Zeiss Unveils Horizon Anamorphic Lenses with Integrated Motors and Customizable Aesthetics
Zeiss has officially unveiled its next-generation cinema lenses, the Horizon anamorphic series. These cutting-edge lenses, designed for full-frame cameras, boast a 2x squeeze factor, a unique oval bokeh effect, and a fully integrated motorized system. The collection comprises seven anamorphic prime lenses, covering a versatile range of focal lengths from 35mm to 200mm.
These Horizon anamorphic lenses are engineered for the most demanding professional filmmaking environments. They incorporate innovative technology with built-in focus and iris motors, eliminating the need for bulky external motor setups. Zeiss confirms that these new lenses are fully compatible with existing industry-standard lens control systems, ensuring seamless integration into current production workflows. Furthermore, the lenses feature an interchangeable rear element for 'look tuning,' giving cinematographers unprecedented control over the final image aesthetics. This allows for adjustments to contrast, sharpness, and the overall character of the lenses, all while maintaining precise scale accuracy and calibration.
Revolutionary Design and Integrated Control
Zeiss's new Horizon anamorphic lenses represent a significant leap forward in cinema lens technology, combining advanced optical performance with groundbreaking integrated features. Unlike traditional cinema primes, these lenses sport a modern design with dual displays and touch panels. These intuitive controls provide instant access to live focus and iris values, allowing camera operators to efficiently navigate and adjust lens settings on the fly. This direct on-lens control, coupled with factory-calibrated encoding systems, streamlines operations and ensures consistent metadata across all lenses, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-mapping or re-rigging.
The integration of motors directly into the lenses marks a pivotal shift, offering unparalleled efficiency and convenience on set. Cinematographers can now achieve precise focus and iris adjustments without the bulk and complexity of external systems. This design not only simplifies rigging but also reduces setup times, allowing for more fluid and responsive filmmaking. The ability to fine-tune the lens's aesthetic rendering through interchangeable back elements further empowers creators to achieve distinct visual styles, whether aiming for a sharper, cleaner image or a softer, more nuanced look, all while preserving the integrity of the lens's calibration.
Unmatched Performance and Professional Integration
Despite their sophisticated integrated motors and expanded on-barrel controls, the Zeiss Horizon lenses maintain a remarkably lightweight profile, comparable to Zeiss's established Master Anamorphic 2x prime lenses. All seven lenses in the Horizon series share a consistent 114mm front diameter, with lengths varying from 199mm to 262mm and weights ranging from 2.42 to 3.25 kilograms. This uniformity in size and weight simplifies matte box and accessory compatibility, enhancing workflow efficiency for cinematographers.
The Horizon Anamorphic series includes the 35mm T2.3, 40mm T2.3, 50mm T2.3, and 75mm T2.3, all measuring 199mm in length, alongside the 110mm T2.3, 150mm T2.3, and 200mm T2.9, each at 262mm. While pricing details remain undisclosed, these high-end professional tools are expected to come with a substantial cost. The 40mm, 50mm, and 75mm lenses are scheduled for release in the upcoming autumn, with the remaining 35mm, 100mm, 150mm, and 200mm variants set to follow later this year or in 2027, marking a new era for anamorphic cinematography.