Carl Zeiss Announces CP.2 25mm T2.1 Fast Cinema Prime Lens

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 possibilities 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 compatibility 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 highlights 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 display 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