Thornwood, NY—Zeiss debuted a family of high-speed lenses for high-end film production. The Zeiss Supreme Prime family consists of 13 lenses with fixed focal lengths between 15 and 200 millimeters. A majority of the lenses have a maximum aperture of T1.5.
“The lenses are designed for film productions of an extremely high quality,” said Christophe Casenave from Zeiss. “They are perfect for high-budget advertising or feature films, for example.”
Zeiss Supreme Primes are designed to cover cinematic large-format camera sensors. In addition, they are compatible with all of the latest camera models, such as the Sony Venice, ARRI Alexa LF and RED Monstro.
According to Casenave, the versatility of the Supreme Prime lenses to create different visual looks is due to their “gentle sharpness, the aesthetic focus fall-off and elegant bokeh. The lenses are extremely flexible and can be used equally well for science-fiction thrillers as well as for dramas.”
Zeiss Supreme Prime Specs
To respond to camera operators’ desire for compact equipment that meets high quality standards, Zeiss Supreme Prime cine lenses weigh an average of 3.5 pounds. They are “significantly lighter and smaller than comparable lenses on the market,” added Casenave. 
“Zeiss Supreme Primes are also unbelievably rugged and reliable. Regardless of whether filming in the desert or in the Arctic, the lenses perform flawlessly.” In addition, in the event that something should break, Zeiss’s worldwide service network provides professional help.
Zeiss eXtended Data Metadata Technology
The Zeiss Supreme Prime lenses incorporate the Zeiss eXtended Data metadata technology. Introduced in 2017, this technology provides frame-by-frame data on lens vignetting and distortion, in addition to the standard lens metadata provided using Cooke’s/i technology protocol.
As a result, the lenses are engineered to speed up a film production’s workflow. When using visual effects, for example, with only a few clicks, the lens properties can be removed so that computer-generated effects imagery can be accurately applied to the captured imagery.
The lens properties can then be reapplied with the same click of a button. And they may be combined with the film material to create a realistic image. Previously, all of the data had to be measured manually so that it could be corrected in postproduction.
Price and Availability
The first Zeiss Supreme Prime lenses with focal lengths of 25, 29, 35, 50 and 85mm will be available starting August 1, 2018. Zeiss Supreme Prime 100mm lenses will be available December 2018. The set of six lenses, consisting of the focal lengths mentioned above, will retail for $108,000.
Moreover, the remaining focal lengths will be released successively until 2020.
