Well, this year at IBC 2016 the show might have been a bit light on new S35 camera announcements, but it made up for it with new lenses from just about every lens maker imaginable. After, Zeiss with their latest Milvus lenses, and the new Cine Primes and Zooms from new market entrant Sigma, comes the new Type EZ Series zooms from legendary cine zoom lens maker Angenieux. In the age of optical adapters such as those from Metabones, and using different mount lenses on multiple cameras is nothing new, however with the Type EZ-1 and EZ-2 zoom lenses, Angenieux is actually taking what appears to be a conventional cine zoom lens to a whole ‘nuther level.
Angenieux Type EZ-1 F30-90mm T2 S35
The Angenieux Type EZ-1 is a cine zoom lens designed for Super 35 sensors, rated as a Standard Zoom with a zoom factor of 3x. It’s focal range and aperture are set to 30-90mm F1.9/T2. By exchanging the rear optical block however, the lens becomes a 45-135mm F2.8/T3 for FF/VistaVision format covering an image circle up to 46mm diagonal. For example, you can use your C300 Mark II or FS5, and then change the rear optical elements as per the tutorial below – and bam! you are ready to rock your full-frame camera.
Angenieux Type EZ-1 30-90mm T2 for S35 Features
- 30-90mm T2 / f1.9, image coverage up to 30mm diagonal
- Extremely fast T2 across zoom range with no ramping
- Lightweight (2,150g / 4.7 pounds)
- Internal focusing & zooming, lens size remains constant throughout zooming & focusing range.
- Traditional angenieux look, colorimetry matches those of Optimo & OPTIMO STYLE series.
- Short MOD 0.6m / 2 feet
- In-lens thermal compensation, significantly reduces temperature drift.
- Precise and ergonomic focus ring with scale rotation of 300 degrees
- Luminescent FTZ markings, easy reading in dark
- Available with PL lens mount, easy conversion to EF or E mount by users
- Front diameter 114mm, matte boxes compatible with those used on OPTIMO & OPTIMO STYLE compact zooms
- Detachable ENG style zoom grip available from MOVCAM
Type EZ-1 Specifications:
- Zoom Ratio – 3x
- Focal Length – 30-90 mm
- Max. Aperture – T2
- Close Focus 2ft – 0.6 m
- Internal Focus – Yes
- Image Circle Coverage – Up to 30 mm
- Weight – approx, 4.7lb (2.15 kg)
- Length – 226 mm
- Front Diameter – 114 mm
The other lens currently in the EZ Series range is the Type EZ-2 15-40mm T2 wide-angle zoom. By exchanging the rear lens group, the lens becomes a 22-60mm F2.8/T3 covering an image circle up to 46mm diagonal.
EZ-2 15-40mm T2 Main Features
- 15-40mm T2 / f1.9, image coverage up to 30mm diagonal
- Extremely fast T2 across zoom range with no ramping
- Lightweight (2,120g / 4.6 pounds)
- Extremely wide coverage with minimal distortion
- Internal focusing & zooming, lens size remains constant throughout zooming & focusing range.
- Traditional angenieux look, colorimetry matches those of Optimo & OPTIMO STYLE series.
- Short MOD 0.6m / 2 feet
- In-lens thermal compensation, significantly reduces temperature drift.
- Precise and ergonomic focus ring with scale rotation of 300 degrees
- Luminescent FTZ markings, easy reading in dark
- Available with PL lens mount, easy conversion to EF or E mount by users
- Front diameter 114mm, matte boxes compatible with those used on OPTIMO & OPTIMO STYLE compact zooms
- Detachable ENG style zoom grip available from MOVCAM
Both lenses are built in a full metal casing, with internal thermal drift compensation, which allows focus to remain constant when the temperature changes. The lens size remains consistent across the zoom range due to the internal focusing & zooming mechanism. Users can easily configure these lenses to support different imaging formats (S35 or FF/VistaVision), and different lens mounts (PL, EF, or E) on their own, without returning their lenses to service centers.
The Full-frame EZ zooms will fit RED 8K VV, Red cameras recording at resolutions higher than 5.5K, ARRI Alexa Open Gate, ARRI Alexa 65 with VistaVision crop and also Full Frame DSLR cameras such as SONY a7S Mark II, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 5DS, 1DX Mark II…and more to come. Detachable ENG style zoom servo grips and other accessories are being developed by third party manufacturers.
These lenses are expected to arrive in Q1 2017 via selected distributors. Prototype lenses will be shown at IBC 2016, at both Thales Angenieux booth #12.E33, and BandPro booth #12.D21. There is no word yet on official pricing, but according to Angenieux, the Type EZ is to be their new “affordable” range, so expect these to cost in the low five figures, maybe potentially around the $10K mark, but they may be slightly higher. With the high demand for budget oriented fully pro-zoom lenses for run and gun work on properly budgeted productions, these may be a huge hit if priced accordingly.
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When are we going to see them out in the wild