Richard Gale Optics Clavius lens sets are available to ship now. All four focal lengths of this particular lens set contain a matched 58/2 MMZ optical block dating c1971.
The sets feature a 28mm, 38mm, 58mm, and 88mm. All the lenses are T2. They feature a stainless PL mount (works with PL-EOS adaptors).
Key features
- Full Frame / VV coverage (DXL, Monstro, Arri LF)
- Historic optical elements (Single Layer MgF2 Coated Primary Elements)
- Classical lower contrast rendering
- Ultra responsive to flaring
- Interchangeable aperture disks (ovals, soft focus, defocus distortion, apodised, translucent etc)
- Unorthodox optical designs
- f/2.0 aperture throughout the range
The Clavius lenses are not new, but Richard has made some recent improvements to the set:
- Internal focusing (no body extension during focusing, smoother focus action, rugged construction, improved dust and weather protection)
- Relocated focus ring for increased camera body clearance
- Geared aperture ring
- Same optical design as previous lenses
- Greater selection of waterstop aperture disks included
- 138mm/2 lens in development as well as a wide angle attachment for use with the 28mm/2 – tbc
Lenses from the Minsk plant during this era were finished in single-layer MgF2 anti-reflective coatings centered at around 440nm (purple/blue). These early coatings in unison with the refined optical processing at the MMZ plant delivers a perfect combination of vintage character while not being excessively lo-fi in terms of optical performance. Combined with the proprietary auxilliary optics the magical rendering, bokeh, and flare characteristics of these special 58mm/2 primary optical blocks is maintained across all four focal lengths.
As with all Clavius lenses that leave our workshop, this matched set delivers an organic -almost tangible image, full of character but free of unwanted color-related optical aberrations, perfect for users wanting to utilize historic glass within their workflow.
They are single-layer AR coated and feature proprietary front-mounted spherical lens cells that widen or narrow the angle of view to achieve the four different focal lengths that make up this novel lens system. In doing this, each focal length shares the desirable rendering, defocus and flaring characteristics dictated by the vintage 58/2 optical block that lives inside the carefully designed mechanical housing.
The lenses are listed on the website and if required can be shipped as early as Monday this week to anywhere in the world. They retail for £15,250.00.
