The Angénieux Type R2 18.5mm is a French vintage prime lens from 1951, originally developed for the photography and early film market.
1. Overview
The Angénieux Type R2 18.5mm is a vintage French prime lens from 1951, originally developed for the photography and early cinema market. Zero Optik has rehoused the optics into a modern PL-mount housing, making it rental-ready.
2. Characteristics
Flare characteristics according to CINEFLARES datasheet:
- Types: Spherical Spot, Veiling, Rainbow
- Colors: White, Blue
- Intensity: Strong
Linked Pattern Entries:
3. Creative Use
The 18.5mm offers a wide field of view in Super 35 format, making it suitable for tight locations, handheld work, or wide-angle establishing shots with character. As a vintage lens with simple coatings, it delivers reduced contrast, soft midtones, and tends to produce pronounced spherical spots and veiling flares in white and blue when faced with hard backlight. The barrel distortion effect is visible and needs to be considered in the edit or on-set planning—often a deliberate stylistic choice in narrative projects, but a potential issue in VFX-heavy shoots. The lens is primarily found in indie productions and among DoPs seeking a recognizable, unpolished look; it is mainly available through specialized vintage rental houses.
4. Specs Overview
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Angenieux / Zero Optik Rehousing |
| Type | Prime Super 35 |
| Year | 1951 |
| Country | France |
| Era | Vintage |
| Focal Length (Reference Datasheet) | 18.5mm |
| T-Stop Range | T2.4 – T22.0 |
| Squeeze | 1.0× |
| Weight | 0.54 kg / 1.2 lb |
| Close Focus | 0.2 m / 8" |
| Distortion | Barrel |
Related terms
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Angenieux Type R2 Type R2"?