Description

ZEISS Compact Prime Cine Lenses

Explore advanced cinema optics with the ZEISS Compact Prime CP.3 and CP.3 XD lenses, a lens family designed to combine image quality, practical handling and support for evolving digital production workflows. The range offers ten focal lengths from 15 mm to 135 mm, full-frame coverage and interchangeable mounts.

ZEISS Image Quality and HDR Performance

The CP.3 family delivers the clean, crisp image characteristics associated with ZEISS cinema lenses. Color matching across the focal-length range supports consistent images between lenses. Special coatings, painted lens rims and internal light traps help control flare and veiling glare. T anti-reflex coating supports contrast, rich blacks, saturated colors and subtle detail across bright highlights and deep shadows in high dynamic range (HDR) projects.

All focal lengths cover the full-frame 24 × 36 mm format, with coverage up to a 46.3 mm image circle. The circular 14-blade aperture produces natural-looking out-of-focus highlights.

Consistent Cine Design and Handling

The compact, lightweight design suits handheld setups, gimbals, drones and Steadicam systems. Consistent size and weight across most focal lengths help crews change lenses quickly. Standardized focus-ring positions and a 95 mm front diameter also simplify lens changes on set.

The focus mechanism provides smooth rotation, including in extreme temperatures, with a 300-degree rotation angle and calibrated focus scales. Small focus motors can work with the ultra-smooth focus rotation. The lenses use consistent T-stops: T2.9 for 15–21 mm and T2.1 for 25–135 mm, supporting lighting consistency and exposure adjustments.

ZEISS eXtended Data Technology

The CP.3 XD version adds ZEISS eXtended Data technology, which records frame-accurate lens information in real time. Key lens data includes lens name, type, focal length, calibrated focus distance, calibrated T-stop, depth of field, hyper focal distance, horizontal field of view and entrance pupil position.

ZEISS-specific data also describes lens distortion according to focus position and lens shading according to focus position and effective T-stop. Crews can monitor lens settings, preview corrected images and use lens information for shot searches and data management. In post-production, this information supports image correction, editing, color grading, visual effects, CGI integration, match moving, virtual and augmented reality, multi-camera live productions, image stitching and projection workflows.

Supported equipment can receive the data through an external LEMO-compatible connection or directly through a compatible camera’s four-pin interface on the PL mount. A ZEISS plug-in supports integration with a number of leading compositing and editing software tools. The technology helps production and post-production teams exchange lens information and streamline their workflows.

Interchangeable Mounts and Focal Lengths

The interchangeable mount system lets users switch from the standard cine-style PL mount to Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E or MFT mounts. PL-mount versions differ by model: CP.3 XD lenses feature an electronic interface for recording lens data through the internal camera interface, while standard CP.3 lenses use a PL mount without that electronic interface.

The ten focal lengths span 15 mm to 135 mm, covering wide-angle through telephoto applications. The robust cine-style housing and interchangeable mounts support use with compatible existing and future cinema cameras.

Key Features

• Clean, crisp ZEISS image characteristics and color matching
• Full-frame 24 × 36 mm coverage and image circle up to 46.3 mm
• Ten focal lengths from 15 mm to 135 mm
• T2.9 aperture at 15–21 mm and T2.1 at 25–135 mm
• 300-degree focus rotation and calibrated focus scales
• 95 mm front diameter and standardized focus-ring positions
• Interchangeable PL, Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E and MFT mounts
• CP.3 XD lens data for real-time monitoring and post-production workflows