Compact ZEISS prime lenses starting at T1.9 — lightweight build with neutral color rendition for versatile use.
Technical Details
Focal Lengths
| 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 40 | 50 | 65 | 85 | 100 | 135 | 150 | 180 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 | T1.9 |
| 0.18m | 0.22m | 0.25m | 0.28m | 0.30m | 0.35m | 0.40m | 0.44m | 0.48m | 0.56m | 0.68m | 0.78m | 0.90m | 1.00m | 1.15m | 1.25m | 1.40m |
| 0.72kg | 0.75kg | 0.78kg | 0.81kg | 0.84kg | 0.88kg | 0.92kg | 0.95kg | 1.02kg | 1.12kg | 1.28kg | 1.42kg | 1.62kg | 1.78kg | 2.02kg | 2.15kg | 2.38kg |
| 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 |
| 118° | 110° | 101° | 93° | 85° | 72° | 61° | 52° | 45° | 37° | 29° | 23° | 18° | 15° | 12° | 10° | 8° |
| ◀━━━━━━▶ | ◀━━━━━━▶ | ◀━━━━━▶ | ◀━━━━━▶ | ◀━━━━▶ | ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━━▶ | ◀━▶ | ◀━▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ | ◀▶ |
PL · 95mm Front · 300° Focus · LDS
History & Development
ZEISS introduced the Ultra Prime series in 1999 as the successor to the Standard Speed lenses. Development was carried out in cooperation with Cooke Optics, resulting in the Ultra Primes sharing optical characteristics with the Cooke S4/i. In 2003, ZEISS expanded the series with additional focal lengths. Production ended in 2018 in favor of the Supreme Prime series, though Ultra Primes continue to be regarded as a benchmark for high-contrast, neutral image rendition.
Practical Use in Film
Roger Deakins used Ultra Primes for "No Country for Old Men" (2007) to emphasize the film's harsh, unvarnished atmosphere. The series was employed on "The Social Network" (2010, DoP Jeff Cronenweth), where its high sharpness and contrast enhanced the digital aesthetic. Ultra Primes are particularly well-suited for documentary approaches and productions requiring natural color rendition without prominent optical characteristics. The consistent T1.9 aperture allows for consistent exposure when changing focal lengths.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to Cooke S4/i, Ultra Primes offer higher contrast and less tendency for flare, while the Cookes deliver warmer skin tones. ARRI/ZEISS Master Primes achieve higher optical precision but are significantly heavier and more expensive. As a modern alternative, ZEISS positions the Supreme Prime series with improved corner sharpness and LDS-2 technology. For budget-conscious productions, the Compact Prime CP.3 series offers a more streamlined alternative, but only achieves T2.1 and offers fewer focal lengths.