a blog by Matthew Duclos
If you’ve ever browsed forums or joined a Facebook group for budget anamorphic lenses, there’s two things you’ll find in an abundance; Micro 4/3 cameras, and Frankenstein rigs held together with adapters and gaff tape. But now there’s a cure for one of those… The Vazen 1.8x Anamorphic Prime Lens.
Continue reading “Vazen Creates Native Anamorphic Prime for Micro 4/3”
Swiss camera manufacturer ALPA has taken a big leap into the world of motion picture lenses by reviving the Switar brand. Their initial set of prime lenses will consist of a 35mm T3.5, 45mm T2.8, 55mm T3.5, 80mm T2.0, 140mm T2.8, and 210mm T4.0. The most pronounced feature of this new set is their massive 70mm image circle intended for motion picture use with medium format systems from the likes of Fujifilm, Hasselblad, and Phase One. Let’s take a closer look at what ALPA has planned for the Switar brand.
Continue reading “ALPA Brings Switar Back to Cinema”
Swiss lens company Irix is set to begin offering cinema lenses starting with their 150mm T3.0 Macro 1:1 lens. The Irix line of prime lenses, while limited, seem to be ideally situated for a future in cinematography thanks to their high quality, fully manual design.
Continue reading “Irix Begins Cine Line With 150mm Macro”
In recent years, vintage lenses are consistently being hunted down by cinematographers for their nostalgic look and “in-camera quality.” Sigma noticed this trend which led to the development of their new line of primes. Introducing the Sigma Cine Classic Art Prime lenses.
Continue reading “Sigma Introduces Classic Line of Primes”
With the development of the THALIA-T, Leitz started a new line of cine lenses that will in fact not extend their existing THALIA set but rather run next to the line of the well-known iconic art lenses.
Continue reading “1935 Leica Thambar Reborn”
Tokina joined the cinema market with their Vista Primes which were met with open arms for their excellent image quality and coverage. But for many cinematographers, the lenses lacked character or personality. They were simply too clean or “clinical” as I’ve come to refer to them. But that changes with the Vista One primes.
Continue reading “Vista One – More Character from Tokina Cinema”
It’s that time of year. Just ahead of NAB 2019, Fujinon has announced a pair of brand new high-end cinema zoom lenses with a generous image circle capable of covering the entire range of modern large format motion picture cameras.
Continue reading “Livin’ Large with Fujinon’s Premista Zooms”
As of April 1st 2019, ZGC is now Cooke Americas (and no it is not an April Fool’s joke). Nothing much will change apart from the name. Same great people, products, and authorized service. The switch is another part of Cooke’s ongoing commitment to worldwide service and support.
Continue reading “Cooke Lands in America”
Famed British lens re-housing company True Lens Service based out of Leicester, UK has adapted one of the must lust-worthy lenses from the photography world, to the realm of cinematography.
On January 15th, Canon Burbank held their New Year Open House featuring Duclos Lenses. Patrons were able to explore the complete Cinema EOS line-up and get hands-on experience with Canon cinema cameras and lenses in the various Canon Burbank test facilities, theater, and showroom. Continue reading “Canon’s New Year Open House Recap”
Laowa, a Chinese lens manufacturer known less for their marketing and more for their unique, thoughtful optical creations, has decided to break into the parallel world of motion picture lenses with their first ever purpose-built cinema zoom lens.
Continue reading “Laowa to Introduce Dedicated Cinema Lenses”
During IBC 2018, Leitz Cine announced the development of a whole new set of twelve prime lenses designed for Full Frame/Vista Vision format as well as a brand new pair of cinema zoom lenses also designed for large format cinematography.
Continue reading “Leitz Cine Announces Plans for New Cine Primes and Zooms” 
Just ahead of IBC, Sigma Cine has announced three brand new focal lengths to be added to their already well-rounded lineup of affordable high speed cinema primes, a 28mm T2.5, a 40mm T1.5, and a 105mm T1.5, bringing the total set count to ten lenses. Continue reading “SIGMA Adds 28, 40, and 105mm High Speed T1.5 Primes to Cine Lineup”
Cooke is keeping up with the trend by adding large format anamorphic lenses to its esteemed lineup.
After enthusiastic reception for the Cooke S7/i’s, this is certainly the right step forward.
First focal lengths to come will be 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm, followed by 32mm, 135mm, and 180mm – all T2.3 with 110mm fronts. Continue reading “Something New Is Cooke-ing…”
The Canon CN-E Primes have been out for quite some time now and have been tested on and off set by bloggers and cinematographers alike. There’s no doubting the capability of the CN-E Primes at this point. Beginning with a mere three prime lenses – 24, 50, and 85mm, Canon filled out the line with a 14, 35, 135mm over the next few years but then simply stopped adding focal lengths. We finally have a new lens to add to the CN-E line. Continue reading “Canon Fills Gap In Primes With 20mm T1.5 CN-E”