Agreed, much prefer the DZO Vespids for me. The NISI's are nice but if I just want a perfect, sharp and clean image I can use some photography lenses like Sony G Master or Sigma Art. For cine lenses I want a bit of character, some flares and some softness, which the Vespid's provide. It's all a matter of taste though.
I wish NiSi would clean up the 35. I like the RF mount and the ability to add the drop in filter though not yet available. As a Komodo X shooter this is a big advantage. We need to see if there will be any color shifts when filter added.
I was looking at the 35MM comparison and the bokeh on the Vespid is less distorted than the NiSi. But honestly that's the sort of thing that only us nerds really notice. I've never had a client complain about the bokeh.
The clients will almost certainly not complain about the bokeh, but will subconsciously detect the pleasantness of the image with the better balanced one.
Thank you for this in-depth comparison. Given how much I've read about how clean the Nisis are, I was surprised there wasn't more of a difference. I much prefer the Vespid bokeh, relative consistency between lenses and the other differences you mention. I have 4 of them so maybe I'm biased, but your examples here have put a stop to me thinking about getting any Nisi Athenas 😉 My wallet thanks you!
I have used both and for me the Nisi's made more sense, since most projects I am working on are commercials. If I want a "special" look I would go all the way and just rent a set of vintage lenses, instead of something in between like the Vespids. Thanks for the video!
Sometimes, the look of vintage lenses is too much and the look of modern lenses is too clinical. Vespids, IMO, are the right answer. They have the best characteristics of both worlds.
Athenas look better. I have both. personally I like crafting my image with lighting and dont like to lean on having a lens do the work of making something have a "look"
It's always a matter of taste. If it doesn't, there would not be so many different kind of lenses. Athenas too have a "look"; it differs from that of the Vespids, but they have it. You can craft your image with lighting also in combination with any kind of lenses. One does not exclude the other. As I said, it's only a matter of taste and needs.
Me too. That said, I've heard from some that it depends a bit on the camera. Apparently 4k100 on the Sony FX3 looks rather soft with Vespids, but sharp with Athenas. On a 6k camera Vespids are simply gorgeous, to my eye.
Yeah I think it's more about usability. If you have a ef mount, such as the bmpcc 6k pro dzo would make more sense. Nisi has its limitations with not being able to use a speedbooster. Really can't go wrong with either imo
Thanks for sharing your tests. I actually see it completely differently. I find the nisi Athena lenses to render a much prettier image. I don’t know, but I’ve never liked the vespid. They’re just always seem to be something off with them for me. They just render a kind of an ugly image for my personal tastes. Skin looks muddy. Of course, lenses and how they look is all subjective. Thanks
Honesty, it is just a matter of money at this point. I bought a used set of excellent condition SLR Magic APO Microprimes, for about $600 each so got the entire set 25, 32, 50, and 85mm for $2400. They are full frame EF mount T2.1 that I adapt to a 0.71x speed booster, bringing them down to T1.49 for use on my Canon C70 or my R5 C in 6K super35 mode. Couldn't be happier. Now I do like both the Nisi and DZOFilm lenses but now we are talking $5700-$7500 ish or higher if you want every Vespid they make. Thank god for SLRs as I think they have more character than both of these for film work and still a really good balance between sharp and soft with great highlight rolloff. But it is all subjective.
SLR Magic APO Microprimes are nice and cheap, but the set consists of only 4 lenses (Vespid 11 and Athena 5 at the moment). If you need and use only the 4 focal lengths in SLR's set it makes sens, but if not I think Athenas and especially Vespids are a better choice.
@@filippochiesa201 Well, there is an interesting way of looking at 4. I look at it as more like 8. With my cameras in super35 mode, all I have to do is swap out the speed booster for a dummy adapter and now I have a different field of view so I like the flexibility for the money. I cannot do that with Athenas because they do not make EF mount, only RF etc. If I were to choose, I would get the Vespids because with EF they also provide that flexibility and I would only need 4 of those as well. But yeah, very happy with SLR Magic.
@@JapaneseMonster another intersting and - IMO- a more simple way is to use a FF camera able to switch in Super 35, but they are both compromises. Sometimes is a good compromise, sometimes not and in any case there's always a wider lens missing.
Great comparison…interesting and informative video thanks
Thank you!
I love the bokeh of the vespids but i feel the Athena has the edge in focus breathing mainly for the 14mm which to me is pretty noticeable.
Thank you for this! Really learned a lot.
Thanks for watching and glad you like it!
Agreed, much prefer the DZO Vespids for me. The NISI's are nice but if I just want a perfect, sharp and clean image I can use some photography lenses like Sony G Master or Sigma Art. For cine lenses I want a bit of character, some flares and some softness, which the Vespid's provide. It's all a matter of taste though.
