Zeiss News (Page 2)

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.

In addition to the press release, you can find more Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Lens information and lots of eye candy on the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Lens Review placeholder page. Otus 85 images are also loaded into the product image comparison tool. I'll be sharing a full review of this amazing lens very soon.

B&H has the ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 available for preorder.

From Zeiss:

ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 expands lens family with another focal length for the highest level of professional image quality

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 08/09/2014 – Given its focal length and speed, at first glance the new ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 appears to be a traditional portrait lens. But a closer look reveals that this is a fast all-rounder for photographers who do not accept any limitations when it comes to detail – whether it is for general studio work, or fashion, advertising, product or architectural photography. In combination with modern DSLR cameras, this lens delivers unprecedented image quality – even with an open aperture. ZEISS will present this new world-class lens for the first time to the public at photokina in Cologne/Germany from September 16 to 21, 2014.

The ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 displays all of its advantages in the classic short telephoto range, i.e. portraits and people. Its focal length, longer than a normal lens, makes it possible to keep a decent distance from the subject. Photographers who like using a landscape not just as a background will find that the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 is no ‘normal’ lens, but a surprisingly powerful companion for nature photography. The edges of the picture can be used for compositional purposes at all f-stops.

Unique creative possibilities can be achieved for pictures even with little ambient light. Today’s image sensors are extremely sensitive with little noise, which has significantly pushed the limits of what is possible even without artificial light. Fast lenses such as the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 still offer enormous benefits compared with lenses that are two or three f-stops slower, especially when weak light meets fast-moving objects. Even when the light disappears completely, the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 retains its excellent “vision”, just like the owl species from which this lens family gets its name. Lenses reveal correction deficits very clearly with night shots with lots of open light sources that dominate the image. Not so with the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85: in challenging lighting situations with low ambient light, the performance edge of this lens becomes obvious.

The ZEISS Otus family of lenses and its newest member have been specially designed to meet professional photographers’ most rigorous demands. Inner focusing, the dial window, and the dials’ clearly recognizable yellow labeling, familiar from professional cine lenses like ARRI/ZEISS Master Prime, are just a few of the features that are setting new standards.

Optically, the ZEISS Otus series stands out for its high image quality, even with an open aperture. Specifically, that means a neutral bokeh in the background, highly detailed images without any optical artifacts, consistently high resolution power across the entire image field, no color fringing or distortion, and an extremely high image contrast all the way into the edges. The imaging performance remains almost entirely consistent for all shooting distances. High apertures can be used even for close-ups right down to a working distance of 0.65 meters.

Particularly when used in combination with high-definition 35mm DSLR cameras, ZEISS Otus lenses achieve a medium-format quality never previously achieved. In other words: lower investments, more compact gear and imaging excellence.

A view inside the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 reveals how such quality is realized: The lens consists of eleven lens elements in nine groups. One of the lens elements has an aspheric optical surface and six are made of special glass. The optical design is based on the Planar. Because the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 is apochromatic, chromatic diagonal aberrations (longitudinal chromatic aberrations) are corrected with the help of lens elements made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion. As a result, practically no perceptible color fringing appears on contrast-rich edges in front of and behind the focal plane. Bright-dark transitions in the image, and in particular highlights, are rendered free of color artifacts. In addition, the variable air spaces between certain lens groups (“floating elements design”) enable a consistently high imaging performance across the entire focusing range from 0.8 m to infinity.

All members of the ZEISS Otus family are characterized by the exceptional mechanical quality that sophisticated photographers are used to from ZEISS. As they were designed as manual focus lenses, it was possible to work with considerably narrower tolerances in the construction. Its smooth focus operation with the large angle of rotation allows for the finest variations when focusing. The freedom to focus – one of the most important creative elements in photography – has literally been put in the hands of the photographer as an artistic tool.

The extra-fine haptics and the precision of the focusing mechanism can only be achieved with a metal design. The robust all-metal barrel is also well equipped to deal with the rough daily work of a professional photographer, ensuring a long product life. In contrast to lenses containing a lot of plastic, which can become unbalanced over time, the metal ZEISS Otus lenses remain stable for many years. This ensures that the image quality remains consistently high. And for all photographers who in addition to the actual optics also rely on screw-on filters in their work, matching T* UV and POL filters with a diameter of 86 millimeters will be available from ZEISS for the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85.

In the fall of 2013, ZEISS presented the ZEISS Otus 1.4/55, the first representative of a high-end SLR lens series with manual focusing. This has since fulfilled its promise to be “the best standard lens on the market”. Both the trade press and users were impressed.

“When we launched the Otus 1.4/55, our customers immediately understood the benefits they can get from such a lens: using their high-end full-frame camera, they can shoot pictures with a quality and look they were previously only used to getting from expensive medium-format systems,” explains Christophe Casenave, Product Manager, ZEISS Camera Lenses. “With the Otus 1.4/85 we are now bringing out the second lens with this promise. Again with the Otus 1.4/85 we can say that this is a lens without any compromise on image quality. Contrast and resolution power are at the maximum level; there are no chromatic aberrations, even in the most challenging light situations; and there’s no distortion, ghosting or flare. And all of this at any aperture. When you use an Otus lens, you can focus on the composition of your images. You don’t need to spend any time thinking about whether the technology could possibly be a limiting factor.”

The ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 will be available worldwide with EF-mount (ZE) and F-mount (ZF.2) from mid-September 2014. The expected recommended retail price is €3,360.50 or US$ 4,490 (excl. VAT).

Official sample photos can be found on Zeiss's Flickr Photostream.

B&H has the ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 available for preorder.

From ZEISS:

ZEISS is launching the Compact Zoom CZ.2 15-30/T2.9 at this year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas from April 7-10, 2014. The third member of the Compact Zoom family broadens the cine zoom line-up in the wide-angle range. From August 2014, the lens will be available for € 17,900 or US$ 23,900 (excl. VAT)*. The new zoom lens fills the wide-angle gap and complements the already available CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 and CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 lenses. It does not only offer extreme angles of view but also fulfills all the requirements for motion picture zooms: It stands out for its optical brilliance, as well as its distortion-free images.

The ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 family of lenses sets new standards only experienced with fixed focal lengths from ZEISS. Equipped with this set of three zoom lenses, cinematographers can master an enormous range of shooting situations without having to resort to frequent time-consuming lens switches. For sophisticated filmmakers, the ZEISS cine zooms open up new creative possibilities. When working with a zoom lens, you can move a lot more quickly because you don’t have to change lenses and can make different shots from the same perspective.

The ZEISS Compact Zoom lenses are the only cine-style zooms in the world with full-frame coverage. All three zooms were calculated for the full-frame format of 36x24 mm. As a result, they are also compatible with image sensors larger than Super 35 (ex: image diagonal 31.5 mm) and therefore already ready to accommodate future developments in the field of growing sensor sizes. When the lenses are used on Super 35 cameras, users benefit from the positive “sweet-spot effect”: the image circle used by the sensor comes from the inner circle of the lens. As a result, the lens only uses that part of the illumination that has the highest quality in terms of sharpness, light and contrast. In line with the reliable and strict quality requirements that ZEISS lenses are subject to, all three representatives of the Compact Zoom family enable 4K capture.

The cine zooms from ZEISS are masters of flexibility whenever the goal is to achieve high-quality results with little lens changes. The optical balancing between ZEISS cine zooms on the one hand and ZEISS high-end cine lenses on the other fulfills filmmakers’ highest demands, whether they are making big-screen, TV, documentary, music video productions or feature films. All three zooms have a consistent aperture of T2.9, also making them suitable for situations with less available light. And thanks to the established ZEISS color matching, the lenses can be used in combination with the existing lens families ARRI/ZEISS Master Prime, ARRI/ZEISS Ultra Prime and ZEISS Compact Prime, with no additional color grading needed.

Over many years, ZEISS has been continuing to develop the bokeh – that special look of an out-of-focus area in an image. After all, bokeh is one of the most important characteristics of a lens. With special optical design and circular f-stop forms, ZEISS zooms here achieve a particularly harmonious result and depict out-of-focus highlights as circular without any bothersome artifacts. In addition, the Carl Zeiss T* coating – based on several layers in the nano field – ensures a visible reduction of stray light and reflections. The result: brilliant images with a three-dimensional effect.

A special protection against dust and spray water for rough use on the set underscores the high professional standard of these cine lenses.

The cine zooms from ZEISS deliver the well-known quality and performance for which ZEISS lenses have been known for decades. For cinematographers on smaller budgets in particular, it is critical to make safe investments in their equipment. On this point, the Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses stand out strongly: due to the interchangeable mount system (IMS), with currently five different mounts (PL, EF, F, MFT und E), the lenses can be fitted without problems onto different camera mounts. As a result, the zooms can always be used on the latest camera models, and always in an optimal system mix.

All three lenses – the new Compact Zoom CZ.2 15-30/T2.9, the CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 and the CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 – will also be available as a complete set (without transport case) for € 44,999 € or US$ 59,900 (excl. VAT)*.

B&H carries ZEISS lenses.

In a comment on Zeiss's website (pulled from Facebook), the Zeiss team has acknowledged that an 85mm f/1.4 OTUS will be released some time next year.

From Zeiss:

The ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 stands out with technical features ideal for all-around professional photography with 35mm DSLR cameras

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 07.10.2013. – With an imaging performance that has hitherto only been seen with medium format systems, the new ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 offers ambitious photographers who do not accept any compromises in image quality the possibility for a more compact gear. DSLR cameras with high resolution 35mm sensors put enormous demands on lenses. The Otus1.4/55 can deal with these demands thanks to its outstanding sharpness, high image contrast and no visible chromatic aberrations. It creates the highest-possible image quality, even with an open aperture. The new ZEISS lens is especially suited for advertising, fashion and studio photography, and professional photographers working in these fields will not need to make any compromises in terms of performance and quality. The Otus 1.4/55 is the first lens in a family of uncompromising professional lenses from ZEISS. Additional focal lengths will follow. Otus is the Latin name for a type of owl known for its excellent vision in darkness — just like this new high-speed lens from ZEISS.

“Our goal was to bring the best standard lens for SLR cameras onto the market. The Otus 1.4/55 delivers outstanding sharpness and contrast rendition all the way into the corners of the image. The only way we could achieve this was through the complex Distagon optical design, which until now has only been found on wide-angle lenses,” explains Christophe Casenave, product manager for ZEISS Camera Lenses. “Thanks to the low level of longitudinal chromatic aberration, there are no visible aberrations. So an illuminated harbor scene by night with many light sources in front of and behind the actual focal plane appears close to reality, without displaying complementary, color contrast edges. The excellent performance delivered by Otus is constant for all shooting distances. Its high performance with an open aperture also makes this lens a good choice for close-ups or portraits. For architectural and landscape photography, the Otus 1.4/55 takes full advantage of modern high-resolution camera sensors, resulting in impressive resolution in the images, even for the smallest detail.”

Other unique features of the Otus 1.4/55 are its high image contrast all the way to the edges (even for low f-numbers) and the consistent high-resolution performance across the entire image field. The lens has a completely new optical and mechanical design, which was developed taking into account the special and increasing requirements of high-resolution DSLR cameras. The Otus 1.4/55 is equipped with a floating elements design with 12 lens elements in 10 groups, including a double-sided aspheric lens and six lenses made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion. These sophisticated features create image results without color fringing or distortion. Cameras with a lower number of pixels will also benefit from the lens’s unique features.

