Standard lens mount for professional cinema cameras with a 52mm throat diameter — developed by Arri for 16mm cameras.
Technical Details
The PL Mount features a precise flange focal distance tolerance of ±0.005mm and uses a 12-pin connector for electronic communication between lens and camera. The thread follows the ISO 2758 standard with metric specifications. Modern PL Mount variants support Lens Data System (LDS) for transmitting focus, zoom, and aperture values to digital workflows. The system distinguishes between Standard PL for Super 35mm sensors and Large Format PL (LPL) with a 62mm diameter and 44mm flange focal distance for full-frame sensors.
History & Development
Arriflex developed the PL Mount in 1982 as a successor to the proprietary Arri Standard Mount, first introducing it with the Arriflex 35-III. ARRI deliberately licensed the system to other manufacturers, which led to its development into a universal standard. In 1990, the introduction of electronic data exchange significantly expanded its functionality. In 2017, ARRI introduced the Large Format PL (LPL) for the ALEXA LF to optimally utilize larger sensors.
Practical Use in Film
Productions such as "Blade Runner 2049" (Roger Deakins) and "1917" (George Richmond) utilized PL Mount lenses from Zeiss, Cooke, and ARRI for their characteristic visual language. The system allows for quick lens changes during shooting breaks and ensures exact repeatability in multiple-camera setups. Vintage lenses like Cooke Speed Panchros or modern Zeiss Master Primes on the PL Mount define the look of contemporary cinema productions. The mechanical robustness proves itself in extreme shooting conditions and Steadicam applications.
Comparison & Alternatives
While Canon EF Mount (44mm flange focal distance) and Sony E-Mount (18mm) primarily originate from photography, the PL Mount was specifically designed for cinema productions. The larger flange focal distance of 52mm limits wide-angle performance on digital sensors compared to native mounts like RF or Z-Mount. Adapters from PL to other systems are possible, while conversely, the large flange focal distance creates limitations. LPL Mount covers large-format productions but remains incompatible with Standard PL.