On March 31st and April 1st, 2025, in partnership with Vantage Paris Studio, UCO (United Cinematographers Organization) organized an intensive workshop dedicated to comparative testing of Hawk/Vantage lens series. The tests were conducted using a structured protocol designed to ensure a rigorous basis for comparison between the lenses.

Participants were thus able to observe the renderings of the spherical and anamorphic series: Full Frame, 35 mm, 2x and 1.3x anamorphic, through two reference cameras: the ARRI Alexa Mini LF and the ARRI Alexa 35.

Test setup at Vantage Paris Studio

Designed as an analytical tool, these tests made it possible to appreciate the differences in texture, contrast, flare management and behavior in highlights.

The second day was also marked by the presence of members of DIVE+ association, enriching the discussions and bringing together different perspectives on image practices.

Tested optical series

Spherical:

Vantage One Vantage One Flare Vantage One 4 Vantage / Leitz Macro Mini Hawk Hawk MHX

Anamorphic lenses:

Hawk V-Plus (x2) Hawk V-Plus Vintage 74′ x1.3 Hawk V-Plus x2 Hawk V-Lite x1.3 Hawk V-Lite x1.3 Vintage 74′ Hawk V-Lite x2 Hawk Class-X Hawk Anamorphic Class C Hawk 65 (x1.3) Hawk 65 Vintage 74 (x1.3)

All the series tested during the workshop

Test protocol

Focal lengths: short / medium / long Apertures: wide open, wide open +1 stop and T5.6 Situations: face, point of view, flares and panoramas

Camera configuration:

ARRI Alexa 35 – ProRes 4444 – 4.6K – standard texture – ISO 800 – Log C4 ARRI Alexa Mini LF – ProRes 4444 – 4.5K Open Gate – ISO 800 – Log C3 25 fps Shutter 180° (reference T5.6), adjusted via ND 0.6 and shutter 45° White balance: 3200K Adjustments made to compensate for parallax effects

Camera setup for comparative testing

We extend our sincere thanks to Vantage Paris for providing their studio and equipment, and to Direct Digital for lending us additional lighting equipment. Many thanks also to all the participants for their commitment.