Starting from the ZF.2 model of Zeiss OTUS, Duclos Lenses is working on implementing new features to make lenses suitable for cinematography.
We’ve observed a trend in recent years of companies cine-modding historical lenses, but the same thing can be accomplished with new manual focus lenses. Simple cine-modding can surely make a stills lens more suitable for video production.

As Duclos explains on its website, “the Cine-Mod OTUS adds several features to the Zeiss OTUS primes without sacrificing the quality of the optics or adding excessive weight”.

The company follows explaining the new key-features of such process, the first being the enhanced focus scale, made easily usable thanks to integrated gear: “The scale is installed semi-permanently, using a clever friction ring for a firm, reliable grip, and clocked to the “operator” position. A single, clean witness mark is added to the body of the OTUS lens which provides a confident, accurate focus distance reading.”

Thanks to the Cine-Mod, the German company’s lens will also feature a new aesthetically uniformed front ring, “directly threaded into the filter threads of the OTUS Primes”, to “provide a common 95mm outside diameter for clamp-on accessories as well as an 86mm filter thread”. The ring will be made “from aluminum alloy and anodized black for a durable finish”.

In addition to the built-in focus gear, the ZF.2 model will receive a seamless 32-pitch iris gear as well. As Duclos explains, “the lack of seams provides a consistent, non-binding interface for mounting motors or other accessories to drive the iris. Machined from solid black Delrin and positioned with care during installation, the Iris Gear is a feature that proves itself useful time and time again.”

The fourth feature that the American company will implement on the Zeiss lens consist of removing the aperture clicking system, since “a true cinema lens features a step-less aperture that allows fine adjustment without “clicking” between f-stops”. Hence, Duclos Lenses modified “the aperture movement by removing the “click” mechanism and damping the movement to create a consistent, smooth rotation”, using “a high-quality lubricant to ensure a professional feel and operation of the lens.”

Finally, “the factory mount is converted from Nikon F to Canon EF via a stainless steel flange. This provides a fixed, reliable mounting point for a wide variety of camera bodies. In addition to the added versatility, the EF Mount Conversion also provides our technicians an opportunity to accurately tune the flange depth for precise infinity focus.”

Pricing and availability for the Zeiss ZF.2 Otus Cine-Mod haven’t been disclosed yet.