I had an Angenieux S1, but it was stolen from me. I'm reluctant to get another one because the ultra premium price tag plus a kidney is not a deal I'm willing to take.
Bokeh rendered by an Angenieux is unique, its dreamy, smooth, subtle brush like strokes criss crossing behind the subject is the signature of an Angenieux lens. Mind you, not all bokehs are built the same. A nice bokeh offers a smooth and gradual transition separating the subject from the background. A bad bokeh is abrupt and harsh, it lacks any communication / connection within the frame, it simply isolates the background like a green screen, so to speak. And Angenieux, IMO renders the sexiest bokeh there is, next in line would arguably be the Kinoptik, and Cooke is closely sitting on the third spot.
I'm curious what the S21 stand for. S could refer to its ultra fast f1.5 ? but why the 21 ? I doubt it means "black jack" or its focal length. I don't have the foggiest.
So say you have a S21 in pristine and immaculate condition, as if time has stopped the moment it left the factory back in the 1953. Would you take it out for a spin ? I wouldn't, because it's no longer a tool but a collectible piece. Wouldn't that be a shame a photographic tool of this caliber is locked away securely in a place where sun don't shine? Well, it all depends on where you're coming from. If you were a collector, it's a mortal sin to risk damaging an art piece. The take is to preserve and protect any and all historical artifact with utmost TLC. However, if you were a photographer ....you get the idea!
I'm no collector, and I'd love to keep both my kidneys intact. In another word, I buy and I use, even abuse if situation forces my hand. I'm glad Light Lens Lab made the Z21. Does the lens render similar to the original S21 ? it really matters not, but yes, IMO it does render very similar to an Angenieux. It makes me a happy camper, and I still have both my kidneys.
Once I have taken more images using the LLL Z21, I will continue this topic. Until then.
