Cine-modified fixed focal length series by Leitz Cine Wetzlar, based on Leica M still lenses, fitted with 0.8 Mod cinema standard gears for follow focus.
The Leitz M 0.8 is a series of prime lenses from manufacturer Leitz Cine Wetzlar, based on Leica M-mount still photography lenses. Instead of a complete rehousing, the compact M lenses receive stepless focus and aperture gears in the cinema standard 0.8 Mod (module). This is where the "0.8" suffix comes from: it denotes the pitch of the gear rings, which are compatible with follow focus units and other cine accessories.
The goal of the series is to make the characteristic optical look of Leica M lenses usable for film and series production without sacrificing their compact size. The lenses retain the Leica M-mount; via adapters and manufacturer-specific mounts, they can be adapted to common cinema cameras.
The series includes several focal lengths, which are optically derived from their corresponding Leica M still photography lenses. The individual lenses are tuned to uniform specifications to facilitate changes on set.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Leitz Cine Wetzlar |
| Lens Mount | Leica M |
| Image Circle / Format | Full Frame (36 × 24 mm) |
| Gear Module (Focus & Aperture) | 0.8 Mod, stepless |
| Filter Thread | 77 mm |
| Front Diameter | 80 mm |
Available focal lengths include, among others, 21 mm, 24 mm, 28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, and 90 mm. The short to medium focal lengths are consistently very fast (typically starting aperture f/1.4); for the 50 mm, there is also an extremely fast Noctilux variant.
Thanks to the uniform filter thread (77 mm), uniform front diameter (80 mm), and standardized 0.8 Mod gear rings, the lenses in the series can be swapped out for each other without modification – matte boxes, follow focus units, and filters fit across the entire series. This makes changing focal lengths on set quick and consistent.
Compared to fully rehoused cine primes, the M 0.8 remain significantly more compact and lighter, making them attractive for gimbal, handheld, and tight shooting situations. The compromise lies in the shorter focus throw and the non-standardized front assembly of the original still photography construction. Via adapter mounts, the lenses are operated on full-frame cinema cameras (including Sony VENICE/BURANO, ARRI Alexa series, as well as various third-party mounts for RED, Sony E, and L-Mount).
Als Kameramann schätze ich die Leitz M 0.8 für ihren organischen Look und die präzise Mechanik - der Fokuszug ist butterweich und absolut wiederholgenau. Die kompakte Bauweise ermöglicht mir maximale Flexibilität am Set, besonders bei engen Räumen oder spontanen Handheld-Sequenzen. Der charakteristische Leica-Look verleiht meinen Bildern eine zeitlose Eleganz ohne technische Perfektion zu opfern.
Die Leitz M 0.8 unterstützt meine Vision einer authentischen, aber gleichzeitig cineastischen Bildsprache perfekt. Diese Objektive erzeugen eine intime Atmosphäre, die das Publikum näher an die Charaktere heranbringt, ohne durch technische Perfektion abzulenken. Die natürliche Farbwiedergabe und das sanfte Bokeh helfen mir dabei, emotionale Nuancen subtil zu transportieren.
Die Investition in Leitz M 0.8 Objektive rechtfertigt sich durch ihre Vielseitigkeit und den Prestigefaktor für internationale Koproduktionen. Ihr kompaktes Design reduziert Transportkosten und Setup-Zeiten am Set erheblich. Obwohl die Anschaffungskosten hoch sind, steigern sie den Produktionswert nachhaltig und sind bei Vermietern sehr gefragt.
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Leitz M 0.8"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?
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