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Zeiss Contax Coverage on Blackmagic URSA 17K 65 & Fuji Eterna
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The Zeiss Contax lenses, often referred to as “Full Frame Super Speeds”, share a similar look to the legendary Zeiss Super Speeds, offering slightly higher contrast yet a softer rendering on skin. Originally released in the 1970s for still photography, these lenses feature the renowned T* coatings and exceptional optical design.
Now, TLS has rehoused these lenses to meet the demands of the latest cinema camera technology, available in PL or LPL mounts.
Coverage Performance
- With an image circle starting at 55 mm+ from focal lengths 28 mm to 135 mm, these lenses can fully cover the Fuji Eterna – Open Gate sensor (43.8 × 32.9 mm, diagonal Ø 54.78 mm)
- With an image circle starting at 56 mm+ from focal lengths 35 mm to 135 mm, they also cover the Blackmagic URSA 17K 65 – Open Gate sensor (50.81 × 23.32 mm, diagonal Ø 55.9 mm)
Please use our new Lens Coverage Tool to experiment and check how our Contax lenses can fully cover the camera sensor when used in various shooting formats.
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Angle of View
Angle of view (AOV) is how much of a scene a lens captures, measured in degrees. Shorter focal lengths give a wider view, while longer focal lengths are while longer focal lengths result in a narrower angle of view. Larger sensors also provide a wider angle of view with the same lens.
| Focal Length / Camera | 15 mm | 18 mm | 21 mm | 25 mm | 28 mm | 35 mm | 45 mm | 50 mm | 60 mm | 85 mm | 100 mm | 135 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65 (Ø 55.9 mm) | 123.56 | 114.44 | 106.16 | 96.38 | 89.9 | 77.22 | 63.69 | 58.41 | 49.96 | 36.4 | 31.23 | 23.39 |
| Fuji Eterna / Open Gate (Ø 54.78 mm) | 122.59 | 113.38 | 105.05 | 95.22 | 88.74 | 76.09 | 62.65 | 57.43 | 49.07 | 35.72 | 30.64 | 22.94 |
| ALEXA LF (Ø 44.71 mm) | 112.28 | 102.32 | 93.58 | 83.6 | 77.2 | 65.13 | 52.83 | 48.18 | 40.87 | 29.47 | 25.2 | 18.81 |
| Alexa 35 (Ø 33.96 mm) | 97.09 | 86.66 | 77.92 | 68.37 | 62.47 | 51.76 | 41.35 | 37.52 | 31.6 | 22.594 | 19.27 | 14.34 |
TLS Rehousing - Zeiss Contax
TLS has transformed these vintage stills lenses into full cine lenses with the following upgrades:
- Replacement circular iris for perfect bokeh at all stops (optional “ninja star” iris for AE variants).
- Original Zeiss optics retained, preserving their vintage image character.
- Non-linear cam focus system for an extended and precise focus throw.
- Precision mechanical rebuild for smooth, reliable operation.
- Consistent 95mm front diameters and gear positions across the set.
- Enhanced compatibility with gimbals, drones, matte boxes, and follow-focus systems.
Benefits at a Glance
- Covers Full Frame+ sensors for greater flexibility.
- High resale and rental value.
- Excellent reliability with fewer mechanical failures on set.
- Superior focus throw with consistent, accurate scaling — ideal for 1st ACs.
- Peace of mind with a new 3-year TLS warranty*.
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ROI Simulation
| Year | Rental Price per Day (£) |
Rental Income | Cost | Profit | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Volume (50 days) |
Moderate Volume (100 days) |
High Volume (150 days) |
Purchase Price | Service | Low Volume | Moderate Volume | High Volume | ||
| 1 | 500 | 25,000 | 50,000 | 75,000 | 66,360 | 0 | -41,360 | -16,360 | 8,640 |
| 2 | 500 | 50,000 | 100,000 | 150,000 | 66,360 | 0 | -16,360 | 33,640 | 83,640 |
| 3 | 500 | 75,000 | 150,000 | 225,000 | 66,360 | 0 | 8,640 | 83,640 | 158,640 |
| 4 | 500 | 100,000 | 200,000 | 300,000 | 66,360 | 0 | 33,640 | 133,640 | 233,640 |
| 5 | 500 | 125,000 | 250,000 | 375,000 | 66,360 | 0 | 58,640 | 183,640 | 308,640 |
Rental Income Over Time with Purchase Price
Note: This value is intended for simulation purposes and may differ from actual calculated results.
The Zeiss Contax lenses, expertly rehoused by TLS, offer a unique blend of vintage character and modern cinema functionality, making them an excellent investment for filmmakers seeking Full Frame+ coverage with reliable performance. Whether you’re gearing up for low, moderate, or high volume rentals, the ROI simulations demonstrate how these lenses can quickly become a profitable asset on your kit list.
To learn more about the process, availability, or pricing, don’t hesitate to reach out to our sales team. Contact us today at sales@truelens.co.uk or call +44 1455 848411 to discuss how these lenses can elevate your capabilities.