Every now and again a product comes along that kicks serious ass. Welcome Fujinon “Carbrio” lenses. Basically every serious glass manufacturer has a line of mega lenses and then they have their “budget” line. Usually incorporated into the budget line are characteristics of lighter weight, slightly slower max aperture (i.e. 2.8 instead of 1.5, etc.), slightly lesser build quality (though not necessarily cheaply made), and half the price. For every serious zoom manufacturer it’s a no brainer, they have a heavy-ass mega set and then the light weight set to accompany it. Well Fujinon nailed their part in this with the Cabrio lenses. These things open to 2.9, the long zoom going 2.9-4.0 (at 300mm, Honeys!) and they’re built second to none.
What’s amazing about these is that Fujinon merged the pro video and the pro cinema markets. Both lenses have optional zoom motor hand-held units which attach and basically make these things operate ENG style.That’s friggin’ cool. What you’re left with is a sub-5 lb. lens, (one wide-to-long, one long-to-telephoto), which can be used fluidly on a film set, covers a full super 35mm sensor size, has optical quality that’s within a stone’s throw of the Premiere series, is half the price, and can be hand held OR used like an ENG style lens if you want.
I’m telling you, if you want an all-singing all dancing lens try out the 19-90. You could shoot anything, and I mean anything on this t2.9 lens. It’s more versatile than the premiere lense cause it weighs a quarter the amount and if you’re feeling frisky on the trigger finger whip out the motor unit and start zooming like THIRTEEN at your leisure.
If you want a killer lens to put your mind at ease, look at the Fujinon Cabrio’s. They do it all.