When you’re considering what to invest your money into in regards to camera equipment what comes to mind? Some may say the camera body, but with technology changing moment to moment the body is one of the most disposable pieces of a camera rig. At best you may be able to get three to four good years before it’s time to replace it. If you’re talking a DSLR body, expect to lose 50% of what you paid for it if you resell it.
Rigs would be a good choice. They tend to hold their value and if you go with a company like Redrock Micro, you can just ad the pieces you need to accommodate your new camera when you upgrade. Talk to any career shooters, and they’ll say the best investment you can make is glass. As long as you take care of them, your lenses will never lose their value and in some cases they may increase in value. With adapters, you can rest assured no matter how many times technology changes, 1080p, 4K or dare I say 8k, your lenses will be ready to handle whatever body the industry throws your way.
Zeiss’s, Rich Schleuning adds this piece of advice prior to the introduction of their latest compact zoom, the 28 to 80. Any lens by Zeiss is an investment. A worthwhile investment, but an investment to be sure, as the new lens retails at $19,000. If you’re heart skipped a beat when you read that, don’t worry. It only means you’re sane. As Rich explains, the purchase of a lens should not be taken lightly. However, you should consider it, as glass more than anything else, can effect the quality of your footage and therefore, your career.
As big of an investment as lenses are, Rich gives some great advice on essentially dating a lens before you take the plunge. He also breaks down why the large sensor digital cameras and the new Blackmagic cameras demand a much higher quality lens than other cameras in the past.
For more information on the Zeiss CZ 28-80 and all of the other great lenses from Zeiss, go to their website at lenses.zeiss.com