LEITZ CINEMA LENSES
Leitz is Leica’s cinema lens division, bringing the company’s optical design into purpose-built motion picture systems. Cine Visuals carries a broad Leitz lineup, including native cinema lenses, Leica M-derived systems, and Leica R rehousings, along with the Leica Cine 180mm T2.0 exclusive to Cine Visuals.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalA complete mechanical rehouse of Leica M still photography glass, built with entirely new cinema housings rather than a simple cine modification. The system introduces LPL mount compatibility and extended focus rotation while preserving the rendering characteristics of the original Leica M optics.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalRehoused Leica M still photography glass in cinema-ready housings, available in EF, L, RF, and Z mounts rather than LPL, making them practical companions for mirrorless and lighter camera systems. Where the Hugo Primes target high-end large-format workflows, the Hektors address a broader range of camera configurations.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalDesigned from the ground up for full-frame cinema rather than adapted from existing still photography glass, the Leitz Primes carry Leica optical characteristics in housings and specifications built specifically for modern motion picture workflows. They represent Leitz’s core cinema prime offering for large-format production.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalBuilt to match the Leitz Primes optically, the Leitz Zooms function as a companion set providing focal flexibility within the same color and rendering identity. Productions working with the Leitz Prime set can integrate the zooms without introducing visual inconsistency.
- Medium Format (65) | SphericalLarge-format primes developed for medium format and 65mm cinema, drawing from the optical legacy of the Leica Thambar lenses of the 1930s. Their rendering carries the warm, romantic character associated with the golden age of Hollywood optics into contemporary large-format workflows.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalA compact, lightweight full-frame option within the Leitz lineup, positioned as the financially accessible entry point to Leica cinema rendering. Optically, their character sits between the Summicron-C and the Leica M series.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalClassic Leica R optics in cinema housings, retaining the smooth tonal roll-off and refined rendering the R series is associated with. Particularly effective for skin tones and portraiture-oriented cinematography where a clean but characterful image is the target.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalTrue Lens Services’ rehousing of Leica R still photography glass, maintaining the sharp, warm rendering associated with the R series while adding two macro focal lengths, 50mm and 100mm. These lenses extend the range of the standard Leica R rehousing sets with additional close-focus capability.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalA rehoused Leica R stills zoom by Duclos Lenses, carrying the warm, sharp rendering of the R series into a zoom configuration with full cinema mechanics. The Duclos rehousing brings the lens into practical production use as a companion to the R prime sets.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalLeica’s own cine-modified version of the Leica M series, retaining the original small form factor and Leica’s proprietary mount alongside the rendering the M glass is associated with. The modification brings cinema-standard mechanics while keeping the compact profile of the stills lens intact.
- Full Frame LF/VV | SphericalOne of the fastest optical designs in the lineup at f/0.95, rehoused by True Lens Services for full-frame cinema use. Large, creamy bokeh, expressive flares, and sharp imagery characterize the Noctilux’s rendering, and the TLS housing adds the focus throw and mechanics needed for motion picture operation.
- Medium Format (65) | SphericalA telephoto lens crafted specifically for Cine Visuals and available exclusively here for rental, with coverage that extends to 65mm and medium format including the ARRI Alexa 65. It matches the color and rendering characteristics of the Leitz cinema lens family, functioning as a direct addition to any Leitz set.
- Super 35 | SphericalThe Leica Summicron optical design translated into cinema housings, delivering the Summicron’s skin tone rendition and sharpness in a compact and accessible form factor. In rendering, they sit close to the Summilux-C series while offering a slower aperture at a more accessible price point.
- Super 35 | SphericalClassic Leica Summilux glass in high-end cinema housings for Super 35, producing a creamy sharpness with smooth, organic imagery. Among the Leitz cinema prime sets, the Summilux-C represents the established high-speed Super 35 benchmark within the lineup.
What are Leitz Cinema Lenses Known For?
Leica originated in Wetzlar, Germany in 1869, initially focused on scientific instruments before becoming a leading force in photographic optics. By the early 20th century, the company had established itself as a major innovator, including the development of the 35mm rangefinder system. Leica lenses were frequently adapted for early cinema use, but the company did not formally enter the motion picture industry until 2011, when it created a dedicated cinema division focused on translating its optical design into film production. That division, named Leitz, has since developed a structured lineup covering multiple formats and use cases, from high-speed Super 35 primes to large-format systems and remastered versions of Leica still photography lenses.