Spekulor Studios' First Look: ZEISS Nano Primes Review
At Spekulor Studios, we're excited to share our first look at the newly introduced ZEISS Nano Primes, an entirely new family of super-fast cinema prime lenses specifically designed for mirrorless mounts.
Nano Prime 6-Lens Set (Sony E, Feet)
Price: $25,950.00 (€23,482.60)
All prices excluding sales tax/VAT
Background and Evolution
Quite a while ago, when DSLR filmmaking took over, ZEISS introduced the CP.2 series, the first line of cinema lenses targeted at DSLR filmmakers. Our CP.2 set has served us well for many years, adapting to all kinds of cameras, from Canon to Sony. The ability to adapt these lenses to various mounts yourself means almost endless versatility. They also cover full-frame camera sensors from the get-go, unlike most higher-end cinema primes.
The CP.2’s and CP.3’s Evolution
The CP.2s and their successors, the CP.3’s, are impressive lenses. However, many of the ten different Compact Prime focal lengths are based on older lens designs made for photography, leading to some inconsistency in their look. Adapting these lenses to older, long flange-distance mounts like PL and EF, as well as modern mirrorless mounts like E-mount, requires adding a long tube, resulting in light loss.
ZEISS Nano Primes: A New Era
ZEISS tackled these problems by developing the Nano Primes. The new line features six focal lengths launched simultaneously: 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm, all with a fast maximum aperture of T1.5. This consistency is extremely useful for isolating subjects even with wide-angle lenses.
Look and Feel
The ZEISS Nano Primes deliver a crisp focus with a creamy bokeh, offering optical perfection that allows for tweaking in post-production. They replicate the creamy, warmer bokeh of the high-end Supreme Primes, providing a very cinematic and soft look.
Technical Performance
The Nano Primes excel in technical performance, delivering sharp images even at T1.5. Focus breathing is well-controlled, with minimal chromatic aberration. The consistent look across all six lenses is evident in bokeh, out-of-focus highlights, sharpness, and chromatic aberration behavior.
Build Quality and Mounts
The build quality is exceptional, with smooth focus and aperture barrel movements. The Nano Primes are currently available with E-mount and are user-interchangeable, with other mirrorless mounts expected in the near future. The electronic connection via Pogo pins ensures ease of mount changes without fiddling with cables.
Conclusion
For those in the market for a set of consistently looking, tack-sharp, modern cinema primes with pleasing bokeh, the ZEISS Nano Primes are an excellent choice. They are optimized for cameras like Sony BURANO, VENICE, VENICE 2, FX9, FX6, and FX3. The Nano Primes will start shipping in May, with a set of six lenses priced at $26,000 or €23,000.
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