High Performance Optics for a New 70mm Digital Cine Format

Brian Caldwell, Wilfried Bittner, Ip Winston, Dan Sasaki

This paper details technical features of the first series of high-speed prime lenses designed for a new 70mm digital format developed by Panavision. These new lenses offer full aperture (f/2.5) performance at or near the diffraction limit from near-UV to near-IR over a 48×20.25mm image area. These lenses are also designed to work properly with optical filters inserted between the lens and sensor. — Twelve focal lengths are under development, ranging from a 27mm ultrawide to a 300mm telephoto. In addition to traditional externally-geared controls, all lenses have internal motors for focus and aperture. High resolution metadata is transmitted continuously to the camera. Metadata includes focus distance, aperture, temperature, and individual lens identification. A replaceable internal filter near the aperture stop permits a variety of creative effects, including soft-focus.

Published
2012-10
Content type
Original Research
Keywords
Lenses, lens design, cine, cinematography, 70mm, large format, digital, superachromat, superachromatic, apochromat, apochromatic, UV, IR, Panavision, metadata, gigapixel, Caldwell Photographic, iris, bokeh
DOI
10.5594/M001456
ISBN
978-1-61482-952-2