Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

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Mirek Elsner
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p.1 #1 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

Last time when I looked at the Zeiss web site, I also checked the cinematography lenses page. I noticed that one of the product lines has the same focal lengths as their ZF/ZK/ZE counterparts and that these lenses can also be used for up to 24x36mm.

I'm wondering what are the differences and how the best cine lenses optically compare to the Zeiss SLR ones and if cinematography has more demanding requirements than us photographers. Can anybody elaborate on that or point me to an appropriate resource?

Thanks

Nov 07, 2009 at 04:12 AM

phuang3
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p.1 #2 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

I heard cine lenses are sharp from center to edge, because the film will be projected to a large screen. They are mostly large primes to keep shutter speed as high as possible. Also, the ghost flare and internal reflection are minimized to certain degree. And the result is $$$

Nov 07, 2009 at 04:21 AM

bluetsunami
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p.1 #3 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

Each one is listed as having 1.3 T-Stops. That's just Cine lingo for how much light is being pulled in (ala aperture) right? At first I had thought they were equal but I don't think so. Either way, these lenses are massive. I'm speaking of their Master Primes btw.

Nov 07, 2009 at 05:38 AM

MichaD
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p.1 #4 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

You are probably referring to the compact primes.
These are in fact the same optics as the ZF line but with different mechanics and of course in PL mount.
The cine lenses have geared focus and aperture rings and missing click stops on the aperture.
The T1.3 lenses are the Master Primes which are a whole different leage.
T-stops are f-stops corrected for transmission loss from the glass surfaces. So a T1.3 lens is an F1.2 lens with 0.1 stops transmission loss.

Nov 07, 2009 at 09:08 AM

lepp
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p.1 #5 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

I'm not sure they cover 24x36 frame.

(1) Horizontal angle of view for an ANSI Super 35 Silent camera aperture (aspect ratio 1:1.33, dimensions 24.9mm x 18.7mm / 0.980" x 0.7362").
Ground glasses available for ARRICAM, ARRIFLEX 235 and all 435 and 535 models.
(2) Horizontal angle of view for a DIN Super 35 Silent camera aperture (aspect ratio 1:1.33, dimensions 24mm x 18mm / 0.944" x 0.7087").
Ground glasses available for ARRIFLEX 235 and all 435 and 535 models.
(3) Horizontal angle of view for a Normal 35 Academy camera aperture (aspect ratio 1:1.37, dimensions 22mm x 16mm / 0.8661" x 0.6299").
Ground glasses available for ARRICAM, ARRIFLEX 235 and all 435 and 535 models.
(4) Close focus is measured from the film plane.

Nov 07, 2009 at 09:20 AM

MichaD
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p.1 #6 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

From the brochure available on the Zeiss site:
"Covers up to full format still image size (24 x 36mm)"

Nov 07, 2009 at 09:22 AM

Mirek Elsner
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p.1 #7 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

Yes, I was referring to the Compact series. The Master series is faster, larger, more expensive and clearly different. But I am also wondering if the Compact lenses are optically the best lenses you can get from Zeiss and if not, how the best differ optically (sharpness, resolution, micro contrast, corrections etc.) from what we use as photographers...

Nov 07, 2009 at 06:14 PM

theSuede
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p.1 #8 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

The optical construction is said to be exactly the same as the latest ZF-series. No difference in optical performance.
-On the "Compact Primes"; that are nothing more than ZF-lenses with a lot better mechanical construction as you said.
The rest off the series (Master Primes and the others) are Super-35 specific, i.e. built for 32mm projection circles, or as the "DigiPrime" series for 2/3" sensors. They (and they are the INTERESTING ones!) cannot be used on FF/FX still cameras.

It would however be interesting to try some of the Master Primes on a crop-camera, but the prices start at 15.000$ for the longer lenses. You do get discounts for buying more than one at a time....!

Nov 07, 2009 at 08:48 PM

Michael Tyler
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p.1 #9 · Zeiss cine vs. ZF(ZK, ZE) lenses

Or a simpler, less accurate way to put it is the Master Primes are so fast because they're designed for "crop cameras." 35mm film is shot vertically, so the frame size is closer to APS-C than it is to full frame 24x36.

Same reason Olympus can design zooms a stop faster than Canon/Nikon. Bigger lens + smaller film frame = faster aperture.

Nov 08, 2009 at 06:00 AM


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