{"id":101,"date":"2023-06-09T18:33:19","date_gmt":"2023-06-09T18:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joshweissphotography.com\/?p=101"},"modified":"2023-06-05T23:33:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-05T23:33:33","slug":"what-is-a-cine-lens-exploring-the-differences-advantages-and-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joshweissphotography.com\/what-is-a-cine-lens-exploring-the-differences-advantages-and-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Cine Lens? Exploring the Differences, Advantages, and Applications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Cine lenses, also known as cinema lenses or motion picture lenses, have been gaining popularity among filmmakers and photographers alike. But what sets them apart from regular lenses? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A cine lens is a specialized type of lens designed primarily for capturing moving images in film and video production. It features precise manual focus and aperture control, consistent exposure values with T-stops, minimized focus breathing, and compatibility with professional camera rigs, which distinguishes it from regular lenses used for still photography.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, we will delve into the world of cine lenses, addressing the differences between cine lenses and regular lenses, their impact on image quality, their compatibility with photography, and whether they have autofocus capabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses and regular lenses, also known as photo lenses or still lenses, are designed for different purposes. While both can capture images, cine lenses are specifically engineered for capturing moving images in films and videos, whereas regular lenses are primarily intended for still photography. Below are the key differences between the two:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses typically have a robust build, with high-quality materials and precise mechanical construction. This ensures durability and consistent performance under the demanding conditions of film production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In contrast, regular lenses often prioritize compactness and affordability, which may sometimes compromise their build quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses feature manual focus and aperture control rings with smooth, consistent, and precise movement. The focus ring usually has a longer rotation range, allowing for more accurate focus adjustments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While photographers refer to the aperture or diaphragm of a lens, filmmakers and cinematographers use the term ‘iris’ for the same mechanism. Essentially, these two different terms describe the same feature in a lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The aperture ring on cine lenses is de-clicked, enabling seamless aperture adjustments during a shot without introducing sudden changes in exposure. In contrast, regular lenses often have click-stops in the aperture ring, which can cause abrupt changes in exposure while adjusting the aperture during filming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While filming, it’s essential to avoid the audible clicking noises of a regular aperture ring and noticeable shifts in exposure. Instead, everything should be seamless and quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The focus ring on a cine lens can rotate more than 270 degrees, allowing precise adjustments between the closest focusing distance and infinity. This design leads to stable focusing and greatly reduces focus breathing, a common issue with regular camera lenses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses are parfocal lenses, meaning they can maintain focus on a subject while zooming in or out. In contrast, non-parfocal lenses may lose focus when zooming, which means you need to adjust the focus again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since zooming is a crucial aspect of filmmaking, a true parfocal cine lens enables smooth zoom transitions without losing focus on the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses use T-stops (transmission stops) to indicate aperture values, while regular lenses use F-stops. The key difference between the two is that T-stops account for light transmission losses within the lens, providing a more accurate representation of the actual light reaching the sensor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n F-stops only represent the theoretical amount of light passing through the lens, which may differ from the actual light transmission due to lens design and coatings. This distinction is critical in filmmaking, where consistent exposure across multiple lenses is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses are designed to minimize focus breathing, a phenomenon where the field of view changes slightly when adjusting focus. Focus breathing can be distracting in video production, whereas it is generally not a concern in still photography. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Regular lenses are not typically optimized to minimize focus breathing, making them less suitable for video applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses are equipped with built-in gears for focus, iris (aperture), and zoom control. These gears enable seamless integration with follow focus systems and other professional camera rigs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like many professional lenses, cine lenses allow you to zoom in and out by rotating the zoom ring on the lens body. Unlike regular lenses, cine lenses do not change their physical length during zoom adjustments, as they manage the focal distance internally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This feature is particularly beneficial for filmmakers using camera rigs on stabilization systems, as even small changes in lens length can disrupt the balance of these systems, affecting the shot’s stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses are typically larger and heavier than most still photo lenses, primarily due to the manual adjustment of their settings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike still photo lenses, which come in various sizes and lengths, cine lenses adhere to a standardized size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This standardization eliminates the need for specific mounts when attaching cine lenses to professional film cameras and removes the requirement to adjust the matte box, which prevents stray light from affecting the lenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consequently, cine lenses offer greater compatibility and ease of use with film cameras and camera rigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The optical quality of a lens largely depends on the glass used. High-end still photography lenses, made from premium glass, can offer excellent optical quality for video as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although cine lenses and regular lenses may have similar optical performance in typical filming situations, cine lenses truly excel in challenging lighting conditions, such as direct sunlight or high-contrast scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cine lenses from the same brand usually deliver consistent image output in terms of color and contrast. These lenses are designed to provide sharpness across the entire frame, including the corners, and to minimize or eliminate chromatic aberrations, barrel distortion, and vignetting, which are particularly noticeable in video footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While not essential for all filmmakers, cine lenses can also produce beautiful out-of-focus blur (bokeh) and appealing light flares when used with a shallow depth of field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A drawback of cine lenses is their high cost. Top-of-the-line cine lenses can reach prices well over $100,000. Cine lenses are more commonly rented than purchased for this reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there are more budget-friendly alternatives are available, such as pseudo-cine lenses and cine-modified photo lenses. These options are essentially digital photo lenses with some cine lens functionalities and are compatible with DSLRs, mirrorless, and compact film cameras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To better understand the differences between budget photo lenses, professional photo lenses, and cine lenses, we have prepared a comparison table below. This table highlights the key features of each lens type, allowing you to make an informed decision when selecting the best lens for your specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Difference Between a Cine Lens and a Regular Lens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Build Quality and Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Focus and Aperture Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
T-stop vs. F-stop (Light & Aperture Control)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Focus Breathing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Gearing <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Size and Lens Mounting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Optical Quality – Sharpness, Color, and Contrast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
High Price Tag<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Cine Lenses vs Photo Lenses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n