Zeiss Presents Zoom Lenses At NAB

Carl Zeiss has announced its new zoom lenses from the Compact Family at NAB 2013, booth C9043.
The announcement marks the first time the new CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 has been 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 ZEISS Compact Zoom lenses weigh 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. The zoom lens enables faster work and minimizes long set-up times.
The Compact Zoom cinema lenses each have three independently moveable zoom groups. 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 zoom lenses compliment the fixed focal length Compact Prime CP.2 and ARRI/ZEISS Ultra Prime lenses. 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.
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.
All Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses have the same front diameter of 95 mm and the gears of the cine-style housing are always located exactly in the same position. This makes it possible to change lenses fast - without any adjustments to the rig or other accessories.
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," he said.
"They are a real winning combination. The lens 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 June.
www.zeiss.com
(IT/CD)