I'm absolutely on the same page as you.
I wish NiSi would clean up the 35. I like the RF mount and the ability to add the drop in filter though not yet available. As a Komodo X shooter this is a big advantage. We need to see if there will be any color shifts when filter added.
I was looking at the 35MM comparison and the bokeh on the Vespid is less distorted than the NiSi. But honestly that's the sort of thing that only us nerds really notice. I've never had a client complain about the bokeh.
The clients will almost certainly not complain about the bokeh, but will subconsciously detect the pleasantness of the image with the better balanced one.
Thank you for this in-depth comparison. Given how much I've read about how clean the Nisis are, I was surprised there wasn't more of a difference. I much prefer the Vespid bokeh, relative consistency between lenses and the other differences you mention. I have 4 of them so maybe I'm biased, but your examples here have put a stop to me thinking about getting any Nisi Athenas 😉 My wallet thanks you!
I was glad to have been helpful. Thanks for watching!
I have used both and for me the Nisi's made more sense, since most projects I am working on are commercials. If I want a "special" look I would go all the way and just rent a set of vintage lenses, instead of something in between like the Vespids. Thanks for the video!
Sometimes, the look of vintage lenses is too much and the look of modern lenses is too clinical. Vespids, IMO, are the right answer. They have the best characteristics of both worlds.
Very well done comparison! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Athenas look better. I have both. personally I like crafting my image with lighting and dont like to lean on having a lens do the work of making something have a "look"
It's always a matter of taste. If it doesn't, there would not be so many different kind of lenses. Athenas too have a "look"; it differs from that of the Vespids, but they have it. You can craft your image with lighting also in combination with any kind of lenses. One does not exclude the other. As I said, it's only a matter of taste and needs.
I find the difference between two lenses completely indistinguishable. I’m so surprised people have strong opinions either way lol
Me too. That said, I've heard from some that it depends a bit on the camera. Apparently 4k100 on the Sony FX3 looks rather soft with Vespids, but sharp with Athenas. On a 6k camera Vespids are simply gorgeous, to my eye.
Yeah I think it's more about usability. If you have a ef mount, such as the bmpcc 6k pro dzo would make more sense. Nisi has its limitations with not being able to use a speedbooster. Really can't go wrong with either imo
Thanks for sharing your tests. I actually see it completely differently. I find the nisi Athena lenses to render a much prettier image. I don’t know, but I’ve never liked the vespid. They’re just always seem to be something off with them for me. They just render a kind of an ugly image for my personal tastes. Skin looks muddy. Of course, lenses and how they look is all subjective. Thanks
Thanks for your comment. It's always a matter of taste. We are still talking about two very good, different, affordable cine prime sets.
Honesty, it is just a matter of money at this point. I bought a used set of excellent condition SLR Magic APO Microprimes, for about $600 each so got the entire set 25, 32, 50, and 85mm for $2400. They are full frame EF mount T2.1 that I adapt to a 0.71x speed booster, bringing them down to T1.49 for use on my Canon C70 or my R5 C in 6K super35 mode. Couldn't be happier. Now I do like both the Nisi and DZOFilm lenses but now we are talking $5700-$7500 ish or higher if you want every Vespid they make. Thank god for SLRs as I think they have more character than both of these for film work and still a really good balance between sharp and soft with great highlight rolloff. But it is all subjective.
SLR Magic APO Microprimes are nice and cheap, but the set consists of only 4 lenses (Vespid 11 and Athena 5 at the moment). If you need and use only the 4 focal lengths in SLR's set it makes sens, but if not I think Athenas and especially Vespids are a better choice.
@@filippochiesa201 Well, there is an interesting way of looking at 4. I look at it as more like 8. With my cameras in super35 mode, all I have to do is swap out the speed booster for a dummy adapter and now I have a different field of view so I like the flexibility for the money. I cannot do that with Athenas because they do not make EF mount, only RF etc. If I were to choose, I would get the Vespids because with EF they also provide that flexibility and I would only need 4 of those as well. But yeah, very happy with SLR Magic.
@@JapaneseMonster another intersting and - IMO- a more simple way is to use a FF camera able to switch in Super 35, but they are both compromises. Sometimes is a good compromise, sometimes not and in any case there's always a wider lens missing.
@@filippochiesa201 my c70 has more dynamic range so that is my go to for video work. The rest are b cameras.
The Nisi's look amazing!
They're great, but as I said in the video, I prefer the Vespids for many reasons.
NiSi for me.
very good info! Clearly the dzo feels more clean for me. Tho i more of a character lenses and nisi feels more like home for me.😏