The Xenon FF-Primes are only a few weeks away and are positioned to be an excellent mid-range set of prime lenses. But what if you want something with just a tad more performance? You reach for the Schneider Cine-Xenar III primes. I did a quick write up on these a few months back explaining how Schneider drastically improved the operational usability of the Xenar IIIs over the previous two versions. Unfortunately the first two iterations may have left a sour taste in some operators mouths. So what’s the best way to encourage cinematographers to give the Xenars another chance? Discount the heck out of them.
Rebate, eh?
That’s right! Schneider is offering a very generous mail-in rebate of $400 per lens up to $2,500 for the six-lens set. Granted, the Cine-Xenar III primes are still in a higher price bracket than something like Zeiss CP.2, Canon CN-E, or even their own Xenon FF-primes, but for good reason. The Cine-Xenars perform right on-par with their price rivaling that of Arri Ultra Primes. For comparison the Arri Ultra Primes would run you about $86,000 for similar focal lengths whereas the Cine-Xenar III primes with the rebate offer are going to tally up to just under $46,000. This offer will be available from Nov. 1, 2013 to Feb. 28, 2014.
Tell me more.
It’s actually quite simple. You purchase the lenses from an authorized dealer – mail or email Schneider a copy of the sales invoice within 30 days and they’ll mail a check back to the individual on the invoice in the amount earned. Done. You can email the invoice to Rebate Offer or snail mail to: Schneider Optics, Inc., attention Jamie Carlson, 285 Oser Ave., Hauppauge, NY 11788.
You mentioned an extended warranty…
Oh yeah. It gets even better. Schneider is so confident that you’ll be happy with the Cine-Xenar III primes that they’re also offering an extended 5-YEAR warranty for any set of Cine-Xenar III lenses purchased between Nov. 1, 2013 and Feb. 28, 2014. It doesn’t get much better than this. Cash-back. Extended warranty. Great optics.
For all the details from Schneider you can read their press release here.
any cine xenars left? I’m looking for an 18mm and 95mm.