Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Opinions on Schneiders Variable Prime lenses

This is topic Opinions on Schneiders Variable Prime lenses in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Edgar Prass (Member # 7558) on 04-10-2013, 02:43 AM:

Greetings!
As you see I'm quite new here and also new in the world of projection. Currently I'm setting up a 35mm system for a small art-house theatre based on Ernemann 15 projector. Just bought the first lens for it (one's we got with projector won't suite our screen). It's Schneiders Variable Prime Cinelux 46.2mm-49.8mm. As you see/know, it's focal length is adjustable. The optics background knowledge I have from photography knows that zoom lenses are crap, though Schneider claims that this lens is not an actual "zoom lens". Still I have some doubts, is the picture really equally good with every focal length or is there a "sweet spot" where it's the best? And if that sweet spot exists, then where is it, in the middle of focal length range? (Our screen isn't fixed to anything, so we can move it back and forth a bit to get the best coverage of screen area.)
Or any other tips about this type of lenses?
Thanks

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-10-2013, 06:03 AM:

It is equally good at all focal lengths.