Large Format Zooms for URSA Cine 12K or Pyxis 6K

This thread is for recommendations for zoom lenses compatible with ‘full frame’ or large format cameras introduced by BMD in 2024.

I’m personally shooting mostly events (theatrical performances and music videos and occasional weddings) that would benefit from using a zoom lens as it isn’t always practical to switch lenses while covering a live event. This has been managed up to now with my B4 zoom or Super35 cine zooms, but I’m now researching how to bring this flexibility to the large format 36x24mm cameras. Ideally the zoom should support PL mount, have a constant aperture, and be parfocal.

A candidate with focal lengths I would use could be the Canon CN-E 45-135mm T2.4:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1700955-REG

However the price tag gives me pause at about $22K. The Fujinon zooms would be even more flexible but they’re about $32K. There are a few new budget cine zooms tackling large format. Can anyone endorse these affordable zooms?

DZOFilm Catta and DZOFilm Catta Ace

Catta native L Mount: http://dzofilm.com/products/catta-zoom
Catta Ace native PL & LPL Mount: http://dzofilm.com/en/products/cattaace


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Thanks, Tim. The price is much better at well under $10K for all three zoom lenses including the carrying case. It would make sense for me to start with the 35-80mm in the theatre but the 70-135mm is appealing for doing music video closeup angles. The 18-35mm would see little use for events but would be needed for narrative work.

I agree the Catta Ace PL are a good choice given I can’t have the ideal focal range in a single zoom (Fujinon Duvo HZK 14-100mm) $32K:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1822992-REG

I suppose there is another option with the URSA Cine 12K and that would be to only use primes shooting 12K but use Super35 zooms shooting 9K. That opens up several possibilities for zooms. Something to consider. So let’s allow recommendations for zooms for 9K such as the Tokina 25-75mm $4,250 at Duclos Lenses or my favourite for Super35, the Fujinon XK Cabrio 20-120mm which in the past has been as low as $10K without a servo.

If photographic vintage zooms are an option, they can be had for peanuts. Strictly manual, of course, but with pretty smooth mechanics if treated well.
I like the Canon FD 35-105mm f3.5 and the Hoya 35-105mm f3.5. The latter can be found under other brand names too and is built like a tank. Relatively long focus throw and macro too. Both are parfocal if in good condition with a good adapter and they have constant aperture. Both criteria are needed for film, IMHO.
If constant aperture and two-touch is not a must, the Contax/Yashica 28-85mm f3.3-4 is prime quality, but not optimal for film (and not so cheap).
When I want to run around with something really small, there's the Minolta 35-70mm f3.5, which was also sold by Leica under their brand. Prime quality too, but probably too short for your purposes.

Thanks for the suggestion re the 35-105mm options. If I purchased the Ciné 12K with PL mount, I think that the FD version is not going to be feasible. But maybe there’s a way.

Stumbled across the DZOfilm Tango 18-90mm Super35 option that I should research, for under $8,700.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1784930-REG

This comes in PL mount but includes an EF mount for those who use that.

No, you can't adapt a shorter focal length to PL, it only works for very short ones with FD.
But that Tango seems interesting.

Would be amazing if it emulated the Fujinon Cabrio 19-90mm! I imagine that’s what Tango was hoping for.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are the set of Zeiss Supreme Radiance Zoom zooms. Here’s the one that would suit me: 25-80mm T2.9 but the price is $44,000 per lens:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1861531-REG

Stumbled across the DZOfilm Tango 18-90mm Super35 option that I should research, for under $8,700.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1784930-REG

This comes in PL mount but includes an EF mount for those who use that.

Black Friday sale is under $7,300 for the Tango 18-90mm; regular price under $8,600.

The image circle on the Tango zooms are 31.5mm. This seems nearly perfect for the BMD Cine 12K LF sensor.

Shooting 9K 6:5 for 1.33x anamorphics, image circle is 29.0mm.

shooting 9K 17.9, the image circle is 30.52mm.

shooting 9K 16:9, the image circle is 28.92mm.

9K 3:2 won’t work, but if you crop in post to 2.39:1, then the image circle is 29.58mm which is good if you don’t mind the wasted pixels.

You would think DZOfilm built their Tango with an LF sensor in mind since their image circle is a very generous interpretation of Super35. The more I think about it, the Tango suits me as the best value covering the ranges I usually use in a single zoom which is critical for live events.

(I hope these calculations are correct but please don’t sue me if they’re not!)

Pyxis shooting is a little different in terms of options, but all Super35 and 4K options are good to Tango.

Tango is very appealing for S35. I may rent the lens for some upcoming projects depending on budget. But I do have the Pictor Zooms and love them. But the 65-280 would be great coverage for some shoots.



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Well that Tango 65-280mm would give you an extreme closeup at 280mm and a medium shot at 65mm depending on the distance to your subject. I need very wide to medium telephoto for capturing the whole stage and individual performers.

Well that Tango 65-280mm would give you an extreme closeup at 280mm and a medium shot at 65mm depending on the distance to your subject. I need very wide to medium telephoto for capturing the whole stage and individual performers.

In particular the 65-280 would be for shooting some Major League Show Jumping. Horses jumping competition. So I need that zoom range for that. We’ll see if I do it this coming year. I haven’t done it since 2022, so my hope would be that if I do it again I’d be able to rent this lens for it.


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Yes, at those distances that lens will give you good framing.