Angénieux announced their new EZ-3 Zoom Lens. Covering 68-250 mm in Full Frame, and 45-165 mm in Super35, this is the third in the EZ Zoom series. These are not ordinary Full Frame lenses that happen to over-cover Super35. The IRO (Interchangeable Rear Optics) module lets you  use the same lens to swap between Full Frame format (up to 46.3mm image diagonal) and Super 35  (up to 30.4mm image diagonal). By swapping the rear IRO (Interchangeable Rear Optics) module, the lens becomes a wider and faster Super35 zoom. You can configure the lenses easily for S35 and FF formats by swapping the rear group yourself.

The new EZ-3 is even easier and faster to change from FF to S35 and back again thanks to a new, quick IRO technology mechanism. In fact, it takes less than 5 minutes and can be done on location.

Angénieux EZ Zoom Lenses made their debut at IBC 2016. Thousands have been delivered since then. They are convertible, affordable, compact zooms with rear modules that cover both Super35 and Full Frame formats. You see them flying on numerous Steadicam, gimbal and handheld setups.

• The Angénieux EZ-1 covers a middle  zoom range. It arrived first. 
• The Angénieux EZ-2 came next. It covers wider angles. 
• And now we have the EZ-3 for longer focal lengths.  

Angénieux EZ zoom lenses have full metal mechanical barrels with internal thermal drift compensation. In other words, your focus remains constant as temperatures on location fluctuate. 

Focus, iris, and zoom rings have a familiar wide rotation and industry-standard 0.8M gear teeth. The lens length remains constant because focus and zoom mechanisms are internal. EZ-3, as with EZ-1 and EZ-2 zooms,  comes with PL mounts. A large selection of other lens mounts is available from Angénieux (PL, EF, E, RF). 

The new EZ-3 is even easier and faster to change from FF to S35 and back again thanks to a new, quick IRO technology mechanism. In fact, it takes less than 5 minutes and can be done on location.  

EZ-3 Full Frame to Super35 Swap (and back again)

Converting EZ-3 from Full Frame to Super35 (and from S35 to FF) is super quick and much easier than EZ-1 and EZ-2. You can do it yourself in the back of a camera truck or prep bay.

You don’t have to be in a clean room. But working on a camera cart in the middle of a windy desert or on deck at sea during a gale is not a good idea.

Pretty much the only tool you need is a magnetized Phillips Head #00 screwdriver. A Wiha 40010 Magnetizer Demagnetizer is also  good investment. It costs less than $6.

The screws are tiny. Of course, you will keep them in a rear lens cap or small parts tray.

Note: the optical element of the rear IRO module protrudes from its metal barrel. So do not put it on a hard surface. Keep it protected by its rear cap.

The only things that swap are the rear IRO modules. The rest of the lens stays the same.

Iris and zoom scales will be adjusted. The Focus scale remains untouched unless you want to change from Imperial to Metric. You can flip the focus ring to change from Imperial to Metric readings, but we’ll save those instructions for another episode.

 

Vimeo: FDTimes Swaps EZ-3 Full Frame to Super35

 

 

YouTube: FDTimes Swaps EZ-3 Full Frame to Super35

 

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Band Pro is the Angénieux Partner in the Americas. Jebsen is responsible for China/Hong Kong.  Angénieux  Thales LAS France SAS takes care of business in France, Europe and the  rest of the world, along with resellers.