Chinese cine lens maker Vazen has just introduced a brand new 85mm T2.8 1.8X anamorphic lens. According to the company, it’s one of the lightest and sharpest 1.8x anamorphic lenses for full-frame PL/EF cinema cameras on the market right now.
The new Vazen 85mm T2.8 is part of a new LF lineup and is designed to cover large format cinema cameras like RED Monstro, ALEXA LF, Kinefinity MAVO LF, and the Z-CAM E2-F8. A 55mm and 105mm lens are also in the works to complete a 3-lens set (in phase 1). These two focal lengths should be released in late 2020.
The all-new Vazen 85mm 1.8X anamorphic lens features a super compact and lightweight design being 6.89” long (17.5cm) while weighing in at 3.28 pounds (1.49kg). Its compactness allows it to be balanced on a wide variety of gimbals and rigs. The lens is designed with an 86mm front filter thread for ND filters or diopters.
Furthermore, the front diameter is a standard 95mm for matte box mounting. The entire lens is built up of aluminum and the independent aperture and focus rings are incorporated with 0.8 mod cine gears.
These parameters are expected to be consistent with the rest of the focal lengths for easy lens switching on set. The lens is available with a user interchangeable PL and EF mount while both mounts are included.
All the Vazen 1.8x anamorphic lenses feature a front anamorphic design that produces an oval bokeh, signature blue, but not oversaturated, horizontal flares. Vazen states that the lens delivers outstanding sharpness even at wide open, which is unparalleled by other PL/EF anamorphic lenses with a similar squeeze ratio.
The company chose to adopt a 1.8x squeeze design to balance the anamorphic characters as well as the resolution of the image. The 1.8x squeeze can produce a cinematic widescreen 2.39:1 aspect when paired up with 4:3 sensors. When used on cameras with 16:9 sensors, much less data (than 2X anamorphic lens) is needed to be cropped away to create the desired 2.39:1 ratio.
- Anamorphic Lens for Cine Cameras
- Mount: PL / EF (User interchangeable)
- 1.8x Squeeze Ratio
- Focal Length: 85mm min
- Focus Distance: 3.8 Ft (1.15m)
- Weight: 3.28 lbs (1.49 kg)
- Length: 6.89″ (17.5 cm)
- Front Diameter: 95mm
- Filter Thread: 86mm
- RED Monstro Open Gate / ARRI ALEXA LF Open Gate coverage
- Price: $8,000
- Availability: late August
Of course, the large image circle is capable of covering RED Monstro 8K HD as well as the ALEXA Mini LF Open Gate mode without any vignetting whatsoever. The lens also features an ultra-wide 50° horizontal field of view and the closest focusing distance is 3.8 Ft (1.15m).
The Vazen 85mm T2.8 1.8X is currently available to order directly from Vazens’ website as well as the authorized resellers around the globe with expected shipping in late August. Currently, the unit sells for $8,000 but there will be purchase discounts available for 85mm owners once the other two focal lengths are released.
[source: Vazen]
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