Panavision has unveiled the new Primo 65 lens series.

Delivering the look of Panavision’s 35mm-format Primo spherical optics, Primo 65 primes offer full coverage of 65mm-format camera sensors.

The Primo 65 series of spherical primes was built in response to cinematographers’ requests for Primo characteristics from lenses that cover 65mm-format sensors. The full set comprises 12 focal lengths: 21mm T2, 27mm T2, 30mm T2, 35mm T2, 45mm T2, 50mm T2, 65mm T2, 80mm T2, 100mm T2, 125mm T2, 170mm T2, 225mm T2.5. All focal lengths feature Panavision’s proprietary SP70 mount and share a common 4.44-inch (112.8mm) front diameter, with commonly spaced focus and iris rings to help streamline lens changes. The lenses’ red and yellow engravings pay homage to the original Primo series.

Panavision’s optical approach with the Primo 65s “favoured an artistic touch over a pure mathematical design.” The result is that the lenses deliver the “clean, high-contrast look the original Primos are known for, without being overly sharp or clinical.”

Select aberrations keep the image feeling “natural and organic”, with a “flattering softness well-suited to close-ups”, while improved breathing control makes them well-suited to visual effects workflows.

The lenses feature a round bokeh with a subtle cat’s-eye effect at the edges of frame, and the multiband flare presents as a cascade across the lens elements without being overly pronounced. Primo 65 lenses are compatible with multiple sensor diagonals, delivering high performance across 65mm, large format and super 35 digital cameras.

“The internal layout of the Primo 65s echoes the optomechanical design of the original Primos,” said Dan Sasaki, Panavision’s Senior Vice President of Optical Engineering and Lens Strategy. “In terms of their contrast, focus falloff and more, the Primo 65s are a true match to our 35mm-format Primos. They fully cover the 65mm digital format, and they also deliver excellent performance on super 35 and large-format sensors.”

Introduced in the late 1980s, the original Primo lenses were the first completely matched family of primes and zooms designed for cinematography. Empire of the Sun, directed by Steven Spielberg and photographed by Allen Daviau ASC, was the first feature film shot with Primos, and in the decades since, the lenses have been used on celebrated features such as Casino, Titanic, The Matrix and Black Panther and lauded series including Friends, The Sopranos, This Is Us and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Panavision Primos have also been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with a Technical Achievement Award and a Scientific and Engineering Award, and by the Television Academy with an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development.

Over the years, the Primo lineage has grown to include the sharper and higher contrast Primo 70 lenses as well as the softer and lower contrast Primo Artiste series, both of which were designed for use with VistaVision-size sensors. Panaspeed primes offer a close companion to Primos for large-format sensors, but Primo 65 represents the truest match to Primos with the largest coverage.

Complementing the Primo 65 primes, Panavision has also introduced the new 65ZW 20-36mm T4 wide zoom. Panavision’s complete range of optics providing 65mm-format coverage also includes the 65 Vintage, System 65, Sphero 65 and Super Panavision 70 lens series.

“The new Primo 65 series marks an exciting evolutionary step for the Primo family of lenses and for Panavision’s continuing optical innovation,” said Sherri Potter, Chief Revenue Officer for Panavision. “As camera manufacturers continue to unveil digital systems with 65-format sensors, Panavision remains ready to support filmmakers with an unprecedented range of high-performance lenses offering the optical attributes they’re looking for and the coverage they need.”