Venus Optics has added a new Laowa expander and anamorphic adapter to its cine lineup.
Venus Optics, the camera lens manufacturer behind Laowa, has started shipping the 1.4x Full Frame Expander and 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter with a PL-PL mount. Both are available for a price tag of $999 each or bundled for $1,800. Credit: Venus Optics
When pairing the Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter with the Laowa OOOM 25-100mm T2.9 cine lens, it expands the filming canvas to a 2.35:1 cinematic widescreen ratio in a 16:9 sensor while retaining the resolution. When using the adapter, it's worth noting it doesn't produce an oval bokeh as you would find on anamorphic lenses, but it still creates distinctive flares and bokeh. Additionally, there's a half stop of light reduction when using the adapter.
Besides the OOOM lens, the adapter is compatible with a number of lenses including options from ARRI, Angénieux, and Zeiss. Current compatibility is listed below:
ARRI 18-80mm Alura Studio Zoom T2.6
ARRI 45-250MM T2.6
Angenieux 28-340mm Optimo Zoom T3.2
Angenieux 24-290mm Optimo Zoom T2.8
Angenieux Optimo Style 16-40mm T2.8 Zoom
Angenieux Optimo Style 30-76mm T2.8 Zoom
Zeiss Supreme Prime 25 mm T1.5
Zeiss Supreme Prime 29 mm T1.5
Zeiss Supreme Prime 35 mm T1.5
Zeiss Supreme Prime 50 mm T1.5
Zeiss Supreme Prime 85 mm T1.5
Zeiss Compact Prime 15mm T2.9
Zeiss Compact Prime 18 mm T2.9
Zeiss Compact Prime 25 mm T2.1
Zeiss Compact Prime 28 mm T2.1
Zeiss Compact Prime 35 mm T2.1
Zeiss Compact Prime 50 mm T2.1
Zeiss Compact Prime 85 mm T2.1
Laowa has also provided a clearance checker tool that can be downloaded here.
The 1.4x Full Frame Expander expands the coverage from Super 35 to full-frame without affecting the image quality. Venus Optics says the 1.4x Expander has been designed to offset the aberrations found on the OOOM and maintains its vintage characters and optical performance.
There will be a 1-stop light loss and 1.4x impact on the focal range turning the OOOM 25-100mm T2.9 to a 35-140mm T4 lens. A quick switch button is designed on the OOOM to allow easy conversion of focal length and T-stop scale.
The expander has a back-focus-adjusting mechanism which replaces the need to adjust the lens using shims.
Besides the OOOM lens, the expander is compatible with a number of lenses from ARRI, Angénieux, Canon, and ZEISS. Current compatible list is below:
ARRI Ultra Prime 85mm T1.9
Angenieux EZ-2 15-40mm T2.0
Angenieux EZ-1 30-90mm T2.0
Angenieux EZ-1 45-135MM T3
Angenieux EZ2 FF 22-60mm T3
Canon CN-E 15.5-47mm T2.8 L S
Canon CN-E 30-105mm T2.8 L S
Zeiss Supreme Prime 29 mm T1.5
Zeiss Cinema Zoom 15-30mm
A clearance checker tool for the 1.4x Full Frame Expander can be downloaded here.
It's good seeing Venus Optics expanding its cine options. Hopefully, we'll start seeing new cine zoom and prime focal lengths soon. The Laowa 1.33x Rear Anamorphic Adapter and 1.4x Full Frame Expander are shipping now and priced at $999 or bundled for $1,800.
The clearance checker makes sure the lens will fit the converter but I am wondering about the flange distance. It looks pretty deep and I'd hate to scratch up my sensor. I can't find any numbers for it anywhere.
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The clearance checker makes sure the lens will fit the converter but I am wondering about the flange distance. It looks pretty deep and I'd hate to scratch up my sensor. I can't find any numbers for it anywhere.
March 9, 2022 at 7:04PM