CINE LENSES
“When buying a set of primes, it’s best to go for neutral, multi-purpose lenses with good control of flare”
where a T stop is an actual measure of light transmission. So a T2.8 setting is consistent across brands and focal lengths. Cine primes tend to have a lot of aperture blades, to give smooth bokeh, with clickless iris control, so you can change T stop smoothly, which is crucial if you plan to change aperture during a shot. A fast maximum gives a shallow depth-of-field, but demands precise focus control. Cine lenses have geared rings to fit a follow focus rig. And sets of lenses are often the same size, so it’s easy to change rigs, matte boxes and follow focus systems. One big benefit is the long throw of the focus ring and the precise control, especially when compared to AF DSLR photo lenses with their fly-by-wire electronic control. Cinema lens are also designed to minimise focus breathing, which is when you change focus, you also get a change in angle of view. The cine optics avoid this by using special internal focus systems. A set of matched primes are the mainstay of many DOPs, who select their lenses for the distinctive look they can give to a film, as many of the very top-end makers offer their primes with different looks, from super crisp to flarey and vintage. But a set of Cookes is a major investment and many choose to rent. And if you are spending, then why not go for
even more expensive anamorphic lenses for the classic Cinemascope super-wide look, with oval bokeh and long horizontal flare streaks? It’s by far from the only option. Japanese firm Sigma has a range of Classic primes, based on its popular range of cine primes, but offered with a classic, almost vintage look. American firm Atlas sells its Orion anamorphic lenses, but they are still very expensive. Sirui is now offering a budget option, but it’s more in the DSLR/ mirrorless style. Lens manufacturers like Arri, Angénieux, Cooke, Leica and Zeiss offer incredible-quality options at very high prices, but there are more affordable options. For example, Zeiss has its premium ranges like Ultra Primes and Master Primes, but also a more attainable range called Compact Primes, available in 15mm, 18mm, 21mm, 25mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm and 135mm. They all have a 95mm front diameter and are now all the same size apart from the 100mm and 135mm telephoto lenses, which are slightly longer. The CP.3s have user-interchangeable lens mounts available in PL, Nikon F, Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount, and come in standard or XD extended data versions. If you are a Canon shooter, the brand has the widest range of cine primes, with a full set of EF mount CN-E prime cine
IMAGES Cinema lenses are designed to minimise focus breathing and zoom shift
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