The performance delivered by the Otus 1.4/55 is especially obvious with night shots. When taking pictures with many image-dominant, open light sources, it is common for correction defects to show up. Because the Otus 1.4/55 is an apochromatic lens, longitudinal chromatic aberrations are corrected by its lens elements of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion. The color defects are therefore significantly lower than the defined limits. Bright/dark transitions in the image, and especially highlights, are rendered with no colorful artifacts. Although it is not a traditional focal length for architectural and landscape photography, here, too, the lens can deliver very good results. The edges of the image can be used for all apertures, giving full rein to the photographer’s creativity. For portraiture, the Otus 1.4/55 render the finest details precisely, and thanks to the maximum aperture of f/1.4, the photographer can consciously play with the depth of field and create a smooth bokeh. The Otus 1.4/55 stands out not only for its highly detailed pictures with no bothersome artifacts, but also for its mechanical quality. The smooth focus operation with the large angle of rotation allows for the finest variations when focusing — qualities that are only possible in a metal barrel. Its design as a manual focus lens allowed the engineers to work with much smaller tolerances during the construction. The lens’s robust metal barrel with the easy to grip focus ring makes it perfect for the demanding everyday situations of professional photographers, and guarantees a long product life. The yellow labels on the scales, which are borrowed from the professional ZEISS cinema lenses, contribute to better visibility. For its innovative product design, the Otus 1.4/55 already won the iF product design award 2013.

The Otus 1.4/55 will be available with F bayonet (ZF.2) and EF bayonet (ZE) starting at the end of October in all global markets. The recommended retail price will be €2,940 or US$3,999 (excl. VAT)*

Adorama has the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 Lens available for preorder.

From Zeiss:

New ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic and ZEISS Cine Zoom lens to be unveiled at IBC show in Amsterdam

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 06.09.2013. – The wide-angle lens Compact Zoom CZ.2 15-30/T2.9 is the newest member of the ZEISS zoom family. From September 13-17, ZEISS will show a mock-up of this lens for the first time at its booth F58 in hall 11 during the IBC in Amsterdam, Europe’s most important trade fair for film, television and radio production and delivery. ZEISS and its partner ARRI will also present the world debut of the ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic MA 100/T1.9. This will expand the number of focal lengths for the ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic lenses available on the market to four.

“With the Compact Zoom CZ.2 15-30/T2.9 we are closing a gap in the wide-angle range in our family of cine zooms,” says Michael Schiehlen, Director of Sales of ZEISS Camera Lenses. “This offers sophisticated clients the greatest possible flexibility so that there are no limits to their creativity — even in cramped shooting situations.” The new zoom complements the existing Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 and CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 lenses with a wide-angle zoom in the focal-length range of 15-30 mm.

The new cine zoom lens has all the features of the ZEISS Compact Zoom family. This includes a compact, lightweight design (2.5 kg/5.7 lbs on a length of 252 mm/9.92”), the interchangeable mount system (PL, EF, F, MFT and E mount) and full-frame coverage (36x24 mm), which creates a sweet-spot effect when used on Super-35 camera sensors. Additional features are the color matching and an ergonomic surface for handheld operation as well as for use with a follow-focus system. In addition, the lenses correspond to 4K production standards (4096 x 2160). The Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses offer better protection against typical environmental influences on the set such as splashing water and dust.

“Thanks to its many characteristics, the Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses are also suitable for professional big-screen productions together with the ARRI/ZEISS Master Prime and ARRI/ZEISS Ultra Prime lenses, and therefore build an ideal set of cine zooms for the rental market,” adds Schiehlen.

Sales of the Compact Zoom CZ.2 15-30/T2.9 are expected to begin at the NAB in April 2014. It is not yet possible to place orders. The recommended price will be under €20,000 (excluding VAT).

“What makes the Master Anamorphic family which we have developed with ARRI so special is that it renders particularly distortion-free widescreens for big-screen productions,” says Anna Rausch, product manager from ZEISS Camera Lenses about the world premiere. “Our anamorphic lenses are the first on the market in which the cylindrical lens elements are positioned at strategically important points in the lens. These lens elements are responsible for creating an anamorphic widescreen.” The ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic MA 100/T1.9 is the fourth member of the family of lenses, which will eventually consist of seven focal lengths. Already available are the MA 35/T1.9, MA 50/T1.9 and MA 75/T1.9. Through their combination of compact design and a high speed of T1.9, the lenses can be used quickly and easily on many different types of sets. ZEISS and ARRI first launched the Master Anamorphic family of lenses in 2012 for ARRI movie cameras. They were developed and assembled by ZEISS. Marketing is done exclusively by ARRI.

In addition to these premieres, ZEISS will also present its entire comprehensive portfolio of lenses for big-screen productions and HD video during the IBC: from the ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic, ARRI/ZEISS Master Prime and ARRI/ZEISS Ultra Prime; to the ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 and ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2; and finally the ZEISS SLR lenses. Visitors to ZEISS’s booth can try out the lenses on the latest cameras, and ZEISS experts will be available to answer questions.

Adorama carries Zeiss lenses.

From Zeiss:

No Compromises

From the initial idea to develop a new high-end SLR lens family to the preparations to bring it to market, ZEISS has come a long and exciting way.

The development of the new high-end SLR lens family posed a special challenge for the ZEISS product managers. The design of the new high-performance lenses was mainly driven by the responsible product managers Nicole Balle, Dr. Michael Pollmann and Christophe Casenave. “An outstanding experience” is how they sum up their three years of hard work.

The most important requirement they had to fulfill was: make no compromises and create the best lens on the market. During the kick-off event, the team geared up for the endurance test that lay ahead of them by taking a hiking tour together. “There was a really special mood,” recalls Nicole Balle. “This assignment was truly extraordinary. Of course, we were all thrilled to be able to have so much freedom in developing a product. The work atmosphere was completely open. All ideas were welcome and were evaluated by the team.”

Read the entire article at the Zeiss Blog.

Adorama carries Zeiss lenses.

From Zeiss:

From “Carl Zeiss” to “ZEISS” – a brief story about our brand communication

How did the name ZEISS come about?

ZEISS is well-known across the globe and the associations with the brand are positive in every respect. Carl Zeiss is the name of the company’s founder and part of the company name Carl Zeiss AG. However, the brand has been called ZEISS for a long time. In general language usage, “ZEISS” is already well established in many countries and languages when referring to both the logo and the company. ZEISS is now taking this development into account in its decision to create consistency across its brand communications. The goal is to create an even clearer and more consistent image of ZEISS in the perception of its customers. ZEISS will be used as much as possible in future to eliminate the lack of consistency in how Carl Zeiss and ZEISS are used. As a result, ZEISS will also label its lenses differently: Carl Zeiss will become ZEISS.

ZEISS operates in many product areas: from microscopes and measuring machines to eyeglass lenses, binoculars and camera lenses. Throughout the company, the label ZEISS can be found on products in most markets and product areas. The lenses have for the most part been the exception here for historical reasons. The decision to also label all lenses “ZEISS” with immediate effect provides an opportunity to retell the history of the brand name.

“Carl Zeiss Jena” appeared in the first trademark of ZEISS, and as early as the 1920’s various subsidiaries used variations of this lens-shaped label. An example is the Zeiss Ikon AG, in which Carl Zeiss held a majority interest. After the Second World War, Carl Zeiss employees, who had been ordered by the American forces to relocate to southern Germany, established the Zeiss Opton factory in Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg. It therefore made sense, like Zeiss Ikon, to adapt the trademark for the new company.

From the spring of 1953 Carl Zeiss Oberkochen and VEB Carl Zeiss Jens developed independently of one another. Carl Zeiss Oberkochen went its own way and called itself “Carl Zeiss” and removed the word “Jena” from the lens-shaped logo. This led to lawsuits around the world to clarify usage of the name Carl Zeiss, the trademark on the lens, as well as other trademarks and product names of Carl Zeiss Jena in the Federal Republic of Germany. It became the longest court case in the history of East Germany.

The so-called “London agreement” was reached in 1971, after nearly 18 years of litigation. Under the terms of the agreement, logos, trademarks and company names of Carl Zeiss in East and West should clearly be distinguishable from each another. In addition, as had already happened with “Jena,” the first name “Carl” was now also removed from the logo of the West German company. At the end of the 1970’s, the word “ZEISS” was included in a square, and in order to clearly differentiate itself from Jena, “West Germany” was added as the designation of origin.

The reunification of both Carl Zeiss companies in 1991 was also intended to raise the visibility the common logo. In 1993-1994, a new combined word and design mark was created with the curve of the lens incorporated in the logo, which is still in use today. The color scheme of the ZEISS logo as we know it today has been in use since 1997.

In 2011-2012, the senior management set up a work group to investigate the current identity and positioning of ZEISS, and to make recommendations for further developing the brand. The result is a range of brand management principles that will govern the future use of the ZEISS brand, including the consistent use of the ZEISS logo in all labeling on all of our products.

As a result, we have decided to use only the ZEISS logo on the front ring of lenses for all future product families and not, as has been the case up to now, the name of the company “Carl Zeiss.” “ZEISS has been a global brand for a long time and we can all be proud of that,” says Martin Dominicus, Head of Marketing of ZEISS Camera Lenses. “When you go on vacation or on a business trip anywhere in the world and mention you work for ZEISS, you are greeted with a smile.”

The changeover for the lenses will take place at the family level: existing lens families will not be changed after-the-fact, but future families will be labeled with ZEISS. The first family to introduce this change is the ZEISS Touit lenses. For production-technical reasons, some Touit lenses were produced and placed on the market with the label “Carl Zeiss.” Perhaps these will one day become coveted collector items. Both versions are original lenses and do not differ from each other in any other respect.

B&H carries Zeiss lenses.

From Carl Zeiss:

The CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 can be seen for the first time at NAB Show in Las Vegas

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 03.04.2013.
Carl Zeiss presents its new zoom lenses from the Compact Family at the NAB Show 2013 (8-11 April) in Las Vegas at its booth C9043. Versatile, flexible and yet small and manageable – these are the characteristics that describe the Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses. For the first time, the new CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 will be presented in the US. The Compact Zoom Family currently comprises the CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 and the CZ.2 70-200/T2.9; the latter won the prestigious iF product design award in February 2013.

The ZEISS Compact Zoom lenses weigh just 2.5 to 2.8 kilograms (5.5 to 6.2 pounds). “For cinema zoom lenses, that is very little. The light and compact design is ideal for hand-held and steadicam shooting,” explains Helmut Lenhof, Product Manager for the Compact Family in the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. The lenses are suited for owner operators as well as episodic television series, documentary films, features and big-screen productions. Especially for shooting projects on a tight budget and time schedule, a ZEISS Compact Zoom lens is an extremely flexible solution. The zoom lens enables faster work and minimizes long set-up times.

Unlike zoom lenses for still photography, the ZEISS Compact Zoom cinema lenses each have three independently moveable zoom groups. This complex design prevents undesired focus shift and ensures optimal image quality. The lenses have a continuous high aperture of T2.9 over the entire zoom range.

Filmmakers can also look forward to a new shorter super wide-angle zoom lens designed for the owner-operator when the Compact Zoom series will expand to a family of three at the end of 2014. This new zoom lens will replace the Lightweight Zoom LWZ.2.

As members of the ZEISS Compact Family, the Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses are the perfect complement to the fixed focal length Compact Prime CP.2 s well as other ZEISS cine-style lenses. Thanks to the exact color matching within the ZEISS cinema lens family, all lenses in this series can be combined flexibly with each other, with no visible deviations.

