P+S Technik Technovision Classics

Based on a vintage design, these anamorphic 1.5x lenses are built for full-frame shooting.

American Cinematographer

Based on a vintage design, these anamorphic 1.5x lenses are built for full-frame shooting.

Showcased for the first time at the recent Cine Gear Expo Los Angeles, the Technovision Classic line of optics from P+S Technik is based on the historic Technovision anamorphics of the 1960s-’90s, with a modern redesign that has been optimized for full-frame coverage.

The original Technovision lenses were employed on many memorable feature films — including Apocalypse Now and The Last Emperor (featuring Oscar-winning cinematography by Vittorio Storaro, ASC, AIC), Suspiria (Luciano Tovoli, ASC, AIC) and Léon: The Professional (Thierry Arbogast, AFC).

The Technovision Classic series have 1.5 squeeze, ideally matched with 16:9 aspect ratio to maximize larger-format sensors, like those in the Sony Venice, Red Monstro, Canon C700 FF and Arri Alexa LF.

Available as 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm and 135mm primes, there are also two zooms, a 35-70mm (T3.2), available now, and 70-200mm (T3.5), available in autumn of 2018. The more telecentric Technovision Classic primes will start to street by the end of the year. The shorter focal lengths in the Technovision Classic family are slated for availability by spring of 2019.

P+S Technik says that the 70mm focal length on both zooms will completely cover the sensor of the Arri Alexa 65, extending usefulness all the way into the 65mm range.

Each zoom has 70-degree angular rotation of iris scale to 250-degree stop. The 35-70mm (T3.2) weighs 2,950 grams (6.5lbs) while the 70-200mm (T3.5) will clock in at 3,500 grams (7.72lbs).

With a matched front lens diameter of 114mm across the Technovision Classic line, the front-based anamorphics characteristics offer a unique bokeh, formed flares, pincushion distortion, shallow depth of field and wide angle of view. Standard as PL mount, there are also options for other standards by employing the P+S Technik IMS Interchangeable Mount System, including, amongst many others, Canon EF, Sony E and MFT. (Iris and specifications on the primes are yet to be announced.) Pricing runs from 19,000-24,500€.

With a similar feature set, the Evolution 2X series is another option from P+S Technik for anamorphic shooting. Built around Kowa Anamorphics, available until the 1970s, this line will cover full frame in the wider models, however the more telecentric lenses are designed for Super 35.

Four primes were originally available in the line: a 40mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm. After listening to user feedback, P+S Technik added a wide angle, the 3Xmm, and a 135mm, as additional primes to broaden the focal range. Each of the Evolution 2X is available at 14,900€.

The company also offers a rehousing service for large format, most recently seen in the Leica APO-Elmarit-R Macro 100mm conversion. With scales in meters or in feet, the company has installed their own internal cam-driven focus mechanism. The PL-mount lens has hard stops for iris and focal protection.

Several other lenses in the Leica R mount are also available for retooling, including Elmarit-R, Summilux-R and Summicron-R models. They rehouse many other lines, including Cooke Panchro, Schneider Optics Xenon, Kinoptik, Super Baltars and the full frame Canon K35 and Canon FD glass.