32 CREATION
May-June 2017
ZEISS brings metadata technology to everyone
Digital technologies have transformed traditional filmmaking and refashioned the market . New and innovative technologies in both production and post production have paved the way for more versatile , cost-effective and advanced workflows .
In light of this , ZEISS has introduced the Compact Prime CP . 3 and CP . 3 XD family to support creative and progressive filmmaking with an affordable , future-proof lens set of premium quality . APB finds out more from Victor Cheang , Regional Director , South East Asia and ANZ , ZEISS .
What improvements can users expect from the new Compact Prime CP . 3 / CP . 3 XD Cine Lens family ? Victor Cheang : The ZEISS CP . 2 family was considered the best in its class , and is the most-sold cine lenses in the world to date .
As the succeeding product line , the newly-announced ZEISS CP . 3 family features a modern design in both optical and ergonomic aspects , and provides more versatility and value to the user . Compatibility is further enhanced with the much wider range of cameras available in the market today due to the lenses ’ 35mm fullframe coverage and an interchangeable mount system .
In fact , the ZEISS CP . 3 lenses are compatible with more cameras and mount types than any other cine lens on the market . Significantly , these lenses are more compact and lightweight with their lighter and smaller barrels , without compromising on robustness and durability . The design of the ZEISS CP . 3 lenses makes them ideal even for handheld , gimbal , drone and Steadicam applications .
Available in 10 focal lengths , from 15mm to 135mm , consistency across the ZEISS CP . 3 lenses was designed to enhance usability . From a consistent
95mm front diameter , as well as compact size and light weight across most of the focal lengths , to the standardised positioning of the focus rings with improved focus torque , the ergonomic design of the lenses was well thought out to allow usage flexibility .
This includes optimising a quick change of lenses while on-set , or even when used on drones and gimbals . A consistent T-stop is also implemented to help simplify lighting on-set and exposure compensation ( T2.9 for 15-21mm and T2.1 for 25-135mm ). In addition , the lenses are colourmatched with an improved advanced lens coatings to support high dynamic range ( HDR ) projects and offer a higher contrast and minimum aberrations .
High-performing optics in a compact , robust and durable package — these are the characteristics that ZEISS believes will remain desirable for decades to come .
In terms of new innovations , what do the CP . 3 lenses offer ? Cheang : Excitingly , the ZEISS CP . 3 lenses are also offered in the ZEISS eXtended Data ( XD ) technology version that expands possibilities — the ZEISS CP . 3 XD , which offers “ Hollywood technology ” for everyone .
Besides the recent downsizing of 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) cinema cameras , ZEISS also recognised the enhanced digitisation of post-processing workflows , with increasing needs of lens metadata that was only required in high budget filmmaking until a few years ago . As such , the ZEISS CP . 3 XD was created to bring metadata benefits to even small productions working on limited budgets .
Available in the same 10 focal lengths , the ZEISS CP . 3 XD version features innovative and groundbreaking lens data technology to speed up and simplify the workflow on-set and in post production .
ZEISS ’ eXtended Data technology unifies two data sets : Key lens data based on the open technology standard and supported by a wide range of cameras and accessories ; and ZEISS ’ specific lens data that contains precise lens characteristics .
The ZEISS eXtended Data technology allows lens settings such as information about the lens ’ distortion and shading characteristics to be monitored in real time , and it is the first metadata technology to do so . The lens settings are digitally captured on every frame , avoiding the need to manually record the lens settings for every shot . Documentation of the lens ’ characteristics enhances creativity by allowing more complex shots to be handled in post production .
By using the metadata , it just takes a few clicks to modify the image generated on the computer to fit the lens characteristics , and to then splice it together with the footage to create a realistic image . Distortion and shading can be corrected or even amplified in post production .
With these functions , we believe that the ZEISS CP . 3 XD will significantly benefit any production requiring precise image capturing .
Who is ZEISS working with to make this innovation happen ? Cheang : The CP . 3 XD came about from a cooperation between three parties : ZEISS ; time-code technology company Ambient Recording ; and software developer Pomfort .
Ambient ’ s new MasterLockit Plus system records all metadata along with a time code internally , in case the technology is not supported by the camera . The XD data is passed through to Pomfort ’ s latest tool , the LiveGrade Pro , on-set allowing film crews to get a sense of what the final look will be like during the shoot itself . The LiveGrade Pro not only displays lens data , but also enables the modification of distortion and shading on the set in real time . The film clips and lens data can then be consolidated and organised with Silverstack , Pomfort ’ s file manager .
While metadata might have been the key to the creation of the ZEISS CP . 3 XD , the storage and processing factors were also given detailed thoughts , in order to promote a highresolution , post-production workflow .
With many new offerings in the cine lens industry , what can we expect from ZEISS next ? Cheang : There may be many more inexpensive alternatives that are new in the market today . However , with a long history in lens making , ZEISS always strives to create the best lenses with the ultimate precision and image quality in terms of factors such as contrast , clarity and sharpness .
While we are unable to disclose detailed information about our product roadmap , ZEISS is constantly looking to improve and innovate . As part of our continuing portfolio of future-proof solutions , the ZEISS eXtended Data technology is planned to be expanded in future to offer additional features . With the firmware upgrades to come , the CP . 3 XD will be a long-term investment for users , while we will be implementing the eXtended Data technology in as many of our new products as possible . ❑
As the succeeding product line to ZEISS ’ CP . 2 lens family , the ZEISS CP . 3 range is compatible with more cameras and mount types than any other cine lens on the market , according to ZEISS .
The ZEISS CP . 3 range also includes the CP . 3 XD lenses , equipped with the company ’ s eXtended Data ( XD ) technology , designed to bring metadata benefits to even small productions working on limited budgets .