They cover full-frame format (24x36mm) and can therefore be used on HDSLR cameras, as well as professional HD video and cinema cameras. Being designed as full-frame lenses, they create a sweet spot effect and a uniformity of illumination when used on Super 35 sensors and are ‘future-proofed’ for next generation digital cinema cameras utilizing larger sensors.

Moreover, the interchangeable mount system makes it possible to use the lenses of the Compact Family on various camera models. The mounts currently available are for PL, EF, F, MFT and E. “Investing in this lens family is especially attractive for cinematographers and rental companies because the interchangeable mount also ensures the lenses’ long-term compatibility in the rapidly changing camera market. For all relevant future camera models, mounts will be available which the user can exchange very easily,” adds Lenhof.

Cinematographers can also rely on the quality features that ZEISS is known for:
The T* anti-reflective coating and the internal stray light reduction eliminate bothersome light reflections.

All Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses have the same front diameter of 95 mm. The large focus rotation angle of almost 300 degrees and the calibrated focus scales ensure comfortable handling. All lenses in the Compact Zoom Family correspond to 4K production standards and cover a resolution of 4096 x 2160 with no distortion.

Australian cinematographer Warwick Brown has already used the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 for shooting a television production. “I have just finished shooting a dramatic short film using this lens and the Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses together. They are a real winning combination. The zoom is sharp and handles highlights beautifully.”

The delivery of the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 began in early 2013. The Compact Zoom 28-80/T2.9 will be available starting July. Carl Zeiss authorized dealers are now accepting orders on both zoom lenses. The suggested list price of each Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens will be €14,900 or US$19,900 (excluding VAT).

The lead time for the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 is currently six to seven months. A higher demand as expected led to these lead times. Carl Zeiss will increase its production capacities in order to reduce the lead time to three to four months.

B&H carries Zeiss lenses.

From Zeiss:

New application laboratories, sales and service offices and customer facilities

CAMBRIDGE/UK, 27.02.2013. - The UK manufacturing and sales divisions of Carl Zeiss have cemented their roots in Cambridge with an expansion of their existing production site and the construction of new application laboratories, sales and service offices and customer facilities.

Coldhams Lane in Cambridge has been home to Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd for some years. Due to the sustained growth in international orders, the business has acquired neighbouring premises in order to increase production of their scanning electron microscopes, including EVO, ΣIGMA and process specific tools. This provided opportune timing for the UK Sales and Service business, Carl Zeiss Ltd, to relocate from Welwyn Garden City to Cambridge where one larger ZEISS campus could be formed. The new building, located at 509 Coldhams Lane, has taken on Head Office status for both Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd and Carl Zeiss Ltd. The new facilities include five application laboratories for electron and light microscopes as well as demonstration and training facilities for surgical microscopes, medical diagnostic equipment, camera lenses, binoculars and scopes.

The first recorded sale in the UK for the German-owned company stems back to 1851. Furthermore, as Cambridge Scientific Instruments, the company designed and developed the world’s first commercial scanning electron microscope in 1965. It is clear from today’s modern business that its long history has paved the way for its success as an international leader in the field of optics and opto-electronics. Paul Adderley, Managing Director for Carl Zeiss Ltd, commented “Customers from several of the Carl Zeiss business groups, including Microscopy, Medical Technology, Camera Lenses and Sports Optics, will be able to visit us in Cambridge, the hub for innovative technology, for product demonstrations and expert applications support in our new facilities.”

The Cambridge site is one of 20 ZEISS construction projects currently underway around the world. The end goal is to achieve a modern working environment for all employees with a consistent corporate design and welcoming environment for customers.

B&H carries Zeiss lenses.

From Carl Zeiss:

ZEISS camera and cine lenses receive coveted iF product design award

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 25.02.2013. - Carl Zeiss has won five product design prizes as part of the prestigious iF design awards 2013. Three ZEISS camera lenses and two cine lenses were presented with an award during a festive ceremony on February 22 in Munich. More than 3,000 products were submitted for the iF product design award 2013, which is now in its 60th year.

The winners are the cine lenses Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9, the ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic MA 50/T1.9 (which was developed jointly with camera maker ARRI), as well as three new camera lenses for single-lens reflex (SLR) and mirrorless system cameras (CSC). One of the lenses for Sony NEX and Fujifilm X cameras even received the coveted iF gold award for particularly exceptional design, which this year was presented to only 50 of the 981 winners. This new product family of autofocus lenses for mirrorless system cameras (CSC) should be available starting the summer of 2013.

The iF product design award pays tribute to an entirely new design approach at Carl Zeiss. "For the first time, we have established a design language that aims to convey the strengths and the identity of our lenses already through their appearance, how they feel to the human touch, and the impression they create," says Martin Dominicus, Head of Marketing of Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. The new product design language, which will be applied to all future lenses, was created in close cooperation with the Stuttgart design studio Phoenix Design. "While ZEISS lenses have until now mainly been known for their technical precision, excellent image performance and ergonomics, our lenses will now also meet the highest aesthetic standards of our customers by becoming design objects in and of themselves," explains Dominicus. "Important in this respect are not only functional aspects such as convenient handling and operation, but also the effect that is communicated through high-quality design."

Carl Zeiss and Phoenix Design, which was founded in 1987, developed the new design language in an extensive two-year process that began with in-depth interviews with experienced users and business partners. Tom Schönherr, co-founder and partner of Phoenix Design, explains: "From the brand values of ZEISS lenses we derived product characteristics for the areas usability, perception and technology which should be mirrored in the product design. Attributes such as logical, reliable and user-oriented are reflected in the new concept for labeling and manageability." The industry designers have described the characteristics in a guideline. These characteristics will distinguish the ZEISS brand in all future products and ensure recognition across all product lines. Brand recognition will be reflected in such form elements as contour lines, the look and feel of the operating areas, and the properties of the surface. New features include an optimized focus ring, a smooth coating, and a stray light lens hood which presents itself as an optical component part of the camera lens. The lens hood's funnel-shaped form signals the high speed and performance which ZEISS lenses are known for, among others.

