Camerimage 2022 : Angénieux presents two new compact zooms and its lens customization system
We attended another Camerimage workshop where we discovered the latest releases of Angenieux: two new compact zooms and their prime lenses customization system.
It was one of the most awaited workshops of this 30th edition of Camerimage, next to Cory Deryak’s Arri Masterclass: the Angenieux workshop was held on the same stage set up for the occasion.
In front of this bar set, the Deputy Managing Director at Angénieux, Dominique Rouchon, introduced us to the two latest Optimo Ultra Compact 21-56mm and 37-102mm zooms as well as the Optimo Prime series (18, 21, 28, 32, 40, 50, 60, 75, 100, 135, 200mm). This series features an interesting lens internal picture look customization system called *Integrated Optical Palette* (IOP).
The Integrated Optical Palette includes 3 points of customization: An interchangeable iris, internal glass elements, and a screw-in rear filter. It is important to notice the screw-in rear palette is 1/2 the intensity of the internal one.
Inter-changeable iris
The manufacturer offers a range of 3 iris types: : 3 blades, oval, and 9 blades (9 being the standard for a classic Angenieux look). But the concept is open and can be adapted to the specific needs of cinematographers. A collaborative effort between cinematographers and opticians can lead to the creation of a particular iris to suit the needs of a film.
Internal Glass Element
Internal glass elements are manufactured in collaboration with Tiffen and offer several types of diffusion: Clear, Uncoated, Net Optic, Glimmer Glass 1/8, Black Satin 1/8, Black Promist 1/8, Low Contrast 1/8, Blue Streak…
The benefit of an internal filter is its position right at the focal plane. This means that the effect of the diffusion will remain exactly the same on all the lenses of the series and allows a consistent look.
Screw-in Rear filter
The custom design rear filter with 40.5mm (S35) & 46mm (FF) thread Integrated Optical Palette (IOP) is easy to screw on and off in seconds. This back filter softens digital images and helps to achieve a less contemporary look. The glass of the Vintage filters has undergone a specific polishing process in order to reproduce the look of the Angenieux 25×250 HR zoom.
The work on customizing the optics enables us to add a distinctive accent to the classic Angenieux look we are looking for, something more suited to the film.
After the presentation of the new compact zooms and the different types of Optimo Prime customization, the Angénieux team offered the cinematographers in attendance the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the different lenses and to compare their effects by making them available for on-set tests with models.
Arnaud Esbelin, Program Manager of the Cinema optics department, also demonstrated the change of the internal filter, detailing the steps and tools required for this manipulation. He explained that this must be done in a neutral environment, by the opticians at the rental company before the equipment leaves for the film set.
Forthcoming: a more detailed article on this topic.
Angénieux brochure online (PDF)
