The Kipon PL-PL 0.7x focal reducer is designed to reduce the focal length of a lens by a factor of 0.7x. The light transmission is also increased by one stop. In Laymen’s terms, it enables you to use full frame lenses on S35 sensor PL mount cameras to create a wider field of view and increase the T-stop.
The adapter takes PL or LPL mount lenses by default and allows light passing through to a maximum T-Stop of T1.5 set on the attached cine lens. The resulting T-Stop is up to T1.1 and the image can cover sensor sizes up to 36mm diagonal.
Making a PL-PL 0.7x focal reducer is no easy task and there is a reason we haven’t previously seen them before. They require a very complex and difficult optical design. The innovativ optical design consists of 13 lenses in 12 groups to ensure low distortion and maximum imaging accuracy.
The relay optical construction is what makes it possible to project an image from a PL mount lens onto a PL mount camera. This is something that cannot be done with conventional focal reducer designs. The relay optics maintain the integrity of the PL mount system while enhancing functionality and versatility.
Now, because of the relay design of the KIPON 0.7x PL > PL Adapter there is a 180° rotation of the image before it is projected onto the camera sensor. You can correct the projected image by flipping the image in the camera settings, although only a handful of cameras have this functionality.
The Kipon PL-PL 0.7x focal reducer can also be swapped to Arri LPL, Sony E, Leica M, etc.
The biggest caveat with the Kipon PL-PL 0.7x focal reducer is the size and weight. Because of the complex optical design, it is 205mm / 8.07″ long and it weighs 1.8 kg / 3.96 lb.
People may not be aware, but 10 years ago Kipon actually developed a Leica M 0.65x focal reducer. They made several prototypes, but due to coverage and mechanic issues, they didn’t put it into production.
Price & Availability
The Kipon PL-PL 0.7x focal reducer is available to pre-order now for $4,493.60 USD, which is 18% off the standard retail price of $5,480 USD. In additional, Kipon will give a replaceable front module for using LPL lenses, as part of this pre-order deal. Shipping time will be from September 10, 2024.
