ZEISS launches a new Super 35 format Lightweight Zoom: LWZ.3 21-100mm/T2.9-3.9 T*. It is light (2 kilos), compact, very affordable and has interchangeable mounts (PL, EF, F, E, MFT).

As the “.3” in the name suggests, this is the third generation LWZ Lightweight Zoom lens. ZEISS LWZ.2 and ARRI/ZEISS LWZ.1 15.5-45mm T2.6 zoom lenses are still at many rental houses, but no longer manufactured. The three ZEISS Compact Zoom lenses (CZ.2) are Full Frame: 15-30 T2.9, 28-80 T2.9 and 70-200 T2.9.

With all these choices, what sets the new 21-100 zoom lens apart are a combination of attractive features: range, light weight, optical and mechanical quality, and astonishingly affordable price. Here’s a new Super 35 zoom lens from ZEISS for many types of productions that will fit digital and film cameras.

One lens instead of six

In some ways, one might consider the LWZ.3 as a long range variable prime. Christophe Casenave, Product Manager at ZEISS Camera Lenses, said, “Going from 21 to 100mm, the new ZEISS LWZ.3 covers a range for which cinematographers had to use up to six fixed focal lengths until now. This flexibility delivers a clear price and time advantage as it is no longer necessary to change focal lengths. As a result, the zoom lens is well-suited for budgetsensitive film projects.

“The ZEISS LWZ.3 is equipped with the well-known Interchangeable Mount System—with five different mounts for all current camera systems. The lens is characterized by its ergonomics, which allow high-quality films to be shot even in difficult locations. These tricky situations can occur due to time pressure, cramped space on the set—where changing a lens is difficult to do—or low budgets.

“The bokeh, highlights and contrast offer a look that you could otherwise only get with more expensive cine lenses. Other quality features of the LWZ.3 include its calibrated scales, consistent imaging quality across the entire image field, no vignetting, and the efficient reduction of reflections through the well-known ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating.

“Because of its modern optical design in a compact and high-quality housing, the ZEISS LWZ.3 is a long-term investment, especially for smaller productions.”

The ZEISS LWZ.3 will be available from the end of January 2017 at a retail sales price of EUR 9,900 (including 19 % German VAT), or USD $ 9,900.

[table]
ZEISS Lightweight Zoom LWZ.3[attr colspan=”2″ class=”table-heading”]
Focal length[attr width=”33%”];21-100mm
Aperture range;T2.9 – 22
Lens elements/groups;22 elements/ 18 groups
Close focus;0,8m/ 2’8’’
Focus ring rotation;294° (Inf-MOD)
Zoom ring rotation;100°
Aperture ring rotation;48°
Front diameter;114mm
Length;226mm / 8.9’’
Weight;2.0kg / 4.4 lbs
Aperture blades;11
Sensor coverage;ANSI Super 35mm
Horizontal field of view;Super 35: 61-14°
;Normal 35: 55-12°
;APS-C: 56-13°
;MFT: 45-9°
[/table]

Top: ZEISS LWZ.3 on ARRI Amira; Middle: ZEISS LWZ.3 on RED Raven; Bottom: ZEISS LWZ.3 on SONY FS7

ZEISS LWZ.3 on Circle

Circle is a short film directed, produced and shot by Adi Geisegger— using the ZEISS Lightweight Zoom LWZ.3 21-100mm. Camera assistant was Helmut Lehnhof, who knows a thing or two about lenses. Geisegger is a photographer and filmmaker who specializes in aerial photography and cinematography. Circle takes us swooping above the Bavarian Alps with a Sony FS7 attached by bungee cord to the frame of a helicopter. The production took three days, with a crew of three, one camera, and one ZEISS LWZ.3 zoom lens. The Sony FS7 recorded S-Log3 in XAVC 4K 50p. Grading was done with DaVinci Resolve.