ZEISS has released three new Supreme Zoom Radiance T2.9 Cinema Lenses. The three new lenses have the following focal lengths:
These focal lengths mimic ZEISS’s previous CZ.2 full frame cine zooms that were announced way back in 2015.
ZEISS Supreme Zoom Radiance lenses are a one-of-a-kind set of modern cine zooms with unique character. And they are the only zooms matching Supreme Prime Radiance.
A set of three purpose-built T2.9 high-end cine zooms – 15-30mm, 28-80mm and 70-20mm – the Supreme Zoom Radiance feature the same T* blue lens coating as the popular Supreme Prime Radiance lenses and let cinematographers create their distinct look with beautiful, consistent and controlled flares, a warmer color rendition and a pleasing cinematic image character, defined by a smooth fall-off and a beautiful bokeh.
Whether used alone, with Radiance or regular Supreme Primes or even vintage glass, the three Radiance Zooms offer a look never before seen in a zoom lens. Coming with modern high-end cine ergonomics and full lens data support.
Key features
- Full-Frame Coverage | T2.9 to T22
- Controlled Flaring with T* blue Coating
- Slightly Warmer Look than Supreme Primes
- ZEISS eXtended Data/Cooke /i Technology
- 300° Focus Rotation
- 114mm Front Diameter
- 16-Blade Circular Aperture
- Interchangeable Mount
What is interesting is that the Supreme Zoom Radiance T2.9 Cinema Lenses are claimed to be slightly warmer than the Supreme Radiance Primes. How well they intercut together will be interesting to see. ZEISS lenses in the past tended to have quite a coolish look to them.
The Supreme Zoom Radiance feature consistent and standardized positions for iris, focus, and zoom rings, along with a front diameter of 114 mm, ensuring easy interchangeability between Supreme Prime and Zoom lenses. This uniformity streamlines the on-set experience, reducing time spent on adjustments and increasing overall efficiency during production.
The lenses weigh between 2.76 kg / 6.09 lbs and 3.18 kg / 7.01 lbs. The 28-80mm is the lightest and the 70-200 is the heaviest.
The Supreme Zoom Radiance’s T* blue coating enables predictable artistic optical flares in a controlled and reproducible way when aiming focused light down the lens barrel. Otherwise, they present normal rendering. While zooming, the shape of the Radiance flares uniquely changes in shot, giving cinematographers even more creative options.
The Radiance Zooms are said to deliver a versatile and aesthetically pleasing image character. Thanks to their gentle sharpness combined with an aesthetic focus fall-off, a very shallow depth of field and elegant bokeh, the lenses offer exceptional shooting versatility. That’s why they also mix well with other regular prime lens sets like Supreme Primes to selectively add some stronger character when needed.
Unlike uncoated or decoated lenses, Supreme Zoom Radiance feature antireflective coating on every lens element. This T* blue lens coating ensures that no contrast is lost under normal and even more aggressive lighting conditions that are necessary to create the zooms’ distinct flares.
Supreme Zoom Radiance lenses are equipped with the ZEISS eXtended Data technology, providing frame-by-frame data on lens vignetting and distortion in addition to the standard metadata provided using the Cooke /i technology protocol. This simplifies and speeds up workflows, particularly for VFX and Virtual Production.
Furthermore, the lenses are integrated into the ZEISS CinCraft ecosystem and available through the “ZEISS Supreme Lenses” Virtual Lens Package (VLP) that comes free of charge with the CinCraft Scenario camera tracking system and allows for skipping the laborious lens calibration process, when shooting with the Radiance Zooms.
Price & Availability
The lenses are now available to pre-order for the following prices:
- ZEISS Supreme Zoom Radiance 28-80mm T2.9 Zoom Lens – $44,000 USD
- ZEISS Supreme Zoom Radiance 70-200mm T2.9 Zoom Lens – $44,000 USD
- ZEISS Supreme Zoom Radiance 15-30mm T2.9 Zoom Lens – $49,500 USD
The prices are focal lengths are somewhat in line with other high-end cinema zooms that are on the market.
The closest competition arguably comes from Cooke, ARRI, Angenieux, and Leitz.
| PRICE | |
| Cooke 19-40mm T2.8 Varotal/i FF | $59,900 USD |
| Cooke 30-95mm T2.8 Varotal/i FF | $53,900 USD |
| Cooke 85-215mm Varotal/i FF | $54,900 USD |
| ARRI 16-32mm T2.8 Signature Zoom | $68,520 USD |
| ARRI 24-75mm T2.8 Signature Zoom | $50,220 USD |
| ARRI 45-135mm T2.8 Signature Zoom | $49,080 USD |
| Leitz Cine Zoom 25-75mm | $56,300 USD |
| Leitz Cine Zoom 55-125mm | $56,300 USD |
| Angenieux Optimo Ultra Compact 37-102mm | $49,900 USD |
| Angenieux Optimo Ultra Compact 21-56mm | $49,900 USD |
| Canon CN-E 45-135mm T2.4 LF | $21,999 USD |
| Canon CN-E 20-50mm T2.4 LF | $21,999 USD |
