Zeiss CP.3 XD 18mm T2.9 Compact Prime Lens (PL Mount, Meters)

Zeiss CP.3 XD 18mm T2.9 Compact Prime Lens (PL Mount, Meters)

Continuing the legacy and building on the success of the popular 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 Zeiss 18mm T2.1 XD Compact Prime lens is derived from the same classic optical formula as the preceding 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.

Interchangeable Lens Mounts

Another feature handed down from the preceding CP.2 lenses is the ability for users to swap lens mounts. This lens comes with a PL mount installed. However, should the need arise, users can replace this mount and swap it for a range of different lens mounts including Nikon F, Canon EF, and Sony E. In addition, the 14-bladed iris from the CP.2 has not been left out of the optical design, and makes for pleasing, round bokeh when filming wide open.

Zeiss eXtended Data (XD) Technology

Combining Cooke's /i lens metadata protocol with Zeiss-specific datasets for each lens enables focal length, focus position, iris setting, and depth-of-field calculation metadata transmission to a wide range of cameras and production equipment. All information is transmitted in real-time through the 12-o'clock positioned pins on the PL mount and 4-pin LEMO port on the barrel of the lens and is captured for every individual frame.

The lens data can be leveraged for accurate focus pulling when combined with a rangefinder or recorded alongside the video footage and applied in post-production. In particular, the recording of Zeiss-specific datasets enable DITs using Pomfort or DaVinci Resolve software to analyse recorded footage to remove distortion and shading in post-production.

Signature, Industry Leading, Clean Zeiss Look

Zeiss lenses are known for their clean and crisp image rendering, and their new CP.3 range of lenses does not dissapoint in this regard. This CP.3 lens will accurately colour-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.

New Ergonomic Design

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.

Features

• PL Mount/Full-Frame Coverage
• Fast, Bright Max. Aperture T2.1
• Geared Focus and Iris Control Rings
• Clickless Iris Ring/14-Blade Aperture
• eXtended Data (XD)/i Connections
• Classic Zeiss Image Rendering
• Improved Ergonomics vs. CP.2
• Lens Scale Marked in Meters