Zeiss's popular Compact Primes are getting some brothers and sisters. To their current full frame, interchangeable lens mount lineup, Zeiss is planning on adding new Compact Prime CP.2s of wider than 18 mm and longer (or equal to) 100 mm, a compact tele zoom lens (70-200 mm, possibly), and a complete set of Anamorphic prime lenses -- with a 2X squeeze, which at first I found a bit odd.
Hawk V-lite anamorphic lenses are popular because their 1.3X squeeze turns a typical digital 16:9 sensor into a cinescope image (2.35:1). A 2X squeeze, by comparison, is meant for non widescreen imagers (a 4:3 imager, doubly squeezed, results in a cinescope-like 2.6:1 -- but put a 2X squeeze anamorphic lens in front of a 16:9 sensor and you end up with a ridiculously wide 3.55:1 de-squeezed image). So, who's got a digital 4:3 camera that would be a good match for these? The ALEXA Studio has a 4:3 4-perf-size sensor and an optical viewfinder. Here's Zeiss on their anamorphic glass:
“We have the technological benefit that we believe can produce anamorphic lenses the likes of which no one has been able to do before. Our new anamorphic lenses will be on the market very soon. We would like to announce 2:1 anamorphic lenses next year, at NAB 2012, and show real products at IBC 2012.” The lenses will not be 1.3x squeeze—representatives at Carl Zeiss feel the real anamorphic look comes with 2x squeeze. Christian Bannert concluded, “This will be a complete family of anamorphic lenses, with all the focal lengths needed to shoot a movie. As experts in photographic lenses for more than 120 years, we know the specs and hurdles. We can offer something unique to the market. It will be really revolutionary.”
Pictured below: the lightweight zoom prototype.
More details in the December issue of FD Times [PDF link], which also includes a feature on the Canon C300. Full news to come at NAB 2012.
[via NextWaveDV]
Your Comment
12 Comments
Looks really cool
December 9, 2011 at 10:48AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I'd be excited if they announced a wide/normal zoom to compete with Red since I prefer Zeiss glass.
December 9, 2011 at 3:27PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
i know this is not important but i like my gear to look really cool so a lens like this is the whole kit :)
December 9, 2011 at 4:03PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
The Alexa has a software option that has a built in anamorphic de-squeezer which will make these lenses ideal. Amazing.
December 9, 2011 at 4:27PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Tight.
December 9, 2011 at 10:34PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Does that mean the alexa will get alot more resolution, since people will use the whole 4:3 sensor and than de-squeeze it to cinescope?
December 10, 2011 at 3:56AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
The Alexa studio is a native 4:3 sensor, so probably no higher rez in just yet (just 2k). I have, however, spoken to an Arri rep who stated multiple times that the standard Alexa was their answer for TV, and that they should have a higher resolution version down the road.
December 10, 2011 at 8:58AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Yes, you should gain vertical resolution by virtue of squeezing more pixels into the same space instead of cropping.
December 10, 2011 at 9:28AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Thanks!
December 13, 2011 at 8:13AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Exciting. Thanks Koo
December 10, 2011 at 5:08AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Hi! I hope zeiss make this lens to for DSLR Canon D5, not only 35 mm PL.
December 15, 2011 at 1:48PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Do we know how fast the wider cp2 lenses will be? I would like an 18mm F2 lens. Sparky.
April 4, 2012 at 1:53PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM