Building on the success of the well-regarded CP.2 lenses, ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 Lens PL Mount Feetoffer the same full-frame sensor coverage and classic ZEISS look in an updated form-factor and with improved mechanics and lens coatings. This lens also includes the new eXtended Data connections which transmit essential lens metadata through both a Cooke /i interface on the mount itself and a 4-pin LEMO connection on the lens body.

This 28mm 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, 18, 21, 25, 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 a 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 from the CP.2 has not been left out of the optical design.

ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 Lens PL Mount FeetWhile 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    T2.1 to T22 Aperture Range    Geared Focus and Iris Control Rings    Clickless Iris Ring    14-Blade Iris    eXtended Data (XD) and /i Connections    Classic ZEISS Image Rendering    Improved Ergonomics over Last-Gen CP.2    Lens Scale Marked in Feet

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 analyze recorded footage to remove distortion and shading in post-production.

One advantage to this system lies in the fact that a production team can save the time in pre-production normally spent mapping out each lens's distortion manually with focus charts. The eXtended Data workflow is both more precise and quicker saving both time and money on productions, especially ones that plan on using VFX.

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. Where is this lens manufactured?

A: This lens has a Country or Origin of Germany.

Q: 2. If using a super 35mm sensor with this full frame lens, would one need to use the crop factor of 1.5 to determine the equivalent field of view?

A: Yes you would. To take it a step further all lenses are listed by their physical focal length and from there the crop factor needs to be taken in to account. Even lenses that only cover a Super 35mm sensor will be subject to a crop factor. Any lens, regardless of it is covers Super 35mm or Full Frame, will need to have the 1.5x crop factor added.

Q: 3. Would this lens work seamlessly on an Aaton XTR Prod?

A: the is a Standard PL mount lens, it will function properly on any PL mount camera with the correct PL mount FFD

Q: 4. Will this crop in if I use the red Komodo? What is the super 35 equivalent?

A: The RED Komodo's sensor will crop the ZEISS CP.3 25mm T2.1 Compact Prime Lens' image circle. The Super35 equivalent focal length of this lens on the RED Komodo is 38mm.

Q: 5. How many degrees is the focus throw?

A: 300 degrees

Q: 6. Will this work if I attach it to the Metabones Speedbooster for EF to MFT?

A: Yes, that will work. However, in order to ensure the focus marks are accurate on the lens, it may be advantageous to get this lens with the ZEISS MFT Interchangeable Mount Set.

Q: 7. can fixed uv filter?

A: It is not possible to fit a UV filter to the ZEISS Compact Prime CP.3 lenses. Like most cine lenses, they are designed for use with a matte box and cut filters.

Q: 8. Will this work with the FX3?

A: Yes, the ZEISS CP.3 35mm T2.1 Compact Prime Lens (Sony E Mount, Feet) is compatible with the Sony FX3.

Q: 9. Will this lens transmit information required for auto-focus, auto iris, stabilization and distance/f-stop info in viewfinder?

A: This mount version has no electronic communication.

Q: 10. Does this lens send metadata to bmpcc 4k?

A: The ZEISS CP.3 XD lenses transfer meta data using the Cooke /i Technology protocol. This is available only on select cameras using a PL mount. The BMPCC with MFT mount does not support the /i Technology protocol and neither does the standard ZEISS CP.3 EF mount lens. You could use the BM Ursa Mini Pro with PL mount along with the ZEISS CP.3 XD PL and then there would be a meta data exchange.