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.