Discovering Angénieux: A Pioneer in Cinema Lenses

When it comes to cinematic storytelling, few names resonate with the same prestige as Angénieux. Renowned for its exceptional cinema lenses, Angénieux has been a pillar of the French and European optical industry,with a worldwide footprint offering cinematographers tools that bring their visions to life. But what makes Angénieux so special, and how did it earn its place in the pantheon of cinema? Let’s explore.

A legacy rooted in innovation

Founded by Pierre Angénieux in 1935, the brand quickly rose to prominence by combining cutting-edge optical and mechanical expertise with unparalleled craftsmanship. Early in its career, Pierre Angénieux collaborated with cinematographers such as Abel Gance, who were looking for innovative tools to revolutionize cinema. Their partnership led to groundbreaking developments, including the 1937 patent for the Pictograph, a technology that allows for razor-sharp focus at different depths of field.

Angénieux's commitment to innovation became a cornerstone of its reputation, earning the trust of cinematographers around the world.

The art of optics: creating excellence

Angénieux lenses are more than tools; they are masterpieces of optical engineering and mechanical precision. Each lens undergoes meticulous design, testing and manufacturing processes, ensuring unrivaled quality. This combination of high technology and craftsmanship results in what cinematographers often call "The Angénieux Look": a unique visual signature that combines sharpness and a cinematic, organic feel.

The key pillars of Angénieux production include:

• Optical expertise: advanced designs that achieve unparalleled optical quality.
• Mechanical precision: state-of-the-art mechanics that ensure precision, reability and durability.
• High-end craftsmanship: a perfect fusion of modern technology and traditional know-how.

 

The Angénieux Lens Collection

Angénieux offers a wide range of lenses designed to meet the needs of modern cinematographers:

• Optimo Prime Series (IOP*) – Designed for high-end full-frame productions, delivering impeccable image quality.
• Optimo Ultra 12x (IRO Technology*) – The gold standard for long-range zooms.
• Optimo Ultra Compact zooms (IRO Technology*) - Standard and Wide Angle. Lightweight and compact, these lenses are among the lightest on the market.
• Type EZ Series (IRO Technology*) – Versatile lenses that combine cinematic quality with adaptability for ENG-style productions.
• Legacy Series – Classic lenses that set the benchmark for the Super 35 format.

*IRO- Interchangeable Rear Optics – Technology 

*IOP- Integrated Optical palette without line jump in between

Each collection exemplifies French savoir-faire, offering cinematographers tools to capture stories with unparalleled precision and mastery. Discover all of them on her CineLenses Profile

The IRO TECHNOLOGY By Angénieux: An Innovative Lens design for different lens configuration

The IRO technology is a revolutionary modular lens design that enables different lens configurations. First introduced on the Optimo 44-440 A2S, this unique and very customer oriented system met a great success among the cinema community for its flexibility and cost-efficiency. It is proposed on the new Optimo Ultra Compact zooms, the Optimo Ultra 12X lens and also available on the Type EZ Series.

By having an Interchangeable Rear Optics system (IRO) on its newest lenses, Angénieux offers to its clients a great way to adapt their lenses for a large majority of image formats, and at the same time minimize the investment, resulting with a faster return on investment. Building optics with the IRO systems has been a real challenge. The main target is to have a simple system allowing the user to swap the rear optics with only minor re-alignments on the lens.  The interface between the zoom and the rear section is very critical on zoom lenses. Specific tolerances have been applied on the rear optics mechanical interface to achieve good image performances after swapping the rear group. Optical groups are factory aligned with a dedicated lens front and zoom sections in order to minimize spherical aberration and unevenness of the image.  The lenses having IRO technology also need to have an easy access to the zoom, focus and iris rings allowing a quick swap of these rings without optical calibration. 

 

The IOP TECHNOLOGY By Angénieux: A Customization of The Optimo Prime Lenses with countless possibilities

The Angénieux Optimo Prime Series includes unique creative possibilities for cinematographers, based on a new technology by Angénieux called Integrated Optical Palette (IOP). The IOP technology, just like the IRO technology for the zooms, is the result of well-known Angénieux’s innovation capabilities.

To push Operators creativity, the perfectly well balanced Angenieux Optimo Primes can be detuned and customized on demand with countless possibilities. Eventually, one set of Optimo Prime Lenses can offer much more than a single look.

This customization process has been thought prior optical and mechanical architecture design. A dedicated toolbox enables dismantling of the 12 Prime lenses with just one set of common tools. A piece of cake process for our fellows lens technicians.

The palettes offer three customizable elements:

• Interchangeable irises allow shaping the bokeh in order to stand out. The iris remains functional mechanically and offer control over the lens speed.
• Internal glass elements allow detuning of the lens using specific diffusion or effect filters. It provides consistency throughout the entire focal length range.
• Screw-on Rear filters provide quick and easy lens customization. Replacing the rear element is hassle free and does not requires re-shimming of the lens.

Consistency throughout the focal range

For a given filter, the effect is exactly the same no matter the focal length being used. It provides consistency and steadiness, everything needed for sequence matching and postproduction.

Keep control while shooting

Thanks to its internal position, the filter being used affects the light beam trapped within the lens, resulting in spreading the effect across the entire frame evenly. No more flares bouncing around, get full control over your shots even in direct light.

A Vision for the Future of Cinema

Angénieux continues to lead the way in optical innovation, staying true to its mission of providing cinematographers with the best tools possible. From its historic collaborations to its modern lens collections, Angénieux remains a symbol of excellence and creativity in film.

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