September 6, 2016 - Amsterdam
Thales Angenieux, in collaboration with Band Pro Film & Digital Inc., and Jebsen Industrial Technology Co. Ltd., announces at IBC 2016 a new range of Angenieux zoom lenses – the Angénieux Type EZ Series – two fast and light weight zoom lenses integrating an innovative modular design (Interchangeable Rear Optics IRO technology™) to cover S35 mm and larger image formats for cine and broadcast productions.
Designed for both Super 35mm digital motion picture and FF/VistaVision cameras, the new Angenieux Type EZ series has been created to fill the wide gap between DSLR, and the highly acclaimed OPTIMO / OPTIMO STYLE family of lenses used in the motion picture industry. For the first time, ENG-style productions will get the flexibility necessary for run-and-gun shooting, combined with high optical quality at an affordable price.
The Angenieux Type EZ Series features two new fast and light weight zooms, both lenses allow the rear lens group to be exchanged between S35mm (up to 30mm image diagonal), and VistaVision format (up to 46mm image diagonal).
The Angenieux Type EZ-1 is a standard zoom lens with a zoom factor of 3x. When configured for S35mm cameras, the focal range and aperture are set to 30-90mm F1.9 / T2.
By exchanging the rear lens group, the lens becomes a 45-135mm F2.8 / T3 covering an image circle up to 46mm diagonal.
The Angenieux Type EZ-2 is a wide zoom lens with a zoom factor of 2.7x. When configured for S35mm cameras, the focal range and aperture are set to 15-40mm F1.9 / T2. By exchanging the rear lens group, the lens becomes a 22-60mm F2.8 / T3 covering an image circle up to 46mm diagonal.
Both lenses are built in a full metal casing, with internal thermal drift compensation, which allows focus to remain constant when the temperature changes. Focus / Zoom / T-stop can be controlled precisely due to the wide rotation angle of the 3 control rings, which are also equipped with cinema industry standard gear teeth. The lens size remains consistent across the zoom range due to the internal focusing & zooming mechanism. Users can easily configure these lenses to support different imaging formats (S35 or FF/VistaVision), and different lens mounts (PL, EF, or E) on their own, without returning their lenses to service centers. Full frame EZ zooms will fit RED 8K VV, Red cameras recording at resolutions higher than 5.5K, ARRI Alexa Open Gate, ARRI Alexa 65 with VistaVision crop and also Full Frame DSLR cameras such as SONY a7S Mark II, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 5DS, 1DX Mark II…and more to come. Detachable ENG style zoom servo grips and other accessories are being developed by third party manufacturers.
The Type EZ series will address the requirements of independent videographers and cinematographers, who are seeking for cost efficient tools that enable cinematic expressions. The exceptionally fast T2 lens opening provides tremendous control of depth of field, only previously found in prime lenses. Thanks to the Angenieux innovative system, the ability to convert lens mounts, and the image circle size makes the Type EZ lens series a solid investment to all industry professionals.
“Being the worldwide leader in premium quality cinematography zoom lenses, it’s critically important for Angenieux to address the ever-growing, affordable digital motion picture camera market.”, noted Pierre ANDURAND, CEO of Thales Angenieux. “The challenge is to provide a cost efficient, professional quality lens that can be used on both current S35 cameras, and future cameras built around larger imaging sensors”.
“Type EZ lenses are one of the fastest zooms in the industry with an open aperture of F1.9 or T2. When converting the image circle between S35 & VistaVision, the field of view remains fairly identical, so there are no crop factors to worry about. The wide zoom can be used as a wide zoom regardless of the image circle size.” says Christophe REMONTET, Thales Angenieux Product Line Manager.
Deliveries are expected to start from the 1st quarter of 2017 through selected distribution partners. Prototype lenses will be shown at IBC 2016, at both Thales Angenieux booth #12.E33, Band Pro’s booth #12.D21, and this coming Fall in Asia.
Lens preorders will be accepted at the show, or can be made by contacting your Band Pro Sales Person. Call 1-888-BAND-PRO or email sales@bandpro.com.
For further information, please check www.angenieux.com
About Band Pro Film & Digital, Inc.
For over 30 years Band Pro has provided the best new products and solutions for professional cinematographers around the world. We actively develop new acquisition technology and have helped create such key innovations as IB/E Raptor primes, Leica Summilux-C and Summicron-C lenses, Zeiss DigiPrime lenses, and many more. With offices in Atlanta, Burbank, New York City, Munich, and Tel Aviv, Band Pro offers the highest level of knowledge and expertise along with the finest equipment and accessories available. Our close relationships, both in Hollywood and worldwide, combined with long-standing camera and lens maker partnerships, have kept us at the forefront of digital cinematography innovation. Band Pro is a respected partner with premiere industry manufacturers including Angenieux, Canon, IB/E Optics, RED, and Sony
Media Contact Information: Band Pro Film & Digital, Inc.
Brett Gillespie, Marketing Manager
T: (818) 841-9655 / Email: brett.gillespie@bandpro.com
About Jebsen Industrial
Jebsen Industrial is part of Jebsen Group founded in 1895, a privately-held marketing and distribution organisation established in Greater China. It partners with leading companies to build their brand and bring their quality products & services to Greater China. Serving both professional and prosumer filmmakers, its solutions cover the end-to-end workflow and include production and post-production technologies such as the latest cameras, lenses, accessories and applications, as well as professional and certified technical services. For more information, visit www.jcinecast.com.
Media Contact - Jebsen Industrial
Iris WONG, Manager, Marketing & Communications
Tel: (852) 2923 8847 / Email: iriswong@jebsen.com
About Thales Angénieux
Thales group subsidiary, Thales Angénieux is the world-renowned manufacturer of high-tech optical and optronic systems. Angénieux is a worldwide-recognized brand of zoom lenses for motion picture production. Awarded four times by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1964, 1989 and 2009, and by the Society of Camera Operators in 2012, in London in November 2014 by the BSC, Angénieux lenses are utilized all around the world by the most demanding image professionals. For more information, visit www.angenieux.com, or follow us on facebook/AngenieuxLenses - twitter/@AngenieuxLenses – Instagram/AngenieuxLenses
Media Contact – Thales Angénieux
Edith BERTRAND, Communication Manager
Tel: (+33)684558337 / Email: edith.bertrand@fr.thalesgroup.com