:07 - Cooke S4 Mini vs DZO Vespid
6:05 - The importance of lens in cinematography
7:18 - so no autofocus?
9:16 - Why you SHOULD learn manual focus
10:53 - So are cinema lenses worth it?

📽 My Camera Gear: (Updated Oct 2022)

🔴 My Sony a7sIII Rig Breakdown:

🔴 My RED Komodo Rig Breakdown:

Follow me:
► Snapchat: @justaskryan

Did you actually read the description?

[edwardleefilms]

Dude this is some of the best footage I have ever seen from both the Komodo and the DZOs paired together. Thank you so much for actually showing real world use and your experience versus just shooting a random tree or wall lmao

[emmanuelakinnitire]

I’ve seen almost every vespid prime review and this is by far the the best one. Your story telling, editing, and pacing has improved so much throughout the years. Excited for all the content to come this year

[YCImaging]

Fire bro! I was literally planning on renting these out and making a video about them my experience with them. I’m interested in investing in a set.

[TuckerPearce]

It makes so much sense to me. Manual focus can feel so overwhelming at times. I took a photography class years ago in downtown Minneapolis where we learned inside and then went out around town as a group and shot. By the end of the day I knew my camera so much better. We all just need to take the time and practice more. Putting in the work is key. Great video, thanks Ryan.

[ChrisFranklinJr]

Absolutely excellent take on Cine Lenses, Ryan! I picked up a “like new” 7 lens kit of the Vespids a few months ago for about $2500 off and I’ve never looked back! These things are a solid way to get started in the life of cinematography.

Autofocus is great, but it doesn’t know how to tell the story. Cine lenses have definitely made me a better filmmaker.

[Colinlutterloah]

You always know when to drop the videos I need to see most! Cheers to 2023, keeping putting out that pressure 📈📈

[KshitizSinhaPhoto]

the footages were so clean, really thankful that you portrayed real world usage of these lenses! Keep it up G! Great work.

[felixpeng]

I use a lot of autofocus lenses. And autofocus lenses can turn manual focus to achieve the look i want, but Manual focus cine lens can’t turn autofocus. I’ve been working a lot a documentary films, there’s a lot of great but unexpected moments can happen in documentaries. It is really stressful seeing the video lost focus at the very important moment by using the manual focus cine lenses.

[johnnybermudez]

I just went DZO and although I'm not a year in, it def makes a huge diff. I love the image and it def keeps up with other more expensive cinema class surprisingly well. Awesome and thoughtful video. Thanks dude, Happy 2023 🥂🎥

[JaimeAndresMedia]

idk bro, I bought into that whole imperfect characteristics thing, I went and got a cinema lens (Xeen CF 50mm T1.5), great lens, definitely a different experience when shooting, but I would not go as far as to say that it produces an image that is more organic or different than a photography lens. In fact, the internal components for cinema lenses are the exact same as photography lenses, the only thing that changes is the housing and the mechanics for focus and zooming. The novelty of being old school and focus manually is fun for a while, but for most content creators and run-and-gun and independent filmmakers cinema lenses are just not practical, and you have a better chance to get that filmic look with software like Resolve and Dehancer than by buying overly priced manual lenses....

[ShatrovIvan]

Ooohh yeah, I see the new Ryan's Kao video! Just don't stop doing it dude, just continue! In my country it's 2:40 am, but I really enjoy to watching your videos man, it's has extremely high quality, I really appreciate it!

[levimoberg]

Great breakdown of photo vs. cine lenses. I have been looking for a video like this for a while now!

[Alex_Ochoa]

Awesome video! I just started using cine lenses in the last 2 months and definitely have realized how much more control we can have over our story or shot while pulling focus. Like you said it's a little more work but it's worth it and a lot more fulfilling. Also, the fact that cine lenses give so much more character to a shot is awesome as well! great video!

[rodricfrancis]

Dude everytime you post a video it somehow magically coincides with what I am thinking about/contemplating lol. Great video. I've been looking at these lenses as well and sound like a decent investment

[cameramanjsy]

Ryan, as a DOP in the UK and in the industry or over 20 years, thank you. To watch this video from and young film maker is a breath of fresh air. All I hear is " OMG the autofocus on the FX6 or what ever camera is so amazing. I agree there is a place or it in some situations.... BUT... the art and skill of the focus pull is a necessity for any up and coming film maker. SO Thanks mate.. probably the best this I have seen on here or a long time. Oh and I agree nice footage ....

[GoodRebelCreative]

"God-tier aimbot autofocus" would be a hell of a rebrand for a camera company. I love it.

[lauritee]

just beautiful footage. I am absolutely smitten by those lens looks. They look gorgeous. Well done cinematography as well!

[sergiosanchez]

It's funny... Having shot a couple of features films and tv series I feel the opposite. I never used autofocus in my entire life until very recently, always had yo rely on Focus pullers to help me tell my stories and now that I'm seeing the potential of automated Focus I can say I feel liberated, I can do a Lot of very complex stuff quickly, get more coverage and have a Big palette of lens options to pick from and create distintct atmospheres.

[M.A.D.C.J]

As a Sony user I really want to one day invest in cine lenses and a cine camera like a red Komodo, especially for music video production, your shots were really insane to me cause they looked like I was watching films.

You’re so awesome dude

[DawahDigital]

It’s kinda rare I watch a video all the way through. Thank you for creating such thoughtful content. God bless