Zeiss Introduces Horizon Anamorphic – Intelligent Anamorphics

Zeiss Introduces Horizon Anamorphic – Intelligent Anamorphics

Zeiss has officially introduced the new Horizon Anamorphic lenses, a full-frame 2x anamorphic lens system that represents one of the company’s most ambitious cinema lens releases in years. While the anamorphic market has spent much of the past decade revisiting vintage imperfections and aggressively stylized optical character, Horizon appears focused on something different: intelligent integration, workflow efficiency, and adaptable imaging systems built for the realities of modern production.

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Leitz Cine Adds Fujifilm G Mount Option for Hektor Primes

Leitz Cine Adds Fujifilm G Mount Option for Hektor Primes

Leitz Cine has introduced a Fujifilm G mount option for its Hektor prime lenses, opening the door to compatibility with Fujifilm’s GFX platform, including cameras like the Fujifilm GFX100 II and the Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55.

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Zeiss Introduces Aatma Primes: Heritage Influence, Modern Intent

Zeiss Introduces Aatma Primes: Heritage Influence, Modern Intent

Zeiss has announced the new Aatma Primes, a nine-lens full frame T1.5 cinema set that places the company squarely back into the conversation around vintage inspired optics. Covering focal lengths from 18mm through 135mm, Aatma is positioned as a more character forward option within Zeiss’ modern cinema lineup while retaining contemporary mechanics and workflow compatibility. In a market already dense with lenses aimed at nostalgia, Aatma presents an important consideration. Is this a meaningful refinement of Zeiss’ recent direction, or simply another option competing for attention?

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DZOFilm Vespid II Review: Speed, Metadata, and a Bold New Lineup

DZOFilm Vespid II Review: Speed, Metadata, and a Bold New Lineup

The Vespid II primes arrive with more than just a fresh coat of paint. DZOFilm has taken the core appeal of the original Vespid series and supercharged it with faster apertures, metadata support, and a refined lineup built for modern filmmaking. These lenses are not simply a sequel, they are a bold statement that DZOFilm is listening to creators and pushing their designs into territory once reserved for higher end cinema glass.

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Leitz Expands Hugo Line: Adds 40mm T1.5

Leitz Expands Hugo Line: Adds 40mm T1.5

Leitz Cine quietly expanded its HUGO series this week with the announcement of a brand new 40mm T1.5 lens. Revealed on August 25, the addition rounds the set out to a total of 14 focal lengths spanning 18mm through 135mm.

The HUGO series quickly grabbed attention among cinematographers for the pleasing rendering they impart on the image and as more robust build than the M 0.8 primes that they replaced. Much of the glass in the series comes from Leica M rangefinder optics, known for their signature character and natural falloff toward the edges. While Leica does not currently make a 40mm in their M line, this lens was developed with support from Leica Camera designers to ensure it matched the spirit of the series.

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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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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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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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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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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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Tokina Introduces Vista-C Primes

Tokina Introduces Vista-C Primes

Tokina has announced its latest addition to the Vista Prime lineup—the Vista-C. This new variant aims to deliver a more vintage-inspired aesthetic with controlled contrast, unique flare characteristics, and a slightly less uniform image while maintaining the high resolution and T1.5 speed that define the Vista series. But does this really introduce something entirely new, or is it simply a refined iteration of an already solid lens platform? Let’s take a closer look.

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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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Cooke Retires S4 Series After 20+ Years of Excellence

Cooke Retires S4 Series After 20+ Years of Excellence

The news that Cooke Optics is ceasing production of the S4/i prime lenses is, for many in the cinematography world, like saying goodbye to an old friend. For over two decades, the S4 series has been a benchmark of optical excellence and mechanical precision. Its contribution to the art of visual storytelling—and its role in defining what we now universally recognize as the “Cooke Look”—can’t be overstated.

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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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ARRI Introduces Ensō Primes

ARRI Introduces Ensō Primes

ARRI has introduced the Ensō Prime series, a collection of large-format cinema lenses tailored for high-end digital productions. These lenses are built to deliver outstanding optical performance while offering flexibility in design and creative control for cinematographers. With focal lengths ranging from 10.5mm to 250mm, the Ensō Primes cover a wide range of shot requirements, making them a versatile addition to any production. The core set, which includes 18mm, 24mm, 32mm, 47mm, 75mm, and 105mm lenses, all feature T2.1 apertures and LPL mounts for compatibility with ARRI’s LDS-2 and Cooke /i lens metadata systems.

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