16 CREATION
November 2016
ZEISS provides the right lenses for all production requirements
What new technology advancements are being incorporated into ZEISS camera lenses for video production ? How do these new features enhance or improve video production ? Victor Cheang : ZEISS constantly develops lenses to suit different shooting situations and meet the different needs of users .
Our latest offering , the ZEISS Lightweight Zoom LWZ . 3 21-100 mm / T2.9-3.9 T * ( LWZ . 3 21-100mm ), offers the flexibility of a wide usage spectrum , thanks to its light weight of only 2kg — without any compromise to optical quality . In addition , a broad focal range coverage of 21-100mm provides a flexibility that delivers a clear price and time advantage ; it is now no longer necessary to change focal lengths for a range that a camera operator previously had to use up to six fixed focal lengths .
Because of a combination of attractive features — range , modern optical design in a compact and highquality housing that provides superior image performance in any imaginable shooting situation , as well as affordable price — the ZEISS LWZ . 3 is a longterm investment , especially for smaller productions .
ZEISS is also opening up the field of professional video and cine applications at an excellent price-performance ratio with photography camera lenses , by developing the De-Click function .
Increasingly , professionals are using digital cameras and camera lenses to film in almost motion-picture quality . The De-Click function allows users to mechanically deactivate the click stops on the aperture ring — a condition for silent and smooth adjustments of the aperture . Available in the ZEISS Milvus full-frame lenses for the
APB sits down with Victor Cheang ( left ), regional sales director , South-east Asia and ANZ , ZEISS , for a chat on the company ’ s latest camera lenses and technology developments .
Nikon ZF . 2 mount , this function lets cinematographers set the aperture in a soft and infinitely variable way so they can work professionally in changing lighting conditions .
Due to the extremely high contrast rendition of the ZEISS Milvus lenses , they are able to fulfil the most modern video standards of 6K and higher . Along with uniform colour characteristics , large rotation angle to enable precise focusing and its wide range , which now covers 15-135mm over nine lenses , the ZEISS Milvus lens family is an invaluable investment for the future . The two superwide-angle lenses , the ZEISS Milvus 2.8 / 15 and ZEISS Milvus 2.8 / 18 , as well as the telephoto lens ZEISS Milvus 2 / 135 , were recently launched at IBC 2016 . The De-Click function is also available on the ZEISS Loxia lenses for mirrorless Sony full-frame cameras with E mount . The compact ZEISS Loxia lenses are the ideal choice for those who value light and compact equipment . Recently expanded to a family of four lenses with the introduction of the Loxia 2.4 / 85 at Photokina 2016 , the range of the ZEISS Loxia lens family now covers 21 to 85mm . With a compact and uniform external diameter across all ZEISS Loxia lenses , film shoots are simplified .
To further equip the ZEISS Milvus and Loxia camera lenses with functions resembling those of a full-fledged cinema lens , the ZEISS Lens Gear rings were developed . Made of high-quality aluminium with a hardened surface coating , the ZEISS Lens Gears are slid onto each respective lens and , through simple mounting , attached to the focus ring of the lens by turning two opposing rings . Supplemented by a follow focus system , precise focusing is therefore possible , and the ZEISS Milvus and Loxia lenses become endowed with similar features as a full-scale cine lens .
How are your lens offerings different from that of your competitors ? What are some of the unique features or selling points of your lenses ? Cheang : ZEISS lenses are renowned for their unique characteristics , build quality and versatility for different applications . Our cine lenses — the Compact Prime CP . 2 , Compact Zoom CZ . 2 , and Light Weight Zoom LWZ . 3 — have a good range of coverage from Super 35mm to full-frame sensors .
Moreover , ZEISS cine lenses are all equipped with the well-known exchangeable mount — the so-called
Interchangeable Mount System ( IMS ) — with five different mounts for all current camera systems . This ensures that the cine lenses will always remain relevant , even if different cameras are used .
Most importantly , ZEISS lenses are designed to fulfil the requirements of today ’ s powerful cameras and those of the future , thanks to their high-imaging performance and quality .
ZEISS LWZ . 3 As camera offerings today have broadened the range of video applications , there is a need for affordable high-quality manual lenses . The new ZEISS LWZ . 3 can fulfil that — one zoom at an affording price to fit all situations with its ideal range of focal length , meeting major film set requirements of budget-conscious productions . The compactness and range of focal length allows the use of the ZEISS LWZ . 3 as a single lens for a wide range of assignments with a high variety of sceneries . Despite its affordability , it offers a true cinematic look matching the ZEISS cine primes . With the ergonomics , durability and precision of a ZEISS cine lens in a compact body , the LWZ . 3 is a future-proof investment for smaller productions .
ZEISS MILVUS ( ZF . 2 ) AND LOXIA CAMERA LENSES The patented De-Click function of the ZEISS Loxia and Milvus family of CSC and SLR lenses respectively equips the high-performing camera lenses for videography . This thus provides additional value and flexibility to users , especially with the availability
The new ZEISS Lightweight Zoom LWZ . 3 21- 100mm / T2.9-3.9 T * ( LWZ . 3 21-100mm ) lena provides a broad focal range coverage of 21- 100mm , and can work on a number of cameras available in the market today , including those from Sony . of the ZEISS Lens Gear to be used in combination with the De-Click feature for achieving precise results with another focus system .
Who are your biggest partners for camera lenses , and do they require lenses that are specific only to their cameras ? Cheang : ARRI and Sony are both wellknown partners of ZEISS . Most recently , we worked together with ExoLens by Fellowes to raise the standard of mobile photography and videography , by developing the first aspherical lenses for mobile photographers .
Which ZEISS lens lines are popular in Asia-Pacific ? Why are these lenses popular with Asian filmmakers and videographers ? Cheang : Currently , the ZEISS Compact Prime CP . 2 and Compact Zoom CZ . 2 lenses are our key products for the cine market in Asia-Pacific .
There are many reasons why they are popular and most are related to product attributes — full-frame sensor coverage , interchangeable mount system ( PL , EF , F , Micro 4 / 3 and E mount ), standard diameter front and their light weight . These lenses are engineered for excellent image quality , high resolution and excellent rendition ; this , in turn , reduces post-production time .
What advances for lenses do you think would be possible in the future ? Cheang : Our current line-up of lenses are deemed “ future-proof ”, and are focused on future photography and video trends — for example , 8K , high dynamic range ( HDR ) and higher sensor resolutions — and we are constantly improving and adapting to the evolving needs of filmmakers . Our quest to constantly improve on our optics is an ongoing one . ❑