Category: PL

Lens Guts, Lenses, News, PL, vintage

ZERØ OPTIK Brings Vintage Baltars Back to Life

by Matthew Duclos1 Comment on ZERØ OPTIK Brings Vintage Baltars Back to Life
ZERØ OPTIK Brings Vintage Baltars Back to Life

ZERØ OPTIK began as the passion project of cinematographer/engineer Alex Nelson who wanted to build the world’s most well engineered 35mm Pinhole lens. He succeeded. But that wasn’t enough for Alex. The next project he’d tackle was going to be far more complex and far more rewarding. And that’s where we begin this post… The original Bausch & Lomb Baltars. We sat down with Alex to get an inside look at where ZERØ OPTIK comes from and where it’s going.

Continue reading “ZERØ OPTIK Brings Vintage Baltars Back to Life” →

Canon EF, Lenses, Micro 4/3, News, Nikon F, PL, Sony E, Zeiss

Goodbye CP.2 – Hello CP.3!

by Matthew Duclos5 Comments on Goodbye CP.2 – Hello CP.3!
Goodbye CP.2 – Hello CP.3!

Zeiss pulled the veil of their long anticipated update to the Compact Prime line which will officially be called the CP.3 and CP.3 xD. The new line will consist of FF35 primes ranging from 15mm to 135mm in a lightweight, compact cinema housing. The new lenses will feature high performance optics at affordable prices with a couple of features not yet seen in the Sub-$5K market. Let’s take a look at the details of Zeiss’ new cinema primes.

Continue reading “Goodbye CP.2 – Hello CP.3!” →

Canon EF, Lenses, News, PL, Sigma, Sony E

Sigma Fills Out Nicely with 14mm and 135mm Cine Primes

by Matthew Duclos2 Comments on Sigma Fills Out Nicely with 14mm and 135mm Cine Primes
Sigma Fills Out Nicely with 14mm and 135mm Cine Primes

Sigma has just announced the development of a 14mm T2 and 135mm T2 prime lens. Based on the Sigma ART line of optics, these two new primes will join the already impressive 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm . This news comes as no surprise to anyone who follows Sigma. The photo version of these lenses which were released earlier this year, seem like they were designed specifically to join the Sigma Cine family. They’re a welcome addition and render the Sigma Cine Primes a powerful option for cinematographers.  Continue reading “Sigma Fills Out Nicely with 14mm and 135mm Cine Primes” →

Angenieux, Canon EF, Lenses, News, PL

Angenieux Adds 48-130mm to Optimo Style Line

by Matthew DuclosLeave a Comment on Angenieux Adds 48-130mm to Optimo Style Line
Angenieux Adds 48-130mm to Optimo Style Line

Ahead of NAB 2017, Angenieux has announced another addition to the Optimo Style line of zooms – a 48-130mm T3. The 48-130mm features a 2.7x zoom range along with the other lightweight Optimo Style zooms, the 16-40mm and 30-76mm. It weighs 4.3 lbs and Angenieux states it is idea for hand held, steadicam and drones productions. Continue reading “Angenieux Adds 48-130mm to Optimo Style Line” →

Leica, Lenses, News, PL

Leica Announces New Thalia Line Ahead of NAB

by Matthew Duclos2 Comments on Leica Announces New Thalia Line Ahead of NAB
Leica Announces New Thalia Line Ahead of NAB

Here’s something a bit different from everyone’s favorite German lens manufacturer – Leica’s new Thalia prime lenses which tout a massive 60mm image circle. More than enough to cover any current digital cinema sensors. The new Thalia line takes aim at cinematographers looking for a more character-rich image.  Continue reading “Leica Announces New Thalia Line Ahead of NAB” →

Canon EF, Micro 4/3, News, Nikon F, PL, Rokinon, Sony E

Rokinon adds 16mm T2.6 to Xeen Line

by Matthew Duclos1 Comment on Rokinon adds 16mm T2.6 to Xeen Line
Rokinon adds 16mm T2.6 to Xeen Line

Last week Rokinon announced that the latest addition to their XEEN by Rokinon line, the 16mm T2.6 lens, is available immediately from authorized dealers. This is the first XEEN lens to be released since the 135mm lens began shipping last July, and is the first (but most likely not the last) XEEN of 2017. Continue reading “Rokinon adds 16mm T2.6 to Xeen Line” →

Canon EF, Lenses, Micro 4/3, News, Nikon F, PL, Sony E, Tokina

Tokina Cinema Introduces New Primes, Refreshed Zoom, and More!

by Matthew Duclos2 Comments on Tokina Cinema Introduces New Primes, Refreshed Zoom, and More!
Tokina Cinema Introduces New Primes, Refreshed Zoom, and More!

