More Possibilities for Cinematographers with ZEISS Compact Zoom Lenses

From ZEISS:

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 09/09/2014 – This year during the IBC in Amsterdam (September 12-16, 2014) ZEISS will present another highlight for discerning cinematographers at its booth 11.F50: prototypes of a servo unit for the high-end ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 cine lenses.

With the CZ.2 15-30/T2.9, CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 and CZ.2 70-200/T2.9, ZEISS has set new performance standards for cine zooms. Equipped with an exchangeable mount (IMS), the CZ.2 lenses can be used flexibly on virtually all current and future camera models. The full-frame cine zooms (36x24mm) are suitable for HDSLR cameras, as well as for professional HD video and cinema cameras. All lenses in the ZEISS Compact Zoom family already correspond to 4K production standards.

With the new modularly-built ZEISS Servo Unit which will be shown in Amsterdam, cinematographers can leverage all of these advantages for situations when there is no direct access to the lens, for example on a crane, on rails or a Russian Arm. The servo unit also supports the comfortable operation of the zoom when using a shoulder camera, thus allowing the ZEISS Compact Zooms to be used conveniently for reportages.

The ZEISS Servo Unit was specially designed for the three ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses and can be flexibly used with all three of them. The user-friendly surface of the cine zooms enables them to be operated manually and, if desired, with follow-focus systems or the new ZEISS Servo Unit attached. The main unit controls aperture and zoom through powerful electric motors. A sensitive rocker switch allows for smooth zooming as well as fast changes in the image crop. An integrated iris motor enables the automatic control of the aperture via the camera. A manual operation of the aperture is, of course, still possible.

The new ZEISS Servo Unit can be controlled directly on the hand grip, through broadcast demands, or via wireless lens control systems, as is often the case for cranes.

Unique for the ZEISS Servo Unit is that no tools are needed for assembly, which can save time in critical moments. With a snap-on mechanism, the main unit can be exchanged easily, fast and without tools between the three different ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses. For each lens, this is done with a sleeve and installation plate. In addition, the optional focus unit can be mounted on the main unit with little effort, and adjusts quickly to the respective lens during lens changes. Electricity to the servo unit can be supplied via a PL-mount with contacts (at the zero position), through the camera interface cable, or externally. For ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses already available on the market, the necessary modifications for the contacts on the PL-mount can be carried out by ZEISS Service.

“The new ZEISS Servo Unit for the Compact Zoom CZ.2 family consistently expands the creative uses of our cine zooms, which have a growing fan community among professional cinematographers, production companies and in the rental business,” said Helmut Lenhof, Product Manager with ZEISS Camera Lenses. “Flexibility and longevity were our guiding ideas when developing the Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses and these principles are reflected in the patented interchangeable mount system (IMS) and the optical design for the full frame. The ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses are therefore growing in step with the requirements of their users. The new servo unit is a powerful component that lets cinematographers flexibly extend the use of their CZ.2 lenses, whether for professional film productions or on a hand camera for reportage, documentary, and live events.”

During the IBC 2014, ZEISS will again present its comprehensive product portfolio of lenses for movie productions and HD video: ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2, ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic, ARRI/ZEISS Master Prime, ARRI/ZEISS Ultra Prime, ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2, and SLR lenses for HD video. Visitors to the booth will be able to test ZEISS lenses on a large variety of the latest camera models, as well as meet and talk to experts on site.

The official market launch for the new ZEISS Servo Unit is planned to coincide with the NAB 2015. The total price of the system, including the focusing element, is expected to lie between € 5.000 and € 6.000 or US$ 7,800 and (net price). Orders can be taken starting April 2015.

B&H carries ZEISS Compact Zoom lenses.