How convenient. Today, TRIBE7 and IB/E Optics announce a partnership and also K70 Primes that cover the entire Sony RIALTO 65 sensor (64.60 mm image diagonal).
TRIBE7 + IB/E Optics = Tr-IBE
Neil Fanthom, Director of TRIBE7 and Klaus Eckerl, President and Senior Optical Designer at IB/E Optics announce a partnership to combine IBE’s R&D, manufacturing and sales capabilities with Tribe7’s industry relationships and brand recognition.
But hasn’t it always been this way?
Maybe, not really, vaguely. IB/E has been the not-so-anonymous OEM of TRIBE7’s BLACKWING7 lenses since the beginning. TRIBE7, located in Bedford, England, handled distribution, sales and after-sales support. IB/E Optics manufactured the lenses in their modern factory located in Freyung, Germany about 212 km east of Munich.
K70 Primes: 65mm+
This “marriage” of the two companies comes at an opportune time. IB/E + TRIBE7 K70 Lenses, specifically designed to cover the Sony RIALTO 65 sensor, are being launched as a sharper, “cleaner,” IMAX and big screen alternative to BLACKWING7 primes.
Klaus Eckerl said, “The K70 prime lenses have an image diagonal greater than 66 mm for full coverage of the SONY RIALTO 65. The initial range with full coverage consists of five focal lengths: 27, 37, 57, 87 and 107mm..” There may be additional focal lengths in addition to a 23.7mm.
“K70 primes have more tuning and controlled “detuning” (softening) capabilities than BLACKWING7. Using the IB/E Optics O-Tool, lens technicians can detune and restore the lenses back to their original specifications. Internal filtration is also available to “customize” the lenses.
“K70 primes all have a T1.7 maximum aperture. For example, a K70 27mm T1.7 lens is equivalent to a 19mm Full Frame lens at T1.1. This is quite interesting. K70 primes will be available in both PL and LPL mounts. The initial K70 sets will be released as a ‘First Edition.’
But first, a bit of backstory.
Neil Fanthom explained, “BLACKWING7 lenses were designed and built by IB/E Optics with specific optical prescriptions influenced by medium and large format stills lenses from the 1950s to the 1980s — ZEISS, Mamiya, Leica, Asahi, Kodak and Wrayflex among others.
“We analyzed those inspirational vintage lenses and re-imagined new designs using modern materials and processes. We also recognized that cine lenses in the analog film days typically had a sharpness necessary to accurately focus using a ground glass, video tap or mirror-reflex system. They also had to overcome multiple passes from camera original to internegative or interpositive to release print to unpredictable projection quality.
“In today’s digital age, where focus is viewed from the sensor image, lens sharpness as a focus aid is no longer a primary need. As many cinematographers have said, the mix of sharp lenses with high resolution digital cameras can create a recorded image that can, at times, appear unpleasantly clinical. We asked IB/E engineers to tune down the sharpness of BLACKWING7 primes to allow a flattering, mildly-sharp image wide open with exaggerated roll-off across the frame. The result was special and we’re very proud that BLACKWING7 primes remain a differentiating tool of choice for creatives.
Do BLACKWING7 lenses cover Larger Format 65?
Neil continued, “The longer BLACKWING7 prime focal lengths—37mm to 137mm—cover image circles of 60mm and beyond. Or But our wider angle BLACKWING7 primes have a field illumination of 50mm to 56mm. We decided that using an expanding element would result in a too-soft image and would slow down the maximum T-stop.
“I knew that the IB/E boffins had a ground-up design for an entire range of brand-new lenses with sharp, 65mm-plus coverage at T1.7. I also realized that as a small, privately owned company we would struggle to fund the R+D for this new design which requires new high precision aspherical lens components. The decision to also integrate lens metadata was also a serious consideration.
“So here’s the marriage. TRIBE7 creative connectivity and brand recognition blended with IBE/Optics R+D and manufacturing muscle. TRIBE7 will remain small, agile and focused while being integrated, hand in glove, with the manufacturer who can accelerate development, manage stock, provide factory service and support, and simplify logistics. Existing BLACKWING7 primes will remain our serviceable workhorse range for many years to come. .”
Klaus concludes, “In addition to the K70 primes, we’ll be announcing additional products in the months ahead.”
To reach Klaus, Mauricio Martinez or Manuel Seidl at IB/E Optics:
sales (at) ibe-optics.com
IB/E Optics
Passauer Strasse 1
94078 Freyung, Germany
Phone: +49 8551 999 80 30
www.ibe-optics.com
To reach Neil Fanthom at TRIBE7 in Bedford, England:
seven (at) 7isatribe.com
www.7isatribe.com/
