Italian manufacturer LockCircle recently launched an exciting lens modification project based on the famous Zeiss CP.2 cinema lenses: the UNK-FF. The idea behind the UNK-FF project is to uncoat the lenses to enhance lens flare and ghosting, creating a more “vintage look.” So let’s take a closer look at it! The Zeiss CP.2 lenses were released at the end of October 2012. In the Canon 5D Mark II era, these lenses were some of the first affordable cinema lenses with proper focus and aperture gear rings, 0.8 mod gears, user-interchangeable lens mounts, rounded 14-bladed iris, and an industry-standard 114mm front diameter. The Zeiss CP.2 covers full-frame image sensors and is still widely used worldwide. The CP.2 lineup was replaced by the Zeiss CP.3 in 2017, but the optics of both lens sets are identical. Having owned Zeiss CP.2 lenses, I agree with many filmmakers and DPs that they are perfect if you’re after a clean, sharp, and slightly cool/cold look, although I ended up selling mine because they lacked a bit of character and texture for my taste. But don’t get me wrong, sometimes, especially in the advertising/corporate world, this is the perfect lens set to get the job done. Modifying lenses to remove or alter their original coating seems to be a new trend. Indeed, after the Canon V35 project based on Canon CN-E lenses, LockCircle launched the UNK-FF project that alters Zeiss CP.2 lenses. Image credit: LockCircle LockCircle UNK-FF Project Italian manufacturer LockCircle is well-known for its camera...
Published By: CineD - Wednesday, 12 April, 2023