A Full Frame and Anamorphic IBC for Angénieux

par Angénieux La Lettre AFC n°289

At IBC this year, Angenieux had shown the New Optimo Ultra 12x Multi Format lens and the already popular Type EZ series, both for S35 & Full Frame cameras. After the success of the Optimo 44-440 A2S lens, Angénieux had also presented, for the first time in Europe, the Optimo 42-420 A2S Long Range Anamorphic lens for the High End Production market.

Since the introduction of the Type-EZ series at IBC 2016, Angénieux has been proposing Full Frame lenses for two years already, in a very innovative way, thanks to the IRO (Interchangeable Rear Optics) technology. Based on this technology, the new Optimo Ultra 12x Multi Format lens, for the High End Market segment, covers different formats and is compatible with the new PL & LPL mount Full Frame cameras. The Type EZ series, dedicated to the Entry Level Market segment, is perfect for Cine-Style, and for ENG-type applications, thanks to its specifically designed Broadcast type servo unit (the MSU). For Anamorphics, Angénieux now enlarges its portfolio with the Optimo 42-420 A2S, a 2d Long Range Anamorphic lens which is already taking over its predecessor in terms of sales, the Optimo 44-440 A2S which had a very successful life on the worldwide market and remains a high quality lens for high end productions, widely available from the rental companies.

The IRO (Interchangeable Rear Optics) technology
One of the keys to success of Angénieux latest introductions is the unique IRO - Interchangeable Rear Optics technology, a revolutionary modular lens design that enables different lens configurations. “Enabling customers to configure their lenses optimized for projects and/or cameras is truly a unique feature that is only available from Angénieux” says Christophe Remontet – Managing Director, Angenieux Partnerships & Business Development.
The Angénieux IRO technology has been first built into the 10x Optimo zoom, allowing a swap of the lens from its anamorphic version, the 44-440 A2S Optimo, to its spherical version, the 25-250 Optimo Style. It is also part of the new Optimo 42-420 A2S lens. In the case of the Optimo Ultra 12X and the Type EZ zooms, the IRO technology allows different format configurations.

The Optimo Ultra 12x : the long range cinema zoom reference redefined
The new challenge for Angénieux was to offer a new generation of lenses with an even higher quality for large format feature and high-end digital content production. The lenses should be modular, retain the Angénieux look, and provide the mechanical feel, robustness and optical performances that customers have enjoyed over the past decades with the famed Optimo line.
Once again, the challenge has been fully achieved by the Angénieux development teams with the new Optimo Ultra 12x lens. This fully innovative zoom lens is a multi-format high magnification zoom, thanks to the IRO technology.
Successor model to the industry reference Optimo 24-290 (and 28-340), the Optimo Ultra 12x is the ideal long-range zoom for high-end productions : Feature Films, TV Series, Live Stage, Commercials, Music Videos. The lens features a totally new optical & mechanical design, offering high optical performance (superb image quality, no ramping, minimal breathing, very short MOD) and improved mechanical stability and serviceability. The Optimo Ultra 12x which comes with the standard PL mount lens, has a sub-mount system in order to be equipped with various mount options including the new LPL Arri mount. Optically, users appreciate its superb image quality along the full focal length range, minimal breathing and low distortion and its very close focus. Mechanically, the lens features precise and ergonomic focus ring with ability to swap easily the focus scale ring from meters to feet. It is designed for extreme shooting conditions with a better sealed optical area than on its predecessor reducing dust inhale, and can be used in a temperature range from -20°C to +40°C (-5°F to + 105°F).
Thanks to the IRO technology the lens can be configured to cover 3 different formats : S35 (Ø31.1mm image circle), U35 (Ø34.6mm image circle) and FF/VV (Ø46.3mm image circle). It is the perfect zoom lens for the new generations of high-end digital cameras. *

Two packages are available :
- Standard Optimo Ultra 12x package : Zoom S35 + U35 Kit
- Full Optimo Ultra 12x package : Zoom S35 + U35 Kit + FF/VV Kit

Also available a specially designed Carrying Handle and a Front Protective Glass.
Existing Optimo Extenders 1.4X and 2X can also fit the Optimo Ultra 12x but with some restrictions.

After a hit at IBC last year with a massive amount of orders, deliveries started in July 2018, and the first lenses are already on movie sets, for the pleasure of the DOPs. Production is picking up and the lens should start to be available worldwide for rental by the end of the year.

The Type EZ Series
Designed by Angénieux for both Super 35mm (S35) and Full Frame/VV (FF/VV) cameras, the Angenieux Type EZ series zooms have been developed in partnership with Band Pro Film & Digital Inc., and Jebsen Industrial Technology Co. Ltd. The EZ zooms sit between the still photography, and the mid-level zooms such as the Optimo Style series, offering quality optics with precise mechanics for Cine style applications, at an affordable price. They are the ideal companion for some of the new generation of large sensor digital cameras. ENG-style productions require the flexibility necessary for run-and-gun shooting, combined with good optical quality at an affordable price. It is now possible thanks to the MSU.

