p.2 #1 · Zeiss announces new Aatma cine lens series--9 lenses
The Zeiss description of the character is interesting : lower contrast, outlining behind focus, and smooth bokeh in front of focus. This sounds similar the v3 pre-ASPH 50mm Summilux; in comparison the v4 classic re-formulation of the Summilux prioritizes high contrast, smooth behind focus bokeh, resulting in terrible in-front of focus rendering and field curvature.
p.2 #2 · Zeiss announces new Aatma cine lens series--9 lenses
As much as Zeiss seems to be stepping away from the still photography market, it continues to innovate strongly in the cinema lens segment.
If you read the stories behind Supreme Primes, Radiant Primes, and now the Aatma Primes in their Film and Digital Times magazine, you’ll notice something interesting: unlike many manufacturers who seem to develop “character lenses” in a rather ad hoc way, or by simply recreating looks from the past, Zeiss appears to follow a very systematic and deliberate process in shaping the optical character of its lenses.
They probably have one of the most competent and methodical approaches in the industry right now. Of course, that doesn’t automatically guarantee commercial success, but it is still a solid and future-oriented way of working. In other words, they clearly understand what “optical character” actually means and how it can be engineered. While many other brands rely heavily on marketing narratives and vague imagery, Zeiss seems to know exactly what it wants to achieve and how to get there.
It’s also worth noting: no “3D pop” nonsense and no pseudo-scientific talk about micro-contrast.
I really wish this kind of thinking were more visible in their photography division as well, but they probably see it as less worthwhile given the intense competition and falling prices in the photo market.
p.2 #3 · Zeiss announces new Aatma cine lens series--9 lenses
Generally DOPs don't want 3d pop like sticker effect and prefer the subject to sit and blend with the rest of the frame for cohesion.
The overcorrection bokeh is actually common in animation where the subject smoothness is the separation and contrasting element against a higher frequency background.
The Aatmas seem to be a small batch line for and only 2 years dev time means they probably rolled it out quick because a lot of their competitors were already releasing similar niche lines. They said they didn't reuse optical formula but they had all the resources to just scan and compile to prototype faster.
Really excited to see the Panoptes 65mm line the most though. The Leitz Thalia line is so awesome so great to see Zeiss joining the fray.
