Tag: Duclos

Accessories, Lenses, News, Opinion

A Sticky Situation: How to Properly Store Cinema Lenses

by Frank Ramirez2 Comments on A Sticky Situation: How to Properly Store Cinema Lenses
A Sticky Situation: How to Properly Store Cinema Lenses

It’s late in the afternoon and I am sitting at my desk casually culling images for upcoming posts when I suddenly get called out to the service room. I walk in to see Michelle and Paul Duclos standing around a plastic bag on the desk with strange looks on their faces and pointing at me to open it. As I pull the plastic off, I come to realize what has them taken aback. A sad sight. Placed in the bag was a Canon K35 zoom that was completely caked with mushy deteriorated foam the same texture and stickiness of a toasted marshmallow.

My first thought: This is going to make a great story. The second: I need gloves.

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Lenses, News, Product Announcement, Tokina

Tokina Caps the Vista-P Line With New 180mm T1.9

by Matthew DuclosLeave a Comment on Tokina Caps the Vista-P Line With New 180mm T1.9
Tokina Caps the Vista-P Line With New 180mm T1.9

Tokina has expanded its character-forward “Portrait” edition of the Vista-P lineup with a new 180mm T1.9—the series’ first telephoto focal length. Pre-orders are now open, with shipments expected to begin in October 2025. Here’s how it fits into Tokina’s growing cinema lens ecosystem.

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Lenses, News, Product Announcement, Sigma

SIGMA Aizu Primes: A Love Letter to the Art of Cinematography

by Matthew Duclos1 Comment on SIGMA Aizu Primes: A Love Letter to the Art of Cinematography
SIGMA Aizu Primes: A Love Letter to the Art of Cinematography

SIGMA’s latest foray into high-end cinema optics comes with a respectable technical achievement. The newly announced Aizu Prime Line is not just another set of fast cine primes. It’s the first complete set of full-frame T1.3 cinema lenses, an achievement that places SIGMA in rare company and challenges long-standing norms in lens design.

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Canon RF, Fuji X, Laowa, Lenses, News, PL, Product Announcement, Sony E

Mind-Bending Perspective: Laowa’s New 8-15mm T2.9 Zoom Fisheye

by Frank RamirezLeave a Comment on Mind-Bending Perspective: Laowa’s New 8-15mm T2.9 Zoom Fisheye
Mind-Bending Perspective: Laowa’s New 8-15mm T2.9 Zoom Fisheye

When you hear the name Laowa, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Normally, and I’ll say this with the utmost respect, weird lenses. Laowa always goes against the norms, choosing innovation over following trends. They consistently deliver tools that at first seem niche or strange, but quickly prove themselves as must-haves once you see the results. I’ve always appreciated that approach. It’s a bit like that middle-school idea that not trying to be popular ends up making you stand out anyway.

Now comes the Laowa 8-15mm T2.9 Fisheye Zoom, their latest ultra-wide cine lens, and a potential game-changer for AR and VR creators. This lens fills a noticeable gap left by a certain lens with a red ring, which was widely used in immersive production workflows. The question is whether this new Laowa offering is simply trying to replicate what came before, or if it’s pushing things forward on its own terms.

Continue reading “Mind-Bending Perspective: Laowa’s New 8-15mm T2.9 Zoom Fisheye” →
Lenses, News, TT Artisan

TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Cine: Dual-Bokeh?

by Matthew DuclosLeave a Comment on TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Cine: Dual-Bokeh?
TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Cine: Dual-Bokeh?

Cine primes with unique character have always carved out a niche — sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of nostalgia. TTArtisan’s new 35mm T2.1 Dual-Bokeh Cine lens seems to fall into both camps. Priced at just $380, this full-frame lens dares to embrace imperfection in a market where even budget glass often aspires to be unremarkably “correct.” But it’s not the usual aberrations or swirly backgrounds that make this lens stand out — it’s the switch.