The Angenieux Type EZ Series features two fast and lightweight zooms, both lenses allow the rear lens group to be exchanged between S35mm (up to 30mm image diagonal), and FF/VV format (up to 46mm image diagonal).
The Angenieux Type EZ-1 is a standard zoom lens with a zoom factor of 3x. When configured for S35mm cameras, the focal range and aperture are set to 30-90mm F1.9 / T2. By exchanging the rear lens group, the lens becomes a 45-135mm F2.8 / T3 covering an image circle up to 46mm diagonal.
The Angenieux Type EZ-2 is a wide zoom lens with a zoom factor of 2.7x. When configured for S35mm cameras, the focal range and aperture are set to 15-40mm F1.9 / T2. By exchanging the rear lens group, the lens becomes a 22-60mm F2.8 / T3 covering an image circle up to 46mm diagonal.

Both lenses are built in a full metal casing, with internal thermal drift compensation. Focus / Zoom / T-stop can be controlled precisely due to the wide rotation angle of the 3 control rings, which are also equipped with industry standard gear teeth. The lens size remains consistent across the zoom range due to internal focusing & zooming mechanism. Users can easily configure these lenses to support different imaging formats (S35 or FF/VV), and different lens mounts (PL, EF, or E) on their own, without returning their lenses to service centers. A detachable ENG style broadcast zoom servo grip and other accessories such as a hood are also proposed.

The Type EZ series addresses the requirements of independent videographers and cinematographers, who are seeking for cost efficient tools that enable cinematic expressions. The exceptionally fast T2 lens opening provides tremendous control of depth of field, only previously found in prime lenses. The ability to convert lens mounts, and the image circle size makes the Type EZ lens series a solid investment to all industry professionals.

The Type EZ lens series has received an overwhelming market response over the past year which continues to grow with the deliveries of the EZ 2 and of the MSU (ENG broadcast servo unit), which seduces the TV stations and Networks around the world for ENG type applications. The enthusiasm about these lenses is general and it is amazing to see how much they contribute every day to the young cinematographers’ creativity.

The new Optimo 42-420 A2S : a Long Range Anamorphic lens
Angénieux now proposes the Optimo 42-420 A2S lens for Anamorphics. Based on the Optimo 44-440 A2S lens, which was introduced in April 2016, and after some customers’ suggestions and demands, the new Optimo 42-420 A2S has a different focal length and has even less distortion than the 44-440, which already was minimal. The lens provides the specifications that made the Optimo 44-440 A2S lens so popular and some different image characteristics. Since its introduction at NAB, the lens has been touring around the world, getting a very positive response from the rental companies and the Directors of Photography. The lens will take over its eldest brother in terms of production even if, as always at Angénieux, demands for Optimo 44-440 A2S will try to be accommodated, at least for a certain period, based on spares availability.

The complete Angenieux lines will also be at the show, including the new Optimo Style 48-130
The Optimo Style 48-130 T3 is the third lightweight compact zoom lens in the Angénieux Optimo Style series. It is the ideal companion to the Optimo Style 16-40 T2.8 and 30-76 T2.8, the two other lightweight compact zooms of the range, and the 10x Optimo Style 25-250 T3.5. It weighs only 4.3lb/1.95kg and has a Close Focus at 3’1”/0.94m. With its unique zoom range it is the perfect lens for close-ups, portraits, or tight shots either handheld or on Steadicam, sticks, remote heads, gimbals, or rigs.
The Angénieux Optimo Style 48-130 has high optical performances. It covers an image circle up to 34.6mm diameter (RED 8K helium sensor or ARRI Open Gate for instance) with a constant T3 aperture throughout the entire zoom range. As with the other lenses of the Optimo Style series, it has no ramping when zooming in, minimal breathing, distortion and optical aberration. The lens shares the familiar, precise, rugged construction of the Optimo Style series with 320 degree rotation of the focus barrel, and industry standard 0.8M gears on the focus, iris and zoom rings. With the three compact and lightweight Optimo Style lenses, cinematographers can now cover a focal length range from 16mm to 130mm. It can be extended to 260mm with the Angénieux 2x Optimo extender. As its two companions Optimo Style 16-40 and 30-76, the Optimo Style 48-130 has an interchangeable mount system, allowing easy swap of the mount from PL to Canon EF or Panavision PV. The lens can be equipped with the Angenieux Servo Unit (ASU) with integrated motors for remote control with industry standard wireless and broadcast control systems. It also can be fitted with the Angénieux 1.4x and 2x Optimo extenders. This new Angenieux addition meets the interest of all cinematographers who look for the Angénieux worldwide famous excellence at an affordable price. The lens fits the latest digital cameras and cameras with mirror shutters and match with the rest of the Angénieux line as well as the best brands of prime lenses. It has already met the highest interest of a lot of rental companies.