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Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact Zooms

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Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact Zooms strip 1

Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact Zooms strip 2

Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact 21–56mm T2.9
Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact 37–102mm T2.9

Matching Items

Angénieux Optimo Ultra 12x

Full Frame LF/VV | Spherical

Angénieux Optimo Primes

Full Frame LF/VV | Spherical

Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact Zooms

Zoom - Spherical - Full Frame

21-56mm
37-102mm

product details

The Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact Zooms redefine cinema zooms for modern large-format workflows. These lenses were developed from the ground up rather than as simple upscales, with newer optical and mechanical design technology to meet the demands of full-frame/VistaVision workflows. Two zoom ranges – 21-56mm T2.9 (Wide) and 37-102mm T2.9 (Standard) in full frame mode and 16-42mm T2.2 and 28-76mm T2.2 in Ultra 35/Super 35 mode – deliver flexible coverage, iconic Angénieux image quality, and rugged yet compact ergonomics. Both operate with an effective zoom ratio of 2.7X. Available for rental or sub-rental at Cine Visuals.

Focal Length
T-Stop
Type
Format
Front Diameter
Lens Mount
Metadata
Iris Blades
Image Circle

Era / Generation
Contrast & Tonal Character
Sharpness & Resolution
Focus Fall‑Off / Transition
Iris & Bokeh Quality
Flare & Highlight Behavior
Handling & Ergonomics
Build & Modifications
Cinematic Heritage & Credits

*Refer to Technical Specifications table. Not the same for all focal lengths.

Matching Items

Angénieux Optimo Ultra 12x

Full Frame LF/VV | Spherical

Angénieux Optimo Primes

Full Frame LF/VV | Spherical

SHOTS TAKEN FROM

Technical Specs Table

T-Stop

Type

Format

Front Diameter

Lens Mount

Metadata

Close Focus (ft)

Close Focus (m)

Weight (lbs)

Weight (kg)

Length (in)

Length (mm)

Iris Blades

Image Circle

Front Filter

Rear Filter

Horizontal Angle of View (Full Frame)

Horizontal Angle of View (S35)

Focus Rotation

T2.9

Spherical

Full Frame LF/VV

114 mm

0.60 m

5.70 lbs

2.60 kg

9.30"

236.20 mm

–

46.3 mm

–

310°

T2.9

Spherical

Full Frame LF/VV

114 mm

2'1"

0.63 m

5.70 lbs

2.60 kg

9.30"

236.20 mm

–

46.3 mm

–

310°

Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact Zooms

Image Fidelity & Focus

These lenses exhibit beautifully balanced, moderate contrast and clean resolution, often described as the classic Angénieux look. They show excellent image fidelity, with uniform sharpness and color across focal lengths and focus distances, minimal distortion, and a cinematic aesthetic suitable for narrative storytelling. Thanks to internal zoom/addressing, there's virtually no ramping or breathing, making focus and zoom transitions incredibly smooth. Falloff tends towards a classic spherical look with even coverage.

Handling & Adaptability

Angénieux Optimo Ultra Compact Zooms are remarkably compact and lightweight by cinema zoom standards. Both weigh around 2.6 kg and measure roughly 235mm in length, making them perfect for Steadicam or gimbal work. They feature a standardized 114mm front diameter for efficient matte box, filter, and follow-focus integrations. Precision mechanics include a generous 310° focus rotation, rugged zoom/focus rods, and user-swappable focus scales. Cooke /i metadata is supported.

Flare & Bokeh

Flaring and chromatic aberration are well-controlled through modern optical coatings and design. Bokeh benefits from the T2.9 aperture, delivering a nice separation of subject with pleasant background compression.

Image Circle

IRO (Interchangeable Rear Optics) technology facilitates quick swaps between full-frame/VistaVision coverage (46.3mm image circle) and Ultra 35/Super 35 formats (34.6mm image circle). This modular flexibility across platforms makes multiple sets of lenses unnecessary.

Cinematic Heritage

Introduced in 2021, these lenses are the successors to Angénieux’s award-winning Optimo lightweight zooms (15-40mm and 28-76mm), which were popular from the mid-2000s.