SHARING | Introduction to Lenses: Photography vs Cinema by Justin
Hello, today, I’ll be discussing the various types of lenses, focusing specifically on those used in photography and cinema. This will be the first part of a series where I explore the differences between these lenses, including their unique characteristics and functionalities.
Key Differences Between Photography and Cinema Lenses
F-Stop and T-Stop
F-Stop: Commonly used in photography lenses to measure the amount of light entering the lens. It’s not entirely accurate.
T-Stop: Used in cinema lenses, providing a more precise measurement of light transmission. This accuracy ensures consistency across different lenses, maintaining uniform exposure and color in film production.
Operational Differences
Autofocus: Photography lenses typically have fast autofocus capabilities, making them suitable for capturing still images quickly.
Manual Focus: Cinema lenses usually require manual focus, allowing for precise control over focus transitions, which is crucial in filmmaking.
Build Quality and Cost
Photography Lenses: Generally lighter, more portable, and less expensive. Made with a mix of plastic and metal.
Cinema Lenses: Heavier, more robust, and significantly more expensive. Often constructed with high-quality materials like magnesium. A single cinema lens can cost as much as $200,000.
Consistency in Sets
Cinema lenses are often sold in sets, with each lens in the set having consistent size, weight, and filter threads, facilitating ease of use on set.
Photography lenses, on the other hand, can vary widely in these aspects.
Functionality Differences
Contact Points and Focus Mechanism
Photography Lenses: Feature electronic contacts that communicate with the camera body for autofocus and aperture control. They use an electronic focus mechanism.
Cinema Lenses: Lack electronic contacts, relying on purely mechanical focus mechanisms. This provides a smoother, more linear focus pull, essential for cinematic focus transitions.
Lens Mounts
Photography Lenses: Have brand-specific mounts (e.g., Canon’s EF and RF mounts, Nikon’s Z mount).
Cinema Lenses: Typically use a standard PL mount, designed to be durable and support heavy lenses, minimizing the risk of damaging the camera body during use.
Cost and Portability
Photography Lenses: More affordable and portable, often fitting into a single bag with the camera and accessories.
Cinema Lenses: Require dedicated cases (like Pelican cases) for transport due to their size and fragility. They are usually rented rather than purchased outright, with rental costs reaching up to $5,000 per day for high-end lenses.
Bonus Content: Anamorphic Lenses
Anamorphic Lenses
These lenses compress the image horizontally, capturing a wider field of view. When the image is “de-squeezed” in post-production, it creates a dramatic, widescreen effect with unique characteristics like oval bokeh and horizontal lens flares.
Anamorphic lenses provide a distinctive cinematic look, often used for creating a more immersive and aesthetically pleasing visual experience.
Conclusion
In summary, the choice between photography and cinema lenses hinges on the specific requirements of your project. Photography lenses offer convenience and affordability, while cinema lenses provide superior build quality and precise control necessary for professional filmmaking. Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions based on your creative needs and budget constraints.
Signing Off,
Justin
This entry was initially an internal sharing session condensed and summarised by ChatGPT.