The names and scales on the lenses are — fully in line with a uniform and recognizable typography — in the standardized typeface DIN 1451. This typeface is not only known for its clear, classic and modern appearance; used since 1936 for German road and rail signage, it is intended to be quickly recognizable and optimally legible, even in poor lighting conditions. These are characteristics to which photographers and cinematographers also attach great importance as they make it easier to handle a lens.

"Being honored with the iF product design awards confirms that we have succeeded in creating a distinctive design. Especially for a lens, this is a major challenge as the scope to influence the design is very limited. With few but all the more typical elements, we have developed a new and modern design language that is already gaining acceptance," says product designer Schönherr.

Dominicus adds: "For us it was important that the appearance of ZEISS lenses be just as unique as their technical characteristics. We have developed a concept that enables Carl Zeiss to achieve its premium claim more consistently in the future: uncompromising technology with outstanding product design."

B&H carries Zeiss lenses.

From Carl Zeiss:

Carl Zeiss Photo Contest 2012 seeks moments without limits

Entries until January 15, 2013 on Flickr

Oberkochen/Germany, 12.12.2012
“The moment that knows no limits” is the motto of the Carl Zeiss Photo Contest 2012, which begins today and runs until January 15, 2013. As in every year, the contest is open to anyone, as long as pictures are taken with a ZEISS lens. It does not matter if an image has been created with an SLR reflex camera or with a Nokia smartphone with a built-in ZEISS lens.

The theme
There are moments in life when suddenly everything is possible. In such a moment, nothing can hold you back – no routine, no comfort, no walls and no boundaries in this world. “We want to see moments that are so full of energy that they create room for something completely new,” explains Martin Dominicus, Head of Marketing for the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division.

Carl Zeiss invites photographers from around the world to look for these moments and to submit an image that fits the theme by January 15. “We intentionally chose to keep the theme relatively open so that photographers can interpret it in very different and creative ways. We are very curious what we will receive,” says Dominicus.

As in 2011, the contest can be followed on Flickr, the online photo community. Participants should upload their best image to the theme “The moment that knows no limits” on the OFFICIAL Carl Zeiss Lenses Group on Flickr(www.flickr.com/groups/carlzeisslenses) and tag it with the keyword “ZEISSContest2012”.

The jury
After January 15, a jury with Carl Zeiss employees and professional photographers will select the best images and nominate the photographers for the shortlist. The jury will evaluate both the idea behind the image as well as the execution. The jury will in particular look for images that have been consciously composed and that play with photographic stylistic elements. The most prominent jury member will be the light artist and photographer JanLeonardo Woellert. He knows all about moments that cannot hold him back: In his images, Woellert extends the boundaries of perception, sometimes even walking through fire. Woellert is the recipient of the “German Prize for Scientific Photography.” His clients include well-known global brands and pop bands.

The jury will award the highest amount of points to images that have been consciously composed and in which one can recognize a story. From the jury’s shortlist, the Flickr community will be invited to select the ten best photographers. The images that receive the most “favorites” on Flickr will win.

For more information about the contest and the terms of conditions, please visit www.zeiss.com/photo/contest.

The prizes
1st prize: The latest rangefinder (ZM) or SLR lens (ZE or ZF.2) of the winner’s choice* as well as matching Carl Zeiss T* UV filter, Carl Zeiss Lens Cleaning Kit and Carl Zeiss Comfort Camera Strap

2nd prize: Carl Zeiss cinemizer OLED, Carl Zeiss Lens Cleaning Kit and Carl Zeiss Comfort Camera Strap

3rd prize: Sony DSC-RX100 camera an Carl Zeiss Lens Cleaning Kit

4th prize: Nokia Lumia 920 smartphone

5th prize: Logitech TV Cam, Carl Zeiss Comfort Camera Strap, Carl Zeiss knapsack, Carl Zeiss watch und Carl Zeiss umbrella

6th – 10th prizes: Carl Zeiss camera carrying straps, Carl Zeiss knapsack, Carl Zeiss watch, Carl Zeiss umbrella and Carl Zeiss Lens Cleaning Kit

*except for the Distagon T* 2,8/15 ZM

The Zeiss blog just posted a Q&A regarding their new high-end SLR family of lenses.

From the Zeiss blog:

Carl Zeiss is heralding a particularly powerful new full-frame SLR lens at photokina 2012. Dr. Michael Pollmann, Consumer Lenses Product and Program Manager in the Carl Zeiss Camera Lenses Division, is addressing strengths and technical details of the new high-end SLR lens family in a Q&A.

What is meant by “high-end SLR lens family”?

This is about lenses for full-frame (36x24mm) SLR cameras with manual focusing capability. This family of lenses is geared towards delivering uncompromising image quality for demanding users. The lenses are perfect for high-resolution, full-format digital cameras with more than 30 megapixels such as D800. The combined performance approaches that of medium format systems. If you shoot with the largest aperture, cameras with smaller number of pixels also benefit from much better image contrast.

Will it be a family or just a single lens?

It will be its own family of lenses independent of our current ZE and ZF.2 lenses.

What focal lengths will be available?

Currently, we are developing three prime lenses, with more in the planning stage. We are not ready to reveal them at this time.

How much will the lenses cost?

Since the lenses are more demanding in terms of material selection and construction than our previous ZE and ZF.2 lenses, the price level will be higher. We are expecting prices around EUR 3,000.

For which bayonets will the lenses be available?

They will be available for EF bayonet (ZE) and F bayonet (ZF.2).

Where will the lenses be made?

The lenses will be manufactured in Japan. They will be developed in close consultation with our longstanding global production network of trusted partners in the optical industry to ensure that the lenses’ actual performance corresponds to their theoretical optical design performance.

What does “uncompromising image quality” mean?

