Zeiss Panoptes 65 45/T2.2 LPL meter

The Panoptes 65 series brings ZEISS’s rich history of optical expertise to the world of 65mm film. Designed specifically for the 65mm format, this comprehensive set of ten prime lenses represents ZEISS’s unwavering commitment to large-format cinematography.

These lenses are designed for a wide range of film productions and offer the distinctive qualities that cinematographers have long trusted and come to expect from ZEISS—combined with a carefully balanced image character optimized for the 65mm format: natural color reproduction, pleasing rendering of skin tones, a gentle transition to out-of-focus areas, and silky-smooth bokeh.

Consistency, Lens Metadata, and Image Coverage

The new ZEISS Panoptes 65 lenses are ready for the demands of modern film production and have been designed to deliver consistent image output even during demanding processing in VFX pipelines and compositing workflows.

They natively support full lens data transfer viaeXtended Data (XD) technology and integration into the ZEISS CinCraft ecosystem for camera tracking, virtual production, and visual effects workflows.

The Panoptes 65 series includes ten focal lengths: 25 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, 55 mm, 70 mm, 90 mm, 110 mm, 135 mm, and 180 mm, with all lenses featuring a uniform T2.2 aperture.

Thanks to ZEISS’s proven ergonomics, the lenses feature dual scale markings (metric and imperial) and a consistent placement of the focus and aperture rings across the entire set.

The lenses are fitted with an LPL mount and cover an image circle with a diameter of 59.9 mm, ensuring optimal compatibility with current large-format cameras, including the ARRI ALEXA 265, Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65, Fujifilm GFX ETERNA 55, as well as future models.

The first set of ZEISS cinema lenses for the 65 mm format

• Panoptes 65 is ZEISS’s first lens series designed for the 65 mm format. This specialized family of large-format film lenses brings the prestige and impressive visual range of the 65 mm format to an affordable, production-ready solution.
• The Panoptes 65 series offers a balanced image character with natural color rendering, precise yet unobtrusive sharpness, an elegant transition to out-of-focus areas, and silky-smooth bokeh, which together create a striking image for high-end film productions.
• Panoptes 65 is the most comprehensive and consistent set of lenses for the 65mm format. It includes 10 focal lengths ranging from 25 mm to 180 mm, all with a T2.2 aperture.
• Thanks to the native LPL mount, Panoptes 65 lenses are compatible with current and future 65mm camera platforms, including the ARRI ALEXA 65, ARRI ALEXA 265, Fujifilm GFX ETERNA 55, and Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65.
• ZEISS’s cutting-edge ergonomics, featuring a unified placement of focus and iris rings, a compact design, support for complete lens data, and integration with the ZEISS CinCraft system ensure efficient on-set workflow, easier crew collaboration, and streamlined workflows for visual effects, virtual production, and post-production.
• The focus scale is reversible, allowing rental companies and production teams to choose between inch (imperial) or meter (metric) markings without having to purchase two separate sets of lenses.

Image Character and Its Benefits

Maximum control over the image

• ZEISS Panoptes 65 lenses offer a balanced optical character with precise detail rendering, high resolution, subtle contrast, natural color reproduction, and minimal distortion and chromatic aberration.
• Thanks to a smooth and natural transition in the bright areas of the image (highlight roll-off), these lenses help preserve subtle tonal transitions without harsh clipping or sudden changes in brightness in the brightest areas of the frame.
• Optimal usability: Unlike some competing lenses that offer higher maximum apertures (such as T1.7 or T1.4) at the expense of image quality, the Panoptes 65 maintains exceptional image fidelity even at a T2.2 aperture.

Many cinematographers prefer to create images using neutral lenses

• Renowned cinematographers, such as Roger Deakins, prefer to build visual atmosphere through set design, lighting, and composition rather than using lenses with a distinct visual “signature.”
• Greater confidence during shooting: They avoid situations where the final look is overly influenced by a lens’s specific character, which cannot be easily adjusted or suppressed in post-production.
• Panoptes 65 therefore offers a balanced image character that provides cinematographers, directors, and editors with maximum flexibility during color correction, grading, and final image finishing. The lenses provide the scene with a natural foundation upon which to build creatively according to the needs of a specific project.

Functional Benefits

A comprehensive set of 10 lenses with high light transmission across the entire range

• A uniform T2.2 maximum aperture across the entire range, including 25mm and 180mm focal lengths, speeds up work in studio environments and makes it easier to maintain consistent lighting between shots.
• The T2.2 aperture represents the ideal compromise between high light transmission and practical usability in professional filming.
• The consistent aperture and image character across the entire set will be particularly appreciated by focus pullers, as it makes their work easier when changing lenses during filming.

Wide range of creative possibilities

• The small steps between focal lengths provide an exceptionally wide range of creative possibilities for feature films and drama, especially when working with the 65mm format.
• The short minimum focusing distance at wider focal lengths allows the camera to be physically moved closer to the subject, enabling the capture of impressive, detailed shots without the use of close-up lenses (diopter filters). This makes it possible to highlight emotions, details of eyes and hands, textures, or small objects while maintaining the natural perspective of the given focal length.
• The 25 mm wide-angle lens (equivalent to approximately 12 mm on Super 35 format) offers a more pronounced sense of space, movement, and depth of scene, while also providing greater flexibility when shooting in confined locations.

Individually Optimized Optical Design

• Each focal length has been designed with its own specific optical construction. The lenses are not merely mechanical variations of a single basic design, but have been individually optimized with an emphasis on maximum image performance, ergonomics, and practical usability in real-world film production.