Building on the success of the well-regarded CP.2 lenses, ZEISS's CP.3 Compact Prime Lenses offer the same full-frame sensor coverage and classic ZEISS look in an updated form factor and with improved mechanics and lens coatings. This 18mm Compact Prime lens features an all-new optical design over the CP.2 variant and shares the same physical length as the 15, 21, 25, 28, 35, 50, and 85mm CP.3 lenses while maintaining identical focus and iris gear positioning with the entire set of CP.3 lenses, relative to the mount. All CP.3 lenses also share the same 95mm front diameter. Similar physical attributes across the lens line makes fitting lens accessories such as matte boxes, follow focuses, lens supports, and lens control motors easier and less time consuming.

Another feature handed down from the preceding CP.2 lenses is the interchangeable mounts. This lens comes with an PL mount installed. Though, if you wish to fit your CP.3 lens to a different camera, the lens mount can be swapped by the user for a separately available mount of a different kind. If you like the bokeh in your images to be round, even after stopping down, you will be pleased to know that the 14-bladed iris, made famous by the CP.2 lenses, has been retained.

Note: While the CP.3 lenses are designed for a degree of user-serviceability regarding the mount, for ideal performance and calibration, B&H recommends that mount swaps and other lens adjustments be done by a trained lens technician at a service center.

Covers Full-Frame Format    PL Mount    T2.9 to T22 Aperture Range    Geared Focus and Iris Control Rings    Clickless Iris Ring    14-Blade Iris    Classic ZEISS Image Rendering    Improved Ergonomics Over Last-Gen CP.2    New Lens Coatings for Enhanced Contrast    Lens Scale Marked in Feet

Zeiss lenses are known for their clean and crisp image rendering. The CP.3 series of lenses is no different. This CP.3 lens will accurately color-match to other Zeiss cinema lenses inside and out of the CP.3 range. The CP.3 lenses feature improved lens coatings and anti-reflection masking over the CP.2 range for increased contrast and reduced flare, important for capturing content with the intent of an HDR-format release.

For enhanced ergonomics over the previous-generation CP.2 lenses, the CP.3 lens barrel has been reshaped to be more similar to the renowned Zeiss Ultra Prime lenses. This new shape is easier to handle, and takes up less physical space than the original Compact Prime design. An even weight distribution ensures that these lenses will be at home handheld, locked down on a tripod, or flown on a Steadicam or motorized gimbal.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Did Zeiss announce whether there will be an adapter for Canon RF Mount for these?

A: No, as of now, Zeiss has only announced the ZEISS Nano Prime 6-Lens Set (Sony E, Feet) in the Sony E-Mount.

Q: 2. Is there a servo available with this Zeiss lens?

A: A servo controller is not available for the ZEISS Lightweight Zoom LWZ.3.

Q: 3. Have they fixed their aperture communication problem with Sony? Loxia lenses have issues with bodies newer than A7iii

A: The Zeiss Nano Primes do not share components with Loxia, and are fully compatible with all Sony E-mount cameras. Zeiss has tested them extensively on everything from an A7IV to the Burano & Venice and they have discovered no compatibility issues.

Q: 4. Does it have a 1/4 -20 thread on the bottom for a lens support?

A: The ZEISS Light Weight Zoom features a 3/8 support collar for lens support.

Q: 5. Is there a version with lens data? /I compatible?

A: No, the ARRI Ultra Prime 100mm T1.9 Lens (PL, Feet) does not come in another model that supports the Cooke /i Lens Data System.

Q: 6. Will the E mount version crop on the sony FS7? Or does it remain 20-100mm?

A: The ZEISS Lightweight Zoom LWZ.3 is designed to cover an APS-C / Super 35 sensor size, which is the same as used on the Sony FS7 camera. So there are no crop issues with this lens and camera combination.

Q: 7. Are there contacts for lens data?

A: The Canon 20mm Sumire Prime T1.5 (PL Mount, Feet) does not have contacts that would provide lens data to the connected camera.

Q: 8. How does the focal length of these lenses on a full frame body like the LF compare to master primes on super35mm?

A: This lens can cover a full frame sensor. If used on a camera that is Full Frame it will give you an 18mm view. If you use it on a camera that has a Super 35mm Sensor it will give you a 27mm field of view.

Q: 9. Does the design of this 18mm come with floating elements to optimize the close focus? Thanks.

A: The Leitz Cine 18mm T2.0 Summicron-C Lens (PL Mount, Marked in Feet) has a minimum focus distance of 1 foot or 0.3 meters.

Q: 10. Does the lens data contain lens distortion information?

A: The Cooke 21mm T2.2 Panchro/i Classic Prime Lens uses /i Technology which is a metadata protocol that enables film and digital cameras to automatically record key lens data for every frame shot. /i Technology data includes focal length, focus distance, zoom position, near and far focus, hyper focal distance, T-stop, horizontal field of view, entrance pupil position, distortion and shading data.