The new lenses will achieve extremely high image quality throughout the entire picture including edges even at maximum aperture. At the same time, chromatic aberration is extremely low.

How come 1.4/55 is considered a Distagon type despite its standard focal length?

Due to the high performance required, we were looking for a fresh approach. It is true that the Distagon type is predominantly found in wide-angle lenses. This is because wide-angle lenses also require additional design effort in terms of number and arrangement of lenses. Since we were aiming for the best possible imaging performance for the new family of lenses, we decided to manufacture the 1.4/55 as a Distagon. Due to the number and arrangement of lenses, this lens unit is slightly larger in size and weight but uncompromising in its performance.

When will the first lens come to market?

The expected arrival is autumn 2013.

B&H carries Zeiss lenses.

Just announced: Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar T* Lens (press release) for Canon and Nikon mounts.

The Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Distagon T* Lens, to be available in both Canon and Nikon mounts, "is the first model of a new product family designed for demanding users."

From Zeiss:

photokina 2012: Preview

Carl Zeiss at photokina 2012

OBERKOCHEN, 06.09.2012.

During photokina 2012 in Cologne (September 18-23), Carl Zeiss will present attractive new products as well as its well-known classics, all of the highest technical quality. Among them will be a new moderate telephoto lens for SLR cameras which will celebrate its world premiere at photokina and be available in stores from the end of 2012. Carl Zeiss will also unveil two new product families to the public. Carl Zeiss’s new stand concept integrates product presentations, possibilities to apply and test Carl Zeiss products, and the company’s global social media community with the hashtag #zeissphk12.

Carl Zeiss will present its entire range of camera and cine lenses, binoculars and spotting scopes during photokina. The latest Nokia smartphone models with built-in ZEISS optics will again be shown at Carl Zeiss’s stand. Visitors will be able to try out all the exhibits right on the spot, from high-quality SLR lenses, Sony cameras with ZEISS optics, ZEISS lenses for Sony system cameras to the new Nokia 808 PureView smartphone with 41-megapixel camera sensor. The VICTORY HT binoculars can also be tested. An innovative optics concept from Carl Zeiss in connection with HT glasses from SCHOTT makes VICTORY binoculars with transmission values of more than 95 percent very fast.

A must-see attraction is a high-performance, full-format SLR camera lens with manual focus. With a focal length of 55 mm and aperture of f/1.4, this lens is the first model of a new product family designed for demanding users. Thanks to a newly developed optical design, this lens is superior to conventional full-frame lenses, and it achieves with powerful full-frame, full-format cameras an image performance that until now has only been seen with medium-format systems. The first prototype of this new range will celebrate its world debut at photokina. The family of lenses is expected to be on the market in the second half of 2013 for EF bayonet (ZE) and F bayonet (ZF.2).

Another highlight will be the presentation of a design study, with which Carl Zeiss will offer a sneak preview of a new family of autofocus lenses for mirrorless system cameras (CSC) that will most likely be available in mid-2013. Due to their performance and high speed, these new lenses will be ideal for deliberate photo composition, making them perfect for more sophisticated photographers as well. Carl Zeiss plans to initially offer fixed focal lengths in the wide angle and standard range as well as a macro. „The trend toward mirrorless system cameras has accelerated since 2010 and we notice growing interest for them among ambitious photographers. We are convinced that as a result of the new and very high-quality cameras and lenses that are coming onto the scene, this market will become even more important. We see lots of potential, which is why we will offer more products for this target group in the future,” said Dr. Winfried Scherle, Vice President and General Manager of the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG.

For fans of the Carl Zeiss family of ZM systems for rangefinder cameras, Carl Zeiss has a special surprise in store. In 2013, at least one fast lens with M bayonet will go on sale. Using lenses from the ZM series with adapters is also very popular on mirrorless system cameras.

“The market is extremely dynamic at the moment with numerous innovations across all areas. Our broad range of high-quality products and our successful partnerships with Sony, Nokia, Logitech and ARRI make us very well positioned in the market,” says Scherle. “As the world’s leading trade fair for photography approaches, we are full of optimism, especially considering the many new features and products we will present. We hope that both the public and visitors to our stand will be excited about them too.”

The “walk-in lens”, which first appeared at photokina in 2008, makes a comeback this year and promises to be the main optical eye-catcher at Carl Zeiss’s stand. Visitors are welcome to take a stroll through the oversized lens and experience the fascinating development of a ZEISS lens. Moreover, there will be an extensive applications ‘island’ at the Carl Zeiss stand where visitors can take as much time as they like to test and experiment with Carl Zeiss’s entire portfolio of lenses on different cameras and to talk to experts.

Carl Zeiss has created a special section on its website about photokina (www.zeiss.com/photo/phk12). Photography enthusiasts from around the world can use the site to get the latest news each day about the trade fair and to ask Carl Zeiss any question they want about all topics related to photokina. The website is available in various languages. Carl Zeiss will also report live from photokina on its social media channels and invites its social media community to likewise share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions about products from Carl Zeiss using the hashtag #zeissphk12.

Adorama carries Zeiss Lenses.

From Zeiss:

Carl Zeiss presents new Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens at IBC 2012 in Amsterdam

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 30.08.2012.

Carl Zeiss will display the new cine zoom lens Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 at the IBC in Amsterdam, the leading international trade show for film, radio and television, from September 7 to 11, 2012 in hall 11 booth G64. The new Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 by Carl Zeiss is a cine zoom lens ideally suited to a wide variety of shooting situations. It is easy to handle, compact and versatile. It takes pictures in 4K resolution — in full format. This is the second Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens from Carl Zeiss, complementing the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 presented in April at the NAB Show 2012 in Las Vegas for the longer focal length range. For color rendition, contrast and other parameters such as great flare suppression, calibrated focus scales, consistent aperture over the zoom range, round iris the new CZ.2 family is closely aligned to one another, making these lenses ideal for attaining a con- sistent optical performance when changing lenses.

