Cine e mount lenses offer several distinct advantages over regular lenses, making them particularly well-suited for filmmaking and video production. Here are the key benefits:
1. Build Quality and Durability
cine e mount lenses are built to withstand the rigors of professional filmmaking. They feature robust construction, often with metal housings, and are designed for precision and durability. This makes them more reliable in demanding shooting conditions. Regular lenses, in contrast, are often lighter and may not be as durable.
2. Manual Focus and Aperture Control
cine e mount lenses typically have manual focus and aperture rings with smooth, precise movement. The focus ring on a cine lens can rotate more than 270 degrees, allowing for fine adjustments between the closest focusing distance and infinity. This design minimizes focus breathing, a phenomenon where the field of view changes slightly when adjusting focus. Regular lenses often have shorter focus throws and may exhibit more focus breathing.
3. T-Stop vs. F-Stop
cine e mount lenses use T-stops (transmission stops) to measure aperture, which accounts for light transmission losses within the lens, providing a more accurate representation of the actual light reaching the sensor. Regular lenses use F-stops, which are theoretical measurements and may not accurately represent the light transmission.
4. Consistent Size and Standardized Gear Pitch
cine e mount lenses are often designed with a consistent front diameter and standardized gear pitch on the focus, iris, and zoom rings. This consistency makes it easier to swap lenses and attach accessories like follow focus systems. Regular lenses vary in size and often lack this standardized design.
5. Parfocal Design
Cine zoom lenses are typically parfocal, meaning they maintain focus on a subject while zooming in or out. This is crucial for smooth zoom transitions in video production. Regular zoom lenses may lose focus when zooming, requiring manual focus adjustments.
6. Optical Quality
cine e mount lenses are designed to deliver consistent optical quality across the entire frame, including the corners. They minimize chromatic aberrations, barrel distortion, and vignetting, which can be particularly noticeable in video footage. Regular lenses may not offer the same level of optical consistency.
7. Stepless Aperture Ring
The aperture (iris) ring on cine e mount lenses is stepless and clickless, allowing for seamless adjustments during a shot without introducing sudden changes in exposure or noise. Regular lenses often have click-stops in the aperture ring, which can cause abrupt changes in exposure and produce audible clicking noises.
8. Lens Coatings
cine e mount lenses are often coated with advanced multi-coatings that minimize ghosting and flare, resulting in sharper, more contrasty images. These coatings are also designed to be durable and easy to clean. Regular lenses may not have the same level of advanced coatings.
Conclusion
While regular lenses can be used for filmmaking, cine e mount lenses offer superior build quality, precise manual controls, accurate light transmission measurements, and consistent optical performance. These features make cine e mount lenses essential for professional filmmakers who require the highest quality optics and control over their shots.