Get to know the Irix 150mm T3.0 Macro lens with commercial director Serj Zotov!
Hey there, fellow filmmakers! It's Serj Zotov here again - director, cinematographer, and producer based in sunny Cyprus. With over 15 years in the film and video industry, I've had the chance to work with all kinds of gear, and today I'm excited to share my experience using the Irix 150mm T3.0 Macro Cine lens. If you're curious about my thoughts on other lenses in the series, check out my previous articles on the wide-angle Irix 21mm T1.5 Cine and the versatile Irix 45mm T1.5 Cine.
What makes the Irix Cine 150mm Macro stand out from other macro cine lenses?
I've always seen the Irix Cine 150mm Macro as more than just a macro lens - it's like having two lenses in one. It's perfect for capturing intricate details and close-ups, and also works brilliantly as a telephoto lens for wide and medium shots with cinematic quality. On top of that, its exceptional optical performance, solid build quality, and relatively affordable price make it stand out. With impressive sharpness, minimal distortion, and excellent color rendering, it has become my go-to tool for so many projects.
What are the main uses of this lens in film production?
Honestly, I fell in love with this lens at first sight. To me, telephoto lenses, like this one, really give that classic Hollywood look, with beautifully blurred backgrounds in wide and medium shots. As a director who's worked on a lot of independent projects, I tend to look at tools from a broader perspective. So, for me personally, the 150mm can cover an entire scene - from close-ups to wide shots, all with stunning bokeh.
I’ll link a video below where I go into more detail and share my thoughts on focal lengths.
Can you tell us about the technical specifications of the Irix Cine 150mm Macro?
Over the past few months, I've been shooting a lot with Irix Cine lenses, and what really stands out to me is that they all have a few key features in common. One of the most important is that they're all fast lenses, and the Irix Cine 150mm T3.0 Macro is no exception. Like the rest of the Irix Cine lineup, the 150mm is lightweight, even with its solid metal build, and has smooth focus and aperture rings, giving you precise control.
Another great thing is that all Irix Cine lenses have a 95mm front diameter, which is an industry standard. This means they work with most matte boxes without needing adapters - not only is that super convenient, but it also saves a ton of time on set.
How does Irix Cine 150mm Macro handle distortion and vignetting control?
One of the things I really appreciate about this 150mm lens is its minimal distortion and excellent vignetting control. Even when shooting wide open, this glass maintains consistent image quality from edge to edge. This makes it a great tool for shooting high-quality cinematic footage without having to worry about post-production corrections.
What are your impressions of the image quality and sharpness of this lens?
The image quality and sharpness of this lens are outstanding. It delivers edge-to-edge clarity, allowing you to capture intricate details, whether you're shooting close-ups or wide shots. The bokeh is smooth and adds a cinematic feel to your shots. Overall, this piece of gear consistently delivers high-quality results, making it a reliable choice for a variety of shooting scenarios.
How does Irix Cine 150mm Macro deal with chromatic aberration?
I've found that this 150mm lens handles chromatic aberration exceptionally well. Even in challenging lighting conditions, it minimizes color fringing and keeps the image clean. This is especially important when working with high-contrast scenes, as it reduces the amount of post-production work needed to fix color issues.
Have you used the Irix Cine 150mm Macro in difficult lighting conditions? How did it work?
Recently, I shot a scene for my experimental indie project with very minimal lighting. In my opinion, the lens performed brilliantly. The image was sharp across the entire frame, with excellent detail, and there was almost no chromatic aberration.
What are your feelings about the ergonomics and build of this lens?
The build quality of this lens is solid, easily matching that of high-end lenses. Its ergonomics are outstanding - the focus and aperture rings are smooth and precise, offering a professional yet comfortable experience during shoots. Plus, it integrates perfectly with focus control systems right out of the box, without needing an additional follow focus gear ring, making it a breeze to use with gear motors.
Can you share your favorite photos or clips shot with the Irix Cine 150mm Macro?
Feel free to check out my social media, where I regularly share photos and videos captured with Irix lenses.
How do you rate the value for money of the Irix Cine 150mm Macro compared to other lenses in this category?
The Irix Cine 150mm Macro offers excellent value for money compared to other lenses in this category. It combines high-quality optics, a solid build, and versatile macro capabilities at a more affordable price point than many premium options, making it a great choice for both indie-filmmakers and professionals.
Do you have any advice or tips for filmmakers who are considering purchasing this lens?
Friends, in my opinion, there are two focal lengths that cover most of the needs in filmmaking: 45mm and 150mm. I'd say after getting a 45mm lens, the next one in your kit should be the 150mm Macro. Here's why: with 45mm, you capture everything from a perspective close to how the human eye sees, making it ideal for general shots. On the other hand, the 150mm Macro lets you get all the intricate details for macro work, which is perfect for both commercial and cinematic projects. Plus, it allows you to capture wide shots with that true Hollywood look. Just keep in mind that for those wide shots, you'll need a distance of at least 20 meters or more from your subject. So, I highly recommend having both of these lenses in your arsenal.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sezotov/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Filmmaker_SZ
What's the BEST lens for your shot? 150mm vs 45mm vs 21mm video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moAiOeuhUJg