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Lenses, News, NiSi

NiSi Raises the Bar with New T1.4 Aureus Primes

by Matthew Duclos3 Comments on NiSi Raises the Bar with New T1.4 Aureus Primes
NiSi Raises the Bar with New T1.4 Aureus Primes

NiSi is set to expand its footprint in the cinema lens market with the introduction of the new Aureus Prime series—full-frame, T1.4 cinema lenses designed for uncompromising image quality and professional workflows. The new line builds on the momentum of the Athena Primes, which launched in 2023 with focal lengths from 14mm to 85mm and later grew to include 18mm, 40mm, and 135mm options. That series quickly established NiSi as a serious player among filmmakers seeking sharp, consistent optics and solid mechanical design at a competitive price point.

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Accessories, Canon, Canon RF, Lenses, News, Opinion, Review

Canon VCM L Lenses for Filmmaking: A Complete Review for Hybrid Video Creators

by Frank Ramirez1 Comment on Canon VCM L Lenses for Filmmaking: A Complete Review for Hybrid Video Creators
Canon VCM L Lenses for Filmmaking: A Complete Review for Hybrid Video Creators

Canon has long been a trusted name in both photography and cinematography, but it’s been a while since we’ve highlighted any new releases from the brand. The last time we dove into their products, it was nearly two years ago, with the CN-E Flex Zoom lenses. Since then, Canon has been relatively quiet, especially as other brands have adapted to the mirrorless market. However, Canon recently launched the VCM L hybrid lenses, a series designed with promising features that could be particularly useful for video creators. The question is, how do they hold up for filmmaking, and more importantly, can they be Cine-Modded?

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Canon RF, Lenses, News, Sony E, Zeiss

ZEISS Otus ML: The Return of Legends, Now for the Mirrorless Generation

by Frank Ramirez1 Comment on ZEISS Otus ML: The Return of Legends, Now for the Mirrorless Generation
ZEISS Otus ML: The Return of Legends, Now for the Mirrorless Generation

After a five-year hiatus and a slew of rumors suggesting that ZEISS was bowing out of the still photography market, they’re back with a bang. Enter the Zeiss Otus ML line—a reimagining of the beloved Otus family that promises to shake up the mirrorless camera world. Today they are unveiling two focal lengths: 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4.

The Otus ML lenses are intended to push optics in this new generation of mirrorless cameras. The original Otus primes to this day remain at the pinnacle of optics so the question is: Can the new iterations compare? Buckle up, this is going to be a long one.

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Accessories, News, Product Announcement

The Bun-G-Ring: A New Way to Mount Filters?

by Frank RamirezLeave a Comment on The Bun-G-Ring: A New Way to Mount Filters?
The Bun-G-Ring: A New Way to Mount Filters?

In the fast-paced world of filmmaking, particularly on tight and chaotic sets, every second counts. That’s why the introduction of the Bun-G-Ring, a new filter-mounting system, could offer some relief—at least for those frustrated with the time-consuming task of taping filters in place. While not exactly a revolutionary new category of equipment, the Bun-G-Ring promises a more secure, faster, and reusable solution for mounting filters to your lens—no tape required. The question is, does the industry really need yet another filter system, or does the Bun-G-Ring offer something uniquely useful, particularly for documentary filmmakers?

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DZOFILM, Lenses, News, Sony E

The Thypoch Simera-C: Now In M-Mount

by Frank RamirezLeave a Comment on The Thypoch Simera-C: Now In M-Mount
The Thypoch Simera-C: Now In M-Mount

Rarely does a lens series come along that stays in my mind for long. When a new cine lens entry hits the market, and there have been many this year, I’m always excited. A spark of excitement and that deep “Lens Geek” obsession sets in. I don’t want anyone to think I’m not interested in the other releases this year, but as time passes, one set in particular has managed to live rent free in my head. Enter the Thypoch Simera-C primes.

