Micro 4/3. Super35. Full Frame. And everything in between! There are a lot of needs for cinema lenses these days -- and by cinema lenses I mean optics with manual aperture rings and focus gears -- and, compared to the still lens market, not a lot of options. But while Schneider has announced new cinema lenses, I can't seem to find many details about them. Here's what we know:
According to Cinescopophilia, "Schneider-Kreuznach have released new Video Xenon lenses specifically designed for large sensor video capable DSLR & cine style cameras." These 4K, full frame lenses are apparently to come in three flavors: T2.1 / 25mm, T2.1 / 50mm, and T2.1 / 75mm. However Cinescopophilia says "have released" as if they're already available... but I can't find them anywhere.
Then there's Film and Digital Times chiming in with this photo and blurb:
Schneider has three new 24×36 Xenon lenses, intended for still photography, but with Canon and Nikon DSLR mounts, is PL imminent.
Intended for still photography, really? They're called "Video Xenon." And what the hell does "is PL imminent" mean? Presumably a PL version or adapter will be available... after they are... but they're not yet? More confused than ever! Plus, between the Schneider Optics and Schneider-Kreuznach sites, which I shall describe favorably as "classic," good luck tracking down details, press releases, or prices of these lenses.
And then there are even more new lenses from Schneider floating around, including a tilt-shift lens, as well as a few Micro 4/3 lenses (which I do think are intended for still photography and not video).
As far as the Micro 4/3 lenses are concerned, at Photokino Schneider announced:
Schneider-Kreuznach presents its new range of lenses for mirrorless system cameras of the Micro Four Thirds standard at this year’s photokina in Cologne. The first lens in the series, a 14 mm wide-angle lens, will be available on the market by the third quarter of 2013. In the fourth quarter of 2013, it will be followed by a 30 mm universal lens and a 60 mm macro version.
In the fourth quarter of 2013? Okay, well at least that's more than we know about the Video Xenon lenses which may or may not be related to their Cine-Xenar line (those are the Cine-Xenar III lenses, there are also Cine-Xenar II lenses). Confused yet? Scroll around in this Wikipedia entry and be prepared to be further baffled.
As best I can keep track of, via PhotoRumors here is a list of all the lenses Schneider has announced that are new -- including some DSLR lenses with an aperture of 1.4 -- and will be available... at some point:
- Schneider-Kreuznach Video Xenon T 2.1 / 25 full frame lens for HD videography
- Schneider-Kreuznach Video Xenon T 2.1 / 50 full frame lens for HD videography
- Schneider-Kreuznach Video Xenon T 2.1 / 75 full frame lens for HD videography
- Schneider-Kreuznach Macro lens Makro-Symmar 2,4/85
- Schneider-Kreuznach Wide-angle lens PC-TS Super-Angulon 4,5/28 HM Aspheric
- Schneider-Kreuznach Wide-angle lens Xenon 1,4/35
- Schneider-Kreuznach Universal lens Xenon 1,4/50
- Schneider-Kreuznach 28/4.5 Super-Angulon Aspheric wide angle tilt-shift lens
If anyone can find any info about these lenses, specifically the Video Xenon line, such as how much they're going to cost, please let the rest of us know. This message will self-destruct in five seconds.
[via REDUSER]
