For the NAB 2012 show Carl Zeiss announced the previously rumored 70-200/T2.9 CZ.2 Compact Zoom lens ($19,900) and three new 35mm, 50mm, 85mm/T1.5 CP.2 Compact Prime Super Speed lenses ($4,500):

Demo reel shot with Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses and Sony PMW-F3:

Press releases:

First full-frame cine zoom lens fitting all major camera types

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 16.04.2012.

During the NAB Trade Show in Las Vegas from April 16-19, 2012, Carl Zeiss will show its first Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens to complement the Compact Prime CP.2 line of lenses. According to customer requests it is the first compact zoom lens of its kind with interchangeable mount and full frame capturing capability. The Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 gives the filmmaker the choice of a single lens in the short-long telephoto range, perfect for separating the fore- and background areas or for situations when the subject is a distance from the camera.

“The Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 is first in a line of zoom lenses designed for the owner- operator from Carl Zeiss that allows them to be used with a wide variety of current and future cameras, because of their compact design, full- frame coverage and interchangeable mounts”, notes Christian Bannert, Senior Director R&D, Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. “There has never been a zoom lens on the market with similar features."

The Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens is a perfect complement to the smaller, lighter HD video and cine cameras introduced in the last year. Especially when used with Steadicam systems, the weight of the lens and camera becomes a critical factor. Weighing only 2.8kg (6.2lbs), it opens up new creative opportunities for action sequences by allowing the camera to be used hand-held for a greater range of motion.

The Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses feature an 18-blade aperture, which creates a round iris opening and a natural, out of focus rendition. As with the rest of the Compact Prime CP.2 family, the cine-style housing with gearing allows the attachment of any standard follow-focus system. By using the interchangeable mounts for PL, EF, F, MFT and E, the Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems and ensures compatibility with future cameras as technology changes. The Carl Zeiss T* anti- reflection coating ensures the maximum contrast and color rendition by minimizing stray light and ghosting within the lens. The Compact Zoom CZ.2 delivers flare-free results and it has no focus shift over the whole zoom range.

More compact zoom lenses also made in Germany with additional focal lengths will be announced during the course of this year.

The Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 will start shipping in the fourth quarter of 2012 at a recommended retail price of €14,900 or US$19,900 (excluding VAT)*.

Carl Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses offer filmmakers new creative possibilities

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 16.04.2012.

During the NAB Trade Show in Las Vegas from April 16-19, 2012, Carl Zeiss will present three new Super Speed lenses. Available with a fast T1.5 aperture and in focal lengths of 35mm, 50mm and 85mm, the new Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses offer filmmakers new opportunities for shooting in low-light conditions. Like the other Compact Prime CP.2 lenses, the new Super Speed lenses cover a full-frame sensor format and are equipped with the interchangeable lens mount system for use with a variety of cameras ranging from HDSLR to professional cinema cameras.

“With the new Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses with a fast T-stop of T1.5, we expand our family of CP.2 lenses with an even more powerful choice of lenses”, says Michael Schiehlen, Sales Director of the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. “This opens up new creative possibilities in low-light situations, especially with the new high ISO HDSLR’s and HD video cameras. The Super Speed name has a long history at Carl Zeiss and these new lenses are a fitting tribute to their legacy”.

The faster T1.5 aperture is one of the key advantages to the Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses, especially for night-time shots or under low-light conditions. This helps to limit the need for artificial light, delivering more natural looking scenes with less effort and expense.

The cinematographer Sebastian Wiegärtner has tested the Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses and was very enthusiastic about the faster aperture while shooting a short film: “We filmed for three days in outdoor locations, with about eighty percent of the shots being taken at night. During the medieval-looking filming of two actors, the faster aperture was particularly effective by using lighting accents in the form of torchlight. The resulting images achieved the desired look and were appropriately stylish and soft.”

As with the rest of the CP.2 family, the Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses feature a 14-blade aperture, which creates a round iris opening and a natural, out of focus rendition. The standard cine-style housing with gearing allows the attachment of any standard follow-focus system. A long, 300 degree focus rotation and smooth action provides fine control, which is especially important given the shallow depth-of-field when using these lenses at wide open aperture. By using the interchangeable mounts for PL, EF, F, MFT and E, the Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses can be easily adapted to numerous camera systems and ensures compatibility with future cameras as technology changes. Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflection coating ensures the maximum contrast and color rendition by minimizing stray light and ghosting within the lens.

The Compact Prime CP.2 Super Speed lenses can be purchased individually, or combined as set with other Compact Prime CP.2 lenses in the product line.

The lenses will be shipped in August 2012. The recommended retail price for the Compact Prime CP.2 35/T1.5 Super Speed is €3,700 or US$4,900 (excluding VAT)*. The recommended retail price for the Compact Prime CP.2 50/T1.5 Super Speed and Compact Prime CP.2 85/T1.5 Super Speed is €3,300 or US$4,500 (excluding VAT)*.