a blog by Matthew Duclos
Schneider has launched the Classic ND filter line, built to address some key needs in today’s digital cinema landscape. Available in the widely-used 4×5.650” size, the Classic ND filters are made with high-grade, multi-coated water white precision optical glass. Schneider claims this new lineup offers accurate color rendering across densities, effective IR pollution control, and a durable anti-reflection coating.
Continue reading “Schneider Introduces Classic ND Filters: A Modern Solution”
Nikon’s upcoming NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ (Power Zoom) lens is aimed squarely at the filmmaking community, marking another step in the company’s ongoing efforts to cater to video professionals. While Nikon has long been a key player in the world of photography, this lens represents their latest attempt to break into the cinema lens market. However, a closer look reveals a mix of promise and potential areas for improvement.
Continue reading “Nikon Announces New 24-135mm f/4… Cine Lens?”
The ever-popular Leica R primes have been modified and rehoused by many companies for several years but none so elegantly as Leicester, UK-based outfit, TLS. While a Leica R re-housing by TLS has been available for quite some time, this is the first time that TLS is offering a solution direct to customers without a middle-man. But what makes the Leica R lenses and the TLS housing such a great pairing? Let’s explore!
Continue reading “TLS Brings Premium Leica R Rehousing Home”
Laowa has unveiled their latest anamorphic offering, the Proteus Flex Series, which introduces a new level of flexibility with interchangeable flare modules. As I sat down to write about this new series, I took a trip through The Cine Lens Archive to see what I had written about the original Proteus lenses. To my surprise, I never published anything on that launch—so I’m making sure not to miss the opportunity this time. The Proteus Flex series offers a unique combination of modular design and high-end performance, and it’s certainly a step forward for cinematographers seeking versatile anamorphic tools.
Continue reading “Laowa Proteus Flex Series: Next-Level Anamorphic Flexibility”
Sigma’s 28-45mm T2 autofocus cine lens raises important questions about the future of cinema lenses, particularly in a world where traditional, manual-control zoom lenses have been the gold standard for decades. The introduction of autofocus in cinema lenses challenges a long-held belief: that manual control by a skilled focus puller is irreplaceable, especially in high-end narrative filmmaking.
Continue reading “Is the SIGMA 28-45mm Concept the Future of Cinema Lenses?”
Leitz Cine has expanded their popular HUGO line of cinema lenses with three new additions: the 66 mm T2.1, 75 mm T2.1, and 90 mm T2.1. These new lenses, part of the newly dubbed HUGO II series, join the existing 10 focal lengths in the HUGO lineup, bringing more versatility and options to the highly respected lens family. Let’s take a closer look at these new additions and how they stack up against their faster predecessors.
Continue reading “Leitz Cine Expands Hugo Line”
NAB. The stage on which brands throughout the industry showcase their newest products shined extra bright this year. However, as a shop specializing in optics, we had our focus on the new lenses out on the floor. Enter the new DZOFilm Arles Primes VV cine primes.
Continue reading “First Look: DZOFilm Arles Cine Primes”
It’s been quite a while since Zeiss released a new cine lens. In fact, the Supreme Primes were the latest addition to the Zeiss cine family. A few focal lengths have been added such as the Supreme 15mm and if we want to really stretch Zeiss portfolio additions, we can also include the Supreme Radiance – Zeiss’ answer to the vintage lens craze. Aside from those, there really hasn’t been a whole lot of buzz out of the German lens manufacturer. That’s about to change!
Continue reading “Zeiss Announces Nano Primes – Fast, Compact, Cine Primes for Mirrorless Cameras”
DZOFilm is finally, formally announcing their Pavo Primes – 2x anamorphic cinema lenses that aim to further democratize the world of anamorphic filmmaking. While these lenses don’t introduce any groundbreaking features per se, they bring a sense of reliability and consistency that’s precious in a professional production environment. The set will consist of a 28mm, 32mm, 40mm, 55mm, and 75mm at launch and a 100mm to come later this year. The 28mm through 75mm will all be T2.1 while the 100mm will be a respectable T2.4. Let’s take a look at more details.
Continue reading “PAVO Primes – a New Line of 2x Anamorphics from DZOFilm”
Cooke is on a roll with their latest product rollouts and the new SP3 are no exception. Named after the classic Speed Panchro primes from Cooke, it’s safe to say this is the latest version of that concept. The”3″ in SP3 indicating it’s the third line to inherit what created nearly 75 years ago. The new set will consist of five prime lenses in an all-new super compact, lightweight housing aimed at mirrorless camera systems.
Continue reading “Cooke SP3 Primes: A New Line of Compact Cine Primes for Mirrorless Camera Systems”
Venus Optics, well known for their unique, innovative lens creations, releases their latest version of their popular probe lens – the Laowa Pro2be lens, building upon the successes of its predecessors; the 24mm Probe and 24mm PeriProbe lenses. Let’s delve into what we know about the Pro2be lens so far.
Continue reading “Laowa Improves the 24mm Probe Again With New “Pro2be””
Duclos Lenses, a renowned motion picture lens specialty shop, has once again raised the bar for professional cinema lens technicians with their latest innovation – the Service Tray Mini and Service Tray PRO. Designed by lens technicians for lens technicians, these new service trays offer an efficient and organized solution for handling screws, hardware, and small components during lens disassembly. With the growing demand in the field of professional lens servicing, Duclos Lenses continues to lead the way by introducing specialty tools that are exclusively designed and manufactured for lens technicians.
Continue reading “New Tools from Duclos Lenses”
Just ahead of the IBC show in Amsterdam, Leitz Cine has unveiled their latest line of cinema lenses, the HUGO Primes. A set of 8 high-speed prime lenses in a fairly compact body. The focal length and maximum aperture may look a bit familiar, and for good reason. Let’s take a closer look at what Leitz has been working on.
Continue reading “Leitz Cine Reveals Hugo Line of Primes”
For the last five years cinematographers have been asking Sigma for a 65mm high speed prime. Sigma has responded with the addition of a 28mm, and 40mm, even a 105mm high speed prime. At long last, we’ll have a 65mm to fill out the ever-popular Sigma Cine Prime family. Sigma issued a press release with some details of this new lens as well as a few other updates.
Continue reading “Sigma Announces Development of 65mm T1.5 Cine Prime and more!”
It’s been a few months since we talked about DZOFilm here on The Cine Lens. Which means they’ve introduced a number of new products that we’ll go over as a round-up instead of flooding our feed with every new lens they announce.
Continue reading “DZOFilm Summer 2022 Roundup”