Released in October in E-mount variants, these primes made a surprising splash, and now with the release of M-mount versions, their impact is set to grow even more. We’ve already covered the Simera-C on our social media and posted an article about the newly released 21mm T1.5 earlier this month. But this M-mount release presents the perfect opportunity to revisit them — and maybe ease their hold on my mind

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Duclos, Fuji X, Lenses, Micro 4/3, News, Opinion, Sirui, Sony E

The Sirui 40mm T1.8 1.33x is Anamorphic AF

by Frank Ramirez3 Comments on The Sirui 40mm T1.8 1.33x is Anamorphic AF
The Sirui 40mm T1.8 1.33x is Anamorphic AF

Over the past year, a fresh batch of exciting lenses has emerged, adding new flavors to the ever-evolving lens industry. While these releases have certainly stirred the pot, as the saying goes, the technique you use can make all the difference in the final dish. Now, Sirui enters the scene with their bold campaign for the 40mm T1.8 1.33x AF Anamorphic Prime, leaving us to wonder: Will this new ingredient enhance the overall recipe, or will it be a flavor that fades into the background?

Don’t worry there are no more references to food going forward.

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Canon EF, Canon RF, Laowa, Lenses, News, PL, Sony E

Snag A Close Up of the Laowa 60mm 1.5x Macro Anamorphic Prime

by Frank RamirezLeave a Comment on Snag A Close Up of the Laowa 60mm 1.5x Macro Anamorphic Prime
Snag A Close Up of the Laowa 60mm 1.5x Macro Anamorphic Prime

2024 is coming to a close, the holidays are around the corner and Laowa is the lens manufacturer that just keeps giving. Just in time for gift giving season the Laowa Nanomorph 60mm Macro Anamorphic is a perfect stocking-stuffer for the special Lens Geek in your life.

The Nanormorph 60mm fits in so well with the rest of the line up and truly makes me wonder why it took so long for a macro addition like this to be added. Let’s dive in and get a close up look.

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Lenses, News, Product Announcement, TLS

TLS Introduces Zeiss Contax Rehousing

by Matthew Duclos1 Comment on TLS Introduces Zeiss Contax Rehousing
TLS Introduces Zeiss Contax Rehousing

The Zeiss Contax lenses, first introduced in the 1970s, have earned a reputation as some of the most desirable vintage optics for modern filmmakers. Designed for still photography, their renowned T* coatings and sophisticated optical design have garnered a loyal following among those seeking a distinct, organic image quality. Often referred to as the “full-frame Super Speeds,” these lenses marry pleasing sharpness with a unique character that sets them apart from today’s clinical modern glass. Now, with a new rehousing by True Lens Services (TLS), these legendary lenses are ready to take their place in the world of professional cinema.

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Lenses, News, Opinion, Product Announcement, Sigma

Is the SIGMA 28-45mm Concept the Future of Cinema Lenses?

by Matthew Duclos2 Comments on Is the SIGMA 28-45mm Concept the Future of Cinema Lenses?
Is the SIGMA 28-45mm Concept the Future of Cinema Lenses?

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.

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Lenses, News

Lens Guide: Compact Full Frame Cine Primes

by Frank RamirezLeave a Comment on Lens Guide: Compact Full Frame Cine Primes
Lens Guide: Compact Full Frame Cine Primes

What an exciting past couple of years we’ve had right? I mean regarding lenses. You got that? Okay good.

Yes, even in the past year alone we have had some incredible new products come out that have showcased the evolution of the cinema lens technology. Compact full frame cinema lenses have gained popularity for their portability, optical quality, and ability to deliver stunning visuals without compromising on performance. Never before have quality optics and this much variation between them been accessible to filmmakers. We pulled a few options in this category from our inventory to take a look at what they have to offer you.

To preface, this list only contains a few of the many Full-Frame/Vista Vision lenses on the market. Including s35 and even anamorphic lenses for sale would be exhausting and we don’t have enough coffee around today. We’ll save them for future blogs though. Stay tuned for that.

Now, let’s dive in.

Continue reading “Lens Guide: Compact Full Frame Cine Primes” →