With a length of 196 millimeters and weighing in at 2.5 kg (5.5lbs), the Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 is sleek and lean. Thanks to the five different mounts (PL, EF, F, MFT and E), this new zoom lens from Carl Zeiss can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems both now and in the future, as well as on HDSLR cameras, HD video cameras and professional cine cameras.

“Thanks to the interchangeable mount and the 36 x 24mm image-circle illumination, the new Com- pact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 is highly versatile and a future proof investment,” says Michael Schieh- len, Director of Sales of the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG. “With focal lengths from 28 to 80mm and outstanding image performance, it offers professionals as well as ambitious cinema- tographers a lot of room to explore their creativity in many types of shooting situations. The Com- pact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 has already proven that there is no comparable zoom family on the market with full frame coverage and interchangeable mount.”

With its slim build, the Compact Zoom family follows the current market trend towards smaller and lighter lenses that are perfect for handheld cameras, Steadicam systems, or for shooting in tight spaces. The Compact Zoom CZ.2 is espe- cially comfortable to use thanks to its ergonomi- cally designed and partly rubber-coated surface, which allows both precise manual focusing as well as mechanical focusing via follow-focus systems. The Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating ensures maximum contrast and color rendition by minimizing stray light and ghosting within the lens. The Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses delivers flare- free results and has no focus shift over the whole zoom range.

During the IBC, Carl Zeiss will display in a huge glass case all of its camera lenses that are currently available on the market — lenses that guarantee images of the highest quality, whether used on Hollywood movie cameras, HDSLR or HD video cameras.

The Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 will be delivered in the second quarter of 2013. The recommended retail price is €14,900 or US$19,900 (excluding VAT)*.

*Status: August 30, 2012

Get your Zeiss Lenses at Adorama.

From Zeiss:

Carl Zeiss presents new Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 lens at IBC 2012 in Amsterdam

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 30.08.2012.

Carl Zeiss will present a new cine lens from the Compact Prime CP.2 lens family during the IBC 2012 in Amsterdam, the leading international trade show for film, radio and television, from September 7 to 11, 2012, in hall 11 booth G64. With an even larger aperture, the new Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 lens from Carl Zeiss achieves outstanding images in challenging lighting conditions.

The Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 succeeds the Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.9, which will continue to be available as long as supplies last. “We are responding to the wish of many cinematographers and video producers who would like a high-speed CP.2 lens with a maximum aperture of T2.1 for the 25mm focal length range as well,” says Anna Rausch, Product Manager Cine Lenses in the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG. “Our optical experts have virtually eliminated the chromatic aberrations on these lenses through a special design and selection of materials. We can now offer a constant max T-Stop of 2.1 for all of our CP.2 lenses in the focal length range of 25-135mm.” This gives users even more possibi- lities to compose their images and requires less effort with the lighting. The biggest advantage on set is that the light does not have to be adapted when switching lenses because they all have the same F-Stop. The lens speed is ideal for playing with the depth-of-field.

The Compact Prime CP.2 lens series, extremely popular among ambitious cinematographers thanks to its 14 fixed focal lengths from 15 to 135mm, will again be the center of attention during Carl Zeiss's presence at the IBC 2012. By using the interchangeable mounts for PL, EF, F, MFT and E, the lenses can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems, ensuring compati- bility with future cameras as technology changes. Thanks to the interchangeable mounts and the 36 x 24mm image-circle illumination the Compact Prime CP.2 lens family is versatile to use — on HDSLR and HD video cameras as well as on professional cine cameras. The lenses are characterized by their robustness, a standard focus rotation angle of 300 degrees and uniform measurements. This combination makes the lenses ideally suited for every demand on the film set. All Compact Prime CP.2 lenses have a standard cine-style housing with gearing that allows the attachment of any standard follow-focus system.

All the new features that Carl Zeiss presented at the NAB Show in Las Vegas in April will now enjoy a European debut at the IBC 2012: two Compact Prime CP.2 lenses (CP.2 15/T2.9 and CP.2 135/T2.1), three Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses as well as the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9. The new focal lengths 15mm and 135mm expand the offering of the Compact Prime CP.2 family and open up many new creative possi- bilities, from super wide angle to tele. The three Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses have an aperture of T1.5 and are available in focal lengths 35mm, 50mm and 85mm. These high- lights as well as other cine and camera lenses can be experienced and tried out on the spot during the IBC.

Alongside the new features, Carl Zeiss will display behind a huge glass case all of its cine and camera lenses that are currently available on the market — lenses that guarantee images of the highest quality, regardless of whether they are used on cameras to shoot Hollywood movies, on HDSLR cameras or HD video cameras. The dis- play will include the well-known Master Prime, Ultra Prime, Compact Prime CP.2 and Compact Zoom CZ.2, DigiPrime, Lightweight Zoom LWZ.2 lenses, as well as SLR camera lenses, which are ideal for getting started in the HD video segment.

In addition, Carl Zeiss and its partner ARRI will present the long-awaited anamorphic lens to public. Visitors to the Carl Zeiss stand will have an opportunity to try out a prototype of the lens that is currently in the final design phase on an ARRI Alexa Studio camera.

Carl Zeiss will start shipping the new Compact Prime CP.2 25/T2.1 on October 1st, 2012. The expected retail price is EUR 3,300 (excl. VAT) or US$ 4,500 (excl. VAT)*.

*Status: August 30, 2012

Get your Zeiss Lenses at Adorama.

Carl Zeiss has announced a four new lenses including the Zeiss CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 Compact Tele Zoom Lens and three Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed Lenses.

The demo movie "Tumulus" has been shot with the Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses (note: this movie is somewhat gory toward the end of the main script):

Zeiss has announced the Compact Prime CP.2 15/T2.9 PL and CP.2 135/T2.1 EF Lenses (press release).