Everyone’s lens-happy these days, thinking that if they only stick the right piece of glass in front of the camera, they’ll discover a magical look that will set them apart from everyone else.
The reality is that lens choice is only one instrument in a much bigger orchestra. There’s no question they’re important, but it’s best to keep a broader view in which all the elements serve the whole. A terrific story with great actors, sets and locations will be meaningless before the finest lenses on earth unless you can manage the entirety of your craft. On the flip side, if you’re clear on what you’re trying to achieve, you can shoot something through the bottom of an old Coke bottle – and with all else in place, it will be the right choice!
Meanwhile, the ad shown above should help whet the appetite of even the most jaded among us. I’m no lens junkie by any means, but what I wouldn’t give to have a set of those Baltars…!
The only issue I have with funky old lenses is that I’ll still need a set of decent modern lenses too when the old lens is doing something I don’t like… it’s one reason why I tend to prefer filters to add softness and halation because I can control the level on a shot by shot basis.
Man-O-man the Baltars. My friend and mentor Peter Wallach (son of Eli) had a set of Super Baltars. We would put them on one of his Mitchells and shoot all sorts of FX magic. At our studio we often use Nikon Micro lenses. The all manual, metal build ones from the 1970s and 1980s. They are great on miniatures as they make a good image, cover full frame, and are not so sharp that they give away what we might be trying to hide. They are also very good for front of lens optical effects. Often what I am looking for is a lens that does not have too much character as I am trying to make our work fit into a larger picture. I rarely end up playing the “fanciest” lenses as they are not always the right choice.
Richard, you always swing for the stands…. And you make that Home run every time!
Oh yes, the Artistry of Cinematography is based on the whole 9 yards. Our brothers and sisters that shoot are alchemists, combining any and all the magic needed to convey the Story. Here’s a salute to the Sum of the Whole! The aspects of Cinematography that make me get up in the morning are Passion and Curiosity.
If I find a set of Baltars, I will do my best to negotiate a good price for you.
I worked on a music video project in 1992 that used a remounted set. I was the 1st AC and I got tears in my eyes when I opened the lens case. I am sentimental and a bit corny, but every time I touched one of those Baltars…was always wondering what other pictures could have been photographed with those lens.