NEWS AGENDA Legendary Laowa 12mm reborn
The widest non-fisheye lens you can buy has now been redesigned for mirrorless. A new version of Laowa’s iconic 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D full-frame lens has been remade as a Lite version, which is smaller, lighter and now adds autofocus support for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts. Retaining the ultra-wide 122° field of view and distortion-free design, the Laowa 12mm Lite also keeps the fast f/2.8 aperture. Despite the wide angle, straight lines remain straight, which is useful for interiors and cityscapes, where distortion can ruin a composition. It’s also built to be sharp – even into the corners – with excellent control of chromatic aberration. The lens is compact, and the E-mount AF version weighs just 377g, making it ideal for handheld use or on gimbals, plus it has a built-in 72mm front filter thread. A unique feature is the choice between five- or 14-blade aperture options for sunstar rendering. The five-blade version creates a striking ten-point sunstar effect. It’s priced at $699, with no UK price confirmed yet. venuslens.net
STAR PERFORMER The extreme non-fisheye lens from Laowa comes with a choice of aperture blades, including the five-blade version that gives ten-flare sunstars
PL MOUNT COMES TO 10MM CINE LENS FOR ARRI AND RED USERS
thread. Its 46.31mm image circle fully covers Vista Vision sensors too, while any chromatic aberration is kept tightly in check, giving clean, cinematic results. The lens is also available in LPL, Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z and L mounts. The PL mount is $1699, but no UK prices have been revealed. laowacine.com
The ultra-wide rectilinear 10mm full-frame lens just got even more useful, as Laowa has added a PL mount to its T2.9 Zero-D VV Cine optic, opening it up to a wider range of high-end cine cameras. Known for its extreme 130.3° field of view, it now integrates with industry workhorses like the Arri Alexa LF and Red V-Raptor 8K VV.
Weighing just 640g, the 10mm T2.9 lens is ideal for handheld rigs, drones or gimbals, and features a close minimum focus of just 12cm. Its beautiful bokeh makes it a tool for creative, unique close-ups with dramatic perspective. Other pro features include a 113° focus throw, 0.8M gear pitch and a standard 77mm front filter
RETRO RENDERING FROM APSARA OPTICS The new Apsara cine lenses produce a vintage look with rugged mechanics and modified Sirui components – and they’re surprisingly outside diameter and 77mm filter threads for compatibility with standard rigs.
The Prestige Series is a PL and LPL mount line of five cine primes – 24mm to 100mm – with macro capability. The lenses cover up to 65mm sensors and offer a consistent cinematic look with minimal focus breathing, rich bokeh and flattering colour rendition. They also feature 95mm outside diameter fronts and robust all-metal barrels. Manufactured with Sirui and calibrated in Simmod’s new ISO-standard facility, every lens is tuned for optical character and mechanical precision. Sales will support non- profit Apsara Academy, fostering filmmaking in underserved communities. UK prices have not yet been set. simmodlens.com/apsara
affordable, starting from $849. Apsara’s two ranges, Lumière and Prestige, are the brainchild of Simmod Lens founder Ron Sim. The Lumière Series comprises four fast, compact T1.4 primes – 24, 35, 50 and 75mm – optimised for mirrorless mounts like Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z and L-Mount. Despite their small size, these cover everything from full-frame to Vista Vision and even Alexa LF Open Gate. They deliver creamy skin tones, subtle highlight halation and painterly focus fall-off. Unique to the Lumière Series is an illuminated lens marking system for visibility in low light. The lenses are built with 80mm
13
PROMOVIEMAKER.NET
Powered by FlippingBook