The follow-up to the highly regarded CP.2, this line of cine lenses is one of the highest quality available on the market. Available in 15mm T2.9, 25mm T2.1, 35mm T2.1, 50mm T2.1 and 85mm T2.1, each lens in the line features improved ergonomic design compared to the line’s CP.2 predecessors, 14 blade diaphragms and improved protection against aberrations and reflections.
The ZEISS CP.3 lenses feature advanced lens coatings, painted lens rims and special light traps within the barrel to eliminate unwelcome veiling glare and flares. The result is higher contrast, richer blacks and more saturated colors. The ZEISS CP.3 lenses are also color-matched to other Zeiss cinema lenses. The lenses are designed with standardized positioning of the focus rings and a consistent 95 mm front diameter to allow for fast and easy changeover between lenses while on set
The new Zeiss CP.3 lenses are slightly more expensive than the preceding CP.2 glass, but they are also a major upgrade because the lens mechanics and physical consistency are such an improvement. In other words, Zeiss looks to have a winner on its hands.
Zeiss obviously looked closely at the CP.2 lens set and has tried to improve them in as many ways as possible. It’s done rather a good job too. The new lenses are lighter as well as smaller and more consistent in their size.
Visually it’s the same glass inside the CP.3 lenses as in the older CP.2 sets, but there are new and improved lens coatings and the mechanics have been massively upgraded, giving much smoother focus. There is much less friction in the lenses, so focus motors will require much less torque to operate. This alone makes the upgrade from CP.2 to CP.3 worthwhile.
The new lenses use the helicoid design from the Ultra Primes and the ball bearings system from the Zeiss Master Primes. Focus rings are also now all in the same position, making it much easier to swap out lenses quickly. There are great optics available in stills lenses but you have to pay a lot more to get the more sophisticated mechanics in cinema primes, so the CP.3 lenses are a huge upgrade over the CP.2 lenses.
The Zeiss CP.2 lenses were a huge hit, giving smaller productions access to Zeiss-made glass with reasonable mechanics. The new CP.3 lenses are slightly more expensive but they are a huge upgrade because the lens mechanics and physical consistency are such a huge improvement. Zeiss has once again tried to reach the market that wants cinema lenses for lower budget productions.
If you only want the best for your set, the Zeiss CP.3’s performance is unparalleled.
We have the Carl Zeiss CP2 and CP3 lens kit on rent.
