Continuing our lens coverage at NAB 2017, Zeiss has unveiled CP. 3 and CP.3 XD compact primes capable of producing high image quality and usability.

The full-frame lenses feature the popular interchangeable mount system so they can be mounted to almost any camera and showcase the clean, crisp characteristics we're used to seeing from Zeiss. 


The family of lenses covers focal lengths from 15 and 135mm with a max speed of T.21 across 25 – 135mm and T2.9 for 15, 18, and 21mm. All the compact primes have a front diameter of 95mm and are lightweight, making them perfectly suited for hand-held filming or shooting with gimbals, drones, or Steadicam.

Zeiss has improved the focus to be noticeably smoother as well; according to the company, these lenses are comparable to its Master Primes. The focus rotation angle is 300°, which can be operated by a small motor. 

So, what's the difference between the CP. 3 and CP.3 XD? Metadata. The CP.3 XD features technology dubbed Zeiss eXtended Data, which stores the lens distortion and shading for every single frame.

Christophe Casenave, product manager at Zeiss, says, "Moreover, all /i-Technology metadata are recorded, including the focus distance, aperture value and depth of field, which is supported by most cameras."

Why? Well, if you're on a production with visual effects, this type of metadata is exactly what you'll need. It only takes a few clicks to modify the computer-generated image to fit the lens characters and to splice it together with the footage to create a realistic image. In post, you can further correct distortion and shading.

The Zeiss CP.3 lenses feature advanced lens coatings, painted lens rims, and special light traps within the barrel to eliminate unwelcome veiling glare and flares. The result is higher contrast, richer blacks, and more saturated colors.

Tech Specs

  • 15 – 135mm focal lengths
  • Interchangeable mount 
  • 95mm diameter
  • Metadata 
  • Supports high dynamic range projects 
  • Clean and crisp ZEISS look which matches perfectly with other ZEISS cinema lenses
  • Color matching and covering full frame across the full range of focal lengths from 15 to 135 mm
  • Special lens coatings support high-dynamic range project

No Film School's complete coverage of NAB 2017 is brought to you by My RØDE Reel, Vimeo 360, and Blackmagic Design.

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