At the Festival de Cannes 2021, Angenieux has teased two new full-frame Optimo Compact Zooms, a 21-56mm T2.9 and a 37-102mm T2.9.
There is very little information available apart from the focal lengths and that they feature a constant T2.9 aperture. We don’t know how much they weigh, what image circle they cover, how much they cost, or when they will be available.
Angenieux has had the EZ zoom series for quite a few years. The EZ zooms allow the user to change the rear optical assembly to allow the lenses to be used for either full frame or Super 35 coverage. While this is a great concept, cinematographers have been requesting true full frame and larger coverage compact zooms from Angenieux.
Direct competition for Angenieux comes squarely from ARRI and Fujinon. ARRI has its Signature Zooms and Fujinon has its Premista series.
The competing lenses for the Angenieux 21-56mm T2.9 would be the Fujinon Premista 19-45mm T2.9, ARRI 24-75mm T2.8 Signature Zoom, Leitz Cine Zoom 25-75mm, and the ZEISS 28-80mm T2.9 Compact Zoom CZ.2.
The competing lenses for the Angenieux 37-102mm T2.9 would be the Fujinon Premista 28-100mm T2.9, ARRI 45-135mm T2.8 Signature Zoom, Leitz Cine Zoom 55-125mm, and the Musashi-Optical Takumi 2 29-120mm T2.9.
Angenieux has arguably been the industry standard for zooms in our industry for many decades and it is good to see them finally announce some more full frame capable zooms.
Don’t expect these new Angenieux zooms to be ‘affordable’, as most high-end options in this space will set you back at least $40,000 USD.
