M A I N F E A T U R E S :
richer blacks
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Primes, Ultra Primes, Variable Primes and Ultra 16 lenses |
S M A L L , L I G H T & O P T I C A L L Y S U P E R B
The Lightweight Zoom is the only lens in its class that does not sacrifice optical or mechanical quality for compact size and light weight. It forms a high contrast and high resolution image with almost no chromatic aberration or geometric distortion over the entire zoom range, at all focus settings. It covers the whole Super 35 frame at all focal lengths, while displaying minimal breathing. Creating such a lens was only possible by using innovative new technologies.
Radically shaped spherical glass surfaces have been employed for the first time in a cine lens. These lens surfaces have a very strong curvature; some are almost half-sphere shaped. Although they are difficult to grind, tricky to polish and demand precise attention during coating, mastering these manufacturing techniques has brought the reward of incomparable optical performance at substantially reduced weight.
Additionally, some of the same optical components and techniques that made the Master Primes so successful have been used in the Lightweight Zoom, including large diameter aspherical lens elements and exotic glass materials. Incorporating aspherical glass surfaces in a lens design requires ultra-high precision and a complex holographic measuring process, which was developed specifically for the Master Primes and now benefits all new ARRI/Zeiss lenses designs.
The aspherical lens element not only keeps weight down, but also reduces spherical aberration (the inability to focus all light rays from a point source onto a point on film) and keeps the image geometry free of distortions. Straight lines stay straight, from infinity to close focus and over the entire zoom range.
The new T* XP multi-layer anti-reflection coating reduces flare and internal reflections and creates a pleasing, gentle color balance. Compared to conventional coatings it has a better transmission and a more uniform performance from optical center all the way to the edges, resulting in higher contrast and deeper, richer blacks. The lens' internal construction in combination with the T* XP coating ensures that it can easily handle tricky lighting situations like strong backlight, sunsets or car headlamps. The round iris opening leads to organic looking, pleasing out-of-focus highlights. Careful optical design ensures that the Lightweight Zoom stays a true T2.6 throughout the complete zoom range.
M A T C H M A K E R
Like all the other modern ARRI/Zeiss lenses, the Lightweight Zoom has been Super Color Matched. Its optical characteristics and color characteristics have been optimized to create a pleasing color balance on modern film stocks and to precisely match the Master Primes, Ultra Primes, Variable Primes and Ultra 16 lenses. By using a set of matched lenses, the cinematographer is able to concentrate on creating a look rather than matching lenses in post.
S M O O T H M E C H A N I C S
All mechanical parts have been engineered with the smooth feel and robust construction ARRI and Zeiss are famous for. Precision ball bearings ensure easy focusing and zooming at all temperature and humidity conditions. Chamfered precision gears mesh smoothly with the gears on follow focus units and lens motors. The backbone of the lens is a lightweight yet sturdy inner skeleton with special weight reducing construction.
F A M I L I A R , F A S T & S A F E H A N D L I N G
The design of focus, zoom and iris scales has been matched to the other ARRI/Zeiss lenses, so that assistants can work with familiar controls. The front diameter of 114 mm is the same as that of the Master Primes, and an ergonomic grip makes working the lens by hand comfortable. When manual zooming is required, a zoom stick can be attached in four positions on the zoom barrel.
For those who need to get closer than the close focus distance of 0.45m/18 inches from the film plane, the Lightweight Zoom accepts the Master Diopters. The Master Diopters are a series of three diopters (+0.5, +1, +2) that can be quickly attached and removed from the lens, delivering unprecedented sharpness and contrast without the optical aberrations of traditional diopters.