Tokina entered the cinema lens market several years ago with a few zooms and a macro prime which were all ported over from their still photography line of lenses. Originally, their 11-16mm T3 (a lens that we lovingly began the trend with) lacked a PL mount option which it finally gained just recently, while the other lenses featured the PL mount as a factory option. The 11-16mm was accompanied by two additional zoom lenses – a 16-28mm T3 and a 50-135mm T3 and a lonely 100mm Macro prime lens. Last week, Tokina announced that it will begin manufacturing three brand new prime lenses – a 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm, all T1.5, and refreshing the 16-28mm with a version II. Continue reading “Tokina Cinema Introduces New Primes, Refreshed Zoom, and More!” →

Canon EF, Lenses, News, PL, Sigma, Sony E

Sigma Steps Into The Spotlight With New Cine Zooms and Primes

by Matthew Duclos13 Comments on Sigma Steps Into The Spotlight With New Cine Zooms and Primes
Sigma Steps Into The Spotlight With New Cine Zooms and Primes

This one has been a long time coming and I couldn’t be happier to be breaking this news to all that have waited so patiently. For the past couple of years I would receive an email or phone call about twice a month asking if we had plans to convert the Sigma 18-35mm and/or 50-100mm to a cine lens. I would consistently, politely decline citing high cost or some other hurdle that made such a project unattractive to my organization which was generally met with the oh so annoying “Well, this other company in China does it for real cheap”. Good for them… But alas, we can finally admit to the real reason why Duclos Lenses has avoided such a project. Sigma has taken it upon themselves to carry out what so many have asked for over the past couple of years; Manufacture a high quality, fast, lightweight range of zooms and primes direct from their factory in Aizu, Japan. Let’s take a look into the future of Sigma Cine. Continue reading “Sigma Steps Into The Spotlight With New Cine Zooms and Primes” →

Accessories, Duclos, PL, Review

Field Test – Duclos 2x Extender

by Mark La FleurLeave a Comment on Field Test – Duclos 2x Extender
Field Test – Duclos 2x Extender

For many years now I have used 1.4x and 2x extenders with my still lenses for both photography and video, and I am familiar with their advantages as well as their shortcomings.  Since PL mount lenses have really become my gear of choice lately, I was in the market for a good PL mount 2x extender. I am now the happy owner of the Duclos 2x Extender and I wanted to take a minute to share my first impressions of it. Continue reading “Field Test – Duclos 2x Extender” →

Leica, News, PL

Leica’s Summicron-C Line Grows with 15mm and 40mm

by Matthew DuclosLeave a Comment on Leica’s Summicron-C Line Grows with 15mm and 40mm
Leica’s Summicron-C Line Grows with 15mm and 40mm

At this rate, we won’t have any products left to announce during NAB. CW Sonderoptic, Leica’s sister company that manufactures their cine lenses, has announced the addition of two new prime lenses that really round out and fill the gaps in the Summicron-C line of lenses. Taking up the wide end we’ll see a nice, fast, 15mm. And then, to prove that they’re really listening to their customers, the coveted 40mm is added right in the middle of the range. A favorite focal length of many cinematographers that gives just a tad more reach than a 35mm, but doesn’t quite punch in to the tight field you would get with a 50mm. Beautiful!  Continue reading “Leica’s Summicron-C Line Grows with 15mm and 40mm” →

Angenieux, Canon EF, News, PL

Angenieux Reveals New Anamorphic Zoom Ahead of NAB

by Matthew DuclosLeave a Comment on Angenieux Reveals New Anamorphic Zoom Ahead of NAB
Angenieux Reveals New Anamorphic Zoom Ahead of NAB

It was only a matter of time before Angenieux anamorphasized it’s 25-250mm Optimo Style and here it is. A 44-440mm T4.5 2X anamorphic zoom. This lens rounds out the rest of Angenieux’s anamorphic line-up which consists of a wide 30-72mm T4, and the mid-range 56-152mm T4. Let’s take a look at some of the finer details of this brand new anamorphic telephoto  zoom. Continue reading “Angenieux Reveals New Anamorphic Zoom Ahead of NAB” →

Accessories, Duclos, News, PL

Duclos Lenses Announces Brand New 2x Extender

by Matthew Duclos3 Comments on Duclos Lenses Announces Brand New 2x Extender
Duclos Lenses Announces Brand New 2x Extender

Yet another must have accessory from Duclos Lenses. The 2X Tele-Extender can give your telephoto lenses even more reach. This all new design from Duclos Lenses features a couple of tricks not found in other extenders such as an adjustable back focus that eliminates the need for laborious shimming. The body is made from anodized aluminum and stainless steel for a most robust design. The glass is extremely high quality; sourced from Japan and aims to exceed even the industry’s most respected brands. Continue reading “Duclos Lenses Announces Brand New 2x Extender” →

Arri, Lens Guts, PL, Tutorial, Zeiss

Arri Shows You How To Install Their Flare Set For Master Anamorphics

by Matthew Duclos3 Comments on Arri Shows You How To Install Their Flare Set For Master Anamorphics

ma_flare_sets_det_1Arri published a new video to their YouTube channel in which Zeiss Service Trainer & Technician goes through the step-by-step process of removing the factory front and rear element and replacing them with the new uncoated flare set. The purpose of the flare set is just that, to increase the flares and imperfections, or “character” of the Arri Master Anamorphics. Continue reading “Arri Shows You How To Install Their Flare Set For Master Anamorphics” →